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-Don't even think about it by Anonymous

Katsuki can hear Deku's thoughts

-Sweet Sweet Kacchan by heartnut

Another amnesia fic, I know, but it's just too good and I looove this trope

-I've seen the way you look at me by bubblegumbee

The pinningggg

-Not like I do. by Unoutan

Angry Deku is so soudhvnoehirvufbgv

-shipwrecker by sorethroat

Serving some truth serum realness

-2:19 A.M. by serotonindealer

Conserned Dekuuu, good ole angst with a happy ending

-Don’t run away on the first try by Unoutan

Funny with a side of feelings

-I didn't know you were so pretty by Mickeyymouse

Fem! Bakugou because I love that shit

-Sexy Little Copycat by Quirkyasfok

It's funny and very interesting for some reason. Mentions sex, but no description and rated T

-Bakugou Katsuki, you smooth motherfucker by thatpinkbetch

It's just a good fic, nothing else to add except Fluff!!!

-Love and Literature by Fawn_Eyed_Girl

Short and sweet, a really good meet cute

-Thirst Trap by EquinoxSolstice

The big three read thirst tweets, which is fucking amazing, rated M for obvious reasons

-Keep Your Eyes on Me (I'll Drown Out the Rest) by TargaryenJedii

Another Social media fic, and the consequences, and more importantly supportive Bakugou

-Chasing A Comet by BlueSinner

Quirkless Analyst Deku AU, which ofc is cute and investing plotwise

-Kacchan and the Drunken Tattoo by Tremere1

This one has just the right amount of drama I need

-You're Not Allowed to Die by TargaryenJedii

Lovely take on cannonverse

-walkin' on sunshine by AmaryllisPetals (rainboweuphoria)

In denial Bakugou

-A Million Extras in the Sea by Yonkai

Dating program angsstttt

-Study Session by setsujoumayu

This one gave me the feels, which ones? I don't know but I enjoyed it

-How To Train A Hero by Mycreativewritings

The how to train your dragon AU I know you needed

-Of What ifs and time machines by Maru_Chan

this one will never get enough attention, it's one of my absolute favorites, maybe because it has my favorite trope Time Travel, but whatever I just had to add it

That caught his attention more fully and he turned to peek over her shoulder. She was holding a round black object, shiny but scuffed. There was a white circle with a black symbol on top. "What the hell is it?" It gave off no discernible scent, no sounds he could hear. Kagome rolled her wrist, flipping it over, and he noticed the bottom was flat.

"It's a magic eight ball." Inuyasha squinted as a triangle appeared in the flat space, words he couldn't decipher at first in bright white.

"Should you be carrying around some magic thing with the jewel shards right there?" he asked, highly skeptical. He thought Kagome knew better than to pick up random – possibly dangerous – items by now.

To his frustration, Kagome started to giggle.

His scowl must have caught her attention, because she smothered it and coughed. She scooted closer to him, her side pressing against his arm. "It's not actually magic, Inuyasha. It's a toy." She explained that it had fluid inside and the triangle was actually a multi-sided block floating around. "The idea is that you ask it a yes or no question and it tells you the future."

"The future?"

Kagome shrugged. "Most of the answers are vague enough aside from yes or no that you can interpret it how you want, really." She showed him how it worked by flipping it right side up and asking if Miroku would ask a woman to bear his child in the village they were staying in. When she rolled it over You may rely on it appeared in the window. "Not really a fair question…"

Both their heads popped up when an indignant screech was followed by a resounding slap.

"Definitely not fair." Inuyasha peered at it more closely. "Try something else."

"Hmmm… Will I make it back in time for my English test next week?" Better not tell you now. "Not promising," Kagome sighed with a wry smile.

The sound of children squabbling rose outside the hut they were borrowing and Kagome rolled her eyes when they heard Shippou's voice ringing above the others. His tone was decidedly haughty and it was clear he was about to get himself into some trouble. The young miko groaned as she rolled to her feet, dropping the eight ball into Inuyasha's startled hands.

"Your turn!"

