A Change

Disclaimer: I do not own any Dog eared Hanyou's. pout Or any of the characters from the actual Inuyasha show. The new demon's are mine, and if you wish to use them please ask, I will be happy to share! grin

SF: My Muse needs a kick in the butt. I got the 9th chapter out and then took a break; before I knew it I was off at camp and could not get to a computer! I'm so sorry! I'm back now, but only for a few days before I leave for a week long family vaca. Hopefully I can bring my Laptop a long and type while I'm on my trip. I'm sooooo sorry about the wait, but here is chapter ten!
Inu: snorts as he walks off stage Just get back to the good stuff wench!
SF: Grins Why you perverted little puppy!
Inu: blush

-Emphasize-
-thoughts-

Chapter 10:

A Growth Kagome groaned and rolled over as the sun shined through the trees and directly into her eyes. She had been lying in the middle of a clearing with Inuyasha taking a break from all of their training. They had just seen Shippo off to Kitsune practice before having Kagome use her tracking skills to find them lunch. And then, instead of Inuyasha making her work some more he had suggested a nap. And even though she had been suspicious about it, when Inuyasha had lain down with her, Kagome had just accepted it and dropped off to sleep. But now, there was no Inuyasha to be found anywhere. Not in the clearing, and not anywhere that her nose could detect. Kagome slowly rose to her feet and turned around in a full circle, using her senses to see if she could find any trace of her Mate.

Kagome caught a small whiff of his scent and turned in that direction before taking off after him. Kagome followed the faint scent for a while, before it gradually grew stronger. The trail was heading deeper into the forest, further and further away from the Village and more toward the center of Inuyasha forest. Kagome could tell she was getting closer and so sped up, she was surprised by a sudden flash of light as she burst into a blind clearing.

Kagome fell through the sky and landed perfectly in the middle of the clearing. As she touched down, clouds of petals of various colors flew up around her in a dizzying array of light and shadow. Kagome's breath caught in her throat and she felt a well of emotion rise up in her throat at the beautiful sight. As Kagome turned around in a circle she caught sight of a flash of red and silver. Inuyasha stepped through the rain of falling petals and joined Kagome in the center. His eyes were shy and downcast, a faint blush tainting his cheeks. He reached out a hand to her and Kagome instantly placed hers in his palm. Inuyasha drew her toward him and wrapped her in his embrace. He breathed in the scent of Kagome's hair along with those of the Rose petals and sighed loudly at the end. He took Kagome's shoulders in his hands and turned her to face away from him. There, sitting on a slightly raised area, was a beautifully crafted bow, along with a quiver full of arrows. The bow had obviously been crafted by a master Weapons Smith, but the carvings and paintings that ran the length of the shaft and the outside if the quiver had been put on by a loving hand.

The runes and spells had been carved over many days, each one intricately laid down in precise order to make sure the clearest meaning was conveyed, and so that the weapon could never be used for a purposed beside the one that it had been crafted for. The spells also conveyed protection to the user and imbued the bow and arrow with a boost of power extra to the wielders. It made this a formidable weapon for both the wielder of the weapon and her enemies. It was the most important or precious gift one Mate could give another, some never gave this gift for fear of the consequences. This gift signified that the courtier, usually the male, saw the other as an equal, and because of that willing to let the other go. The courted was seen as being able to take care of herself, and not needing any help from a man. It conveyed the utmost trust and love in one's partner.

Kagome's eyes filled with tears at the implications, Inuyasha saw her as his equal, a force to be reckoned with, and a female who could go out into the world with a weapon and make her own way. It was the highest compliment one could pay to another.

"Inuyasha……………" Kagome breathed, "It's beautiful. I love it!" Her squeal filled the clearing and knocked birds out of the nearby trees as she bounded over to the raised ground. Inuyasha's smile split his face as he bounded behind her. She had liked it!!! Kagome pulled the bow up from the nest of petals and ran her hands lovingly down the carved and painted surface.

