"Mom, I'm home!" Kagome calls out, closing the door after her as she enters through the kitchen. She swings the large yellow monstrosity from her back and drops it into one of the chairs. Hearing a whoosh of air, she glances to the bag with furrowed brows. What was that?

"Kagome!?" Souta chooses that moment to run into the room and tackle hug the girl. She let's out a breathless laugh, spinning them. When had he gotten so big?! "Mom! Gramp's, Kagome's ba-CK!" his shriek makes said girl cringe and pull back to look at him. He, on the other hand, is staring behind her...at her bag? Frowning, she turns to see what he does and her mouth drops open. The bag flap is open and a bushy, reddish-brown tail poking from the bag.

She knows that tail anywhere. "Shippou?!" all movement stops then a low whimper leaves the small body in the bag. She breaks into action, darting to the bag to help the little kit out, without hurting himself. Then he latches onto her, blubbering and in there, slipped out the name mama. He demands that she not leave him behind. She can hear how frightened and angry and scared he is, at the thought of her abandoning him. It takes a moment for Kagome to understand, to see what her own pain had done to her Shippou.

Had she really been as callous as Inuyasha?

Her knees weaken and she falls in a heap on the floor. Hugging the small body to her and weeping. Neither notice the concerned trio in the door way, watching as their daughter/sister/granddaughter swears to never leave the little kit alone again. The two also had not known, at the time, their reiki and youkai latched onto each other at that moment. Combining and weaving through each others broken souls and aura. A patchwork job that will grow stronger to complete each other, making them more like mother and son.

"Kagome?" mama Higurashi, or Luna, steps toward the two forms.

"Mom?" looking up with tear stained cheeks, she runs into her mothers waiting arms. Nothing can ever compare to a hug from one's mother. The grip on Shippou never loosens and he snuggles closer. Content.

"Kagome, honey...what's happened?" she guides her eldest to the table, while the others take up spots. The miko sets Shippou on the table in front of her, to shuffle the chair closer and he barrels into her chest for comfort. No one mentions the sight the two makes.

Taking a deep breath, she starts the tale that has changed her life. The conversation between Inuyasha and Kikyo, the days of her thinking over what she heard and debating. When she asked Sango, Miroku, and Shippou of their opinion on her. Remembering and repeating what they said, it brought tears to her eyes. She finishes with what she had decided, to train. To seal the well before Inuyasha can. She would have to go back, as she still had the shards, to finish the jewel.

"That stupid mutt! I'll kill him!" Shippou growls, teeth barred. Why was it always Kagome that hanyou hurt?

"...he's right." she tells him softly.

"He is not!" both he and Souta, yell. It startles her, and her mother and grandfather. "You're a selfless person, sis."

"You took me in and you didn't have too. Miko's and demons are suppose to be bitter enemies but you...you treat me..." he tapers off before finishing. Like your son.

"Oh Shippou." sighing, she strokes his tail and rubs his back. "I meant...he is right in the form of being useless in the fighting department. All I have are my arrows and even then, I don't always hit the mark. I rely on everyone else to protect me, when I should be striving to protect them as much as they do me." he sniffles, nodding against her.

Silence settles over the kitchen but only for a moment before grandpa Higurashi stands. "You wish to seal the well then, until you are ready to go back?" she nods in agreement and he strokes his chin. "Hm...I think I know someone that can help...and she can help with training with your powers."

"Really?" she perks at the thought.

"Yup...she's a hard teacher though, work you to the bone. If she accepts, no complaining." he warns.

"I won't!" she beams, excited that she is on her way to getting where she needed.


"Kagome, when can I take these off?" the little kit looks at the shoes, frowning. He feels like when someone puts socks on a dog. He wants to shake his paws, until they come off. He doesn't because the miko told him he has to wear them, to be outside. They had spent the day, running around the futuristic city, to gather stuff they would need. Be it for herself or Shippou. Her arms are full with shopping bags. Even Shippou, who rest on her shoulders, has a bag or two...while licking an ice cream.

The day has been relatively slow moving for the duo. Shippou asking question after question. She answers as best as she can, not being a genius on this stuff herself. Though, she does promise they can look up stuff that even she doesn't understand. She even bought some books for gradeschoolers, of material that caught his eye. If he wants to learn, then by all means, she would teach him what she could. He was here to stay, until she was ready to go back.

"Soon, almost home." she promises, head cocking so she can look up at him. "Don't get that stuff in my hair."

"I won't, mama." he pouts. She's not so bothered, or awkward when he calls her that now. It was strange at first but now...it seems right. She doesn't know when it changed, though she is sure it was the first day of them being in her era.

"Kagome!"

