I FINALLY managed to finish the next chapter!!! It's taken me forever!!! (Blame real life!) I'm just happy that I finally finished it!!!

Anyway, please enjoy the chapter and review :D

A Secret:

"You're Nozomi right?" said Shippo as he approached the young girl.

Nozomi nodded, letting her blonde hair fall over her eyes, "Yes, I am," she said, smiling at the fox demon, "Who are you?"

"I'm Shippo,"

"It's nice to meet you Shippo,"

Shippo stared at the girl in curiosity. She didn't seem like any other demon or half-demon he'd met. She seemed like she thought she was guilty for everything that was happening. He felt he shouldn't pry but he's curiosity got the best of him and he said, "Why do you look so guilty? It seems strange."

Nozomi glanced at Shippo for a second before turning away. She didn't respond.

But Shippo wasn't going to give up that easily, "You shouldn't look guilty, you didn't do nothing wrong! So why do you?"

Nozomi sighed and looked directly at Shippo, the she said, "If I tell you will you promise me you won't tell anyone?"

Shippo nodded. "I won't, what's wrong?" he asked, creeping closer to Nozomi.

"My father isn't a very nice man," she whispered, her face showing even more guilt, "he's the reason that I've been running for most of my life... He didn't expect me, so he didn't want me. He tried to kill me but my mother stopped it. She was killed instead... But by her dying, I was given the 'gift' of time travel."

Shippo nodded. He wanted to know why she was looking so guilty but he also didn't want to interrupt. So he let her continue on.

"At first I could control it. I was really good. But then my father cursed me, and I lost control. A few years later – at least I think it was a few years – My father put this bracelet on my wrist," As she spoke, she quickly raised her right arm and lowered it, "it stopped my time travelling and I was forced to run from the villagers, that's how it all started."

Shippo nodded again. His question still hadn't been answered. Nozomi must have seen his agitation because she looked over at him and smiled weakly.

"Shippo... You won't judge me because of my father will you?" she asked, looking directly into his eyes.

This time he shook his head and replied, "I won't."

"Good... because you know my father. Everyone knows him. Not for good reasons though... He only spent one night with my mother, but that was enough. My mother loved him, I'm not sure why though. He's a terrible, terrible person... if you can call him a person that is."

Shippo's curiosity was bursting from the seams, "Who is he?" he asked, leaning forward.

Nozomi took a deep breath. She was very nervous. "My father... is... is... Naraku," she stammered. Closing her eyes tightly shut as she hurt a gasp from Shippo.

oOo

Inuyasha slowed as he realised that Kagura wasn't following. It wasn't like the demon to stop, but everything seemed different once Nozomi showed up. "Where is she?" he asked, turning to face Kagome.

"Not far from here," replied Kagome, "Nozomi is with Shippo."

"Where?"

Kagome sighed and said, "Follow me Inuyasha."

oOo

"How does that even work?" asked Shippo, his eyes wide with fright.

Nozomi shrugged and looked down at the ground, "I dunno... He killed my mother before I could ask... I think he and her had a fling... But it didn't last long."

"But you're nothing like Naraku!" exclaimed Shippo, "you're nicer and you're not trying to kill us or get the Sacred Jewel!"

"I know... I don't know how he is my father but he is... I don't want it to be true; I've always tried to deny it but... I can't deny genetics."

Shippo climbed onto Nozomi's knee and looked up into her eyes, "I think your daddy's someone else! You nothing like Naraku!"

Nozomi smiled weakly and shook her head, "he is my father."

"He doesn't act like it."

"No, he doesn't... But it's true."

Shippo pouted and jumped off Nozomi, landing on the soft grass, "he might be your father but he's not your daddy."

Nozomi frowned in confusion as she looked up at Shippo's determined face.

"Well, he doesn't act like a daddy so he's not one!" explained Shippo, and extremely proud look entering his face, "he can be your father cause he's the one who made you live and all but he's not your daddy because daddy's are nice and protect their children!"

Nozomi giggled slightly and nodded her head before saying, "Yeah... I guess you're right Shippo."

"Course I am! Kagome says I'm smart!"

Nozomi giggled again, "thanks Shippo... You're really nice."

Shippo beamed and leant against Nozomi, "I'm happy to help!" he said, his smile not growing any smaller.

"But Shippo... Can you please not tell the others who my father is? I really don't want them finding out."

Shippo nodded his head, "of course! Inuyasha wouldn't be very nice if he found out."

Nozomi smiled brightly and patted Shippo on the head, "thank you," she said.

A Secret: