*squeals* Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! I saw the Rin and Sesshoumaru episode today! Kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!! *jumps around excitedly* She's just so cute! I envy her soooooooooooooo much!

(I also played the Inu-Yasha drinking game with a drink that was half-coke, half-jolt, and a lot of sugar. I don't think I should have.)

Disclaimer: I want Sesshoumaru! But I don't own Inu-Yasha so can't have him. *pouts*

Chapter 3

Companions

Kagome tried to scream again but couldn't. The demon was clutching her throat too tightly with it's claws, which Kagome could feel pricking her neck. It had been behind her when she was trying to sense Inu-Yasha, a giant serpent-like creature with six arms, each armed with three wicked claws the size of Kagome's hand. She had obviously broken it's element of surprise when she screamed and had thrown her hard against a billboard, cutting off her second scream, then pounced on her and now seemed intent on squeezing her head off. As it tightened it's grip around Kagome's neck it brought it's narrowed head up close to the dead girl's, hissing delightfully.

"Where's your angel, girl?" It hissed/gurgled, an awful sound at made Kagome want to vomit. It flicked it's tongue out, with a grin that revealed a mouthful of fangs dripping venom. It blinked it's large, glassy eyes as it focused on Kagome, who was beginning to lose consciousness. It brought it's face closer, reeking of poison and death. "Or did you abandon your little guardian?" it seemed pleased at that thought.

Get off of me, Kagome wanted to say. Go away, leave me alone. She fought to keep conscious, but the demon seemed angered by this. It slammed her against the steel roof of the building, tightening it's grip. "Die already!" It hissed angrily, it's eyes flashing. Kagome struggled but it was no use. Already her vision was fading and it was getting hard keeping a grip on reality. Could ghosts die, she thought lazily as she started to drift of. The demon seemed ready to take a bite out of her, yet Kagome didn't feel frightened at all. I wonder what happens to ghosts when they die, she thought…

"Hey, youkai!" A voice said, cutting through Kagome's reverie. Inu-Yasha? She thought. No, couldn't be. She struggled to open her eyes and see the challenger.

The demon's focus seemed to be on another boy about her age carrying a staff and dressed as a monk with a small child beside him. They were both giving off a slight ghostly aura, and the monk looked compelling so she assumed he was the angel and the child was the ghost. Poor kid, she thought when the monk interrupted her musings. He pointed the staff he was carrying with a gloved hand and shouted formidably. "Youkai, release the maiden at once!" The child jumped up and added a squeaky "yeah!" to his announcement.

"Make me, angel." The demon hissed at the two of them and clenched his claws, including the ones around Kagome's neck. She winced and the monk glared at the demon. He put his hand on his gloved arm and began unravelling the beads around it. "I didn't want to be forced to do this, but you leave me no choice." He said darkly.

"No Miroku, don't do it!" The little boy squealed, jumping onto Miroku's arm and biting his hand so he would let go. I must be hallucinating, Kagome thought dimly, because that boy has a tail. The boy re-wrapped the monk's hand, grumbling inaudibly. He glared up at the monk. "Are you stupid or something? The demon's holding on to the girl! She'll get sucked in too!"

Miroku looked at the little boy and laughed nervously. "Oh yeah." He said, looking down at the ground in embarrassment. The demon seemed interested, however, and turned towards the pair, loosening it's grip around Kagome's neck. It grinned wickedly, dripping venom onto the roof where it dissolved before disappearing. Miroku made a disgusted face and looked at the demon. "I won't say this again. Release the girl."

"Or you'll what, Cursed One?" The demon hissed delightfully. Miroku and the boy looked shocked and it chuckled. "Yes, yes I've heard of you. You're the one who induced Naraku's wrath. Not very wise, are you?" It seemed greatly amused with itself.

