Look, guys, I updated again!!!! Aren't you all happy now? Well, I am And I wanted to say that you guys will probably enjoy this chapter very much. And if you don't, well then too bad for you. Anyway, please review and thank you to everyong who's reviewed so far, you guys are the best!!!!! Anyway, enjoy the next installment.

Chapter 8

A Family Over Time

"Okay, toddler, what is it this time?"

Okay there was something wrong about that statement.

Not the statement itself, but the person behind it.

Everyone stopped and stared at this...speaker who normally radiated patience.

This said person now stared almost angrily at the toddler, daring him to say something.

"Uh, Ku-Kurama, what's up with you? Yoko trying to break free again?" Yusuke asked, nervously while stepping away from his friend.

"No, I'm fine Yusuke, why do you ask?" Kurama asked in his normal cool voice. But his eyes. Oh, god his eyes had the strangest demented look in them that promised...something. Whatever it was, it wasn't good.

Yusuke gulped while looking to Hiei, who knew the kitsune better than anyone, who looked quite comical at the moment, his eyes never wavering from the redheaded kitsune almost popping out of his head. In all his years, he'd never heard Kurama disrespect someone. At least not someone as important as Koenma.

"Uh, Kurama," the little prince stammered.

Once again Kurama smiled innocently at Koenma, eyes still sparking with fire. "Was there something you needed, Koenma-sama?"

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight," Koenma stammered. He cleared his throat trying to look anywhere and everywhere but on the kitsune who'd just lost his mind. "Anyway, boys, you have a new mission."

Situation diffused momentarily, Yusuke sighed before rolling his eyes at said toddler. "No, duh, toddler-sama. Why else would you have brought us here?" He walked to Koenma's desk and began shuffling through the odd papers, indicating which beings were to go to hell, Reikai, or is reincarnated.

"Yusuke, stop that!" Koenma cried stamping Yusuke on the head with his stamp. Yusuke growled trying to read the stamp. When he finally red it his face grew red with anger.

"Rejected!!! I'll show you rejected!" he was about to jump across the desk and strangle the tiny imp, before Kuwabara held him back.

"Wow, Urameshi, calm down."

"Um, Koenma, perhaps you could tell us what the mission is so we can get on with it," Kurama suggested, now back to his original self.

"Oh, right," Koenma sighed. "Well, the mission concerns a certain shrine located on the outskirt of Tokyo. Recently there were several bursts of powerful energy that measured quite powerful on our scale and I want you to check it out. We have no records of anyone at that particular shrine so we have no idea who is living there. The only thing I can tell you is that up until a couple years ago, this energy used to jump around sporadically. One moment it would be very high, the next it would disappear as if never having been there."

"Well, all right, we'll investigate, as long as it doesn't take too long or Kayko will kill me," Yusuke gulped thinking of his sweet yet deadly girlfriend and her frying pan. He was cringing at the memories before he noticed everyone was staring at him curiously. He sweat-dropped before regaining his compose. "All right guys, lets get out of here."

"Right," they all agreed standing up.

Botan appeared before them and opened a portal to the shrine, smiling ever so happily.

"Oh and Koenma, the next time you call for me when I'm meeting a pretty girl who I happen to find interesting, just remember what my death tree can do," Kurama stated calmly, before practically gliding out, and leaving his friends once again doubting Kurama's sanity, while one Prince gulped.

When Kagome got home that afternoon everything was quite quiet. She was walking slowly as she strained to carry her heavy briefcase, which Sesshomaru had so kindly over-loaded with work, because of her lateness that morning. But, oh, what a reason to be late? She thought, picturing the cute demon in her mind before shaking her head. No, Kagome, get those thoughts out of your head. Trying to block out his memory, she glanced around noticing there seemed to be no visitors that day. So Kagome smirked before transforming into her kitsune form and whizzing up the many shrine steps in record time.

Sighing happily Kagome walked to her front door, glancing around curiously for her kit, brother, and best friend. Hmm, no one's home yet, she thought to herself before shrieking happily at her good fortune and rushing through the house to draw a nice warm bath for her weary muscles.