"Keh." Inuyasha watched her duck out of the doorway, calling for the runt as she went. He rolled the ball between his hands for a moment in thought. It was just a toy, she said, it didn't really predict anything. "Will I ever be a full youkai?" he finally whispered to it. He hesitated before flipping it over quickly. It took a moment for the block to settle in place. Reply hazy, try again. "This stupid thing." But he couldn't help repeating the question… and got the same answer. 

Which made him curious. Was this thing more than it appeared? 

He sniffed it again, turning it over and looking carefully for any sign of tampering. There was nothing. "Will we defeat Naraku?" Signs point to yes. Well! That was some good news! Inuyasha's chest puffed with pride until his ribs twinged and he was reminded of why he was sitting in a strange hut in a strange village, ribs and chest wrapped in gauze. "Keh."

Kagome took good care of him, whether he liked it or not. He shook his head with a smirk. She'd gotten much better at this first aid stuff too. Efficient. Which was sad in a way, because it meant she was doing it more often.

"Will Kagome always be safe?" he murmured to himself. The sphere in his hand felt heavier for a moment. My sources say no the little triangle read. His face fell. "Will Kagome… will she stay with me like she said?" Cannot predict now. Inuyasha fought the very strong urge to hurl the thing across the room. He had to ask one last thing, his curiosity too much to ignore. "D-Does she love me?" he barely breathed aloud.

So focused, he had missed the sound of Kagome's footsteps as she returned to the hut. She was steamed about Shippou's antics and his propensity for mischief. She froze when she realized he was staring at her. Seeing the eight ball still in his hand, her brow furrowed when he still said nothing. "What's wrong?" she asked, dropping to her knees in front of him. Her hands fluttered over his torso to check that he wasn't suddenly bleeding out or something. When there was nothing obviously dire, her gaze went to the ball. She lightly took his wrist and looked at the response still floating there. "It is decidedly so, huh? What did you ask?" Her scent and expression were a mix of curious and concerned. Inuyasha finally took a breath.

"J-Just if we had ramen for dinner. I'm starved." He quickly plopped the ball in her hand and stretched out on the futon. "You want me to rest or not, woman?" he snapped when she kept watching him carefully. Kagome only rolled her eyes at his blustering before getting up to put water on to boil. When her back was turned, humming under her breath as she worked, Inuyasha allowed himself a little smile.

A waterfall sang softly in a meadow. A faint scent of burned tree floated among the fresh scents of the woodlands. No animal dared to enter the glade, not wanting to anger the being slumbering under the canopy of tall trees. That is, until the sun rose and peered through the dancing leaves, its rays reaching the trampled grass and warming the ground.

Rising from the muffling fog of sleep was almost beyond her power. She frowned, taking a deeper breath, pausing when she recognized a million scents. She heard songs of birds echoing through the forest, the rustling of the leaves, the breathing o someone near her. A blade of grass tickled her nose and she wrinkled it, lazily moving her hand to push it away/

Why was she sleeping on the ground? Her body ached fro laying for so long on the hard, cool surface, her dress was probably a mess.

Someone giggled and the blade of grass came back to torment her, a vulpine scent wafting to her.

"Don't tease the dragon, Shippou," she heard from a bit away.

"But dad, she's waking up anyway!" she realized that she knew these voices. She knew these people, even if she'd met them only once yesterday. Before her grandfather had tell her she was to marry Lord Kagewaki. Before she had run into the woods. Before she had met Kikyou, the dragon. The woman, who had woven some spells and had left her in the meadow.

With a gasp Kagome uncurled her body and leaped to her feet. Something unfurled behind her back, casting giant shadows on the ground under her. The memory of fear and confusion squeezed her heart, wrapped around her mind despite the beautiful morning and the fact she seemed to be alright. She was about to run towards her home, but a motion under her feet caught her attention.

"Ah! the little fox yasha dropped the blade of grass and scurried away, to where his father stood at the edge of the meadow. He had worried, but not exactly frightened looks on his face, but there was a tension to him showing tat he wasn't at ease. Shippou hid behind his father and peered back at her, his eyes wide and his hands gripping at his father's roe.

"Welcome to this forest, ryū Kagome," said the older kitsune and offered a polite bow. "My son meant no offense. We stood guard while you slept and if you allow it, we will provide support. My wife is currently looking for Miroku, he might be a..."

