The moonlight reflected silver off the ancient treetop.  The spring breeze caught the leaves and it seemed to shimmer as if it lived.  Kaede watched, kneeling on her favorite rock.  Her brother and sister didn’t understand why she liked to be outside after dark.  They spent most of their time indoors, watching television.  Kaede’s demon sight made the real world much more fascinating than anything on television.  Kaede sighed and wrapped her arms around herself.  A scent surrounded her as she sat up and turned to greet her father.

Father seemed so young and yet Kaede knew he was old… Much older than mother.  He used to be a demon.  Mother was a sort of witch.  Kaede was a nice mixture of both their talents… something her younger siblings lacked.  She scooted over on her rock, giving him room to sit.  He took a seat and she leaned against him.

“Little one, why are you out here all alone?” he asked gently.

“Papa, I’m restless.  Is this what it is to be demon?” she asked, staring at the tree.

“A part of it,” he smiled, wrapping his arms around her and resting his cheek on her head.  “Your mother worries about you,” he whispered.  “Maybe you should go reassure her.”

“I know, but I’m a big girl now,” Kaede dropped her eyes and blushed.

“What happened to the little girl I came home to?” her father chuckled and kissed her cheek.  

“She grew up,” Kaede laughed.

“You’re the age your mother was when I first met her.”

“I know.”  She lay against his shoulder, breathing in his sweet scent.  A part of him still held the wildness of the demon, even though his form was human.  “Papa, I want to go away and find myself, but I don’t know where to begin.”

“Kaede,” her father began, touching her shoulder.  She turned to stare at him.  “Do you remember the world your mother took you to find me?”

Kaede blinked, remembering bits and pieces from her childhood.  She vaguely recalled walking in an open place.  “I think so.  Why?”

“I came from that world.  A part of you belongs there,” he said, quietly.

“What do you mean?”

“You are a part of my demon side and it belonged in that time.  Can you feel it?  The call of the wild places?” he asked sadly.

She sat up and closed her eyes.  “I can,” she responded.

“Then go there.”

“But you and mama,” Kaede began, turning back to her father.

“Mama understands.  She knows a part of you is demon and hungers to find your own path.  As much as we love you, we know you aren’t completely happy here,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her.

“Inuyasha?  Kaede?” a voice called as footsteps approached.  Kaede’s mother found them.  

The young woman sprang up and embraced her mother.  “Oh, mama, is it true?  Will you let me go find my way?” she asked.

Her mother held her close.  “Of course, my dear.  You’re father and I agreed that should your demon blood call, we would let you go.”

“Thank you, oh thank you,” the girl cried, including her father in the embrace.  “I will find my way and return to you, I promise.”

Her parents smiled at her with sad smiles.  “Myouga?” her father called into the darkness.

“Yes, my lord?” the flea demon answered the bidding.

“I charge you with the care of the Lady Kaede until she returns to us,” Inuyasha commanded formally.

“Yes, my lord,” the flea responded, bowing low and jumping to Kaede’s shoulder.

“When shall I go, papa… mama?” the young woman asked.

“Whenever you are ready.  We understand.  Don’t we, Kagome?” Inuyasha asked, glancing to his wife.

“Yes,” Kagome gave her child a small smile.  “All I ask is that you take care of yourself.”

“I will,” Kaede smiled.

*          *          *

“Do you know what this is?” Kaede’s father asked the next day, holding out a sword.

“It’s your sword,” Kaede responded.  She knew about swords.  Her father had taught her how to handle one since she was very young.  This particular blade was rarely used.  Mother said it was special to father.

“This is my sword,” her father agreed.  “It was made from the fang of my father, your grandfather, the great dog demon to protect my mother.  It was bound to me long before I can remember.  I can no longer use it the way it’s intended, but it still holds a piece of my spirit,” he said sadly.  He stared at his child.  “Give me your hand.”

The young woman obeyed.  Her father took it gently in his hand with the palm up and swiped it with the blade.

Kaede flinched and cried out as blood flowed from her palm.  Her father took her hand and placed it on the blade, covering it with his own.  “This is Kaede, flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood, soul of my soul.  Serve her as you do me.”  The sword transformed into a mighty fang.  “This is Tetsusaiga.  It transforms when you fight for those who need protection.  Mortals mostly… Take care of it until you are ready to return it.”

The young woman stared in shock at the sword and her father.  She was suddenly aware of the trust he had placed in her hands.  She hugged and kissed him.

*         *        *

Kaede resisted the call of her demon blood for almost a week.  In that time she stayed near her family, taking comfort in their company.

One night she stared out on the God Tree.  “Myouga,” she whispered.

“Yes, my lady?”

“It is time,” she responded, picking up her packed bag and her father’s sword.  The flea alighted on her shoulder and she carried him to the well.

She took a deep breath and jumped.  She pulled herself back out of the well and dusted off her hands, glancing around.  She could see a small building in the pale moonlight that stood near where her house would be.  Myouga’s voice whispered in her ear, “That wasn’t here last time.”

“Someone built it, I wonder who,” the young woman said thoughtfully.  She made her way cautiously to the building, keeping her senses open to a threat.

“Halt!” a voice said.

She paused, looking around, trying to pinpoint the owner of the voice, but failing.  She took another step and a force knocked her to the ground, pinning her there.

“I said, ‘halt!’” the voice growled above her.

“Get off of me!” Kaede cried, pushing against her attacker, trying to find a place to dig in her claws, but it was almost too dark to see.

“Reveal your name!” the voice hissed.

A scent touched Kaede’s nose.  It was a scent she hadn’t smelled in years… not since she regained her father.  This scent was etched in her memory as meaning comfort.  “Shippou?”

The one above her sat up a little.  “How do you,” he began in a less threatening voice.

“Shippou, it’s me, Kaede… You knew me as a baby.  Remember my mother?”

“Kagome,” the other whispered.

“That’s right,” the girl responded as warm arms surrounded her.

“Oh, Kaede-chan,” the other cried.  “I’m so sorry I knocked you down.  We were having problems with demons and… oh, come inside.  Miroku and Sango will want to meet you.”  Strong hands pulled Kaede to her feet.  It was still too dark for her to see her old playmate.  He guided her to the building she had seen and threw open the door.  “I’m back and I brought a friend,” he announced.  An older couple looked up from the table they were seated at.  “This is Kaede, Kagome and Inuyasha’s daughter.  Kaede, this is Miroku, the former monk and Sango, the former demon slayer.  They are the guardians of this shrine.”

