A/N: I am incredibly sorry for the broken promises I have made to my readers. It was not my intention to have this story on hold for so long, but it's been hard to write on a computer that likes to shut itself off every five minutes or so. I am going to try to do better at getting these chapters up since its getting closer to the part that I can't wait for you guys to read. Thanks for baring with me and as always read and review!.

Chapter 13:

Run-ins

Kagome smiled when Shippou yelled with glee as she took off after the shard she had sensed in the distance. Her mind wandered as she twisted through the trees, jumping and swinging as she drew closer and closer. She wondered how her friends would react once they saw her and then thought that they wouldn't know because she wasn't going to tell them right now. She didn't want to see Inuyasha if she didn't have to, the betrayal was too fresh, even though she had come to understand that she couldn't blame him for what his instincts had forced him to do.

She thought about her family and the fact that the well was sealed and would stay that way until Naraku was gone from this world. She decided that she would go and tell her mother what happened to her if she drew close to the well, but she wouldn't actively go to the well if she didn't need to. It was a decision she could live with, though it pained her heart not to go there immediately and seek refuge in her mother's arms.

Shoving those thoughts away for the moment, she started to slow as the jewel shards presence came closer; quieting her steps she stalked forward shielding her presence in the shadows. She felt Shippou drop from her bag silently and smiled toothily in pride for how far he had come in such a short time. Dropping her bag to the floor she drew her bow to her hand as well as an arrow before she crept closer training her ears on any sound other than those of the woods.

A snap caught her attention and she froze completely, Shippou beside her, listening intently to anything else that seemed out of place. A faint sound of something thrashing on the ground reached her as well as a smell she couldn't identify.

'It's the smell of one of Naraku's offspring; I think it's Kagura,' Shippou whispered to her across their connection and for that Kagome was grateful, now being even more careful as she approached. Covering both her and Shippou's scent they got closer than would have been possible and she saw what the cause of the noise was then.

A beautiful eastern dragon lay thrashing on the ground everything about him belying his pain and agony as she caught sight of the jewel imbedded in between his eyes. She saw Kagura standing off to the side watching with a slight smile on her face as she fanned herself.

'Shippou, I need you to stay hidden. I don't want Kagura to know I'm alive, if she sees you she'll know.'

'I can cast an illusion mama, so can you, you know.' Shippou thought back with a smile.

'Of course you can, and so can I; I keep forgetting.' Kagome laughed silently to herself as she thought to change her appearance a little more just in case. Closing her eyes she envisioned herself with bright red hair and orange eyes as well as change her markings to black. Opening her eyes, she saw Shippou, or who she thought was Shippou; before her stood a little half demon boy with pointy fox ears, human feet, black hair, and blue eyes.

'That's wonderful Shippou!' she praised as she thought of a plan of attack.

'Can you see if you can help the dragon? I'm gonna take care of Kagura.'

'Of course mama!' Shippou darted off into the trees and was gone, though with their connection she knew where he was and how close he was getting to the dragon while staying out of sight of the wind witch.

Taking a deep breath Kagome steadied herself and waited for the right moment to attack, lifting her bow up she lined up her sight, kept her miko powers down, and instead embedded the arrow with some of her demonic power. When Kagura flicked her fan close Kagome took her shot and knocked the fan from her hand, destroying it. Stepping from the shadows she smirked at the shocked and angry expression on Kagura's face.

"Who are you?" She asked angrily.

"Does it matter?" She retorted back.

"Why you… What business do you have here?"

"I felt the presence of a jewel shard and came to make it mine."

"Sorry little girl, but this shard doesn't and won't belong to you." She smirked as she pulled another fan out of her kimono.

'Shit,' Kagome thought as she tossed her bow to the ground and got into fighting stance.

Quick as lightning she attacked, hoping to catch the wind witch off guard, but ended up dodging a bunch of wind blades headed her way. Tensing she waited for another attack and when Kagura released her twisters she dove forward and drug her claws down her right arm, destroying the fan once more. Kagome turned to attack once again, but Kagura caught her off guard with a solid punch to the stomach which sent her flying back letting Kagura get on her feather and escape.

