InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ No Such Thing As Fate ❯ The Clan ( Chapter 4 )

Hi everybody.

This is chapter 4. It has been brought to my attention that some things I put in previous author notes were offensive to some people, I really apologize for any problems I caused, and I'll try not to do it again. I also realize that I need to decide couples for my story because it'll get me in trouble on some websites (Dokuga.com), so as of right now this is a sess/kag fic. I am really sorry for promising a vote when I can't keep that promise but I am more than willing to allow input on the direction the story should take after the next arch of course, I need this next arch to happen. I won't ever threaten to withhold chapters again even if I was only joking and stated so in my authors note. In fact I'm so ashamed of what I did I decided to put up two chapters as an apology. They may not both come up today because I like to edit but it will be up quicker than usual.

Disclaimer: I WANT SESSHOU-KUN and maybe mokomoko too!!

Chapter 4: Getting to Know Jiji: The Clan

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“Come on you two we must get back before Kagome's boyfriend decides to show up”

Kagome stopped on top of a rock she had been climbing on. She turned and glared back at Jiji and Shippou. They both gave shit eating grins, “Sin is not my boyfriend!”

Shippou squinted thoughtfully, “We never said Sin” both of their grins looked vicious now and Kagome threw her hands up in frustration as she glared at them.

Despite her constant denial, she wasn't getting out of this so easy. Sin had shown up again at the cave about 3 days ago and commissioned an extra sword for himself, for some reason he didn't want all the weapons yet but that was fine because she wasn't finished. He then proceeded to flirt with her simply because he could control the situation when she was flustered and blushing like an idiot.

She had quickly figured out Sin had a small crush on her even if he said he was just trying to irritate her. He had no problem showing his like of her even if he would never say it. She was sure he didn't even realize he had a crush and who was she to tell him. This resulted in him touching her thigh inappropriately seconds before Shippou walked in to find Kagome trapped against a wall with Sin seemingly molesting her. Shippou had then proceeded to go tell on them to Jiji.

Sin ran away before Jiji could catch him.

Kagome blushed in mortification, `Of all the times for Shippou to get up early' she thought annoyed. She couldn't decide if she was upset because Shippou had caused Sin to flee for fear of losing his manhood or if she was upset because of the teasing his `discovery' caused. With a nod, she quickly decided her standing in the whole situation.

“I don't even like Sin” she grumbled.

“That's a lie” Jiji shot back immediately.

Kagome pouted but she wasn't in the mood to fight with Jiji over boys.

“Where are we going Jiji” She huffed as she pulled herself up to another rock on the side of the steep slope. Jiji climbed the rocks with ease and Shippou had the luxury of sitting on either adult's head for the ride.

“You'll see when we get there” Kagome rolled her eyes but kept climbing.

About five minutes later, they finally reached a dirt path to walk on. Kagome wrinkled her nose as she wiggled her toes in the dirt experimentally. It actually felt pretty good to be shoeless. Jiji began walking and she followed him without a second thought. They had been traveling since before dawn and she desperately wanted to know why, but he refused to tell.

“Jiji don't you worry people are going to rob the cave” she asked falling in step with him.

He smirked and Shippou looked down trying to see Jiji's face from atop the youkai's head. “Let them steal what they like. Is fighting for a few pieces of steel worth getting hurt over” Kagome thought about it and looked away with a shrug.

She peered up at him though her eyelashes after a long moment of thought, “You have your money hidden somewhere else other than the cave” she stated in a knowing tone.

Jiji sent her a grin and Kagome shook her head. It was a well know fact that Jiji liked money because he liked expensive tea and nice clothes. Of course, he said he didn't care now, but he would have a fit if anyone was a threat of stealing all his hard earned money. Kagome smirked and they continued walking, occasionally making idle chat. Soon the path began to get wider as they got higher up the slope and before long the path gave way to another forest.

A bit past midday, they stopped on the very empty path and sat down to enjoy some rice balls for lunch. Shippou sat in Kagome's lap and ate with her but Jiji didn't eat. He was content to sit and wait patiently for them to finish their meals.

“Kagome are you going to marry Sin” Kagome blushed and sent the kit a glare. She had assumed they were done teasing her, she was obviously wrong.

“No I'm not Shippou” she sighed.

Jiji paid them no heed as he sat lost in thought. Both Shippou and Kagome looked to him startled when he suddenly stood and did the strangest thing, he pet the bottom of her feet. She looked to him strangely, “I thought something was strange, where are your shoes?”

Kagome bit her lip glancing at him apprehensively and turned her eyes skyward in thought. It had been a while since she had actually worn shoes. Her tennis shoes had died a horrible death months ago courtesy of a pack of wild dogs. They had caught her, to escape she had given her shoes up as chew toys.

She frowned a bit as she prepared to say the one thing she never thought would come from her own lips.

“I don't have shoes”

Shippou seemed to find this announcement hilarious if his shaking body and knowing smile were any clue.

Jiji's forehead wrinkled in thought, “Why didn't you tell me?”

Kagome shrugged, he obviously didn't see the gesture. “Being shoeless isn't to bad” she pointed out weakly.

“You're a human, that's not good, what if you hurt your feet or get something”, Jiji scolded.

Kagome shrugged again “I'll be okay”

He scowled a bit, while he wasn't worried about her getting sick at this point. He didn't need her getting something like worms or some weird foot ailment. Despite his concern he couldn't do anything for her at the moment. He didn't need shoes and neither did the kit so it wasn't as if he could offer her his own shoes.

Kagome stuffed the remainder of her rice ball in her mouth and stood as Jiji spoke, “How about we get you a pair of shoes and maybe a kimono too. Those smort…short outfits you like are improper.”

Kagome scowled but she kept her comments to herself. She scooped Shippou up in her arms as he continued his meal. They began walking again, “Can I choose the kimono, you are kinda blind without fire in your face” Kagome teased.

She smirked at the twitch of Jiji's eyebrow, “No” he chirped happily.

Kagome pouted and Shippou laughed.

“Just for that, you can expect the ugliest kimono I can find,” he promised. Kagome pouted as Shippou laughed even harder.

A few hours later she was feeling exhausted from walking and her arms were burning from holding Shippou so long, the silly kit had fallen asleep and she hadn't thought to wake him and make him walk. Before she could begin to complain, Jiji stopped and moved the sword strapped on his back to hang on his waist “get on my back,” he ordered.

Kagome raised an eyebrow. He took Shippou from her and sat the kit on his head. Shippou looked around a bit startled by the sudden movement but held on tight to Jiji's head when he realized what was about to happen, “Get on my back, we need to reach our destination tonight” Jiji said again.

Kagome nodded not willing to cause a fuss over a free ride. She bit back a squeal of excitement when he stood with her securely on his back. Kagome peeked over Jiji's shoulder and he sighed, “Hold on tight.”

