GEE PEOPLE! WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET YOU PEOPLE TO REVEIW? STAND ON MY HEAD! REVIEW! Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I get to bring Naraku and a few other characters into this. (Rubs hands together) oh yes, this is going to be one hell of a challenge, but I'm ready to take it on! Bring it! Don't forget to let me know how I'm doing with keeping people in character, I want to stay on track you know, reveiws are nice! (I get to put in a classic Miroku moment! he he!) If you're still reading by this point then I really would like to thank you for giving me the time of day, this thing was hard to write you know! THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN AND AS ALWAYS, READ, REVIEW, AND ENJOY!

Mayu Kitsune

Japanese Terms

Nani- what

Konichiwa- hello (duh)

Naraku's Test

Moyuru awoke early in the morning. She forced herself up, yawning as she did so. She was nearly fully healed now and her wounds were no longer in danger of reopening. She stretched a bit, finding herself to still be sore. Standing up, she tip-toed out of the hut, being sure not to wake anyone else. She had been down too long.

The sun's first rays were only beginning to reach over the horizon as she began on a walk, once again wanting to relieve herself of the stiffness that bothered her. She walked for a while, listening to the sounds of the waking world and watching as the sunlight crept over the land. Soon the whole village was awake and everyone was going about their daily lives. The seamstress arrived at her small shop to find Moyuru standing outside of it.

The seamstress smiled pleasantly upon noticing her, "So, I take it you are here for your clothes." she stated.

Moyuru offered a bit of a smile back, "Yes, I am. You're very kind to offer it for free. . ." she answered.

"Aw, it was nothing. Inuyasha messes up more sets of clothing than anyone I've ever known, but I can't complain. He pretty much keeps me in business. Come to think of it, I've made so much money from him and his friends alone that I could spare some cloth to do what I please with." the seamstress said as she led Moyuru inside. "Wait here." she commanded as she vanished into another part of the shop.

She came back a few moments later with a bundle. She handed it over to the waiting hanyou.

Moyuru opened it, beaming when she saw that they were nearly identical, but better made than what she had been wearing before.

"These are great!" Moyuru exclaimed, though still soft spoken.

"I'm glad you like them." the seamstress said, smiling. She allowed Moyuru some privacy in a small area of her shop to change.

Moyuru was very pleased to see that the clothes fit her perfectly, she came back out wearing them proudly.

The clothing consited of a long midnight blue top that had a high collar, was sleeveless, and flowed down to nearly her ankles. It looked nearly like a dress except for the fact that it was slit up both sides to almost her waist where she wore a sash of a gold color. It was all trimmed in the same color of the sash and white hakama pants were worn underneath. It turned out that she was very slim and the clothes seemed to show it but not so much as to be revealing

She had folded Kaede's old clothes and was going to return them.

"I see why you choose that style of clothing, it suits you well." the seamstress commented.

Moyuru quietly thanked her, "Is there anything I can do? You know, to pay you back?" she asked.

"No, no you don't have to pay me."

"But I insist." Moyuru argued.

"It's okay, really. Lady Kaede asked me to help you with clothing. I tried to fix your old clothes but. . ." the seamstress let Moyuru fill in the blank, not wanting to embarrass her.

Moyuru laughed a bit nervously, catching her meaning.

"Don't worry, I'm used to it. As I said before, Inuyasha messes up a lot of clothes."

Moyuru just nodded to her, "If there's anything at all I can do to help while I'm here, just let me know." the hanyou said before exiting, heading back towards Kaede's hut with her clothes. Good riddance to old lady clothes. . . Moyuru thought to herself.

--------------------------

"I can't believe we spent two weeks on a bad lead." Sango stated, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Ah well, how were we to know that the lead wasn't good? I wonder if Inuyasha and Kagome found anything." Miroku mused aloud, looking to the sky as he did so.

Kirara trailed along beside Sango in her small kitten form. She mewed a few times, sounding as though she were trying to talk.

"I know Kirara, we'll just have to hope for better luck next time." Sango replied, trying to sound optimistic.

"Maybe if someone wished us luck next time. . . A beautiful young woman perhaps. . ." Miroku thought aloud.

Sango shot him a cold glare.

"What?" Miroku prompted, trying to look innocent, "I was only making a suggestion. Maybe we could ask someone to wish us luck and we would have some."

