Fantasy-Seal: Hey!!! The last chapter was fluffy wasn't it? Anyway, I felt so evil leaving that cliffy in the ending that was fun!! I bet you guys are like this --'. LOL! I would be! I noticed in my chapters that I didn't have a Miroku and Sango fluff, so I'm going work on that. Now on with the story!!!

A late thank you to Nya Goddess of Shadows for reviewing. T-T, Yes I will try and update faster, don't you worry!!

Orion Kohaishu: Glad that you liked the fluff, I liked it too. you'll find out what's going to happen in this chapter. And don't worry I will try and update sooner.

Disclaimer: I forgot to put this one the very first chapter along with the disclaimer is that I have a few characters that I do actually own and I'm gonna put them in this story. Like for instance meet Kiona!

:: Kiona appears out of nowhere and waves:: Hi! I'm Kiona, You'll know about me in this chapter- oops! :: Looks to FS (Fantasy-Seal) fuming mad:: I think I'll go now! :: Runs away from FS who is now currently throwing stuff at Kina::

FS: Ok, that's done and over with, as Kiona has just spit you'll know more about her in this chapter. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go and throw more stuff at her. Hope you like the chapter! :: Walks away grabbing at anything to throw at Kiona::

'Italics' = some one's thoughts

Chapter 9: A new ally

Kagome awoke to find that she was enveloped by the strong, warm, and safe arms of Inu Yasha. She looked up to see that Inu Yasha was awake; he put a finger to his lips, and motioned to the area where Sango was sleeping. Kagome got up and peeked at her friend, she smiled when she saw the pair. At some point during the might Miroku managed to cuddle up beside Sango, without groping her or doing at thing perverted, as he would have normally done, nor had he hurt her in any way. (She was still injured.) Shippo, who was sleeping in Sango's stomach during the might, he had felt Miroku's arms go around Sango's waist, sighed and got up to walk to Kiara, grumbling, about one thing or another. Kiara didn't object when Shippo, slept with her. (Not that way!)

Kagome and Inu Yasha made breakfast that morning; the pair awoke with blushes on their faces, although they didn't talk about it during breakfast. Kagome gave Sango a glace which said: 'You guys looked so cute together.' Sango blushed a deeper shade of red when she realized that, the glance that Kagome gave her was the same that she had given her the night before. 'Why did Kagome have had to wake up so early?' Kagome scooted over to Sango, "And you thought that we looked cute," said Kagome softly, a smile tugging at her rosy lips. "You should have seen yourself, all cuddled up in Miroku's arms." Sango just blushed and continued to eat. "You just had to wake up early." Kagome didn't hesitate, "Yep!" She smiled at ate her breakfast.

The gang got ready to leave, Sango was having difficulty in climbing on to Kiara, and she was still wounded. She was still blushing from finding herself in Miroku's arms. Miroku found that Sango was having trouble so he helped her by, grabbing her by the waist, and hoisting her up onto the back of Kiara, Sango was blushing more furiously than before. 'I hope that Kagome didn't see that, or she would so tease me about it.' Miroku just smiled at her before leaving, to put out the fire. Kagome saw this at that corner of her eye; she smiled a knowing smile and continued packing. 'I'll tell her I saw that but not in a teasing way, man, Sango was blushing like mad!' Once everybody was done, and the fire was put out, they set off.

The gang walked in silence, Shippo who was usually the one who was talking like a lunatic was quiet. Sango's wounds have healed but not completely so every now and again you can hear a hiss of pain coming from the demon exterminator. Miroku usually walked beside Inu Yasha, dropped back so that he was now walking beside Kiara who was carrying Sango. For the whole time they had walked Miroku didn't do anything perverted towards Sango, which of course surprised everybody. Shippo being the talkative one had voiced his thoughts out loud which broke the peaceful and yet awkward silence between them.

