I never knew this story would become so popular…sigh I miss RaD already…I can't believe I finished it, my most popular story. Well let's continue this story.
Souta sat down in the recliner of his living room awaiting word that his sister, nephew and nephew's wife arrived safely. Kaname stepped out with a cell phone in hand. "'Tou-san, Shippou-kun is on the phone."
Souta nodded and accepted the phone from his youngest girl who looked remarkable like Kagome did at fifteen. "Souta-oji-kun! The eagle has landed and it's mission time!"
Souta rolled his eyes, "Have you had sugar, Shippo?"
"Of course not; they won't let me…oh and great acting, oji-kun. But I've got to get off Markl took 'kaa-chan on a tour and they should be back any minute. Ja!"
Souta opened his mouth but was met with dial tone. "Goodness, it's a wonder I am not mad with kitsune in the family."
--------------------------------
Howl watched form across the table he was well aware of Shippo's penchants of plotting. "Do I want to know what you are up to?"
Shippo grinned, "Nope, but at least this time I'm not breaking any laws and I swear you won't get arrested."
The wizard shook his head he could recall that cavity search and the revenge he got on the kitsune. "So why are you here and I doubt my misfortunes are the reason for your arrival with your mate and mother?"
Shippo shook his finger, "I'm not telling you…nu-uh."
Howl paused, now wary on what the kitsune might be up to. Then he decided against pursuing it, if he was arrested for what Shippo was up to he wouldn't be able to perjure himself.
Kagome came in with Markl and Souten all carrying ice cream cones they purchased on their tour. She took a step back when the flamboyant wizard invaded her space clasping her hands to prevent a further retreat, "Ah, hello, Higurashi-san. I was wondering if you could tell me the reason you decided to come to honor this country with your fair presence."
The miko blanched, "Oh no I forgot to call Souta."
Howl paused in his attempt to flatter the answer out of Kagome and mouthed to Shippo, "Souta?"
Shippo grinned as he watched Kagome go into the other room to speak with Souta, "Yeah, my uncle. Kagome has always been the overprotective older sister to him."
Howl turned to Souten for an explanation but Markl was the one to provide it, "Howl-sensei, her brother had a heart attack recently and they brought her here to get her mind off of things that and they said, 'her stressing out is stressing him out.'
Howl blinked, "I wasn't aware kitusne had heart attacks."
Shippo snorted, "We don't, Souta-oji-kun's human. 'Kaa-chan used to be human a long time ago also."
Kagome entered the room after finishing her conversation with Souta and catching the tail-end of that one. "Shippo, are you telling ancient history again?"
Shippo stood up and gave his mother a peck on the cheek, "Of course not, 'kaa-chan. After all, you are not ancient, older then dirt perhaps, but not ancient."
Everyone winced as Kagome sent a smoldering glare at the kitsune. Shippo jumped when his clothes caught on fire. Souten smothering the flame with her ice cream cone sighed, "Why do you temp fate, Shippo? One day she's just going to pull out that necklace and…Ooo Kagome, can you link it to me?"
Howl blinked crossing one item off of his mental list of things to find out but adding another to its place. Shippo grinned from his spot; his mother was cute when she was mad even though it was dangerous for his clothing.
Kagome laughed, "I don't think it would ever go that far but if it does, your name is the first on the list."
Shippo whined, but a look from Kagome stopped it with a finger wag, "Don't get me that mad then you don't have to worry."
Markl watched the entire thing, "So you are a fire demon?"
Kagome nodded, "Sort of."
Howl looked at his watch, "Its late we should have supper before we retire for the evening."
The others agreed and Kagome was at once 'volunteered' for the duty of making supper due to the success her first meal had. She rustled through the food and sighed, "How's pork chops with rice on the side?"
Shippo's stomach grumbled, "Yes! Oh, Souten, why can't you cook like Okaa-chan?"
Souten gave her mate a glare then turned to Kagome, "Kagome, may I sleep with you tonight?"
Kagome nodded and sent Shippo a 'fix it' glare. After which she turned around and focused on the food. Markl followed Kagome as she scurried around the kitchen holding a conversation with Calcifer as she started to prepare the meat. Kagome paused when she realized that she had the apprentice following her like a chick, which caused her to whirl around and hug him, "You are so cute!"
Markl blushed at the attention, but made no effort to leave her comforting grip. Calcifer was the one to interrupt the moment, "Hey, pay attention to what you are doing, little lady."
Kagome let go, her eyebrow raised skyward, "I would talk about little, short stuff."
Shippo thought to himself, 'Do I tempt it? Hell yes.' "Short people got no reason, short people got no reason…short people got no reason…to live."
Kagome threw her spoon at her son before she pounced him, "Shut up, you evil tall person, at least I won't get sniped at first."
Howl just laughed at the family interaction, "This happens often?"
Souten nodded as she took over the kitchen duties removing all the finished goods off of the fire and setting the trays as the mother-son pair wrestled on the ground playfully, "Both are extremely affectionate so this is their teasing; if it goes to far Kagome usually stops it."
As Souten predicted Shippo was put in his place with a sharp nip to his ear and Kagome stood up blushing, "Ah sorry about that, Souten-chan, did you get the food off the stove?"
Souten nodded wryly, "Must you do this every week? It gets old."
Kagome stood up brushing herself off, "Sorry, I promise to try better this time."
She then apologized to Howl and Markl and they sat down to eat.
---------------------------
Kagome sat up in her bed she had heard the sound of a boy crying softly. Wrapping herself around with a shawl she padded out of her room. Motioning to the reconciled Shippo and Souten she mouthed she would handle it. Knocking on Markl's door, she opened it and slipped in, "Are you okay?"
Markl wiped his face and turned away. Kagome sat down on the edge of his bed, "You sure you don't want to tell me. I can be a pretty good listener when need be."
Markl hugged her, pressing his face into her chest, "I miss Sophie-chan...sh-she promised she wouldn't leave."
Kagome rubbed his back making soothing noises, "What happened to her?"
Markl explained what occurred in a jerky manner as he struggled to control his breathing. Kagome allowed a rumble to grow in her chest to ease the boy into an easy slumber. Turning towards the door she managed to catch the shadow of a person leaving the doorway.
Present for Kurama's Foxy Miko…sorry it's so late I was sick…