The deep burnished gold runes glinted in the sun light and the carvings made shadows in contrast to the light, just as Kagome had her miko and Hanyou sides. She spun suddenly, catching the half dog demon off guard and launched herself into his embrace. She tucked her head beneath his and rubbed it back and forth, her cheek pressed against his chest and her ears sliding along his face. Kagome let out a deep purr as she cuddled into Inuyasha.

Even though she was reassuring him with her actions, Inuyasha was still tense. She hadn't given him a response yet, and he was essentially giving her, her freedom with this gift, his last gift. It was Kagome's choice to accept, she had to accept it or the courtship would be over and she would be free and he would never have a chance to try with her again. Kagome slowly pulled back as she felt how tense Inuyasha was becoming, and a large smile had split her face.

"I accept this gift Inuyasha, and realize in so doing that I agree to be your Mate for all time. May no one try to rip it asunder, or suffer the consequences." Inuyasha smiled brightly at her statement and lifted her off the ground and spun her around in a circle. He set her on her feet before attacking her mouth with his. Kagome was –his- now, no one would be able to take her from him anymore. He had her! The kiss had started out innocently enough but it escalated rapidly. Inuyasha's arms went around Kagome's waist and pulled her flush against his body, her curves rubbing enticingly against his own. Inuyasha licked softly against Kagome's lips and she allowed him entrance into her mouth, their tongues curling around one another. Inuyasha delved deep his long tongue scraping the edges of Kagome's mouth, mapping the erogenous zones and running it along her soft dainty fangs, causing a loud moan to erupt from her body, the sheaths around the tops of the fangs being especially sensitive. Kagome writhed against him, her own tongue trying to explore the crevices of Inuyasha's mouth as well. Her hands moved from were they were burning a trail of fire along his skin under his fire rat robe, how they had gotten their Inuyasha would never remember, to the hair along the top of his head. Kagome traced her fingers along Inuyasha's skull before moving to trace his ears. She lightly traced the outer curve, and then proceeded to rub each ear. A deep purr sounded from Inuyasha's chest and he rocked against her, electing responses from each of them. They would have continued on in this way, and maybe even beyond, but they found the need to breath, and that small break brought some sense back to each of them.

Kagome lowered her head to Inuyasha's chest, her lungs heaving, while Inuyasha's head feel to rest on top of Kagome's. He still had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and it seemed to be the only thing that kept her from falling to the ground, as her legs seemed unable to hole her weight due to weakness.

"I'll take that as a thank you, ne…………Inuyasha?" Kagome giggled as Inuyasha snorted in response to her obvious question. He grabbed her hand before leaning down to collect the Bow and Arrows from where they had been dropped to the ground. Inuyasha reached out and helped strap the quiver to her left leg, 'for an easier draw', he claimed, and then attached the case that held the bow when unstrung to her other leg. This also housed a compartment for extra strings incase one snapped in the middle of battle. The two cases balanced each other out, and with the way they had been attached around her waist and on the inside of her Haori, at the top of her knee, it did not in any way hamper her movement or the movement of her clothes.

Kagome's grin split her face as she walked around a few times getting used to the feel of the straps against her legs. As she returned to Inuyasha's side she caught the sound of Shippo, Miroku, and Sango coming through the forest, Shippo in the lead. Kagome kissed Inuyasha quickly and went to step away, when he snagged her hand and pulled her close, tucking her into his side. Kagome's eyes were wide as she glanced up at him. Inuyasha just sent her a small grin as Shippo burst into the clearing, crowing at his success in finding the two Hanyous.

