Konnichiwa, minna! Thank you for all the reviews!! They make me feel so happy!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. -sigh- Wish I did though...

Chapter Dedication: Garret Jax and TaintedInuShemeeko. Thank you so much TaintedInuShemeeko! It's so great hearing from you! And Garret Jax!! Haha you just made my day with your review!!! I LOVE constructive criticism and any suggestions as to helping my writing skills improve.

"..." speech (duh!)
#...# thoughts (cuz QuickEdit won't let italics stay...)

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Kagome, Inuyasha, Kyoko, and Shippou all stood up in unison. Kaede read out the ingredients they needed. "Ye need to get knotgrass and fluxweed picked at the new moon. I have some lacewing flies and leeches. Knotgrass is common and grows in Inuyasha's Forest. Fluxweed, however, grows in few places. The nearest place that it grows is a village about a week's walk to the east. The new moon is in one week and three days."

Inuyasha snorted, "Feh. I knew that."

Kaede smirked slightly, "But Kagome, Kyoko, and Shippou didn't."

"Feh."

Kyoko looked from Kaede to Inuyasha and back again and then shrugged, realizing that she had missed something, but not bothering to ask. It probably wasn't of any concern anyway. She followed Inuyasha, Kagome, and her son out the door and back into the sunlight. She liked the sunlight, it made her feel warm, but she always preferred the dark. She could see in the dark while many couldn't and it made her feel secure, like she had an advantage over others. It was also calming at night. Things were always so busy during the day. She remembered the days when her family of three would all curl up to sleep, nestled against each other. It gave her a sense of peace like no other. Shippou tugged on her hand, bringing Kyoko back from her thoughts. "Mama?"

She looked down, "Yes?"

"Let's go."

She smiled and nodded, picking her son up and holding him in her arms.

Inuyasha knelt down. Kagome climbed his back and he stood up. Quickly checking to make sure Kyoko was ready to go, he leapt away. Kyoko stared at him for a moment, marveling at his speed and agility before Shippou waved a paw in front of his mother's face. "Mama? We're being left behind."

She started slightly and realized that they were indeed, far behind. She grinned sheepishly at her son before leaping off. It took a while, but she eventually caught up to the pair.

Inuyasha looked behind him to see her fast catching up. "About time. What took you?"

Kyoko smiled sheepishly again, "Sorry. I got distracted."

Inuyasha shrugged as best he could with Kagome on his back and sped up slightly.

Kagome smiled inwardly, knowing he was showing off to Kyoko, proving that he was as strong as any full-blooded demon. Suddenly a thought struck her. #Demon...# "Wait!" she yelled aloud without realizing.

Inuyasha stopped short, Kyoko not far behind, and Kagome was nearly thrown off. "What?!"

Kagome blushed pink, "Did I say that out loud?"

"Yea!"

"Oops!" she giggled slightly. "It's just that I just realized...I'm almost half-demon, right?"

Inuyasha nodded slowly, "Not quite, but yea. What's your point?"

"You don't need to carry me! I should be almost as fast as you!"

Inuyasha frowned. He hadn't thought of that, and it was clear. "I already thought of that!" he cried suddenly.

Kagome and Shippou sweatdropped, "Sure you did."

"Even if you're almost half-demon, you're not QUITE half-demon yet, and I'm still faster than you, so I should still carry you."

Kagome frowned slightly, "Mou, I was hoping that me turning demon meant I would be as strong as you. Or at least as fast."

"No one is as fast or strong as me," he said confidently.

"Says who?"

"Me!"

"You're lucky I'm on your back, or I'd sit you."

"For what?"

"Being such an arrogant jerk!"

"I'm not being an arrogant jerk!"

"Yes you are!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

Mother and son sweatdropped at the sight of the two arguing. Shippou spoke up, "Can you guys cut it out? We're trying to save Kagome here and you're not helping things. We're wasting time!"

Kagome and Inuyasha stopped short and looked at Shippou. "Right," they answered at the same time. They looked at each other, blushed slightly, and turned away. Shippou rolled his eyes and shook his head hopelessly.

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Inuyasha leapt off once more, Kyoko right behind him. "Inuyasha?" Kagome asked tentatively, breaking the tense silence. Inuyasha grunted to show he was listening. "I-I'm sorry I called you an arrogant jerk. You weren't really being a jerk at all..." Inuyasha nearly stopped short at her words, but he jerked slightly, and Kagome, being that she was on his back, felt it. "What?"