"Shit," she muttered holding her ribs as she pulled herself from the pile of branches she had landed in.

"Mama!"

"I'm okay Shippou, what about the dragon?"

"I can't calm him down…are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, I promise, my ribs just hurt a little." She stated while walking in front of the quivering beast.

"Shhh," she whispered as she moved towards its head where the shard rested between its eyes. She didn't flinch when he snapped at her hand eyes rolling wildly in its head; it brought her back to when she had healed Sesshomaru all those months ago. Shaking her head, she kept creeping forward until her hand rested between his eyes where she then purified the shard and pulled it out.

Dropping to the ground the dragon rested and Kagome finally got a chance to study the creature before her, a creature rarely seen and even more rarely captured or trapped. Its head was that of a canine, long and sleek, teeth sharp and white. It had two long horns near its ears, pointy dog ears, and it was the color of charcoal. It had fur, a ruff all down its back that seemed to have some red mixed within it. She was amazed by the scales on its sides and all along its body that seemed soft and was intermixed with the fur. When she looked to the ground she saw paws with sharp claws, and when she looked up auburn eyes stared back her, an intelligent mind behind them.

"Are you alright?"

A nod.

"Do you have a name?"

He blinked, nothing.

"Kay, how about Hiro?"

Nothing.

"Ummm, Shinji?"

A pause, then a nod of acceptance.

"Alright then Shinji, would you like to join my group? It would be nice to have another companion with us, what do you say?"

Shinji tilted his head to the side for a moment and closed his eyes, thinking. Soon a wolfish smile spread over his face and a vigorous nod made Kagome laugh as she looked around for Shippou.

"Shippou, come meet Shinji, he's going to be joining us now."

Hesitantly he stepped forward and met Shinji's eyes; a few seconds of silence passed before Shippou relaxed and smiled at him.

"Good," Kagome stated clapping her hands together, "let's move away from here and set up camp for the night." Grabbing her stuff she moved away from them, away from the area where she had fought.

The boy and dragon looked at each other before they both shrugged, as much as a dragon could anyways, before following after her. It wasn't too far away before she stopped and they caught up, setting up camp didn't take too long, nor did cooking. She tried to give Shinji something to eat, but he just shook his shaggy head before turning and trotting off into the woods. Kagome just giggled a little before relaxing by the fire and enjoying the night as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

Absently she toyed with the necklace around her neck as she wondered what they should do next. She knew she had to continue to collect the jewel shards, but she wanted to see her friends; even if they didn't know it was really her that they were seeing. Just seeing them would be enough for her, to know that they were alright without her would help lighten the burden she carried on her shoulders from hiding the truth from them.

Thinking about it some more, she thought that maybe she could just tell Kaede, that way someone would know and help keep the others afloat if they were still mourning over her. It would give her the chance she needed to go talk to her mother and decide if it would be better to stay in the past since she was demon now. She knew what her decision ultimately would be but she still wanted to talk to her mother about it and to say her goodbyes one last time. She promised herself that she would live to see them again and knew that it was entirely possible since she was now demon and would live a lot longer.

Looking at the sky she noticed it was a new moon and she wondered briefly how Inuyasha was doing before scowling and pushing that thought away.

'We'll go tomorrow to see Kaede and for a quick trip home.' Nodding to herself she moved from her spot to lay out her sleeping bag and get ready for bed. She laughed to herself at how quickly she could change her mind before wondering how the others used to put up with her.

Banking the fire, Kagome waited for Shinji to come back before setting up a barrier for the night; pulling Shippou close she smiled when he snuggled close to her and sighing. She was really surprised when Shinji came up to her and curled his body around them; it was in that silence that she heard something that warmed her heart and stole her breath.

"Thank you for saving me and treating me as an equal, I will be your companion and friend for as long as you need me." His voice rolled around her like a brewing storm, a voice like slow thunder that held a promise of lightning.

"I'm glad," she whispered the warmth surrounding her lulling her to sleep.

The morning dawned clear and bright awakening the sleeping demons below; Kagome drug herself out of her sleeping bag and stirred up the fire to cook a simple breakfast before they headed out. She let Shippou know what they were going to do and watched as he started jumping up and down with excitement at the idea.