"HaHA! I'm getting better aren't I Dad!?" Shippo skidded to a halt in surprise at the sight before him. As he noticed the two cases Kagome was now sporting and the fact that she was still wrapped in Inuyasha's embrace and came to a fast conclusion. "She accepted!!! Yeah! Mommy and Daddy are getting Mated!!" The kitsune sang in the way only a small child could with an abandoned easy air. Inuyasha didn't even go to bop the Kitsune, and when he jumped into their arms, he only ruffled the child's hair. He was in too good of a mood to have it spoiled by Shippo. Miroku and Sango stood watching the seen with stunned expressions before Miroku's face slid into a sly smile.

"OOOoohhhh, and just what have you two been doing hun? Have you impregnated our Kagome Inuyasha????" Sango's Boomerang came down in a vicious arch and slammed the monk into the ground, unconscious. She grinned smugly before turning to the couple.

"This is amazing, I take it you agreed to be Inuyasha's Mate Kagome? And that's why he's so……………… outwardly affectionate??" Kagome blinked in surprise, but nodded her head anyway, she hadn't realized how much Sango had learned from her years as a Taijiaya. Kagome blushed as she realized that Sango had known –exactly- what had been happening between her and Inuyasha. She had even been trying to be discreet.

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the little Kitsune.

"What are you doing here so early? You should still be in class with the other? Did you leave class?" Shippo shook his head and bounced in Kagome's arms.

"Nope! SunFire said that he could smell the change coming over us, and because we can all touch our magic now, and we all know as much as we need to on 'Etiquette', we are to spend the last day or two with our parents before we become adults." This was just a well stated fact that rooted his parents to the spot. Kagome and Inuyasha shared a heavy glance before looking at the unconcerned child nestled in their arms.

Later that day, Kagome paced outside of Kaede's hut, her thoughts about Shippo turning around and around in her head. After Shippo's casual statement, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo had gone back to their training. Shippo had complained that he should be having fun and playing instead of working, was told that if he didn't train now it would just be harder for him after his change. Shippo had grumbled, but subsided after Miroku and Sango had asked to join in.

Kagome and Inuyasha had led the others to their clearing and showed them all they had been doing. It had been a few days since they had started their training and so the targets were getting ragged from the abuse of Kagome's arrows, they had gotten a simple replacement for the snapped bow so that she could continue practicing and then waited on the special hand crafted one, and Shippo's Fox Fire. Kagome had broken in her new bow by using some of her old arrows and shooting at the tree targets for fun. With the new bow, and her new strength, the arrows had either shattered or embedded themselves up to there fletching(1) in the tree. Kagome had grinned sheepishly and stated that she was glad she hadn't tried that with her knew Arrows, each of which had been fletched by Inuyasha, the feathers stolen from the roosting area of a Blue Phoenix Demon; it had resulted in many scratches, but the arrows now had a magic of their own as well. Inuyasha had snorted in agreement, the next batch of arrows would not have feathers as fancy as these; it was much too painful.

Sango and Miroku had helped with the days training by suggesting a 'game' of hide and go seek tag. Basically everyone scattered and when Shippo or Kagome found a person they had to 'fight' against them. If they won, which didn't happen very often, the person would return to the clearing and wait for at least ten minutes before returning to the playing field. If they lost the person ran away into the forest and Kagome or Shippo was made to find them again. If they could catch all 3 people in ten minutes the game ended. It had not as yet been accomplished.
Now it was after nightfall and Everyone but Kagome was asleep, and she was out pacing and worrying over her pup that was sleeping peacefully in the hut not five feet away. She was so caught up in her contemplation and pacing that she almost didn't sense the other presence until it was too late. Kagome immediately ducked and rolled to the side, avoiding the swipe of claws and coming to her feet in a swift movement her claws at the ready, Kagome berated herself for leaving her bow in the hut nest to Inuyasha. She took a deep breath and was about to attack the shape in front of her when she realized who it was. Her stance immediately relaxed and she made an angry, half-hearted swipe at her intruder.

"Dammit Inuyasha what the hell is wrong with you??" Kagome whispered fiercely at the dog demon in front of her. Inuyasha only snorted taking her hand has he walked forward to stand next to her.

