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EDIT 6/1/12: For a better reading experience, all review replies and old, unimportant ANs were removed. Any questions, just PM me

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, anything pertaining to Inuyasha nor Harry Potter. Just the ideas that pop into my mind ;)

—The Concept of a Family—

Ten. Nine. Eight...

Kagome tried. She really, really did. But it was hard to hold it in.

Seven. Six. Five...

She was usually a tolerant person, and she loved James so much, that it was hard to get mad at him and even harder to stay mad. It didn't take long at all for her to take to her twin over the last three years.

He was just adorable and amazing and fun! There was never a dull moment, whether they would play or talk, and she would be lying if his mischievous ways didn't rub off onto her.

Naturally, they bickered but it would never last long enough to carry over the next day. They made sure of it, because if they were still mad at each other by the time they had to go to bed, the guilty party always ended up in the other's room.

Four. Three. Two...

But this? This was too far.

This was bloody war.

And not even counting backwards to ten could stop the inevitable.

One... Oh, fuck it.

"JAMES!" Kagome roared out, eyes flashing wildly at the scene before her one last time before she stomped out of her room, intent on finding the culprit.

Her collection of stuffed animals were trashed. Splattered with paint.

Permanent paint.

She was used to the prank wars they usually had. She enjoyed them, immensely.

But these weren't just any stuffed animals. They were special.

No, scratch that. There was one that was really special.

And he ruined it.

Kagome's lips trembled, and she shoved back the childish urge to cry, knowing it was her younger influence pitching in.

Splattered in rainbow paint was her stuffed fox – a birthday present from when she was five.

Maybe she was overreacting, but the little fox had sentimental value. Not only did her mother give it to her, but it reminded her so much of Shippo. Her baby.

As childish as it may seemed, but she hadn't slept without it since the day she got it. She would clutch it to her chest and snuggle, imagining her darling little kitsune in its place. It soothed her conscious.

And seeing it ruined made her unbearably pissed.

—o—o—o—o—

"I'm sorry Mel!"

"I don't care!"

"But-!"

Kagome spun on her heel, glaring at him hotly. "Leave me alone!" she said in a quiet, infuriated voice before turning, stalking off into the forest.

"Kagome!"

She ignored his pleading shout. Ignored his crushed face as it flashed repeatedly in her mind. Ignored all inklings of guilt, shoving it down in favor for anger.

She needed to get away, to be alone, before someone said something they would regret – most likely her.

James watched after her, feeling torn as she disappeared behind the dense vegetation.

Confused, guilty, lost, and overall upset, James rocked on his heels, debating whether he should follow her or not.

'But she was so angry,' he thought mournfully, biting his lip. Then he shook his head adamantly. 'They're only some stupid stuffed animals – why did she get so upset over them!' he argued with himself. 'She's seven for Merlin's sake! She should be over them by now!'

James huffed, crossing his arms. He nodded, sure of himself. 'Yeah, they're only a few stuffed dolls. I'm her brother – her bloody twin. She'll get over them soon, she just needs time to cool off... She'll forgive me – she has to...'

But even in his thoughts, he wasn't very certain at that... 'Right...?'

Suddenly, he face-palmed himself. "She's my best friend and all, but sometimes I forget she's such a girl..." he muttered under his breath despondently. "And Merlin, I'll never understand them..."

Running a worried hand through his messy hair, he swallowed thickly. "Well, there's nothing I can do right now, that's for sure," he reasoned with himself quietly, "She'll just yell and glare at me..." he muttered, and shivered. "Bite my bloody head off, is more like it..."

Kagome was a lot like their Mum than she realized – not something he'd ever tell her to her face though, that's for sure. Whenever she got really angry – which was rare 'cause they're brother and sister, twins, and fighting was just something they just didn't do much – he knew the first rule to survival was to hide.

When Kagome yelled, she was upset. When she glared – normally, that is – it meant she was angry. When she picked up on the carbon copy of their Mum's glare, that's when the warning signals started ringing.