Inuyasha twisted his head to look at her. "Nothing. It's just that you don't often apologize."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

Kagome sighed, "Sorry...again. I'm just really on edge these days... This demon thing is hard to get used to."

Inuyasha nodded. "It's ok."

Kagome smiled and buried her face in his hair, slowly dozing off. Inuyasha felt her face on his back and blushed slightly.

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A few hours later, Inuyasha jumped down into a group of trees and let Kagome off. Kyoko landed beside him and Shippou hopped out of her arms. "Let's set up camp. I'd say we'll get there in about three or four more days, depending on how fast we move."

Kagome patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, Inuyasha. We have a week and two days before the full moon. We can take our time getting there." Inuyasha nodded. The schoolgirl yawned and Shippou followed suit, both emphasizing the fact that it was getting late. Kagome let her backpack slide off her back and opened it, pulled out her sleeping bag, and unrolled it. "Oh no!"

Everyone looked at her. Inuyasha asked, "What?"

"I forgot a sleeping bag for Kyoko! I'm so sorry!"

Kyoko frowned slightly, "What's a sleeping bag? A bag that makes you sleep?"

Kagome giggled, "No, it's like a futon. See? This is a sleeping bag." She pointed to her own.

Kyoko glanced at it and laughed, "Oh don't worry! I prefer to sleep on the ground."

Kagome shrugged, used to this sort of reaction since Inuyasha insisted on sleeping in trees.

She slipped into her sleeping bag and closed her eyes, promptly falling asleep.

Inuyasha jumped up onto one of the lower branches of the tree Kagome was sleeping under and sat up against the trunks, watching his companion from above.

Kyoko sat down in a position similar to Inuyasha's against the base of the tree. Shippou curled up in her lap and fell asleep. Kyoko soon followed, and after a while, so did Inuyasha.

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The dawn's first rays of light awoke Inuyasha. He blinked a couple times and jumped down. Kagome's face looked so peaceful in sleep. Besides the ears and the fact that her head was the only thing visible, he thought she looked the same as ever.

Kyoko stirred as the light awoke her too. She opened her eyes and looked around, finding only Inuyasha to be awake. "Good morning, Inuyasha," she whispered. He started slightly and whipped around. She giggled, "Sorry. Did I startle you?"

"Feh."

Kyoko picked Shippou up and placed him gently beside Kagome on the soft, warm futon. Then, she stood up and faced Inuyasha. "I'm going to go take a bath. I smell a stream nearby." Inuyasha nodded, not really listening. She bounded off in the other direction, following her nose.

Inuyasha leaned closer to Kagome. She looks so peaceful when she sleeps. Like nothing in the world could ever bother her. She so pretty too... He blushed, realizing his thoughts. What am I thinking? Wait, I just thought she was pretty,

nothing more. He sat down beside her.

Kyoko wandered back into camp, waking everyone up. "Come on, you guys! We need to get to that village."

Kagome and Shippou groaned and blinked in the dim sunlight. "What time is it?" She searched through her backpack until he uncovered her alarm clock. It read: 5:34. "What?! 5:34! Can't I sleep a little bit longer? Please?"

Inuyasha shrugged, "Sure. I'm not the one who woke you up. I was planning to let you sleep a bit longer."

Kagome yawned and rewarded him with a smile. She lay back down and fell asleep again.

Kyoko groaned slightly, "It's bad enough that she won't get up, but my own son woke up and fell right back asleep again!"

Inuyasha smirked at her, "Guess you lost that one. Let them sleep longer. We have time, like Kagome said. We can get there really quickly."

Kyoko sighed and nodded her head finally. "Fine, I guess you have a point."

"I always do," he smirked in triumph.

Kyoko turned away and stuck her nose in the air.

---A Few Hours Later---

Kagome yawned and stretched her arms. She opened her eyes and they immediately searched for her alarm clock. 9:26. She smiled. Finally, I get to sleep in. Inuyasha was sitting on her other side. She figured he'd been sitting there the entire time. "Inuyasha?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you been sitting there the entire time?"

"Yea, why?"

Her eyebrows lifted, "Nothing, just wondering. But why?"

"Feh. I'm watching out for demons." #More like you.#

"Oh. OK." She sat up and nudged Shippou gently. He didn't wake. She shook him and he blinked awake. "Good morning, Shippou."

