Here is Chapter ten its short but I think I hit upon a natural stopping point for the chapter. I know some of you have been asking about parings. I was originally thinking Kuwabara/Kagome but now I kind of also want to explore a Kurama/Kagome paring. Since I'm on the fence I've decided to let my reviewers choose. So I'll put a poll on my profile. Please go vote. Also as always please review.

Kagome couldn't believe it her little kit was all grown up. He was standing here right in fount of her.

Shippo stood and started towards Kagome. Kuwabara and Kurama quickly stood in his way. Kagome looked at the two a questioning look on her face. Just what had happened while she was in the jewel? Shippo looked guilty and the guys clearly where upset with him over something.

Shippo backed down when the two stepped up to block his path. He understood their actions. He wasn't about to let Kagome go. He had waited so long to see her again. He defiantly was going to make sure she was freed permanently.

"I must have missed something when I was….checked out…" She stated.

"This demon stole the jewel. That's why you were pulled back inside." Kuwabara stated while still glaring at Shippo.

Shippo looked up with a guilty expression on his face. "Sorry I didn't know. I just wanted to make sure you and the jewel were protected. I wasn't aware you were almost free. I just didn't trust these guys to take care of you." He said before looking down "I'm so sorry mama."

There was silence in the air for a minute as all the guys turned and looked at Kagome. They were not quite sure what to say. Kagome knew they had questions but she had talk to Shippo first. She walked past the boys and over to Shippo. She really wished she could hug him. Maybe when she got as good at projecting as Kurama she could. He was able to touch her in the jewel after all.

"It's ok, I was in bad shape for a little while but I'm safe again. You were only doing what you thought you had to do in order to protect me." She told him. "I've waited too long to see you again to be mad at you."

She turned back to face the guys. "Everyone this is my adopted son Shippo" she stressed the word adopted. "You remember me mentioning the little fox kit in my story. This is him. Shippo this is Kurama, Kuwabara, Yusuke and Hiei." She pointed each out as she make introductions.

Everyone relaxed explained a bit. They did remember her mentioning a fox demon that was with her on her travels.

"Hn, still don't trust him." Hiei stated. As he stared Shippo down.

"You don't trust anyone" Yusuke replied lighting the mood a bit.

Kagome stepped over to Kuwabara and got his attention while the others were still laughing and teasing Hiei and Shippo.

"Kuwabara." He turned and looked at her. He was just happy that Kagome was back. "I'm sorry I worried you. I'm also sorry I yelled at you like that. I was…"

Kuwabara stopped her before she could finish. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm just happy that you're safe. "Kagome gave him a smile glad he wasn't mad she had yelled at him.

"Come on you guys Yukina's most likely waiting up for us." Yusuke shouted at the two who just noticed they were about to be left behind.

Kagome quickly remembered that Yukina would be worried about how she left. Nodding she and Kuwabara caught up and the group headed back to Genki's shrine.

Kagome walked next to Shippo Kuwabara at her other side and Kurama right behind. "So Shippo…can you tell me what happened to the others?" She asked hesitantly.

Shippo gave her a nod. "Yeah but let's wait until we get a back and settled in." He wanted to tell her but was slightly worried about how she would react. Most of it was good news but not all of it.