Training Partner

It was a lovely day. Kagome was walking from the forest back to the village, happily admiring the beauty of the area. She still couldn't believe she was back after those three years, despite the fact she was in the past for a couple of weeks ow. She loved this place. Of course, there were things she had to get used to and which she didn't enjoy, like cooking rice the old way, but in general she couldn't be happier.

Especially with the hanyou of her life walking beside her.

"Miroku went to the next village for some supplies," the inu hanyou was telling her, filling her in on where everyone of their friends were since she had went to the forest for the herbs before any of them woke up. "And Shippou's helping Sango training."

"And you came to fetch me, so you could dump the kids on Kaede, huh?" she smirked. He liked Sango and Miroku's children, as long as they weren't yanking at his ears.

"Keh! I wanted to make sure nothing ate you. The forest's still a dangerous place," Inuyasha looked away and stuffed his hands in his sleeves. Kagome smiled at him softly

Suddenly the hanyou stopped and turned back to the forest they had left a couple of minutes earlier

"What is it?" the miko peeked from behind his shoulder to see a small figure running out of the trees. It took one glance at the bushy tail to recognize Shippou,

"Kagome! Save me!" exclaimed the frightened kitsune. Oddly, Inuyasha didn't move to help the kid and defeat whatever was chasing him.

"Do something!" she pushed the hanyou forward.

"Kyaa!" at the same time Inuyasha stumbled a few steps towards the forest a feminine scream could be heard. A short line with two rocks on its ends flew out from the shadows and wrapped itself around Shippou's legs, causing him to fall. Kagome gasped when she saw the kitsune squirm in the bonds and quickly tearing the line to resume his frantic retreat, this time heading for the village and the safety of Kaede's hut.

That was when Kagome realized Inuyasha was covering behind her.

"Inu...?"

"Shhh!" he hissed, gripping her shoulders and peeking above her shoulder at the now silent forest line. "She could hear you!"

"She? Why didn't you help Shippou? We have to go save him" Kagome freed herself and started walking quickly after the kitsune.

"You don't get it?" Inuyasha grumbled, following her. "He's training with Sango."

"Huh?" Kagome looked at the nervous hanyou. "Why aren't you sparring with her? You always sparred with her in the past..."

"I did. After the first pregnancy I made the mistake of agreeing to train with her. Motherhood makes women ferocious." Inuyasha stated. "The kid was just stupid, agreeing to help her."

"...So you didn't flee the kids when you came sniffing after me..." Kagome mused aloud.

"This time I have a reason to continue living," Inuyasha looked down at her fondly and caused her to blush. "And the kid has to learn how to deal with exterminators anyway."