Kaede blushed and bowed respectfully.

“Long time, no see Shippou, my lad,” Myouga greeted from his lady’s shoulder.  “Miroku… Sango…” he acknowledged the other two.

“Still running from battle?” Shippou laughed.

Kaede glanced at her old playmate.  He had grown to around her father’s height.  His tawny hair was long and unruly.  He held it back with a blue bow at the base of his neck and it fell down past his waist.  He wore a half kimono with his foxtail exposed.  His pants went to his ankle where his fox feet were bare.  His eyes still held the amusement of youth from behind heavy lashes.  He winked at Kaede.  Kaede dropped her eyes and blushed.

“Kaede-chan?” Miroku the former monk breathed,  “This young woman is the little Kaede you told us all about for many years?”  He stood and looked the nervous girl over.  “You didn’t tell us she was so lovely.”

“She was a baby the last time I saw her!” Shippou growled.

“So?” the former lecherous monk winked.  “She’s definitely Kagome’s child… Look at her!”

“Miroku-shujin, you’re making her nervous.”  Sango frowned.  She turned to the girl and smiled.  “You are welcome here, Kaede-chan.  Tell us about your parents.”

“Well I… I um…” Kaede stumbled over her words.

“You guys are harsh.  She comes through our well and you interrogate her.  Besides… She’s my friend, so I get her first.”  Shippou smiled and took Kaede’s hand.  “Come on, let’s take a walk outside,” he said, pulling her out the door.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Miroku called after them.

Shippou laughed as he led Kaede to the God Tree.  “Long time, no see.  Who knew little Kaede, who used to hit me with her stuffed dog when she was angry, would grow up so well.”

“Shippou…” she giggled, sitting near the roots of the tree.

“Is that Inuyasha’s sword?” the young man asked, pointing to her waist.

“He let me use it for my journey.”

“Why are you here?”

“My demon blood was restless.  Why are you here?”

The young man hugged his knees.  “Same thing, but I was younger.  I decided to split after you got your dad back… no use in me sticking around, right?  Besides, this world is easier to live in than the other.”

“I think I know what you mean.”

“So,” Shippou grinned.  “How is your old man?”

Kaede smiled.  “He’s good.  I think he and mother both miss adventure, but they have my siblings to stay with.”

Shippou stared at her in shock.  “You’ve got siblings?”

“A brother and a sister, twins… ten year olds,” she sighed.

“Don’t sound so down,” Shippou teased.

“It’s just that they are so… human… I’m sorry,” she blushed and covered her face in embarrassment.

“Don’t be, Kaede-chan.  I’m your big brother, remember?  You can tell me anything.  How about Inuyasha and Kagome?”

“The strange thing is, they aren’t really human.  They pretend to be to look normal, but deep down… father is still a demon and mother is still a witch.  Does that make sense?”

Shippou nodded.  “Sounds like they are playing their roles to fit in… What about you Kaede-chan?”

“I don’t belong there.  Mother home schooled me because of my demon heritage.  I don’t really have any friends… besides my parents.”

“You have me,” Shippou smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

“Thank you, Shippou-chan,” Kaede smiled affectionately and leaned against him with a yawn.  “I’m so tired,” she moaned as her eyes closed.  Hours passed.

Kaede struggled with consciousness.  She felt warm and safe.  She opened her eyes to see Shippou sleeping beside her.  His face was slack with sleep as he snored softly.  His tail covered her, keeping her warm… much like he had done when they were younger.  Kaede smiled.  She felt another presence besides the ever-present flea demon and turned her head to see Miroku.

“Sleep well?” he asked with a wink.

“What?  We didn’t…” she began, but gave up.  “We just talked,” she scowled.

Miroku gave a knowing smile and strolled away on his morning walk.

“What?” she sat up, indignantly.  “We did!”

“Kaede-chan,” Shippou moaned, tossing am arm around her waist and forcing her back to the ground.  “It’s too early,” he yawned.

Kaede smiled at her friend and gently wiggled out of his embrace.  He sighed, hugged his tail and rolled over, murmuring her name.

She stood and followed in the direction the monk had gone.  She rounded a corner and came upon him suddenly, as if her had been waiting for her.  “Good morning,” he greeted.

She smiled shyly.  “Good morning.”

Miroku regarded her thoughtfully.  “Why are you here, Kaede-chan?  Surely your parents miss you.”

“I know they do,” Kaede replied.  “But the demon in me was restless… and they let me go.”

Miroku regarded her thoughtfully with a smile.  His eyes caught on her waist.  “I see you have your father’s sword.”

Kaede looked down at the sword.  “He bound it to me for my journey.”

“Interesting…” Miroku nodded.  “I didn’t know he would think to do that.”

“Father has been restless too… and mama…” Kaede broke off and sighed.  “I think they miss this place.  But they have the twins to take care of.”

“Twins?” Miroku raised an eyebrow.

“My brother and sister.  They are ten.”

“Human?”

“Human…” she confirmed.  “Don’t get me wrong, I love them… but I’m not like them.  I sometimes wonder why I was born.”

“Your parents were in love.  We were all jealous of it.  Weren’t we Myouga?”

“You and Shippou were.  I was happy for my lord and lady.”

“Shippou was jealous?” Kaede made a face.

“He had a little crush on your mother.”

“Oh…” she responded, softly.

“But after he got back, all he could talk about was his little sister, Kaede-chan.”

“Really?” she asked, dropping her eyes demurely.

“He really missed you.  That’s probably why he sticks around the well, hoping someone will come through.”

Kaede blushed.

“He may have regretted his choice to stay here rather than return with your family.”

“Well, I’m here now,” she said softly.

“Yes, and what are your plans?”

She blinked in puzzlement, “Plans?”

“You must have had some reasons to come here, besides restlessness.”

The young woman frowned.  “I just… I need to… That is I…” she pouted.

“Find your way?  Shippou said that too,” Miroku said with a wink.  “Might I suggest, as an old friend of your family, that you take Shippou along in whatever you are going to do?  Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be wandering alone.”

Kaede gave him a strange smile.  “Do I look that helpless?  I am the daughter of Kagome, the seer and Inuyasha, the half inu youkai.”

He raised his hands in a warding gesture.  “I just meant…” he began.

“I’m teasing you, uncle.  I assure you that I am tougher than I look… but I will abide by your wishes and take Shippou with me, if he accepts.”

“If who accepts?” a voice called from behind her.  She turned to see Shippou leaning against a tree, staring at them.  

“If you accept,” she said.

“Accept what?” his eyes flashed hopefully.

