Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha, just the video games and the two posters I bought… :o) I don't own Harry Potter either, just the books and assorted stuff, much of it being Slytherin stuff. But I DO own Hoonomei and Ryu Hishou’s name, along with Thomas Robertson. :o)

This chapter is dedicated to the 6 brave souls who have my story on their watch list, and to the 3 who have me on their favorites.

Personal to Strata's Stargazer: fellow author Sandra E got me (and SEVERAL others....) hooked to Miroku/Kagome stories, so feel free to visit her for more Mir/Kag. Also, check out my "Favorite stories" page for more M/K authors (Horridporrid, Chiisai-tori, and Bittersweet Mika, for example).
Lastly, check out my info page for a link to a website that features all M/K, all the time. :o)

Chapter 26: Scheming

“You did WHAT?”

Kouga cringed at Sango’s shrill scream. “I thought I was helping!”

“Well, obviously, you were wrong!”

“I do not understand why you are upset. He merely told her what he thought.”

“Which is exactly what he shouldn’t have done!” Sango’s defeated sigh crushed Kouga’s heart. “Doesn’t matter. It’s over now.”

The trio of would-be conspirators had managed to take advantage of Kagome’s tutoring session, Miroku’s daily mysterious disappearance to sulk, and Inuyasha’s information search/meeting with Kikyo. All three had left camp at different intervals in different directions, met up again well away from prying eyes and big ears, and were now discussing their latest pet project: Kagome and Miroku.

“That does not make sense. Why would it be over?”

“He probably thinks Kouga’s taking two mates.”

“But I’m not!”

Sango ignored him. “Or worse, that he’s leaving me and taking Kagome.”

“Maybe they should speak again.”

Sango shook her head. “Doesn’t matter what Kouga-kun says. It’s what everyone saw.” She still remembered how Shippou and Hoonomei had come to her and told her what Kouga had done while she was with Rin.

“I’m not leaving you, and I don’t want two mates! Well, not anymore.” Grinning, he threw an arm around a blushing Sango.

“Even if that were true, what is wrong with two mates?” Wait a minute! What am I, Sesshoumaru, asking? Sesshoumaru paused, then smirked. “Two strong mates, of course.” Saved!

He looked at Sango and frowned. Why is she grinning at me?

“I suggest you sit down, Sesshoumaru. I wouldn’t want you killing anyone in the future.”

“I do not kill without a purpose.”

Sango snorted. “Wait a few years, then come talk to me.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Kouga grinned at the demon lord. “ I think she’s referring to Rin…”

Sesshoumaru’s brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“Forget that for now! Haven’t you noticed they’re not speaking anymore? Or that he avoids her altogether?”

“He is frightened of losing her. It is understandable.”

“What are you babbling about? He almost HAD her!”

“Exactly. Almost.” Sesshoumaru paused and watched his two conspirators. Sango was agitated and miserable, while Kouga was remorseful and excited. Kouga had Sango’s hand in his, and was unconsciously making circles on her wrist with his thumb. They’re in sync with each other already. Something that Sango said earlier clicked. Is this what I have to look forward to with Rin? Watching her mate with some unworthy mate without doing anything about it? He smothered a sigh. Raising pups is hard… “The monk has watched Kagome suffer because of Inuyasha far too long. He then believes Kouga is a threat, yet lets that problem solve itself. Just when he is about ready to make his move, Kouga seems to be making another move towards Kagome, even though he is with you, Sango-sama.” The demon lord paused. Why am I, the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands, explaining all of this? Baka humans… “He thinks all is lost. He has given up. He probably awaits the day his air rip takes him because it offers him a reprieve from his feelings. I do not believe defeating Naraku would make any difference at this juncture. He lost what he wants, so he does not care about anything anymore.”

Sango and Kouga looked at him strangely. “What is the matter?”

Sango shook her head and smiled. “That actually made sense, Lord Sesshoumaru.” Looking around, she motioned both males closer. “Shippou has an idea…”

“Sango-chan, may I borrow Kirara? I need to go home.” Don’t look at anyone, don’t look at anyone…

The group looked up from dinner at Kagome, who refused to look at anyone else but Sango. “Sure.” Sango held out Kirara and Kagome reached for her, grateful.