"Humph. I know you Miroku, you wouldn't be interested in asking for luck, you would be more interested in whether or not they would take part in having your children." Sango stated, "Lecher." she added under her breath as she quickened her pace, momentarily leaving Miroku behind.

They were nearly back to the village, a bit disappointed in having to return with nothing. They had set out on what seemed to be a good lead while Inuyasha and Kagome set out on following another.

I'm going to relax,we did do some work slaying that demon. Too bad it just turned out to be abnormally large. Sango thought as they entered.

"Sango, Miroku, you're back!" Shippo exclaimed, running to them, "So, did you find anything?" he asked.

Sango shook her head in response, "No, unfortunately not." she replied.

"How did you, Inuyasha and Kagome fare?" Miroku asked.

"Not much better, we got sidetracked." Shippo answered.

"Sidetracked?" Sango echoed.

"Yeah." Shippo replied.

"What could possibly distract Inuyasha from a shikon jewel shard?" Miroku wondered aloud.

"Another hanyou, she was injured so we helped her." Shippo stated.

"She?" Miroku questioned now sounding intrigued.

Sango gave him another look but he didn't seem to notice.

"Look, there she is now." Shippo said, pointing towards the kitsune hanyou nearing Kaede's hut.

A little girl ran up to her "Moyuru chan!" she exclaimed.

The hanyou turned to her, "Konichiwa." she said pleasantly, smiling. The two carried on a conversation, the little girl chatting away happily.

"I can see why Inuyasha would be distracted. She's quite the beauty. . ." Miroku said, looking in her direction, "and she seems to be good with children as well." he added as an afterthought as he began to approach her.

Shippo and Sango both stared off after him, Sango with an agitated look on her face.

"He's at it again." Shippo said, slowly shaking his head back and forth.

"After being shot down so many times you'd think he'd learn." Sango stated in an annoyed tone.

Moyuru had the little girl by the hand, now walking with her. She was still carrying the clothes Kaede had let her borrow, apparently still in route to give them back. Her attention was trained on the little girl as she chatted on and on about what they could do during the day. The next time she looked forward, Miroku was directly in front of her.

She halted rather suddenly, a bit surprised that she hadn't noticed him there before.

"Hello." he said pleasantly.

"Um. . . hi?" she returned, uneasily.

"Why haven't I seen you around here before?" he asked, taking her hand from Naomi's.

Naomi shot him a dirty look, but he ignored her. He was stealing her friend! She crossed her arms and stayed where she was.

"You're definitely not from around here, how could anyone miss such a beautiful young woman?" Miroku said flirtatiously.

A slight flush came to Moyuru's cheeks at the compliment.

"Could I by any chance ask you your name?" he asked, flashing her his most charming smile.

"Moyuru." she answered shyly.

"Hey Sango!" Kagome's cheerful voice rang out as she approached, "Where's Miroku?"

"Over there." Sango stated unenthusiastically, pointing him out.

Kagome soon gained the same expression as the other two, "At it again I see." she said, "You think a guy would learn."

"I have a very important question to ask you." Miroku stated.

"Such as?" Moyuru prompted, now wanting her hand back.

"You see, I have been cursed and I'm afraid my time here is limited." he started, he seemed to be gaining a bit of sympathy from her now. Without much warning, he pulled her beside him, putting an arm around her shoulders.

Moyuru looked to be a bit taken off guard. She regarded him warily now.

"The curse will be passed on from generation to generation until my bloodline has disappeared or the curse is broken." he continued, pulling away and taking her hand again, this time cupping his hands around it. He had been over dramatic the entire while. "That is why I must ask you this. . ."

"Here it comes." Inuyasha stated, having joined the rest of them in speculation

". . . Would you do me the honor of bearing my children?"

"Nani?" Moyuru asked in disbelief, appalled by his question. She stared at him blankly, blinking a few times before finally seeming to regain herself. She took her hand back from him, "I don't think so." she answered rather bluntly, "Some monk." she muttered under her breath, beginning to walk around him and continue on her way.

He looked a bit put out by her bold rejection.

"Rejected again." Shippo stated.

Miroku was beginning back towards the rest of the group when Moyuru stumbled a bit, dropping the clothes she had been carrying. Miroku was there in an instant, "Allow me to pick that up for you." he offered.

"I am perfectly capable of picking it up myself." Moyuru retorted, bending over to do so.