But this time, she used that quiet, infuriatingly calm voice – like the calm before the storm tone their Mother used that spelled disaster.

He had neiver been on the receiving end of that tone with her. Never!

He'd only heard it once before – and that was on Frank when...

James cursed under his breath. That really should have been his warning sign.

Frank had took her stuffed animal one time, and teased her about it last year. He was kidding at first of course, 'cause Frank was a good mate of theirs if not a bit oblivious. But then he started joking about tossing it out, because a pureblood witch shouldn't waste her time stuck on 'dollies' and Kagome got really quiet because it was the fox one, and James knew it was her favorite.

She used that scary tone, and James swore Frank paled a little then, but it was all okay in the end because then he threatened Frank to leave his sister alone and to give the stuffed animal back. Kagome had grinned happily at him when he got it back for her, chirped a ''thank you", and everything was back to normal.

It was a bit weird how she switched emotions like that but he didn't think anything of it then. He was just happy she was happy and not scary anymore.

And now he ruined her stuffed animals, and she was definitely not happy. At all. What-so-bloody-ever.

"Bloody hell," James groaned. How the heck was he supposed to fix this – without his parents finding out?

He turned away uncertainly, figuring the only thing he could do is give her space so it could blow over and figure out a way to fix this somehow. He walked back to the house with one last, longing glance over his shoulder.

'I just hope she'll be okay...'

—o—o—o—o—

Kagome just walked.

Well, stomped was more like it, but still.

She just kept moving, just fuming, not caring where she was going – James and her knew the woods like the back of their hands so it didn't matter.

Kagome silently screamed out in frustration at the thought of her brother.

She kicked at anything in her path; stones, twigs, and all.

'Just – how could he?' she thought furiously, swiping at her tearful eyes and cursing as her seven year-old emotional mentality came into play.

The thought just replayed in her mind, over and over again, unable to think of anything else.

Unconsciously, she registered approaching a stream, and absentmindedly took a seat on a flat stone nearby, staring into the running water and her distorted reflection.

It was oddly calming, she realized suddenly.

She lost track of time as she just stared, pouting and arms crossed, sulking like any seven year old would, sniffling every once in a while.

Eventually of course she calmed down, and when she did, Kagome rubbed at her cherubic face, the reasonable side of her mind returning as her overemotional seven year-old state retreated.

James was still a kid – a boy, which made it even worse. He didn't understand the sentimental value the toy held – to be honest, he probably didn't know it even held any sentimental value in the first place because she certainly never told him the truth.

She should have expected something like this sooner or later – her old friends used to tell her stories about how their brothers stole their dolls and they would go looking for them only to find their heads missing.

And they were in the middle of a prank war, and she was holding his chocolate frog cards for hostage...

Kagome sighed.

Sometimes, she forgot that she was technically sixteen years older than her brother, who at this age, was supposed to think girls were disgusting and had cooties.

Granted, she was his sister and twin, so they grew up together and she was naturally exempt from said generalization, but still.

He was a young boy, and boys will be boys...

Shaking her head, she rose from the stream. She realized with a jolt that it was going to get dark soon, and James could only hold off their mother for so long – because she knew James was probably covering for her, half because it was her, and half because if Mum ever found out, they would both be royally screwed.

She only got three steps in before a low, rough growl made her freeze.

—o—o—o—o—

James had been holed up in his room all day, just pacing since Kagome left. He was worried sick as the hours passed with no sign of Kagome returning.

"James! Kagome!"

James froze as his Mum's voice floated from downstairs, his already white face paling further.

It was almost dinner and Kagome still wasn't back yet...

His eyes widened, growing even more frantic.

"Kids? Where are you?" his Mum called out again when he didn't answer.

James bit his lip. Oh crap.

What was he supposed to do?

James flinched as a sharp crack echoed in his room, and he opened an eye to see Ipsy in his room, peering at him worriedly. "Is little master well? Little master looks pale," Ipsy murmured worriedly, her already wide eyes even wider. "Mistress is calling for little master and mistress. Does James sir know where his sister is?" Ipsy rambled, curious and concerned all in one.