"You should be on guard even while plagued with problems of any kind." Kagome snorted and continued to look out at the sky, but she never released Inuyasha's hand. "Come on Koi, what's wrong?" Inuyasha whispered as he turned toward the smaller half-demon next to him. Kagome let out a loud sigh and seemed to gather herself before answering.

"It's only been about a week, maybe two since we started training, by the way you were talking to my mother I thought we would have at least a few good months of training before Shippo grew up, or before we had to get back on the road to hunt for the shards, and I was prepared for that, but now, Shippo's going to age in a few days, and he's no longer going to be my little one. He's going to be all grown up and with a Mate of his own! I just………………… were going to have to start traveling again after Shippo ages, and…………………… I don't know. It's just to many changes too fast. I kinda don't want anything to change just yet, I need time." Kagome heaved out a large sigh, releasing tension and emotions that had been building all day.
Inuyasha swept her into a hug easily.

"It'll be okay koiishi, Shippo will still need us even after he ages. And while he'll have picked his Mate, he'll still need to court her, and get her to agree. He'll also probably still travel with us, it won't really be that much different, just think of it as having a useful Shippo now, instead of an annoying little kid." Kagome let out a screech as she turned in Inuyasha's arms and smacked him along side the shoulder.

"Inuyasha!! You take that back! You know you Love Shippo just as much as I do, weather he's small or large." Kagome snapped her mouth shut then, realizing what she had just admitted, and then a slow grin overtook her face as she realized what Inuyasha had just made her admit.

"Yeah well, just never let him hear you say that, I'd never be able to get rid of the brat!" Inuyasha smiled slightly as he looked down at Kagome, he was glad she had realized her own feeling with out him shaving to spell them out for her. -I knew there was a reason I wanted to Mate this girl beside her looks- Inuyasha thought as he rested against his Mate, their arms surrounding each other as they watched the night around them come alive, neither noticing the presence of one very happy Kitsune.
It was only a few days later that Inuyasha suddenly stopped the game that was being played in the front of Kaede's hut between Kagome, Shippo, and Sango, and looked directly at the small kit.

"It's time, we need to get going." Shippo nodded gravely at the short and succinct message and rose to his feet, ready to follow his father to the Kitsune village. Kagome rose as well, a questioning look on her face. "Yes Kagome you can come as well, but no one else. I'm sorry you two this is only for immediate family members, SunFire said I couldn't bring you." Miroku and Sango nodded returning to their seats on the porch.

"We will wait here for your return." Miroku intoned seriously, Sango nodding in agreement. The three demons nodded in return and moved off toward the Kitsune camp to join the other families and Kits that were dealing with the change this day.
When Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippo arrived at the Kit Camp there was a special structure set up in the center where normally the largest cooking fire resides. That had been moved to the opposite side of camp and this building stood in it's place. The building was made of wood and covered with vines, a fire burned in the center between the two halves of the building, and a stream crept under one side of the building through the room that was there, out the other side, through the center circle, and through the other half until it exited on the exact opposite side of the circular building. The building itself was a perfect circle, with the center carved out, and the two halves separated by a wall on each side. It reminded Kagome kinda like a Donut that was waiting to be cut in half. They walked over to a group of Kitsune and immediately spotted Sunfire, Sunburst, and SolarFlare. Shippo immediately scrambled down and ran to his friend's side. He tugged on her tail gently to get her attention and then gave it a sharp tug that caused her to yip at him and begin to chase him around the clearing. Kagome smiled softly at their antics and turned toward the Kits.

"Hey Sunfire? Why the sudden addition to the camp? I know it's got something to do with the change of the kits, but what's with all the elementals being present?" Kagome took another glance at the buildings and mentally ticked off the four different elements present around the building.