"I need to go home," Kagome said urgently, shifting in her stance, trying to blink away the sudden sharpness of lines and almost painful variety of colors. She had to go to the shrine, she thought, she had to find Kikyou an...

Shi shook his head. There was something in his face - it was no fear, no sorrow, but concern.

"As you are now of our kin," he said, a tone of warning in his voice. "You cannot go there. You are far too inexperienced to deal with humans. They will bring you down, chain and kill you. You are no longer the girl they ha known."

Kagome's words of protest were on the tip of her tongue, but before she could give them voice, she was cut off. They were silly, of course her family wouldn't hurt her.

"We saw the magic swell in the storm," Shippou said. "And we saw a girl appearing just like you leaving the forest."

"Kikyou!" Kagome exclaimed and flinched at the roar that shook the tree and made the kitsune tense. She jerked her body and lost her balance, sinking to the grass with a strange noise that made her pause and forget for a moment about her wrath at the woman who had stolen her life

The realization of what had happened, of what kind of magic had been woven and what she herself now was, filled her mind. With a slow tilt of her head she dared to look down at herself for the first time since opening her eyes.

Her body was no longer the one she knew for years. It felt hers, it moved according to her will, its muscles shifting under the scales of various size, shimmering in the sunlight with a mixture of green and blue. Her shape was nothing like human form, she had a long snake-like tail and wings that folded down her back, talons were on her hands and legs. Her body felt new and at the same time... somehow right. As if there was nothing weird in her standing on all fours and sensing the tip of her tail twitching.

Reaching for her reiki was futile, there was nothing to grasp. Instead she touched the energy that crackled and swirled like an eddy, barely tamed and at the same time steady like the ground and fickle like the wind.

She knew the feel of this kind of energy, it was typical to youki that yasha wielded, the source of their power and magic.

She was no longer human. The dragon Kikyou took her life from her and made her a yasha instead, never asking her consent or giving her a choice. She couldn't go back to live among humans - she was sure her family wouldn't hate her, but the townspeople would be terrified of her. And besides, Kikyou now took her place - would her family even recognize her?

Kagome sank to the trampled grass and looked at the kitsune again. She didn't want to think about the loss of her life, even if she had been in a pretty bad point of it when she'd been confronted by Kikyou. The dragon had taken not only the bad, but also the good stuff from her and Kagome knew she would miss her brother and mother. She wanted to cry, to mourn the old self, but at the same time she was still the same Kagome, deep inside she was the same girl that had yelled at a shiro inu to stop playing his magical flute from behind the door locked with a wooden key.

"What am I supposed to do now?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotions she tried to keep control over. The yasha didn't look sorry for her, rather concerned. It made sense, she figured out that they saw her predicament as a goo thing.

"It will be okay, Lady Kagome," Shippou smiled at her, seeing her actions and question as a sign that she was no longer irate at the other woman. "Now we can play together and I can show you all the awesome yasha things!"

A small smile appeared on her face at the enthusiasm of the little kit. It was a true blessing that it was the kitsune friends of Miroku's who had found her. She remembered Kikyou saying something about being hunted by a vile yasha and shivered at the memory of tales about what some of the bad fae could do to those unable to defend themselves. Some people thought that the bad fae were all of the winter court while the benevolent ones were of the summer court, but Kagome knew that this was foolish. Winter yasha were those of chaos and impulsiveness, while the summer ones favored order and rules - either kind could take advantage of others.

"Let's wait for my wife," Shi said and sat down on the ground. "She's bound to come back soon, hopefully with Miroku. I'm sure between all of us it will be easy to figure out what to do with your situation."

"Thank you," Kagome sighed and lowered her head. According to the rules of hospitality she was a guest in the kitsune domain and she should show gratitude.

"You're a friend of Miroku's," Shi waved a hand. "And you were favored by a shiro inu. Helping you is a pleasure and I am certain will strengthen our friendship. Right, Shippou?"

"Yeah!" the boy nodded eagerly and grinned at Kagome. "We're friends, right Kagome?"

"That we are," Kagome felt some of the weight on her heart lifting. She was not alone, she had people who she could count on.

