A/N: I think this one is going to be one of my favorite stories I've written because It's a young love that starts as a close friendship to a full blown romance; all within ten to fifteen chapters. What I definitely want you guys to keep in mind is that in the feudal era women got married and had kids before the age of 18. This is a Shippo/Rin pairing which starts post-Naraku, and its rated T, which means there isn't going to be any lemons, limes, or citrus fruit.

Introducing Shippo and the Group

"Kags, I'm hungry" whined Inuyasha. Kagome rolled her eyes and pulled a bag of ramen out of her bag.

"This is the last one Inuyasha, I'm going to have to go home soon" She said. She grabbed one of the clean pots out of the hut Inuyasha made for all of them to stay in. It didn't have the qualities of a modern day house but it was better than sleeping in a tent. The hut had sectioned off areas, and then slips separated each section. Sango & Miroku shared a 1/3 of the hut, Kagome and Inuyasha shared a 1/3, and Shippo slept in the main area of the hut in the back.

"That's fine mate, you can go home anytime as long as you don't stay too long" He answered, reaching out for the warm bowl of noodles. She made a smaller bowl for Shippo and another bowl for herself. Sango was on a straight fish and berries diet because anything else upset her and the baby growing in her stomach.

"Shippo! Time for lunch" She called, waiting to see the little fox demon scurry out from the hut.

"It smells good Mama, even though I know that fish would be better" hinted Shippo. Kagome shot him a warning look so he would stop.

"Ready to leave?" Inuyasha asked; he had eaten to his heart's fill and they had more villages to protect.

"Yes of course, I have to grow my bow and arrows first. Are you coming with us Shippo?" Kagome asked softly. He hadn't grown any over the few months since Naraku's defeat. But he was still a part of the family.

"Yes mama" He replied, finishing up the bowl. Kagome was almost done with hers as well. She had to pack up a little bit before they left. Some of the villagers in Kaede's village heard of a neighboring village that was suffering from a famine and illnesses. Kagome wanted to check it out, maybe make some coins so they could afford to buy Sango something for the baby.

"Keh, let's go" Inuyasha barked. He had his sword and he was content with that. Kagome rolled her eyes for the second time today, as she grabbed her yellow backpack. She stuffed it with some food they had stored, her sleeping bag, some spare clothes, and her first aid kit. Then she grabbed onto her little kit, and they wandered to the neighboring villages.

"I hope we aren't too late. Those rumors about the illness that plagued the village was a few days old" Kagome worried.

"Keh, they should just be happy we arrived. If it wasn't for the money…." Inuyasha started but Kagome shot him a look so evil that he shut his mouth.

"I like helping the villagers, it isn't just about what reward we can garnish" Kagome stated, as she continued walking alongside Inuyasha. He was happy to have Kagome as his; Kikyo died to help them defeat Naraku, they no longer lived a life in fear of being attacked, but they still weren't able to live the life they wanted.

Kagome did not have to have children without being able to afford it. Inuyasha could provide protection but couldn't get a real job being that he was half demon/half human. He cared about Kagome and what she wanted but being forced to wander the earth searching for villages that still needed their assistance was ridiculous.

"Come Inuyasha, I see a village up ahead" Kagome motioned for him to pay attention and follow the path that leads to that small village. Inuyasha could smell death and sickness from miles away from the town, they needed more help than Kagome could provide.

"Hello" said a small boy. His nose was red, snot dripping down onto his mouth.

"Hello, can you tell me where I can find the leader of this village?" asked Kagome gently, he pointed to the biggest house in the center of the village and Kagome followed his directions.

"Hello, my name is Kagome. I am a priestess and I can see that this village needs assistance" Kagome smiled warmly. The elderly man looked dead; his eyes were sunken in, his nose was running as well, but he was continually sneezing and coughing.

"Hello Miko, thank you for your assistance. Our townspeople have been affected by this illness; it makes all the men, women and children unable to tend to the foods that need to be harvested, and to care for the town. Is there anything you can do?" He asked slowly,

"Yes, I can begin treating the villagers with medicine to cure their sickness, but it will take several days to reach everyone in the town. Can you tell me what you have been doing to try and cure the problem?" Kagome asked.

"We have avoided contact with each other, we have also stopped bathing or going outside. We have tried every remedy available by our healer but nothing has worked so far" He replied. Kagome could see that they stopped living when they became sick.

"I suggest before I treat any of the villagers that you all bathe and eat before I heal. I also want everyone to make sure they wash their clothes, bedding, and anything else they've touched daily" Kagome instructed. The man was already grateful for that small amount of advice so he gave Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo one of the spare huts in the villa to use during their stay.

"Thank you, kind sir" Kagome bowed low and he left them to their own devices.

"Keh! The smell of all these sick people is disgusting. How long do we have to stay here?" complained Inuyasha.

"Hush Yasha, these people have what looks like the cold. It should only take us 3 more days if I can give everyone the first dose of medicine tomorrow. They haven't been taking care of themselves well. They should have been bathing and eating regularly to help their bodies heal but they haven't. Besides, we agreed to help them, so don't rush" Kagome scolded him harshly.

"What's the cold?" Shippo asked, confused.

"It's when they get the running, stuffy nose, the sneezing, coughing, sore throat. Luckily the cold is easily treatable and goes away quickly" Kagome answered, unpacking all that she brought with her. Inuyasha wasn't going to sleep until he was sure the village was safe so he sat up by the door to stay watch. Kagome unrolled her sleeping bag and let Shippo get in first.

"What bout you mama?" Shippo asked.

"I have to change clothes and then talk to Inuyasha. You get some sleep first" She insisted so Shippo rested his head and went to sleep.

"The boy's getting to old to be this attached to you, Kags. He needs to learn how to be an adult soon. I remember at his age, I was fending for myself for everything. Sesshomaru kicked me out once my mother died but I wasn't afraid of anything anymore" Inuyasha said.

"He's spoiled, I know, but I don't want him to have to suffer that way. Maybe when he's older, it's not like he's behind or anything" Kagome whispered.

"He is; He needs to begin training so that he can protect himself when he gets older. Hunting can come later" Inuyasha whispered back, but Kagome had already begun undressing and getting ready for the next day's events. She was tired and ready for bed.

"Night Yasha" She said, leaning over to give him a kiss before she crawled into the sleeping bag with Inuyasha