"Well, it is for the ageing process. The kits need to be near each other when they age, but we don't want the genders mixed so we keep them separated by a wall only, and this shape works the best. Also the Kits magic is based off Elemental Aspects and so they are all needed when a Kit changes so that they may be incorporated into his magic. So we divert stream through both buildings, cover the place in vines, leave the windows open to the air, and build a fire in the center so that it can be drawn off of and not hurt any of the Kit's during the change, seeing as they can't tell what is going on while it happens." Kagome listened fascinated by this explanation and nodded her head. It made since after it had been explained. Inuyasha just grunted and surveyed what was going on around him, it had been weird, and lately his scent of smell and his hearing had been off. It was disconcerting and he was trying to pay even more attention to his surroundings to compensate. It seemed to be working as no one had noticed anything was wrong with him, but right now it seemed that his nose was working fine, and he kept getting a small whiff of the strangest scent that kept stirring something deep inside of him, it was awaking something, and he had no idea what it was. Inuyasha's brow furrowed as he tried to place what the hell was happening to him, but he wasn't having any luck. Kagome noticed his look and was about to question him about it, but at that time Sunfire let out a yip that gathered all of the Kits to him.

He briefly spoke about what they would go through, the growth and the magic increase. He explained that they would be separated by gender and that when they were finished with the change, clothes would be by the door and that they were to change and come out to wait in the middle of the village for the others to finish. After everyone had changed the race would begin. The females would leave first, running into the forest and using all the skills they had learned to escape from the male kits chasing them. The makes would then be released and try to track the vixen that they wanted. When the vixen had been caught –nothing- was to happen. If the vixen agreed to the courtship then they were to return here where they would then be given further instructions.

"So is that all clear?" Sunfire called over the heads of the kits sitting in front of them. They all replied with a chorus of 'Hai's' and then turned and headed toward the building's one door, the parents watching anxiously as the kits went to one side or the other. Shippo turned and waved once before disappearing with the rest. Kagome sniffled once in sadness and anxiety before turning to Inuyasha so that they could find a place to sit and wait for the change to end. But as she turned around the last door closed behind the Kitsune's and their scents began to exude a certain smell. So by the time Kagome had fully turned to Inuyasha the scent had grown thick and reached his nose. Inuyasha stood stock still as the feeling I his stomach that had been slowly growing all day exploded outward to envelope his whole body. Inuyasha's back arched and he let out a small gasp as a white light glowed through his skin. It then retracted back toward his center and with it Inuyasha collapsed at Kagome's feet.

TBC……….
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……… ……………… ……JK ;)
Kagome cried out in surprised anguish as Inuyasha collapsed suddenly in the middle of the field. She raced toward him and fell to her knees. Her hands flitting over his body, but not quite touching. As if afraid that even a minor brush of her hands could hurt him even more. Sunfire sat next to her, his sense doing a quick check of all his vitals. His breath drew in, in a rush as he realized just what had happened. Kagome turned toward him at the sound and grabbed his shoulders urgently.

"What?? What's wrong with Inuyasha????" Kagome's voice was almost hysterical as she shook the Fox next to her. Sunfire stared for a few more seconds at the prone form of the Dog Demon before turning to Kagome and grabbing her hands, before slowly prying them off his robes.

"There is nothing severely wrong with Inuyasha Kagome. He's not in any danger of dying or anything of the sort. Now I need you to think for me, this demon you joined with, she had to know the ages that Dog Demon's age at. If you could pull that information out for me, it would be a great help." Kagome looked at him confused, but did as he asked, closing her eyes so she could search the 'files' of memories she had stored away in her brain. She skipped over battle techniques and years as a child. She halted once and looked through it. The one word she spoke a loud was,

"Fifteen." Sunfire smiled,

"Good Kagome, that'll be the first change, but I know there are two for dogs, it's like the teenage years, there should be a second one. Find that one please?!" Kagome nodded her head and again raced through the files, as she approached another year maker she started to realize items about the second change were springing up, and –there!-, mentioned once by Astrid's mother was a time frame.