The young raven haired girl stops, eyes closing momentarily as a spark of annoyance shoots through her. Why is it they always find me when I want to see them the least?, she wonders before plastering a smile on her face and turns. "Hey guys!" really, she loves her friends, just like she does Sango and Miroku, but sometimes...the three coming at her can test her patience.

"Hey, who's the cutie?" they blink up at the boy of her shoulders.

"I'm Shippou, the great!" his chest puffs out and Kagome can't help but giggle.


"Owi!" scowling, she shoots the woman next to her a look and rubs her head. Old woman's cane really hurts when she smacks me on the head with it!

"Concentrate." commands Aikoi.

"I'm trying...maybe if you'd stop smacking me with that stick-OWI!" she whips around to glower at the old, wrinkly woman.

"Complaining will not get this done any faster." she scowls back.

"Sorry sensei." muttering to herself, she turns back to the what she was doing and squints her eyes. A variety of plants lay out on the table before her. She is suppose to be naming which plant is which and putting the bundles together, to create simple balms. For burns, wounds, etc. "Hm, lavender." that's a duh. "Alfalfa." humming to herself, she sorts through the rest, or what she can. Some of them she did not recognize them at all. "I don't know what these are." she gestures to the three set aside.

Aikoi steps forward, sweeping the table over and smiles, pleased. "Those were put there as a distraction. You don't need those."

"...oh." she blinks, glancing to the greying woman. Like gramp's said, Aikoi-sensei really was a hard teacher but she was good. A month into these 'classes' and already, Kagome had been learning so much. No just in herbal medicine but her reiki training. She can call on her power now, though it isn't for long periods. And not nearly as strong as the sudden burst to protect herself. It's a start!

"Alright, we've done enough today...your brat is waiting outside." she jabs toward the door.

"Okay!" she grins, replacing all the herbs and cleaning her station. It only takes a moment and then she is out the door.

"Mama!"

"Shippou!" he jumps into her arms. "Ready to head home?"

"I'm starving!" he declares.

"Me too!" they cheer. "Bye sensei, see you tomorrow!"

"Yah, yah, yah." she shoos them off, chuckling to herself as the duo rushes from the building.

Reaching the Higurashi shrine in a matter of ten minutes, from the bus stop, she takes the stairs with a practiced ease. Years of doing the very thing. "Hey sis, Ship!" Souta waves from his spot in the yard and kicks a soccer ball. "Wanna play?"

Shippou peers at Kagome hopefully and with a laugh, she nods. He kicks the shoes off and dives for the ball and boy. Giggling as she watches them a moment, the teen finally heads inside. "Mom, we're home!"

"Oh, Kagome...you have some mail." she gestures to the table.

Humming softly, she grabs a class of juice and a piece of leftover chicken from the frig, sitting at the table. A long folder/envelope sits atop the light wood, the writing a neat cursive. All it has on it is her name and address but the back flap is sealed with red wax. In the middle of it is a strange symbol. She frowns but pushes it aside for now. Her reiki slinks over the paper, making sure it's nothing dangerous. When it is 'safe', she opens it and pulls out a stack of papers. Brows furrow but they rise further and further, the more she read. Papers...literally papers for Shippou. A birth certificate for the kit. Medical forms, schooling...adoption papers?! "Mom..."

Luna looks back at her daughter, frowning at the pale look. "What's wrong?" the only answer she gets are the papers being shoved at her. Slowly, she takes them and looks them over. Her own surprise at what they are. "What? How...?"

"No clue." murmuring, she takes the envelope and opens it to peer inside. Just to make sure she didn't miss anything. There's a pendent at the bottom off, as well as a strip of paper. Dumping them out on the table, she lifts the pendent and chain, to peer at it. Tear shaped teal and brown stone, lined in a dark metal. The chain is actually a rope, thick and braided. Frowning, she reaches for the paper and opens it. Make good use of the pendent and papers, Miko., that's all it says. Miko?, frowning more, she flips the paper over then back. No clue as to who sent it. "Use them well?" looking back to the items, her head cocks.


"In theory?" Luna repeats, staring at her daughter. Kagome gives a shrug and nods. "And if it doesn't work?"

"Then nothing happens. No harm, no foul."

"Neither of you will get hurt?" she worries her bottom lip. In the short amount of time Kagome had been back and introduced the young Shippou to everyone, he has become very special to them all. Practically a grandson, as he calls Kagome mama. She never corrects him, even treats him like her son and the necklace sent to Kagome was also godsend. Shippou wanted to try it on, just to see what he would look like and it hid all his demonic traits. Reddish-brown hair went to a dark brown. Green eyes to a light caramel color. He looks like a normal, human boy.

That had to be what the message meant, to use the pendent well.

"No mom, we'll both be fine." Kagome assures, smiling.

"Well, I suppose if that's the only way to so this."