“To come with me on my journey,” she responded.

He smiled.  “Of course.  Can’t have my little sister wandering around in the woods alone.”

“Then it’s settled,” Miroku smiled and bowed politely to Kaede.  “Our house is your house.  Please come visit again.  We’ll take about your parents,” he said with a wink.

“Thank you, I shall,” she bowed in response.

“Oh, and Shippou?” he turned to the lad.

“What?”

“Watch out for demons in atsui,” Miroku laughed.

Shippou turned bright red and tried to cover his face with his hands, leaving his red, pointed ears exposed.

“Demons in atsui?” Kaede echoed.

“It nothing… nothing.  A joke,” Shippou responded, rubbing his face to regain composure. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’m ever going to be,” Kaede replied.  “I just need to get my bag.”

Shippou smiled playfully and reached behind the tree he had been leaning against to pull out her bag.  He tossed it at her with a wink.

“Are you that anxious to leave, Shippou-kun?” Miroku asked with a laugh.

“No… Just had plenty of experience with Kagome-sama leaving her bag behind.  I figure like mother, like daughter.”

Kaede pouted at the young fox man.  He laughed at her.

They bade their good byes to Miroku and made him promise to pass along their well wishes for Sango when she awoke.  Finally they were trekking through the woods.

Shippou took Kaede’s pack and carried it, despite her protests.  “I’m older and stronger than you are,” he reasoned.  “Besides, you have a sword to carry.”

Kaede glanced down at her father’s sword.  It felt natural at its place on her hip.  She remembered Miroku’s awe that her father had thought to bind it to her.  She remembered Miroku’s other words about… “Shippou?” she addressed her companion.

“What is it?” he asked, glancing at her.

“Why did you stay here after I got my papa back?”

“I told you.  I was restless,” he said, quietly.

“There’s more to it than restlessness, wasn’t there?”

“Don’t know what you mean,” he mumbled.

“You loved my mother, right?”

Shippou stopped in his tracks.  “Who told you that?”

“Doesn’t matter.  You did, didn’t you?”

“I… uh… She was so much older than I was.  And she loved your father.  But things changed,” he finished quickly, resuming his walk.

Kaede ran to catch up with him.  “How did things change?” she demanded.

“You were born,” he said simply.

“Why would my birth change things?” she puffed as she jogged to keep up with his speed walk.

He stopped suddenly and she ran into him.  He turned and caught her before she could fall.  “With your birth… I finally realized something, Kaede-chan,” he responded with a gentle hug.  “She wasn’t whom I was meant for.  She had Inuyasha and I had…” he broke off his thought with a blush.

“What?” she asked eagerly.

He opened his mouth to speak, but seemed to reconsider.  He settled for other words.  “I had to grow up… to become worthy of… something,” he finished with a small smile.

“Worthy of what?”

“Whatever I need to be worthy of,” he replied with a laugh.  He turned on his heel and skipped down the path they had been following.  “Are you coming, slow poke?” he teased over his shoulder.

“Why won’t you answer me straight, Shippou-kun?  Don’t you like me?” she asked with a whimper.

Shippou stopped, mid-hop and turned to stare at her.  “Of course I like you!” he cried.  “But I am a fox demon and fox demons… well… I’m just shy, that’s all,” he finished quickly.  He skipped to her and caught her in another hug.  “I promise I’ll tell you things when the time is right.  Alright, Kaede-chan?”  He smiled cutely at her.

“Alright,” she agreed.

He grinned and gave her a peck on the cheek.  “Come on, let’s go!” he giggled as he turned away and began to gallop back down the path.

“He’s got it bad,” Myouga remarked from Kaede’s shoulder.

“Got what?” Kaede asked.

“Never mind,” the flea demon whispered.

They traveled for a while in silence.  Kaede watched Shippou as he excitedly danced along the path in front of her.  He occasionally would stop and turn to wait for her.  His eyes flashed with mischief as she tail snapped from side to side.  “Are you anxious to get somewhere?” Kaede asked as she caught up with him.

“Just happy to be on the road again,” he said with a smile and whacked her on the backside with his tail.

“Why you…” she began.

He giggled and trotted ahead of her.  She chased after him and he put on more speed.  “Can’t catch me!” he called over his shoulder.

She gave full chase, leaping over obstacles in her path and feeling strangely exhilarated.  She closed the gap between them and made a grab for his tail.  She was faintly excited when she caught it.  She pulled on it, helping her gain more speed.

“Hey!” Shippou laughed.  “No fair using the tail.”

Her leaps got longer and longer until she felt like she no longer needed to touch the ground.  She let go of Shippou’s tail and pushed off.  The ground fell away and so did the trees.  She was flying.  She looked back at Shippou who had stopped to stare at her.  She swooped down and landed beside him.  “I forgot I could do that,” she said, breathing heavily from exertion.  

He nodded and swished his tail.  “I remember when you did that for the first time… Scared your poor mother half to death.”

Kaede blushed.  “I’m sorry,” she said, demurely looking to the ground.  

“Don’t be,” Shippou said quietly.  He kissed her on the cheek as he walked past her.  She touched her cheek where his lips had made contact.  “Are you coming, slow poke?” his voice echoed back from up the path.  

“He’s really got it bad,” Myouga said from her shoulder.  She ran to catch up.

They came to a clearing with various piles of rubble.  Shippou bowed his head as he picked his way through the rock-strewn street.

“What happened here?” Kaede asked quietly, careful to follow his example of reverence.

“Your uncle destroyed the village when he claimed these lands,” he said quietly.

“My uncle?”

“Sesshoumaru.”

Kaede shivered.  “Why did he do it?”

Shippou shrugged.  “Perhaps he was angry that your father abandoned his demon heritage.”

They walked for a few minutes in silence.  “Did the villagers escape?”

“Most did… at least one didn’t.  She sacrificed herself so the rest of us could live.  Miroku, Sango and I tried to stay and help, but she wouldn’t let us…” Shippou said quietly.  He stopped before a small shrine that had been carefully maintained despite its surroundings.  He knelt and took care of the few things that had been out of place.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of rice.  He emptied the rice onto the offering plate and sat in silence.

Kaede sat beside him.  “Who’s grave is this?” she asked quietly.

“Kaede-baba… The one you are named for.”

Kaede stared at the shrine.  She vaguely recalled a kind old woman what she had met while looking for her father.  She bowed her head before the shrine.  “I didn’t know.”

Shippou sat up and sniffed the air.  “We have to go.”

“Why?”

