The morning greeted Miroku and Inuyasha simultaneously, and they woke to find themselves outside the Milk Bar with aching heads and joints. Passers sauntered by, their eyes glimpsing two men strewn on the pavement and their hushed voices went unheard as they collected themselves. All that might have transpired yesterday night was fuzzy; neither could remember anything after their first drink of the infamous Chateau Romani.

As the people of Clock Town walked by, Inuyasha and Miroku suddenly took notice of each other's appearance, and it was quite a surprise to them. The monk found himself with a cut lip, the dried blood at the edge of his mouth crusting. Bruises marred his once unblemished skin and Inuyasha couldn't help but notice that the monk was now sporting a black eye. Purple robes were in disarray and it seemed like Miroku was the only one of the two injured. How it happened, neither of them knew the answer. One thing was for sure, their heads hurt and they smelled sickly of alcohol and milk.

Originally, their plan was to fetch granny, on behalf of Kafei's request, and they weren't sure if their task was successful or not. Had she been there? They couldn't remember.

Eventually, the two merged with the inhabitants of Clock Town, stumbling somewhat as they passed a few sober men in the process, and some rude ones who didn't bother to watch where they were going. Finally reaching the door, they stepped inside. By now the others were no doubt awake and ready to depart, considering it was well early in the morning.

When the door had suddenly opened, Kagome and Sango figured another guest had arrived to fill in his or her reservation for a night or so, but what they didn't expect was to find two familiar men with dark circles around their eyes and one injured monk.

"Where were you two?" Kagome questioned as she tied her shoes on the chair beside her and Sango. "You've missed breakfast…"

Inuyasha scratched his head, but he didn't quite understand it much either. All he remembered was taking a long drink of that milk at the bar last night and the next he was sleeping outside with Miroku. "Outside," Was his reply. Both his shoulders ached, but he didn't complain.

Immediately, Sango was standing in front of Miroku, cupping his face in her hands as she inspected the peculiar bruises spotted on his face. Where on earth had he gotten such wounds? On another note, as she examined his disheveled appearance, she smelled a strong odor emanating from the monk as well as the half demon beside him. Had they been drinking? "Miroku? What happened?" She asked, and from his fake smile, she frowned. "Were you in a fight?"

Sango's outburst caught Kagome's attention, and she stared at the boys. Although Inuyasha didn't sport any of the same injuries as the monk, his clothes were a little roughed up and there was a spot of blood on his collar, though almost unnoticeable since his clothes were red, but she noticed it of course.

Miroku smiled regardless and grasped both of Sango's hands in his own before staring lovingly into her brown eyes. "My dear Sango, do my injuries really trouble you?" He asked before stroking his cheek upon her hand, wearing his usual lecherous smile.

The slayer shook her head and pulled away from his hold to resume preparing for their departure. "You guys had us worried when we couldn't find you."

It was at this time Anju walked into the main room and as she smiled at her guests, she couldn't help but gasp and cover her mouth at the sight of Miroku. "Good Monk! What on earth happened to you?"

Miroku smiled. "I don't quite remember much from last night, besides having a drink at the bar…"

Her eyes widened. "Bar?" Were monks allowed to drink at such unholy places?

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, we went to search for the old woman," He explained and at this, Anju suddenly frowned.

From the sight of Inuyasha's clothes being roughed up and the many bruises upon the young gentleman's face, Anju grew infuriated. Guilty, she bowed her head apologetically. "I am so sorry…Did Kafei put you up to this?"

Both Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged a glance. What would they tell her? Well it was obvious the little boy did, but there was good reasoning.

Inuyasha smugly crossed his arms. "What are you apologizing for? You're not the one that got punched…" He sweat dropped when he glanced at Miroku and his bruised face. "I bet it was a woman…there was a lot of strange people in that bar…"

All eyes fell on Miroku and he sweat dropped. Miroku thought this quite unlikely as he had never had a woman other than Sango strike him with much resentment due to his affectionate touches.