"Don't worry, gramps will be there." Shippou adds and...that does not make Luna feel better.

"We'll be fine, mom." Kagome pats her shoulder. "It's just meditation."

"Meditation that a miko and demon are going to try and bring out their energies, in the same room." she points out, frowning. "Didn't both father and yourself both say that youkai and reiki energy clash?"

"My reiki/youkai won't hurt him/her." kitsune and miko voice at the same time. Sometimes, they were so intune with each other. It was their reiki/youkai combining to feel in the others aura. The whole reason they want to do this, is to try and draw out their energies. Both know their reserves are crap and need to build it up. Gramps had told them, they can do exercises that pull those energies out from their selves and help build the reserves.

"Are you two ready?" gramps pokes his head into the room.

"Yes!" both stand and take on last look at Luna, kissing her cheek then scampering off to follow the old man. He leads the duo to a room Kagome herself has never been into. His personal space. Opening the door, he steps aside to allow them entrance and both are stunned at what meets their eyes. The room is very...simple and traditional. Three cushions in the middle of the room, a low table between them all. Against the wall, under a large window, are a row of cabinets. Probably where he keeps his sultra's and whatnot., Kagome tells herself and shifts her eyes back to gramps.


Aikoi is silent, staring down at the rough sketch. How did this slip of a girl get her hands on his symbol?, suspicious eyes flicker to the young miko and the girl just blinks. Aikoi almost guffs at the idea that passed through her head. Had she really thought this pure child before her, was dark. Maybe I am loosening it, like everyone claims?, she muses.

"Aikoi-sensei, do you know what that symbol means?" Kagome asks, again.

"It's a seal. Lords use it as for official document." ha! She hadn't lied about that, truthfully. Of course, that leaves the question...why did the miko Kagome have anything official documents from him?

"Official document sealing? It's not like anything I've ever seen before."

Why can't the girl just let this go?, she decides to try dismissing the direction of the conversation. "You wouldn't, only certain people ever saw the seal. There's four...for each land."

"Each land?...like north, south, east, and west?" her head cocks in question but not listening. Instead, a thoughtful look crosses her face, thoughts streaming through her head. A lords official document seal?, in the envelope was papers for Shippou. False records...and adoption papers. How can someone know I, or we, would need it...it has to be someone I know but who-, she cuts herself off, just barely catching sight of a moon and howling dog. Brows furrow. Has to be Sesshoumaru!, he was the only person, demon, that after meeting her, still called her miko. Everyone else calls her Lady Kagome. And he's someone that would know it's important to hide who or what Shippou really is. It makes her frown.

"Kagome?"

"Huh? Oh right...thanks sensei!" there is much to think about. "I got to go, see you tomorrow!" and out the room she goes, pulling her winter jacket on, as well as her beanie and mittens.

"Mama!" Shippou meets up with her, coddled in Souta's old clothes. She swings him up on her shoulders. "What's the hurry?"

"Just had a thought!" she throws back, rushing toward the bus stop. Said bus is due to come any moment and she doesn't want to miss it. They reach it just in time, seeing the bus coming. Thankfully. Kagome, though she ignores it, knows people are giving her a look. Shippou appears to be a seven year old boy and he calls her mama, and she dots on him. It's easy to see them connect the dots, regardless of how wrong they actually are. But Kagome cares not. Her mind is running to fast and all she wants is to get home and talk to her mother about the thought of what Sesshoumaru could have done. And why.


He blinks.

She blinks.

He blinks again.

"Excuse me?" Kagome cocks a brow.

"You take dog." the middle aged man pushes the tan and black pup toward the miko. "He doesn't like anyone else. He try and bite everyone."

She frowns now. "I can't afford him! Only have..." trailing off, she takes out the little bit money she has, to count.

"I take!" he snatches it, jumping back when the oversized pup growls at him. "Even give you leash, bowls...and food." he practically throws the items at her and she barely manages to catch and keep hold of the food. Has to be a 50lb bag!? "Now you go!"

"Wait a minute!" she tries fighting him but he is too pushy. "Stop pushing me!"

"Goodbye now!"

SLAM!

The shop door closes and locks. The man peers out, at Kagome and the pup, shivers then closes the blinds. For a moment, the young time traveler can only stand there, mouth open. What the hell just happened?!, of course, there was no use in asking that man...she has every reason to believe he would lie at all cost. Taking a breath, she turns to look at the pup and huffs. "What did you do to that man?" he yawns in reply, plopping on his butt and scratching behind an ear. "Sighhhhh, all I wanted was to return the lost dog." glancing back to the pup, she can't help but smile at his big eyes. Staring up at her. Letting out a breath, sets the dog food down against the building and squats. He comes up to her and immediately licks her in the face. Kagome giggles, scratching behind his ears. "Well, I hope mom and gramps don't mind you. I know Shippou and Souta won't...let's get you home."

