Well, I was sick and pulled from school after I wrote a math test.  According to my friends, I was pale as a ghost, sounded like I had a frog in my throat, and all and all looked completely awful.  I basically ruined my perfect attendance this year, but hey I need to be better for my finals if I want to pass.  Anyway, I was feeling a little bit better, didn't want to read or watched TV, so I decided to write an outline for my story.  Well don't worry people. I at least wrote the outline up to chapter thirty-two and I'm still going.  I mean its still winter, so hey I might as well keep going.  Anyways to answer some of the questions from my reviews here are some.  Yes Kikyo does return, however in the anime I don't know when.  For that part I was reading the Japanese manga of Inu-Yasha.  I know some of you were confused with the Eri being evil thing, but hey keep reading and you'll find out why soon enough.  No, I did not forget about Shippo, but as you can see, Inu and Kagome had a little situation to deal with as you can see.  Um, I don't think there were any other big questions besides that.  So as far as standards go I have seen up to 132 of the anime, read about 1/3 of 38th manga in Japanese, seen both Inu movies, and kind of know what happens in the third, however I am still hunting down websites to see if anyone knows what the hell is going on in it.  Oh, that reminds me of another question someone had about Inu-Yasha's mother.  In all honesty I'm not 100% if that is how she dies, however in a preview for the third movie you see Inu-Yasha's mother running through a burning hut with a fire rat cloak on her head and holding Inu-Yasha in her arms.  I'm not sure if they get out of not, but then the next clip is of the house falling to the ground in flames, so I'm not sure if they die or not, but hey if I find out, maybe I'll mention it in my next fic, that is if I can think of one.  Whoa I've written a lot, but don't blame me, I'm on a lot of drugs for this stupid sore throat, head ache and coughing, which at the moment has subsided.  Sigh, anyway on with the story!

Winter Wonderland

Chapter Twenty-Six

  "Wait . . . what did you say Yuka?" asked Kagome.

  Yuka did not say anything, she glanced at Eri's house and then back at the others, "If you want to know what caused Eri to do this, follow me,"

  Kagome glanced at Inu-Yasha, who glanced at Ayumi, who looked at Hojo, who looked back at Kagome.  Sighing, Inu-Yasha followed after Yuka with Kagome by his side, and Ayumi plus Hojo at their heels. 

  "Wouldn't Eri have noticed that her scrolls are missing?" asked Kagome.

  "She will, and is most likely right now looking for them," commented Yuka from up ahead.  She led them to her house, which was not far away from Eri's.  No one seemed to be home since no lights were on in the house.  Yuka led them inside and started to turn on lights in the living room, and waited for the others to remove their coats and boots, and then take a seat on one of the furniture.

  "So Yuka, what the hell is going on?" asked Ayumi.

  Yuka sighed, "Alright, I take it you figured out that someone was controlling Hojo at the cabin?"

  "Yes, we all know that," sighed Inu-Yasha.

  "But why did you guys do that?" asked Hojo, sitting on the edge of his seat.

  "In all honesty, it started out just so Kagome and Inu-Yasha couldn't be together,"

  "But why?" asked Kagome.

  "Like we said Kagome, he is not good enough for you, we were only trying to do what is right for you,"

  "But that didn't give you a right to try and kill me!" growled Inu-Yasha.

  "Calm down half-breed, I'll explain that in a minute," hissed Yuka, "At first we were just trying to break you two apart, however when we were controlling Hojo, Eri could hear what he was hearing since she was the one using the spell, I was just helping out.  However we then learned that Inu-Yasha wasn't a normal human, but a demon,"

  "So you sick some priest on me?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "No, that wasn't part of the plan.  Now this is where things get complicated.  After Eri heard that Inu-Yasha was from the past, and that Kagome was traveling back and through time, Eri started to freak out,"

  "Why would she?  Did she just couldn't believe it was true?" asked Kagome.

  "No, that's not it.  It was I who couldn't believe it was true, but Eri seemed freaked out when she heard that Inu-Yasha was a demon from the past,"

  "How come?" asked Hojo.

  "I'm not one-hundred percent sure if I heard Eri right from her muttering, but this is what I think I heard.  Eri got an early present from her grandparents on their family history from the Warring States," said Yuka.

  Inu-Yasha and Kagome just glanced at each other, wondering where this was going.

  "It talks about her ancestor and his travels, I think his name was Timiko Yakama,"

(Just a small note, I'm making this all up, this is not true, I mean come on people this is a fanfic here!)

  "So how does that give her a reason to try and kill me?" asked the half demon.

  "You mean you've never heard of Timiko Yakama?" asked Yuka.