He took off into the trees like lightening and Kagome howled in laughter as a rush of excitement hit her. It had been so long since she had moved so quickly through the forest like this with Inuyasha. She found she missed the feel of the wind and excitement it brought when he leapt high into the trees.

Jiji was much faster than Inuyasha and his movements were a lot smoother so she wasn't jarred anytime he moved. The trees blurred past them and both she and Shippou laughed insanely.

The ride quickly became boring though.

By the time they reached their destination everything was a sleep hazed blur and it was pitch black around them. She was startled awake when Jiji's run suddenly stopped. When she opened her eyes she saw a short path lit by torches and a few pairs of eyes glowing eyes. There was a demon with black hair standing in Jiji's path talking to him but the demon seemed to be staring at her. Kagome yawned a bit allowing herself to tune in to the conversation.

“You've finally arrived. Why did you bring `that' with you?” asked a gruff male voice.

Kagome couldn't make out his face but she was really too tired to care.

“This little one is mine, she'll be treated well along with the kit or I will blow you all to hell,” Jiji said in a sweet and calm voice.

Kagome knew he had that disarming smile on his face but she shivered involuntarily at the violent undertone.

The youkai's gaze darted to Shippou on Jiji's head who was staring at him far more alert than Kagome was. Finally, after a tense silence, he looked to Kagome his eyes narrow, “She is a miko, her power makes my nose burn. You would sacrifice the clan for-“

Jiji snorted, “I have no love for this clan, I am here because I'm trying to remain on speaking terms with my family. You all make it exceedingly difficult.”

“Hakui you are truly the shame of our clan, attaching yourself to-“ Jiji moved so fast the demon didn't even think to move before a hand was wrapped around his neck ready to snap it like a twig.

“The shame of this retched clan could burn you all alive, did you forget that old `friend'” Jiji's chuckle was cold hateful and very un-Jiji like. Kagome sat dazed refusing to believe this site before her was anything but a dream. The demon looked at Jiji with unholy fear in his eyes. Jiji released him and he stumbled away with a pained gasp. Shippou whimpered quietly but remained silent otherwise.

The demon looked at Jiji in disgust but was smart enough not to voice his opinion again. “They'll be taken care of during your stay,” he rasped.

Jiji smiled, “Show me where I can let these two sleep”

The demon nodded quickly and led them toward the dimly lit cave at the end of the path. They walked inside and Kagome remained unaware of the stares as they were led to a futon in a corner of the massive cave. There were other youkai asleep in the area and some were awake but nobody made a sound. Jiji slid Kagome off his back and stumbled a bit before looking to him in question.

“Lay down” he murmured pointing to the futon. Kagome sat down and frowned sleepily at Jiji and the other youkai watching them carefully. He pulled Shippou from the top of his head and smoothed his hair down as he sat the kit on the floor.

The futon was obviously for sleeping, so she laid down and curled herself into a ball. Jiji only smiled a bit.

Shippou shifted nervously shooting the other demon a wary glance “Jiji are you angry?”

Jiji raised an eyebrow “I'm fine kit. You go rest, and tell me if anybody does anything to you or Kagome.”

Shippou's frown deepened, “Kagome might get upset if you hurt someone”

Jiji chuckled, “Kagome is very naïve. We are youkai, if I must kill to get my point across then I must. To bed with you kit,” Shippou sighed and walked to Kagome.

He eyed her a moment with a pout “Kagome-chan move” he grumbled.

She didn't budge and Shippou rolled his eyes. He looked over Kagome to the demons watching him intensely. He shifted nervously and pushed Kagome's arm up to wiggle into a comfortable space. She came back to her senses long enough to uncurl herself and pull Shippou into her arms. He wiggled a bit until he was comfortable. Jiji tossed a sheet over them before turning to walk from the cave, the other demon followed.

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Kagome's eyes opened and she sat a moment dazed. She blinked a few time and yawned before turning over. A young boy was sitting before her in a deep green horai watching her with swirling purple eyes. He tensed and she blinked owlishly at him. She sat up slowly on the futon, crossed her legs, then sat to stare at the boy. The boy began to bag away before turning and dashing away. Kagome tilted her head in confusion and glanced around the cave. It was nearly empty compared to last night when she had arrived. It was easily the size of her house in the cave. There were furs or futons laid out across the floor. On the other side of the cave, a rather large group of women sat serving food to a group of about twenty men. If they weren't serving the men food they were eating themselves with a group of kids.

She glanced around for Shippou and found he wasn't on the futon. Not at all surprised she found him with the other children eating. Kagome sighed glancing at the adults who sent her wary glances or full-blown glares. She didn't feel like hearing the `I am better than you because your human speech,' so she stood and walked toward the entrance of the cave. She stood at the mouth of the cave and observed. There was a light fog hovering over the area and everything was still dark, but of course she could see fine. There was a path of torches still lit leading to a path in the distance way across the empty field. The silence was unnerving and she frowned uncertainly. She glanced back into the cave to see one of the females standing watching her with her arms crossed over her chest.

As long as Shippou was being fed properly she had no reason to go close to the group and make them anymore uncomfortable than they already were. Her decision made she stepped out of the cave and walked out onto the slate. She frowned realizing the entrance was a few feet off the ground much like Kouga's den. You had to have youkai abilities to get in and out. She was a human so she didn't have that luxury. Kagome sat down on the edge of the slate rock and slid down one of the smooth rocks. It peeled a bit of the skin on her thigh and drew blood but she simply rubbed the scratch and looked around. The field was completely empty, not a soul was in site. She wigged her toes in the dew-laden grass. Deciding on a direction, she began to walk

“Where are you going human?”

Kagome stopped and looked up at the den entrance to see the female from earlier, still scowling with her arms crossed over her chest, “To find something to eat then to find Jiji”

“Jiji, as in Oji-san?” the demoness sneered. Kagome only raised an eyebrow as the female continued, “Are you stupid girl, this is a demon packs cave and you are a human, you have no Oji-san here”

Kagome scratched her head absently not bother to smooth down her bed hair, “Everyone I've met just calls him Jiji, that's what he told me and Shippou to call him” she sighed.

The demoness stared down at Kagome a long moment “Hakui has already told us to feed you human, why are you leaving.”

Kagome vaguely recognized the name as Jiji's. “I'd rather go find food and eat alone than sit and have you all glare at me” She responded honestly. “Beside's Jiji threatening people to make them do simple things like feed us is a waste of his energy. He might hurt someone too if what I saw last night wasn't a dream.”

The demoness lifted her lip in a snarl, “What am I supposed to do if you get yourself killed human. Simply let Hakui take my head because you refused to eat with us.”

Kagome poked her lip out in thought then gave a suffering sigh, “So what do you suggest?”