“Feh, we’re very far from the well. If something happens to you, don’t come crying to me.”

Shippou jumped in front of her and puffed out his chest. “I’ll go with you, mama. I can protect you, unlike some half-demons…”

“What did you say, brat?”

“You are annoying, half-breed.”

“Say that to my face!” Inuyasha was pulling out Tetsusaiga.

“I believe I just did.” Sesshoumaru had his light whip ready.

“Bye-bye, Kagome-neechan!” Kagome ignored the fighting behind her and climbed onto a transformed Kirara. She turned to wave at Rin when her eyes met with Miroku’s. She gave him a tentative smile, which he didn’t return. She turned away from him and hugged Kirara’s neck, whispering to the fire cat. Shippou held on to Kagome’s shoulder as Kirara took off into the night.

Kirara landed in front of Kaede’s dark home. “Wait here, Shippou-chan.” Kagome climbed down and went inside. Moments later she came out again and climbed onto Kirara’s back. “Let’s go to the well, Kirara.”

After a short trip, Kirara landed next to the well. Kagome climbed down and waited for Kirara to transform to its smaller size. “Can you wait here with Shippou?” Kirara chirped and curled up into a ball, promptly falling asleep.

Shippou climbed onto the well wall. “Are you okay, mama?”

Kagome hugged the kitsune tightly, whispering “Yes, sweetheart.”

She let go of him. “Wait here. If I’m not back by morning, go on back without me.” Before he could protest, she covered his mouth with her hand. “I’m serious, Shippou. Leave if I’m not back.” He mumbled a question against her palm, making her smile. “Okay, a week. But no less, okay?” At his nod, she removed her hand and hugged the kit again. “I love you, Shippou-chan…”

Tears formed on the kitsune’s eyes as he hugged her back. “I love you too, mama…”

Ruffling his head, she jumped into the well and vanished.

After wiping his tears, Shippou settled against Kirara and grinned. “This is better than expected…”

Kagome climbed out of the well and went into the house, making her way upstairs, and careful not to wake anyone there.

Quietly opening the door to her room, she went inside, closed the door gently, turned around… and screamed.

“Kagome! What’s the matter?”

Clutching her chest, Kagome frowned at her mother. “You scared me, mom!” After turning on the light, Kagome made her way to her bed and sat next to her mother. “Why are you sitting here in the dark?”

Her grandfather and brother burst through her door and rushed inside. “What’s the matter?” “Mama, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I scared Kagome. Why don’t you go back to bed? It’s all right now.”

“Are you sure it’s Kagome? I better get some sacred seals…” As her grandfather left the room, Kagome blushed. “Grandpa!”

“Hey, sis, your homework’s on the desk, and that creepy Thomas guy has been coming around a lot. Want me to take care of him?”

Kagome smiled. Just like Shippou… “It’s okay. He’s harmless.”

“Okay, but just say the word…” Souta yawned and headed back to his room.

Kagome marched over and shut the door, leaning against it. “Why me?”

“Is there anything the matter?”

“Mom, why were you sitting here in the dark?”

Her mother turned towards the window. “To be honest, I was waiting for you.”

“But mom, I didn’t even know I was coming until earlier.”

Turning back to her, her mother smiled. “A mother knows. Would you like some hot cocoa?”

Nodding, Kagome followed her mother out of her room and downstairs into the kitchen. Kagome sat on a stool and watched as her mother gathered the ingredients, mixed them together, heated the cocoa, served it, and brought two steaming cups to where Kagome sat, placing one in front of the teenager.

“So tell me, sweetheart, who is he?”

Kagome chocked on her cocoa. “What?”

Kagome’s mother smiled at her flustered daughter. This will be a long night…

By dawn Kagome hadn’t returned, so Shippou woke Kirara. Both headed back to camp.

Kagome awoke the next day grumbling. She dressed in her uniform, and was almost out the door before a laughing Souta reminded her that it was Sunday.