Ah, she sighed, sinking deeper in the water once she was safe and warm inside her bubble bath. Now this is heaven, she thought allowing her body to soak out the day's tensions. Kagome was almost asleep when she heard the sound of the front door opening. Sniffing the air, she relaxed upon realizing it was just Miroku.

"Kagome," she could hear him calling as he walked through the house and up the stairs. She heard him approach her bathroom door. Now at one time she would have panicked at having him so close to the door, but ever since coming to the future Miroku had changed...a bit. Sure, he still admired girls and thought every woman beautiful, but he no longer groped them. Well, not unless he was in his demon form.

"In here, Miroku," she called through the closed door. Her kitsune ears perked up listening to his quiet, calm breathing.

"Okay," he replied. "I'm going to get dinner started. The boys had a field trip and won't be home for another hour. And Sesshomaru called and said he's coming over for dinner tonight, okay 'Gome?" he asked.

"Sure," she replied. "I'll be out in a bit, Roku."

She knew he wouldn't reply and only sighed in contentment as she listened to his whistling as he went back down stairs to prepare their dinner.

After another half hour of blissful relaxation, Kagome know it was time to get out and head downstairs. Wrapping a towel around her torso and hair, she walked into her room humming happily. She let the towel drop and rifted through her closet searching for something pretty to wear. She stopped upon noticing a pure dark blue kimono she'd never worn before. It was dark blue in color with silver lining. Kagome giggled as she slipped the kimono over her body.

She smiled into the mirror, wondering over her demon features. After all this time, it was still weird to look into a mirror and know that this creature, this vixen, was really herself. A tall, full muscular body, long ice blue hair with startling white streaks and ice blue ears atop her head tipped in pure white. The white snowflake overlapped by the teardrop had become more pronounced upon her flawless white features. While Kagome blow-dried her hair, she contemplated her life over the past few years.

Okay first everyone dies in a shocking and horrific final battle with Naraku, leaving her with Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, and Sesshomaru. Then she and Miroku had been taken to his castle where they'd become demons and learned to trust and love in a man who'd once been a strong opposing enemy. Finally they returned home only to find out her mother and grandpa were dead, leaving her with her young brother. But now, now everything seemed to be falling back into place. She a nice paying job in Sesshomaru's top business, while Shippo and Souta attended school and Miroku took care of the family shrine. In short, they'd formed their own family.

She set down the dryer when she finished and once again stared into the mirror. How long had it been? How long had it been since she'd been content with the way her life was? After learning of her mother's death, she had realized things were never going to be the same again. So she had taken on the responsibilities of raising Shippo and Souta, while earning money for the shrine and her home.

She stared into the mirror now as she let her demon features shine. In the safety of her own home, she often reverted to demon form because she honestly liked the way she looked and felt. Kagome giggled happily. Happy, was she happy? Yes, she was.

She wondered why today of all days, seemed to make everything clear to her again. Maybe it was that kitsune, that Kurama. If it were, well, the next time she saw him she'd thank him. That was if she'd ever see him again. Her eyes widened as she realized she actually wanted to see him. She cast one more lingering look in the mirror before prancing down the hall.

Practically skipping downstairs she lifted her head and smelled the sweet spices of Miroku's spaghetti; another thing that had changed. Miroku absolutely loved to cook. With Kagome's help, the two had learned practically everything about the different foods of the world. Now they took turns alternating each night. And while Kagome loved it, Miroku was better, he excelled at it and Kagome loved eating everything he created.

Kagome ran into the kitchen catching Miroku by surprise and spinning him around. She watched as his stunned reaction and heart rate slowed to normal and he grinned back at the happy kitsune. "Why good, evening, Kagome-chan," he said cheerfully.