The demoness looked off into the distance thoughtfully. Five minutes later, she was sitting back on top of the slate munching on some rice and dried meat. Kagome smiled happily as her energy slowly came back to her.

“Thank you umm demoness-san”

The female narrowed her eyes at Kagome “Reina is my name human”

Kagome gasped in mock surprise, “Really?” Reina scowled at Kagome's sarcasm, “Here's a deal, you call me Kagome and I'll call you Reina” she chirped.

Reina sneered at Kagome “You have been with Hakui too long human, he has made you foolish and rude.”

Kagome quirked an eyebrow “Has he?”

Reina growled the black fur of her tail standing on end and Kagome only smirked and looked back to her meal. “Yeah maybe I have been around Jiji too long ne demoness?”

The female looked as if she would snap Kagome's neck. The air around them quickly became charged with hostility.

“Know your place girl!”

`Wow we're getting improvement so soon' Kagome thought sarcastically.

“But I do know my place” Kagome replied with a sarcastic grin.

“You obviously don't because you still sit here insulting me” Kagome only shrugged and the demoness scowled.

The sparks of anger flying between them were now tangible.

Shippou stood at the mouth of the cave watching both women warily as youki and miko's energy jumped between the two of them. Neither female chose to back down from the fight to keep the atmosphere civil. Shippou shook his head; Kagome had issues with names, a nasty little reminder of Inuyasha's rude language to her and its impacts psychologically. On the other hand, every demon they came across had superiority issues, and they all seemed to think they were the greatest thing to grace the earth since sunlight. Not one demon had just sucked it up and called Kagome by her name, it wasn't even a big request like asking that person to pick something up or help somebody. It was a show of mutual respect, you called Kagome by her name she called you by yours, rather simple.

At first he hadn't understood her obsession with being called by name, he was rather used to men calling women rude names, until he had gotten to know Inuyasha and then Kagome's personality. Inuyasha just got ridiculous with the name-calling and Kagome had begun to believe the rude comments at some point. Besides that, Kagome wanted to talk to everyone on equal grounds, she believed everyone was equal but that just wasn't true here in this era.

Being a Miko, she was of higher status than the commoner and could speak to nobles and even a low lord or two, this gave her extra privileges that would make the common woman of this era looking around as if someone had grown a second head and turned purple if a noble paid them any attention.

Jiji had quickly caught wind of her rude `habits' and was working diligently, as in scolding her if she so much as looked at the wrong person in the wrong way that would get them both killed, to correct them. This quickly lead to the revelation that Kagome had excellent manners. In fact, she had mannerisms befitting of a Hime. She knew how to sit and present herself to a group to get respect; this obviously didn't work on dense Inu-hanyou. Kagome knew how to speak properly, she knew tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and she even recited poems. Shippou had noticed her behaviors long ago and had pointed them out to Jiji who had been baffled by her rude behavior to anyone that pissed her off. It was like telling a child that knew better, not to pick your nose in front of adults, she just did it anyway.

Just watching her handle the Inu gang was something short of fascinating. Kagome was naive, poorly trained in the miko arts, spoiled and tended to cry a lot when she got frustrated, fiery spirited and stubborn like you couldn't believe. On occasion, she was known to be ditzy and clumsy, more so when Inuyasha made her cry and pointed out faults all the time. Despite all that Kagome was truly the Alpha female of the Inu gang.

Kagome had no idea how to deal with a pack like theirs following Inu laws. She didn't even realize she was alpha and that she was following the strange rules of another species mixed awkwardly with human beliefs and rules, but she handled everyone with grace and finesse. Everyone was treated a different way because they all responded a different way. For example, she couldn't scold Sango and Miroku the same way she did Inuyasha, that would just be strange and the monk and tajiya never got as annoying as their Inu hanyou leader. She could order everyone around, she didn't have to be rude or mean all she had to do is ask in only the way Kagome could, everyone obeyed her commands, even Inuyasha to a certain point before he had to be sat. Despite all her immaturity and lack of skills, she still ran the group without trouble.

Now that Shippou thought about it, everyone in their group had some training in dealing with nobles or came from a high class background. Sango was the princess of her clan and regularly dealt with nobles before her clan had been wiped out. Sango knew youkai law's as did Miroku and they were probably both aware of their status in the group.

Miroku was a monk, albeit a perverted monk, but a monk nonetheless. He worked with nobles in the same manner Sango did, not quite a noble but in close contact with them. He knew how to stay out of trouble with the higher class even though he still robbed them blind one too many times for Shippou to call some of the human nobles competent.

Even Kirara had a refined air to her.

Inuyasha, for all his rudeness and idiotic behavior, was an Inu prince. He could speak properly and he knew etiquette and youkai law…a decent amount at least. Inuyasha really was the male alpha of the group, he made sure everyone was well. He protected his pack mates and his females too. Shippou snickered realizing Sango would have a fit if she heard Inuyasha voice this aloud, Kagome might too though Jiji was slowly getting her used to the terms that sent normal human females into screaming fits.

Despite how it looked, Inuyasha actually thought about how to proceed about his day and how to coordinate battles and make sure his pack got their work done. Miroku wouldn't be friends with Inuyasha if the hanyou didn't have some type of grey matter. Miroku did not like incompetence that could get people killed, but he could handle a few doses of stupidity and even Inuyasha's argumentative and stubborn personality. Had Inuyasha not been a half-competent leader Miroku wouldn't have joined the group, Sango would have killed him and somehow Kagome would have wrestled full control from Inuyasha had the group by some strange miracle still been formed. Inuyasha wasn't stupid, He just never chose to use his head and act his station.

He himself was from a good family, his father and mother had been of a well off clan like the wolf pack they were currently visiting. They had been wiped out rather quickly and brutally and he and his father had been the only ones left leaving them ridiculous amounts of money but no home. They had wandered and eventually his father had been killed and he'd ended up with the Shikon gang. If he could remember what lord his clan had served under he could get some semblance of his clans status back. Though he was sure the wealth was long gone, he could offer his mother in everything but blood a proper place to stay and even a title.

He scowled a bit to himself, not that Jiji didn't have a nice home; in fact Shippou loved Jiji's home and was sure it had taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get it to the point it was at now. He just thought that any mommy he had was supposed to live like a princess and he had to make sure she got that. But that was for another day. Shippou tilted his head a bit, as he tried to remember what he had been thinking before getting off track. When he remembered, he nodded his head a bit.

The whole point of the matter was Kagome knew damn well what she was doing, she simply chose to be rude to those who were rude to her.

She didn't care about what status they were, she would still swear and curse at you then walk away triumphantly.

During his long string of thought's the two women had settled down after a silent mutual agreement to just use names and be done with it.

`Well at least they didn't come to physical blows like adult males would' he thought with a smirk.

