YAY!!!! This story is more popular than I ever thought it would be! It's my most popular story right now! I feel so special...

Review responses:

gilbertfan: That's okay that you didn't log in! I'm fine with that! Yeah, well I think I already e-mailed you those answers! I hope I was helpful enough... I await your updates!

dragonfly-rising: Thanks for the compliments! I'm glad it makes you smile, though there will be lots of sad stuff in later chapters. Keep reading and reviewing!

ChibiYugiYasha: ^-^ I just love reviews... TY!!!!! Keep reading and reviewing!

Akita Inu: By all means, start a Hihan hate club! I don't mind! (Can I join?) You're welcome for the quick updates, too! I try to update once a week.

Oracle of the Stars: Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to get readers on your tail! I promise I won't be TOO evil when Inu's mom dies. Maybe. Luv the reviews! Keep 'em comin'!

Koinu-Chan: EEP! Still with the sister threats! I happen to have enough trouble with my own sister! I don't need another one on my tail! I guess that means I'll have to update a lot...

Shiari: YAY! I luv new readers! ^-^ Please keep reading and reviewing! And thanks for the compliment!

Squeakers: YAY! It's you again! I remember you from DwD! ^-^ Actually, I am plotting revenge on Hihan. *Laughs evilly* See ya next time!

Inuyasha Mistress: That's okay! Take your time updating! *Hides knife behind back*

Lost Darkness: Thanks. Hope you have fun in the Bahamas! And come back soon so you can read my new fic and update!

Pepper: You're welcome! And thanks for the wonderful compliments! Keep the reviews coming!

X-with stars: Thanks! ^_^ If you really hate that kid, Akita Inu is starting a Hihan hate club!

elven dragonlord: Hate to correct you, but it isn't demons who are visible. Shippo still isn't visible. I don't have a reason why Kirara is visible, so don't ask!

crazcat416: You're welcome for the cookie! Yeah, Inu can see Kag. But he can only see her some of the time and even then, she looks kinda like a ghost. And he is the only one who can "see" her. Keep reading and reviewing!

LilBlue-Hedggie: ^-^ Thanks! You should join the Hihan hate club too!

dark-wolf-soulX: Don't worry! Plenty of angst and sadness in later chappies! The plot has to build more first, though. And it's not going to be horribly gory or anything when his mom dies, but it is going to be sad! (Angst is my favorite, too!)

Disclaimer: THIS IS SO STUPID! WHY THE HECK DO YOU THINK WE CALL THEM FANFICTIONS?!!!!! *Lawyers back away in fear*

~

"What should I call her, mother?"

"I don't know. Call her whatever you want."

"How about Haitatsu?"

"I think that name suits her."

"Can we go outside?"

"Yes. Be careful, though."

"All right! Come on, Haitatsu!"

Haitatsu (a.k.a. Kirara) followed Inuyasha out the door with a happy mew. Inuyasha stopped and inhaled the scent of the fresh morning air. Then he started growling. Hihan was coming. And he wasn't alone.

"Well, well. If it isn't the freak."

"Shut up, Hihan!" Inuyasha growled. Beside him, Kirara started hissing.

"What's this? I thought dogs and cats were supposed to hate each other."

Hihan and his friends moved in on Inuyasha. Hihan picked up Inuyasha by the front of his shirt.

"Too bad your cat won't be of much help to you, mutt."

"H-h-hihan?" One of his friends stuttered.

"What?!"

"T-the cat!"

"What the-?"

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder as best he could and saw Haitatsu engulfed in flames. When the flames disappeared, Haitatsu had changed from cute, furry kitten to huge, ferocious cat. Hihan's so-called friends turned tail and ran.

"Hey! You cowards! Come back here!"

Haitatsu roared at Hihan, showing her two, gleaming fangs. Hihan dropped Inuyasha and quickly followed his friends. Haitatsu looked at Inuyasha who jumped up and hugged her around the neck.

"Haita! You saved me!"

Haitatsu purred and rubbed her head gently against Inuyasha. Then she grabbed the back of his haori and tossed him onto her back.

"Haita, what are you doing?"

Haitatsu answered by leaping into the air. Inuyasha gasped in wonder as Haitatsu soared over the village.

"You can fly?! This is amazing!"

Inuyasha wished he could stay riding on Haitatsu's back forever and forget about everything, but soon his sensitive ears picked up the sound of his mother's voice calling him. Reluctantly, Haitatsu turned back towards the village.

~

"Inuyasha! Where are you?"

Tsuki scanned the area, looking for her son. Usually, he would have come by now.

"Inuyasha!"

"I'm up here, mother!"

Tsuki looked up and gasped when she saw her son riding on the back of a very large fire-cat. As soon as the cat landed, she snatched her son off its back.

"Don't worry, mother. It's just Haita!"

"Haita?"

"You, know. Haitatsu!"

"Since when was Haitatsu so big?"

"She can transform! Watch!" Tsuki watched as the cat was surrounded by flames and emerged as the two-tailed kitten she had seen that morning. "She protected me from Hihan!"

"That's why I called you. Hihan's mother told me that Hihan had run home crying and yelling about a huge cat that was with you."

"But Haitatsu didn't hurt them. She wouldn't do something like that. I wouldn't let her."

"I know you wouldn't let her hurt them." Tsuki stared into the golden depths of her son's eyes, her own eyes threatening tears.

"What's wrong, mother?"

"Nothing, Inuyasha. Go and play with Haitatsu. I'll have lunch ready in a while."

~

"I've got to hand it to you, Kagome. That idea of yours worked out pretty well."

"Thank you, Sango!"

"I must agree with Sango," Miroku said. "Kirara will be able to help protect Inuyasha as she did today. One thing I'm still wondering is why Kirara and only Kirara is visible."

"It doesn't really matter, does it?"

"I don't suppose so."

~Later that evening~

Inuyasha crouched outside his house in the darkening light, drawing pictures in the dirt and trying to ignore the enticing smells of food from inside. The sun had just disappeared beneath the horizon, leaving the deep blue of twilight. Inuyasha glanced at the place where the sun had disappeared. He held back a gasp of excitement at what he saw. There, against the last sign of the sun's existence, was the silhouette of what looked like a giant dog. He jumped to his feet in excitement and wished with all his heart that the owner of the silhouette was where he was, but he would just have to wait...

~

I hope that chappie wasn't too short...

Anyway, I have a brand new fic out today! Please check it out if you have time! It's AU, Inu/Kag! Don't forget to review!