James swallowed thickly. "U-uhm..." he trailed off, not know what to say.

What could he say?

It'd been hours since Kagome walked off, and she should have been back by now.

His eyes widened suddenly – what, what if something was wrong? What if something attacked her in the forest when he wasn't there to watch out and protect her?

His face turned a sickening green. Oh Merlin, what if she was in the forest, all alone and hurt, calling for help?

What if she was... dead...?

James shook his head furiously. No panicking, no jumping to conclusions. This was Kagome – he knew she was really smart and clever and resourceful.

His confidence faltered.

But still... she was just seven years old... not Merlin...

James let out a pitiful moan. He knew what he had to do – he had to tell his Mum and Dad and they would so kill him!

He took a steadying breath and looked up at Ipsy, biting his lip. "Ipsy, can you take me to Mum?" he asked, holding out a hand. "I – something's wrong..." he confessed.

Ipsy blinked at his tone, before nodding hurriedly and grabbing his hand.

With another sharp crack, they disappeared.

—o—o—o—o—

"M-Mum...?" James asked weakly.

Ella froze at her son's voice, at his strange tone. She whirled around, her motherly instincts instantly feeling something was wrong. "James?" she asked hesitantly, and then saw his face. Her eyes widened and she stopped what she was doing and hurried to him, crouching to his level. She reached out, instinctively brushing his hair out of his eyes, scanning over him for any injury. "What's wrong, baby?" she murmured worriedly.

James didn't answer, only worrying her further, and Ella's eyebrows furrowed as she noticed something. "James, where's Kagome?" she asked slowly, looking right into his hazel eyes.

Her stomach twisted when her son only tensed at the mention of his sister. "James..." she said, her voice a mix of pleading and warning.

James was looking at the ground, finding the tiles enrapturing at the moment. "Wgoitoaight," he mumbled incoherently.

Ella blinked, face screwing as she tried to decipher what he just said. Shaking her head unconsciously, she reached out and softly grasped his chin, tilting it up. "James, look at me and repeat that clearly," she said sternly.

James slowly looked up at her, and swallowed thickly. "Kagome and I... we got into a fight..." he trailed off shamefully.

Ella froze, just knowing something was completely and totally wrong. "And what happened after you two argued?" she asked gently, knowing that fighting was rare between the two, and for it to happen it had to be serious. "Do you know where she went?" Her voice shook a bit with anticipation.

James bit his lip, and nodded solemnly. At his Mum's expectant look, he spoke. "She – she kinda ran off... into the woods," he looked away and flinched, waiting for it.

He wasn't disappointed.

Ella's face whitened. "What?" she croaked out. "When?" she demanded. "James Charles Potter – you will tell me this instant when your sister ran off!" she said in her deathly quiet, calm tone that shook furiously when he paused.

James' eyes widened, and answered hastily. "A-around one!" he squeaked.

There was a heartbeat of silence before. "That over four hours ago!" Ella shrieked. "Why didn't you say anything sooner!" she exclaimed.

James grimaced. "I – I didn't know she was going to stay this long! We've never stayed out in the woods for more than a few hours-!" he exclaimed, and then froze, his hands slapping to his mouth.

Ella froze, her eyes narrowing at him furiously. "What did you just say?" she asked quietly. "Are you telling me that this isn't the first time either of you gone into that forest?"

James knew better than to lie so he just nodded silently, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

Ella just stared at him, taking deep breaths. "Y-you are in deep trouble young man. You and your sister," she said in a chilling voice. Jumping, she briskly strode to the nearest fireplace, grabbing her wand from the counter on the way.

She grabbed a fistful of floo powder, tossing it in and hurriedly calling out "Head Auror's Office," before sticking her head in and shouting. "Charles Potter!"

—o—o—o—o—

"Oh, fuck," Kagome breathed out slowly as she stared before her.

There, just ten feet away from her, was a small, wiry red fox, crouched and eyeing her with a predatory gleam. Its white row of teeth gleamed as it bared its fangs, growling menacingly at her.

