Chapter 5

"Hey, mom," said Souta as they entered the house. "Kagome's home and she brought some friends."

"Does your mother know about Inuyasha?" asked Miroku as they took off their shoes.

"Yeah, everyone who lives in this house about him," said Kagome. "But they're the only one's."

"So none of your other friends know about him," said Sango.

"No," Kagome. "I talk about him but I don't describe him or use his name when he comes up in conversation."

"Hello, Kagome," said Kagome's mother as they entered the kitchen. "I see you have friends with you. Hello, Inuyasha."

"Hello," said Inuyasha.

"Mom, this is Sango, Kirara, Miroku, and Shippo," introduced Kagome. "Where's Grandpa?"

"He's outside doing his prayers," said mom. "Souta, will you go get him for lunch please?"

"Yes, mom," Souta said hurrying out of the room.

"Please have a seat," mom said returning to her cooking.

"Your grandfather's a priest, Kagome," said Miroku. "Are you going to become a priestess and take over this temple when he passes?"

"I don't know," Kagome said sitting down.

"Ah, Kagome, your home," said her grandfather. "You brought visitors too."

"This is Grandpa," said Kagome. "Grandpa, this is Sango, Kirara, Shippo, and Miroku."

Grandpa looked at Miroku for a few moments before saying, "You're a monk."

"Yes, sir, I am," said Miroku with a smile. "Kagome just told us that you're a priest."

"Yes I am," said Grandpa. "So you're all from the Feudal Era, just like Inuyasha. Interesting. I suppose you all know the story about the Shikon jewel, then."

"Yes," said Miroku. "But I'm sure know a different version than we do."

"Maybe," said Grandpa as he began to tell the story.

"Here we go," said Kagome lying her head on the table.

"Lunch is ready," said mom as she handed out plates to each person. "So what does Kirara eat, Sango?"

"Anything," Sango said petting Kirara. "Usually the same thing we eat."

"I have some shrimp tails you might like," said mom setting a bowl full of shrimp tails on the floor beside Sango and Kagome.

Kirara jumped down from Sango's lap and began to eat the tails. "Meow," she said with a cat smile.

"Meow," came a low voice.

"Buyo's awake," said Souta as a fat yellow and white cat came into the room. "I hope you have more shrimp tails, mom."

"Here, Buyo," said mom as she put down another bowl of shrimp tails.

Buyo looked at the tails and then at Kirara, who watched him intently as well, before returning his attention back to his own bowl. "One problem solved," said Souta. "So, Shippo, what kind of demon are you? I know Inuyasha's a dog demon."

"I'm a fox demon," said Shippo. "And Kirara's a cat demon."

"Wow, really, how cool," said Souta. "So do you guys fight lots of evil demons?"

"Oh yeah lots," said Shippo. "It's very dangerous."

"Not like you do any fighting," said Inuyasha calmly.

"I do my fair share," said Shippo. "Kagome, make him leave me alone."

"Inuyasha," said Kagome in a threatening tone.

"All right, all right," said Inuyasha.

"So, Sango," said Souta. "What do you do? You carry around that big thing."

"I'm a demon slayer," said Sango. "I kill any demons that threaten to harm humans."

"Cool," Souta said. "Have you ever tried to kill Shippo?"

"He's too young to be of any danger," said Miroku.

"How old are you?" asked Souta.

"I'm eight," Shippo said. "How old are you?"

"I'm also eight," Souta said with a smile.

"Souta, are you done eating?" asked mom.

"Yes," said Souta.

"Why don't you go start decorating," suggested mom.

"Okay," Souta said standing up. "Wanna help, Shippo?"

"Can I, Kagome?" Shippo asked.

"Sure," said Kagome. "Just be careful."

"Yea," said Souta and Shippo as they hurried out of the room.

"Gee, Kagome," said Inuyasha. "You sound like his mother."

"Well he has no one else, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "I take care of him most of the time, so I'm pretty much like a mother or a big sister to him."

"She's right, Inuyasha," said Miroku. "We're his family since the Thunder Brothers killed his parents."

"Yeah, your right," said Inuyasha. "Well I'm gonna go help them. They may need someone tall."

As Inuyasha left, Kagome turned to Sango and Miroku. "That was weird," she said. "He's never worried about things like that before."

"I know what you mean," said Miroku. "Ever since we met Shiori, he's been very different."

"Everyone has something hidden from the world that accidentally gets seen from time to time and this is one of Inuyasha's," said Kagome setting her chopsticks. "Shall we go help them?"

"Okay," said Sango.

"I'm going to visit with your grandfather for a little while," said Miroku. "We have so much in common."

"It's nice to hear that come from someone," said Grandpa.

"Don't pervert him," warned Kagome as she and Sango left the kitchen. "Have fun, Kirara. Be nice to her, Buyo."

"Meow," they both said contently.