He glanced at her.  “Danger.”

She nodded and stood.  He joined her.

“Well, well…” a voice sneered from behind them,  “If it isn’t the thieving fox man.  And who is his companion?”

Shippou turned.  “Sesshoumaru,” he snarled.  “I am not a thief.”

“It’s your nature, kitsune.”
 
Kaede turned to see the demon that was said to be her uncle.  His eyes focused on her.  “You,” he whispered.  “Who are you?”

She paled at the venom in his voice.  

His eyes stared into hers, not letting her look away.  “Speak up, girl.  There is something about you… familiar.”  He snorted and jumped the distance between them.

All at once a big, white haired demon stood less than a foot away from her.  Kaede gasped, but didn’t take her eyes from his.  She could feel his aura twisted around his body.  It almost reminded her of her father’s, but it was far from gentle.  He reached out and took her chin in his hand to examine her face.  She was suddenly aware that Shippou was growling in agitation.

“Who are you?” the white haired demon demanded.  “Your blood… you have dog demon blood in you.”

Kaede twisted away from his touch.  She caught a glimpse of Shippou, transformed into a glowering fox.  His fur was raised as he growled menacingly at the other demon.  “Leave her alone, or I’ll kill you.” he snarled.

“Is this your vixen, kitsune?  You have taken my bastard brother’s whelp to your bed?”

Kaede paled at his words.  Her hand went to the hilt of the sword at her side.  “Leave us alone,” she growled as she drew the heavy fang.  They both stared at her in shock.  

“Tetsusaiga,” Sesshoumaru whispered with a sort of longing.  “You have it?”  His eyes focused again on hers.  They seemed to be hungry.  Once again, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his.  There was a sharp yelp of pain from Shippou.  Kaede wrenched her eyes away to see a small, toad-like man returning his staff to his side after striking the fox with it.  “He wasn’t paying attention to his back,” Sesshoumaru chuckled.  “He was too focused on you… But I can see why.  Intriguing.”  He licked his lips in a way that made Kaede very uncomfortable.  “To think someone so tempting could come from my bastard brother… intriguing.  Put away the sword.  I won’t take it from you.”

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“I wanted it from my brother, but you… There’s something about a woman with a sword that always quickened me…  Put it away for now.”

“Why should I?” she demanded.

“Because I’m making you a guest in my lands and it’s very rude to draw a sword on your host.  Besides, your foxy friend is at my mercy.  Jaken can smash his head in.”

Kaede glanced at the toad man and the unconscious kitsune at her feet.  She sheathed the sword.

“Delightful,” Sesshoumaru chuckled.  “I insist that you both stay with me while you are here,” he said, leaning forward and catching her around the waist.  The world went dark.

*            *         *

Kaede regained consciousness inside a brightly-lit cavern.  She was lying on a pile of pillows and her clothes were missing.  She looked around and found a blanket to cover herself with.  Not far away she saw a small cage with a fox curled up inside of it.  “Shippou?” she whispered, crawling to the cage.  

The fox whimpered and awakened.  “Oh… my head,” he moaned.  “What hit me?”

“There was a toad man…”

“Jaken,” Shippou chuckled and instantly regretted it.  “Oh… that hurt.”
 
“Are you alright?” Kaede asked, reaching through the bars to touch his head, carefully.  She timidly checked for damage.  

He winced and groaned.  “It hurts there.”

“Any place else?” she asked in concern.

“No.  Although I think this cage is enchanted.  I can’t transform.”

She nodded and sat back on her haunches.  The blanket opened.  She caught it and closed it again.

“Where are your clothes?” he asked, sitting up a little in the cramped cage.  Something flashed in his eyes and he shivered.

“I woke up naked,” she replied quietly.

“Shit,” Shippou breathed, trying to scoot closer to her.  He twisted in pain as he stretched and pulled at the bars.  “I knew it… I knew it!  Damn him!”

“Knew what?” she demanded.

“Male demons go into this phase where they have to mate.  They let off a particular scent that drives the other males crazy with desire to help him track down a female and impregnate her.  Female demons put up good fights to keep hormone crazy males at bay.  The more males who come together, the greater the chance that one will succeed in mating with her and producing more demons.  Sesshoumaru is in his phase.  We call it ‘atsui.’  I knew it when I smelled him.”

Kaede blinked.  She blinked again.  “You smelled him?”

He blinked.  “Yeah… It tends to take one by surprise.  I wasn’t old enough to be affected by it until now.  Now I’m getting an idea about what your dad went through.”

“My dad went through it?”

“Yeah.  But don’t worry.  I know you’re not ready to take a mate yet.  I can live through it.  Maybe next time.”  He squirmed, desperate to push himself through the bars.  

Kaede blushed.

A door opened and a disheveled woman walked into the room.  She stared hard at the two on the floor, one of which was in a cage.  “I know why he brought you here, girl.”  Kaede blinked at the woman who stood, readjusting her robes.  “I’ve come to tell you that I won’t be replaced as his lady.  Sesshoumaru-sama is MY mate,” she remarked with a frown at Kaede.

“I… I don’t want him,” Kaede whispered.  “He’s my father’s brother.”

The lady regarded the younger woman with distrust.  “If I release you and your fox, will you leave?”

“Of course.”  

The woman bowed her head and left the room.  A short while later Sesshoumaru stood in the doorway she had come though and stared at Kaede and Shippou.  He wore only a thin kimono and his hair was tangled together.  He lazily swished his white, fluffy tail as he regarded Kaede thoughtfully.  “We only share the smallest amount of blood, you know… perfectly acceptable for demon mates.  Keep an eye on your vixen, kitsune.  Until we meet again… Lady Kaede,” he smiled and returned though the door.

Kaede turned to Shippou who was shaking in the cage.  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“His smell,” he whimpered.  “So much lust.”  He twisted and reached one paw through the cage and tried to touch her leg.  

The woman returned and handed Kaede her clothes, sword and pack.  “You are lucky I was around to stop him from taking you.”  She produced a key and unlocked the cage.  “I’m sorry my lord affected your fox so strongly.  He should return to normal after a few days of hard mating.”

Kaede blushed as she finished dressing.  Shippou transformed into his human-like form and promptly collapsed on the ground.  “I’m sorry,” he whimpered to the ceiling.  “I’m sorry I ever made fun of anyone in atsui before this.  I’m sorry I laughed while they were in agony.  I’m sorry I purposefully tried to hinder their mating ritual.  I’ll never ever do that again.  Gods, please take pity on this poor kitsune man.”