"Alright Shippou, you ready to go see Kaede?"

"Of course I am! I've missed everyone since we've been gone."

Kagome laughed at his enthusiasm as she put everything up in the little bag she had and started to head in the direction she knew the village to lay in. They traveled on foot for a few hours before they took a quick break for lunch.

As they sat and relaxed, Kagome thought about their arrival at the village and decided that disguising themselves as they had to Kagura would be best bet.

"Shippou I'm thinking that changing our appearance like we did to Kagura would be the best thing to do before we get to the village. Can you make that illusion into an actual transformation so that even if you're sleeping it won't fall?"

"I can if you help me a bit; I'm not strong enough yet to do it all on my own." He stated frowning.

"You're strong enough for me," she soothed as she sat across from Shippou. Smiling, Shippou closed his eyes and concentrated on changing his appearance; Kagome did the same and changed her appearance as well. Opening her eyes she looked at her kit and smiled at the now hanyou boy in front of her. Raising her hand she let some of her demonic energy gather there before tapping Shippou on the forehead slightly setting the illusion into a transformation. She did the same to herself and smiled in satisfaction at their success.

"If Inuyasha and the rest are there we need a plan to get in as well as new names. What do you think we should do?" She asked as Shinji curled up around them and laid his head on her lap; smiling she petted his head as she thought.

"Well your name can be Kaiya, but I don't know what mine could be, what do you think?"

"Hmmm, I like mine, how about Daisuke for yours?" She asked smiling, waiting for him to catch the meaning.

"Big help, I am a big help aren't I! I love it mama!"

"Great, now how to get into the village without them thinking we're attacking it or something."

They sat in silence for a moment before Kagome stood and looked around warily as she sniffed the air trying to pinpoint the scent.

"Daisuke stay behind me, we have company." Kagome warned as she flexed her claws wishing she had another weapon besides her claws and bow for the close range battle she knew was about to take place.

"So that is one of the names of the demons that took the jewel shard from my master. Oh and look, the dragon is with you now as well, how cute. What might your name be demoness, my master would like to know." Kagura taunted as she floated down on her feather to land in front of Kagome.

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours wind witch." Kagome growled as she watched Kagura warily.

"Hmph, if you must know the name of your killer its Kagura." She smiled menacingly as she flicked her fan open and close.

"It's Kaiya and I doubt you're going to kill me."

"Well then maybe I'll just take your pup then? Hmm? How does that sound?"

Kagome's eyes flashed red briefly at the thought of anyone daring to harm her pup.

"You wouldn't dare!" She growled low, her stance never wavering as she eyed the demon in front of her.

"Oh, but I would," she stated raising her fan slowly as she prepared to attack.

"Shinji protect Daisuke," she whispered as she waited for the attack she knew was coming.

"Oh no you don't; Dragon Twister!"

(A/N: I am going to refer to Kagome as Kaiya and Shippou as Daisuke for the remainder of this chapter)

Shinji rushed forward to grab Daisuke as he dodged the twisters that approached them. Kaiya dodged through them and went straight for Kagura as she was raising her fan for another wave.

"Bitch!" Kagura screamed as she saw how close Kaiya had gotten to her; sending a volley of wind blades at her she managed to slow her down, but she kept coming. No one would threaten her kit and get away with it, she wouldn't allow it. A cry of pain interrupted her attack and she looked back to see Daisuke and Shinji injured by Kagura's last attack.

"You dare harm my pup! You will pay for what you have done!" Kaiya turned back and caught Kagura's wrist as it was being brought down to attack her from behind.

Lifting her head, she showed the crimson eyes that now shone brightly and Kagura flinched away from the anger and hatred in them. Without blinking Kaiya plunged her hand into Kagura's mid-section and twisted earning a strangled cry from her opponent. Pulling her hand out she dropped Kagura to the ground and started to rush over to her son.

"Never turn your back on an opponent Kaiya," Kagura whispered as she let loose another wave of wind blades.

Kaiya staggered when they cut into her back, but she kept going needing to reach her kit to know that he was alright.