Miroku glared at the demon. "Go to hell." He spat, readying his staff for some type of attack, while the little boy seemed prepared to do his own work. The demon shoved Kagome in front of it, tightening it's grip again and put another claw on her stomach. "Go ahead and try it." It hissed, getting ready to slice Kagome in half. Kagome winced as the claws dug into her skin, wondering why her neck hadn't broken yet. She could feel it's other claws digging into her side painfully. It'll be over soon, she thought. Again she began to wonder where ghosts went when they died.

"Kagome!" A shout broke through her thoughts and shocked her into consciousness again. She knew that voice and tried to look over from where she felt her guardian angel arriving. She tried to yell out to him, but couldn't speak. She could see Inu-Yasha landing on the roof, his katana in hand, Sango riding a giant, flaming Kirrara and carrying a huge boomerang landing beside him. The demon seemed to be getting confused.

"So, the angel's returned, has he?" The demon asked, backing up. It tightened it's grip on Kagome, using her as a shield and hissing darkly. "Well, she's my prey now and you can't have her."

"I don't think so." Inu-Yasha snarled, making a ki ball in his hands. He glanced over at Miroku and the boy, deemed them acceptable with a brief nod, then glanced over at Sango and Kirrara. They both nodded, and Inu-Yasha threw the ball at the demon, where it took the form of claws. The demon dodged them, only to be hit head on by Kirrara and Sango's boomerang. Miroku shot a blast of energy at the demon's head while the little boy jumped up and bit off the claws that held Kagome around her neck. She fell to the ground and was caught by Inu-Yasha.

"I-Inu-Yasha…" She mumbled semi-consciously. "I'm sorry…" she let herself relax in his arms, drifting off into the comfortable blackness. Inu-Yasha looked fearfully as Kagome went limp in his arms. "Kagome!"

Sango turned her attention from Kirrara ripping up the last remains of the demon and ran towards Inu-Yasha and Kagome, her boomerang disappearing. "Is she alright?" she asked, as Inu-Yasha lay Kagome down. Inu-Yasha nodded with relief, as Kagome's eyes began to flutter open again.

"She had a close call." Miroku said solemnly behind them, kneeling down to check on the girl. "What was she doing so far away from her angel?" He asked the two. They avoided the question and Miroku decided not to probe further. He turned his attention to Kagome, who was beginning to wake up. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked, with genuine concern. Kagome blinked at him stupidly for a second, then recognized him. "You saved me!" she stated, sitting up. Inu-Yasha was about to protest and remind her that he had a hand in it to when Kagome looked over to him. "The demon was about to eat me and this guy stopped it. Thank you!" She turned her attention back to the monk.

Miroku smiled modestly and took Kagome's hand. "Now my lady, I have a small favour in which to ask of you."

"Sure, anything!" Kagome nodded gratefully. Inu-Yasha glared at the monk and started thinking of ways to kill him without Kagome noticing while Sango giggled. Miroku ducked his head as if thinking. "I know of no other way to say this, but…"

"No Miroku!" The little boy ran up shouting to the group of them. "For the love of Kami don't ask i-" Miroku quickly grabbed him, covering his mouth with his hand. Kagome looked at the boy questioningly (he DID have a tail!) and back up at Miroku. Inu-Yasha, Sango and Kirrara looked at the monk curiously as well. Miroku sighed and looked back up at Kagome, who was beginning to wonder if accepting his request was a good idea. Miroku took a deep breath. "My lady, the favour of which I ask of you is…" he paused. Kagome was getting angry and ready to hit him if he didn't ask soon. He seemed to sense Kagome's frustration, looked her straight in the eye and asked.

"Please bear my child."

"I told you not to." The little boy said knowingly as Miroku bandaged his head a few minutes later. Miroku sighed and looked over his shoulder at the other side of the roof, where Sango seemed to try to calm Kagome down, keep Inu-Yasha from killing Miroku and contemplating going over and killing Miroku herself. Miroku sighed again and looked back at his small companion.

"I merely forgot that she had her angel there, that's all." He said, rubbing the spot on his skull where two fists had hit him at the same time, one of them clawed. "Shippo, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking a girl to continue your linage."

