Disclaimer: Later in this chapter I start using the name 'Kenshin'. This is derived from the Ruroni Kenshin series, but like the title says, me no own. I just like the name and the one that I was going to use to begin with is already claimed by some of my other stories. Plus, I've only seen like, three episodes… so… yeah.

Chapter 2- Currents

Without her bike, Kagome had to do her best to keep up. She stayed at the back of their group, and Inuyasha maintained his position in the front. There were no words. Even Shippou's typical 'are we there yet?' was silenced by the sullen moods of all in the group. The next village was only supposed to be a few miles away, anyway. There was no mention of Kagome returning to her era, but they all had noticed that the change in direction was leading them towards Kaede's. The final hill was crested and descended into the village where they were met with an awful sight.

The five were shocked as they watched a man shoot down young woman of no more than thirty-five years old in the street as she protected her young son. The others were shocked, staring at the archer in outrage, but Kagome's own anger was hotter than theirs; the boy that the woman had been protecting was a hanyou.

She felt a strange warmth build up in her hand, and as the archer raised his bow, she flung it at the weapon, disintegrating it immediately. The mob looked up at the newcomers, and in turn, the Shard Hunters turned to look at Kagome. Her eyes were shadowed darkly beneath her bangs, and Inuyasha could smell the anger in her scent.

"If you take one more step towards that boy, I promise it will be your last," she said in a deadly tone, never once lifting her head. If she had, it was likely that some wouldn't have survived the glare that she was currently hiding beneath her thick lashes. She walked towards the boy slowly and deliberately, never lifting her head.

The child started to back away slightly in fear, but stopped as she knelt before him and finally lifted her head. Her eyes were sorrowful and hurt, angered and meek all at once; a torrent of emotion. She lifted her arms to him, wanting him. His mother had done that. In a flurry of golden hair and relieved and mournful tears, he was in her arms, and she drew him closer. Her friends remained shocked, and stayed a few yards away, where they had been to begin with.

"You have no right to command us, wench! He's a half-breed-!"

The man was killed by the time the words had crossed his lips. There were not even ashes left for the villagers to bury.

What's going on here?! The child is a half-demon, and Kagome called me a half-breed last night, but this morning, she killed a man for even letting the words pass his lips! Kagome, what is wrong with you?! Inuyasha couldn't help but think as he watched the boy bury further into her chest, scared at what she had just done. The people backed up from her as she stood, perching the child on her hip as she did so.

"If I ever hear of you hurting another hanyou ever again, you or your children unto the tenth generation, I will come back and make quick work of this place." And with that, she resumed walking out the other side of the village, not even calling for her companions to come.

The boy's name was Kenshin. He was a haninu, just like Inuyasha.

He was handsome; blonde hair and eyes the same color as garnets. He was scared of all the others from the group, and refused to leave Kagome's side. Even the travel-size Kirara scared him. There was one thing about him, though. He understood that Inuyasha was a half-dog just like him, and he was curious as to why the ningen and youkai of the group accepted him.

"Inuyasha?" he questioned quietly from across the campsite. Not even Kagome could hear him over the crackling of the fire. A single ear flicked forward to show the boy that he was listening. "I was… just wondering… why do Kagome and the others accept you? I know that I'm young, but I've always been told by the villagers that humans could never accept hanyou like me, so… why?"

He was quiet for a minute, chewing his mouthful of food slowly for once.

"Kenshin… things… aren't always how they appear," he murmured; the whisper was so low, it nearly escaped the attention of the boy. Nearly.

Kenshin took a glance around the campsite. Something surprised him, though. The monk's hand… it was…

(Crack of Hiraikotsu vs. Skull)

"HENTAI!"

The child flinched violently at the shriek, and his glance ran over the camp. Inuyasha continued to chew slowly, Kagome yawned, and Shippou and Kirara lazily opened one eye each to see if the taijiya had actually killed the monk or just sent him beddy-bye early. Things aren't always what they seem…?

"Just trust me. There are more currents here than you realize."

AN: Tada! Yay, the next installment! It would've been up sooner, but there were multiple complications. Anywho, REVIEW ONEGAI!