"Sixty, it's sixty for both South and North Dog Demons!" She cried as her eyes popped open and she fixed her gaze on the Fox demon. "But why do you need to know that???" Sunfire sighed and motioned to the now twitching Inuyasha.

"His scent has changed, and it is as I feared. Inuyasha should have hit his second change a few years ago, but being shot and pinned against a tree has screwed up his internal clock, he probably would have gone another few years before his system completely straightened out, but because of the scent of the Change all of our Kitsune's are giving off, it triggered his own body's reaction. You don't need to worry much Kagome, while he didn't have any forewarning of the change, it's not all that different from the Kits. Well put him near the cooking fire, since there's a river near it now, and so we have all 4 elements to help his magic grow. There's only one major difference. Inuyasha will increase all of his strength's and all of his instincts. For the first few hours he will be like his Youkai self, listening only to his instincts, there is only one thing that will help him and keep him under control. You Kagome. Because you have all ready agreed to become his Mate, but not yet mated with him, you can get him to direct –all- his instincts at you and make him chase you into the woods. But only if you're willing, I won't have you doing this if you're not ready for it." Kagome blushed as she looked upon her Mate, the one man in the world she loved above all others. Was she ready 'to go the next step' with Inuyasha? Kagome thought back to what they had been doing only a few days ago in that field and grinned. Yes, she was willing.

"No Sunfire, I'm ready. It'll be okay, hell I might even enjoy myself." Kagome exclaimed grinning like the Cheshire Cat as a few of the male warriors carried Inuyasha toward the cooking fire and she turned to follow. "Oh Sunfire! Can you have someone come tell me when Shippo comes out of the hut??" "I most definitely will Kagome! Take good care of Inuyasha!!" Sunfire smirked like a sly fox as Kagome walked after Inuyasha's prone form.
It was hours later and the sun was starting to set. A few of the Kitsune had come out of the Building all ready, but most remained inside, Shippo and SolarFlare among them. Kagome still sat next to Inuyasha, watching over him as he tossed and turned on the ground. Kagome couldn't really see any change yet, he hadn't grown any, nor had his features changed, but something definitely was happening. She wondered if his body was being prepared, and then the change would happen all at once, and that was what Kagome was believing was going to happen more and more. She sighed and nibble on the bread and stew she had been served for dinner, but couldn't seem to find much of an appetite, she was much to nervous. Kagome was just about to start worrying again when a young adult Fox came running toward her.

"Miss Kagome!!! Shippo and SolarFlare are coming out of the Building as we speak! I'm supposed to relieve you of your post so you can attend to your son!" The young man was panting in his haste and Kagome grinned in thanks.

"Thank you young one. I promise I won't be long." With that Kagome took off to the center of Camp and made it there just as the two Kitsune's were exiting the building side-by-side. Kagome's breath caught in her throat at the sight. Both of them had retained their original coloring, but now the hair was finer and longer in their heads and tails. Their tails swept to the backs of their claves in a long arch and Kagome could see ribbons had been placed in their hair or on their tails to help deal with the newly acquired lengths. Both Shippo and SolarFlare had grown in size as well. They both now reached about to Kagome's chin or a little taller, and though that made them the average height for a Kitsune it was still about an inch shorter than a normal human. The last changes came from the fact that all the baby fat had disappeared from their faces. The sharp angles in Shippo's cheeks and chin made him strikingly handsome, while the same qualities made SolarFlare a breath taking beauty. The pointed ears that both sported lent an elfish quality to their faces and made both of them look like fire sprites. All the 'adult' Kitsune's were wearing robes of varying colors, anywhere from a dark black to purist white depending on their coloring. Shippo was dressed in mostly a deep blue. He wore a tunic and loose pants of the same color, with the ribbon in his hair matching. The belt around his waist and the ribbon holding his tail fur in place was a forest green and looked natural with his russet coloring. SolarFlare was the exact opposite. Her tunic, pants, and hair ribbon were all the same shade of hunter green. While her belt and tail ribbon were a deep blue. The two Kitsune's looked like the perfect counterparts. Kagome moved to join Sunfire and Sunburst as they hugged their daughter and Shippo, complementing them on their new 'looks'. When Kagome finished hugging Shippo he stepped back and looked at her.