Kagome swallowed thickly.

"Good – good foxy. S-stay there, foxy..." she said, laughing nervously as she took a few hesitant steps backwards.

It seemed like a bad idea, as its growls sharpened before it lunged at her.

Kagome screamed, throwing her hands up in front of her and scrambling back. There was a loud 'bang' and the fox suddenly flew away from her in the other direction in mid-air by some force, launching it into a nearby tree with a high-pitched yelp.

Kagome let out a large breath. Thank Merlin for accidental magic...

Then she froze as the fox stirred, and started to rise, its growls even more viscous, if the was even possible.

She did the first thing that came to her.

She turned in the opposite direction and booked it the hell out of there.

—o—o—o—o—

"Charles Potter!"

Said man jumped from his seat, startled.

He was reading reports – about suspicious murders and gatherings, and some important people missing. From what it seemed, there were rumors about a wizard rising in power – a dark one, and the implications weren't pretty.

Sadly, those being murdered were either muggles or muggle-borns, and those that weren't very important or well known. Because of that, the higher ups didn't see fit for any reason to be concerned – to think that it wasn't random.

It was bull, to be honest – and it angered him to the utmost degree.

And most of all, it was troubling. It gave him a bad feeling – that it was only the start, and it was only going to get worse...

His head shooting up, his eyebrows furrowed at the sight of his wife's frantic face in the fireplace. "Ella?" he blurted out. Then the worry kicked in, and he straightened, face turning serious. "What's wrong?"

There was a sniffle, before, "Charles – it's Kagome. She's missing."

Charles tensed, a chill of fear running through his spine. "I'll be there in a moment. Step away from the fireplace."

—o—o—o—o—

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" Kagome huffed out repeatedly, sweating and tired as she ran like a bat out of hell. She whipped through branches and bushes without a care, ignorant to the pain it brought her whenever a branch or a particularly sharp twig dragged against her skin, ripping her clothes and sometimes even her skin.

She glanced over her shoulder, her face tightening with fear when she saw the fox still chasing after her.

And no, the irony was not lost on her. It really would be her luck that a fox was out for her blood when the whole reason she came out to the forest was to mourn her stuffed fox doll.

"I really hate my life sometimes," she muttered under her breath, voice teetering on hysterics.

It was late. Her parents were going to kill her. James was most likely worried sick. She had no idea where she was. And to top it all of, she was being chased by a bloody fox – one of her favorite animals.

Her life was going to end via death by fox.

Perfect.

So lost in her self-pity fest, she never saw the whole in the ground until it was too late.

Kagome screamed when the ground suddenly vanished and she felt herself dropping. She let out a sharp gasp in pain as she hit solid ground before sliding.

She instinctively covered her face with her arms as she felt herself being vaulted downwards, until the ground suddenly vanished again and she dropped into solid, hard rock with a loud 'thump'.

She groaned loudly and opened her eyes blearily, sighing in relief when she recognized one of the hide outs she and James found earlier before on their excursions.

It was a sort of clearing-cave hybrid, blocked off by bushes that partly covered it overhead. What little light that remained lit up through the holes in the bushes, and Kagome could see a couple of blankets the two of them had brought in.

Maybe she was lucky after all...

Then the growl returned. It was faint, but it was slowly getting louder and coming closer.

Kagome cursed – she spoke too soon. Getting cornered was not good at all.

A hiss behind her to her right had her spinning around.

What now?

—o—o—o—o—

Ella growled softly at her son. "When we find Kagome, I can promise that you two will be in so much trouble. I specifically told the both of you not to go out so deep into the forest, and now look what happened!"

James' lips trembled, almost in tears – both at being reprimanded and for fear of his sister.

Charles reached down and grabbed his son, hefting him up. "Mummy is just worried about Kagome, slugger - we all are. Once we find her, everyone will cool down," he murmured gently.

James looked up at his Dad. "I-I'm really sorry Dad. I knew I shouldn't have let her gone on her own, but she was really, really angry and Kagome is really scary when she gets like that - like Mum," he said hurriedly.