Shippou walked over and smiled brightly up at the demoness, “Thank you Reina-san for feeding Kagome-chan” Reina snorted and Shippou suddenly had the urge to pull a prank but he stomped the urge and went to sit at Kagome's side. He beamed up at Kagome and she ruffled his hair playfully.

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Kagome licked her parched lips and and squinted as she looked into the distance. There was nothing before her but a large stretch of grassy field promptly cut off by a line of massive trees easily the size of twenty and thirty story skyscrapers. She shifted warily when a pain shot up her leg. With a grunt, she wiggled her feet around on the edge of the rock she balanced herself on. The pain instantly stopped and she took a moment to steady herself on the rock before planting her elbows back on her thighs, and her face in her hands. Satisfied she wouldn't tumble down the immediate twelve foot drop should she fall, she looked back out over the scenery. She had been in this position on this very rock for almost two hours, only moving to return blood flow to her legs and to move her feet from the sharp bit of jutting rock she was using for her balancing act.

She was bored and a little afraid, but mostly bored.

Oh, she was mad too, very mad.

Jiji had dropped them off in a cave packed with demons and then vanished. She hadn't seen hair nor hide of him since last night and it was making her edgy. She had been in his presence and able to always sense his aura or something from him for almost a year, now he was nowhere to be found and she couldn't `feel' him. Of course, this made her very insecure. She briefly thought that maybe Jiji's age was catching up to him and he simply forgot she was a miko. But then again how could a demon forget that their female ward was a miko.

So, in her mind Jiji had left her, a human miko with no control over her powers, in the care of a few hundred youkai and simply expected no trouble. She groaned to herself and let her mind wander to the group of women and children who had sat at the river not a mile away doing laundry directly behind her.

They didn't want to talk to her or let her close and Shippou had to suffer too. Because they were wary of Kagome they didn't want Shippou to close their cubs long without reason. They hadn't voiced their opinions but the nervous glances and barley hidden glares were enough to drive both her and Shippou away if only to keep the peace. And so, Shippou was playing alone, once again.

She glanced over her shoulder at Shippou who was wandering around over the collage of rocks that made up the ledge they stood on. Every few minutes he would find something interesting in one of the many crack. Most of the time, he found an oddly shaped stick or a bug he could pick up without killing. Children tended to kill bugs because their hands were simply to small demon or human, and Shippou was no exception to this rule.

However, this time he found not a stick nor did he find a bug. He stuck his arm in the crack, Kagome cringed and bared her teeth with a hiss as she thought of a few thousand ways he could hurt that arm by sticking it in places it didn't belong, like possibly unstable cracks in some rocks.

“Shippou…,” she murmured grimly.

His gaze darted to her and he stared at her with wide shiny eyes and a stupid expression on his face as if he had been caught stealing suckers from her old travel bag. It was so strange that Shippou had such an expression on his face that the words froze in her throat. Shippou's eyes shifted in confusion waiting for her to speak. After a moment, Kagome only grumbled and covered her mouth with a hand in thought as she watched him carefully. Shippou shrugged her behavior off. He glanced around slowly as if hiding a big secret then continued to grope in the crack. At one point, his arm went in fully and Kagome stiffened prepared to tell him to stop playing with the rocks and go do something else. Her comment wasn't needed because after a moment he pulled his arm free. Kagome raised an eyebrow seeing him holding up a rather large marble between two fingers as he eyed the marble as if it was the greatest treasure in the world.

To a seven year old, the scratched and slightly dirty marble was indeed a treasure. He smiled brightly and held the palm sized marble skyward so he could get a better look at the colors inside. After a moment he brought his new toy to his stomach and rubbed the dirt away as best as he could. Kagome rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh already knowing she would be scrubbing clothes for a few hours when she got home.

When the marble was shined to his liking, he stood and made his way toward her. Seeing he would want her attention, she stood and moved to take a seat on a nearby flat rock. Shippou flashed a grin as he took a seat in her lap and got comfortable. Kagome put her chin on his bright orange hair and waited for him to speak. They sat in silence a long moment.

Kagome took a sniff of his hair and frowned in amusement. He smelled like produce, that strange vegetable smell kids tended to have at times. As if they had rolled around in fresh greens instead of eating said vegetable and he had come to sit under her just to make sure she smelled it to make her think he hadn't slipped his vegetables under the table so he could hide them. She knew the smell because her brother had smelled the same a few times and she had even smelled the same when she was younger. She grunted a bit realizing the smell was probably from rolling in the grass and playing.

Finally, Shippou glanced up at her, “Can I keep it?”

Kagome grimaced, “You should probably see if anyone lost if first before claiming it.”

Shippou poked his lip out in a manner she had done plenty of times before, “It's a Kitsune toy. Wolfs wouldn't know what to do with it.” That comment caught Kagome's attention.

“A Kitsune toy, it doesn't look like any of your other toys,” she murmured tapping her chin thoughtfully.

Shippou smiled, “It's a Kitsune toy not a kit toy” Kagome smile a bit as she caught the meaning.

He looked back to the orb “so what does it do” she asked making Shippou frowned in thought.

`I…” he licked his lips thoughtfully, “It makes you feel better” Kagome raised an eyebrow and Shippou smiled uncertainly.

“Most people can't sense it that's why it just looks like a pretty rock to other youkai…here” he placed the orb in her hands and Kagome rolled the stoned in her hands it few times.

The action was calming and she tilted her head, “Oh it's a stress relief stone?”

Shippou squinted at the orb a bit then leaned back into her stomach as he watched her roll the marble in her hand. “No that's not it either,” He grumbled.

He scowled at the orb and Kagome sent him a worried glance, “Whats wrong?”

“I thought since you can do all this other weird stuff with your powers you might be able to sense the power in it” he grumbled sourly fiddling with the hem of his sleeve.

“Oh...” she continued to play with the orb absently

She frowned when she suddenly realized something strange about the stone. She brought it a bit closer and stared intensely into glass toy. It looked like a rather large version of a marble from her time, but she quickly realized the colors in the orb she held were swirling and not fixed like she had thought before. She brought it closer to her face to watch the swirling green and grey smoke inside. Kagome gave a gasp when some strange energy from the orb reached out and pet her nose playfully. She paled and pulled the jewel as far away from her face as she could without dropping it.

Shippou was grinning happily up at her. Kagome took a few moments to gather her thoughts before she looked down at the kit in her lap. “What was that?” she whispered as if speaking to loudly would make the jewel smack her instead of pet her.

“It doesn't have a name, we just call it a Kitsune's jewel” Shippou said softly.

“I can sense the power in it now.” She admitted to the kit. “It was a constant flow when I picked up the jewel and I thought that was just the feel of the glass, when it touched my face that never really has any energy near it I realized I was feeling energy”

Shippou nodded and reached for the jewel and she passed it back to him.