Inuyasha shook his head. "I bet he deserved it…"

Glowering, Sango felt the urge to smack him right across the face, but she wasn't sure what might have happened. However, Miroku had his moments of perversion, and the fact that he was smacked around would prove that he was up to his dumb routines. Since he was the only one injured, it was likely because he had messed up again and done something foolish. "You idiot!" Rather than smack the lecherous monk, the slayer stormed past him and out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

Everyone cringed at the slayer's tone of voice and everyone once again turned their knowing eyes toward the monk who know felt a deep pain in his chest at the hurt he had caused her.

Inuyasha blinked. He had only assumed it was the monk; it wasn't as if he was placing the blame on him initially, but it wasn't surprising that Sango would jump to conclusions.

Worriedly, Kagome chased after Sango, leaving everyone alone in the quiet room.

Still concerned about the monk's injuries and swollen black eye, Anju took him by his wrist and guided him down the hall, mentioning she would put some ice on him.

While Miroku was led away, Inuyasha decided he would search for the kids, whom he thought by now were well awake. As he sauntered down the hall, he couldn't help but stop at a blocked off entry way to the bathroom. The curtain was pulled, signifying that someone was inside. From the other side, he heard shuffling of small feet, and bewildered, he suddenly watched as the curtain moved and a small boy with a fox tail emerged.

Shippo stared at him quizzically. "Were you waiting? Sorry, I'm done now."

Inuyasha's eye twitched. "Like hell I was waiting…" He narrowed his eyes. A thought came to mind and he warily stared at Shippo. "Did you see anything in there?"

Shippo stared at him oddly. "What?"

"I said, did you see anything suspicious in there?"

Shippo scratched his head. "Just the toilet…was there something strange in there?" What was Inuyasha talking about? "Did something happen when you were in there last?"

Inuyasha paled in remembrance of the hand with the bony fingers. The way in which it had forcefully grasped him quite roughly caused his eye to twitch.

Was he feeling okay? Shippo saw the color drain from the half demon's face, and he couldn't help but notice a sudden shudder overtake him. "Um…are you feeling alright?"

With a snap, he returned to reality and struck the boy with a glare. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?"

The child shrugged. "If your stomach is bothering you, maybe you should sit down on the toilet. Maybe it's something you ate."

"Sit down? I'm not sitting on that cursed hole! I barely got out of their alive last night when it latched on to me!" He growled.

"Something latched on to you?" Shippo questioned, his emerald eyes widening in surprise before he glanced back at the bathroom beside him. What was Inuyasha talking about? "Huh?"

Aggravated, Inuyasha didn't bother to explain, not that he wanted anyone to know that he had been molested by a freakin hand in the toilet, and of course it was all thanks to a certain priestess who just couldn't stand him doing his business outside. Inuyasha was still pissed at her for even bringing it up. Instead of explaining the situation to the child, he turned and ambled past him, still wearing his usual glare though a little forced. "It's nothing. Forget it."

Still puzzled, Shippo watched as his canine friend disappeared around the corner before quizzically looking at the bathroom beside him. Something was definitely wrong with Inuyasha.

OOO

As soon as he rounded the corner, Inuyasha heard the door beside him open, revealing a blue haired boy; it seemed he had just left granny's room, carrying an empty tray in hand.

Though a little preoccupied with the tray, Kafei smiled at the half demon. "Thank you for bringing granny back last night. I hope she didn't cause too much trouble."

Inuyasha crossed his arms and peered over the kid's head and into the room in which Granny occupied. The old hag was sleeping in her bed, snoring away, and he glanced at Kafei. "I did?"

This caught the youngster by surprise, and here he thought the good monk and half demon had retrieved her, seeing as how she was tuckered in the room when he and Anju last checked on her. "Didn't you? She came back earlier than usual." Then again, there had been no sight of him and Miroku but he had only assumed they retired since it was so late.

Besides that, Inuyasha sternly stared at the boy, almost as a warning. "Listen, if I were you, I'd be careful. Anju knows all about it," He told the boy, who stared perplexed.