Suddenly, he sprang to life. "Good morning, Kagome." His mood, however, was ruined by a large yawn. Kagome giggled.

She began to roll up and put away her sleeping bag. Kyoko watched her, interested. "So it's like a portable futon?"

Kagome looked up and nodded. "Pretty much." She stuffed the last bit in and stood up. "OK! Let's go!" She slung her backpack on her back and climbed onto Inuyasha's back. Kyoko picked up Shippou and they left.

---Around Noon---

"Inuyasha? Let's stop for lunch."

"Sure." He landed down in a small clearing, Kyoko right behind him. Kagome opened her backpack and took out the bags of chips and onigiri she had packed. It wasn't the greatest lunch, but everyone seemed to like it. Kyoko stared at the chips curiously before Kagome explained what they were, and even then she couldn't understand, as potatoes weren't available in Japan in the Sengoku Jidai. She tried one after Shippou insisted that they were good and found she liked them, enjoying their salty taste. Kagome smiled, glad she had packed something they all liked.

After they finished eating, Kagome put everything back in her yellow bag and sat back down. Shippou jumped up and tagged her, crying, "You're It!" in his high-pitched voice. Kyoko gave him a strange look.

Kagome laughed, "It's a game. You tap somebody and say, 'You're It!' and then that person has to chase everyone else around." Kyoko nodded slowly. "But only one person can be It at one time." She nodded again and smiled.

"OK, I think I understand. We used to play a game similar to this when I was a kit. So you're It?"

Kagome nodded. "Inuyasha? You playing?"

He shook his head, "I used to play something like this when I was a pup, too. That's all it is: a pup's game."

Kagome's good mood was deflated slightly. "OK, that's alright. You just sit there and watch us."

She blinked in surprise as he plummeted face-first into the ground. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Inuyasha! I wasn't thinking!"

Kyoko looked on, not knowing what just happened, but deciding she didn't really care.

The spell wore off and Inuyasha jumped up. "I'm gonna get you, wench!"

Kagome squealed and ran off, knowing he was just playing. Inuyasha flattened his ears to his head when she squealed and ran after her, ears popping out of his hair into plain view once more.

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They spent the afternoon playing tag, and when they decided to take a break, everyone, was exhausted. "You've gotten really fast, Kagome," he complimented.

Kagome stared at him for a minute in surprise. #Did he just ... compliment me?#

She smiled, "Thanks. Must be my demon blood."

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The next few days were spent in similar ways. Kagome enjoyed how they weren't rushing and rushing like they usually did. Something bothered her, though. #Inuyasha's being so nice... Why? It's nice, but it's also a little scary.# Finally, after going at an incredibly slow, but extremely peaceful pace, they reached the village with two days to spare. Kagome grinned to herself when she saw the tiny village; she couldn't help it. It was nice to see civilization again.

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They entered the village, receiving frightened stares all around. Some people backed away slightly and mothers ushered their children into their homes. Kagome approached a middle-aged man who did not seem quite as frightened as the rest. "Excuse me, do you know where we can find the headman?"

The man scowled at her and sneered, "Why should I tell you, demon?"

Kagome opened her mouth to protest when she realized. #I am a demon. I had forgotten.# She looked down for a moment before lifting her head to meet his eyes again. "Please? It's very important. We come from another village. Our village priestess sent us."

The scowled deeper, "Why should I believe you, demon? Leave this village and don't come back! We are a peaceful village, but we will fight if we need to rid our homes of monsters."

Kagome stepped back in shock, as if she had been slapped in the face, and tears of hurt gathered in the corners of her eyes.

"For a demon, you're very sensitive. Sorry, I'm not falling for the tear trick."

Another younger man spoke up, "I didn't know demons could cry."

"Yeah! I thought monsters like you didn't have feelings."

"They don't. It's just trying to convince us it does so we'll lead it to the headman."

The voices circled around Kagome, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Inuyasha stepped in front of her. "Shut up! Don't you dare talk about her like that!"

Kagome clung to his haori gratefully, and he led them out of the village. Once out of earshot of the villagers, and Kyoko and Shippou, Kagome collapsed, crying, in Inuyasha's arms. He knew what she was going through; he was just so used to it that it didn't bother him anymore. #Damn! I forgot how humans treat us. Kagome's never had to go through this. I wish she didn't have to.# He held her closer until her sobs lessened into hiccups. "Shhh. Don't listen to anything those bastards say. They don't know shit." After cradling her in his arms for a few minutes, he let her go and she stood up. Drying her tears on her sleeve, she looked into his eyes.