"Hmmm." Miroku hummed in thought, Should I? he questioned himself. He seemed to decide and his hand moved for her rear.

Moyuru uttered a surprised squeal as she froze, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. Is he. . . ? she thought. Her expression soon changed to anger. She let out a growl before turning on him and slamming a fist into his cheek.

Miroku let out a cry of surprise as he fell, now lying in the dirt. He was in a bit of a daze, not at all expecting to get punched.

"You'd better not do that again you . . . you pervert!" Moyuru yelled indignantly, her tail swishing back and forth in apparent agitation. She tuned her back on him and continued on her way, now feeling violated to say the least.

"Did you see that?" Shippo asked, looking a bit surprised by Moyuru's action.

"Yeah, she socked it to him. She was so shy before." Kagome said with much the same expression.

"I guess she's shy until you make her angry." Shippo stated.

"Heh, that oughta teach him." Inuyasha said, his hands shoved in his sleeves.

"If that doesn't I don't know what will." Sango agreed.

They all walked towards Miroku who was now sitting up, rubbing at his injured cheek which was already red and swelling.

"That was a bit unexpected." he mused, getting up and brushing himself off.

"It's about time someone put you in your place." Inuyasha commented as the group approached.

Moyuru entered Kaede's hut coming out a few moments later without the clothes she had been carrying. Naomi followed close behind her. She turned her nose up at Miroku as he walked by, going to Kaede to get a cold, wet rag to keep his cheek from swelling up anymore than it had already. Inuyasha, Kagome, and the others were right outside.

"Konichiwa." Kagome said.

Moyuru returned the greeting, looking questioningly at the basket Kagome held.

"I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind joining us. My mom packed us all a really big lunch, there's plenty to go around." the miko explained.

"Yay!" Naomi exclaimed, "A picnic!"

Moyuru thought for a few moments before nodding, "That would be nice." she said, now quiet and soft-spoken again. The boldness she had demonstrated just a few moments earlier seemed to have left her now and she had reverted back to being shy. She just followed the rest of them as they left for a favorite picnic spot right outside the village on a hill.

Once there, Kagome spread out a large blanket, placing the basket in the middle and beginning to unpack it, also unpacking food from her back pack as well. She handed things out to various people, Inuyasha all too excited to get a bag of potato chips.

He seemed very possessive of them until Kagome demanded that he share with Shippo. He reluctantly did so. Naomi was just excited to be there, eating what she could and complimenting the food the entire while.

Moyuru for the most part was silent.

"You don't seem very talkative." Miroku commented as he finished off a rice ball.

"I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to talk to you." Sango stated.

Miroku laughed a bit nervously.

"Sorry about earlier, he does that to every new woman he meets." Sango said to Moyuru. "Hopefully he learned his lesson." she added.

"Yeah, you hit him pretty hard." Kagome said in agreement.

Moyuru smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess I did." she said, rubbing the back of her head.

"He deserved it." Inuyasha stated nonchalantly.

"I know everyone's probably already been introduced, but now since everyone's here I guess now would be a good time to make sure." Kagome said, before formally going through and introducing everyone to Moyuru, who seemed to be even more shy than before now that Kagome had somewhat put her in the spotlight.

"Hey Kagome, I was thinking that we could go to the hot spring and relax." Sango suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds great, just us girls!" Kagome answered, sounding enthused, "You wanna come?" she asked, turning to Moyuru.

Moyuru shrugged, "I guess, if it's okay with you." she replied.

"Alright!" Kagome exclaimed enthusiastically, "Girl's night out!"

Moyuru looked to her in question, but didn't ask.

Kagome was in the middle of conversing with a few in the group when she suddenly froze.

Sango looked to her in question, "What is it Kagome?" she asked.

"I sense a jewel shard! And it's coming this way!"

"Coming here?"

"Which way!" Inuyasha asked looking around.

"That way!" Kagome exclaimed, pointing out towards the other side of the village. The was a loud crash and screams coming from that direction.

"Whatever it is attacking over there has a jewel shard!"

Moyuru's eyes widened as the wind carried the scent of the demon her way. "Suzushi!" she gasped, He was injured so badly, how could he be back already? Moyuru questioned in her mind.

"Him again?" Inuyasha asked.

Naomi's suddenly seemed panicked, "My chichi's over there!" she cried.