The woman stared at him in pity.  “He may not make it to wherever you are going.  I’m sorry.”

“Rin-chan!” echoed from the other room.

“My lord calls.  Jaken… please see our guests out.”

The toad man appeared and bowed.  “Yes, mistress.”

They were led outside and they both stood, staring at each other.  “What do we do now?” Kaede asked quietly.

“You don’t even want to know what I’m thinking about.”  Shippou smiled and touched her arm.  He took her pack and put a leaf on his head.  A tawny colored horse with a foxtail pawed at the ground with the pack fit snuggly over his shoulders.  “I’ll take you back to Miroku and Sango.  Climb on.”  Kaede obeyed and he grunted.  “Try not to wiggle too much.  I’ll try and get you there without any delay.  Then I must go away.”

“What will you do?”

“Spend a few days on my own.”  He ran as fast as he could back to the shrine.  Finally he stopped at their destination just as the sun began to set.  He returned to his normal shape and shrugged off the pack.  “Well, goodbye for a bit.  I’ll be back when it’s all over.”

 “Shippou-kun,” she said softly.

He stared at her with barely contained lust.  “What?”

She took a deep breath and stepped forward, kissing his cheek.  “Take care,” she whispered.

He moved his head and caught her lips with his own.  For a moment she paused in shock.  He licked her lips and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him.  He stopped and stepped away.  “I’m sorry,” he said with a blush.  “I have to go now.”  He touched her cheek and his eyes flashed regret.  “I’ll wait for you.”  He turned and ran off into the woods.

Kaede stared after him.  She heard the door slide open behind her.  “Kaede-chan, back so soon?”

Kaede nodded and brought her pack into the house.

*         *        *

It had been two days since Shippou disappeared.  Miroku had a big laugh when Kaede told him about her uncle’s affect on the kitsune.  

“Poor kid,” he chuckled, wiping a tear away.  “Must be torture for him.  Sango and I had been away when it happened to your dad, but we were there for the aftermath…”

“My lord and lady were ready to mate,” Myouga interjected.  “They would kill me if I returned their daughter with a son-in-law in tow.”

Kaede stared at the little flea demon.  “Are you saying Shippou wants to mate with me?”

“Erm…” Myouga faltered.

“Um…” Sango blushed.

“Among other things,” Miroku said as gently as he could.  “But he won’t… not yet.  Not until he knows for certain that you’re ready for him.  He loves you too much to force you.  He’s really a good demon, after all.”

“Unlike your uncle,” Sango said quietly.

Everyone shivered.

Kaede excused herself to take a bath.  She found a small river by following its sound.  She quickly undressed and stepped into the cold current.  The water deepened and she crouched to immerse herself.  The coolness felt good to her.  She surfaced and wrung the water out of her hair.  She waded back to the shore.  She was surprised to see someone standing and watching her.

“I didn’t know you were here,” he said with his pants around his ankles.  “I’ll go,” he said, bending down to pull them up.

“No, stay,” Kaede said with a blush.  “I was just leaving.”

He nodded and looked away as she pulled herself out of the water.  He shrugged off his kimono and stepped into the river.  He turned to look at her as she reached for a towel.  “Are you O.K?  I didn’t scare you, did I?  My kiss…”

She smiled and looked at him.  He had curled his tail around his body in modesty.  “I didn’t mind.”

He nodded.  “I guess this means that we can’t fall asleep the way we used to,” he said quietly.  “Now that you know how I feel about you…”

She bowed her head.

“Your mother used to bathe us together… and now look at us.  Where did our innocence go?” he murmured, kicking at the water.

She moved towards him.  His body was warm as she embraced him.  “Shippou-chan… You will always be my best friend.  The friend who used to sing me to sleep or carry me.  Nothing will ever change that.”

His arms encircled her as his tail relaxed between them.  “Not even if I want to mate with you?” he asked quietly.

“Not even that,” she whispered.  The sensation of his body against her own sent shivers down her spine.  She liked it and she wished for more, but she couldn’t give him everything… could she?  His lips touched her neck as his fingers tangled in her wet hair.  She scratched his back with her delicate claws.  His tail snaked around her body and hugged her.  He kissed her on the lips and she could taste blood.  It sent a shiver of power through her, heightening her senses.  She pulled away from the kiss.  “What was…?”

He stared at her in sadness.  “I’m sorry.  I was a little hopeful.”

“Blood?”

“It’s the first step of the mating ritual.  We share power through the exchange of blood.  I’m sorry.  I was presumptuous.”  He stepped away from her and rewound his tail around himself.

She swallowed hard, still feeling her body tingle with his power.  “It’s not that.  It just surprised me.  I want to be with you, but I’m not ready yet.”

He nodded.  “We won’t mate yet.  I understand.”

She stared at her childhood friend… all grown up. Looking like a man.  His arms weren’t overly muscled.  His chest was smooth.  A faint path of fur trailed from below his belly button to a place covered by his tail.  She touched his tummy, flat from lots of exercise.  She blushed and looked up, “May I…?”

“Of course, anywhere you want.”

She ran finger over an abdominal muscle.  He giggled.  “What?” she asked.

“Remember when we used to play healer?  I would get hurt and you would kiss my boo boos away?”

She blushed.

“It always worked, too.”

“Do you have any boo boos for me to kiss?”

He blinked at her in surprise and blushed.  “No where you can kiss it,” he said quietly.  “I just remembered because you used to poke me first.”

She smiled.

“Spend the night with me, Kaede,” he said quietly.  “We won’t do anything you don’t want… Just lay beside me like you used to.”

She nodded and he led her up the bank of the river to the trees.  He sat among the roots of a gnarled old tree and she sat beside him.  He lay down and pulled her to him.  His tail wrapped around her and she was suddenly aware of how little they both were wearing.  He was naked and she had a small towel wrapped around her.  She sighed, remembering the hot summer nights they had spent together naked as children.  

Her towel cut into her armpits so she loosened it, feeling her skin touch his.  She sighed and closed her eyes to the pound of his racing heartbeat.

*       *       *

She woke to his snoring.  It was late, but nowhere near dawn.  Her head was on his shoulder and one of her leg was tossed over both of his.  His tail was between her legs, curled up around her back and butt.  His fur tickled her skin.  She wiggled, feeling fur touch her in a very intimate spot.  Her towel was missing.  The tip of his tail touched her shoulder with a twitch.  It curled around her hip.  She rolled away, feeling it slide across her private parts.  She had discovered those particular parts only a couple of years before.  The soft fur felt really good there and she turned her head to look at him longingly.  A gnarled root stuck in her back and she rolled back on her side.  The tip of his tail twitched against the base of her back.  The rest of his tail was bunched up between them.