Miroku, too, had dropped his illusion and was standing in his demon form, wearing a purple muscle shirt and light blue jeans. He had his long black hair, streaked in iridescent purple and blue streaks, hanging loosely without a pony tail and his black ears, tipped in dark purple were perked up in happiness as his three tails black tails, tipped in purple, wrapped around his waist. The green vine, now sported a red rise, while his earth kanji was glowing.

Kagome walked over to the counter and switched on some music before turning back to her best friend with a mischievous smile. "Come on, Miroku, dance with me," she urged, reaching for his hands.

He started to shake his head no, but then stopped and looked at his beautiful best friend. How long had it been since she'd looked so...carefree and happy. So, he set down his stirring ladle and allowed Kagome to draw him into her childish antics.

"My lady," he bowed taking her right hand in his left, while her left went to his shoulder and his right went to her hip.

"Kind sir," she replied in kind. The two began to waltz around the kitchen spinning and twirling and twisting with the beat. They were laughing and having a grand time just talking and enjoying each other's presence.

"So, what is up with you today, my friend?" he asked smiling happily at the vixen, still spinning with her in his arms. "Have you met someone new?"

The answer he was expecting wasn't the one he received. She smiled impishly, "Why, Miroku, whatever makes you say that?" she asked.

He gaped. "Kagome!" He cried, halting in his tracks before they both began to laugh.

She giggled, before continuing her dance, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Roku," she whispered, closing her eyes and savoring his musky male scent she'd grown accustomed to. She began purring at the safety and closeness to her best friend.

Miroku brought her closer burying his head in her hair, allowing a rumbling purr to meet with hers. "For what, Kagome?" he asked, looking into her pretty silver-blue eyes.

"For being here? For being my best friend," she answered. "For staying with me."

Miroku smiled kindly sighing and holding her tighter against his front, enjoying being able to relax in his best friend's arms. "Kagome, you're my best friend, the best friend I've ever had. I would never abandon you," he whispered, kissing her forehead gently. They hadn't noticed but as they had been talking, their dance had slowed and they were now swaying contentedly in each other's arms.

They danced awhile more until a small, "ahem," brought their attention to a man with long black hair and green eyes. He was wearing black jeans and a white long sleeve shirt, looking kind of boyish. He was staring at them curiously but smiling a gentle smile.

Kagome broke away to throw herself upon him. "Seshou-kun!" she cried rushing forward to embrace her boss and other best friend.

He laughed as her demon body connected with his. "You act as if you didn't just see me," he teased, kissing her on her temple before setting her back on her feet. He turned to Miroku who was smiling sincerely at his two friends.

"Monk," Sesshou nodded in greeting. A long time ago that greeting would have come out as an insult, but now it was more an endearment.

"Hello, old friend," Miroku responded in kind. "Who don't you come in and sit. The boys will be home soon and dinner is almost ready."

Sesshomaru nodded while Kagome was still smiling happily. Come to think of it, she'd been smiling all day. Even as he'd teasingly reprimanded her about coming in later, even as he'd handed her all her paper work upon her way out. He met Miroku's gaze over top her head and Miroku merely shrugged indicating he didn't know what was up either?

So the three sat down to a very comfortable dinner, which was soon joined by two rambunctious growing boys who flung themselves at the demon lord, who'd dropped his human disguise and still retained all his demon glory. Over the past few months Souta had come to look up to the demon lord as an older brother just as Kagome did.

After dinner they all sat down on the couch, as Kagome sat between both her best friend and adopted older brother. She leaned against Miroku, as Shippo lay sleeping in her lap. Souta lay sleeping in Sesshomaru's lap, as the three settled down to watch a movie, before falling contentedly asleep, as one big happy family.

Okay, if anyone is confused, no this is not a Kag/Mir. I just wanted to show you guys how their relationship works now. They are best friends and are now very comfortable with each other. Sesshomaru is their best friend and the kids make their home a very happy home. I just thought this might make every body have warm and fuzzies picturing Kagome cuddling with her two best friends and falling asleep. Anyway, I hope you guys like it. I'll post more later. Ta ta for now.

Kurs-kun's-lovr