Chapter 24

Kagome stared down into the abyss that was the well. "I wonder what everyone is going to say about the pups."

Inuyasha hefted her bag over his shoulder with ease, grateful that her school books were already on the other side. "You'll find out in a little bit." A sinister smile inched its way across his face as he stared at her back, her tail swishing left and right in an excited manner.

"Well lets go ....Inuyasha what are you doing?" Kagome asked him frantically when a cloth wrapped around her eyes shielding her from the world. She reached up to take it off but was stopped by Inuyasha's hands on hers.

"Chotto....I have a surprise for you." Inuyasha then picked her up bridal fashion and leapt into the well letting the familiar bluish light surround them. At the moment his feet hit the ground he took in a deep breath of the fresh air. The smell of flowers, trees, and grass was a welcoming scent to his nose. "Good we're back."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome started to question him but was abruptly halted when she felt her carrier leap straight up and land softly on the ground, then start walking. She could smell the faint scents of the village far away, but for some reason the smells were getting fainter. "Inuyasha....where are we going?"

"I told you.....I have a surprise!"

Kagome glared at him through the blind fold and crossed her arms in front of her, frustrated that her husband was keeping a secret from her. "I can't believe you're keeping a secret from me.....that's so cruel." She laid her ears back as she pouted in a humorous fashion.

"Don't worry, you'll like this surprise!" He smiled at her actions and the way she laid her ears down. He walked for about 20 yards and gently placed Kagome on her feet. "Now Kagome, I want you to keep an open mind, considering where we are."

"Uh.....Hai....." Kagome stood still, being blindfolded at the moment made her wiry to venture anywhere but where she was placed. She felt the hand of her mate on her shoulders as she replied to his request about being open minded. After what seemed like several minutes, she felt his hand trail up to the knot at the back of her head. Slowly, she felt the blindfold loosen and slide from her face. Kagome had to shield her eyes from the immense light that assailed her vision, eventually her eyes adjusted to the brightness and she looked over the small clearing. She wasn't sure what she was to be looking for, but what she saw was the last thing she was expecting.

Nestled in a small clearing, surrounded by tall trees, was a small hut. Kagome stared at the quaint home in wonder, she then turned and looked up at Inuyasha. She already knew what was going on but she wanted to hear it from her mate to be sure. Kagome turned back to look over the house as she awaited him to speak. It was smaller than her home in the future, only one floor, but it was larger than Kaede's. She could tell but the look and smell that the hut was just recently built, the smell of freshly cut wood floated all over the clearing. Kagome closed her eyes as a smile spread across her face.

Inuyasha bent down and whispered in her ear, with a slight grin on his face. "This is now our home.....It's in the exact same place your house is, in the future..........So what do you think?" He gave her tail a light tug then nudged her toward the house. "Go see....tell me whatcha think!"

Kagome slowly walked into the hut and looked around. The room she entered looked like Kaede's place except there were three extra doors and some dramatic cultural differences. "What the......some of this stuff is from the future...." Kagome walked up and stared at the modern day table and chairs. 'This looks weird.....' She turned from the table and walked toward the door on the left and entered. She was surprised to see a large modern bed against the far wall. "Now this is definitely out of place!" Kagome walked up and ran her hand over the pale blue cotton comforter. "How did he....?" She then noticed a crude desk on the wall to her right with her books piled on top. She then directed her attention to the wall on her left. A modern day bassinet with a stuffed white dog in it was sitting between the wall and the bed. Kagome gasped in surprise at the sweet gesture and whispered "Kawaii!" She walked up to it and took the little dog in her hands and held it up. 'A shiro inu....how fitting.' She placed the dog back in its protective position in the bassinet and looked over the room again. A few of her things were placed here and there, mostly stuff from her bag. She smiled warmly then left the bedroom to inspect the other two doors. Behind one door was a small room with a single, small bed against the wall, and several tops, acorns, and mushrooms on the floor. "This must be Shippo's room." Another smile spread across her face as she turned and looked through the other door. Two sets of futons were stacked neatly against the wall and that was it. "Hmmmmm?" Kagome then turned to look over her new home again. "I can't believe Inuyasha did this......."

Meanwhile Inuyasha stood outside staring at the house. The crushing of grass alerted him to the presence feet walking up behind him, but his nose told him he was safe so he didn't bother to turn around.

"So is she inside already?"

"Hai!" Inuyasha crossed his arms and continued to watch the house.

"So why didn't you want us here until now?"

"Because Bouzo....there were some things I needed to do before I showed it to her." There was a hint or nervousness to his voice as he answered the monk.

