The morning broke quickly, piercing through Patricia's eyelids. "Wholly crap what's with this?" She opened her eyes, squinting from the light. Malen laughed from across the fire set.

"'Tis morning, Pat."

"How early?"

"About 6 in the morning."

"CRAP!" She rolled back over trying herd to block the sun. Malen laughed even harder. Pat gave up and sat, the launched her pillow at him. Of course, Malen caught it, making the girl even madder. "I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!"

"Yeah no kidding, everyone in the world can tell that." Pat glared at him. "Ok, ok I'm stopping now." He laughed still and helped her pack away her sleeping roll. She hit him over the head with it and stalked off. "Hahahaha HEY THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY!" Laughing, he followed after her.

Pat came to a complete halt. Malen barely stopped in time. "What's going on?" He maneuvered his head but all he could see was brush and open space.

"There's someone in the shrubs" Pat whispered. Malen pulled his sword out of its sheath, and stood guard, pulling her to him. A fox man walked out of the wood. In his hands were stones. Pat blinked. "Brian?"

The fox turned around, dropping his handful and walked to her, sniffing the air.

"Heh, hey Pat…. Uhh guess I shouldda told you…. I'm a fox demon; my real name is Shippo…" Malen looked between the two of them

"What's going on? How do you two know each other?"

"Well…. Bri… Shippo and I dated for a while… in my time I mean…" Pat stated, looking around nervously.

"Oh… I see…" Malen dropped his guard, and then turned away. Pat just sat on the ground, blushing nervously. Realizing what was going on, she grabbed Malen's ankle, tripping him so he fell into her lap. "HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"You're not leaving me you bum." She wrapped her arms around him, holding him still. His face was turned from her, hiding his red cheeks. "So this is where you ran off to eh Shippo?" The demon blushed.

"Sorry about that… Mom called me away unexpectedly… for some odd reason the portal closed on me and I couldn't get back." Pat chuckled, not quite believing him. Then she noticed a gold band around his ring finger.

"So my ex is married eh?" The fox demon blushed redder. Malen's ears perked up with interest.

"Ohh…. Yeah… I am…." He flushed redder. "To the girl from the lightning brothers' tribe…"

"Yeah I remember them."

"Well Pat, I gotta go… I'll see you later." With that, Shippo ran off, leaving Malen and Pat alone once again.

"You gonna look at me or just sit there?" Malen said nothing. Pat sighed then tucked her finger under his chin, gently directing him to face her. His eyes stayed down cast till she kissed his cheek. He blushed redder and looked at her.

"What was that for?" Pat smiled, looking into his eyes.

"Reassurance. Don't worry; I'm not into him anymore." She smiled, leaving him speechless and blushing.

After a few moments, Malen finally decided to get up and help Patricia to her feet. She smiled at him, noticing he was still nervous, and hugged him. He grinned and hugged back, easing up a little. "Alright Mr. Dog demon, where to next?" He smirked and shook his head.

"West, we've got some work to do."

"I have a question. What's out destination?" Malen looked at her and blinked.

"Oh… I guess I forgot to tell you. I'm on a mission to retrieve the sacred spells of healing. You see, my mother's friend, Sango, has a condition and the only cure is in these spells. Besides, Dad says it'll strengthen me." Malen laughed gently. "I think he was scared to let me go. He's changed so much since Mom got a hold of him. I still see it even now. Anyways that's where we're headin." Pat nodded, taking it all in. Sango had to of had a condition not even the people in Kagome's time had heard of. This was not good.

"Pat, you ok?" Malen's words broke her from her trance.

"Oh yeah, I'm just thinking." He nodded, not quite understanding.

"Ah well, anyways, It's getting kinda dark, we should set up camp." Patricia nodded in agreement and set up her stuff. Again Malen built a fire and they slept beside it, a soft breeze wafting over them.