I don't own Inuyasha.

I'd love to thank all of you that review, I squeal with joy. Really, I do. And I'd really like to thank Night Kitsune. I've waited forever for your review so I could laugh my head off. I'm mean.

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Chapter 5: Miroku's Worry & Missing Inuki

As Shippo agreed, Inuyasha followed Miroku into the forest by the lake. Miroku started to skip rocks, while Inuyasha sat and watched.

"Not that I really care, but what is bugging you?"

Miroku threw one last stone, then stood there, looking at the lake.

"When I was really seven, my father died by his curse. And I hadn't yet inherited the wind tunnel. But now." Miroku looked at his right hand, "Not only do I have it, but it's basically the same size. Even where that praying mantas nicked it."

"So, basically. . . ."

"If we don't find a way to change back, I doubt I'll live to be twenty."

Inuyasha stood up. "So I guess we better find that herb, if it exists. Come on, let's see if the old hag made the map yet."

They got back to have Shippo run out, being chased by Inuki with Kirara close behind.

"I think I liked Inuki better when he was old and wheezing."

"Inuyasha, that's not very nice."

"Like I care."

They went inside to catch Sango and Kagome talking. Upon seeing the two boys, both of them stopped talking and tried to hide their smiles.

"There you two are! Here!" Kagome greeted and gave each of them a chocolate bar. "Mom packed one for each of us, so enjoy!"

"Thank you." Miroku said as he and Inuyasha began to eat. "Where's Lady Kaede?" He added between bites.

"She went to her room so she could concentrate. She should have the map finished by tonight or tomorrow by the latest she said." Sango explained

"Good. The sooner, the better." Inuyasha said after devouring his chocolate.

"So, what were you two talking about before we came in?" Miroku questioned slyly.

"Oh, nothing." Kagome answered nervously while stuffing her camera deeper in her backpack. Sango simply started to drink her tea with her eyes closed so she wouldn't have to answer, nor look at anyone. Inuyasha and Miroku stared at them suspiciously.

"So what are we supposed to do while we're waiting for the old hag to finish?"

"Well, she didn't give us any instructions or jobs. So I guess, whatever we want to do."

"Ah. Well, I think I should still fill my duties and make sure no one is questioning their faith." Miroku said and left.

"I think he meant if any woman had any problems." Inuyasha blamed as he watched the door. He stood up and walked towards the door, "I'd rather spend my time alone. So don't follow me."

When Inuyasha left, Kagome giggled and took out her camera. "Oh well. I don't think I'm in the mood to leave them alone. Wanna come with me and capture some priceless moments like I told you about?"

Sango nodded, and they both headed out to find anything that interested them.

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The sun was setting, and Sango and Kagome were escorting Miroku back to Kaede's home.

"I can't believe she smacked my hand." They heard him say under his breath. Miroku had seen two women talking and one of them had some treats in hand. He went up to ask if he could have one, and she said yes. But when he reached his hand out, she smacked it and then yelled at him. Apparently, she didn't even hear him ask, and was still talking to her friend. Kagome and Sango had been hanging near by, and decided to help him escape the scolding of her, since it truly was an accident this time.

They were about to go inside, when Kagome heard Shippo yelling.

"Kagome! Kagome! Sango, Miroku!" Shippo ran up to them and had to catch his breath. "Have any of you seen Inuki or Kirara?!"

"Weren't they with you?" Kagome knelt down and asked Shippo.

"Well, we were playing hide and seek earlier, but it was my turn to seek, and I haven't been able to find either of them. So I've been looking for you guys. Do you think you could help me find them?!"

"Calm down Shippo. Kirara is able to care for herself, and I bet that she is with Inuki. I'm sure she'll lead him home soon." Sango smiled and comforted Shippo.

"Well, yeah. But still, I'd feel better if we found them soon." Shippo pleaded.

"How about this. We can go inside and get dinner ready. And if they're not back yet, we'll go and get Inuyasha, then we can search for Inuki and Kirara. Is that okay?" Miroku bargained.

Shippo nodded slightly and wiped away the worry tears from the corners of his eyes. They all three went inside and started to fix dinner for everyone. They had fun, just cooking. And they didn't really worry about anything. That is, until they were done. Inuki and Kirara hadn't shown up, and now Shippo was beginning to worry some more. Just as Kagome hugged him and told him it would be alright, Kirara walked in. But no one followed her.

"Kirara, where is Inuki?" Sango asked her dear friend. Kirara looked at her, then started to head out the door again, making it clear that she wanted them to follow her.

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Inuyasha left Kaede's house, and went directly to one of his favorite trees by the lake. After about an hour or so, he heard barking.

'Great. If that damned pup is coming, then Shippo can't be far behind. Can't I get some peace to myself?!' Inuyasha thought as he stared at the bushes that the barking was coming from. Sure enough, Inuki jumped out, with Kirara right behind him. But Shippo was no where to be seen. Inuki, having smelled Inuyasha, started barking at the tree. Inuyasha stared at it. Then, just to get the stupid thing to shut up, Inuyasha jumped down from his low branch, just to have Inuki run up to him. Inuki stopped right before running into him, and stood on his hind legs in begging formation.

"What? What do you want?"

Inuki whimpered, then laid down and rolled on his back. Despite himself, Inuyasha couldn't help but smile at how cute Inuki was actually being.

"Is this what you want?" Inuyasha got on his knees and rubbed Inuki's tummy. When Inuki felt satisfied with his tummy rub, he got back on his feet and jumped on Inuyasha, knocking him back.

"Now what do you think you're doing?" Inuyasha tried to be cross, but couldn't really be angry for some reason. Inuki barked, then ran away and barked at Inuyasha as to say, "Can't catch me!"

Kirara didn't want to be left out, and went beside Inuki and wagged her tails saying, "Nya Nya!"

"Oh yeah? Well, better run, because here I come!"

Inuyasha chased Inuki, then Inuki would chase Inuyasha, and sometimes Kirara would do the chasing. After awhile, all of them became a little tired. The sun was setting and Inuyasha sat up against a tree. Inuki and Kirara both rested their heads on Inuyasha's lap and he petted them. Soon, both Inuyasha and Inuki had fallen asleep. Kirara, now rested, was getting hungry. She decided to go back and get something to eat. Unfortunately, all she would get would be a whiff of food, then come back with four others following her.

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Miroku, Sango, Kagome, and most of all Shippo, were all stunned in silence. They could believe what they were seeing.

"I can hardly believe it. Inuyasha spent so much energy making us think that he hated Inuki." Shippo stated, not taking his eyes off the sight, "Uh, should we wake them?"

"I don't think so. Inuyasha would probably be nasty. Not only because we woke him up, but caught him not being mean to Inuki. I think it's best just to leave them here. We can send Kirara back here to watch over them tonight. After she's eaten. I'm sure she must be hungry, spending all day with Inuki." Miroku planned, and everyone agreed.

They were almost back to the village, when Shippo noticed that Kagome wasn't behind him like he thought. Instead, she was running to catch up with them, and hide something behind her back.

"Sorry. I almost forgot something, but that's not important." She said, cutting off Shippo's and Miroku's questions.

They all ate the wonderful dinner they had made, though slightly cold. Sango made sure Kaede was given some food, and Kagome packed the food that could be saved for Inuki and Inuyasha in her back pack. Everyone then said their goodnights, and went to bed.

In the forest, two sets of dog ears flicked every once in awhile at the nighttime forest sounds around them. And one set of cat ears, listening for any sign off danger while all three of them slept.