A/N: So sorry it took so long, unfortunately I've been in and out of the hospital for my kidneys and other stuff so had not much will to write.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, I have nothing, not even money so please don't sue!

Chapter 7

Kagome swallowed as she and her mate entered Kaede's hut. The older miko had not said a word yet. And the tension was heavily mounting between the 3.

Inuyasha, apparently, had enough of the silence.

"Why don't you just tell us what's bothering ya, old hag!" He spat out, earning a mighty glare from Kagome.
"It's in thy best interest not to call me such names at this time Inuyasha." The old miko replied in a cold and distant voice.
Even Inuyasha cool feel the chills running down his spine, this woman was serious.

"I'm worried Kaede, such power at such a young age…." Kagome said.
"There is nothing to worry about! Yeah, she's strong but that demon deserved it!"
"Don't you see Inuyasha? She's young! Accidents happen at that age! She could get mad and hurt somebody!"
"Don't overreact, wench! I'll teach her!"
"Her powers are clearly greater than yours Inuyasha, how are you supposed to teach her?!"
"Ha! She's not stronger than me!"
"Have you not seen what she did to that demon?!"
"Have you not seen what my sword did to Naraku?!"
"Yes, your sword! She used her hands!"

"Will you 2 please stop it!" Kaede's voice shocked them out of their argument.
Inuyasha threw Kagome a look that promised her this was not over, she shrugged as a response.

"Now, we must thread very carefully my friends. This power is unlike anything I've ever seen or felt. Kagome….did you sense her aura?" Kaede asked, while moving her good eye from the fire they had taken seat by, towards her.
"Now that you mentioned it, yes, it was strange. It alternated from human spiritual power to demon aura."
"I believe that our first assumption was correct. She IS the reincarnation of the jewel. She has powers of both sides of the jewel. Demon and Human. I'm afraid this might me be very dangerous to the child. These powers don't mix well."
Both Inuyasha and Kagome took in a sharp deep breath.
"You mean…she could be able to destroy herself?" Kagome asked.
"I don't know my child. But with powers as great as hers….it' impossible to tell. She might be able to purify herself if she's not careful."
"But how?" Kagome asked.
"I do not know my child, I believe I might find answers in the scrolls they keep at Midoriko's shrine. I will need to travel there."
"I will go with you." Inuyasha immediately offered.
"No, I think it best if you stayed Inuyasha. Demons may hear about Gaia, and seek to destroy her. Or worse…try to take her and use her powers. She needs protection." Kaede answered.
"What about you Kaede? You will need protection as well." Kagome replied.
"The road is indeed long and treacherous…." Kaede paused to think.
"It's very important Kaede, we can't lose you and your wisdom. You must be protected. Please take Inuyasha with you!" Kagome pleaded the old woman.
"I'm not taking no for an answer, I will go with you." Inuyasha stated.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Kaede conceded. They would leave first thing in the morning. Kaede would take one of the horses, so she could move faster. The trip would take at least 4 days even on horseback.

Inuyasha and Kagome left the hut, still confused but determined to get answers to the questions they had in their minds.
"Once we know more about Gaia, we can train her." Inuyasha said softly, as to not wake the villagers as they walked towards their own house.
"I don't know Inuyasha, this is so hard." Kagome said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Don't cry, I hate it when you cry. Gaia is a good kid! She wouldn't harm anyone!"
"That's just it Inuyasha, she's a child! A child never intends to harm another, but it does happen. Ever heard of a temper tantrum? Ow wait….you have them all the time."
"Wh…what?! I don't have temper tantrums!" Inuyasha whispered angrily.
"Ow really, then what's this?" She motioned her hand towards him.
"I'm not having a tantrum, I'm angry. There's a difference!"
"Why can't you just understand!" Kagome huffed and stomped off towards their home.
"Don't you walk away, we're not done yet!"
"Ow we so are…Go sleep in a tree!" She said while she closed the door of their house.

Inuyasha was flabbergasted, but not willing to wake the kids, he decided tomorrow would be a better day to continue. He had slept in trees for his entire life, one night wouldn't be bad.
As Inuyasha jumped in his favorite tree near the well, he contemplated his argument with Kagome.

"It doesn't matter how much power Gaia has. All she has to do is learn to control them!" He told himself.
"But what if she hurts one of the village children? She would become an outcast just like you!" A voice inside him said.
"That won't happen, she would never hurt another kid. It's not in her nature!"
"How can you be sure? You haven't known her for long, and even if she doesn't intend to do so, even you have had small 'mishaps'."