"Do you think she'll like it?" questioned the Exterminator.

Inuyasha looked at Sango with a worried expression. "I sure hope so.....All things considering....I hope so...." Before he could look back toward the house, Inuyasha found himself flying through the air and landing several yards away, sliding in the grass and dirt for several feet. Instinctively he reached for the Tetsusaiga, but was thwarted when a pair of lips locked onto his.

"Thank you Inuyasha, thank you!" Kagome kissed him several more times before he halted her by pushing her back off of him. She was a little confused at his actions and showed it in her expression. She tilted her head to one side and let one of her ears droop.

"You need to be more careful now remember. More so since there are three...." Inuyasha whispered to her as he propped himself up on his elbows, a female hanyou still on his lap. "I'm glad you like it, I was a little worried."

Kagome raised an eyebrow at his remark and placed both fist on her hips. "The great Inuyasha was worried. Keh.....I don't believe it for a second." She teased him and then placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back down into the grass before giving him a long and passionate kiss.

"ACCHHHEEEEMMM!!" coughed Sango from her front row seat by Miroku, who by the way had a huge mischievous grin.

The sound got Kagome's attention in an instant. She sat up and looked to her friends, cheeks burning a dark red. She looked back to her mate, still embarrassed, but now mortified at his position. He was lying beneath her, both arms behind his head in a laid back fashion, with the largest content smile she had ever seen. A faint growl was working its way up her throat as he continued to smile at her.

"I see you're still letting your princess win! Huh little pup?" a faint but high pitched voice echoed through the forest.

Instantly, Inuyasha had sprung into action, pulling Kagome off his lap and placing her behind him as he scanned the trees for the owner to the voice. "Who's there?"

Miroku and Sango too had readied themselves to attack, their eyes darting around in every possible direction.

Inuyasha emitted a deep growl as he placed his hand on the Tetsusaiga. "Show yourself....NOW!"

"My, my...looks like the little pup needs a nap, but .....Very well."

A streak of yellow and white whizzed around the two humans then darted toward the two hanyous, flying in circles a few times before disappearing all together.

All four friends looked to one another for answers, but were only rewarded with shrugs. Inuyasha stepped in front of Kagome protectively. He unsheathed Tetsusaiga as his growl became louder. His eyes darted around the forest, glancing at individual branches, bushes, trees and around everything and everyone. Inuyasha tightened his grip on the Tetsusaiga as the smell of neko hit his nose. It was faint but it was neko, none-the-less.

"Bad Dog!! Put that sword away before you hurt yourself!" ordered the high pitched voice.

Inuyasha spun around in the direction of the voice. He stood facing Kagome, concern written all over is face. His eyes then focused on the small, slender form of white and gold sitting on Kagome's shoulder.

Kagome stared at the tiny outsider on her shoulder, uncertain what to do. She looked over the 11" person in wonder. Aside from being small this little person had 2 perfect white wings resting at her back. Her hair was a warm golden yellow color and was pulled up into a ponytail with her forelocks looping around and tied up into the ponytail as well, tied up with a pink bow and bells. What surprise Kagome more were the 2 gold cat ears on top of her head, each one tipped with black and curled up. A long tiger striped tail swished behind her, a pink bow and bell fastened near the end. The Neko was dressed in a long white trench coat, trimmed with pink and gold. Around her neck was a pink collar with a gold bell and on her feet where modern day socks and shoes. After examining her new shoulder companion, Kagome had a strange feeling of Déjà vu. 'Why does this neko seem familiar?' Before Kagome could question the neko youkai, she was whisked away by an enrage male hanyou.

Inuyasha held the small youkai up for examination by her wings. He turned her from side to side. "What the hell are you?........Who are you?........" Inuyasha continued to examine the miniature neko, completely ignoring the high pitch orders to be let free. "And why are you here?"

After much yelling and wiggling, the neko freed herself and flew over to stand on Kagome's shoulder. She glared at Inuyasha viciously. "Baka Inu! Have you forgotten already? I'm a HaneTora (winged Tiger). I'm Kagome's retainer……Baka!" She then folded her arms across her chest and glared at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha looked at her skeptically. "Keh! You're her retainer? Ya right!?"

The "retainer" leapt from Kagome's shoulder and hovered in front of Inuyasha's face. "Yes I'm her retainer. It's only been about 63 years. You must really have a short memory span." Inuyasha turned his head away with a "Keh". Once she was satisfied with the male hanyou's silence she flew over and hovered in between Kagome and Inuyasha. She continued to flap her wings as she bowed to the other people present. "I'm Nekome, nice to meet you!"