"Pardon?" Kafei asked. So Anju knew about him asking the two men, their guests to fetch her grandmother? That certainly wasn't good news. Did they confess to her or did she somehow assume?

Inuyasha of course wasn't finished yet. "Right now she's fixing up Miroku's face."

"What happened? Surely you both weren't in a fight?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Beats me. Miroku got beat up pretty bad," He explained.

Thankful for this information, Kafei heard the voice of his wife and the young monk straight down the hall in the kitchen, and he weakly smiled at Inuyasha. "Well, thank you for the advice," With that said, he walked quite fast down the hall, opposite of Anju so as not to face her wrath too soon.

A thought came to his mind, and Inuyasha realized that the membership card Kafei had given him and Miroku last night was missing, and he couldn't fathom where they had misplaced it. Not that he cared or anything.

OOO

After checking up on Sango, Kagome attempted to reassure her that maybe it wasn't Miroku's fault, after all, even Inuyasha had a slight injury. Sango wasn't sure what to believe, but the fact that Miroku smelled heavily of alcohol didn't seem to sooth her anxieties.

Nodding, Sango offered the priestess a small smile. She was jumping to conclusions again. "I'll go wake up Pamela. Now that the guys are back, Inuyasha will be wanting to head out."

"Yeah," Replied Kagome. "He's always so impatient."

As soon as the slayer opened the door, a small bundle of auburn fur ran out to greet the priestess, though Sango didn't stay to chat.

"Morning Kagome!"

She smiled at Shippo. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

He nodded though he couldn't help but let his eyes shift to the Inn. The tyke was still baffled by what the half demon had said to him a few minutes ago and now he wasn't sure if he wanted to use that bathroom again, since it sounded a little frightening.

Taking notice of his sudden silence, Kagome bent down at eye level. "Is everything alright?"

Emerald eyes stared back at her, and again, Shippo nodded. "I'm fine, but I think there's something wrong with Inuyasha."

Kagome blinked before a thought crossed her mind. "Oh, is his stomach still bothering him?" She pondered.

"I said the same thing to him!" He replied, and Kagome listened to him. "He got really angry when I asked. He said something about the bathroom…the toilet latching on to him."

This caught the priestess by surprise. "What?"

"Inuyasha said he barely got out of there alive. I don't understand what he's talking about…"

Kagome's eyes widened and she stifled a small laugh. "Oh did he get caught in the toilet seat?" Poor Inuyasha, but those things did happen, in fact, when her little brother Sota was little, the toilet seat used to be his enemy. Still, the fact that Inuyasha had gotten himself in such a predicament seemed unlikely.

Shippo shrugged. "I don't know…but he made it sound like something came out of the toilet and grabbed him…" Shippo mused for a moment, remembering the way Inuyasha didn't bother to explain in full detail what had transpired last night, but instead had walked away in a strange manner. "He was walking kind of funny too, like this," He demonstrated by spacing his legs, his toes pointed to the sides at an odd angle as he walked in place quite stiffly; this in turn caused the priestess to laugh.

"He must have been in so much pain…" She replied. It wasn't funny at all, but still to imagine Inuyasha so careless ushered a few more giggles from her. Walking past Shippo, she held the door open for him to enter as she stepped inside. "I wonder if Anju has any icepacks here…"

OOO

A heavy sigh escaped the little brunette, whose large indigo eyes, just like her father's, stared regrettably out the window beside the guest bed she slept in. So far, she had spent nearly an entire day with these people, and still she wondered if she would be happy without her father around. Why did she have to leave home?

Kirara, who was nestled in her lap, mewed and canted her head to stare at the child. The smell of salt filled her senses, and the tearful gaze saddened her. Kirara nudged her stomach and rubbed her fur against her pink dress, shifting the little girl's attention away from the window and to the small kitten trying to comfort her.

Wiping away a tear, Pamela held the kitten close, petting her softly. "What do you think, Kirara? You think my father will be okay?" She asked. Pamela wasn't sure if animals could understand humans, but there was no reason why she couldn't talk to them.

As if in response, Kirara mewed again, and a small smile graced the child's face. "You think so?" Her eyes once again stared out the window.

