[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 17: Introducing Kaede and a Brother's Conviction

"Nico! InuYasha! Where are you guys?" came the voice of Shippou through the trees.
Nico and InuYasha both jumped back. They just looked at each, not believing what almost just
happened. Nico looked at InuYasha, who was starring intently at her. She got to her feet and held
out her hand. InuYasha took it and got up. She let go of his hand, but he held on to hers and used
it to pull her close once more. Just then, Shippou came bounding through the trees on the back of
Kirara.
"What's taking you guys so long? We are way ahead of you," stated the little fox.
He looked at Nico and then at InuYasha, both of which were acting weird.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
"Nothing Shippou," stated InuYasha.
Shippou looked at the pair more closely.
"He didn't do anything to you did he, Nico?" asked Shippou.
"Of course not you stupid little runt!" yelled InuYasha.
"No, Shippou. I tripped and fell and I thought I hurt my ankle. InuYasha was only helping me.
Everything's fine."
Nico gave a little smile and that seem to calm the little fox demon. He jumped off Kirara and into
Nico's arms. She held Shippou close as he snuggled into her chest. InuYasha gave a low, guttural
growl. This surprised both he and Shippou. What am I doing? It's like I'm jealous of that little
runt or something! Then InuYasha realized that was exactly what was wrong with him. Shippou
was in her arms, snuggling up to her. It wasn't fair.
Nico wondered what was wrong with InuYasha. His mood changed so quickly. She turned to say
something to him but he began walking away.
"Well, she's fine so we better get moving or I'll never hear the end of it from Kagome."
"InuYasha's right, Nico. Besides, after dark, all kinds of big, scary demons come out." At this,
Shippou snuggled closer.
"Don't worry, Shippou. InuYasha and I will protect you. Isn't that right InuYasha?"
"Feh," was all InuYasha said.
Nico was a little hurt. What had happened? Why was he acting so differently? Nico was taken
from her thoughts by the feeling of someone's eyes on her. She picked her head up straight and
looked slowly over her shoulder. What is that? Could it be one of those demons Shippou was
talking about? She peered through the trees and saw a pair of eyes watching her. She didn't
move, though, or make a sound. She just stood there and watched the eyes, watching her. She
was scared, but she wouldn't show it and she didn't want to startle Shippou. Kirara came over
and sniffed the air. She gave a low growl as she took a protective stance in front of Nico and

---

Shippou. InuYasha heard it and turned, immediately reaching for Tetsusaiga.
"No, InuYasha. Let's not fight," said Nico.
"What?" questioned InuYasha.
"Whatever or whoever is there, has been there for sometime. They would have attacked by now
if they meant to harm us," said Nico. "Let's just go now."
InuYasha gave a low growl but did not release his hold on Tetsusaiga. Nico, carrying a now
sleeping Shippou, got onto Kirara's back. She took off with InuYasha following closely behind.
After they had gone from sight, Sesshoumaru stepped into the small clearing. So little brother,
your desire for the girl is stronger than I thought. Well my desire is equally as strong and I will
not let this little incident go un-dealt with. Sesshoumaru gave a low chuckle and took off,
through the air, to catch up with the others.
When Nico, InuYasha, Shippou, and Kirara arrived at the edge of the forest, they ran into Kouga.
"What kept you? We were beginning to wonder if something ate you." Kouga chuckled at this.
"Yes, indeed. What did keep you InuYasha?" came Miroku, who was leaning against a tree
behind Kouga. "You should have seen poor Kagome when she realized Nico was not with us.
She completely lost it."
Nico got off Kirara's back and walked over to the two, Shippou still fast asleep in her arms.
"I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I tripped over some branches and I thought I hurt
my ankle. InuYasha stayed behind to help me," said Nico.
"That's alright," said Miroku. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Shippou insisted he go find you, but Sesshoumaru followed behind him, just in case something
happened," said Kouga.
InuYasha stiffened at this. Back at the clearing, he though he smelled his brother, but wrote it off
as nothing. Now he knew why. So that demon in the brush was Sesshoumaru! Shit! That means
he saw me and Nico. Damn, I'm gonna have a hard time explaining this one.
Just then, Kagome came running out of a small hut. She wrapped her arms around Nico,
squeezing the life out of a surprised Shippou.
"Kagome, this really isn't necessary," said Nico.
"WHAT! I thought you had been taken or worse!"
"Really now Kagome, I'm okay and in one peice. Although, I can't say the same for Shippou."
Both girls looked down at the poor little fox, eyes bulging from Kagome's death hug.
"I'm so sorry Shippou," said Kagome.
She took him in her arms and with one hand dragged Nico behind her.

---

"Come you guys," said Kagome. "Let's get inside."
"We're still waiting on Sesshoumaru to get back," said Miroku.
"No your not," came Sesshoumaru from behind them all.
"Aahh!" yelped Kouga. "Jeez, your creepy enough without having to sneak up behind people!"
"Afraid little wolf?" Sesshoumaru chuckled.
Kouga just gave him an evil look and walked off behind Kagome. Miroku followed him.
InuYasha, who had leaned against a nearby tree, got up and was making his way toward the hut
when Sesshoumaru grabbed his arm.
"And where do you think your going?"
"To the hut with the others."
"I don't think so. We have something we need to talk about."
"We have nothing to talk about!"
"Oh yes we do little brother."
"Well, then, what would it be, dear brother?"
"Don't be foolish. You know that it was I in the woods. You know I saw you."
"And?"
"You broke our agreement!"
"I did no such thing!"
"You lie! If Shippou had not come, you would still be back there probably marking her by now!"
"Yeah, well. If you saw everything, then you would have seen that she came to me!"
"Because you played that "poor pitiful me" card."
"Will you shut up! Your just jealous because she chose me"
"I didn't her say she chose anything."
"You know your really starting to get on my nerves."
"You made an agreement with me, brother, and if you want to break it and do this the old fashion
way, so be it. I may have over come my hate for you, but Toukijin has not."
"Is that a threat, Sesshoumaru?!"
"It is merely a statement of fact."
The two inu brothers locked eyes, both tense and ready to attack. But instead of either advancing,
both backed away and decided to settle this another time. Keeping their distance, they walked
towards the hut.
Meanwhile, Nico had been taken inside and sat down between Kagome, who was still nursing a
bulgy eyed Shippou, and Sango, in who's lap rested a transformed Kirara. Taki ran over and
wrapped her arms around Nico's neck and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. She giggled and so
did Nico. Kouga was seated on the other side of Kagome. Next to Sango's other side, sat Miroku.
Across from their semi-circle sat an elderly woman with a patch over her right eye. Her long,
gray hair was tied behind her and she wore white and red robes. This must be Kaede. Nico was intrigued.
"Welcome, child, to my home and to the Warring States of Japan. Kagome has told us all about
you."

---

Nico smiled sweetly at the elderly woman.

---

Document Outline

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

---