“You know how foxes are supposed to like jewels and pretty things like this,” he said carefully as he shinned the jewel with his sleeve. Kagome nodded, her mother used to read stories to her when she was a child about naughty little Kitsune's, their love for jewels and toys, and the things they did to have said jewels and toys for themselves.

“Well a lot of that stuffs true, Kitsune's really like jewels but this kind of jewel you don't have to steal or buy, you make it” he sat the jewel in his lap. “Older Kitsune's make these and put positive energies in it to make themselves feel nice” he glanced up. “Your right, it does relieve stress and all that other stuff grown-ups worry about. You put a feeling in it, most Kitsune's like it to be a good feeling but I've met people who put bad feeling in it too” Shippou shook his head in disapproval.

“Anyway, when you feel bad or you need to think you take out your jewel and play with it while you think. It helps make you feel better. You can store energy in it too. Like if your really exhausted you can take a little energy out and use it, you just put some back later” Shippou shrugged.

“I think someone lost this one,” he said in a sad voice.

Kagome frowned at his reaction but kept quiet as he continued “Kitsune love these jewels so much I've seen grown-ups cry when they lose theirs. If somebody gets your jewel they can even use it against you if you get to attached to the jewel…but I think this one was for a kit”

“How can you tell?” she asked quietly

Shippou smirked a bit, “Cause the energy pet your nose like you were a little kid”

Kagome smiled and laughed softly, “I thought you just said this was for grown Kitsunes”

Shippou rolled his eyes a bit “It is but Kitsune's sometimes make it for their kits so it comforts them when they are away or busy. It doesn't do the same thing for a kit as it does for Kitsune's like store energy and help them think.”

Kagome nodded quickly as she listened intently, “Is it always a stone like this?”

Shippou quickly shook his head, “Most Kitsunes use stones but you can make it anything you like if you're good enough at using your energy,” he admitted.

Kagome scratched her head in thought, “It sounds like this is the reason why a lot of Kitsune's turn to thievery.”

Shippou grunted in confusion his big green eyes staring up at her as he waited for an explanation.

“Well just think about it, what if a kit gets attached to it and then they lose it. They think that jewels bring comfort and so they go steal what they can't or won't buy” Kagome murmured slouching over Shippou.

Shippou tilted his head in thought then nodded “your right” he hummed then sighed deeply.

They sat in silence a moment and Kagome shifted nervously wanting to ask if he had one, but she didn't want to upset him.

Shippou grinned up at her sensing her discomfort, “I had one” he admitted. “I wanted my papa's though and he refused, especially because he could always make me one instead of giving up his favorite jewel. He tried to teach me how to put a little energy in it so it wouldn't disappear should something happen but I didn't listen, I was really sure I would get his. I was too young to really put a lot of energy in it, I only needed a little to make it my jewel but he made it so his energy would always be in it to stay with me. I never did make it mine,” he fiddled with his clothes dejectedly. “I didn't know that when you die it disappeared with you to keep you company in the after life…or something like that” He smiled weakly. “When he died his jewel vanished and so did mine because I didn't want to listen to my papa”

Kagome took a deep breath feeling the tightening in her chest, “I'm sorry Shippou” she whispered.

“Why, I wanted to tell you” he said with an awkward smile.

Kagome shook her head and wrapped an arm around Shippou to pull him close. Shippou bowed his head a bit and Kagome sighed pressing a cheek to his.

Something wet touched her face and she heard him sniffle “I…” his voice cracked and she murmured words of comfort as he fought to find words.

“If I had listened to papa I would still have a little piece of him with me.” He went silent again for a long moment before he brought his hands to his face in an attempt to stop the tears that slipped down his cheeks in big fat droplets. The act was futile and when he realized this, he stifled his sob, “The one time I ignore him when he tells me to do something and I end up without anything.”

He sobbed aloud this time and all Kagome could do was hold him while he cried.

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry papa”

XXXXXXX

Kagome shifted Shippou's sleeping form in her arm as she walked around the field just outside the den rocking him like a babe in her attempt to comfort him while he slept. While she had tried to calm the crying kit, she had ended up crying with him. She licked her lips that were still salty with tears and sighed continuing to pace back and forth.

“What happened?”

Kagome froze and turned to see who had snuck up on her. A few of the female wolfs stood about a foot away from her pacing area while the others stood further back watching her carefully while the children ran around off in the distance. There were many more females than she saw before her but she assumed they had other work to take care of. She looked at the women closest to her and smiled weakly.

“He was remembering his dad” Kagome said quietly.

“Oh…” silence fell over them again and after a moment of awkward shifting and glances, Kagome turned to begin pacing again. However, the females wouldn't have any of that. Two of them quickly walked over to flank her sides and Kagome tensed looking between them warily as they intimidated her into walking toward the other group of females in the distance. She began to relax when she realized what they were doing.

They met up with the other females and began to walk. All of them were very silent and Kagome was sure her presence was the cause for the tense atmosphere.

“We can't leave you alone, you looked as if you didn't know what to do with a distressed pup” Kagome's gaze darted to Reina who had spoken. She walked at the head of the group and Kagome only nodded timidly, not in the mood to piss anyone off. Silence fell over them again until the female to Kagome's right stepped a little closer to get a look at Shippou.

She eyed the sleeping kit then glanced to Kagome before straightening to walk correctly

“The males had to see our prince off” she said after a long moment.

“The ceremony for him was today, the men are with him for the rite of passage ceremony and then the Prince will leave to wander our territory for fifty years and learn it well before he becomes pack leader” Kagome's eyes shifted in thought.

“Hakui needed to present a sword to his nephew for the journey”

Kagome's eyebrows rose in surprise. This was news to her.

“Female's aren't allowed for the ceremonies” another female spoke up.

Kagome snorted and something in the atmosphere around them changed. She cringed when she realized she had just insulted their traditions but when she glanced up, she caught a glimpse of the females smirking in amusement. Kagome smiled in relief. The group stopped and dropped the baskets of wet clothes in the grass. Kagome watched as they spread out and began to lay the clothes out on the grass to dry.

Realizing that trying to help would only get in the way, she sat down and watched.

The girl closest to her glanced up from her work, “You live with Hakui right, how can you stand him he's so vulgar.”

A wet shirt flew from somewhere and hit the girl in the face for her blunt comment. The demoness struggled to pull the wet cloth that had wrapped around her head away and Kagome sat stunned as the other demoness' scowled at the girl.

“You think he's vulgar?” Kagome asked finding herself unable to be upset about the insult.

“He's rude sometimes but aren't all people rude sometimes” she joked a bit.

The females shrugged a bit glancing at each other in question as they continued to work. She looked to the female who had been smacked by the shirt and was currently looking around for the culprit.