Her thoughts went to Inuyasha, wherever he was. He hadn't come when she'd called him last night and her charm was now gone, presumably taken by Kikyou. She had to figure out how to get to him and save him if he needed help - which he probably needed, since the summoning spell wasn't something he could refuse, being the one who had given her the pendant.

Shippou danced excitedly on his little paws in front of her, babbling about wonderful places and tricks he was going to show her, since as a yasha she could go there and learn their magic. Shi laughed and suggested more places and spells, obviously enjoying the sight of his child so elated to have a new friend. She didn't feel completely comfortable discussing things with them, they barely knew each other, but she was grateful for their presence and measurement that she was not alone and that this was not the worst thing that could happen. After all, her old life and troubles were over and she was standing on the start of a new path, one promising a lot of exciting possibilities.

'Well,' Kagome thought sourly. 'At least now I'm not going to be forced to marry Lord Kagewaki.'

She hoped that she could see Inuyasha again and that - after getting him out of the trouble he was most likely in - he would want to see her again. Would an inu find a dragon hideous? Or what if there was a centuries long feud between these two kinds of yasha? Dragons were rare, appearing only in ancient legends, what if Kikyou had been the last one and now Kagome was forced to be lonely and with no place to call her own? Would that evil yasha hunt her too? Would he catch her and keep her locked away forever?

She touched the jewel that now sat just under her chin, warm and pulsing with energy that was somehow both of yasha and kami origin.

.

"Uka, have mercy, let me go!" resounded through the sunlit forest and Kagome paused in her attempt of creating a small spell that Shippou had been showing her how to do. This was Miroku's voice and the priest's scent was on the wind. "At least untie my hands!"

"Impossible," barked the amused voice of Uka. Kagome spotted an orange and black flash between the distant trunks. "I don't want you grabbing my butt."

Shi snorted when he heard the priest's outraged exclamation. Kagome merely stared, her mouth hanging open.

"Me? Groping you? I'll have you know that I would never touch a married woman's behind, even a lovely woman's like yourself! And I most definitely wouldn't touch you in your fox form!"

He barely finished that when a fox the size of a horse leaped out of the trees and landed near the group seated in the meadow. She untangled her tails, revealing a bit disheveled Miroku, his hands tied with... Kagome gasped at the sight of drawers adored with little roses stitched across the linen.

Uka cast a glance at her family and Kagome and gave a nod, sitting with her front paws neatly in front of her and her tails fanning out behind her like a train of an exquisite dress.

'I an happy to see you awake, lady," she bowed her fox head slightly. 'And I hope my mate and son were good hosts for you."

"Thank you, Lady Uka," Kagome returned her bow. It was o odd, following the customs she'd only heard about in old tales and which felt so right. "For keeping me safe and for bringing Mr. Kaze to help me. I hope one day I will repay the debt of gratitude."

Her voice was the same as always, but it had a certain undertone of a hiss, of words coming out from mouth that weren't particularly good at clear speech. They drawn Miroku's attention like a magnet and the priest lifted his head from where he had been trying to sit up and undo the tie around his wrists. His dark blue eyes widened when they landed on Kagome and she shifted, uncomfortable, unsure of what his reaction would be.

"Oh," the spirited priest breathed out and did his best to look dignified as he bowed his head to her. "Lady ryū, how kind of you to allow this lowly human the pleasure of laying my eyes upon your true form. You flatter me by requesting my dear friend Uka to bring me to you.'

'Miroku,' Kagome was somewhat amused at his formal words, but there was a waver in her voice, a plea of a girl that was thrown in a life she didn't know anything about, forced to be something she had only fragmentary knowledge about. His mouth hung open as if it was just now that he recognized her. He was a spirited human like she had been until last night, he would understand the pain of being torn away from everything she'd known, from her family. 'I need your help. Please.'

"Ka... Kagome..." he whispered, awe and concern mixing in this one word.

The sound of her own name almost made her cry.

.

"Watch out!

All the warning she got was Kirara's mental cry and the next second she was falling, knocked off of her partner's back by a spear that had pierced her back. What dishonorable thing to do - attack from behind. But what honor had the invaders that rose from the sea and attacked Ulthar under the shadow of the passing comet?

