Disclaimer:  While my yorky/schnauzer dog keeps insisting that he is the lord of the western lands, I still do not own Inuyasha.

AN:  For those waiting for me to update my other stories, I'm sorry but this chapter kept beating me in the head till I agreed to write it.  I know I promised citrus by this chapter but there is still no lemon or even lime.  I would say this chapter has orange.  Next chapter I plan to let my more perverted side take over though so it should be interesting.

Heritage

Chapter 4

Let the Fun Begin

"I've brought someone who needs to talk to you."

Everyone turned from the now squished Myoga to regard the veiled woman that had accompanied him.  She was petite even by that day's standard, standing a number of inches shorter than Kagome.  She was not a child for she moved with the grace of a lady.  By her rich kimono she was obviously well off and was most likely the daughter of the local lord.  Instantly Miroku was kneeling in front of her, gently holding her hand.  "My dear lady, I Miroku shall do whatever I can to ease your distress.  Please let us look upon your beautiful face so we may know who we are aiding."

"I may not."  The mysterious woman responded in a dulcet yet firm voice, extracting her hand from Miroku's grasp to press her veil down as if they would try to tear it from her face.  "It would attract my love here and I do not wish him to be harmed."

"Why do you fear that your love would be harmed if he came?"  Questioned Kagome. 

"Why would showing your face bring him here?"  Sango asked a bit suspicious that her presence was related to the demon they were hunting.

The lady gave a sigh suggesting great anguish.  "Let me tell you the whole tale and then you may understand."

Miroku had once again caught one of her fair hands.  "My dear lady, it sounds as if your tale will be long and the ground is much too hard for one as fair as your.  Please use my humble body as a cushion."  A loud "thwack" sounded out as Sango's boomerang hit Miroku's head. 

The lady seemed a bit unsure after witnessing Miroku and Sango's antics and seemed about to just leave.  Then her resolve seemed to strengthen as she straightened her spine.  "No, I have decided to deny myself most comforts in penance of the hardships I have caused most of the local woman."  Seeing that she had everyone's attention she began her tale.  "I am the youngest of 7 and the only daughter of the local lord.  Being the youngest and the only girl my parents doted on me and made sure I had whatever I desired.  When I was very young I asked to go with my father whenever he went to the surrounding towns for tribute or to pass his blessing for new buildings.  My father allowed this and because I was treated well by all the townsfolk, I became protective of them and made sure that they were always treated fairly and would always tell my father if one of my brothers used their station to mistreat someone."

"Is there a point to this sappy tale?"  Inuyasha huffed winning a glare from Kagome.

"Just ignore him."  Kagome muttered.  "Please continue."

The lady nodded and began to speak once more, wringing her hands within the sleeves of her kimono.  "My tattling on my brothers caused much friction between us and when my father threatened to disown my eldest brother due to the fact that I learned he had raped the girl that sewed my kimonos, my eldest brother decided to poison me."  While her face could not be seen, the sounds of soft crying could be heard.  "My brother's plan failed.  For you see a flea demon had happened by and thought I was too beautiful to be allowed to die.  He sucked the poison from by body saving me.  Fearful that my brother might try to kill me again, I asked him to stay with me and protect me.  He was gracious enough to agree and for many months he was forever with me and stopped a number of attacks upon my life.  During this time we fell in love and wished to be married."

Inuyasha interrupted her monologue with a very rude snort of disgust.

"Sit"

  After a pause the lady continued.  "My father forever willing to give me anything, agreed to the wedding.  However, trouble came when I wished to bear his child."

At this point Kagome's eyes slid from the mysterious woman to where Myoga was standing on Kirara's back, taking in the size difference.  Almost involuntarily her mind tried to picture what it would look like if a flea demon tried to couple with a normal human girl.  The resulting images where not pretty, even if he was able to balloon up like Myoga had when he had sucked a lot of blood.  *Gah!  I'm a worse pervert than Miroku.*  Kagome mentally chastised herself.  Then looking around at her friends, Kagome realized that she was not the only one trying to envision the plausibility, that is except for Shippo who was looking on with innocent acceptance of the story.