"It is when you're dead!" Shippo squealed, jumping up and down in anger. "What you're asking not only can't even work anymore, it's illegal! I'm sorry I ever even told you how to have a child in the afterlife!"

Miroku paused to consider that, then shrugged and began fixing up his robes and glove, trying to ignore Shippo shouting at him. He sighed, got up, dusted himself off and walked over to the other group, Shippo scrambling behind him.

The trio was arguing (Kirrara never got into arguments like this) as Miroku walked up, then all turned their attention to him as he coughed. Inu-Yasha looked like he wanted to rip Miroku's head off but stayed put at a look from Kagome and Sango. After waiting a moment, and deciding he wasn't going to get slaughtered, Miroku spoke up.

"I am very sorry for causing you distress." He began with a small bow. Might as well keep it formal, he thought. "I should have known better then to ask such a beautiful girl such an ugly question." He sighed wistfully. "I supposed it was just wishful thinking."

Kagome looked a little uncertain as to how to react after the complement, although Inu-Yasha and Sango seemed determined on their idea of him. Kagome fidgeted as she thought about his apology. "Well-"

"Ignore him." Shippo interrupted, jumping onto Miroku's head and grinding a fist into it. "He's a lech. He flatters all the girls he sees. Thinks it'll get him a child." Miroku bonked the little boy on the head and grabbed him by his fluffy tail, dangling the stunned Shippo at his side. One look at Kagome's face made it clear that any more flattery wouldn't get him anywhere. The dead monk sighed again, this time not part of the act. "Well, I suppose Shippo and I should be off now." He turned around and began walking.

"You're leaving?" Kagome asked. Inu-Yasha looked at her in shock. Miroku stopped and turned around thoughtfully. "You'd want me to stay?"

"Why not?" Kagome asked and Inu-Yasha looked like she had just kicked him. Sango also looked a little shocked. "The more the merrier. As long as you don't ask me to bear your child again." She added with a hard stare.

Miroku smiled and nodded. "Certainly." He said, coming over and bowing at Kagome's feet. "I'd be honoured to join your team." Then he noticed his position and couldn't help himself.

Inu-Yasha hit Miroku and snarled at him, while Kagome hid behind her guardian and Sango looked ready to kill. Inu-Yasha hit Miroku again, just for good measure, feeling glad that Kagome was noticing him as an actual guardian now. "And you aren't feeling up their asses either, lech!"

"Agreed." Miroku said, sitting up and rubbing the bumps on his skull. He looked at the two girls, who were looking back at him murderously. "You two are quite lucky to have such powerful guardians." He said, raising an eyebrow at Kirrara, but remembered her other form. "I am unfortunate to be stuck with one such as Shippo."

"No, I'm the one unfortunate to be stuck with you." Shippo grumbled, fluffing up his tail and re-arranging his rosary. He looked up at the others and cocked his head curiously. "I don't think we've been introduced." He stood up and did a quick little bow. "I'm Shippo, guardian angel to this lech." He pointed at Miroku, who was starting to look annoyed.

"Would everyone stop calling me a lech already?" he grumbled. "My name's Miroku."

"Squeeee! Cute!" Kagome squealed, picking up Shippo and hugging him. Shippo squirmed, obviously not used to such attention (unless Miroku was using him to pick up women) but soon gave up and let Kagome stroke him. After a while he decided he liked the attention and kept grabbing Kagome's hand and putting it back on his head whenever she showed signs of stopping. He closed his eyes, a dorky, kiddish smile on his face.

Inu-Yasha glared at the tiny angel, growling in his throat. Sango nudged the older boy in the ribs, a signal to quit, and Inu-Yasha shot a glare at her. Sango sighed, officially put Inu-Yasha on the 'hopeless list' and decided to quickly changed the subject.

"So, how'd you die, Miroku?" She asked, as if asking people about their deaths was as normal as asking the weather. Kagome scratched Shippo on the head, wondering how she'd ever get used to this. Meanwhile Shippo and Miroku's eyes had hardened and Shippo twisted out of Kagome's grasp, going over to sit on his partner's head. Inu-Yasha eyed them both, not liking the looks of them and feeling he was going to like their response even less.