He groaned, feeling the kink in his tail and rolled towards her to give it better leverage.  Her leg rested on his thigh, opening her legs.  The tip of his tail slid down her butt and nudged up, against her private parts.  She waited with held breath as the tip of his tail tapped against her a few times before sliding up to curl between them.  She breathed out heavily.  Her leg hugged his thigh as she moved closer to his warm body.    

“Kaede,” he mumbled and dropped an arm around her waist.  He suddenly grew animated.  He rolled her onto her back and settled above her, gently pushing his hips against hers.  She could feel something hard and hot pressed against her thigh.  He laid his head on her shoulder and snored.

She moved her hips and he moved his in response.  The hard, hot something slipped down against her.  It felt good… too good.  She moaned.

He woke and groggily opened his eyes.  “Sorry,” he mumbled as he rolled off of her.  His hard, hot something rested on her thigh.  She reached down and touched it.  She vaguely remembered an explanation from her mother about the difference between boys and girls.  It was the thing that made him a boy.  What had mother called it?  She squeezed it thoughtfully.  He sat up, suddenly wide-awake.  “Gods, woman… What are you doing to my penis?”

She let go of it.  “Sorry.”

He blinked at her.  “We’re lucky my atsui cycle is nearly over, otherwise I’d want to mount you right here and now.”

“What if I wasn’t ready?”

He blinked and looked away.  “I’d go away again and take care of it… But don’t squeeze me like that unless you really want me to mate with you.  O.K?”

She nodded.  He lay back down beside her.

She stared at him thoughtfully.  “Does it feel good?”

He closed his eyes and smiled.  “Of course it feels good.”

“How good?”

“Very good.”

“Like the way your tail feels… somewhere?”

He opened his eyes and looked at her.  “Does it feel good?”

She smiled.

“I’m glad it feels good to you,” he said quietly.

“Will you do it again?”

“Maybe later.  Not now.”

“Why?”

He snuggled against her in silence.

“Why?”  She asked again.

“Because you are still very young.”

“You can have me,” she whispered.  “I’d gladly give you myself.”

“No,” he said, wrapping his tail around her.  “You aren’t ready for me yet.  As much as I want you… I can wait.”

“Not even if I squeeze your penis?”

He giggled.  “I’d just have to go pleasure myself… I’m too young to take a mate too… But I will play ‘mates’ with you if you want.”

She reached between them and touched him.  He closed his eyes and moaned.  She gave him a gentle squeeze.  His hand moved to take her place and squeezed himself.  He thought better of it and stopped to wrap his arms around her.  “What?” she whispered.

“Nothing.  I’m just not ready to share that with you yet,” he said, nibbling on her neck.  “Demon males can have self control around potential mates.  I’m not anxious to find relief.”

“Why not?”

He sat up a little and touched her cheeks.  “You ask too many questions.  Go to sleep, silly.”

She stared at him.  

He kissed her forehead.  “Go to sleep, my Kaede-chan.  Your husband will protect you.”

She closed her eyes.  A few minutes later he moved away from her.  She could hear him breathing heavily with a rhythmic sound.  Finally he grunted and gasped for air.  He sighed after a few moments and returned to her side.

*         *        *

The day dawned bright and clear.  A small wail pierced Kaede’s slumber.  “Ack!  My lady, what has been done?”

Kaede opened her eyes to see a surprised ex-monk staring at her with a pile of clothes in his arms.  The shriek had come from the flea demon that bounced on her shoulder.  “Your father is going to tear me limb from limb.  Your mother is going to…”

“Oh, stop it,” Kaede growled.  “We didn’t mate is that’s what you’re worried about.”

“But you’re both naked,” Myouga wailed.  “And I can feel his blood in you from the mating ritual.”

Shippou opened his eyes and sat up.  His hair had pulled free from its bow and his long, tawny locks cascaded around his shoulders, covering his front.  “What’s up?” he asked sleepily.

Myouga jumped to his nose.  “Tell me you didn’t perform the mating ritual with my lady.”

“I didn’t,” he said, scratching his head.

“Then why is your blood in her?” the flea demanded.

“I started to, but I stopped.  We didn’t mate.”

“You started the ritual?”

“Hai.”

“You stopped and didn’t mate?”

“Hai.”

“You didn’t touch her?”

Shippou was silent and looked away.

“I knew it.  I’ll be torn limb from limb,” Myouga cried.

“Oh, hush you.  We both wanted more but we restrained ourselves,” Kaede responded.

“But your father…”

“Daddy would understand.  Part of being out on my own as a demon is making decisions for myself.  I choose to play ‘mates’ with Shippou-chan until we are both ready to complete the ritual.”

“Play ‘mates?’” Miroku scratched his head.

“Two young demons get together and live as mates until they are mature enough to perform the mating ritual,” Myouga explained.  “Doesn’t happen very often, but it’s an acceptable arrangement.  My lord, Inuyasha was playing ‘mates’ with my lady, Kagome for a long time before he asked her.  Traditionally it’s the ‘claiming’ of a future mate.”

“Let’s see if I have this straight,” Miroku began.  “Male demons, when they cycle, hunt down females to mate with, sending out a scent that causes other males to cycle too.”

“Correct,” Myouga said.

“Some demons mate randomly, but others take a mate through the mating ritual with whom they are faithful to for every cycle.”

“Correct.”

“There is a period before the mating ritual called play ‘mates’ whish is a kind of courtship.”

“Correct.”

“So… why do male demons go into atsui, anyway?  Isn’t that a female thing?”

“We just do!” Shippou growled defensively.  “I hear it’s because our females don’t have breeding instincts.  They are always fertile and tend to kill any male that comes near them.  When males cycle, they become more powerful and potent, at least enough to help subdue a female and impregnate her.”

“And yet some females willingly mate…” Miroku smiled.

“There seem to be two kinds of youkai,” Myouga said thoughtfully.  “I don’t know why.”

“This is all fascinating,” Kaede began with a blush.  “But I’m getting cold.”

Shippou glanced at her in concern and reached out to Miroku for the armload of clothes.

“I’m sorry,” Miroku said, scratching his head.  “Some of Kaede-chan’s clothes seem to be missing.  Two birds were fighting over them for nesting material when I found them.”