"Shi… Daisuke, Shinji; are you guys alright?"

"I'm okay mama, just a few cuts," Daisuke answered her trying not to let her know that they stung something fierce. She just nodded at his bravery, knowing it would be a bit longer before she could treat him; turning to Shinji she was thankful he had taken the brunt of the attack.

"Are you alright?" A nod was her answer as he got off the ground and shook himself off as if nothing had happened and he wasn't bleeding from some of the gashes that covered his body. A small smile lit her face before it faded and she turned back to see where and what Kagura was doing, to her relieve and disappointment she was gone, only a pool of blood was left from where she had stood.

A nudge to her side had her looking down to see Shinji motioning for her to get on, she hesitated for a moment before she got on and helped Daisuke before her.

"That way Shinji, and thank you." Kaiya gestured knowing that Kaede's village lay in that direction. Shinji cocked his head back and just looked at her like 'really?' it made her chuckle as he lifted into the air and were off. It was a breath taking experience, one she had never felt before even when Inuyasha used to jump high into the air and just let gravity take them back down again. Shaking her head she scowled to herself at the random thoughts of Inuyasha and knew that no matter what happened she still loved him, though it would never be as it was before.

As they flew Kaiya altered their scents when they drew closer to the village, she didn't want the demons in their group to recognize them, not unless she willed it so. She had taken care of Daisuke's minor wounds with her miko powers, but she had worked herself up so that she could convince the Inu-tachi that she could now sense, to help her. She told him the story as they grew closer, though only through the link they had in case they were overheard somehow; she knew she was being paranoid, but it was better safe than sorry.

A small illusion made them look worse than what they were before directing Shinji to land a little outside of the village.

"Shinji, I need to use you as support to get to the village; I need them to believe that I'm hurt worse than what I am so that I can see the miko, Kaede. Remember the story I told you? I can't let them know it's me right now; I just want to tell Kaede." She whispered afraid that someone would overhear.

Nodding, Shinji knelt so Kaiya could slide off and caught her when she almost fell. Taking a moment to let the dizziness pass she then began to walk closer to the village. She held Daisuke close to her telling him to act like he was asleep so she could play her part.

Almost to the village she froze smelling her friends as they approached and knowing it was them from the auras she felt as well; in that moment she wondered to herself if this was a good idea. Nudging her, Shinji helped her shuffle forward one arm cradling Daisuke and the other thrown around Shinji's neck.

First to show up was Inuyasha, brandishing his sword as usual and looking for a fight. Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, and Kilala showed up next eyeing them warily as they stood by Inuyasha.

Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but Kaiya cut him off knowing that she had to speak quickly in order to do what she needed to and to get closer to Kaede.

"Please help my baby. I can't lose him, please; he's all that I have left." Kaiya whispered as she sagged against Shinji for support.

Sango took a step forward, but a glance from Inuyasha had her freezing in her tracks.

'My, you guys have become cautious.' Kaiya thought to herself as she watched the scene unfold.

"Who are you and why should we help you?" Inuyasha asked his sword lowering a bit.

"Please, my name is Kaiya and this is my companion Shinji; my son is Daisuke. Please, we were attacked and I don't want to lose him." Kaiya cried out as her knees gave out and she let the tears flow faster. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Inuyasha lower his sword completely and with an inward smirk she knew she had him.

"I have nowhere else to go, all I knew has been destroyed, please don't let my baby die." She spoke as she looked up at them before hunching over and coughing up blood. Dimly she thought that she was more injured than she had first thought as she tried to stop the world from spinning around her.

"Inuyasha! Couldn't you have waited to question the poor girl? She's bleeding for Kami's sake and we haven't even seen the condition her son's in! Hurry and help them to the hut: Now!" Kaede commanded as she hurried back to the hut to prepare what she would need.

"Mama are you okay?"

"Yes, but I guess I underestimated how badly Kagura got me with that last attack. Don't worry, I'll be fine in a few days." Kaiya told him as she watched Inuyasha grow closer.