"Why hasn't Miroku groped Sango yet?" asked Shippo, with a cute puzzled look on his face. "He normally would've groped Sango at least, 2 times by now, 3 maybe." He stroked his small chin before adding a small after thought. "Maybe Miroku has stopped his perverted ways for the last time. . ." He thought about it a little bit more before adding a- "Nah!"

Everybody laughed at Shippo's antics at trying to cheer the group up, but each of them had thought the same thing: Why hadn't Miroku groped Sango yet? It was a normal routine in the morning, packing up, walking, Miroku groping Sango, Sango hitting Miroku or slapping him, Miroku unconscious or dazed, Sango fuming, every body else giving a giggle or a sigh, and continue walking.

Miroku sighed at the young kitsune. "Shippo, Shippo, Shippo, I haven't groped Sango yet, because of her wounds, it would cause her much pain in too moving," As if on cue, Sango gave a light hiss. "See? If I groped her now she would have had to move to slap me or hit me. This action might open her wounds, if she had moved too much."

Shippo mouth formed an "O" and added just for the fun of it. "Since when do you have limitations in your groping?" Everybody, except Inu Yasha who is currently snorting, laughed their head off. "He's got you there Miroku," said Inu Yasha. "I don't think that you should say a word Miroku, Shippo has been reading some of Kagome's books and well since at some point during the day she and I always make fun of each other, he might have learned a few things since then. Like, humiliating for instance."

Miroku just looked confused, 'Young Shippo snapping or humiliating me? Like that's ever going to happen.' Miroku scoffed. He tired his luck, "I have had limitations in my groping ever since I found out that punches and slaps from very angry girls hurt."

Shippo waited a moment and asked Kagome, "Is it okay if I-" Kagome already knew what he was going to say so she cut him of "Sure." Besides it was she who told him that it was okay to make fun at times, but not much as to hurt feelings, so she just watched the fun. Shippo turned back to Miroku, with a mischievous grin on his face. "Since when did punches and slaps stop you before?" Every body laughed harder then before at Shippo's comment. Even Inu Yasha joined in the laughter.

Miroku blushed at the comment, he knew that Shippo had learned it from both Kagome and Inu Yasha from their constant arguments, he knew that Shippo would just answer him back and make the rest laugher harder, and so he just played along. 'It was getting a bit boring walking in silence, at least this will make the beautiful Sango smile, the smile that made me fall in love with her. . .' "Well it is true I guess, punches and slaps have never stopped me before, but I need to rest my face for all the pain it has been going through." Miroku shrugged and grinned after his little statement to make it a bit funnier for the rest. Shippo thought a little bit but came back with well a come back. "Last time I checked, your face didn't need a rest, you groped a least 3 or 4 more times before calling it quits and getting knocked out."

Everybody was laughing harder then ever and was clutching their sides or leaning against a tree, in their amusement from the two. Shippo who was standing in the basket fell over laughing his cute little head off. Miroku was chuckling and was keeping an eye on Sango so that she didn't fall off Kiara, in her mirth. Kagome and Inu Yasha were leaning against each other, Inu Yasha was holding his sides and Kagome was laughing so hard that tears came down her face. After a long while the group had finally finished laughing but that didn't stop a few giggles here and there. They walked some more, this time they were chatting among them selves, ever since Shippo and Miroku had their little conversation about groping; it had lifted the quiet air between every body in the group so every body was chatting happily.

The main topic in this conversation at the moment was: Shippo. He liked being in the center of attention and didn't complain, he only did when Inu Yasha made rude comments. The gang was asking him about other fox-demons, weapons they use, the tribes, and they tricks that the fox-demons use. The group knew that Shippo missed his family so they didn't go near the matter; they knew that Shippo would feel bad and he might cry and didn't want to see that so they stayed far away from the topic.