Despite the painful wound and blood quickly dampening her clothing and armor, Sango twisted in the air. She could see Kirara, fighting one of many fling beasts that accompanied the foot forces trying to breach the walls of Ulthar.

The enemy came like the comet - swiftly and with no warning, emerging from the fog and clouds at dawn, almost flooding over the walls of the city on the shore. It was only thanks to the vigilance of the neko sentries that the warriors got enough time to grab their weapons and run to defend their homeland. As one of the elite squadron of neko fighters, who had companions able to fly, Sango had been tasked with providing aerial support fighting far above the town with its white houses with red roofs. somewhere down there, among the dozens of other neko, her father and brother fought, bringing swift death to multitude of foes. She had thrown her giant boomerang and had knocked out of the sky many beasts. But now, with Kirara unable to fly after her and catch her before she fell to the ground, Sango knew that she was going to die. Not even a neko could survive a fall from such height. And other flying neko had their paws full, barely keeping up with monsters that came to destroy their homeland - there was no hope one could reach and grab her in time. Kirara meowed for her, trying desperately to fly after her, but it was no use, at least three beasts, armed with crude spears, surrounded her and she had to fight them off.

Still, despite all odds, she didn't want to give up. She tried to twist herself mid-air, trying to ignore the blazing pain in her back, the dizzying speed of her descent and the wind blowing away any noises of the battle that raged above and below. She forced herself to think, trying to collect her youki. Maybe she could break her fall? She doubted she would be able to fight afterwards, not without help of a healer, but at least she could try, right? Her weapon was lost, she had thrown it at an enemy right before being knocked off of Kirara's back. The spear that had wounded her, was still lodged in her back, causing more agonizing pain when it shifted in the wound.

Sango blinked away tears and looked down. There, to her left, was Ulthar, sprawling over gentle hills near the sea shore. Its walls shone despite the heavy cover of clouds that hid the sun. Red tiled roofs contrasted with various shades of green of many tree that adorned the town. People were running up and down the streets - warriors fighting on the walls and around the fallen gate, other willing and able providing any help they could. Those unable to fight and children were already escorted out of the city, following secret corridors to safe houses - she had to hope that none of the enemies would find any of the passages. She was not going to be able to defend her people in this battle anymore - if she would be alive to see the moon rise she would be extremely lucky.

One glance straight down told her that she wasn't going to be lucky. She was going to hit the rocky hillside where she often trained her agility and speed, climbing up jagged rocks that would tumble down the hillside and into a stream if one stepped on them carelessly. No little kittens were allowed to play on this hillside, so close to the town.

She cursed, but the wind pushed her angered scream back into her lungs. She was too weak, after hours of fighting, her youki depleted and focused on trying to heal the gaping hole in her back. She refused to give up, she tried to brace herself for impact, planning to roll down the rocks in attempt to soothe the impact. She tried to spread her body so the wind that made it so hard to breathe would slow her at least a bit, prepared to land on her feet first and then roll...

A part of her mind that was all cold logic and practicality, told her that even with these preparations, the force of the impact was going to at least fracture the bones in her legs. She could see the sharp, gray rocks that were soon to be tainted with her own blood.

"Sango!"

An unfamiliar voice called her name, somehow reaching her over the whistle of the wind and the cacophony of noises of the battle. Instinctively she turned her gaze away from the rocks she was about to hit and towards the source of the voice. All she saw was a flash of white and red before she was engulfed in...

'By the nine lives of the King of Cats, dog breath!' was the last thing she thought before her mind filled the searing pain when something arrested her fall, jerking her whole body and the spear buried in it.

She was jerked back to reality when she was laying on the ground, her face pressed against the uneven rocks that dug into the muddy bank of the stream. Something giant loomed over her, casting a shadow around her. Everything stank of dog. She stank of dog.

Apparently, the dog was about to devour her, because when she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of deadly pearly fangs and black mouth of the dog opening next to her.

Then the pink tongue came out of that hellish maw and ran all over her back, soaking her in the gross saliva and eliciting a yowl of pain from her when it passed over her bloody wound. She sensed a tingle of magic layer over her injury.