As he approached though she shied away from him, not wanting him to touch her out of fear of what would happen if he did. Sango saw and rushed over soothing Kaiya as she came; with the help of Shinji they got her standing and heading to the hut. Miroku and Inuyasha followed at a distance, knowing their presence would only frighten the girl more.

"I wonder what happened to her?" Miroku pondered out loud as they drew closer to the hut. Inuyasha stayed in his own thoughts ignoring his companions question until a familiar and unwelcome scent caught his attention.

"Kagura!" he sneered as he disappeared into the hut.

"Uh oh," Miroku whispered as he quickly followed him.

"Why do you smell like Kagura, bitch?" Inuyasha yelled as he stormed over to where the girl had just sat down. She argued that Daisuke had to be taken care of first, he was more important to her than her own life. Finally Kaede acquiesced telling her to let Sango at least clean her wounds while she looked over her kit before she would finish with the stitching that it looked like she would need.

"Well, aren't you going to answer me?"

"Inuyasha, can't you,"

"Fine, you inconsiderate bastard," Kaiya sobbed, though it felt good to call him that; taking a deep breath she drug up every horrible thing that had happened to her and knew that this would be the release that she had needed for so long. It would help her shattered heart heal so that she could begin her life again and help her become the woman that she wanted to be.

"We were attacked by that wind witch when my mate, our son, and I were out earlier today." Taking a shaky breath she continued, "Daisuke hasn't been able to play for so long and be a kid that my mate and I took him out today; I wish we had stayed hidden!" She cried as she buried her face in her hands as Sango gave Inuyasha a pointed look. Distinctly uncomfortable with the smell of tears Inuyasha stayed quiet and waited for what else she had to say; when she looked up the blankness and desolation in her eyes disturbed everyone around her.

"Takeshi, my mate, was human and for that we were both hated, him for loving me and I for being a beast an animal: a demon. We stayed hidden and never stayed in one place for too long and for a while we were happy. Takeshi's family must have made a deal with the wind witch to find us because we were attacked without warning. Takeshi tried to save us," her tears fell faster now, "but he couldn't fight them all and they killed him in front of us. They were going to kill us as well, but Kagura showed up and threatened to take my son if I didn't give her the jewel shards Takeshi had given me." Lifting her eyes she showed the red that threatened to leak into them as she bared her fangs, "No one threatens my kit and gets away with it unscathed; I fought, but in the process lost the shards so I ran, from her and from his damned family. I can't even bury him, they burned everything; I could smell the flames as I ran." With that said her eyes closed as her body called her to sleep and heal; she whispered to Daisuke that she would be alright and to take care while she slept. Losing consciousness she fainted knowing that she would be safe while she slept.

"You happy now Inuyasha?" Sango asked scathingly as she tended to the unconscious girl. Inuyasha just turned and left, the tragic story playing over and over in his mind.

Shaking their head everyone turned to the task at hand and set to work bandaging and helping the demon that had searched them out.

She woke up a couple days later and knew that she was going to be stiff when she got up; sighing because she couldn't do anything about it she slowly sat up and grimaced as her back stretched. Taking a deep breath she relaxed once the pain passed before looking around to see where everyone was.

"Would you like some water?"

Almost jumping at the close voice she turned and saw Sango smiling at her with a cup in her hand, "Yes, thank you…" she looked expectantly at the demon slaying waiting for a name.

"Oh, I'm Sango, the monk over there is Miroku, the priestess is Kaede, the neko is Kilala, that's Kohaku my brother, and you already know who Inuyasha is." She smiled gently as she watched for any signs of pain.

"Thank you Sango, thank you for all your help, I am indebted to you." She whispered as she looked around once more.

"Where's Shinji?"

"Oh, your dragon, he's outside enjoying the sunshine I believe."

Nodding, she turned to see Daisuke playing with a coloring book she had brought back with her so long ago; it made her smile to see how happy he was to be coloring again. She spent the day bonding with Sango and was glad to see how affectionate she was around Miroku now that the wind tunnel wasn't endangering his life and Naraku was in hiding. Curiosity took hold of her as she noticed that Inuyasha wasn't in the hut before she turned to Sango.

"Where'd Inuyasha go?"