Not once looking up to notice the incredulous stares, the lady smoothly continued her story.  "We learned of the Shikon shards and how they could be used to increase a demon's strength and more importantly his size."  Inuyasha leaned in intently at the mention of the Shikon shards.  "After much searching, my love was able to acquire two shards and returned home with them.  The night of his return he used the shards and we where finally able to fully express our love for each other."

Once again Kagome's stomach turned as the thought of making love with a flea demon of all things violated her thoughts.  Glancing around she realized her friends where also suffering the same dilemma.  Firmly squelching any noises of her own disgust, Kagome threatened Inuyasha by mouthing "sit" to silence him, knowing that he would not have the tact to keep his own mouth shut.

"Somehow the shards changed my loves personality.  I did not notice at first, thinking that when we would finish and he would want to begin our love making again it was only because he loved me so.  Then I became tired and he became enraged.  I fled in fear.  It was then I learned how much the shards had changed him.  He began to lustily attack any female that exposed her more delicate parts."

With a snort Inuyasha looked at Miroku.  "Sounds like you Miroku." 

Miroku's face tightened, "I have never forced my attentions on anyone."  He stated coolly.

"Oh no, do not think badly of my love."  The lady asked plaintively.  "He has not raped anyone.  It is just when they try to bath or dress provocatively he leaps onto them and just fondles them and tries to convince them to bed with him."

"I guess he is like you Miroku" Sango commented dryly.

Ignoring Sango, Miroku questioned the lady.  "That still does not explain why you are wearing a veil."

"You see, when I lift my veil he seems to come as if called.  The few times I have lifted it, I have had to run for he is not in his right mind.  I dare not lift it here for I had come here to ask you not to kill him.  For he is the demon Happosai you have been seeking.  It is for love of me and fear of my father the villagers have endured his attacks and not aided your hunt.  Please, I beseech you.  Do not harm him."

Before Inuyasha could say anything about doing whatever it took to retrieve the shards Kagome cut in.  "All we want are the two shards he has.  We do not need to kill him."

Visually relieved, the veiled woman turned to leave.  "I still do not wish to betray my dear Happosai by luring him here.  Instead know that he frequents the numerous hot springs that honeycomb this area."  That said she turned and left.

Everything was quiet till a thought hit Kagome, *hot springs, that means a warm bath.*  Suddenly excited she whirled around to face Inuyasha.  "Inuyasha can you smell a hot spring nearby?"

Inuyasha brightened noticeably.  "Good idea.  We can start hunting the little pervert right away."  Slowly he turned in a circle, sniffing at the air for the slight sulfur smell that always accompanied natural hot springs. 

"Actually Inuyasha, I planned on taking a bath."  Kagome stared boldly into Inuyasha's eyes daring him to object.  Kagome grimaced as she took in his surprised and angry visage. 

However it was Miroku who spoke first.  "Are you sure that is wise Kagome."

Kagome knew she was being unreasonable, but it had been so long since her last warm bath and the temptation was too great.  "I will take my bow and arrows."  Seeing that her friends were still not convinced she continued.  "Sango could come as well.  I'm sure a mere flea demon, no offense Myoga, could stand before us."

Sango was now becoming tempted by the lure of a hot bath.  "I'm sure the demon Happosai is nowhere near or he would have already attacked Kagome due to how much flesh is already exposed by her outfit."  While Kagome was a bit miffed about Sango's comment regarding her clothing, Kagome kept her mouth shut, looking pleadingly at Inuyasha and Miroku.  But Inuyasha was looking particularly stubborn.

Shippo sighed at once again having to be the mature one.  "Why don't we camp near the hot spring tonight?  If there is no sign of the demon by morning than Kagome and Sango can take a bath."

Kagome realizing that a bath in the morning was better than no bath instantly turned her pleading eyes to Inuyasha.  "Pleeaase Inuyasha.  You would smell it if the demon was close so it would be perfectly safe besides Sango and I having our weapons close."

