HEY! THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH FOR LIKING MY STORY! You's really are the greatest! Thank you to all that reviewed. You guys are the bestest! I am really flattered that so many of you like this story. So yeah, here is the newest chappie! It seems like the farther I get into the story, the harder it is to write. Oh well, here it is! Just for you guys! Oh, and before I forget, I'm terribly sorry that I haven't been updating as quickly as I normally do, but I have this stupid English project coming up shortly and have been busting my booty to get it done. As soon as that is over, I will totally try to go back to updating more! Sorry! Ok then, back to the actually story.

Disclaimer: I don't own it...the story yes, the actual show...no...sadly...oh well...

Chapter 8-Enter Shippo, the Hanyou Hunter

Kagome finally left the sickroom after three weeks of being cooped up in the tiny bare room. She thought she would go insane before she left the room. She walked down the corridor, trying to find Inu-Yasha. She needed to speak to him in order to figure out her future path. She wasn't sure what she was going to do or say when she finally talked to him, but she knew as soon as she got to, she'd have plenty to say.

As Kagome walked down the corridor, whispers floated around her. When she looked around, she saw maids and servants standing there, staring at her. Some were laughing, and some were looking to her in an odd mixture of amusement and disgust. Some sick sense of curiosity wanted to know exactly what they were amused about, even though she knew it was about her. She soon got her request as Kura stepped in front of her, an evil grin touching her thin lips. Kura looked over Kagome's shabby appearance from the time in the sickroom, and laughed malicously.

"To think, I was once jealous over you. I am embarrassed to think I wasted a single thought over it. Sure, you got to sleep with Prince Inu-Yasha, but he would never have married you. As a matter of fact, he is still going through with marrying the princess Kikyo."

Even as Kura spoke the words, Kagome shook her head, disheveled hair swinging around her face.

"No! Inu-Yasha wouldn't! He saved me, he loves me!" Kura simply laughed.

"Are you really so simple-minded? Of course he "loved" you, he wanted to sleep with you. Now that he got what he wanted, he's going to go get married to Kikyo, and have hybrid little puppies, leaving you to pick up after those little pups of theirs. How utterly ironic!" Kura began to laugh again, that is, until Kagome send a fist flying into her jaw, knocking the other maid down. Kagome glared down at Kura, then calmly walked away, still looking for Inu-Yasha.

While Kagome was in search of Inu-Yasha, he was in search of a mental hiding spot from his father and his former intended, Kikyo. Kikyo was badgering him about his commitment to her, while his father was annoying him to figure out a way to get rid of Kikyo. Between the two of them, and Kagome not talking to him, Inu-Yasha swore he was going to go check himself into he nearest insane asylum.

When Inu-Yasha had finally gotten away from the two offenders, he went to check on Kagome. A thorough search of the room left him frowning and curious. Where had she gone? Had she run away again? With the last thought still worrying him, Inu-Yasha went racing to find Sango. Knowing she was more than likely with Miroku, Inu-Yasha ran for the stables, finding an entertaining, enlightening experience waiting for him.

The sky was a brilliant blue, completely cloudless as Inu-Yasha made his way toward the stables. He couldn't think of a better thing to do other than take Kagome out and have a picnic this day. Inu-Yasha smiled, picturing the scene in his mind.

In his imagination scene, the two of them were sitting beneath a Sakura tree, his head resting contently in Kagome's lap as she petted his ears gently as she used to do. The butterflies would float gently about them as a warm breeze whispered through the trees.

Inu-Yasha was so caught in his fantasy, that he didn't notice one angry little fox demon focusing on him. It wasn't until he smelled something on fire, and realized it was himself, that he got knocked out of his daydream to put out the fire. After he put out the fire, Inu-Yasha began sniffing the air, trying to find the source of the little fireball that nearly burned of his hair. The scent was traced back to a small bush at the edge of the forest. Inu-Yasha slowly crept over, following the scent.

He came upon the twin aqua eyes of one scared, but angry fox kitsune. The kitsune had bright red/orange hair with a blue bow holding it in a high ponytail. He wore blue and aqua clothing with leaf prints on the shirt. As the small demon began backing away, his courage gone, Inu-Yasha grabbed him by his fluffy little tail, bringing him to eye level.

"Who are you, and why are you "attacking" me?" The little fox bared his small fangs.

"You took Kagome from me!" Inu-Yasha hadn't expected that, and almost dropped the young fox.

"I did what?" The smaller demon glared, then crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and began to tell his tale.

"After Kagome was kidnapped by Koga and before she was almost dead, she found me hiding from Koga. He didn't seem to notice that I was missing, since he was so into Kagome. One day, about a week after she was there, Kagome made a plan to get me free. She distracted Koga by talking about a lot of different things, and I snuck out.

Before I left, I told her I would come back to free her as soon as I could, and get revenge for how you had treated her. She told me all about it. How you promised her you loved her then went and got engaged to another woman. So that brings us to this moment in time, where I will avenge Kagome's betrayal, and kill you!"

Inu-Yasha cocked his head to the side, contemplating the young demon's words.

"What did you say your name was again, runt?" The demon took a swing at Inu-Yasha, but his arms were too short, and he missed completely and pitifully. He crossed his arms again and looked to Inu-Yasha.

"Shippo, Hanyou Hunter." The golden gaze that had been filled with amusement disintegrated into a dark amber glower.

"Do you only specialize in hanyou hunting? What is with you pathetic demons, thinking hanyou's need to be destroyed and hunted like we're no better than the ground you walk on!" Shippo gulped.

"Maybe I should correct myself...I am not after every hanyou...just you." At that last statement, Inu-Yasha's anger vanished and he laughed heartily. After throwing the young demon on his shoulder, Inu-Yasha ruffled the kid's hair.

"You ain't half bad, kid." With that, Inu-Yasha, along with the ex-hanyou hunter Shippo, went off in search of Kagome.

They found Kagome much later, sitting under a weeping willow, doing what? Weeping. Inu-Yasha's puppy ears drooped sadly, and Shippo whimpered pitifully. At the sound of the whimper, Kagome looked up sharply with puffy, red eyes to the duo. Her chocolate eyes widened.

"Shippo? Oh my, I thought I was never going to see you again!" Kagome jumped up and ran to them, taking Shippo off Inu-Yasha's shoulder to hug him tightly. Shippo was so happy to see her that he let slide the fact that she had no faith that he was going to rescue her.

After calming down, Kagome and Shippo began talking, leaving out a very sad Inu-Yasha. He wanted to speak with her so badly, but knew now was not the time. With shoulders slumped forward and ears drooping down, the poor hanyou walked away from the happy pair.

Inu-Yasha walked into his study and slumped in his over-sized chair, heaving a sigh. Although he did not normally imbibe, this past few weeks were beginning to wear him thin, leaving him with few options. After getting a glass and his favorite drink, brandy, he sat back down and indulged. That one decision was doomed to haunt him for months to come.

I AM SOOOOOO sorry I left it at that, but I wanted all of you's to think a little bit...What's going to happen? Stuff like that. R&R, please. I hope you all like it!