  "No, I actually haven't,"

  "Well when Eri first read to book it talks about her ancestor being a wandering Samurai, slaying demons, the wars he joined in and lived to tell the tale.  It talks about his family, and how he almost got the position to be a lord in one of the areas,"

  "What does that have to do with me?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "The reason he didn't become the lord was because you killed him!"

  "What?" asked everyone, getting to their feet.

  "It says somewhere in the last pages of the book, that Timiko Yakama was heading towards the castle to accept the position of the lord, when out of no where he was attacked by a dog demon.  According to the villagers, he wore a red fire rat outfit, white dog-ears, and long silver hair.  They never got a look at the attacker, but it killed Timiko with one swipe, and then attacked five villages before disappearing into the forest,"

  "So how does this effect Eri?" asked Hojo, since Kagome and Inu-Yasha seemed to be speechless at the moment.

  "If it wasn't for him, Eri wouldn't be living the way she is now!" screamed Yuka.

  "Look, I've never heard of this Timiko guy!  And for your information I've never killed anyone . . . not any humans at least . . . on purpose . . ."  Inu-Yasha turned to Kagome, "Did I kill anyone else when I was transformed?"

  "No, just the bandits," sighed Kagome.

  Yuka sighed, "So . . . you mean it wasn't him?"

  "Nope, not me," whispered Inu-Yasha.

  "What do you mean?  That Eri would be living a different life if her ancestor wasn't killed?" asked Ayumi.

  "You know Sakura right Ayumi?  Kagome?"

  "You mean Sakura Ara?  Yeah we know her, what's that got to do with anything?" asked Ayumi.  Kagome nodded in agreement.

  "She's rich,"

  "That's because her dad owns . . ."  Kagome suddenly caught on what to Yuka was finally talking about.

  "That's right, her family is rich because their ancestor took the position as the new lord!  It's because they ruled and owned that land, that her family is rich, and Eri is not!"

  Inu-Yasha leaned down towards Kagome, "Why are they rich?

  "Lots of oil was in the lands she's talking about.  I think it's near the western lands where your brother rules,"

  The half demon nodded his head in understanding, "So that's why she tries to kill me?  Because she thinks I ruined her life?  What's so bad about her family now?"

  "Look, I'm sorry about all this, just go . . . and I apologize for Eri as well," said Yuka, trying to push everyone out the door.

  Inu-Yasha tried to ask his question again, but Kagome hushed him.

  Soon everyone was walking down the street back to Kagome's house.

  "So is there something wrong with Eri's family?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "No, nothing wrong with them, however they are struggling financially," sighed Hojo.

  "Financially?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "It means they don't have that much money," whispered Kagome.

  "Oh . . . and for that she tried to kill me?"

  "Sigh, I guess,"

  Inu-Yasha just growled and continued walking back to Sunset Shrine.  Ayumi left them a few minutes later to head home, but Hojo continued to walk with them back to Kagome's house.  Inu-Yasha walked inside and Kagome was about to follow, but was stopped by Hojo.

  "Higurashi, can I talk to you?"

  "Um . . ."

  "What?" growled Inu-Yasha.

  "Inu-Yasha calm down it's alright!  Just head inside," sighed Kagome.

  Inu-Yasha growled, but headed inside.

  "What do you want Hojo?"

  "Look, I know Inu-Yasha doesn't like me very much, but since he won't listen to me, can you tell him I'm sorry for what I did?"

  "Yes I can tell him that,"

  "And also . . ."

  "What?"

  "Kagome, you and Inu-Yasha are together of course . . ."

  "Hojo . . . look I'm afraid I don't have any of those type of feelings for you, but I see you as a friend if that makes you happy?"

  Hojo nodded and gave Kagome a quick hug, "Good luck with your finals,"

  Kagome nodded and watched as Hojo made his way down the shrine stairs.  Sighing Kagome walked into the house to see Inu-Yasha standing near the door waiting for her.

  "Before you ask, no he didn't try anything on me,"

  "I know that, I could hear you from here you know,"

  Kagome nodded and walked passed Inu-Yasha to head up to bed.  The half demon followed her, making sure no lights were left on in the house.  Inu-Yasha waited for Kagome to crawl into bed before he removed his outer red fire rat shirt, and his white inner shirt before crawling in next to her.

  "That was an interesting day," sighed Kagome.

  "Yeah, I'd hate to see it get any worse," whispered Inu-Yasha, wrapping his arms around Kagome's waist.

  "You know, you were supposed to get Shippo today,"

  "I'll get him tomorrow while you're at school,"

  "That's good," yawned Kagome, who drifted off into a dreamless sleep in Inu-Yasha's arms.

****************************

  Shippo sat on the edge of the well, staring down into the darkness at the bottom.  *Come one Inu-Yasha, you promised you would come and get me* thought Shippo as he continued to stare down into the well.

  "Shippo, Inu-Yasha will eventually come for you, now why don't we head back to the village?" asked Kaede.