Inuyasha never could bear it when Kagome pleaded with him so with a huff he snarled out, "Fine.  We will move our camp closer to the hot spring.  Maybe your two will lure him out."

After a short move and an agonizingly long night Kagome was skipping towards a hot spring with Sango following behind.  It was not long after they disappeared from sight that Miroku began to follow.  "I don't think so."  Inuyasha flatly stated as he moved to block Miroku's path, Shippo moved to his side to also glare at Miroku.

"Miroku calmly stared back at Inuyasha.  "Do you not believe that they need looking after in case the temptation of their glistening bare flesh provides too much of a temptation for the flea youkai."

"Not by you."  Inuyasha growled.  They both were locked into a stand off neither willing to give in.

At the hot spring, Kagome and Sango, having neatly placed their clothing at the edge of the spring with their weapons on top, were just stepping into the inviting hot spring.  Kagome sighed as she just barely stepped into the hot spring, the warm water already soothing her tired feet.  "Sango, I am so glad you backed me up so we could take this bath."

Sango gave an insulted sniff as she too walked into the soothing waters.  "I am a woman too you know.  I enjoy a warm bath as much as the next woman."

Kagome was about to wave her arms in protest when something smacked her in the chest.  Looking down Kagome realized with horror that the face of a bald man who would stand about 3/4s her height had his face nuzzling between her breasts.  "AAAAAAH!!!!!!"  Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs as she tried to no avail to pry her assailant off.  She barely looked up in time to see Sango's boomerang slicing down to nock him off.

However, the boomerang did not connect as the man somehow managed to push off from Kagome in time, twisting in the air to land face first into Sango's bosom.  There was a slight stunned pause before Sango screamed.

Inuyasha and Miroku had still been locked into a stare down when Kagome's scream had sounded out.  Instantly they began to run towards the hot spring, Shippo and Kirara fallowing close behind.  Then Sango's scream had torn through the air.  Never had Sango screamed in all the time they had traveled together.  Not once, even though they had fought against many terrifying demons.  The thought of something that would make her scream sent cold terror to their hearts. 

It was barely a heartbeat later when they broke from the trees and stopped stunned at the sight before them.  Terror was replaced with stunned shock.  In the clearing a completely nude Kagome and a completely nude Sango where manically attacking something that only appeared as a blur.  The moved as if completely unaware of their nudity, rage evident on their faces.  Kagome's arrows where flying almost at random in every direction as she fired with all her speed at the blur, only slowing to retrieve some of her arrows to fire again.  Sango's boomerang was no less active.  She would barely catch her boomerang before she would send it flying once again.  Every once in a while the blur would seem to come closer and Sango would hold on to her boomerang so she could swing wildly at it.

It was a wonder that Kagome and Sango had not killed each other with how wildly they where attacking.  It looked as if anyone who dared to enter the clearing would instantly be taken down by one of their wild weapons.  Then right after Sango's boomerang was thrown, the streak rocketed towards her unprotected chest.  Kagome whirled to shoot it but held her bow since if she shot and it moved, she would then shoot Sango in the chest.  Inuyasha and Miroku jerked from their stunned state with the horrible thought that they would not reach her in time.  However, disaster was averted when Kirara jumped over their heads and slammed into the side of the blur.

All watched in amazement as the blur turned into a small bald man who tumbled onto the ground for a few feet before standing up and crying, "You're mean!!"  Then he turned into a blur and disappeared into the forest.

For a few heartbeats there was complete stillness.  Then Kagome and Sango turned in unison yelling "Well what are you thinking?!  We can't let him escape."  With that said they moved as if to give chase but stopped as Miroku cleared his throat.

"Not that I mind the view…"  He broke off and stared meaningfully at their forgotten clothes. 

For a few seconds confusion showed on their faces.  Then as the realization that they were still completely nude, they both screamed calling Inuyasha, Miroku, and even Shippo perverts for looking as they belatedly tried to cover themselves, blushing clear to their navels (which was very apparent by their state of undress).  Inuyasha and Miroku made the deadly mistake of laughing at their reaction.