“No he's not vulgar, he's really kind, just a bit strict though. I think he's a wonderful person to know” Kagome answered honestly.

The females looked at her as if she had grown a second head, “You must not know him well then, has he told you how he's burned people with his fire power?” one girl gushed.

“How is burning someone during a fight vulgar, human's fight and demons too. I don't get what you're trying to say” the females sat a moment to think about what her comments.

“Well he uses fire,” came the weak reply after a moment.

“Don't you all?”

The females gasped and all of them shook their heads and talked agitatedly amongst themselves as if the thought were disgusting to them.

Kagome raised an eyebrow, “Our clan can only use water based attacks. At times of drought, we are paid to call on rain in areas too. He can't use water but he uses such destructive power like fire instead,” a small female pointed out. To Kagome she looked about sixteen or seventeen but Kagome was sure she was much older.

Kagome frowned, she had seen Jiji use water abilities plenty of times before, usually late in the afternoon when he didn't want to wait for fetched water and there was none in the cave. In fact, he could suck the water from the air with a wave of his hand. Kagome opened her mouth to tell them Jiji could use water attacks too but thought against it. For some reason these women didn't know he could use water and she felt it wasn't her place to tell them.

“Okay so he uses fire, why is that so bad”

“He can burn us with a look of his eyes” one of the girls gushed a bit to excitedly. The other females glanced at her strangely, as she bowed her head with a blush.

Kagome raised an eyebrow and eyed them all critically “You don't really think he's going to set you all on fire do you” a tense silence fell over the group and Kagome sighed, they obviously did believe he would burn them.

“He hates the clan” Reina pointed out quietly. All the females turned their attention to her. Kagome noted their reactions to her voice and she realized Reina was alpha female and if not that, she was highly ranked in the clan.

“I don't know if he does hate you but look at how you all just talk about him, it's obvious the clan doesn't like that he can use fire. That's the way he was born, it was a gift from his mother” Kagome said with a frown.

The females glanced at her, “Oh so he told you his mother was a fire spirit?” Reina murmured curiously.

Kagome nodded a bit.

“His mother WAS vulgar she loved to set fire to things, one to many of our clan members died when she became the new mate of our previous leader.” The small female sneered. Her anger seemed to fade after a moment and her shoulders sagged “I mean that's what I heard from the leader, I hadn't been born yet”

At this comment, Kagome had to roll her eyes.

“Okay what if his mother was a pyromaniac like you say, that doesn't mean he's the same, she pointed out.

The females glanced at her warily but nobody tried to change her mind.

“The leader is Hakui's elder brother, surely he wouldn't lie about his brother's behavior during childhood,” Another girl reasoned.

That made sense, so someone was telling the clan to be afraid of Jiji and they simply obeyed because he was leader and wouldn't `willingly' steer them wrong.

“Childhood? Okay so he got into some trouble when he was a little boy, doesn't everyone, why are you all analyzing everything like it was an attempt to knowingly hurt people” Kagome demanded. The females didn't answer because they simply didn't know.

“You all should try to get to know him he's really nice” she advised, again no one commented.

Shippou shifted in her arms and buried his face in her top. Kagome watched him as he nuzzled his face back and forth a goofy smile on his face, “kaa-san…” he grumbled. Kagome blushed blinking owlishly at the kit and the females chuckled at her expense.

“So how did a Miko end up with that old fire demon” Kagome rolled her eyes at the comment and glared at the snickering females.

The sun was setting by the time the clothes were dry enough to collect. Only four females remained of the group of ten that had sat and talked with her all day. The others had gone to begin dinner hours ago. Shippou sat awake playing with a blade of grass as he glanced around dazed. Kagome was helping the remaining females fold clothing up to be carried into the cave.

“Kit are you well?”

Shippou looked to Reina and nodded, “You're in the way, go do something with yourself” she huffed.

Shippou scowled and opened his mouth to say something rude when she continued, “The cubs still have a few hours before they have to come in, they stay out late and chase the fireflies” Shippou's mouth snapped shut with an audible click and he blinked as she turned away from him. He glanced at Kagome who sent him a reassuring smile. Shippou's face split with a grin. He didn't need to be told twice. The kit hopped to his feet and took off toward the children in the distance. Kagome chuckled and nodded in thanks to Reina who only shrugged.

Another half hour passed before the men appeared at the tree line.

Kagome looked up hearing the sounds of tired males making their way toward the den entrance. All of them were dressed in black armors, black clothes and black furs of different styles. Kagome grinned when she spotted Jiji in the crowd. She moved to step forward but a hand caught her shoulder. She looked at the female who was shaking her head, “you don't step in front of the alpha female like that” she murmured. Kagome nodded absently and looked back to the group. After a moment Reina started forward and the other girls followed, Kagome stumbled along after them. Most of the men acknowledged the wolf females with a nod and tried to stay at least 5 feet away from Kagome. The seemingly `invisible barrier', caused all the males to circle around her while they attempted to get past. She glanced around at them men strangely but shrugged it off. The other females had vanished so she took that as her chance to find Jiji. He wasn't hard to find being one of the tallest males there. Kagome rushed over to him and paused in arms reach of him to look him over.

Now he really looked like a wolf.

Now, he stood before her in a black fur pelt that hid his choice of clothes from view. He wore leg warmers made of black fur and was barefoot like the most of the males. Jiji smiled and Kagome grinned up at him, “Have you been well Kagome?”

She nodded quickly forgetting he couldn't see, “I had a really, interesting day with the female wolfs.”

Jiji's smile brightened a bit more and he swept the cloak aside to reach out and pet her head. This gave her a glimpse under the cloak. New black torso armor covered his chest and a glimpse at the side of the armor told her he wore nothing underneath it. On his arms were black metal arm guards. He wore a pair of skin-tight shorts that stopped just above his knees. Wrapped around his waist was a black fur pelt that stopped at his ankles. It hung off his hips a bit and was held closed by a pair of thick strings. Hanging on his hip was a sword but not the sword he had upon arrival. He looked a lot younger now that he was wearing his clan clothes but she welcomed the change.

“Nice clothes” she joked, flashing a grin.

He shrugged a bit “It's a status thing,” he grumbled as he untied the cloak and tossed it over her head. Kagome grunted and wrapped it around herself when she saw that it was an offer to keep herself warm from the quickly dropping temperature as night approached. Jiji began to walk and Kagome stumbled under the weight of the furs.

“This thing is heavy” she sighed.

“It's finely made, some of the best fur money can buy actually. It's more of a winter type clothing, but the black wolf clan wear it as everyday clothing.” Kagome nodded absently as they walked toward the den entrance.

“Do you want it?”

Kagome smiled happily “Really I can have it,” he nodded and she frowned in thought, “…but don't you have to return these things to whoever you borrowed them from?”