Sango paused in her preparation of dinner before turning to look at her as a brief flash of heartbreak crossed her face.

"He… he's visiting a friend."

"They're dead aren't they?" Kagome asked bluntly as she watched a look of confusion cross over her stunned face.

"How…?"

Kaiya tapped her nose before she moved closer to the demon slayer and drew her into her arms for a hug. She felt Sango tense before relaxing against her and returning the hug.

"I'm sorry," for leaving you, for not being able to tell you who I am or how much I've missed you; I'm sorry for giving you this pain, forgive me Sango, Miroku, Kaede, Kohaku, Kilala, Inuyasha; I'm sorry.

They drew apart and smiled at each other before Sango went back to preparing dinner.

"Thank you," she stated glancing over her shoulder.

Kaiya just smiled at her before turning her attention to Daisuke as he came over to her and calmed him of his fears as she played with him.

She let her body rest for another day before she got up and started stretching out her sore muscles; a smile of relief lit up her face as she walked into the sunshine and stood there for a moment letting it soak in. Laughing as Shinji head-butted her affectionately she stroked his fuzzy head as she glanced around. A little bit from her she saw Kohaku and Daisuke dart amongst the trees near the hut, obviously enjoying themselves. To her right Inuyasha sat in a tree staring into the distance, his ears twitching every now and again; behind her Miroku sat against the hut meditating, or letting everyone think he was.

Bored, she stepped back into the hut to find Sango and convince her to spare with her since she didn't want to let the few days she was out to affect her skills. Surprisingly Sango agreed quickly saying she needed a good fight, she felt like she was getting rusty.

Laughing together they walked out of the hut, Kaiya in a pair of loose hakama while her haori left little to the imagination, being tight as to not hinder movement. Sango was dressed in her battle uniform, her boomerang slung easily over her shoulder. Their appearance caught the attention of the guys as they watched them walk far enough away as to not damage anything in the village.

"What are..?" Miroku whispered before stopping in his tracks when both females separated and took battle stances; silence overtook the area before two cries were heard and they leapt at each other.

Miroku and Inuyasha, soon joined but Daisuke and Kohaku watched the sparing intently, fascinated with how well they moved around each other.

Kaiya dodged an attack from Sango as she herself unleashed a torrent of kicks which were blocked by Hiraikotsu. Growling in excitement at the fight she attacked harder only to be thrown back by a vicious shove; flipping over she landed in a crouch using her claws to stop her sliding back. Looking up she jumped to the right barely missing the giant boomerang and the punch that followed in its wake. They smirked at each other, each caught up in the thrill of the fight when Kaiya's eyes lit up in excitement. Wary, Sango watched her carefully, waiting for any sort of movement from her but saw none as she caught her weapon and Kaiya moved away from her again.

"Hiraikotsu!" She screamed as she let loose her weapon towards the still demoness. She smirked when she saw fear flash in her eyes before it was gone and those eyes turned to her and smiled, in a flash she was gone and Hiraikotsu was on its way back to her. Steeling herself she caught the giant weapon and held it there searching for the missing demon.

Kaiya was crouched quietly on top of the boomerang before she looked over to the boys and put a finger to her mouth to tell them to be quiet. She almost laughed at their astounded faces, but kept silent as she moved slowly to where Sango faced.

"BOO!" She screamed as she peered over the edge and right into Sango's face.

"AHHHH!" Dropping the weapon she landed on her butt before seeing Kaiya rolling of the ground laughing her ass off. Laughter behind her alerted her to their audience and while she was embarrassed she couldn't help the laughter that bubbled through her lips. Slowly the laughter subsided and grabbing her weapon she walked over to where Kaiya lay panting, out of breath. Extending her hand she helped her up before giving her a quick hug.

"Thank you, I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

Kaiya only nodded her head and smiled knowing that coming here had been a good idea no matter if they knew it was her or not, to see their faces and hear their laughter was all she had wanted.

A/N: Kaiya means Forgiveness

Daisuke means big help or great help

Takeshi means warrior and something else I can't remember at the moment.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm gonna try to get the next one up as soon as I can. BYE!