"Naomi, you go back to Lady Kaede's hut and stay there until I come back, okay?" Moyuru said.

"Please save my chichi!" Naomi pleaded, crying now.

Moyuru nodded once before heading in that direction at a run, Inuyasha and the rest not too far behind.

"Are you sure you're healed enough to fight?" Kagome asked from Kirara's back.

"It doesn't matter," Moyuru replied, "Suzushi followed me here, it shouldn't have to be your problem."

"But he has a jewel shard!" Kagome argued.

"I don't care, I'll take him down either way!" Moyuru replied, the boldness returning to her.

They reached the source of the commotion to find Suzushi reeking havoc on the villagers. "Suzushi!" Moyuru yelled out, her voice full of anger.

Suzushi smirked, "Took you long enough to get here. While you wasted your time, I've already had fun with a few of the pathetic mortals." he stated, "It's so amusing to watch them flee for their lives, scattering like mice."

Moyuru's eyes widened when she recognized one of the casualties, No! That's Naomi's father! she thought as she stared at his motionless form. He'll pay for that! she said to herself resolutely, her eyes narrowing.

She looked around and oddly enough, Suzushi was lacking his reinforcements. They were nowhere to be seen and there was no other scent but his own and human blood.

Suzushi seemed to notice the confused look on her face, "They're not here, at least not at the moment. I came to challenge you to a battle to the death. You and only you, none of your friends may interfere and my so-called 'little army' won't either. Just you verses me." he stated confidently.

"That's not fair, you have a jewel shard!" Kagome yelled.

"You must be the miko Naraku told me about when he gave me the shard." the youkai commented.

"Naraku!" Inuyasha growled.

"What is your business with Naraku?" Miroku questioned.

"Simple, I get the jewel shard if I get rid of Inuyasha. Don't worry, I'll eventually end up fighting all of you once I finish the convict whom you have all befriended." Suzushi answered.

"It sounds like you got this all planned out, too bad you didn't plan on how to keep us from interfering. What's to stop us?" Inuyasha asked.

"Oh, I have insurance, here it comes now." he said, smirking.

They all followed his gaze where his little band of soldiers made their entrance, holding in the midst of them, a little girl.

"Naomi!" Moyuru yelled out, clearly shocked. No! They must've caught her on her way back to Kaede's hut!

"That's low!" Inuyasha exclaimed.

"But it's insurance all the same." Suzushi countered.

"I'll take your challenge!" Moyuru yelled angrily, "But you had better let Naomi go after we're through." she added.

"Oh, I will. . . if you win, which you won't." Suzushi said, smirking malevolently.

Moyuru growled, going forward to face him. A hand on her shoulder stopped her. She stopped and turned, it was Kagome.

"The shard's in his chest, get rid of it and whatever he gained from it will be taken away and he'll be normal." the miko advised.

Moyuru nodded once, "You and your friends find a way to free Naomi." Moyuru whispered, making sure Suzushi couldn't hear her.

"Okay." Kagome replied.

"Are you sure about this?" Inuyasha questioned.

"Positive." Moyuru replied.

Inuyasha opened his mouth to argue but Moyuru gave him a stern look, "I can handle it." she stated firmly, "Just please help Naomi. . . if things go sour, he'll use her against me or possibly kill her. . . Please, help her and worry nothing about me." Moyuru pleaded.

Inuyasha nodded to her, a bit taken off guard by how much concern she showed for the girl. She thanked him and began away.

"Be careful!" Kagome called out after her.

"Careful?" Suzushi scoffed, "No amount of being careful is going to save you." he said. Suzushi and Moyuru both took their ready stances, weapons out and on guard.

Moyuru regarded him warily, what power had the jewel shard given him? It had obviously helped him to heal quickly, but what else? Moyuru seemed hesitant.

"What's the matter, you're not afraid are you?" Suzushi taunted.

"Don't flatter yourself!" she growled as she lunged for him.

He moved out of the way rather quickly, countering her.

She ducked to avoid it, succeeding and backing off to gain a better focus. Damn he's fast! I've got to slow him down somehow. she thought.

Suzushi laughed harshly at her, "You'll have to do better than that to even touch me." he said.

She gave him an intense glare, hiding the fact that his speed and the mystery involving what the jewel shard had empowered him with had unnerved her. She lunged for him again.

He didn't move.

Just what I was hoping you would do. she thought. She jumped, flipping over him at the last second and landing with her back to his.

He was taken off guard and didn't have time to react before her elbow made hard contact with the middle of his back. He cried out in pain as his spine seemed to give way, What? No! he thought in surprise. There was a sickening crack and he fell to the ground, motionless, paralyzed.

"That should slow you down." Moyuru stated, walking around and kneeling down right in front of him.

"Alright Moyuru! You got 'em!" Kagome cheered from the sidelines as a few others in the group stood and stared a bit in shock. Where did Moyuru learn to fight like that?

"Damn you." Suzushi growled, unable to lift his head to look at the kitsune hanyou kneeling down in front of him.

"You may be faster and stronger than me, but I'm still half kitsune youkai." Moyuru stated triumphantly.

"Just what are you implying?"

"I thought it was obvious. Let me spell it out for you, I'm smarter than you. Apparently strength isn't everything and strategy is something you lack." she replied.

Suzushi tensed.

He should be paralyzed! Moyuru thought, leaping back. She narrowly escaped Suzushi's blade as it made a small cut in her throat. She stumbled a bit, regaining herself as she put a hand to her neck. "Damn." she muttered under her breath.

"What? He should've been paralyzed, I heard his back break!" Shippo exclaimed.

"It must be the jewel shard in his chest that allows him to heal so fast." Kagome said.

"She needs help." Inuyasha stated, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.

"Wait Inuyasha! Remember, we have to free the girl first. We can't do anything else without endangering her until we do so." Miroku pointed out.

Inuyasha growled, reluctantly taking his hand from the Tetsusaiga.

"How are we supposed to do that? There must be ten demons guarding her." Sango stated, having gotten off Kirara and was now standing next to Kagome.

"We need some kind of distraction." Miroku mused, rubbing his chin and looking to Shippo pointedly.

"W-what? Me?" Shippo asked nervously from Kagome's shoulder.

"Well, time to prove you're a true demon Shippo." Inuyasha stated.

"You can use your fox magic to create a distraction." Miroku suggested.

"What's the matter? Not chicken are you?" Inuyasha questioned with the usual smirk he always seemed to wear when he picked on the little kit.

"I am not!" Shippo exclaimed though he seeemed a bit scared. After a moment of convincing himself that he could manage to run a mere distraction, he leapt down from Kagome's shoulder, "Here goes. . ." he said as he approached the demons holding the girl hostage. "Multiply!" he yelled out, throwing leaves into the air, each one materializing into an exact replica of himself.

They all ran, attacking and bothering the soldiers, causing confusion among them.

"Now!" Inuyasha called out, running forward and drawing his sword.

Sango was the first one in, Kirara dropping in with her in the middle of the youkai. They took out the closest to Naomi first while Inuyasha and Miroku started on the outside ring. "Kirara, take Naomi somewhere safe and guard her!" Sango commanded. The large demon did as she was told going to the little girl and kneeling down.

Naomi didn't hesitate, jumping on her back and clinging to her fur, "I hope Moyuru's okay." Naomi said to herself quietly.

Kirara whisked her away, dropping her off with Kagome and Shippo and standing protective watch over them.

Moyuru and Suzushi had gone into another of many bouts of rapid attacks, matching each other blow for blow.

Suzushi finished his combination of attacks, making a swipe at her ankles intending to trip her.

She narrowly escaped it as she cut a back hand spring to avoid it and put distance between them.

He rushed her as soon as she had landed in a somewhat kneeling position, making to come down on her head with his sword.

She instinctively brought up her sais to block, holding them with the prongs against her forearms. A loud clang sounded as metal struck metal, she had managed to save herself. Moyuru cringed in pain as the shock of the blow traveled through her weapons and into her arms which she had crossed over her head to block.

Moyuru was beginning to tire and Suzushi knew it. Instead of drawing away after his attack, he bore down on her, trying to overpower her. "Getting tired?" he taunted.

Moyuru growled at him defiantly though she was exhausted. She was breathing heavily, her bangs wet with sweat.

Suzushi put his face close to hers. "You're just like your brother, weak." he whispered.

Moyuru's eyes flashed a brillian blue, "Shut up!" she yelled angrily, finding the strength to shove him off. She threw blow after blow at him, he dodged every one.