It was a moment before Miroku answered, so Sango was getting ready to ask another question, thinking that maybe too much time had gone by and he had forgotten. When she opened her mouth Miroku spoke up, cutting her off. "I was killed by a foul demon by the name of Naraku."  Everyone else looked at him in shock while Shippo nodded grimly.

"Killed-"

"NARAKU?!" Inu-Yasha snarled, cutting everyone else off. They all stopped mid-sentence and looked at him in shock. The fire in the guardian's eyes made Kagome feel suddenly frightened, and even Kirrara could say she'd never seen  him like this before. Miroku backed up a step, obviously shocked by Inu-Yasha's sudden outburst. "You- you've heard of him?" Miroku stammered, and Shippo add a quick nod before returning to his hiding place safely behind the monk.

Inu-Yasha wasn't even paying attention to them. He was staring at his claws, flexing them as he muttered under his breath. "If I could ever find that mother fucking son of a bitch again, I'm going to rip out his fucking organs one by one, the bastard…"

Although she couldn't hear what Inu-Yasha was saying, Kagome had the strange feeling it was probably violent and filled with profanity. But something was definitely bothering Inu-Yasha about this Naraku demon. "Inu-Yasha…"

"Kagome!" Sango interrupted, grabbing Kagome's arm. Kagome looked up at her in shock and Inu-Yasha looked up from his grumbling. Sango put on a false smile, trying to avert the conversation from what she could see it becoming. "We still haven't taught you everything you need to know about ghost-life! And Miroku can help teach too, since he seems to already pretty much know it all!" Sango looked over at the male ghost and took a step back, keeping her rear safely away from his hands. "Right Miroku?"

"Uh… sure." Miroku said slowly. Then what Sango said seemed to reach him. "You mean Lady Kagome has just died recently?"

Kagome and Inu-Yasha looked towards the ground, avoiding the question, and Sango made a slashing motion across her throat, signalling that Miroku back-pedal, and fast. Miroku quickly took the hint. "Lady Kagome, has your… companion told you anything of ghost life?"

Inu-Yasha shot a glare at Miroku. "I'm an angel you ass, and what's with this 'Lady Kagome' shit anyway?" Miroku didn't answer, but had the strange feeling this was going to be company to get used to.

Kagome smacked Inu-Yasha's arm for being as impudent as always and turned to Miroku. "No in fact, I haven't had time to learn anything yet. Why don't you and Sango explain it to me?" She sat down and gave a meaningful eye to Inu-Yasha, who took the hint and sat down also, before he got 'told' to.

Miroku and Shippo looked at each other and shrugged, Miroku sitting down beside Sango, who warily scooted a few inches away from the lecherous monk. Miroku tried to ignore that, and thought about how to start. "Well, you see, ghost life isn't really that complicated. There are a few rules and a few things possible and impossible but other then that it's freestyle for a year."

"You see, every ghost, or spirit as the angels like to call them, get a year of after life on Earth." Sango cut in, explaining it a little more clearly then Miroku. "It's kind like a second chance thing, and it's also training for the angels. The spirits get a chance to do whatever they want for their after life, then after that we don't know and the angels aren't allowed to tell. And the angels go through training with seven assignments, which you already know."

Kagome nodded, soaking this all in. "So I have a year to do anything I want in the world." She said, making sure she got this.

Miroku nodded, speaking before Sango could. "Yes, with a few exceptions. Most people just stay around where they used to live or where their families live, just watching their families grow until the ghost… passes on. The rest do things they either couldn't have done or didn't get a chance to do while they were alive: The most common is traveling the world but there are hundreds of other things to do in the afterlife that you can decide on."