"Why do they do that? They never really did that when you went in villages with us..."

"Because Shippou and I were the only demons. They saw that you and Sango and Miroku were all humans so they didn't say anything. Besides, Miroku is a monk, so they don't disrespect his companions because if they did and anything happens to them that requires someone like him, he wouldn't help. We're all at least part demon here, so they don't mind saying things like that."

She nodded and sniffed. "I forgot that I was a demon. I guess I should have expected something like that. I'm sorry." She hung her head in shame.

Inuyasha's eyes widened slightly in surprise. It wasn't like her to be so submissive and apologetic. "Kagome. Look at me." She didn't lift her head. Inuyasha lifted her chin with his fingers so that her eyes met his. "You didn't know. You've never had to go through something like this. Don't be sorry for their mistakes."

She nodded and her eyes hardened, some of her old self coming back, "Yea, why should I be sorry for what those creeps said about me? I should go back there once I become human again and teach them a lesson! Or better yet, I should do it now!"

Inuyasha smirked in relief, "That's the Kagome I know. But don't hurt them now. If we hurt any of them, the headman won't give us the plant."

Kagome nodded, "Yea, you're right." She sniffed again and together they walked back to where Kyoko and Shippou were waiting patiently, a little outside the village.

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Shippou spotted them first. "Kagome! Are you alright?"

She nodded and smiled, although her eyes were still a little wet. He jumped into her arms and she hugged him, grateful for the comfort it gave her.

Inuyasha turned to Kyoko, "We're staying out here for the night."

"But-"

"No buts! We're staying out here, got it?"

She nodded and Kagome looked over at Inuyasha, eyes telling how grateful she was for everything he was doing for her. #No, I don't mind at all if he's being nice.#

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That night, they slept peacefully just outside the outskirts of the city. Inuyasha was dozing off and everyone else had fallen asleep when they were all woken by a scream. Inuyasha stiffened. #That's Kagome's scream.#

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Kagome was asleep when suddenly, her body was racked by sharp pains. She gasped and gritted her teeth, trying to remain quiet, but they just kept getting worse and worse. Soon they weren't just jolts of pain, they were long moments of terrible pain. Her muscles screamed as they began their change. Kagome was fully awake by now.

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Everyone looked to Kagome's sleeping bag to find her tossing and turning, crying out in pain. Inuyasha jumped down from his tree and landed beside her. "Kagome..." Her face was beaded with sweat and her eyes opened to reveal them to be glassy and wide. He looked to Kyoko and Shippou, "I'll be right back."

He picked Kagome up bridal style and ran into the woods nearby, carrying them far away from camp and deep into the silent forest.

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Kyoko lay back down. "Inuyasha will take care of her. Go to sleep, Shippou." Shippou took one last worried look in the direction the pair had gone and fell back onto his mother, quickly falling back into slumber.

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Inuyasha ran and ran until he figured they were far enough away so no one could hear them. Kagome's screams had subsided and her body was merely racked with dry sobs, meaning the pain had gone down. "Kagome." He sat down against a tree and laid her in his lap. "Take deep breaths." She obeyed him and soon was breathing normally again. "What happened?"

"I...don't know. I was sleeping and suddenly I started having these...jolts of sharp pain. They just kept getting worse and worse until they were really long and painful. That's when I started screaming, I think. My muscles hurt like crazy. I don't remember anything, really, just a lot of pain. What's happening to me?"

Inuyasha was quiet for a moment before answering, "You're muscles are changing from human to demon muscles. You're body's making the transition from human to demon. It's going to hurt like this for a while."

Kagome turned fully to look at him in utter dismay. "A while?!"

He nodded solemnly, "Yea."

"Is this what you have to go through when you turn human?"

"No. I'm a hanyou so my blood and body are already half-human and half-demon. It's just a question of my blood taking over when I turn human, or demon. You're body's completely human and it's going completely demon. That's a big change."

She nodded sadly. "Guess you guys won't be getting much sleep for a while, huh?"

He shrugged, "I don't mind. I don't sleep that much anyway. I don't need to."

She smiled. It was nice to see some of his old arrogance come back. He was starting to scare her just a little bit. "I know." And with that, she collapsed from exhaustion in his lap and fell right asleep. Inuyasha didn't move her, merely leaning back against the tree and falling asleep himself.