Shippou sorted the clothes, finding only Kaede’s skirt and a single sock in the pile.  He covered her with his kimono before pulling on his own pants.  She blushed at his attention to her modesty.  He pulled on his vest over his bare chest to help cover up the slits in his pants that showed off his naked thighs.  “I’m ready to rejoin you,” he announced.

On the return to the house, Myouga alighted on Shippou’s shoulder.  “May I advise you to ask my lady’s parents before you take her as mate?”

“Don’t worry, Old Man.  I know that she’s too young to mate,” he laughed.  “I’ll ask for their blessing when the time comes.  I promise.”

“How old are you, Shippou?”

Shippou stopped laughing.  “Old enough to know what I want… and be patient for it.”

“You must be older than you look,” Myouga said quietly.  

Shippou stopped walking and stared at the flea demon.  “You know as well as I do that full blooded demons can control their aging.”

“How long were you a baby for your parents and Kagome-sama…?  Years?”

“A long time.  I lost count of the turning of seasons.”

“What made you decide to grow up?”

Shippou blushed and bowed his head.  “I grew up for Kaede-chan.  You know that.”

“You are the best match for her… but you didn’t hear me say that.” Myouga bounced away.

*          *       *

They were on the road again.  Kaede had repacked her bags at the Shrine to make it easier to travel.  She adopted clothes like Shippou’s, finding they gave her more freedom to move.

They made camp for the night under the stars.

“Then I turned into this,” Shippou said, puffing up into a huge pink bubble.  “I’ll kill you!” the bubble kitsune said, gnashing its teeth.

Kaede rolled on her blanket, clutching her sides as she laughed.

Shippou resumed his normal form.  “So your dad hit me.  I used my fox fire,” he said, lighting up the vicinity, “to stall him while I grabbed the shards and made my escape.”

“You were caught,” Myouga said.

“I let myself get caught,” Shippou responded with a smile.

“What else can you turn into?” Kaede asked, clapping her hands in delight.

“All sorts of animals.”

“You made a funny looking rat,” Myouga laughed.

“I was a raccoon.”

They all rolled on the ground with laugher.  

Finally they got ready for bed.  Kaede snuggled down in her blankets.  Shippou stared at her longingly.  He settled beside her and wrapped his tail around her protectively.  “No funny business,” Myouga grumbled, burrowing into Kaede’s thick, black hair.

“I’m no longer in atsui, old man,” Shippou laughed, snuggling against Kaede for warmth.

Kaede felt at peace with him beside her.  She felt protected and loved.  She liked his wild, comforting scent.  It was like a pine forest after a light rain.  She sighed and curled up into his embrace.  He was her home.  

*         *        *

Kaede awoke in the night needing to relieve her bladder.  She carefully wiggled out of Shippou’s protective embrace and got to her feet.  The night was cold and she shivered as she left the warm blankets at her feet to stumble away.  She crouched in the darkness under a tree and cursed the last cup of tea she had before bed.  

Someone was watching her.  She could sense the unseen eyes peering at her.  She finished nervously and stood to look around.  It was too dark to see anything, much less anyone.  She sniffed the cold night air.  A new scent of stale incense touched her nose.  “Who’s there?” she called into the darkness.

“I could ask the same of you,” a woman’s voice answered.

“I asked first,” Kaede replied.

“But you do not belong here.”

Kaede made a face.  “Belong here?  What are you talking about?”

“You are a demon, are you not?”

Kaede took a step back from where the voice seemed to be coming from.  “Why should that matter?”

“I do not tolerate demons in my presence.”

“This isn’t good, my lady,” Myouga whispered in Kaede’s ear.

“Go wake Shippou,” Kaede whispered back, feeling the flea demon jump off her shoulder.

“Shippou… I know that name.  I ask again, who are you?” the voice demanded.

“I am Kaede,” the girl responded.

“Kaede…” the other replied in surprise.  “It can’t be… But I feel it.  You are only a quarter demon, are you not?”

Kaede took another step away from the voice, anxious for Shippou to be with her for reassurance.  “I am.”

“You are the child of Inuyasha, aren’t you?”

“How do you know?”

A woman stepped closer, illuminated by the weak moonlight.  Her clothes were old and worn and her hair was a tangled mess.  “I was his lover before your mother stole him away from me.”

Kaede stared at the older woman in shock.  “You… you imprisoned my father.”

“I only kept what was mine.  He owed me his life.”

Kaede shook her head in denial.  “No… He wasn’t yours.  He didn’t want to be with you.”

“You are mistaken, child.  He wanted very much to be with me.  Your mother clouded his mind…”

“No!” Kaede protested.  “You are wrong.  He wanted to return to her… and me.”

“Is he happy where he is?”

“He’s happy enough.”

“But not truly happy?  Is there something missing from his life?  Something your mother took him away from?”

Kaede frowned.  “My father loves my mother,” she insisted.

“Kikyou!” Shippou’s voice called from the darkness.  “Leave her alone.”

“Kitsune…” Kikyou hissed, turning her attention to the approaching fox man.  

“Leave us…” Shippou growled.  “You are out of your territory.”

“So are you,” she responded.  She made no move to retreat.  “Your little vixen and her mother are the cause of my pain.  If they never returned, I would have had him.  He was mine.  We should have lived and died together.”

“Leave!” the kitsune snarled.

“You have poor manners, little fox man,” Kikyou stated quietly.  “A lesson in pain will still your tongue.”  Energy crackled at her fingertips.  She expelled it in Shippou’s direction.

“No!” Kaede screamed, stepping between the energy pulse and her play “mate.”  It ripped through her and she crumbled to the ground in a heap.

“Kaede!” Shippou cried, collapsing at her side.  He cradled her in his arms and stared up at the woman before him.  “I’ll kill you for this,” he snarled.

Kikyou stared at him coldly.  “I hope you will… someday after I’ve had my revenge.”  She gave a faint smile and walked away, disappearing into the dark woods.

Shippou hugged the girl in his arms tenderly.  “Kaede,” he moaned.  “Open your eyes.”  

She responded with a shiver.  

He picked her up and carefully carried her back to their camp.  “Don’t leave me,” he moaned.  “Please don’t leave me.”  He knelt at her bedding and tucked her in.  She stared up at him with half focused eyes.  “Stay with me,” he begged with tears running down his cheeks.  He gently kissed her cheek.  “I love you.”

She let out a long breath and felt the world slip away.  

*           *         *

She opened her eyes to a bright field.  The grasses rustled in an unfelt wind.  She looked around at the perfect scenery.  Each rock and plant looked like it had been put into place by a master landscaper.  It was breathtaking.  She became gradually aware that she wasn’t alone.  She turned to see a man and a woman staring at her.  She bowed to them in greeting and they returned her bow.  “Konnichiwa,” she said as if it was perfectly normal to be standing in a wind blown field without feeling the breeze.