"You damn cur!" she struggled to get free, but one massive paw landed where no paw should ever land without her consent - well, to be honest with paws as big as these it could be that the dog tried to pin down her legs before she scratched him - and the damn tongue ran over her again, spreading the foul sticky liquid all over her, from head to the small of her back where the paw prevented more of it getting into her already ruined tunic and armor.

Couldn't the beast just eat her already, had it to taste and humiliate her first?

That thought gave her a pause. The enemies were mostly multi-limbed, coiling and dark creatures, like mutated monsters out of nightmare. This was a dog with thick coat glimmering like fresh snow. She tilted her head to look up again, despite the saliva running down from her hair and across her cheek.

It really was a dog. A big dumb dog with fur much paler than Kirara's, with ears painted red. A slash of purple adorned both his cheeks.

At that same time the dog lifted its head and looked towards where the top of the hill was. A fraction of a second later a booming howl could be heard, shaking the very ground. It was full of youki, a clear challenge and threat, a call to hunt and defend. The dog tilted its head up and howled, the lack of sound resounding in her bones and making her wince. She heard this sound and this lack of sound for the first time in her life, but she already found it annoying. And somewhat reassuring, in this circumstances.

Then the paw was lifted from her and the canine rose to all fours, golden eyes glancing down at her. It was easy to see concern in their honeyed depths.

"Father calls for attack and I cant stay longer. Keep her put until the wound closes, Kirara," the dog's voice was gruff and left no space for discussion. Sango hissed at the stupid dog that thought he could command a cat, but he was already turning around and running off.

Sango hissed again and tried to get up, but this time Kirara's paws landed on her, pressing her gently to the ground.

"Don't move," her partner pleaded, her voice worried. "The shiro inu caught you before I could reach you and he said his saliva will help heal the wound."

"Ugh, it's gross!" Sango complained, but didn't try to get up. She just carefully shifted so she could wipe the wetness off of her face. The mutt had saved her, she realized, and had spared a while to apply the foul stench all over her in good will. She probably owed him her life. "How bad is it? id you get hurt?"

"I'll be fine," Kirara promised and nuzzled the side of her neck carefully. "And the wound is closing pretty fast."

"With any luck I'll be able to return to the fight" Sango sighed, trying to relax and ignore the feel of cooling and wet clothing sticking to her.

"With a hunting pack of shiro inu arriving?" Kirara growled, only half-annoyed. "These selfish dogs always try to get all the fighting for themselves, sticking their noses in other people's fights!"

"Damn dumb dogs," Sango grumbled, but there was an a tone of relief in her voice, one that she would deny if confronted about.

The Emperor had sent the shiro inu hunting pack to assist Ulthar in defending the shore. judging by the distant noises of the battle, the arrival of the dogs was well-timed, neko forces wouldn't be able to hold the invaders back for much longer. And, if the stories about the passing of the comet and the attacks of the beasts that emerged from the sea when it was over the lands, were true the assault would last for days, until the Inu no Taisho and another of similar rank and power redirected the comet away from the Isle for another five centuries.

Sango allowed herself to relax and just lay down for a few more minutes, until her youki - aided by the stinky, slimy saliva of the moronic mutt - healed the hole in her back. She wanted nothing more than to wash that stuff off of herself and dress in things that weren't torn and didn't cling coldly to her skin.

"I'm glad you're fine, Kirara ," she sighed. Her partner flicked both her tails where she sat neatly next to her, keeping watch. "I;m sorry I fell off, it caught me by surprise.

"I'm just happy you are alive," Kirara purred, looking lost in her own thoughts. 'I wonder..."

"Hm?" the neko princess shifted a little to lay more comfortably. She tried to guess how the fight was going, judging by the trembling of the ground and noises. By the fact that dog yapping was getting louder she was certain they were pushing the enemy further down the shore line.

"From where that inu knew our names? It's not like we keep close ties with their kin," the giant cat licked her fangs, somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that some stranger addressed her and her partner so casually while they didn't know him.

Sango winced when she felt some of the wetness trickle down her side and into the mud under her.

.

"She looks just like you," Miroku informed Kagome. "She even moves like you, uses the same words you do. She never made me feel anything was off, aside of the fact she was a bit more distant than you were. If I didn't know the truth, I'd have thought her to be you, just trying to keep your distance for some reason."