  "No, I'm just going to wait here," whispered Shippo.

  "I'm sure he'll come soon,"

  Shippo nodded and watched as Kaede headed back to the village at a slow pace.

  A blue light caught Shippo's attention, which caused him to look down the well.  Inu-Yasha stood at the bottom of the well and stretched his hands high above his head.

  "Inu-Yasha!" cried Shippo, as he leaped down at the half demon.

  Inu-Yasha looked up and caught Shippo, "Hey brat,"

  "Can we go to Kagome's time now?"

  "In a moment, right now I have to discuss something with Kaede," sighed Inu-Yasha, leaping out of the well.

  Shippo rested on Inu-Yasha's shoulder as the half demon leaped from tree to tree until he landed gracefully in front of Kaede's hut.

  "Um Inu-Yasha, Kaede is way back there," pointed Shippo behind them.

  "That's okay, I'll wait for her," sighed Inu-Yasha, walking in and taking a seat on the floor.  After several moments Kaede soon came walking into the hut.

  "Good morning Inu-Yasha, and how are ye and Kagome doing?" asked Kaede.

  Inu-Yasha's ears drooped and he began to explain what all had happened since they had left.

  "Kagome's at school right now, so I decided to get Shippo while she was gone,"

  "So, she's going to be done school early then?"

  "Yeah, after her last test, we'll come back here and look for a spot to build our hut.  Say, any word from Sango and Miroku?"

  "They will be back at the end of the month, they ran into a little trouble on the way to Sango's village," (You'll see what I'm talking about in the next chappie!)

  "So are Sango and Miroku going to be living here too?"

  "Yes, Miroku has suggested they build an extra large hut though,"

  "Probably for all the pups they're going to have,"

  "Ye of course will live here in the village?"

  "I would prefer somewhere in my forest, this village stinks, just like all the others,"

  "Well in that case, once it gets warmer here the villagers will help you build your home, and Miroku's as well,"

  Inu-Yasha nodded, "So, who do you think it really was who killed Timiko?"

  "I have heard of him, he came through our village almost six years ago.  He wanted to kill ye while you were peacefully sleeping, however we were afraid it would break the spell, so we told him no,"

  "Maybe it was some other demon,"

  "Perhaps . . . if I hear of any strange demon attacking, I'll let ye know,"

  "Alright, well I'd better head back, Kagome's mom wants me to get the snow off the roof.  We'll be back in about two weeks,"

  "See you,"

  Inu-Yasha stood and headed back to well.

  "So Inu-Yasha!  What will I get to do in Kagome's time?" asked Shippo, jumping up and down and Inu-Yasha's shoulder.

  "Probably playing video games with Kagome's brother Sota, I'm so sick of playing them while Kagome's gone,"

  "How long will I get to stay?"

  "Until we come back brat, and you'll be sleeping in Sota's room,"

  "Why can't I sleep with Kagome like always?" whined Shippo.

  "Because I'm sleeping with her!" growled Inu-Yasha.

  "But you've got to that for almost two weeks, it's my turn to sleep with her!"

  "Shippo she's my mate, maybe when you're older I'll explain the other details of being with your mate,"

  "So I guess that means you've gotten really far with Kagome then huh?"

  Inu-Yasha stopped and slowly turned his head to look at Shipp as a blush was creeping up in his cheeks, and his eye brow twitching slightly, "W . .  wh . . . wha . . . what?"

  "I still don't know what that means?  Will you explain it to me?"

  Growling Inu-Yasha just continued walking to the well, "When your older,"

  "So why does Kagome smell like you?"

  "I said when you're older!"

  "Does it have to with the birds and the bees?"

  "Shippo!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Mrs. Higurashi stared out the kitchen window waiting for Inu-Yasha to return with one of Kagome's friends from the past.  Grandpa was taking a nap on the couch and Buyo continued to rub against Mrs. Higurashi's leg, begging for food.  She smiled as Inu-Yasha opened the well doors and started to walk towards the house with something quite furry and fuzzy on his shoulder. 

  "I'm back," growled Inu-Yasha.

  "Good, so where is the person you were supposed to bring back?" asked Mrs. Higurashi, turning around.

  Inu-Yasha was holding what looked like a fox by the tail.

  "Let me go, Inu-Yasha!"

  "Mrs. Higurashi this is Shippo, a fox demon," sighed Inu-Yasha.

  "He's so cute, but maybe you should let him go?"

  Inu-Yasha nodded and placed Shippo back on his shoulder.

  "Are you Kagome's mom?" asked Shippo.

  "Yes I am,"

  "That's her grandfather over there," Inu-Yasha said, pointing to the couch.

  "He's making a funny sound,"

  Inu-Yasha chuckled, "I'll show him more the house and outside, and then the basic ground rules,"

  "But will I still be able to sleep with Kagome?"