"And then there's us guardian angels!" Shippo piped up. "We have to watch our assigned mortal from birth and never let them leave our sight! There are demons out there that would just love to chomp on souls, like we saw earlier, so we have to protect you guys from them. It gets even tougher when the mortal dies, because they're much easier for the demons to catch and devour." Kirrara and Inu-Yasha nodded sagely to Shippo's words, as the little kitsune sighed and patted Miroku on the head. "I'm on my first assignment and they had to go and stick me with this guy who was enough trouble when he was alive and is ever worse now that he's dead."

"I'll try to ignore that Shippo." Miroku said, as Shippo giggled and made bunny ears on Miroku's head. "And don't make me say the word." Shippo sat down quietly, his rosary clinking against his colourful outfit and Sango remembered the effect of the necklace on angels. She wondered what the problem with male angels was; she'd never had to use the word on Kirrara ever.

Kagome had been thinking about something Shippo said that had been bothering her. "Shippo," the tiny angel looked up at her calling his name. "When you said that the guardian angel never, ever lets the mortal out of their sight, does that mean no exceptions? At all?" Shippo shook his head.

Inu-Yasha could tell where this was going and shifted nervously when Kagome fixed her gaze on him. He didn't like the look in her eyes. "So does that mean that Inu-Yasha's been around always? Even…" her eyes narrowed and Inu-Yasha prepared for another face full of roof. "Even when I'm changing or taking a shower?"

Everyone looked over at Inu-Yasha. Oh sure, he thought, everyone else gets tasks of their own gender. Why did I have to be stuck with the girl? And why did she have to get so temperamental anyway?

"I'm waiting." Kagome said with an edge on her voice.

"Hmph." Inu-Yasha turned away, trying to hide his slowly reddening face. "If you're implying I'm like Miroku and would peek at you when you're naked then you're wrong. It's not like you're attractive or anything that'd I'd even want to look at you." He sniffed, slightly proud at himself for not screwing up. Then he noticed that it was strangely quiet behind him. He warily turned his ears, then his head to look behind him.

"SIT! SitsitsitsitsitsitsitsitSIT!"

"You know," Miroku mused, watching Inu-Yasha crawl out of the rather deep indent he made while Sango took Kagome a little ways off so that the furious girl wouldn't do something even more drastic. "You kinda deserved that."

Inu-Yasha spat out a few chunks of roof and a tooth, grimacing but knowing it'd have grown back by the end of the day. He glared at Miroku then sat down and crossed his arms, trying to look like nothing had happened, while keeping his back to the girls.

"Shut up."

End Chapter 3

Whew, this is hard work. Well, that's it for the third chapter, and we all got a hint of what's to come. I'm still not exactly sure where the plot's going right now; I have a general idea, but basically right now the story's writing itself. (by the way, I don't know how ghosts have children. I don't even wanna think about it. I'm just trying to keep Miroku in character as much as possible)

But I'm working on getting all of the main characters in Inu-Yasha to make at least one appearance. And don't worry, Sesshoumaru is coming in. (I'm not leaving him out! You kidding, he's my favourite character! *kuggles Sesshoumaru guardian again* Squeee!) I just don't know when yet. And Rin'll be there too. And even Jaken. Although I'll probably make him die a horrible death. *sighs* Like I said, this story looks like it's gonna be a longy.

I'd like to give out a BIG thank you EVERYONE who's reviewed my story so far. I started off brand new and not knowing if I'd do well or not, and with all your reviews and encouragements I've found the strength to write on! You love me! You all really love me! Thank you all! *throws marshmallows into the air. Lots of them* Take as many as you want. My treat!

And since you guys love my story so much, I'm posting every Monday and Wednesday night instead, since it's easier that way anyway. I'll post it up at 9pm, but I don't know when it'll actually show the update. For example, I posted this at 9 Monday night, but it might not show up until around 11-ish. That's why I told you guys to check on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But still, if you're impatient, then check late on Mon and Wed!^^

Well, I'm going to go and watch Ep 35 again and again and again until either my eyes bleed or the DVD player explodes. I just love that one sooooooooo much! *squeals again and runs off*

~Ama~ (Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!)