"Wow, you sure do look different from this angle than from just a few hours ago!" Kagome laughed out loud and went to hug him again, happy that Shippo was the same as he always had been, minus the physical appearance and the voice change of course. Shippo looked around after a while, as the other Kitsune's started to file out in earnest. "Where's Otou-san? I wanted to be able to see him before I went out on the chase." Kagome flinched and looked down. She had wanted to avoid this question, she had wanted Shippo not to worry, but she couldn't keep it a secret.

"Your father collapsed after the Building was shut Shippo. Nothings really wrong Shippo, he's fine!" Kagome hastened to reassure the young Kitsune. "The hormones being released into the air when you all started through the change, triggered Inuyasha's own change, which has been thrown off because of his time spent pinned to the Gobshinbuko Tree. He probably would have gone a few more years before the Change, but the scent change tipped him over the edge. He's at the edge of the clearing near the cooking fire and the River. He'll wake up in a little while and it will all be fine. I promise, you just concentrate on your own ceremony Shippo." Shippo nodded and leaned into Kagome's hand that she had placed in comfort on his cheek. Kagome smiled and stepped back as the last few Kitsune's exited out of the Building and came to join the rest. Sunfire stepped forward and was about to let the females go when a bright flash of light and a -roar!- rang through the camp from the direction of the cooking fires and Inuyasha. Almost immediately, the young Fox Kagome had left Inuyasha with came around the last building and skidded to a halt in front of Kagome and Sunfire.

"He's awake!" Were the only two words out of his mouth before he sat on his butt in the dirt, his chest heaving with the strain of all the excitement. Kagome's eyes grew huge as she looked back toward were Inuyasha had been placed.
-I thought I had more time before he woke up! Shit I wanted to do this later, after I had gotten used to this body first, but I need to be able to keep up with him.- Kagome thought as she closed her eyes and stood perfectly still. When she and Astrid had integrated, they had done so partially, basically taking on the form of a teenage Hanyou again, which suited Kagome just fine, but Astrid had already been through her second change, and so when Kagome was ready, or she needed it, she was to basically go through her 'second change' in a matter of moments. This is what Kagome was doing now, she would never be able to handle a full grown Inuyasha if she was still a teenager. Kagome connected with the small part of Astrid that they had left separate from everything else, and pulled it over her like a blanket that instantly molded to her body and then added to it. Sunfire, SolarFlare, and Shippo started as Kagome gave off a sudden unexpected flash of light and when it cleared, an aged Kagome stood there.

This Kagome had only gained an inch or so in height and now her hair, which was still black with blue and sliver streaks, fell to her claves, it was tied into a braid and secured with a light blue ribbon. Her ears were still situated on top of her head and swiveled to catch every sound. Kagome's claws were a little longer and definitely stronger, they looked to be made of steel. Her fangs as well had grown a little longer and sharper, one peeking out over her lip as she smiled. When her eyes opened they were still the same light blue, but the dark blue and silver flecks shown with the power that now resided in her body. The most notable change, beside the fact that her miko and demon powers had just taken an exponential leap, was the pitch black tail that hung to right above the ground. The tip curled up slightly and that was the only thing that kept it from dragging in the dirt, and tied midway down her tail hung a deep blue and silver ribbon that held her fur in check. Kagome breathed deeply and looked down at herself, the tail she had not been expecting, but she loved it, and now she had even more power. Luckily she had been wearing her Haori and so it had stretched with her growth and looked to fit her even better than before. This had all taken place in a matter of seconds and she grinned as she turned to Sunfire.