The Camp

The day went away and the gang settled in for the night, they were near a village but were too tired to go on. There was a hot spring near by so Kagome and Sango headed for it. Miroku remembering that Sango was still wounded, didn't go after the retreating backs of the girls, instead he got a fire ready. Inu Yasha was as usual up a tree, ready for any sign of a demon coming near their camp. "That's new," inquired Inu Yasha. Miroku looked up at him and asked, "What's new?" Inu Yasha gave a small smile before answering. "You didn't go after the girls." Miroku thought about it and since they all knew the answer he didn't bother answering so instead he worked on the fire, and played with Shippo and Kiara.

The Girls

Kagome and Sango were already in the warm water. Sango was healing still, it would take her a few more days till she was healed enough, so she didn't swim with Kagome, instead sat on a rock and kept a look out. Kagome looked over at Sango, she sensed that the exterminator was slightly tense, as if she had expected a demon to come out and attack. So Kagome swam over to Sango and put a wet hand on Sango's dry shoulder. "Don't be so tense; relax, if you're worried about Miroku being here, he's not. I took the liberty to look around when I was swimming." Sango smiled, 'well that's one of my worries down, for now that is.' Sango still kept the smile on her face a relaxed a bit, but was still ready in case of any thing happening. The girls talked for a long while, since they were so into their talks they didn't notice a demon come at them. Kagome was still chatting to Sango but all of a sudden a demon leapt out of the woods, she nearly jumped up but remembered that she was naked just covered her chest with her arms and neared her bows and arrows.

The demon was a very large tiger, the tiger had orange-red fur with a few black strips and it had black eyes, which surprised Kagome, she had thought that tigers had yellow eyes not black. Sango had also neared her boomerang and placed a hand on it so that if the demon had tried anything he or she would be a goner. The demon looked around before turning into its human form. The tiger demon was actually a girl; she wore a deep-red kimono, with black trimmings, which fitted perfectly into her hair, which was the orange-red fur on the tiger. She also wore a katana bound to her slender waist by a black sash. Her hair was waist length and waved around freely. Her eyes held much knowledge in them. She took a look at them once more and realized that she was being rude.

"Forgive me for intruding you when you were bathing," her voice was light and calm. "I had to talk to you when that hanyou that you traveled with wasn't near you. He would've attacked and asked questions later, and I really wanted to help you out in your quest, so that's why I came." She sat down on the ground and waited for their answer, she closed her eyes, for their sakes. Without opening an eye she added, "you don't need to be afraid of me, you can relax I won't attack you. All I ask is that you put down your weapons, but if you wish to have them in your hands, and it makes you comfortable then you may keep a hold of them."

Sango and Kagome gaped at the girl, both thought the same thing: how had she known that our weapons are up with out opening her eyes? Kagome and Sango put down their weapons but it was within their reaches. The tiger demon opened an eye, and smiled. 'They put down their weapons; they must really be kind hearted just as the villagers have said they are.' Her eyes scanned Kagome and Sango's faces and not any where else. She met Sango's eyes and saw a fierce look in her eye which meant: one move and your dead. The demon's eyes left Sango and went on to Kagome, the demon's black eyes widened in surprise, 'she's a miko, why didn't I know that before?!?!'

Sango became inpatient and just asked, "What do you want for us demon?" The demon just looked at her, her face was unreadable, but she answered the question in a calm manner, as if she was old friends with Sango. "Like I have told you, I wanted to help you in your quest for the Shikon jewel shards. By the way my name is Kiona." Kagome looked at Sango; both eyes were wide open in surprise. Kiona saw their surprised expressions on there faces so she just continued on. "I can see from the looks on your faces that is saying, 'how did I find out you were collecting the jewel shards?' Well for one I have been watching you for a bit now, and that demon attacked I heard it say before 'hand over the Shikon shards.' That was one way I knew the other is the fact that this girl," pointing to Kagome. "Is wearing a jar with Shikon shards in it, which I have just found out when I was observing you two." Kagome picked up the jar and stared at it then back to Kiona. Kagome gave Sango a look which said 'oops I forgot.'

