The pair travelled quicker than they estimated, reaching the village in only about 2 hours. They shifted human as to not arouse any trouble. It was, after all, a demon slayer village.
Kagome walked at a somewhat slower pace, taking in all the sights and smells, all while searching for two particularly familiar scents. Upon finding them, she leaped effortlessly over a few huts until she reached the one she was looking for with Kiba in tow.
"Hello?" she called out. "Are you home?"
A few 'mews' were heard from inside the large hut just before a group of Nekos raced out the entrance. Kagome giggled as they climbed all over her affectionately.
"I recognize that laugh!" a male voice exclaimed from inside. The flap in the doorway moved over to reveal a monk smiling. "Lady Kagome, how nice of you to visit!"
"Kagome?" a female voice questioned. A few seconds later, an obviously pregnant female walked out of the hut. Kiba quickly recognized her as Sango.
"Oh Sango, you're expecting?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah, not for a few months though." She answered sheepily.
"Im happy for you!" Kagome squealed with delight.
"So, Kagome," the monk started, "what brings you all the way out here?"
"Well, Miroku, I was actually hoping to get a Neko for Shippo." She answered.
"Oh?" he questioned.
Kiba stepped in, "Yeah, its better to train with your partner when you're young. If you start your training together at the beginning, it makes it easier to learn each others habits."
"So you want Shippo to have a neko partner?" sango asked.
"Well, yes. Hes not good with the wolves, and has a very large attachment to Kirara. I think it would be a good idea to let him train with his own as he grows into a shinobi." Kagome answered.
"Well that sounds reasonable." Miroku stated. "Lets meet them, then."
With a sharp whistle from Sango, the Neko lined up in front of the slayer. She pointed to an orange one.
"this is Ju-nee. He is very quiet and smart, but has a soft heart."
Next was a yellow one with two black ears, "This is Huni. He is very fast and strong, extremely stubborn, and somewhat aggressive."
After Huni, was a smaller neko with an all black body, but a jagged orange stripe on its chest. Its eyes were a stunning orange.
"This one is Flare" Sango pointed. Shes very quiet and analytical and is the smartest of the group. Shes quite docile, but wont hesitate to fight."
Next was one that looked like a copy of Kirara.
"This one is Kuyo," she said, "He is lazy, but very strong. Hes also extremely stubborn."
The last neko was white with a blue diamond on its forehead.
"This last one here is Fuji. I was actually planning to keep her and train her with Kirara, but I would be more than willing to give her to you. She very similar to Kirara in her personality." The slayer explained.
"Hm." Kagome hummed thoughtfully. She scanned the line of nekos with a sharp eye. Her gaze kept returning to the small black and orange one, Flare. Her gaze felt like it was cutting into Kagome's very soul.
"I think Flare would fit Shippo well, don't you?" Kagome asked, turning to Kiba.
"Smart, quiet, and small? I think she will blend very well with him." He responded.
"So its settled, Shippo will have Flare?" Sango asked.
"Yes, Flare." Kagome smiled.
The slayer picked up the small black neko. "I have something for this occasion." She said suddenly.
Sango turned quickly and walked into the hut. After a few minutes she returned with the small demon which was now adorned with an orange collar. A small wooden plate that read "FLARE, Neko of the West, Shippo, Hidden Leaf" was riveted into the material.
"Sango, its perfect!" Kagome exclaimed. "Im sure he will adore her."
The slayer smiled warmly and leaned into Miroku's side while the young wolf demon held the smaller neko. She watched as Kiba turned his gaze lovingly to the smaller woman next to him.
"It would seem our young shinobi friend has mated Lady Kagome." Miroku remarked softly to Sango.
"It would seem. Im sure he will keep her safe, or die trying." Sango responded quietly.
"I wonder how long before the two make a cub of their own." Miroku wondered to his wife.
"I give it about 3 months." Sango laughed.
"I think ill second that." The monk grinned in return.
After a few minutes of chatting, the pair waved to the happy wolf couple as they walked from the village. When the two were finally a safe distance away, they transformed into their demon selves and started on the journey back to the hidden leaf, with Kagome carrying the small neko gently in her large jaws.
Kiba felt a sense of warmth in his heart from the happiness of his mate. He was very happy to have her by his side, and whats more she was a genin. He was to be her sensei, to train her for the grueling exams. He wondered how she would take them without having a three man squad. He wondered when he was to receive his own squad from the academy, being a Chunin himself.
"In due time, I suppose." He though to himself.