“Greetings, Kaede-chan,” the man said in a full voice.  He had long, white hair and pointed ears.  The woman beside him was beautiful in many layers of kimono.  Kaede took in their details, without much thought to what the man said.  It finally occurred to her that he had spoken.  

“How did you know my name?”

“We know many things about you, granddaughter.”

“Granddaughter?” she whispered.

“Your father is our son,” the woman said quietly.

“You carry the legacy of our bloodline,” the male demon whispered.

“You are my father’s parents?” Kaede asked, looking from one to the other in wonder.  

“Yes, child,” the woman smiled softly.  “I can see that she holds your attitudes, my lord.”

“And she has your beauty, my lady,” the demon chuckled.

“Our son did well in choosing his mate to create her,” the woman concluded.

“As I recall, that was your doing, my lady.”

“I don’t understand,” Kaede said quietly.

“Your mother was created to be his mate… so he could be happy.”

“After all, he is our son,” the demon smiled.

“He needed someone strong.  I took a girl’s spirit who was otherwise incompatible with him and added a part of myself.  The result was the spirit planted in your mother.”

“My mother was created for my father?” Kaede whispered.

“Look here, child,” the demon said, directing her attention to a small pool of water that appeared at their feet.  “What do you see?”

Kaede looked into the waters and was surprised to see Shippou, holding her close as she lay unmoving.  He was sobbing against her breast.  “Shippou…” she whispered.

“He lost his family when he was but a child.  Do you know why?”

“Mother said that a couple of demons killed them for jewel shards.”

“It was partially that… Partially that your companion is one of a new breed of demon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Demons do not normally feel compassion,” the woman said quietly.

“It is true,” the demon admitted with a nod.  “They don’t… I do.  But it’s a concept that has eluded the rest of our kind.  Your play ‘mate’ has never killed another.  He knows what it is to love and respect others.  Most importantly to us… he loves you, granddaughter.”

“But I died,” she whispered.

“Not yet.  You may return to him.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

The demon regarded her thoughtfully.  “Our people are at a breakthrough in their development.  Humans are taking over the lands we once held.  Either our kind must adapt and be helpful… or resist and be killed by demon hunters and the lot.  Our continued existence relies on the ability to blend in with the humans.  We need compassion for that.  We can’t live in the old ways any longer.”

Kaede bowed her head and stared at Shippou through the pool.  He was caressing her cheek and kissing her lips, desperate to bring them back to life.  “What do we do?”

“Live… be examples to those around you,” the woman smiled.

“Look for others like yourselves.  They are usually the ones that take mates,” the demon said.

They seemed to distance themselves from Kaede.  “Wait!” she cried.

“We love you, child… You have our blessing.  Let your father know that we think he should.”

“Think he should what?”  Kaede called, but they were gone.  She looked down at the shimmering pool.  Carefully she took a deep breath and stepped into it.

*           *           *

“My love… Oh, my mate,” he cried, burying his face in her hair.

She took in one ragged gasp of air.  

He nearly squished her in surprise.  “Kaede!” he cried pulling himself off of her body.  He had curled himself against her in his misery.  

She smiled at him.  “Mate,” she whispered.

He laughed and cried at the same time.  “Yes, yes, my love.”  He leaned forward and kissed her passionately.  She let his tongue enter her mouth and felt pleasure run down her spine.  She could taste his blood and felt his power rush through her.  He broke away and gave her a shallower kiss.  “That will help you recover,” he said, touching her face and smiling through tears that ran freely down his cheeks.  

“Shippou,” she moaned, relaxing in his arms.  

“My lady, I am most happy that you are not dead,” the little flea demon said from Shippou’s shoulder.  

Shippou gave him a strange look.  

“I met my father’s parents,” she said quietly.

Shippou stared at her in concern.  “You saw them?  Where?”

“Where ever I went.  It was a beautiful place.  They told me that… That…” She gazed into his hopeful eyes.  “You really are a good demon, aren’t you?

He blushed and looked away.  “I try to be.”

She smiled at him.  “Will you come with me back to my parents?”

He grinned at her.  “I’ll follow you anywhere.”  He stopped smiling in an instant and a serious expression crossed his face.  “Including the otherworld.”

Kaede sat up with his help.  “We should go now.  I think I found what I came for.”

Shippou nodded and helped her to her feet.  She was unsteady for a moment, but soon found her balance.  He gathered their things into the bag and shouldered it.  He held out a hand for her.  “Let’s go.”

They traveled through the night and made it back to the shrine a few minutes before dawn.  Kaede paused near the lip of the well and looked down at it.  She held Shippou’s hand as tightly as she could before putting a leg in.  

“Where are you going?” a male voice asked.  

Kaede’s heart leapt in her chest.  She knew the voice and the scent.  She turned to see a man with long, black hair staring at her.  “Papa!” she cried, running to him with a surprised kitsune still in her grip.  She hugged him tightly, unmindful to Shippou’s captive hand.  “What are you doing here?”

The former demon smiled as the first rays of sunlight poured over them.  “Your mother and I found time to return.”  He glanced at the blushing fox man with his hand firmly clutched by the excited girl.  “Kitsune?”

Shippou gave him a lopsided smile.  “Yeah, it’s me.  How are you dog man?”

“I’m fine…” Inuyasha replied with his own lopsided smile.  His eyes studied the entwined fingers of his daughter and the young demon.  “Is there something you want to ask me?”

Shippou blushed and scratched the back of his neck with his free hand.  “Not yet… I want to ask you and Kagome-mama when you are together.”  

Inuyasha nodded.  “She’s sleeping.”

“Papa?” Kaede asked, dropping Shippou’s hand to take her father’s.

“Yes, Little One?”

“I saw your parents last night.  They told me to tell you they think you should.  I don’t know what that means.”

Inuyasha stared at her for a moment.  Slowly a smile spread across his face.  He nodded.  “Shall we wake everyone and have breakfast?”

“Hai!” Kaede smiled.

Inuyasha stared at Shippou.  “Are you coming, Shippou-kun?”

“Hai, Inuyasha-papa,” he blushed.

Inuyasha gave him a knowing smile before turning to his daughter.  “Did you find what you were looking for?”

“I did,” she replied, walking to the house between her father and play “mate.”  They went inside as the sun bathed the world with golden light.

--The end?

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