Kiona stood up and got Sango's and Kagome's clothing and placed it near them. "It would be better if we talked about this in your camp, I would not like to repeat myself once again." Kiona then turned around and faced the opposite direction. Kagome and Sango got up and dressed quickly behind a few bushes. Kagome was about to start asking questions but a look from Sango got her quiet. When the two girls were done dressing the made their way back to camp. They walked in an awkward silence.

The Camp

Inu Yasha sensed Kagome and Sango coming nearer but he also smelled another presence with them. He jumped off the tree and faced the direction where the two girls and the unknown presence were. Miroku stopped playing with Shippo and Kiara when he saw Inu Yasha jump out of his tree. Miroku was about to speak when he saw that Inu Yasha's sword hand was on the hilt of Tetsusaiga. Thoughts ran through Miroku's mind when he went to get his staff, 'a demon approaches, but what about Sango and Kagome? Are they alright?' He too stood beside Inu Yasha in a defensive stance. When Kagome and Sango came through the trees the boys relaxed a bit but were still alert. Kagome put a hand on Inu Yasha's shoulder, and whispered something. Inu Yasha calmed down but he was still tense. Sango did the same to Miroku, and he too relaxed but still searching the woods for any sign of a demon.

Kiona came out of the woods still in her human form, and immediately the boys were ready for an attack. Sango and Kagome did what they can to calm the boys down and reassure them that the demon was a friend of theirs. Miroku gave in easily but Inu Yasha was being stubborn so Kagome just gave him a small-"sit." Inu Yasha meet the ground, meet Inu Yasha.

Kiona just stared at the small crater with a sliver-haired hanyou in it, then back to Kagome. Kagome just stared at Kiona, before she could say any thing Kiona laughed. Inu Yasha grumbled and glared at Kina, "Feh! Not funny, I wouldn't be laughing if you were the one who got pummeled into the ground." He dusted himself of and stood by Kagome. He gave Kagome a small glare before turning his attention back to Kiona, who has stopped laughing but still gave a giggle or two. Kagome and Sango sat down and motioned her to do the same.

She sat down beside Kagome and waited for her to start. She gave a nod to the miko and she started but was cut of by none other then Inu Yasha himself.

"What are you doing here demon?" he growled. Kiona just stared at him with a cool look in her eyes. "I'm here to help you find Naraku, to destroy him and to find the rest of the jewel fragments so that other demons won't go around destroying everything." Inu Yasha just stared at her, speechless. But quickly gathered himself to question her once more, "How did you know that we were looking for Naraku and the jewel shards?" He finished with a triumphant smirk on his face. 'Let's see if she can answer that one.'

Kiona answered him once again in a cool demeanor, "I have been watching you for a few days now and I have heard few of your conversations. One of them coming from you," pointing to Inu Yasha. "You said that the demon you faced was a dispatch of one of Naraku's horde. You fought it but you found no jewel shards. Then you went stomping and muttering, about Naraku and jewel shards." Inu Yasha's triumphant smirk vanished from his face, 'she's right! We did fight a demon from Naraku's horde, and it didn't have a jewel fragment and I went ballistic because of it.' Inu Yasha continued to gape at Kiona.

Shippo went up to Kiona and sniffed her. "She's a tiger demon," he sniffed again. "You're strong for your kind too. Although I'm not saying that you're weak or anything. . ." Kiona smiled, "You have a good sense of smell, and yes I'm a strong from my kind." Shippo stopped sniffing and looked at her and asked, "What tribe are you from?" Kiona motioned for the kitsune to sit on her lap, and he did. "I'm from the Fire tribe; I'm the daughter of my tribe's leader, Jiokhan." Kiona carefully ran her fingers through Shippo's hair, so that her nails won't hurt him. Shippo cuddled more into her lap and sighed.

Kiona smiled and looked up, "Any more questions?" Miroku got up and asked, his ever so famous line, with a glint in his violet eyes "Yes, as a matter of fact, here's one. Will you bear my children?" Kiona looked shocked, before Sango and Kagome could react; Kiona had Shippo carefully layed on the ground, and punched Miroku all in one swift move.