He had accomplished what he had wanted. She wasn't focused anymore, attacking out of pure anger. He made to trip her and this time it made contact.

She fell, landing hard on her back. No! this can't be happening! I can't let him win! she thought in a panick.

Suzushi tried to finish her off once again and again she was quick enough to block.

She was pinned, his sword had been stopped only centimeters from her throat and Suzushi was nearly seated on top of her. She struggled, but it didn't seem to do any good. He was so much stronger than her!

"Seiya was weak, and you made him that way. . . no matter how you look at it, you killed him." he said smugly.

"No!" Moyuru screamed.

Suzushi suddenly leapt back as an arrow barely missed him.

Moyuru was up in a matter of seconds.

Inuyasha was beginning to make his entrance into the fray. He ran forward, the Tetsusaiga out and ready to unleash it's force.

"Stop!" Moyuru yelled to him, "This is my fight, I will finish him!" she said, her voice filled with a bitter hatred for her enemy.

Inuyasha stopped, looking surprised but, oddly enough, not arguing. He reluctantly put the Tetsusaiga back in it's sheath.

"Inuyasha, what are you doing?" Kagome demanded, running to his side, Shippo on his usual perch on her shoulder.

"Yeah, are you just going to let her take him on all by herself?" Shippo asked.

"She wants to take him on by herself. No one interfered when I told them not to so I won't barge in if they don't want my help. Besides, she needs to do this on her own." Inuyasha stated.

Kagome blinked, looking to him in question. What was he talking about? He had just been talking as if he and Moyuru had known each other for ages.

"I can't explain it, you wouldn't understand." He said.

It's like they completely understand each other. Kagome thought.

"Do you honestly think you can bring me down by yourself?" Suzushi asked mockingly.

"Now that your 'army' is out of commission and you don't have a hostage, I won't hold back! Not at all!" she said, lunging at him again. She tried to strike with her sais, but he blocked with his sword and swung for a counter strike. She blocked, but he again bore down on her, knowing her to be physically weaker than him.

"If it weren't for you Seiya would still be alive. He was weak and so are you." Suzushi stated coldly.

"I'll make you eat those words." Moyuru growled darkly. She quickly moved one of her sais, catching the blade of his sword in between the prongs on it and twisting it in an attempt to disarm him. His arm twisted with the sword as he refused to let go.

"Seiya is not weak!" she yelled as she kicked his elbow.

It gave a loud snap and Suzushi cried out in pain.

Moyuru struck his sword with her sai and there was a loud ringing of metal as it was knocked away. "And neither am I!" she yelled, rushing him, slashing across his chest as he stumbled back.

The sharp scent of blood hit the air as her sai bit into him. Suzushi's eyes widened as the jewel shard fell out.

Moyuru paid it no attention as it fell to the ground some distance away.

"She knocked the jewel shard out!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Wow! She can really fight!" Shippo commented in surprise.

"I've never seen anyone fight like that in my life." Sango agreed.

"Kagome, where did the jewel shard land?" Inuyasha asked,

"Over there." Kagome said, pointing. She froze, "It was there. . . Wait, now it's over there!" she exclaimed, again pointing. She was motioning in the direction of the trees next to Moyuru.

Suzushi had run, but Moyuru hadn't given chase, she was too exhausted. She had sunken to her knees, breathing heavily.

A figure appeared in front of her, clad in the pelt of a white baboon.

"It's Naraku!" Miroku exclaimed, a great amount of distaste in his voice.

"So you managed to defeat him, impressive." Naraku commented.

Moyuru was bit startled, having not noticed him there before. She was to her feet in a split second, "Who are you?" she demanded, standing at the ready again.

Naraku laughed darkly, "Call me Naraku." he replied.

Moyuru's eyes widened. Hadn't Suzushi said something about a Naraku? "You bastard! You're the one you gave Suzushi that jewel shard!" she yelled angrily.

"Come now, is that any way to speak to your potential employer?" Naraku taunted.

Moyuru's eyes flashed blue again, "I am no one's underling and I'm definitely not working for the likes of you!" she growled, throwing one of her sais at him. It hit, the middle blade piercing the center of his throat. The sai went all the way through, sending the head rolling.

What? No blood? Moyuru thought, looking in confusion to the baboon pelt that faded away, leaving behind a small wooden figurine that had what looked like hair wrapped around it.