Jiji snorted “Are you suggesting that I share clothes with my pack mates?” he asked with a mix of sarcasm and disgust that left Kagome confused.

“What, but didn't you borrow them. You didn't come here with clothes,” she pointed out.

He shrugged “I left clothes here; I realized a while ago my brother could always convince me to come home for something he deemed important enough. To avoid…ugh…complications I simply began to leave clothes here.”

He ran a hand through his hair that flowed over his shoulders freely for the first time in her memory.

“I'd never wear the clothes of anyone else in the clan, I don't like anybody enough” he wrinkled his nose in displeasure and Kagome giggled amused.

“So where did you hide the clothes you came here in?”

Jiji ran a hand through his hair with a frustrated grunt.

“Yeah…” he trailed off as if trying to think of a way to explain.

He stopped walking and turned to her, “You know that imbecile we met upon arrival?” The memory was blurry but she remembered a voice. Taking her silence as a no he waved a hand, “Well you can see fine. He's the guy with a lovely bruise around his neck and now he has new facial markings.” Kagome glanced around at the crowd of men and quickly spotted the demon Jiji referred too.

He turned in her direction and glared allowing her a glimpse of five flaming red claw marks stretching from his left temple to his right jaw, just missing his jugular vein. Kagomes jaw dropped in horror. She was very sure those marks weren't there last night.

“He stole my clothes and tossed them into the bon fire at the ceremony today, infront of everyone too. Little bastard!” Jiji grumbled his youki showing on his skin in a threatening manner. Kagome took a moment to rub her temple in disbelief, “He was harassing you so you scratched him in the face?”

Jiji tilted his head and gave his shark toothed grin “I'm in front of my clan, I had to defend my honor and if I don't discipline the brave ones they like to gang up on you. Reminds me of teenage females just thinking about some of the things they do.” He cackled in laughter and Kagome immediately stepped away from him unnerved by the completely out of character behavior. Noticing the sudden movement he immediately stopped and pet her head again.

“I didn't mean to scratch him though,” he admitted sheepishly.

Kagome relaxed a bit until he spoke up again “I was trying to eat his eye…been having strange cravings for eyes lately.”

Kagome cringed and glared up at him. He gave a toothy grin and turned to walk away again. Kagome followed not wanting to be left alone “So where is the kit?”

“Playing with the other kids” Kagome answered. “He had a tough day today” she sighed. “Really? You'll have to tell me what happened later” he hummed.

“Hakui!”

Jiji paused and Kagome saw him bite his lip. She knew he would have something crude had he not shown restraint

“What Shota.”

Kagome's jaw dropped in horror when the meaning of that name ran through her brain a few times.

“Stop calling me that!!”

Kagome glanced back to see a demon that couldn't be anybody else but Jiji's older brother. They looked strikingly alike but this man was a bit thinner in his build and his features were sharper while Jiji's face looked almost rounded and smoother. Like Jiji, he wasn't bad on the eyes either. Kagome couldn't see his clothing under the long fur pelt like the one she wore, but she was sure he wore armor. The only difference she could see between the two brothers outfits was the gold band around the leaders neck.

“Your annoying Shoda” Jiji sighed.

Shoda waved the comment off and his brown eyes darted to Kagome. Kagome stared in fascination, she was very sure she had never seen a youkai with brown eyes, just the same, he had never seen a human with blue eyes. His face twisted in disgust as he eyed Kagome and she unconsciously stepped closer to Jiji for support and protection.

Noticing Kagome's reaction, it didn't take a genius to figure out his brother was glaring at the poor girl.

“Why are you giving that Miko furs of our clan” he demanded.

Jiji turned fully to show he was no longer dismissing his elder brother, “What I do with my belongings is none of your concern” Jiji replied with a pleasant smile. Both Kagome and Shoda shivered, his response had been too sugar coated and from Shoda's experience, that meant someone was going to end up nursing third degree burns or in a coma. Neither meant well for those in the immediate vicinity. His clan members took note of the hostility in Jiji's word and moved back a good few paces.

Shoda was not foolish so he let that particular matter drop and instead chose one that made people question his sanity. It was a well known fact among clan members that in a match of strength Hakui could wipe the floor with Shoda if he slipped up a bit in battle and Hakui was also one for sharp wit that made people mad as hell. The only reason their positions weren't switched was because Hakui was a mutt.

They couldn't have a mutt running their clan now could they?

“How dare you bring that human Miko into my caves! I tolerated it for my son but now he has gone and the celebration is over” Shoda sneered.

“Shota-kun…”

Shoda snarled at the degrading nickname as Jiji continued, “She is mine and I do as I please, I couldn't have her burning out my cave now could I.”

Somebody found this comment so amusing they gained the momentary amount of balls to laugh aloud. Jiji's eyes cracked open a bit and that foolish male howled like a banshee when his pants suddenly caught fire. The site was so startling for the clan members they scattered and ran away while their pack mate flopped on the ground frantically. Kagome only stared numbly stuck in between violent laughing fits and screaming angrily for no reason.

“if you're going to bother me over such trivial things I'll just leave and never come back” Jiji sighed dramatically.

“your of the clan you can't detach yourself from us.”

“No that's you and your mob mentality I've been fine for a thousand something years without your help or your company. All we do is fight!” Jiji snapped irritably “I am old, and I am tired of the stares and the whispers behind my back. You've always been accepted and I have not, its frustrating and I'm past the childish behavior now” Jiji growled. Kagome knew that had Jiji been any less mature he would have stomped his feet “The furs are hers and I'll give her whatever I so please. And you will not disrespect her. If you haven't forgotten she is a miko if she meant harm she would have done her damage. Right now she is with me and I won't tolerate the disrespect to what is mine.”

Jiji took a few deep breaths “We will leave at the crack of dawn and I will not return here again, I have had enough” Silence fell over the group as Jiji turned and walked away, Kagome followed numbly.

XXXXXXX

Kagome walked drowsily down the path pulling the cloak of black fur closer to her body. The torches danced eerily on either side of the path but she paid them no heed, she was exhausted. Shippou was stumbling after her clutching his new precious marble for dear life. Jiji was behind them and at a distance Shoda stood beside Reina who was glaring venomously at her mate. Jiji didn't look back because, after all, he couldn't see. After a moment, they finally reached the other side of the field and the little group vanished into the forest. They walked in silence and the sun was just turning the sky blue when Kagome finally spoke, “So that was your clan?”

Jiji smirked a bit “Yes that was my clan and I hate the lot of them,” he said as if it were perfectly normal to say such things.

“They don't like you because you use fire like you mother” Kagome murmured a bit angrily. “One girl kept using the word vulgar and I don't think she knew what the word meant but that's what she called your mother” Kagome shook her head. “I hear she was a pyromaniac”

Jiji's grin widened a bit, “Oh she was, and not sane at all in the barest sense, but then again neither was my father if you would mate someone so uncontrollable.”

