The handsome bird demon, Onsuiji

*In the last chapter, Inuyasha's gang gained some new recruits: Kikijin and Sesshomaru, as well as Jaken and Rin. Now, they are on the search for a jewel shard and a weapon. Hope you like it =^w^= Enjoy!*

Inuyasha and the rest were once again walking along the dirt path, all following Kikijin the Cat demon, who was clinging happily to Miroku's arm.

Inuyasha was close behind with his hand s behind his head, Kagome at his side, and an impatient expression on his face. He groaned irritably, but said nothing else.

Shippo, Rin, and Jaken were a few feet behind, Rin skipping Playfully around Shippo and Jaken watching them, deeply annoyed. He looked back at Sesshomaru and was slightly disgusted. His image of the one he used to call master was falling apart before his very eyes.

Sesshomaru was holding Sango tight in his only arm, as if he were afraid she might run away the instant he let go. But Sango seemed quite content where she was.

Every now and then Miroku stole jealous glances at Sesshomaru. Kikijin let go of Miroku's arm.

"Hey, I'm gonna just slow down for a bit, see how everyone's doing."

Kikijin slowed her pace so that she was level with Sango and Sesshomaru. She was walking along on his left side, examining him head to foot. Kikijin started to smell his scent *giant sweat bead appears on Sesshomaru's head, while Sango's face changes to an "excuse me" expression*

Sesshomaru cleared his throat.

"You're extremely cute!" Kikijin said in a low voice, *more sweat beads appear on Sesshomaru's head* She lowered her voice further, "If you ditch this filthy human, I'll be more than happy to take you as my mate."

"WHAT?" Sango screamed angrily.

POW!

Sango punched Kikijin hard in the head.

"OW! Okay sorry…" said Kikijin. Holding her head, a tear streaming from her eye.

Still holding her head, Kikijin quickened her pace to catch up with Inuyasha.

Inuyasha turned his head toward her. Kikijin smiled innocently at him. Then she got closer and held his right arm in hers.

"Inuyasha…" she said in a pouty, yet sultry voice, "you're a big, strong, handsome demon, right?"

"Yeah," he responded, forgetting the fact the he was only half demon, "what's your point?"

"Well, wouldn't you rather have a mate that's almost equal to you? Someone who won't slow you down, hmm?"

She began to stroke his head behind his ears.

A dazed look came over Inuyasha's face. He sighed with contentment, then suddenly snapped out of his daze.

"Hey! Wait one minute! Kagome is not my mate!" he yelled.

"Heke?" Kagome said. She had not been paying attention before, but now she was paying full attention.

"So if she's not your mate that means you're more than available, right? C'mon Inuyasha, we could be pretty happy together, hmm?"

She moved even closer to Inuyasha, putting her head on his shoulder.

Kagome reached out and yanked hard on Kikijin's fox-like tail.

"YEEOUCH!"

"Hey!" Inuyasha rounded on Kagome, "What'd you do that for? We were only talkin'! You stupid girl!"

"SIT!" *Inuyasha falls hard to the ground, he gets up and spits out mouthful of dirt and rocks*

Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and continued to walk down the path.

Kikijin, who had a look of failure on her face, resumed her spot next to Miroku.

Shippo put a hand to his forehead and sighed.

"Oh man, she's just as bad as Miroku! They're just perfect for each other. One's a womanizer and the other a man-chaser! Ha!"

"Inuyasha," Kagome said, tugging on his sleeve, "it's starting to get dark. We should stop for the night."

Inuyasha stopped walking.

"Yeah," he said, eyes on Kikijin, "we should. I'm staring to get hungry anyways."

They started to set up camp near the edge of the forest. Sango and Sesshomaru went off for firewood, kissing passionately as they went, while Rin, Shippo, and Kilala went to get spring water. Kikijin and Miroku were busy chatting on one side of the campfire site, while Inuyasha and Kagome sat silently on the other. Jaken was separated from everyone, mumbling to himself.

Inuyasha's ears twitched.

"She's talking about me," he said.

"Huh?" Kagome looked up from her bag, "What'd you mean?"