Kagome, Inu Yasha and Sango gaped at Kiona. She stared back at them, "Was I not supposed to do that?" The three shook their heads, Kagome was the one the spoke though, "No, actually we would have expected you to scream and glare at him but we never expected you to punch him."

"Oh, is he always like that?" she asked. Every body just nodded. Apparently Kiona had her back to Miroku, and well he is now conscious once more and saw his opportunity to grope Kiona. So he got up and rubbed her back side. Kiona blushed, in another swift move she had Miroku with his back to the ground and her katana pointing to his throat. "Don't you ever do that again," she threatened in a soft and dangerous voice which made it even more threatening then ever. She quickly sheathed her weapon and sat down and put the awakened Shippo on her lap. Kiona looked around once more to find three pairs of eyes on her, awe and surprise in reflecting in their eyes. "What did I do now that you find most surprising?" Shippo having seen it all, answered for them, "The girls always hit Miroku if he ever did something perverted but they never threatened him before."

Sango was the first to recover, "That's fine, the punches, and slaps weren't affecting him any way." She shrugged and patted Kiara. "So Kiona, you said that you were going to help us does that mean that you're going to join our group?"

Kiona nodded. "Since I am new to your group you probably shall want me to know more about me, right?" Every body nodded, before they could ask any questions Kiona cut them off. "It shall have to wait until we eat, you all are hungry and you walked all day, so it's time to eat. I shall assist in cooking as well."

With that said everybody went their ways, Inu Yasha sat down refusing to help and just stared, Kagome and Kiona cooked, Sango tended to the fire, and Shippo waited by the fire for food. Kiara waited as well.

Once dinner was cooked and everybody had a bowl of ramen they settled down to hear Kiona's story. Kiona leaned against a tree and let Shippo lye in her lap before starting.

"Well, as you know I'm from the Fire tribe. Every body in the Fire tribe is skilled in swift movements, and in our agility. We also use a bit of ancient magic that has been passed down from generation to generation.We're usually a peaceful tribe but every since Naraku and his minions we have changed. We no longer use our skills for fun but to defend and to kill. When Naraku attacked he killed half of my tribe, and he also killed . . . . . my mate, my daughter and some members of my family . . . . ." Kiona's voce broke off and now had tears glistening in her black eyes. Shippo did his best to comfort her, Sango and Kagome did too.

Kiona took a deep breath and rubbed at her eyes before starting once again, "Only a few families remind whole. My father heard from a near by village that a group saved there village from a demon, with a Shikon no Tama embedded in it without any charge. They had only wished for a night at an inn, the next morning they were gone. My father asked how they looked like and he then went back to our tribe, and sent me and a few scouts to look for you. He wishes that a select few and I to accompany you. If you wish to discuss this with my father I can take you too him."

Kagome, Sango. Miroku and Inu Yasha all nodded. Inu Yasha being the leader spoke for them, "We shall meet your father, and since you shall be staying with the group I suggest that you show us your skills."

Kiona merely looked up and nodded. "Do you wish too see all of my skills or just certain ones?" Inu Yasha just shrugged, "Up to you."

Kiona walked a few meters away from a sturdy oak; she then took out a bow and a quiver full of arrow. She nooked one arrow and took aim, while Kiona was aiming red tendrils began to form around the arrow, so when the arrow had hit the tree the red tendrils began to enveloped the tree, a few seconds later the tendrils burst in to flame, but it didn't burn the tree. She then took another arrow and aimed for another tree, when the arrow was flying to the tree, it had slowly changed into a flame arrow, when it struck the tree she was aiming at it had burst into flame right before their eyes.