A soft knock brought her attention to the door, though she didn't bother to get up from the bed to answer it, instead, she settled on holding the kitten close to her.

Sango entered inside, smiling before closing the door behind her. "How are you feeling today?" She asked as she sat beside the child.

Pamela looked at her hands petting Kirara. Why did her father put so much faith into these people anyway? Could they really be trustworthy? Considering how she was still alright, she supposed they weren't bad people, but still. "…ok."

Well it was progress, Sango thought to herself. The child was still uncomfortable around them, that was for sure, but it seemed she had allowed some room for Shippo and Kirara in her heart. In time, she was sure Pamela would make lots of friends, though probably not as quickly as others, since she was practically raised in a valley where only a few inhabited. Still, that wasn't a place for a child to be brought up, especially with corpses roaming around. Where they were going, there was sure to be plenty of room for her play and learn more of the world, that is if the owner would allow her a place to stay.

"Uh…um…" Pamela awkwardly tried to voice her thoughts, but found that the slayer's intense staring made it difficult. She looked away. "Will I…be allowed to go back?"

Sango frowned. "Yes, there's no reason why you can't, but maybe until you're a little older or in the accompaniment of an adult."

Pamela's frown deepened and she lowered her head.

That didn't seem to raise her spirits at all. Sango sighed, and raised herself to her feet. "Are you hungry? You haven't eaten anything."

She shook her head. "No…"

OOO

"I'm telling you!" Serena's voice called down from the stairs after her companion. "Why won't you listen? I saw it!"

Link felt the urge to cover his ears. All morning, non-stop, Serena had relentlessly talked his ears off about something concerning Miroku and Inuyasha, which he didn't bother to listen to despite the little fairy's insistence. "Serena, please. You're talking too fast," He complained irritably.

She huffed. "Well excuse me! It's not every day you see two guy's—" She fell short on finishing her sentence when she and Link suddenly stopped at the base of the stairs. "Dear Goddesses! What on earth happened to you Miroku?" She exclaimed suddenly, earning their attention. "Did you get into a fight at the bar last night?"

As Link and Serena approach the two, standing off to the side as if waiting for the others to join them and depart, Inuyasha suddenly opened his mouth.

"How did you know we were at the bar last night?" As far as he knew, everyone else, besides Anju and Kafei, had retired to bed that night.

Serena bobbed around Link excitedly. "Ha! I told you Link!" She exclaimed. "Didn't I tell you they were at the bar last night? Yes!"

Link grew curious of this. "You were?" For what reason would he and the monk go there?

Inuyasha crossed his arms, though he spared the fairy a glance. "Kafei wanted us to fetch the old hag."

Serena fluttered around the guys. "And you two just happened to have a drink too? Quite unholy of you, monk," Serena said, and at this, they sweat dropped. "You guys reek."

"Anyways," Inuyasha began, turning his attention to Serena. "How did you know we were there?"

"Well, I was flying around town for the night and I just happened to hear a strange commotion at the Milk Bar," She replied. "And I happened to witness something…between you and Miroku…"

The guys blinked and looked at one another.

"Don't tell me you don't remember?"

Miroku weakly scratched his cheek. "Actually, we can't seem to recall much of anything."

Inuyasha nodded. "So, did you happen to see who hit Miroku?"

Serena examined the monk from head to toe. "Well I didn't see a fight…You guys don't remember anything that happened? Nothing at all?" From their baffled expressions, she sighed. Well that wasn't any fun at all. Serena turned to her partner beside her. "Do you think I should tell them?"

Link arched a brow and shrugged. "Why are you asking me? You're the one making a big deal out of it."

Satisfied, she fluttered to the door across the room and looked back. "Ok, you guys come with me."

"Why outside?" Inquired the half demon.

Serena sweat dropped. "I doubt you'll want anyone to overhear what I'm about to reveal." With that said, Miroku opened the door with the other guys behind him and followed the fairy outside.

"This better be important!" Inuyasha growled.

