Chapter 3: The beautiful enemy

"Kirara, I'm sure you misunderstood, of course Sango likes you, more than likes you; she loves you." Shippou tugged on her fur, guiding her down, "Change to a girl so we can have a proper conversation." She did and sat down, head drooping and eyes crystal bright. "I know she does, that's why we need to find Kaede, maybe she'll have an idea of how to change me back, right? I only want to be what Sango wants me to be."

Shippou frowned. "That's not right, Kirara. Sango should love you for exactly what you are now, it's a new thing, yeah, so what?" he said boisterously. "I think we're overreacting, but for you Kirara, I'll go along with it, okay?" He puffed out his little chest and then whimpered, "But I'm a little scared to be so far away from Kagome and Inuyasha; and Sango, even Miroku. I'm so afraid." Kirara tried to smile, failed and just hugged him. "Sorry Shippou, you're right this is ridiculous. Tomorrow, I'll take you back." He shook his little head cuddled in her arms and his muffled reply was, "No, this is our mission. We can't go back on it now." After a little while, his body went limp and he fell asleep safe and snug with Kirara.

Meanwhile...

A lean man with beautiful golden features stirred and snaked an arm around the young woman next to him. She in turn moved closer in her sleep and he half-smiled. He wondered how long she could hold his interest. Once he was done with her he'd sell her. She'd make a very nice collection item, perfect concubine; willingly or not. He kissed the top of her head and gazed down, imprinting her features in his mind. Hmm...she was delicate, soft and well formed, full figured and lean. So pretty. Lush lips, button nose and large, bright eyes. It was her hair that would fetch a high price. Cerulean blue. Long and thick, just like her lashes and the triangle between her legs. So pretty. He chuckled softly and got out of the bed. He needed to start looking for a new girl, this one would only hold him a couple more days and he knew it; she just wasn't that pretty. How unfortunate.

Kirara sensed something eerie and she lay Shippou down behind her and tracked the foreign source. She snuck through the dense leaves and cast a protection spell over Shippou; if anyone breached it she would know and would be back faster than the intruder could blink. There! She found it, down by the small lake. She crepped closer, silent and wary. It was a man--no...it was defintely youkai. Her new human shaped mouth grimaced and she peered again, the morning light spilling on him as he bent to drink from the lake. He whirled around and his eyes narrowed. Her mouth went dry and she found herself holding her breath. Wha-what? Her pulse kicked into effect and she felt a funny fluttering in her midsection. He was, so, so...? She sniffed delicately and the fluttering increased. It was so delicious this scent, her eyes began to close in leisurely delight. The youkai stepped forward and she got her first good look at his face. She swallowed her gasp. Lovely. Golden beauty. His eyes widened in surprise as she came forward and she noted that they were a disconcerting blue and grey, hypnotic, she looked away first, studying the rest of him. Sensual mouth, gleaming fangs, rakish hair slipped over his forehead shielding one eye from view. It was such nice hair, it looked soft, a darker shade of gold than his skin. She wanted to touch him. He took a step closer and something intruded onthe protection spell, she snarled; a clear warning not to approach or follow and he looked startled. The next second she was gone.

Kaze was in a state of shock, his senses were dancing with awareness. He ran a distracted hand through his hair and pushed it away from his eye. Stupid hair, he could have stunned her for a second longer. He'd found her. The perfect creature for him, she would be the ideal mate. Oh he would still have other lovers, but he knew instinctively he would never get tired of her. And since she was his alone, he would have to make sure to keep it that way. He was a bit dazed. She was a cat youkai, that was okay. She was, god, so beautiful. Not pretty. Gorgeous. She went beyond his expectations. He laughed aloud and startled some birds into flight. Now he had only to tame her slightly; imagine, the audacity of her snarling at him, his face darkened as his thoughts turned decidedly dark and lewd. Oh yes, the fun would be unimaginable.

Kagome woke to Sango frantic searching and calling. She felt something was missing as well, but couldn't quite place it. She bent to give Shippou a kiss on the head and realized in growing horror that he wasn't where he was supposed to be. That snapped her fully awake and she threw off the sleeping bag and tried to calm herself before the panic seeped in. Sango ran over to her and said shrilly, "They're missing!" Inuyasha dropped out of a nearby tree and said in a relatively calm voice, "Don't worry I've already got a trace on their scents. We'll find them in no time flat, must've wandered off to play." His tone was gruff but he meant well and Kagome's heart swelled in hero adoration and love for the hanyou in front of her. Miroku was already unpacking their camp and in less than ten minutes they were off, Inuyasha leading them.

A squirrel. A bloody squirrrel. Kirara held it by its little tail and glared at it half-heartedly. Sighing softly she released it and flicked its tail to get it to run. It complied and Shippou was awakened by the little thing jumping on his head in its haste. "Hey!" He yawned and smiled up at Kirara and she smiled back down. There was no one she loved more than Shippou. He was like her little brother. She would protect him withher very life. It was been worth blowing of the mystery golden youkai just to reassure herself that Shippou was safe. She blinked and Shippou was already hang onto her shoulder his little arms snugly around her neck, claws carefully pointed away from her throat. She smiled to herself and her feet lit up in her familiar flying flame. She turned into her big cat form and Shippou settled more comfortably onto her back. "To Kaede's then?" his little voice asked from behind her ear. She flicked it back in answer. Yes, to Kaede's. She mewled. Shippou dug his hands more securely into her fur, and hummed his happiness.