Kagomes eyebrows shot up, “Really, so she was `vulgar' as they called it?” Jiji nodded eagerly and Kagome frowned at how strange he reacted to certain comments.

“She loved to wander around naked. She wasn't used to clothing so she chose not to wear them unless my father demanded it of her, she set things on fire and hurt a lot of people, had very crude language too” Jiji chuckled at a few fond memories.

“Jiji are you mad at your brother so much you won't come back and visit him. I'm sure he didn't mean to push you away like that.” Kagome pleaded.

“Eh…oh we were over that hours ago, he knows I'll be back.” he chuckled when he heard her relieved sigh. “We fight all the time, ever since we were children, I doubt that will change. He's the only person who understands me well enough to keep the clan away from me so I won't kill them. I'm sure you've noticed their incompetence,” Kagome shrugged a bit. “A while ago I decided I would leave the clan, my mothers deeds followed me into adult hood and I got tired of the rejection.”

Kagome nodded in understanding as he continued

“Of course he needed a way to irritate me and pacify the clan who was in an uproar because of my departure. They thought I would come back for revenge or something of the sort” he waved the comment away and Kagome giggled.

“The clan cannot comprehend why someone would want to leave the pack for any reason, so to make them shut up Shoda told them that I left the clan ashamed I had burned someone”

Kagome only shook her head, she couldn't understand why men did these types of things to one another.

“So you actually get along with your brother?”

Jiji nodded and sent her a grin.

“You keep forgetting we are youkai and not humans. Our version of brotherly love is not the same as yours my dear kagome. Youkai siblings have nasty little fights sometimes those fights get bloody. I've known youkai who have killed their siblings either over something as simple as a disagreement or just to survive harsh times, that sibling they killed was just one less competitor for food.”

Kagome paled a bit at the description, her thoughts drifting to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, “That's rare though most youkai siblings won't kill each other but they will hurt each other badly” Kagome glanced at Shippou who stared at her in question obviously thinking the same thing she was. He shrugged when he realized she was looking to him for confirmation. “I may despise the clan but I'm rather fond of my brother's mate” he murmured absently.

Kagome grunted in confusion and he smiled, “Reina, I think you met her.”

Kagome's head bobbed up and down quickly.

“She's rather amusing, easily angered but she can make Shoda cower when she tries. I'm sure she'll give him an earful because of the scene he caused yesterday” he chuckled sinisterly at the thought and Kagome only glanced at him, obviously disapproving of his behavior.

She looked back to Jiji before tugging the furs tighter around her body and jogging toward him. When she caught up with him, he reached out and tugged her closer. She stumbled collapsing into his side but he held her upright as he somehow managed to keep her and himself moving.

“Jiji!” she cried startled.

He chuckled a bit brushing her angry cry off, “So do you like your new furs?”

Kagome smiled and held them over her face “Yeah they're great, thank you” she whispered fondly. “They smell like you Jiji, like-“ she paused a moment to take in the scent again before continuing “like a freshly built fire outside on a spring evening” she nodded liking the description she had given.

He nodded approvingly to her acceptance of the gift, “Now I can really say your mine. Instead of having to fight with my customers about your presence, you can simply show them the furs” he pointed out cheerily.

Shippou snorted from behind them, kagome glanced back and Jiji turned an ear to the kit “I don't think that's going to stop the common youkai from calling Kagome a lowly human, it's like a popular trend or something” he huffed. Jiji shrugged finding the comment amusing enough to grin.

“I can try can't I” Jiji replied jokingly.

Kagome and Shippou shrugged.

Jiji leaned down a bit closer to Kagome and she glanced up curiously at the youkai that towered over her small body “Did you know that Male's are supposed to give the females in their family gifts like fine furs, meat, jewelry, and weapons.” Kagome blinked but didn't respond, “Your mine so I have to make sure your fed well and you have the best furs, of course you can have what weapons you like…” he trailed off as Kagome wrinkled her nose at him.

“I'm not a possession.”

He only continued to smile at her “I'm a youkai that it doesn't mean the same thing as it does when a human male says it, for instance what human male would give a female weapons.” Kagome chuckled amused, she could think of many instances where women had access to sharp kitchen utensils but she understood what Jiji was trying to say. “Besides Shippou is mine too and he doesn't complain” Jiji huffed pointing to the kit.

Shippou scratched his head glancing at them strangely “I just don't comment” he replied dryly. Kagome caught the smile that crossed Shippou's face. Jiji pouted and Kagome could have died laughing at that moment.

“Okay that's nice and all but I'm human,” she said with a wary smile.

Jiji gave a mock suffering sigh “Your mine so it doesn't matter” he waved his hand with a strange flourish Kagome never wanted to see again. “I'll have to find you an acceptable male and he will then bring you gifts”

“I thought you were trying to get Sin and Kagome together,” Shippou pointed out.

Jiji stiffened, “He went too far too fast, he hasn't even asked if he may have Kagome”

Kagome blushed and glared at Jiji, “Besides he and Kagome cannot make little ones if I cut off his ba-“

“JIJI!”

He pouted a bit when she interrupted his comments, “What, he touched you inappropriately, so shameful” he shook his head and Kagome rolled her eyes.

“Sin and I might not get along but you're not cutting off his little …um…friend”

“Ptfgh!” Jiji stuck his tongue from his mouth and gave the most absurd laugh. The image he made caused Kagome to fall into a giggling fit and Shippou soon joined them.

“…little…”

Kagome immediately stopped laughing her face turning bright red.

“Did you see said little friend Kagome-chan” Jiji teased once he caught his breath.

“No, I didn't!” she sputtered thoroughly embarrassed.

“I won't cut it off but I won't promise anything else, us canines are protective of our little ones, females especially” he chuckled sinisterly. Kagome only scowled at him “Just don't let him touch you again until you two are mates.”

Kagome rolled her eyes “I can't promise that.”

Jiji grinned so viciously Kagome flinched, suddenly afraid for Sin's health. “Okay just hope I never catch him then” he said pleasantly.

“Wait, are you saying you would actually let him do that again,” Shippou cried.

Kagome blushed “Shippou” she ground out at the grinning kit.

“Remember Kagome, you're supposed to hug little kits and give them candy and stuff” Shippou said sweetly.

Kagome's eyes widened in mock surprise “Really, I never heard that rule, when was it made” she asked calmly stalking toward Shippou.

Shippou's eyes shifted nervously “Just now.”

Kagome nodded as if confirming the information “Nice try kit” Shippou turned and ran for his life and Kagome followed leaving Jiji standing on the road wondering what just happened.

“Damn pups are confusing” he shook his head and started down the road knowing his wards would catch up later.

XXXXXXXX

That is chapter 4 and as I always ask Read and Review.