She slings the bag over a shoulder, tying the bag of dog items to her belt loops of her jeans. "Let's go." and off they go. For some reason, she's not worried about the pup wandering off, he stays at her side at all times, though sniffing the air continuously. The shrine grounds are only a short distance. When the duo reaches the shrine steps, Kagome looks down at the pup. He seems...uneasy? She doesn't know there's an oppressive air that weighs down on him. Frowning, she squats and scratches behind his ear again. "It's okay. This is your home now." then just like that, it's as if a weight is lifted from his shoulders. Her words opening allowing him entrance. He regains his pervious happy, hyper demeanor. Starts barking, running around her feet as she takes the stairs two at a time. It's a feat, considering how many steps they have to take and how steep they are.

"Mama!" Shippou burst from the trees, off to the right side of the house. "Look what I can do!" throwing himself out, he somersaults across the forest ground. "Souta taught me!"

"Really? That's great, Shippou-kun!" opening her arms, he immediately runs into them. "Did you notice we have a new family member?"

"What family-" as if just now sensing the dog, his head snaps around to stare at the pup. They stare at each other, stare down each other.

"He's a Tibetan Mastiff." Kagome hums.

"Mama...you know he has demon blood...right?"

"Really?" she glances to said pup, eyeing the tan and black coat. He's so small and yet...he looks six months old but he's only a month old. Already huge. He doesn't...look vicious. But if Shippou said he's a demon...that must've been why my neck was tingling., she muses and nods to herself. "Explains why the pet shop owner practically shoved him at me."

"...What?"

"Apparently, he got out of the shop and I found him. There's only one shop in the area that sales animals and when I took him back, the owner freaked out." she explains.

"Well, demon companions are...tough. They won't bond themselves to just anyone, mama. Like Kirara and Sango. You may use her time to time but Sango is the one she will always go back to."

"Well, I can understand that." both turn back to the dog, to see he is chasing his tail. "Well, I guess this guy bonded himself to me then. I'm the only one he hasn't tried to eat...apparently."

Frowning, he climbs down to move closer to the pup. He, as in the dog, stops and stares back at Shippou. They have another mini stare off before launching himself at the kitsune and tackling him to the ground. "Aaaahhhhhhh-hahahaha!" and burst into laughter as the pup starts attacking his face with his tongue. Finally, after a moment of an amused Kagome watching, Shippou scrambles out from underneath in and atop the beast back. Perfect size, it seems. "What are you going to name him?"

"No clue..."

"Kagome, this that you?" Luna calls out.

"Yah, I'm back. Be there in a sec!" now, how to break this to her mother and grandfather. Gramps will freak, that I know., she moans.


Hojo never had a chance. He didn't know it, hell, even Kagome didn't know it. How many times had he asked her to a movie, or grab an ice cream, or even coffee. She always turned him down. If not for her crush on Inuyasha then just to get back to the Feudal era. He's a nice boy, this she knows. Luna makes sure to point out. As well as Souta and gramps...even Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi. Though the lather trio has been saying that for a while now. She's eighteen now, her own person, her own adult. Though she is sure Hojo is not her type, how could she know for sure that he is or isn't?

So, next time he asked to take her to a movie, she agreed and shows up! He had been so excited. If not the look on his face then the energy coming off his form. He wanted to go see some sappy, romantic movie but she was able to steer him toward something else. An action packed movie. They bonded over the lots of explosions, cursing and gunfire, but not in a romantic way. Afterward, the went to WacDonalds to grab a bite and laughed together. They decided they were better as friends and ended the night with a goodbye hug.

Eri and Yuka were up in arms about how it all ended. Kagome let her eyes roll at their argument, of why they were the perfect couple. Ayumi, on the other hand, had a small smile on her face. Anytime his name is mentioned, the same look comes over her. It's then the miko realizes what's going on...she liked Hojo! The thought of them together, it makes her gleeful and halfway through their day the four decide to spend together, she steals Ayumi away. They speak in hushed tones, in a darkened alley, because of the other two are like bloodhounds. Kagome talks Ayumi into asking Hojo out next time they see him.

And she sticks to it. Seeing the boy at school that following Monday, and calls for him. Ayumi is immediately red in the face but Kagome keeps on and waves him over. She pushes Ayumi toward him, make a gesture for her to speak. She stuttered her way through asking him out but he just smiled and agreed to a movie. Kagome never thought she would be one of those girls, but with Eri and Yuka, the trio stalked their entire date. It was good work on stealth. They made sure nothing interrupted them and a determined Eri and Yuka, as Kagome learned, is scary...but it paid off in the end.

Hojo and Ayumi are an item!