  Mrs. Higurashi almost broke out in laughter.

  "I told you no!  And I'll explain it to you when you're older!"

  "But I want to know!"

  "Inu-Yasha how old is he?"

  Inu-Yasha was about to answer but stopped, "Hey brat how old are you?"

  Shippo just looked down at ground.

  "Inu-Yasha, why don't you start getting the snow off the roof and I'll show Shippo around, and maybe explain some stuff to him," offered Mrs. Higurashi.

  "Sure," sighed Inu-Yasha heading back outside, grabbing the shovel by the door.

  "Now Shippo, how old are you really?"

  "I'm actually around eleven I think,"

  "Oh, well then next year you'll actually grow, it takes kitsune's twelve years until they change size,"

  "Oh,"

  "So, I think it's time I actually told you what's kind of going on between Inu-Yasha and Kagome,"

  "Will the same thing be happening to Miroku and Sango?"

  "I believe yes they will be doing the same thing as those two,"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Inu-Yasha pushed the last of the snow off the Higurashi's roof and through the shovel on the ground.  Sighing, he crossed his legs and took a seat, waiting for his Kagome to come back from school.  He could hear Sota walking up the steps and turned his ears to hear Kagome just starting up the stairs.  Smiling, he got to his feet and jumped into the god tree.  Kagome soon appeared at the top of the stairs, looking beat.  Sighing, Inu-Yasha leaped into the air and landed gracefully beside Kagome, picking her up into his arms.

  "Hi sweetie," mumbled Kagome.

  "Sweetie?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "You don't like that nick name?"

  "No, I don't mind it,"

  Kagome nodded, "So is Shippo here?"

  "Yeah, he's with your mom,"

  "Hmm, I could really use a nap,"

  "So could I.  Was school that bad?"

  "Terrible . . . Eri and Yuka kept bombarding me with questions on who could have killed her ancestor, and Hojo, Ayumi, and I were studying our butts off,"

  "Hmm, well let's head inside so you can get some sleep,"

  "But what about Shippo?"

  "I'm sure he'll be entertained by Sota's video games,"

  Kagome nodded and sighed as Inu-Yasha carried her into the house.  Sota was trying to feel Shippo's tail who was perched on Mrs. Higurashi's shoulder.

  "So Kagome, how was school?" asked her mother.

  "I'm just so tired,"

  "Well got upstairs and have a nap, I'm sure Inu-Yasha could use one too after trying to push all that snow off the roof,"

  Kagome took her shoes off and grabbed her bag before heading into her room with Inu-Yasha right behind her.

  "Inu-Yasha . . ."

  The half demon turned around at the sound of Shippo's voice, "Yeah?"

  "You can sleep with Kagome . . ."

  Inu-Yasha glanced to Mrs. Higurashi, "Did you . . ."

  "Yes I told him,"

  He nodded and followed Kagome up to her room.  She was already putting her bag down and taking off her socks.  Inu-Yasha removed his outer red fire rat shirt and wrapped it around her.  Kagome leaned back into his chest and sighed contently.  Smiling, Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around his mate and carried her to the bed, lying down beside her.

  "I can't believe you're tired from just shoveling snow," mumbled Kagome, as Inu-Yasha pulled the blankets over their bodies.

  "I just needed an excuse not to hang around Shippo and play video games with Sota,"

  Kagome smiled and moved closer to Inu-Yasha's chest, "Did you talk to Kaede?"

  "Yes, she said she would listen for any weird demons killing villagers,"

  "Well, Eri apologized for blaming you for killing her ancestor, however she still thinks you and I shouldn't be together,"

  "Do they ever learn?"

  Kagome giggled and closed her eyes, "Well in a few days is my first test,"

  "Then I suggest you get some sleep,"

  Kagome nodded and tried to get some well-deserved sleep.  She could slightly hear Inu-Yasha's heart beat, and is uneven breathing by her.  Feeling to comfort and warmth from her mate, she drifted off to sleep, and Shippo would awaken the couple in a couple of hours, telling them that dinner would be ready.

TBC . . .

  Well, now I won't be able to write for a while.  I have three straight days at work on the night shift.  You know, I don't hate my job, but I don't like it either, it's just tolerable.  But I grit my teeth together since I'm getting paid well.  Anyway, long story short, I locked my locker key in my locker at work, so that was disastrous.  On Saturday I go to find a grad dress, and hopefully some more Inu DVD's, and the one manga I'm missing.  Anyway, just review and tell me what you think.  I will try to work on the next chapter from time to time between my breaks from studying and what not.  So the next chapter will be what's been going on with Sango, Miroku, and Kohaku, plus some spoilers about the couple as well.  Not really a big one, but still, it's a spoiler.  So REVIEW!!!!

Lynns