"SIT"

WHACK

After the guys had packed up their camp and the girls where dressed they began their chase.  Sango and Kagome where out for blood, much to Shippo's confusion, and insisted that they go as fast as they could.  However Happosai could move very quickly and had quite a lead, so the chase went long.  During the chase, Inuyasha would scout ahead tracking Happosai, doubling back occasionally to let the rest of the group know which way to go.  Miroku and Sango would alternate between riding on Kirara and running next to Kagome's bike when Kirara would shrink down to take a needed rest in Kagome's basket.  The whole time Shippo road on the back of Kagome's bike asking periodically if Kagome needed a rest. 

Inuyasha needed to be able to move quickly and lightly so as to be able to track the flea youkai.  Thus Kagome never asked to ride on his back and have him carry her bike.  Kagome was determined not to stop till they caught that demon.  All of her embarrassment was channeled into hatred towards that demon and in her rage she forgot that she had actually wanted to save Happosai not shred him into itty bitty pieces.  Luckily, many months of traveling in the Shinjuku period had toned Kagome so that the first few hours or bike riding went fairly easily.  However, while Kagome was in shape, she was not a marathon biker and after a few hours she had to focus on her anger to give her the energy necessary to continue.  Never had she pushed herself so hard, but when her emotions ran high, Kagome was not a rational person.  She managed to keep pedaling till late afternoon when her exhaust clouded eyes missed a rock and she went tumbling to the ground.

"Kagoomee  You need to stop."  Shippo whined in a very concerned voice.

"I have to agree with Shippo."  Miroku's calm voice stated.  "I do not believe we will catch the demon this way anyways."

At this moment Inuyasha returned from scouting ahead.  He didn't even glance at Kagome's prone form before stating flatly that he had lost the trail.

"See Kagome, it is not reasonable to try to catch the demon in a straight out chase."  Miroku continued.

"That's right!"  Shippo exclaimed, glad to see that Kagome looked like she was finally going to be reasonable.  "Besides, tonight Inuyasha will not be able to track the demon anyways."

"Tonight?"  Kagome questioned and then smacked herself on the forehead.  *Why am I always forgetting the new moon?*   With a grumpy sigh, Kagome shoved her bag off of her bike to signify that she was giving in and they could make camp here.

Sango, still vibrating with outrage over the morning's incident was trying to control her own anger to think clearly.  "We need a way to trap the demon."

Shippo had been pondering this same thing throughout most of the chase and decided to share one of his ideas.  "You and Kagome could take another bath while we watched from a hiding spot and when the demon …"  Shippo trailed off, his survival instincts telling him that two very violent auras where descending upon him. 

What stood before Shippo was truly terrifying indeed.  Sango and Kagome stood before him with waves of crackling energy rolling off of them, emphasizing the unnaturally darken campground.  Their faces were hidden in the flickering shadows caused by their energy.  "I THINK NOT!!"  They shouted in perfect unison causing poor Shippo to run for cover.

"The idea has merit."

 There was complete silence as Sango and Kagome mechanically turned to see who had dared.  There was Miroku with his back turned to them as he pulled out some teriyaki nori from Kagome's pack.  The temperature dropped so suddenly it was a wonder ice did not form.  Then, noticing the quiet chill, Miroku turned to regard the two frothing ladies.  He dropped the nori in shock as the temperature leaped from an icy chill to white hot rage.  But before they could rend Miroku to shreds a new voice broke in.

"It probably won't work anyways."  Inuyasha stated nonchalantly.  "After seeing them once he would not want to see them again."

Twin scrams of rage sounded before a "SIT" and the hollow "WHACK" of Sango's boomerang echoed through the air.

"Bitch!  I meant he would recognize you and therefore stay away so as not to get captured." screamed an outraged hanyou.  Miroku said nothing for he was currently laying unconscious on the ground and Shippo was cowering in some nearby bushes.

