Author=Sandpaw

Editor=Heartfang

Kitsune Neko

Chapter 1 falling for Shippo

Half-way through the forest, Kirara walked in a thoughtful daze. She was in her small kitten-like form. It had been around ten years since Naraku was defeated and nearly everyone going their separate ways, Sango, Kohaku, and Miroku had returned to slayer's village to rebuild it. Kirara had remained in Kaede's village with Inuyasha, Kogome and Shippo. Her reason was that the slayers no longer had a need for her, especially Sango since she started a family with Miroku. Another reason was because Shippo needed a full-fledged demon and elder role model as he grew due to the fact that a half-daemon like Inuyasha wasn't very good with young kids like Shippo.

Now ten years have passed and while Kagome and Inuyasha remained in the village, Kirara and Shippo lived in the forest together. Speaking of Shippo, the kitsune had grown about five feet in height and has gone through some changes. His tail had grown from the round fur ball that it was to a four foot long fluffy tail, typical of fox demons like him.

Kirara had remained the same except for two things; she had discovered only recently that she was in love with the fox; she now normally stayed in her lager from rather then her current form that she was in at the moment. Thinking about Shippo at the moment Kirara was oblivious to the tree root that was in her path and that she had subconsciously transformed into her larger self.

"Ow" she grunted out as she was pulled out of her infatuated state, tripping over the root and stubbing her right forepaw. As she got up and shook herself, Shippo, having heard her from their favorite place (the spot just beyond the bone-eaters well), came to make sure she was alright.

He secretly harbored the same felling she had towards him within himself.

"You okay Kirara?" Shippo asked in a cheerful tone. He already knew the answer to that but he asked anyway.

"I am fine Shippo" Kirara replied with amusement "thank you for your concern anyway" She crooned back at him.

Shippo now looked at her with real concern; she had been acting rather more affectionately towards him than usual. To quell this concern he took a whiff at her scent. Oh no, he thought she had somehow got close to catnip again, however this wasn't the case this time, it was something he both liked and disliked. She's in heat!

"What have you been up to lately Kirara?" He asked, hoping to direct his fillings away somewhat from what Kirara was causing to stir.

"I was just thinking……about some things" she answered seriously, "I am okay now anyway I also was just taking a stroll around Inuyasha's Forest" she explained.

"The whole forest?" Shippo asked, raising an eyebrow as he started at her. I guess she would have the extra energy from being in heat. Mother was often more energetic, affectionate, and cranky whenever she was in heat .Kagome was also more ferocious whenever she was in heat; Shippo thought. He was pulled out of his revere at hearing her answer.

"Yes, I do have to keep fit you know; what are you doing here anyway Shippo?"

Shippo gulped, he wanted to tell her something… "I uh want…wanted to tell you…that I…I uh…um—", he struggled.

"Tell me what Shippo?" Kirara asked impatiently

Knowing how temperamental she could get Shippo just inhaled and blurted out "that I love you more then just as a friend" he blushed.

Now she gave him her most surprised and relived look that he had ever seen on her face. "The feeling is mutual" she smiled warmly at him moments later both were nuzzling one another in their true forms

A/N: Shippo is equivalent to a 20 year old and he now can transform into a fox similar to his father's. Kirara can speak the same way he can however it's understandable towards those who can take animal form just like Shippo now can. I will wait for 2 reviews before chapter 2 can be posted