"It was just a demon puppet." Inuyasha stated as him and the rest of the gang reached her.

"Be alert Moyuru, I may require your assistance in the near future." Naraku's voice said, seemingly to come from everywhere before fading into nothing.

"The jewel shard's gone." Kagome announced.

"He got away with it." Miroku muttered.

Moyuru fell to her hands and knees from pure exhaustion. She muttered a curse as her fists clenched on the ground in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Sango asked, concerned.

Moyuru swallowed hard, "Yeah," she replied between gulps of air, "yeah, I'm fine. . .just. . . tired." she breathed. She was becoming light headed and spots of darkness clouded her vision.

"Let's go back to Kaede's hut, you need some rest after that." Kagome said.

Moyuru just nodded, forcing herself to her feet. She staggered a step before passing out, falling forward . . . directly into Inuyasha.

He caught her before gaining a suddenly clueless expression. What to do now?

"She's passed out!" Shippo exclaimed.

Yeah, but why'd she have to fall on me? Inuyasha thought.

Miroku let out a heavy sigh, "Why couldn't I be fortunate enough to be in your position?" he asked pitifully.

Kagome and Sango both gave him a cold glare.

"What? Inuyasha obviously doesn't know what to do with her." Miroku stated.

"Oh, and you do?" Inuyasha asked sarcastically, picking Moyuru up bridal style and beginning off, grumbling indignantly about Miroku's earlier statement. He knew plenty of what to do. . . it was just awkward.

Kagome didn't show any signs of it, but seeing Inuyasha with Moyuru unnerved her. Kikyo had died earlier in the year and since then things between Inuyasha and Kagome had been smooth. What now? Was Moyuru going to shake things up when they had just settled down?

No, Kagome thought, but there was a small voice in the back of her mind that kept nagging at her. But they understand each other. She's from this time era and she's also hanyou like he is, it would be only natural. . . it said. Kagome shook her head, pushing back the pessimistic thoughts.

"Are you alright Kagome? You seem troubled." Miroku said.

Kagome immediately put on a smile, "No, I'm fine really." she said, accidentally over-smiling to hide her suspicions.

Miroku was beginning to question her further, but she turned and began walking at an unusually fast pace in the direction Inuyasha had left in.

"What was that all about?" Sango asked.

"I'm not sure, but I have my suspicions." Miroku answered, "Well, what is it?" Shippo questioned, now on Miroku's shoulder.

"It seems that Kagome is worried that Inuyasha may not be faithful to her now that he's found a female who is also hanyou such as himself. Didn't you see the way she took on a pensive expression when Inuyasha picked Moyuru up the way he did?" Miroku asked.

"You don't think Inuyasha would leave Kagome do you?" Sango asked.

"It's possible though I doubt it. Even so, I know I'm not the only one who has noticed Inuyasha acting a bit strange lately." Miroku answered.

"Strange, what do you mean?" Shippo asked.

"For example, the way he didn't argue when Moyuru told him not to interfere. Normally he would argue the point until the other person gave up or the end of the world rolled around. He didn't stop just because she told him to, there was some level of deeper understanding between them." Miroku replied.

"You're right, it's like they already know each other and she's only been here for a little more than a week." Sango stated.

"I believe that Kagome fears a repeat of Inuyasha's troubles with Kikyo." Miroku concluded. He sighed heavily, "Ooor, I could just be thinking to hard." he added on a lighter note, "I mean really, I seriously doubt Inuyasha would leave Kagome for someone he just met."

Without much else in the way of words, he and the others made their way back to Kaede's hut as well.

Okay, here I am again just reminding you to review and, as always, giving you a preview of the next chapter. I thank all those who have reveiwed so far! I love all of you! No flames so far! Yay! I guess I can assume from this that none of you dislike my fic. I'm so happy!

PREVIEW!

Chapter Six: Kagome's Suspicions, A Misunderstanding

Inuyasha really has seemed to take a liking to Moyuru, but is the liking any further than just a 'like'? Kagome seems to be a little antsy over the situation. Sure, Inuyasha may act a bit strange around other hanyou, but there's never been a female hanyou close enough to his age for Kagome to consider competition! Will Moyuru stir things up again after they had just settled down? Does history really repeat itself?

Well, aren't I being evil in making you wait until next week to find out? (insert evil laugh here)

As always, reviews are greatly apprecitated!

Mayu Kitsune