The camp settled into a pensive quiet as each member pondered how they were going to be able to catch the demon, or in some cases, torture him.  As it neared meal time Inuyasha stood to go and hunt before he lost his youkai senses.  Seeing this Kagome forced herself to stand up even though she was exhausted, picking up her bow and arrows and moving to fallow Inuyasha.

"What do you want?"  Barked Inuyasha still angry at the sit he did not deserve.

"I want to go with you."  Kagome spoke in a voice that allowed no arguments.

Except if you happen to be a surely hanyou.  "Why?  You will slow me down and I do not want to be out when the moon comes up."

Kagome pleaded with her eyes.  "I need to practice shooting smaller things that move fast.  I thought I could practice by shooting at small game you flushed out."

Inuyasha understood her need to practice.  She had not been able to land one blow on that stupid flea demon.  The thought of that flea touching what he considered his made him growl deep within his throat.

Kagome heard his growl and interpreted it as Inuyasha still refusing her.  "Please…"  She whined with tears in her eyes. "You must understand needing to conquer something that made a fool of you."  Kagome hoped that the tears mixed with a statement reminding Inuyasha of his own pride and competitive nature might do the trick.  If it didn't she was going to have to sit him till he agreed and she hated to do that but she was desperate for practice.

*Ugh.  Why the tears again?*  Inuyasha cursed.  Then making up his mind he turned his back to Kagome.  "Feh.  Get on.  You will make too much noise otherwise."

With a clap of glee Kagome leaped onto Inuyasha's back and held on as he moved thru the trees with surprising stealth for one carrying a girl with a bow on his back.  Inuyasha's smooth gait gently lulled Kagome into a semi asleep state where her eyes where open but her mind wandered freely as if in sleep.  It was times like these that Kagome looked with awe at all the untamed wildness and thought with some sadness that some much had had to be tamed for Japan's growing population.  It was not long before Inuyasha stopped just outside of a clearing and motioned for Kagome to get off.  Signing for her continued silence he disappeared into the forest again and Kagome assumed he was going to scare something into the clearing.

As she waited, Kagome readied an arrow and focused on the clearing anticipating that that was where Inuyasha was going to scare the game.  Just as she was getting antsy and felt the need to move for fear of falling asleep a rustle was heard to her left and a small brown rabbit and a medium sized gray bird came shooting out of the bush.  Kagome aimed for the bird and released her arrow.  As soon as she let the arrow loose she was sure it was not going to fly true so without following its flight she whipped out a second arrow and turned to focus on the rabbit.  Focusing all of her energies she told herself that it was not a rabbit but instead it was that perverted flea demon.  Every nerve in her body strummed with power as she aimed and fired.  *I WILL NOT MISS*  She screamed in her head.  Satisfaction flushed her system as the arrow, blazing with power, flew true to its destination.  Triumph was in her eyes for she could feel in her bones that this shot would hit home.  Then it hit.

There was a thunderous roar and then complete silence.  Kagome just stood still barely holding her bow in her nerveless hands.  Off to her left Inuyasha stood up from a bush, bits of leaves still in his hair, with a shocked expression.  Where the rabbit had once been there was now a scorched hole.  No sign of the rabbit had survived Kagome's 'practice.'

Horribly embarrassed Kagome desperately wanted to get away before Inuyasha could comment on her "great hunting."  With a huff she turned towards Inuyasha and gathered all of her pride before snapping out, "These animals are too slow to give me any practice.  I'm going back."  She then turned towards what she hoped was back to camp with her fists at her side and marched into the forest.

Inuyasha watched her disappear completely before breaking out in a barking laugh.  Never would he have thought that she would use a purity arrow on a defenseless rabbit.  *Sometimes she really has no sense.*  Still chuckling he went over to where her first arrow had pierced the wing of the bird he had scared.  He calmly killed the bird and was still chuckling as he followed Kagome's sent which was for once heading the right way. 

As he thought about it more he laughed harder till from a fair way ahead he heard Kagome yell out.  "Say one word and you will be the bunny."  Inuyasha laughed so hard no sound would come out.