Charles grimaced at that – his wife's temper was a force to be reckoned with, and even he didn't want to challenge that. "Still," he murmured morosely. "You know you're going to get in trouble for this – the both of you. You broke the rules, you two are too young to be running off unsupervised that deep in the woods. And you really should have told us sooner that she ran off – it'll be dark soon, and she'll be in a lot more danger. There are wolves, bears, and foxes and who knows what else in the woods, and a lot of them go hunting at night," he explained sternly.

James gulped, paling with each and every word. "Let me come with you!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Kagome could be staying in one of our hiding spots that we found, and I might be able to point them out easier and help find her faster!"

Ella and Charles shared a silent look, before nodding.

It wasn't exactly imperative that James came, they always had the 'Point me' charm to help them find Kagome, but it might save time and even more importantly, it'll make James feel better, helping out.

"Let's go," Ella said shortly, "We've wasted enough time as it is," she muttered, and they all made their way towards the woods.

Once they reached the edge of the forest, Ella held out her wand and firmly said "Point me Kagome Potter," and paused for the spell to take effect, before going off.

—o—o—o—o—

In front of her was a snake.

A bloody huge snake.

"Merlin's beard!" she shrieked, scrambling back into the wall, flattening against it.

It rose ominously, baring its fangs, and hissed.

Kagome stopped dead cold at that.

*Who dares disrupts me? A human?* A pause. *No, a human-child. Perfect. Just what I wanted to deal with today,* it said in disgust, before it's nares flared and its head turned. It let out an angry hiss. *And you brought a visitor as well. Lovely.*

Kagome blinked owlishly, gaping in shock.

It didn't – She didn't just-?

Kagome wailed in her mind. What the hell was going on?

The snake was talking to her, and if she didn't know better, it was being sarcastic as well!

*D-did you just talk?* Kagome blurted out, not even knowing what she was doing.

The snake's head snapped over so fast that if it had bones, Kagome would figure they would have broken. *A speaker...?* it hissed in shock, and its head tilted at Kagome, as if appraising her. *How... interesting...*

Kagome's mind was running a thousand miles a minute, and she struggled to comprehend. *W-what? A speaker? What do you mean?*

Kagome watched as the snake just stared at her, it's tongue flickering. *You do not know?* it asked in astonishment, *No, I guess you wouldn't. You do seem very young... Tell me, am I the first you have spoken to?*

Kagome blinked at the question. *First snake? Yeah, you are...* she trailed off, realizing she answering a bloody snake of all things.

That was when it hit her.

Flashes, one after another. She was in a zoo, standing in front of a glass exhibit. There was a boa constrictor waving its tail before winking – then the glass; there was a flash, a reflection. Then it disappeared, and the snake was leaving, slithering away with a farewell wish. *Thanksss Amigo.*

The face in the reflection wasn't her own – but a ten year old Harry Potter.

Then she was in a room, a classroom, and children were gathered around. There was a blonde boy, hair slicked back with a wand in hand. A flash of a spell lit up and there was a snake – a black one. It flew, landing in front of a boy. She – no Harry Potter – yelled out to stop it.

Then she was walking in the halls, hearing whispers and more whispers. A cruel, heavy tone that sent chills down a person's spine, talking about hunger - about killing.

Then she was in a bathroom of sorts, she whispered a word and a tunnel opened, and then there was a huge door with stone snakes and she whispered, no hissed again, and it opened. And there was a really big ass snake, - a basilisk, her mind provided – and she – Harry, couldn't look in its eyes but then she – he could. A bird – a phoenix, Fawkes – came with a hat, dropping the hat on her – him, before diving at the snake, attacking its eyes. Then a sword, and running, and huge fangs and then...

And then it was dead, a sword through the roof of its mouth and a fang in her – his arm. They were dying, the world was turning black, but the phoenix, Fawkes, was back and he was crying and the wound was healing and they weren't dying anymore.