They sat in the kitsune den, a cave in the side of a big hill deep in the forest. Miroku had listened to Kagome's tale and had gone to the shrine to meet Kikyou while the fox family invited Kagome to their dwelling. With Uka's help Kagome managed to change shape from the giant coiling dragon to the body she was used to. It took a lot of trying, but when Kagome got the grip of it, the shift came almost effortlessly, which was what was supposed to happen, according to the foxes.

Now Kagome sat on a reed mat, dressed in her old dress, mended and cleaned y magic, the shawl falling over her back. Kagome assumed it was a gift from Kikyou, since it was the same one she'd been wearing, heavy with protective spells that would veil her from any foul being, at least for a time.

The main chamber of the kitsune den was spacious, the floor covered by reed mats, the walls had shelves dug in the packed dirt and roots of the trees growing above coming out of them here and there, providing space to put or hang things on. There was a small fire pit in the middle of the room and a few corridors led away and deeper inside the hill to the private rooms of the family. A barrel of water stood near the basin half-full with dishes waiting to be washed in the corner of the chamber clearly being the kitchen.

"She took her life." Shi nodded, "It makes sense that she can pretend to be her and fool human eyes."

"What am I to do now?" Kagome asked. "Confront her and change places with her like she did?"

Miroku scratched his cheek.

"I'm not sure it's possible. I've heard of humans becoming yasha but only after death. And there are no stories of yasha becoming human..."

"We never do. We can pretend, seal away out power for a while to stay with a human we fall for," Uka shook her head. "But it is a foolish errand to be in love with a human. It never ends well. No offense, but most of you are bad news."

The priest shrugged, not even trying to fight this statement. Just as humans feared the mysterious fae that lurked in the wilderness, the yasha usually kept away from the humans. Stories of love between the two races were always tragic and ending in misery.

"Besides, what is there to gain from becoming a human?" Shi stretched his fox boy out on his mat, blinking lazily. "Being a yasha is way better. You are confused and stuff now, but you will find this a way better life, Lady Kagome."

"Yeah!" Shippou seconded his father. "You can live with us and we can play with Souta when he comes to see us in the forest!"

Kagome nodded at that. She had not realize it before, but the little fox was right. Souta knew of yasha and he was not going to change his feelings about her just because she was one of them. She still could see him from time to time - this knowledge lifted her spirit a lot.

She needed time to adjust to her new circumstances, but with friends at her side she was sure she would be fine. She could make the best of her situation and focus on that, not on lamenting her lack of choice on the matter.

"And you can travel the yasha lands and visit your shiro inu friend," Uka snickered. Miroku looked between the two females and rubbed his chin, as if pondering something.

"I tried to summon Inuyasha last night," Kagome confessed, making the vixen tense and look up at her with wide eyes. "He gave me a charm to call him if I needed him, but it didn't work. I'm afraid he got in trouble. "

"Inuyasha," Uka repeated. "You didn't say that your shiro inu friend was named Inuyasha."

"Uh," Kagome shifted where she sat. There was recognition in Uka's gaze and she grinned at the former human even wider. "I didn't, I guess?"

"I knew one Inuyasha, years ago. He went exploring the continent, I heard," the vixen reached out and patter Kagome's hand. "Well, if he is back and befriended you, dear Kagome, it is even more reason for us to do what we can to help you. Can you show me the charm?"

Kagome shook her head. "Kikyou took it."

"That was foul of her," Shi grumbled.

"Oh hush," Uka swished one of her tails in front of her mate before giving Kagome a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure he is fine. But going to shiro inu lands is what might be a good choice for you, especially if you are friends with Inuyasha."

"I want to make sure he is alright," Kagome confessed, blushing a little. She wanted that, yes, but she also missed him. The vixen at her side nodded, a knowing smile on her face.

"Yes, of course. Plus you told us that Kikyou mentioned a dark yasha that hunted her and that it might try to catch you. We, as much as we wish to, cannot provide much protection. As you are now a yasha, you can definitely go all the way to the inu lands and request the shiro inu to defend you, especially if Inuyasha speaks on your behalf."