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The dawn awoke them both. Kagome groaned and groggily sat up. The night's events were still fresh in her mind. She turned around and blushed, realizing that she had spent the night in her hanyou's lap. #Wait...my hanyou? Inuyasha's not my hanyou!# She blushed even harder at the thought.

Inuyasha opened one eye, "What? Why are you blushing?"

She shook her head, "Never mind."

He realized why and turned pink. A rustling behind them caused them to turn around. A small rat demon sprung out, attempting to attack Kagome.

Her eyes widened. It may have been a small rat demon, but it was still up to her waist. She screamed and cowered back. It hissed to her and leapt at her throat. She batted it away out of reflex and it fell back. The demon got to its feet and attacked again. It managed to scratch her arm before she screamed again and slashed down with her claws. The rat demon fell to the ground, twitching slightly, in two pieces. It gave a final twitch and died. Kagome gave a great sigh of relief. "Thanks, Inuyasha."

He smirked. "I didn't do it. Look at your claws."

She look at him in confusion, "You...didn't?" She looked at her claws and sure enough, her right hand was covered in the demon's blood. "EEK!" Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head and he shut his eyes. "Wait...then I did it?" He opened one eye, then opened the other and his ears popped into sight again.

"Yeah. It's your demon instincts."

Kagome's eyes brightened. "I did it!" She laughed right out and grinned at him.

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They walked back in comfortable silence. After washing her hands in a stream they passed, Kagome's hands were free of blood and Inuyasha was glad to be rid of its coppery smell. They arrived at the camp by late morning to find Kyoko and Shippou awake and waiting for them. Kagome rolled up her sleeping bag and instead of putting it in her bag, left it sitting next to her bag. #No need to keep putting it away and taking it out again. This way, it's out already, but bugs still won't get in.#

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They spent the next two days lounging around and that night sleeping, only being woken once by Kagome's screams. Inuyasha and Kagome escaped into he forest again to give their traveling companions some peace. Finally, it was the new moon night. Inuyasha was extremely edgy, only speaking when spoken to, and even then he only gave one-word answers, if he chose to answer at all. Everyone generally steered clear of him save for Kagome. He was 'sat' a couple times, but besides that the day was uneventful. Finally, the sun went down. Inuyasha jumped down from his tree and stood before their group, uneasy about the fact that Kyoko now knew his secret. "I'm going to go get the plant now. It's our only chance."

"I'll come with you!" Kagome immediately said.

"No. I'm the only human here right now."

"But-"

"No, Kagome. I'll be back in a bit."

Kagome huffed and sat down against the tree, vowing to wait until he came back. Shippou curled up in her lap and she absently stroked his soft fur. Kyoko stepped out of their camp to stare at the stars.

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Inuyasha walked with a confident air that began to deflate as he reached the villagers. He hoped they would let him see the headman.

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Another chapter done! I just saw the new Yu Yu Hakusho DVDs 'Dangerous Games', 'Old Rivals, New Problems', and 'In The Blood'. Yea, I cried when I saw In The Blood. I won't tell you why in case any of you haven't seen it yet...

Recommendations: Sorry I forgot to put one up last chapter so for last time: Check out TaintedInuShemeeko's stories!!! They're really good!

And for today: Check out Garret Jax. He is THE best Inuyasha author I have ever read and one of the best authors EVER. Seriously.

Wow that's so weird...the two recommendations are the two people I dedicated my chapter to...hehe

TaintedInuShemeeko – Aw, thanks! You're so nice!! Hope you liked this one too!

Inuyashaluvr19 – Yay! I've read longer chapters and I thought it was really short...but I'm not that great at writing long chapters... Quantity over quality as I like to say hehe. Thanks! Glad you liked it!

LadySword04 – Aw! You're so sweet! -huggles- I love you sooo much! You made my day with your review!! I love hearing from you! Thanks! You'll just have to wait and see, ne? -winks-

Garret Jax – Wow, you seriously have NO idea how much of an honor it is for you to review my story! Thank you SO much for the help! I'll definitely try making my writing a bit more descriptive...that may be one of my problems. Thanks for the compliments too! -blushes- Though I can't imagine how someone as great as you could consider me to be doing well...I'm a definite rookie when it comes to writing... Hopefully I'll improve though! Thank you so much!!!