As soon as they were outside the vacant square, they gathered around the fairy, who stood in the middle of the three quietly.

Since no one was around to eavesdrop, Serena decided to get right to the point. "First, I got two things to say," She began, and since she had everyone's attention, she proceeded. "First off, I'm deeply surprised by the both of you," She directed her attention to Miroku and Inuyasha who couldn't help but stare at her with puzzled expressions. "You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Especially you Miroku! Leading poor Sango on like that is beneath you!" Serena's light turned red, and the monk gulped.

Inuyasha glanced at the monk. So Serena must have seen everything. Since she was dishing out on him, then that only meant one thing; Miroku had flirted with another girl.

Serena continued. "Consider her feelings for once! You know she really cares about you, but if you continue to betray her with your negligence and inappropriate behavior, then you might as well call it quits! A woman needs stability in her life, and a man to take care of her and love only her. She doesn't need a two timer!"

Inuyasha elbowed Miroku in the ribs, earning a protest from the monk. "You screwed up again. Isn't Sango enough for you?"

Miroku sweat dropped and rubbed his side where Inuyasha had elbowed him. "I don't need to hear that from you, my friend…"

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "And just what do you mean by—"

Serena cleared her throat rather loudly, and Inuyasha immediately silenced himself. "As I was saying…continuing to hide such a dirty secret is beneath both of you. I never would have guessed you two were the types to stoop to such a level, but you surprised me. To think it was all an act just to cover up the truth…"

"Dirty secret?" Miroku questioned.

"What truth?" Asked Inuyasha.

Serena huffed. "I'm not done yet!" Her irate voice surprised the guys, especially Link who hadn't seen such a side to his fairy friend. "Seeing as how you pretend to know nothing, I'm guessing none of your friends know. If you continue hiding this, it'll only get complicated later on. So I'm giving you the chance to confess before it's too late."

"What the hell are you talking about? Get to the point already!" Damn it, this was growing irritating. He had no idea what the hell this fairy was sputtering about, but apparently she was placing the blame on him as well.

Serena's light returned to her normal shade of pink. It was worse than she thought. "Oh you poor, poor souls…You can't even say it out loud. You two are obviously in denial."

Inuyasha glowered at her.

Despite Inuyasha's temper, Serena giggled. "Well if that's the case, then I suppose I can share with you what I saw."

"Which was what exactly?" Miroku asked, his ears burning with curiosity. He had to know. Did he truly betray Sango yet again?

"I saw it all…all of it…" Serena began, and her voice was so soft, the guys had to lean in to hear her closely. "Forbidden love," She whispered before growing a deeper shade of pink. Seeing their baffled glances, Serena decided to go into full detail. "Inuyasha, you threw yourself onto your lover and mounted him on the floor and kissed him ferociously!"

A sickened look passed over the half demon's face and he stepped away from the giggling fairy. Now he knew she was spreading lies. There was no way in hell he would do such a thing.

Although it was quite a shock to hear, Miroku glanced from the fairy to the half demon. "Where was I when this happened?" He asked. If it had not been his fault, then surely it must have been Inuyasha's?

"Oh Miroku…he was taking your breath away!" She declared, sighing at the thought of Inuyasha on top of Miroku with his rough lips pressed to his own. The sight had been so wrong, yet so…fascinating. "I mean it was amazing…full lip lock. I think I even saw some tongue."

Miroku covered his mouth as his face immediately paled. No way! It couldn't have happened. Not with a man, especially Inuyasha. The bile had a notion to creep up into his throat and regurgitate itself in front of him.

Inuyasha staggered back, distancing himself from the monk.

Serena wasn't finished yet. "It was difficult to look away while you two ravished each other on the floor…I mean everybody was watching and cheering you guys on! Even I felt like joining in."

Link was silent through this entire ordeal. So Serena saw Inuyasha and Miroku kissing in the bar and touching each other? That didn't sound like the monk and half demon he had come to know during their travels. Yet, he supposed he shouldn't judge a book by its cover, after all.