A shiver ran down Kagome's spine at the mention of Kikyou and the yasha that had kept her captive for kami knew how long. She had been so desperate, so sorrowful. Kagome knew that the torment she had endured had been the reason for her to find and bespell Kagome, taking her life from her. She had been too worn out to run anymore and feared getting caught more than anything. Now as a human, Kagome guessed, Kikyou was no longer the foul yasha's target. Which meant that Kagome was, most likely. She reached up and touched the jewel that hying from her neck. Uka was right, if a dragon feared to be caught and overpowered by that yasha, what hope of fighting him off had kitsune of no high clan?

Seeking sanctuary in inu lands was the wise choice, especially because that way she could meet Inuyasha... If he wanted to still see her, now when she was like this.

"I will go..." Kagome decided.. "But I don't know the way around..."

"Take me with you, Lady Kagome," Miroku spoke up, looking at her with determined eyes. "I know much of yasha kind and can help you along the way."

"Ah, you want to go through Ulthar!" Shi snickered. "To see if your kitty lady is there!"

"That too, yes," Miroku nodded, not looking away from Kagome. "I know that humans aren't usually allowed in yasha lands, but with the permission of lady ryu - who would question my presence there? And I know where the inu lands are, more or less."

Kagome bit her bottom lip. "I don't want to endanger you, Miroku."

"I can take care of myself pretty well," the priest grinned. "And I know a lot about the dangers that can befall a young yasha like yourself."

Kagome didn't want Miroku in trouble, but the perspective of a knowledgeable friend at her side was tempting.

Kagome glanced sideways to Uka, who shrugged.

"He won't be attacked, if he is with you. And he knows a lot, so he can help you" the vixen said. "Besides, neither Shi, nor I can go with you, we are bound to stay in this forest."

"Could I go?" Shippou asked, looking up at his mother. "I promise to behave," he added quickly. "And I can teach Kagome magic. Miroku can't do that," he pointed out.

'But you're just a small child, I can't take you with me. It will be a long trip an can be dangerous!' Kagome shook her head.

"I'm almost forty, I'll have you know!' Shippou pouted. "And I know lost of good concealing spells!"

"And he cab keep[ an eye on Miroku," added Shi with a chuckle.

"Hey!' Miroku glared at the fox. 'I have made some things in the past, but now I'm loyal to my lovely lady! Besides, Lady Kagome is a dear friend!"

Shi shrugged. Kagome bit her borrow lip, ignoring these two. She had a bigger problem - Shippou was still looking at her with pleading eyes. She glanced to Uka for support, since she was his mother. The vixen looked thoughtful.

"If you manage to teach Kagome how to summon her tree before sundown, you can go" the kitsune lady decided. "After all you have to show us that you can teach her magic."

Kagome gasped while Shippou bounced on his feet, clapping his hands. Oh yes, now she had a tree. Not only that big, scary form of an animal, but also a tree, rooting her into the Isle and proclaiming her a real yasha.

"Come, Kagome, come!" Shippou grabbed her hand and pulled her to stand up. "We have to start right away!"

"Um..." Kagome looked at the others. Shi nodded at her encouragingly while Uka rose and turned toward the kitchen.

"I will prepare some food for you," she said, as if it was a day like any other. Kagome didn't want to put both Miroku and Shippou in danger while helping her, but she found some peace of mind watching how calm Uka and Shi were about all that. Maybe it was not as serious - after all Kikyou had told her there would be tie for her before the evil yasha came looking for her.

"Can I accompany you and watch you train?" Miroku asked with curiosity in his eyes. "I might provide some advice, maybe?"

"Sure," Kagome smiled and finally gave up to the boy tugging at her hand. He was so happy and Kagome shared in his excitement - after all this was going to be her new life. She was not alone and she had hope that all would end well.

'I bet she will be an alder, being of a family of priests," she heard Shi talking to his wife behind her back.

"An alder? Maybe. But she might be a cherry. That was Inuyasha's tree, it would make sense they match," Uka replied, amusement in her voice mixing with fondness. Kagome's cheeks grew hot, thinking of her tree matching Inuyasha's. Would he like that?

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