Chapter 2:
Shippo held the blue jewel between his thumb and pointer finger. He stared intently into it, waiting for a response from the red jewel, from Souten. It had been a gift for her- well, more like them. He had asked Totosai to make the two jewels.
The red and the blue jewels were like sister jewels. The wearers of the jewels could talk to one another through them. It was his and Souten's prized possessions. He didn't know what he would do without it.
The only problem was that everywhere he went demons were always trying to take it from him. But it was never the strong demons. It was always the weaker one, the ones hungry for power. It was a little annoying, but at least he had bragging rights.
But now, as he lay on the crest of the hill under the shine of the full moon, he felt sad and lonely. 'Why won't Souten respond? Did she forget about me? Is she ignoring me?'
"She wouldn't!" Shippo said out loud. "She's my best friend!" 'Unless she is already in love...' Shippo sat up straight as an arrow. 'She wouldn't! And anyways, it's not like I love her…?' Shippo groaned. "Inuyasha and Miroku are right. Girls are complicated."
Souten yawned as she added the finishing touches on her ink painting. 'Something's missing, but what?'
"Hey Kouryuu, what do you think of my latest work of art?" she asked the sleeping figure of the red dragon.
"Hmm? Oh, it's good," mumbled Kouryuu.
Souten set the ink brush next to a drawing of an adult Shippo that had been drawn four years ago. She smiled at the fox kitsune's handsome face. Even though they hadn't met under the bestof circumstances, they were practically best friends. 'Maybe I should visit him?' Souten didn't need to think twice.
"Hey Kouryuu, what do you think of going on a little adventure?"
Shippo sniffled when a cold gust of wind hit him in the back. Suddenly, a dark and ominous cloud floated right above him, covering the moon's glow. Shippo leapt to his feet, ready to attack any approaching demon, but as soon as he smelled its scent, he relaxed.
"Hey, Shippo," called Souten. Her storm cloud lowered until she was just hovering above the ground. Souten jumped off the cloud and it popped, transforming into her red dragon, Kouryuu. "I missed you so I came looking for you!"
"You missed… me?" Shippo couldn't believe it. 'She missed me! Could that mean…!'
"Of course I did," said Souten. "Didn't you?"
"Me, Shippo a great and strong fox demon," scoffed Shippo. Souten raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe a little." Souten smiled before pulling Shippo into a hug. Shippo hugged her back. 'I missed you a little more than I'm supposed to, Souten. But I'm glad you're here now..'