After chasing him around the house with the intent of becoming an only child, Kagome changed clothes and headed to the mall. She was almost to the door when she sensed the strange energy behind her. Whirling, she collided with Thomas. “Oh! Sorry!”

Holding her steady, Thomas grinned. “No harm done. Glad to see you’re feeling better already. I didn’t know you could recuperate from polio this quickly.”

Polio? Grandpa… “Ehehe… Yeah, it was a mild case. Anyways, I won’t stop you any longer. I’m sure you’re extremely busy.” Stepping aside, she waited for Thomas to go by. When he didn’t, she inwardly groaned.

“That’s okay. It’s my duty as a gentleman to accompany a lady when she is out shopping. Besides, you might need help carrying your purchases.”

Kagome smirked. “You sound like someone from the last century.”

Wiggling his eyebrows, he grinned at her. “I know. It drives women wild.”

Groaning at his antics, Kagome resigned herself to Thomas’ company for the rest of the day.

Kagome spent the week going to school. Houjo was even more annoying than usual, now that he had found a girlfriend that “you just have to meet! Sweet, adorable…” Kagome had gritted her teeth and met with the girl, a year behind them in school, and had endured her friends’ cutting remarks about the girl “taking Houjo from you! Who does she think she is?” She even endured Thomas’ teasing her about losing her pseudo-boyfriend to a “cute young thing,” which upset Kagome to no end because it wasn’t true. If Kagome analyzed her feelings closely—something she was trying to avoid lately— she would find something akin to envy of the girl, but since it had nothing to do with Houjo-kun, she chose to ignore it.

That Saturday evening, Kagome was extremely glad to be headed back to the Feudal Era, even if it meant dealing with a moody monk and an angry half-demon.

That last thought made Kagome pause in packing her third backpack, a small black and red one. Strange… Inuyasha hasn’t come by to yell at me because I’m not there. In fact, he didn’t come back last time, either. I wonder…

A lighting bolt lit up the sky outside her window, startling Kagome. Chuckling at her own foolishness, she went back to packing her bag.

Shippou waited by the well with Kirara. It was a week later, and he was waiting for Kagome, just like his mama had said. Hoonomei had tagged along, and was chasing a bird around the well, ignoring the charged atmosphere. Shippou hoped the storm wouldn’t break before they could get back to the group.

The others had remained deep in the Western Lands, because “we’re not going back for that bitch! She went off alone and she can come back alone for all I care!”

Hoonomei could have sworn he’d heard Miroku mutter something akin to “damn hanyou…” but since Miroku never used that kind of language, he’d shrugged it off.

The well became charged with magic, and a minute later Kagome came out, wearing black jeans and a long-sleeved dark blue sweater. On her back was a red and black bag, which Shippou almost tore off, screaming “Candy!” like a madman.

Laughing, Kagome tore off the frantic kitsune. “Hello to you too, Shippou! Hi, Hoonomei!”

“Hi, Kagome-neechan. How was your trip home?”

Kagome made a face. “Boring. I missed you guys.”

“I missed you too, momma!”

“You’re already getting candy, Shippou-chan.”

Shippou grinned. “I know. But I still missed you.”

Kagome smiled at him, and then looked around. “Where’s everyone?”

“Still in the Western Lands, looking for the shard.”

Kagome hid a frown. Weird… “Well, we better go and help. Kirara, please?”

Kirara transformed into its larger size and, after Kagome and the pups climbed on, took off and headed towards the overcast Western Lands.

© 1/10/05, M.A.R.

Aphiopsyduck: Hello, my faithful readers! Another cliffie, I know... But there's some action in the next chappie, so stick around! :o)

In other news, this chapter was ready for posting since April of last year. I blame meeting my own Miroku for the delay. sheepish grin Long story short, we've been together since May of last year, and fanfics take on a different meaning when you're involved with one of the characters. Well, a mix of my 3 Inuyasha favorites: Miroku, Sesshoumaru, and Kouga.

Bye! :o)

(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)