Still skeptical, though refusing to believe that he had done such a disgusting thing to Miroku, Inuyasha's glare intensified. "Are you sure it was us you saw? You didn't get ahold of one of Kagome's books, did you? The one with the drawings in it?" Inuyasha was referring to Kagome's varied volumes of manga stored in her yellow bag, the ones with the male lovers that she enjoyed reading from time to time, though Inuyasha didn't know why; it was a huge shock the first time he glimpsed at the pages she silently read with Sango. Maybe this was where Serena was getting her ideas from.

"I'm positive! Ask Link! He knows," She admitted.

All eyes fell on the youth, and he warily stepped back. "She came to me last night and spoke of secret lovers, but I didn't quite catch the rest of it…"

"It's not possible!" Inuyasha denied. "Why the hell would I kiss him?"

Serena found his denial un-cute. "Maybe because you're both secret lovers…"

"Stop saying that!" He shouted.

A few onlookers passed by suddenly and quizzically stared at the trio of boys. Some spoke in hushed whispers. Two young women, who were walking side by side, pointed in the direction of Miroku and Inuyasha; they giggled in amusement before running up the stairs and out of view.

Two familiar faces sauntered down the stairs next to the Stock Pot Inn, and the guys recognized them as the jugglers of the Gorman Troupe. They were still somewhat sober from last night, though when they spotted Inuyasha and Miroku, they raised their voices.

"If it isn't the lovers here to greet the morning!" The one dressed in the red remarked suddenly.

"Ho ho ho ho! You gave us quite a show last night! Impressive!"

The one dressed in red nudged him along. "Only two drinks and they were all over each other!" He laughed.

"Ho ho ho ho! I know what you mean brother. Now we know the rumors are true, eh?"

He nodded. "What? I knew all along!"

As soon as they disappeared from the square and their laughter had silenced, Serena and Link turned their attention back to the two in front of them and sweat dropped.

Miroku and Inuyasha stood frozen on the spot, staring at each other with open mouths. The loud voices from last night in the bar suddenly resurfaced and they recalled all they had forgotten that morning. Someone had pushed Inuyasha into Miroku, and since Miroku had a difficult time standing up due to the alcohol, he hadn't managed to catch him in time before they both fell over and into a table, breaking it.

Miroku touched his cut lip. "You bit me…"

Inuyasha's face reddened and he backed away from Miroku. "I didn't do it on purpose! Someone pushed me!"

Serena giggled. Caught red handed! "Onto his mouth!" She laughed.

Believing the little fairy had enough laughs for the day; Link removed his hat from his satchel and caught her inside the darkness of it as she tried to escape. "That's enough Serena."

"I was only telling the truth!" Serena yelled from inside the hat.

Link frowned. "Sometimes the truth needn't be voiced aloud."

For a moment, Inuyasha took a moment to think. Just the fact that he and Miroku had accidentally kissed was enough to make him vomit on the side of the pavement, and he was surprised he hadn't right now. "We were drunk and weren't ourselves that night."

Miroku agreed. "Yes, and we ended up in an argument which led to a fight."

Inuyasha nodded. "Exactly! We both know that our interest lies in women."

"That is true, Inuyasha. I'd much rather prefer a harsh slap against the face from my lovely Sango than any touch from a man," Replied Miroku.

Inuyasha turned to Serena, who was still caught in Link's hat. "You hear that, Serena? It never happened that way. So don't you dare go spreading rumors to the girls!"

A dramatic sigh erupted from the hat. "Fine…"

Link stared when Serena's struggling ceased. "Serena…" He warned. He knew her too well; she wasn't exactly one to keep her mouth shut about certain things.

"Alright! Alright! I promise on my little fairy wings I won't say anything!" She blurted, and relief passed over the two guys. "So can I please come out now? It's a little stuffy in here."

Deciding she had learned her lesson, Link opened his hat and allowed the little fairy to fly out before returning his hat to his satchel for the time being. Now that the misunderstanding was dealt with, he was about to turn and walk back inside, but before he could the door to the Stock Pot Inn opened, and Kagome and Sango stepped out, followed by Pamela who was holding Kirara snuggly against her chest and Shippo beside her.