"Kikijin," he smirked, "She's trying to get information about me outta Miroku."

"So what if I am, Inu?" Kikijin said in a low voice.

"Wha… you can… hear me?"

"Of course I can my dear Inu. My hearing's just as good as yours is. Don't forget, I'm a demon."

"You shouldn't be eavesdropping!"

"Then you shouldn't be either. Hmm, Inu?"

Inuyasha shut up for a second, but then smiled to himself.

"Well if you wanted to know more about me…" he said under his breath, "you should've come to me first."

She smiled. The two of them got up and walked toward the forest.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome stood up, "Where are you going?"

"I have to give Kikijin a talking to. We'll be right back."

They both disappeared into the forest.

Kagome looked on after them, then slid silently down to the ground.

Miroku came over and sat down next to her.

"Kagome… are you…"

"Oh, Miroku!"

Kagome flung her arms around Miroku's waist and started crying. Miroku put his hand on her head.

"There, there, it's alright. I'm here."

Kagome lifted her head and looked into Miroku's eyes. He looked back into hers. They drew closer to each other. Closer still…

Kagome gasped. She jerked away and slapped Miroku hard across his face. She ran off after Inuyasha and Kikijin.

I can't believe I almost kissed Miroku, she thought.

Miroku was lying still on the ground, twitching occasionally.

"I was so close," he said dizzily.

*Meanwhile…*

Inuyasha and Kikijin were sitting at the edge of a lake. Inuyasha sighed.

"You do realize that I'm only a half demon, don't you?"

"Yes. I could tell by your scent. I can smell the human in you. I don't mind it at all, though."

"Yeah. My human mother died when I was younger. I've had to fend for myself since then. There was no one there for me."

"Well Inu…" Kikijin said, putting her hand on his, "I'm here for you."

They stared into each other's eyes. Kikijin leaned her head in closer, tilting it slightly.

"You're not alone anymore…" she whispered.

Kikijin pressed her lips up against Inuyasha's. Inuyasha raised his arms, hesitated, then put them around her.

Kagome stepped out of the forest and froze.

"Inu… yasha… I-I…"

Inuyasha pulled away from Kikijin and turned his head towards Kagome.

"K-Kagome… I… it's not…"

Kagome's eyes started to water and she ran back through the forest.

"Kagome wait!" Inuyasha yelled to her.

Before he could take a step, the ground started to shake. Kagome fell back out of the forest, followed by Miroku.

"What's going on?" he said.

Kilala, Shippo, and Rin came down to the lake from the sky. Sesshomaru, Sango, and Jaken (who had a sour look on his face at the thought of being held up by the scruff of his neck by a human) fell from the other direction. Sesshomaru let go of Sango and stepped forward toward Inuyasha, a slight smirk on his face. He looked at the center of the lake, which was bubbling slightly.

"I had sensed a presence coming from this direction, so I decided to come and see if I could be of any aid."

The rumbling started up again, louder this time. The bubbling at the center of the lake became more violent.

Suddenly, a huge, dark figure bursted from beneath the water. It rose up high and spread it massive wings.

The full moon's light shone upon the creature. It was apparent that it was male. He had long silky black hair and blood red eyes. He could've killed thousands with his gorgeous looks alone, as Kikijin immediately noticed.

"Meow!" she exclaimed, her tail wagging excitedly, "I recognize you! I didn't get a good enough look, but I know… you're the one who stole my arm blades. But that's okay, we can share them. Marry me, right now!"

*Everyone falls to the ground, Inuyasha falls the hardest*

The handsome bird demon cleared his throat and spoke in a voice just as hot as himself.

"Yes I stole your weapon. My name is Onsuiji. Forgive me, but I had good reason…"

"Ha!" Inuyasha interrupted, "Yeah, whatever. I hear you also have a shard of the sacred jewel. I don't care what your story is, I'm getting that jewel shard! Tetsaiga!"

He pulled out Tetsaiga and flew toward Onsuiji.

"Inuyasha! No!" Kagome screamed.

*Well that's it for now. Hoped you enjoyed it. Until next time! =^w^=