Author's Note: Tah Dah! For those who are more interested in hearing about Shippo's life, this is the story for you! I hope you enjoy what I expect to be a cute and loveable tale.

Updated: May. 14, 2012

It was a day like any other. I had been De-bugging the store computer because InuYasha had been playing internet poker online, though I had asked him not to many a time; in strongly worded ways. I had an appointment to meet with Sae Yamato, the owner and head of The Rainbow Group Daycare. As lady luck would have it Mrs Yamato was in need of emergency dental surgery that morning. She had mentioned something about a strong toothache when she had called to inform him that one of her employees would be taking her place. The meeting was scheduled to happen at noon, and right as the clock struck it's final ring the door opened.

In walked who I now know as Sayuri. She wore a yellow sundress covered in a design of pink roses. She walked straight up to the counter, took one look at me and said, "Oh." This bewildered me.

"I beg your pardon," I said, taking in her young appearance. Nothing about her looked abnormal, and she looked possibly too young to be the one I was to meet.

"I'm sorry," She said, bowing deeply. It was an uncommon show of respect that I was unaccustomed to. When she straightened her eyes were fixed somewhere beyond my shoulder. I cleared my throat and her eyes again focused on me. "Are you Shippo Higurashi?" She asked breathlessly. The tone confounded me.

"I am indeed," I informed her, holding out my hand. She took it gingerly, barely making contact and shook it.

"Mrs Yamato called and asked if I could come here and explain our proposal to you."

"Did she now? That's surprising. You don't look much past thirteen. To be working at that age..." Her face took on a defensive edge.

"I'm actually seventeen, and I might say the same about you if I were not so well informed." That piqued my interest.

"Of what information do you speak?" I asked.

"I have read many books," was her only answer.

"Hmm... Curious."

"You are not just a young adult," she observed. "I have a feeling that you are more than just the owner of a book shop."

"And what gives you that idea?"

"I just have this feeling that something about you is special... And my gut instincts are always right. My mother told me to always follow them, because they were correct so often. Maybe part of it is those eyes; they remind me of something I once saw in a book." Her voice got all soft and whimsical. I leaned forward. The way this girl spoke was drawing me in.

"What book, if you don't mind me asking?"

"A book about kitsune." That startled me. That this young thing, without any bit of 'the sight' could see me for what I really was, or at least guess, was unnerving. She kept talking, "They are supposed to be exceptionally cunning masters of illusion. Plus, with the name of the store... It all just seems to add up."

"You really have an amazing ability for discerning the truth around you." It was all I said, but then I was further shocked when her eyes lit up.

"It's true then? I wasn't wrong?"

"I... should say not." A grin broke out across her face and the grip she had on my hand tightened. She shook it vehemently.

"I've never met a demon before!" She gushed. I smiled at this unique creature. Looking back, I was probably already quite taken with her.

"I can almost guarantee that you have," I told her. "We are usually very good at keeping ourselves hidden. Apparently I have become too accustomed to those of whom pay little attention to their surroundings and have become sloppy. I very much commend you for seeing past my illusion with just your wits. It is quite impressive." Her smile widened with the praise, then she let my hand go.

"I guess we should get back to business."

"Probably, since that is what you came for."

"Mrs Yamato wanted me to explain our idea to you. Has she said anything about it?"

"Not one word." The girl took a breath and straightened her posture.

"We suggest that the children of the rainbow group are escorted here by one of the daycare workers one or two times a week for story time. We believe that this arrangement would not only be beneficial to the children, but to you as well. Nothing says good publicity like reading to little children." I thought about this.

"That is true. It would give the children the benefit of knowledge and imaginations, while FoxFire would gain points to our already great reputation."

"You're very proud of this store, aren't you Mr. Higurashi?"

"Why wouldn't I be, Ms...?" I let my voice trail off in hopes that she would fill the silence with her name.

"Just Sayuri, please," she stated. I smiled.

"Sayuri, meaning lily. Well suited to such a pretty girl." I got the pleasure of seeing her blush. "Well, Sayuri, this proposal is very interesting, but I would like to add two conditions of my own." Her face tensed slightly.

"What would those be, sir?" Her voice was cautious.

"The first is for you to be the only one to bring the children here for story time." She blinked in surprise. "Number two: please call me Shippo." The nervousness left her visage and she smiled shyly.

"Alright, you've got a deal Shippo!"

"I look forward to seeing you and the children soon, then."