Kagome smiled cheerfully. "Are we ready to go?"

Though a little awkward, Inuyasha and the others nodded. "Yeah, do you have everything you need?"

She nodded. "Last night I restocked on some arrows from the store and some potions for the road."

Satisfied that everything was prepared, the gang turned their backs to the Inn and toward the exit straight ahead leading East to Ikana. They figured they could just go around the outside of the town since it didn't matter. Their next destination was the ranch Anju had spoken of earlier and then to Southern Swamp to locate the third pendant.

While passing the Milk Bar on their way toward the exit straight ahead, Kagome suddenly fell behind as her attention was suddenly focused on a peculiar man standing near the middle of the square staring up at the sky.

Stepping closer, Kagome thought there was something strangely familiar about this person, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She took notice of his nicely fitted maroon vest over his long sleeved white tunic and tight fitted black pants. This man had long legs and pointed ears just as the Terminans of this land. Long auburn hair, somewhat alike in color of Shippo's, cascaded down his back in waves and curls, ending near his upper back.

Once close enough to examine him closer, Kagome got a good look at his eyes, which were a nice shade of blue. There was no hint of facial hair, and his skin seemed entirely flawless. Why did this man seem so familiar? She knew she never saw him in her entire life, but he reminded her of someone. Who?

Her friends stopped on account of Shippo's protest that Kagome had fallen behind, and they stared at the raven haired girl some distance back, standing quite close to some stranger with a weird fascination with the sky.

"What is she doing now?" Inuyasha complained, watching as she suddenly started circling the man.

Shippo observed closely. "Is that man possessed or something?"

Miroku shook his head. "I sensed nothing ominous as we passed…but I'm sure Lady Kagome has a reasonable explanation."

"Well whatever the hell it is, she needs to hurry up."

The guy was cute, that was for sure, though in a way, he sent a chill through her. "I know this person," She whispered to herself, although she couldn't quite place where she had seen his face before. Kagome rummaged through her thoughts, trying to piece together who this could be, but it seemed almost hopeless.

Calmly observing the Red sky above with just a tinge of blue, he found that his attention couldn't help but shift to the young maiden in front of him, looking him up and down curiously, though he didn't say a word. His eyes remained to the sky, and he allowed her to circle him for what seemed like the second time. The young woman was quite charming though in a strange way, yet he couldn't help but find her quite cute, what with her mouth parted slightly. Judging by her clothes, she appeared foreign and he presumed she was befuddled by his clothing as hers were quite perplexing also.

Despite her transfixed gaze upon his face, he smiled. "What a beautiful day, but it seems I'm blessed with yet another beauty." His eyes fell upon the young girl in front of him, surprising her suddenly.

That all familiar chill swept through her once again when his lips curved into that all familiar smile. Kagome pointed at his face incredulously. She knew exactly who he reminded her of. "Hojo!"

The young man canted his head to the side but his smile remained in place. "Close enough," He laughed, but it was alright; it seemed everyone had trouble pronouncing his name correctly. "I am called Jo-ho." Not at all bashful, he took her hands in his own and held them before him as he leaned in a little to greet the young girl. "Fair maiden, to what honor do I have of meeting you?"

At this point, Inuyasha blinked before sighing. "Not again…"

Link stared on with bemusement. "Who is he?" Perhaps he was a friend of Kagome's? The way in which he held her hands perturbed him somewhat, though he refrained from showing any act of jealously.

Serena was just as confused as the rest of them. "Who is that man? Tell me," She bobbed around the half demon. "Why is he holding her hands? Do they know each other?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Back in her world, there's a boy who is obsessed with her and this guy bears a strange resemblance to the one in our Era."

Miroku's eyes widened. "You mean the boy who is part of the Hojo Family? I was not under the impression that the blood of his descendants lived on for so many years. How interesting."

Kagome smiled. "Oh well my name is Kagome," She greeted him back. His behavior was somewhat similar to Kouga's what with holding her hands in the same fashion. "I'm sorry. You look like someone I know back in my home town. Sorry for staring."