And then another snake – smaller but more dangerous, more cunning and smart. It attacked a lot of people. It attacked a red-haired man, and then it was attacking her and another girl, and then it was attacking yet another man, with dark hair and dark robes – and this time killed him. Whispers and hisses filled her head, her mind. And then its head was cut off by a lanky teenage boy with a sword.

And then it all disappeared and Kagome's breath hitched and she struggled to collect herself.

The snake was still here – the not as dangerous one – and it was watching her suspiciously. *What is wrong?* it demanded suspiciously.

Kagome shook her head, *Headache,* she said, and it was true. Her head felt like swimming and her vision was swarming.

The snake, of all things, tutted at her. *You humans and your frailty. Should you not be with your own kind – your caretakers?*

Kagome sighed, rubbing at her eyes. *I'm lost – I ran into a fox that decided I would taste good for dinner,* she answered absently, voice dry.

There was this weird hissing huffing sound, and Kagome later discovered it was a snake's version of a laugh.

Kagome groaned to herself. This was just getting too weird.

—o—o—o—o—

James squinted to see through the dark woods as his father carried him, jogging through the forest, gliding almost silently.

It really was an amazing sight, to see his parents in action, with their faces impassive and calculated as they concentrated on their mission.

He could see why they were notable Aurors, before his Dad was made Head Auror and their mother retired in favor of raising them.

Every once in a while they called out to Kagome, hoping for an answer though it never came.

"Kagome!"

"Kagome – answer us!"

"Mel!"

Ella stopped suddenly, her husband sliding to a halt right after. "Here – more to the right," she muttered, looking at her wand. "I think we're getting closer."

It was then, that James realized something, recognizing the area.

"Wait," he whispered, eyes squinting heavily. "I think one of our hiding places is around here – lemme down."

—o—o—o—o—

Kagome, meanwhile, was fucking cold.

Her tiny seven year-old body was horrible at containing warmth and the fact she only had a couple of layers on didn't help either. The blankets helped, but it didn't keep all the cold out.

If only it was light – she would have been able to navigate her way through the forest; but at this time of night, all sorts of creatures came out to play and she didn't feel like handing herself over on a silver platter by trying to go home now.

At least, from what the snake – Siki was her name - told her, she wouldn't be bothered here while she had the snake as company. Its scent alone would scare off even the most deadliest predator.

Kagome didn't really know how to feel about that, seeing as the fact as the one thing that could actually scare the deadliest predator in the woods, was currently within ten feet of her, talking with her.

And who knew sarcastic snakes could be so bloody talkative as well?

Suddenly, Kagome froze, hearing something.

"Kagome!"

Kagome shot up, teeth chattering. "Daddy?" she whispered, hope filling her voice. Another, "Kagome!". "Mum?" she breathed out. Scrambling up she listened closer, hearing footsteps.

"I think it's around here!"

Kagome's eyes widened. "James!" she shouted happily.

There was a pause, and then, "Kagome!" he shouted back. "Dad! Mum! Over here!" she heard James exclaim. "Kagome! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Can you climb out here!"

Kagome let out a relieved breath. "Yeah! Wait a sec! I'll be climbing out in a moment!"

Kagome turned to the snake, which seemed to be watching her with amusement. *I – thank you, Siki, for letting me stay here, and... protecting me...*

Siki only dipped her head. *You amused me, and it is not every day that one meets a speaker. It was interesting to meet you. Maybe one day, we shall meet again.*

Kagome allowed for a small smile, and shrugged. *Maybe. Probably not anytime soon though – I don't think I'll be allowed back in the woods for a long time. But when I am...*

Siki let out a pleased hiss. *Then until then, if ever... May you be graced with a good life, child-speaker. Try not to die too soon.*

Kagome snorted dryly. *I will.* she hissed back, shaking her head amusedly before crawling up the tunnel.

Suddenly arms pulled her up, helping her out. She recognized it as her brother's.

James froze at the sight of his sister, eyes wide – she looked horrible. Filthy, clothes and hair a dirty mess and ripped in places, and he even thought he saw some blood. But it didn't matter – she was here. "Kagome – thank Merlin you're alive!" he cried out.

