A/N-All Inuyasha and Furuba contest is copyright to Rumiko Takahashi-sensei and Natsuki Takaya-sensei. Other characters are of my own design and sooner or later will become copyright material. Im really sorry it been so since ive posted. Im working on many many things, and i have no freetime with school started. I also have things i'd rather do in the little escape time I do get. I'll be working as hard as I can, but I cant garentee constant updates. It will never again, however, be this long between chapters. Also, any typos made will very doubtfully be fixed within reasonable time, so my apologies to that too. Enjoy Chapter 3!

The story so far... Kagome has bought some travel tickets to the other side of Tokyo. With one set of spare tickets, she brings Sota. Inuyasha joins them the next morning, and Kagome, Sota, and Inuyasha make their way to the subway. The subway was oddly empty, and the only people on it were a couple of teenage boys, about Kagome's age, and a lady. She was asleep the whole way, but her cat enjoyed their company. When they departed, Kagome set off to a childhood friend's home. Niomi is a wealthy 20 year old woman. Her hair was long and blonde, while her brown eyes were young they were also wise and kind. -..- Niomi has agreed to let Kagome stay with her while they are in the city, on one condition. Kagome feels it is okay and explains Inuyasha to Niomi. She took the time to understand, but the best part was the ears. Niomi, now sated with information, has fully agreed to allow stay for Kagome, Inuyasha, and Sota.

Secrets

Upstairs

Sota continued to squirm and figet. The socks seemed to never have been washed, and they made his eyes water. He mindlessly thought of revenge against Inuyasha, but the constant mewing of the cats split his concentration. Kagome reached the top of the staircase and heard Sota thudding on the walls of the large closet. She trotted over to the door and opened it. Sota kicked sideways and the hamper fell over. Sighing in relief, he shoved the basket off his head, crawled backwards, and sat cross-legged, wiping the sweat off of his face.

"ABOUT TIME KAGOME!!! That lady dont even wear socks, let alone make them stink worse than Inuyasha!" He coughed, then trailed off with a muffled sneeze. "Stupid Inuyasha..."

Kagome picked him up and sat him on the bed. She helped get all the cats out of the cramped closet. "My, you have an attitude Sota. Why'd Inuyasha shove you in the closet?"

"I told 'im to shut up," was his curt reply, "and to leave the stinky woman's mirror alone. He kept growling at it!" He stood up and walked to the wash basin at the far side of the room. He washed his hands and wet a cloth to cleanse his face. He mumbled "...stinky woman."

Kagome had had enough. "Why wont you behave Sota? Niomi is offering us a place to stay, free food, and all the material needs you could want for however long we stay. Settle you tush down and go downstairs. Ill make dinner for Niomi tonight, and YOU will help wash the dishes!"

"BUT! But, but, but!"

"NO BUTS SOTA! NOW GO!" Kagome shoved the laundry hamper into the restroom and watched as Sota stomped down the stairs. She sighed and sat on the bed. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the marble pouch with the jewel inside.

"Ahhhhh! Peace and quiet!" She unraveled the difficultly set knots in the ribbon. She pulled out a single, large sliver and stared at it. Even hundreds of years ahead of its own time it gleamed with glory, pride, power, and even the sense of evil. Kagome, bored of the sit & stare, stood and tucked away the jewel. "I guess I'd better check on Sota now, and make sure he not in any trouble. I dont understand his problem though. He used to just love inuyasha, he thought he was so cool and there wasn't anything better, but now he, and only recently too, seems to hate him. They fight. Im really concerned." She noted the fact she was talking to herself again, laughed shyly and walked downstairs.

Kitchen

Kagome flicked her hair back and walked into the kitchen. Unlike their own, Niomis entire house was embroidered with the finest silk curtains of ruby reds and a mythic pattern of crystal windows. The walls were white with the glossiest bordering wood you ever could see. Beautiful vases with red roses decorated countless marble countertops. To Kagome, the entire home was a palace of magic and wonder. Although the inside was beautiful and the outside clean and pretty, it was small and lonely. Kagome frowned, then asked, "Do you liv-" A loud melody rang through the house cutting Kagome off to a stare of wonder. Niomi stood from where she had sat reading an old mythology magazine.

"Doorbell! It must be Lika and Tsoren!" chimed Niomi as she stumbled to the door in her heels. She opened the door and smiled. She huffed as she saw an older woman at the door."Oh, um, hi Munde. I . . . thought you were going over to . . . you fell asleep on the train again DIDN'T you!"

Munde picked up her cat. "Well, youv'e come quick to accuse haven't you. Beside that, yes, youre right." She chuckled and looked past Niomi as she turned to let Munde in. Munde grew curious and hobbled over to Kagome. "My, my, well aren't you a pretty face. I haven't seen you in several years. And who, may I ask, is he?" She pointed over to Sota, who happened to be looking for a snack in the kitchen.

Kagome swiveled back like an oiled hinge and stalked over to sota. "THIS here is Brat!" She said quite sarcasticaly, brushing his hair over his forehead.

Sota retaliated, "My NAME is Sota! If you wanna know who the brat is go find that stupid halfa!" Sota muttered under his breath and went into the living room to sulk.

Kagome walked over to Munde and sighed. "Hi there Moon. I guess we rode the saame train today!" She petted the cat while talking, "I didn't even recognize you."

Munde broke into a fit of giggles. "My, my, my, its been along time since I've been called Moon! Well, I suppose noone calls me that anymore." Kagome seemed a little confused, but figured that Munde had moved on, so she settled herself down and walked over to Niomi.

"Well it seems InuYasha isn't gonna come back for awhile..." She called out to Sota, who was still mindlessly flipping through channels, "Help Niomi with supper while I find your grudge!" She smiled to Munde and Niomi nodded. Kagome walked towards the door and left. "Bye!" She called over her shoulder, as she shut the door and trotted off.

.--.

OMG! Its been sooooooo long since I've updated. I doubt I'll end up finishing this. I do digital art alot now, and I dont have much time to write. I've done poorly on this storyline and, as youve noticed if you saw my penname, am now into Warriors, not anime. I will still write if i can, but updates will be meager and pauses inbetween will be for sure. The more support I get however, will judge how much I can get done. Im a much faster tiper now, but still a slow thinker and I often go back alot and rephrase things alot. C&C and R&R Please!