Jo-ho shook it off. "Not at all. Do I remind you of your boyfriend?"

A blush rose to her cheeks, and she suddenly shook her head no. "No he is a friend." There was no way she could imagine herself and Hojo dating; it would be too weird. Though she felt bad for always turning him down on upcoming dates or walks in the parks together, she knew he was a good guy, but the feelings weren't mutual. "If you don't mind me asking, where do you work?" It was definitely strange to find a Hojo counterpart in this different world, especially when it had no ties to her own world…or did it?

Jo-ho released her hands and pointed to the basket in his hand. "My grandmother owns the herbal and floral shop in town."

Hearing this, Kagome giggled to herself. It was just as she suspected. The Hojo in her world ran a drug store and the Hojo in the Feudal Era had this odd obsession with nutritional foods or medicines, but this Hojo…or that is to say, Jo-ho had a fancy to not only herbs, but possibly flowers. They were all similar in their own way.

From the sound of her laughter, he smiled warmly. "Oh what a beautiful sound."

"Why is she laughing?" Shippo asked.

Serena glanced at the half demon and then to her partner, Link; she noticed the hint of jealousy in their eyes and couldn't help but giggle to herself.

"I presume he said something funny to Lady Kagome," Miroku replied just as curious.

Annoyed by the delay, Inuyasha huffed. "It wasn't that funny…"

All eyes fell onto the half demon, and sensing he was being watched, he stared at the faces of his companions before glowering at each and every one of them.

"What?" He asked. "These ears don't just sit on the top of my head for nothing." In response to that, everyone watched as his canine ears twitched at the laughter of the young girl.

In a matter of seconds, Serena was fluttering in front of his face. "You can hear from all the way over there?" That was amazing! "What's he saying? What are they talking about?"

"She's comparing him to the one in her era and asking where he works," He replied. "He said his name was…Jo-ho…What a stupid name!"

Searching through his basket, and parting some of the flowers away from the many herbs, Jo-ho handed the young girl a couple of fruits which strangely resembled oranges though its leaves were yellow. "These are good in tea and can help cure any type of stomach ache," He explained.

Not sure what to say, Kagome simply smiled. "Thank you."

Pleased she was happy for the small gift, Jo-ho realized he was running late on his errands, but before leaving, he offered Kagome a small lavender flower before placing it behind her ear in a bold manner which caused the young girl to blush. "I must be off, but I hope our paths cross again."

Kagome nodded. "It was nice meeting you, and thank you."

While she delicately touched the petals of the flower behind her ear, Jo-ho leaned in suddenly and cupped her chin in his large hand. Ever so gently, he pressed his lips against her cheek, earning a deep blush from the girl and open mouths from her friends a distance away. Though it was quick and subtle, he waved her goodbye before running off toward South of town.

Her hand touched her cheek and she couldn't help but think of Kauji. What was with guys suddenly giving her a peck on the cheek? Then again she had a lot of room to think such thoughts, especially when she was the one who put Link in a similar situation, only it was she who was daring.

Miroku grinned at the sight. "That is our Lady Kagome for you. Charming her way into men's hearts without even trying."

Link's mouth fell open slightly in surprise. That man had just kissed her, and she acted the same exact way when Kauji had done something similar. It seemed Miroku was right; Kagome did seem to have a certain charm about her.

"Link," Serena called from beside him, where even Inuyasha was gaping. "Better close your mouth or else you'll swallow a fly." She teased, and he abruptly closed his mouth and glared at the laughing fairy.

Finally returning to her friend's side, Kagome apologized for the sudden delay and explained everything. Kagome suddenly turned to Inuyasha before handing him the couple of fruits which he took in confusion. "This will help with your stomach problem." She giggled, and he immediately flushed in embarrassment.

The half demon's eye twitched as he stared at the fruits and then back to her. Was she making fun of him? Why was she laughing like that? Hopefully she didn't know about the hand in the toilet. Tossing those thoughts to the side, he turned around. "Are we ready or what?"

She nodded. "Yep!"