She put down her bow and her quiver and took out her katana, she held it in front of her and all of a sudden flames began to surround the sword, she slashed a tree, it stood as if it had never been struck but the next moment the top half of it slid to the ground, in a perfect cut. The fire diminished around the sword but it had a red-ish tinge to it, she then threw the sword like a boomerang (think of when Sango throws Hiraikotsu.) The sword struck 3 trees before retuning to Kiona's hand. All the trees just like the one she slashed had the top part slide down in another clean cut.

She sheathed her katana and turned around, to find that Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kagome and even Inu Yasha, gapping at her. She sighed and sat down cross-legged against a tree; Shippo bounded up to her and asked, "Can you teach me how to do that sword thing? Not the one where you throw it though that one was scary but the other one?" He gave her little puppy-eyes just to make it cute. Kiona giggled and said, "I don't know Shippo, all the things I have shown you are only for the demons of the Fire tribe to know. I'm sorry." Shippo looked downcast so she rethought about a few things and added, "Although I think I can teach you one thing. . ." Shippo gave Kiona a big kitsune hug around the neck, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank y-" "Ok, Shippo, enough of the thank yous." Shippo let Kiona go but cuddled up in her lap, to show his gratitude.

"That was amazing Kiona!" exclaimed Kagome, making Kiona blush. "Oh, it was nothing." She replied modestly. Sango joined in, "You call clean cutting 3 trees clean in a row nothing?" Kiona blushed another shade of red, from the praise. "My father can do 5 in a row." Sango waved that off, "That was your father, not you." "Yea well. . ."

Inu Yasha huffed, 'wonder if I did that would Kagome praise me?' Kagome turned around, "Don't so rude Inu Yasha," "But-" "But nothing; it's not courteous to be huffing at a guest." "Will you let me finish wrench?" he asked. 'Even though he might have confessed to me, he stills calls me wrench?!' "Ok that's it, SIT BOY!!"::BAM::

Everybody else besides the laughing Kiona sweat dropped.

"When will he have the decency too be kind to guests?" murmured Miroku. "I heard that monk!" said Inu Yasha, his head out of the crater. "Well he is right there Inu Yasha, you should learn so manners," inquired Sango. Once Inu Yasha was out of the crater he stood in his usual stance and said a "feh." Before sitting down he muttered under his breath about teaming up and manners.

Kiona finished laughing enough to say what's on her mind, "Well Inu Yasha you had better learn some manners now before you go to my tribe's area. Also not to mention keep your temper down too. My father has plenty on his mind so he might snap if you push him over the edge." "Feh." "I'll take first watch then." "No, its ok Kiona you go and rest," insisted Kagome. "I'm fine, you all can rest I can take watch it's the least I can do." Sango nodded.

Everybody had already prepared their stuff for sleeping in, and once they said their good nights, they were asleep. Kiona made herself comfortable, and sighed, she then closed her eyes while she was doing that she also expanded her senses to cover 20 miles around the camp. 'What is she doing? I thought she said that she was taking first watch.' "I'm expanding my senses to cover 20 miles around the camp, if you're wondering." Kiona said all that while still keeping her eyes shut. "Feh." 'How did she know I was wondering that? Can she read minds?' "Bout time you found that out. Kagome and Sango already know," answering Kiona even though he didn't say any thing. "Just say out of my mind ok?" "If you say so," Kiona finally opened her eyes to look at the group, 'they really are what the villagers say they are, kind, brave, and courteous. Or at least most of them.' She smirked, and closed her eyes once again to focus on the surroundings.

Fantasy-Seal: I hope that answers people's unasked questions.

:: Kiona comes in grabs the keyboard away from FS and types:: yes I hope it does, any way R&R!

:: FS:: I'm supposed to say that!

:: Kiona:: It isn't any more! Cue evil music Mwhahahaha!

::FS:: --' ok, I think I should cut back on the sugar.

::Kiona:: No! Sugar is my best friend! :: Hugs a bag of cotton candy and a bag of sugar. Then runs out of the room still holding the bags.::

::FS:: --' sigh, now if you'll excuse me I have to once again chase Kiona!