Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, just the video game and the two posters I bought… :o)  But I DO own Hoonomei. He's still mine. :o)

Chapter 9: We're back!

Kagome pushed Kaede's door and tiptoed inside. With one foot in the hut, a ball of fur attached itself to her, sobbing hysterically. She lost her balance and fell into Miroku, who had come in behind her. He grabbed her shoulders and held her upright. She hugged the kitsune and held him tight.

"Thank Kami you two are all right." Kaede looked up from the fire she was stoking. She noted that Kagome was wearing part of Mirokus' robes, but said nothing. They would tell her everything in their own time. "The others shall be here soon. They have been coming by every few hours to see if you two came back here."

"Thank you, Lady Kaede." Miroku set Kagome aside and walked over to the fire. He knelt next to Kaede and took over stoking the fire. Kagome walked to her bag and rummaged through it. Shippou clung to her sniffing. She frowned. "Shippou, where are my extra clothes?"

Shippou clung to her. "I*hic* I gave them to Sango." He wailed. "I thought you'd never come back!" The kitsune began sobbing again.

"I need new clothes. I have to go home. Where's my uniform?"

"Your clothes were hung to dry. Kagome, please do not go out again until the others come by again. They shall worry."

"Lady Kaede, they will be even more upset if they see me dressed like this. I have to go." She glanced out the window. The horizon was getting lighter by the minute. I can make it home before Mom leaves… She can help me choose books for a seven-year-old…

Shippou was crying again. She motioned to Miroku, who nodded and stood. He came to her, pried Shippou from her, and nodded his head towards the door. "Go. I shall try to explain." Kami, let her get to the well before they come back…

Kagome smiled gratefully and headed to the door. She stuck her head out, looked both ways, and then sprinted out.

Shippou beat his fists against Miroku's chest, sobbing. "Why? Why did you let her leave?"

"I shall explain. Now please calm down. She shall be back soon."

Miroku knelt down next to the fire, holding Shippou with one hand and stroking the fire with the other one. "Why*hic* why was she wearing your robes?"

"Because her uniform was wet, and I was being a gentleman."

Shippou snorted. "Yeah, right. And I'm Inuyasha."

Miroku opened his mouth to reply, but a primal scream from outside tore through the hut. Miroku shot up and raced to the door, holding Shippou at his side. He pulled open the door just as another body came flying in. Miroku fell to the floor, holding Shippou above his head to try to protect him from getting hurt.

"Where is she?" Miroku opened his eyes and met angry golden ones. And a pointed sword. He could barely make out an amused Sango behind Inuyasha, with Kirara and another small demon on her shoulders. Miroku held his breath and prayed for Kagome's return. Or a swift end.

*****

Kagome hurriedly explained everything to her mother. "So I need a few children's books, some simple games, and a change of clothes. Oh, my uniform! I left it there again!" Kagome banged her head on the kitchen counter.

Her mother laughed. "Now, now… Go change your clothes. I'll make sure to pack you some of your and Souta's old toys and games when I come home, and I'll drop by the bookstore for some children's books and maybe some history books. I'm sure you'll need to know what young ladies learned back then. And don't worry. You'll do fine. You used to help Souta out with his homework when he was little, remember?"

Kagome made a face. "Yeah. And now he gets mine from school."

Laughing, her mother stood. "That reminds me. He left your homework on your desk. Now go change. And leave me that robe here. I'll wash it for you." She hugged her daughter. "I have to go now. Take care, and good luck with your friends' child."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll try to be back tonight." Kagome watched her mother leave, and she sighed. "Homework… Blah…" She went upstairs to change. "I better shower while I'm here…"

*****

"We shall play a game. You shall pretend to be the half sister of a monk called Miroku. You will have a tutor. Her name is Kagome. While you are with Kagome, you shall behave. She will teach you all that you need to know. She will take care of you. Miroku shall take care of you too. You will be with Kagome at all times. Follow her until I, Sesshoumaru, come back for you. If something happens, I shall be there immediately."

Rin looked back at Sesshoumaru with wide eyes.

"Do you understand?"

Rin nodded.

Okay… Now comes the hard part… "One more thing. You shall pretend that I, Sesshoumaru, am nothing more than your escort. You will not tell anyone that you live with me, except Kagome or Miroku. If I come around, you shall pretend that you do not know me, no matter what happens or what is said. That means Jaken too."

Rin frowned. She cocked her head and blinked a few times.

"This is very important. Do you understand?"

Rin looked at Sesshoumaru. The demon lord waited. If she can't do this, the whole plan is… Rin's hand snatched the flowers she had given him when he came home. She glared at him. Nose stuck in the air, she turned and walked off into the palace. Sesshoumaru stared, shocked at the child's daring. Rin stuck her head out again and grinned. The demon lord let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Perfect. Now go finish packing. I shall take you there tomorrow." Rin nodded once and vanished inside.

Jaken came forward. "My Lord, are you sure this is a good idea? I—I mean, I would never dream of questioning my Lord's good judgment, but—"

Rin came back outside. She thrust the flowers at Sesshoumaru, hugged Jaken, grinned at both, and then ran back inside.

"This is the correct thing to do. Rin needs a human education. She shall get one. If that girl fails, both she and the monk shall pay the consequences. End of discussion."

Jaken nodded. "Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru." Jaken fidgeted. "Um, Lord Sesshoumaru…"

"Yes?"

"May this humble servant—"

Sesshoumaru nodded. Jaken smiled slightly, then wandered back into the palace. Even if he puts on a show, he will miss her… How can I tell him not to say goodbye? He looked at the crumpled flowers in his hand. For that matter, how can I let her go? Even for a little while?

© 7/21/03, M.A.R.

Aphiopsyduck: It was brought to my attention that I keep ending chapters in cliffies. I apologize. I keep forgetting that I'm several chapters ahead of the readers, and that I have the story in front of me. I will say this much, though… The chapters are ending there by themselves. It's their fault. :o)

I'll take a page from Striking Falcon and recommend a couple of stories. Have any of you read "Chasing Methuselah" by Sandra? It's a Mir/Kag, so if any of you want to check it out (or read it again) go for it. The few Mir/Kag fics in here need to be shared. :o)  I'll also recommend "Unexpected Allies: How to Train a Taiyoukai" by Striking  Falcon. It's a Sess/Kag fic. Both have lots of humor and feature adorable males from the Inuyasha series.

(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…*  Ehehe…  First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)