Tears came to her eyes unbidden. "James!" she cried out, launching at her brother, the day's events hitting her all at once. "I-I'm so sorry! I never meant to stay out so long – but I was so upset, and then there was this fox and it chased me and – and I was really scared and then I fell into the cave and it was dark, and I didn't want to come out again if the fox was still waiting!"

Well, it looked like her seven year-old emotional self had come out to play again...

James' didn't say anything – he was too choked with emotion; relief, guilt, shock, you name it. He just wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight, his body shaking with silent sobs.

"Oh Merlin – Kagome!" Kagome heard from her parents, behind her. Two more pairs of arms encased her and her brother.

Kagome turned her head as far as she could. "I-I'm sorry Mum – Dad!"

Ella just shushed her, petting her hair fondly. She couldn't describe the feeling at seeing her daughter – clothing torn and dirtied, looking scared but so relieved. "It's okay darling," she murmured comfortingly, not having the heart to punish her now – not after what they heard.

A fox of all things!

Charles brushed a kiss along both his children's foreheads. "You're both safe and sound, that's all that matters," he murmured lowly. But his hand tightened over his wand, "I don't know how, but I'm so glad you escaped the fox sweetheart."

Kagome sniffled. "It snuck up behind me. It was growling, and it came after me and I blasted it back accidentally," she said, swallowing thickly. "Then I just ran, and it chased me until I feel into the cave." She hesitated about telling them about the snake though.

Parseltongue was supposed to be known as a 'dark ability'. What if they hated her for it...?

Ella seemed to sense she was holding back. "What else baby? You can tell us," she cooed comfortingly.

Kagome swallowed thickly, before saying in a really soft voice. "A – a snake protected me..." She felt all three members of her family tense at the mention of a 'snake'. "I – It was a really big snake, and..." she took a deep breath. "And she said the fox wouldn't bother me anymore, because it would be too scared to come down because she was there..."

There, she said it.

She trembled at the feeling of three stares boring down at her incredulously.

Afraid, she looked up at her parents. Their hazel and blue eyes gleamed in the darkness and they were wide.

James was the first one to speak, but then again he didn't know the implications behind such a thing. "That is awesome!" he exclaimed, crushing her tighter. "That's really lucky Mel!"

But Kagome could only stare at her parents apprehensively. "Thanks James," she said softly.

Ella and Charles shared a quick look before turning back to her.

Ella ran her hand through her daughter's thick hair, "We don't care dear. It doesn't mean anything to us," she whispered softly. "I for one am glad you have this ability – it saved your life."

Charles nodded seriously. "It's just an ability that many misunderstand. We'll have to have a talk about it, as discretion might be necessary, but what people don't realize it's a special ability and Merlin himself was gifted with it."

Kagome's and James' eyes both widened at that. "Really?" they chorused in wonder and awe.

Charles and Ella chuckled at them, shaking their heads.

"Let's get home you two," Ella murmured fondly, smiling as her husband ruffled their children's hair to both their protests.

It had been a long, trying day.

But her family was together, and both of her children were in their arms, safe and sound.

Nothing else mattered. Nothing else was more important than that.

Words- 5,597

Soooo? What do you think?

And, alright, I totally pulled that 'Merlin was gifted with Parseltongue himself' out of my ass lol.

Anyways, I hope you all liked it! ^^

Till laters!

RainLily^^

A big huge honking thanks to all those who read, alerted, and fav'd this fic, and to these awesome reviewers!

ladyyuuki16, lady sesshomaru-sama, SasoLOVE111, MoonPrincess1989, TsukiyoTenshi, Avulocard21, InuTrickster, ObsidianFrost, Kage Mitsukai, TheIcecreamGeek, maxeyn, ArmyWife22079, Crescent Melody, Bunny.W.K, Bishonen'sFoxyMiko, InfiniteWhiplash, ShiTsukisama, Ice Vixen X, Magykrider, Tenshi' Gome, Venas, Valleygoat, UnstableFable,