Suddenly he was reminded of an incident when he was just a small child. He had never intended to hurt the small boy, but his claws and strength had seriously damaged the boy's fragile skin.
He had been yelled at, run out of the village, and nearly killed if the villagers had their way.
With a small sigh he now understood why Kagome had been so upset. She just wanted what was best for Gaia, wanted to protect her, like a mother should.
Kagome loved those 2 girls more than anything it made him somewhat jealous. His mother had loved him dearly, but her life had been ended to soon. And he had been left alone to fend for himself. Kagome would never let that happen to Gaia or Aiyo.
After a while he made up his mind, he would apologize in the morning.
"Well, sort of…."

He woke up at dawn. The first rays of the sun hitting him square in the face.
"Sleeping in a house does have its advantages." He mused internally. Normally he would still be sleeping.
Inuyasha stretched his aching muscles and noticed his back had become as stiff as a board. "Either I'm getting soft, or the trees around here are getting harder!"

He landed on all fours and walked silently towards the house. It only took a few feet of walking before he rounded the corner and spotted Kagome sitting on their porch.
She looked exhausted and restless after what seemed like a long night. "Kagome.." Inuyasha said softly, as not to wake the kids.
Kagome jumped a bit at the sound of his voice, and she immediately got up. A few long strides got him close to his mate and he could see the bags under her eyes.
"Inuyasha I.." Kagome started, but his finger on her lips stopped her.
"No Kagome, I'm sorry. I'm the one who should be sorry. You're just trying to look out for the children."
Kagome felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.
"I'm sorry too, for making you sleep outside."
"Feh, I've done that my whole life." He said with a grin on his face.
Kagome jumped up and embraced him. Inuyasha did his best not to winch at the pain it caused in his still aching back.
"Have you even slept?" He asked her with worry clear in his voice.
"Not really, I was to upset and worried."
"Baka, humans need their sleep!" He said in his usual mocking voice that she had heard so often on their journey.
"I can handle one night without sleep. Kami knows I tried."

Inside the house something stirred, and immediately both young adults outside the house went rigid. The 2 years of demons sneaking up on them had certainly taken their toll. As both their bodies prepared to jump whoever was there (or run).
However a young kitsune rubbing his eyes clear of sleep opened the door, and both exhaled a breath they didn't notice they were holding.
"Morning Shippou." Kagome said cheerfully.
"Morning Kagome….." Shippou jawned. "Is it morning already?" The question was more rhetorical then an actual question, the kitsune had already noticed the sun's rays and the birds chirping.
"You don't have to get up yet Shippou, you can go back to bed if you want." His adoptive mother said lovingly.
The little fox demon contemplated Kagome's words, but decided he needed to wake up sometime anyway. "No, I'll just go and jump in the river. The cold water will wake me up for sure!" Shippou said surprisingly cheerful.
As Shippou dashed out of sight, the young mates hugged once more.
"I guess I'll wake up the girls too."
"I'll get some breakfast, I'll be back soon."

When the sun was still low, Kaede arrived. She was leading a large brown horse with black mane and tail. The horse might not be of young age, but it had led her through many battles, Kaede informed them.
"Shadow is strong and brave. He will help us with our travel." She assured Inuyasha, who had not really said anything about the horse. Inuyasha just nodded his consent.
Kaede continued with checking all the leads on Shadow, to make sure all was secured. One did not want to be on the wrong side of the horse while a demon shows itself, shooting an arrow upside down was not easy. And yes.. that has happened in her younger years.
Shadow took it all calmly as he munched on some grass. His ears flicked from side to side, picking up any sound around him. It had been a while since he had been packed for a long journey, yet he seemed to enjoy it.
"So, are you ready Inuyasha?" Kaede asked when she'd finished.
Inuyasha nodded and turned towards his family and friends with a sly smile.
"Hey, don't look so sad! I'll be back before you guys even notice. I defeated Naraku, no demon can defeat me." He puffed his chest to emphasize his strength.
Kagome just rolled her eyes and kissed him on the cheek.
"Just be careful, even a lower class demon can sometimes have nasty tricks."
"Yeah." He answered while directing his gaze towards Shippou.
"Hey not fair!" Shippou shouted while Inuyasha just ruffled his hair.
Aiyo and Gaia both jumped Inuyasha, hugging him tightly. "Hey girls, I'll be fine really."
Both girls let go and nodded their heads. "We know." Aiyo said.
"Save journey." Sango said, while Miroku was chanting a prayer for good fortune.
"We need to get moving Inuyasha, while the sun is still low. We need to cover a lot of ground." Kaede said while mounting Shadow.
"Ok, bye everyone. See you soon!"

And as the family and friends stood to wave goodbye to their village elder and hanyou protector, nobody noticed a young demon girl sneaking into the forest.