"See I told you I would be ready." Kagome grinned cheekily at the three stunned faces and then waited as she felt her Mate charge toward her. It was at that moment that a fully grown Inuyasha burst into the clearing of Kitsune's. His eves were red and his lips were pulled back into a snarl. He wanted his Mate!

Kagome sucked in a breath at his appearance. The last of his baby fat had left his face leaving sharp angels on his face. He was breathtaking, even with the glowing red eyes. He had one deep red stripe on each, showing his power rank as one of the highest in the world, close to Sesshomaru's maybe even higher. On his forehead was a crescent moon tilted on it's edge, and a six pointed star rested on the bottom point, the moon was the same red as his stripes, and the star was a deep black. He had grown over half a foot and so now stood a good foot over the tallest kitsune. Kagome's head would fit perfectly in the crease of his shoulder when she was snuggled against him, the top of her ears just brushing the bottom of her chin. Inuyasha's claws and fangs had grown, sharpened, and hardened; he could probably cut through solid stone with just a swipe of his claws now. He had also grown a white sleek tail, but un-like Sesshomaru's it fell to just above the ground and did not need to be carried over one shoulder. His silver hair now met with the bottom of his tail, nearly brushing the ground, but a band of red held it together hear hip height. All in all he looked like a Youkai, and the only way to tell the difference was the tail and the ears still perched on top of his head. In the few seconds that Kagome's appraisal had taken, Inuyasha had spotted her. Kagome turned to Sunfire,

"Release the girls Sunfire! Let them run and keep Inuyasha here, I need a few second head start. Don't worry he's not far enough gone to not realize what you're saying, he'll listen and not attack you. I promise!"

"I hope you're right Kagome." Sunfire breathed before gaining the attention of the Kitsune's there as Inuyasha started across the field for Kagome. "Okay Kitsune's! We'll be starting the Chase now! Eyes on me, Girls get ready………………… Set………………… Run!" Sunfire called and all the females took off Kagome along with them. In the sudden unexpected rush of Kitsune's, Inuyasha lost sight of Kagome and was stalled for a few moments, just enough for Sunfire to get to him.

"Hey Inuyasha!" Sunfire called tentatively to the incoherent Hanyou. "This is the Chase, the girls go first and get a few minutes head start, and the guys follow after. It makes the chase more of a challenge and fun. If you just wait a minute I promise you can go after Kagome and it will be even more of a reward. I promise!" Inuyasha growled softly at him, but subsided any way. Kagome was all ready gone, and he was right, a head start would make the chase more fun.
Inuyasha stood still for only a few seconds before begging to bounce on the balls of his feet, but the time a minute he was full out pacing, his tail swishing back and forth behind him. Shippo hesitantly approached his father and when the demon did not recognized him, Shippo placed a hand on his shoulder. Inuyasha spun and raised his hand as if to swipe at the annoyance, and stopped as soon as he realized it was Shippo. He lowered his hand and touched it to the boy's cheek. Inuyasha let out a proud grumble and a small smile lit up Shippo's face, his father approved. As they separated Sunfire stepped forward and called their attentions.

"Okay men……………… on you mark, get set…………," all of the males went to their toes prepared to take off, "Go!" And all were left in the dust as Inuyasha took off like a rocket, his strength and long stride carrying him fast over ground and in two leaps he was out of the clearing, in the woods, and on Kagome's scent. Only one thought flitted through his head.
-Kagome-



TBC……………………………………………………
-1. Fletching are the feathers attached to the end or an arrow to help it keep balance and going straight as it flys through the air. So the arrow is buried to the bottom of the feathers.

SF: I am ssssooooooo sorry about the delay!!! Gomen nasai!!! I feel sooo bad about this!!! But I made it extra long so I hope this appeases you!!!! I really like this chapter and hope to get the other out next week! Please Review!!! I crave them!!! :P Arigato!!