Chapter 29

Kagome went into the kitchen where it was quiet and picked up the cordless phone. Her fingers danced across the dial as she dialed the number. The phone on the other end rang and a female voice picked up,

"Hello?"

"Hello, Lizzie?"

"Yes?"

"This is Kagome Kateitenma."

"Ohhh Hi! How are you? I didn't recognize the name on the caller id. How's things?"

"Good. Good. Listen, I know you wanted to meet my family. Plus, I have a few questions for you that I think you may be able to answer. Can I pick you up tomorrow morning?"

"Sure. About what time?"

"Would 8ish work for you?"

"Yea, sure. Ahh, Kagome, may I ask what the questions are about?"

"About Jones."

"Oh, ok. Do you want me to bring my clippings?"

"Sure, that would be great."

"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow. I can't wait to meet your family. Bye-Bye."

"Ok, see you tomorrow. Bye."

Hanging up the phone, Kagome re-entered the dining hall to see that Inuyasha and Kouga were still tossing barbs at each other. It was obvious the gathered group was growing tired of the bickering. In an effort to stop it, Kagome walked into her bedroom and reached into Inuyasha's jewelry box. She pulled out the old subjugation necklace and a beautiful heavy, Italian gold link necklace. Going back out into the dining hall, she folded her hands into a prayer position, with the subjugation necklace threaded between her fingers. The necklace started to fade from view and reappeared on Inuyasha's neck.

Feeling the necklace appear on his neck, Inuyasha stopped his end of the bickering,

"What the hell?", he said, touching the necklace and looking over to Kagome, who had repositioned herself in her meditation position with the other necklace,

"Oh no! Oh hell no!", he cried out, "Kagome!"

"Hahahaha. Looks like she put you back on your leash puppy!", snickered Kouga.

"Don't laugh so fast Kouga. She's aiming for you next.", Inuyasha said, with panic in his voice.

"Huh?", was all Kouga coould get out, as the chain link necklace appeared around his neck, "Hmmm...Italian gold. Ya got good taste puppy."

"SIT"

Both men went crashing face-first to the floor, raising cheers and claps from the group.

"Awww, man. Kagome!", Inuyasha whined, "Remove these things will ya."

"Stop bickering! Both of you. Or I'll use that word a hundred times. Just a little while ago, you were chastising your own pups for bickering. Now YOU grow up!", she commanded.

The fate of the two men caused ripples of giggles and laughter from the group. Even Sesshoumaru cracked a smile.

The two men got up and Kagome continued,

"As long as Kouga is a guest in our house, and yes he IS a guest,", she said to halt the words that Inuyasha was starting to say, "Those necklaces will remain on. Got it?"

Inuyasha mumbled something under his breath as he turned to go into the living room, the only clear word heard was,

"Bitch!"

Kouga followed him, still admiring the necklace he now wore,

"Hey, puppy, this is very nice. How much did you pay for it? I'll buy it from you."

"I dunno. Ask the Queen Witch over there. She bought it for me."

"Hmmm. I'll just have to do that.", Kouga said, as the two men disappeared.

"And now they chat like buddies.", sighed Shirrow, shaking his head.

"So, mama, who did you call?", asked Izayoi.

"A friend I met at the library when we first came down on vacation. She's the one that clued me in to Jones being a demon."

"Cool. Maybe she can help.", said Rikiya.

"I'm hoping so. I'm picking her up in the morning. Around 8ish."

Obviously not paying close attention to the conversation, Shane piped up.

"AM?"

"WooHoo! Intelligent nimrod!", said Kellen.

"Hey, Einstein, you mean you actually figured out that MORNING is AM?", said Sage, as she ruffled his hair, causing him to slap her hand away.

A few of the older pups just snickered and shook their heads,

"Kids! Good thing we were never like thet, eh, Okaa-san?", asked Bunza.

"Oh, never.", agreed Kagome.

"NEVER?", chorused Shane, Kellen and Sage.

"Nope. They were never like you. They were worse."