Kagome was sat under a tree thinking about InuYasha and Kikyo being alone together. The very thought of them flirting made her blood boil. "That jerk.." she said angrily then bowed her head sadly "What's so great about Kikyo anyway?".

Unknown to her Shippo had been hiding nearby and over heard her sad expression "I gotta help Kagome she's so nice and she cares a lot about InuYasha" he said clenching his fists. He scampered off quickly to locate InuYasha and Kikyo.

In woods

Kikyo was busy picking medicinal herbs to turn into herbal tonics to help the sickly villagers. She was humming a cheery tune as she did so to try and make it more enjoyable.

Suddenly she sensed a demonic aura approaching and picked up her bow and arrow pointing it in the direction "Show yourself demon" she said fiercely.

Shippo poked his head from around a tree looking nervous. As powerful as his attacks could be they were no match against Kikyo's sacred arrow.

"Oh Shippo" Kikyo said surprised then placed down her bow. She turned to him apologetically "Forgive me it is just that I can never be too careful in these woods as demons may attack at any time" she explained.

Shippo swallowed nervously and began to approach her. When he was stood in front of her he looked up at her. It was hard to be angry at her when she was such a gentle soul to everyone she met unless they were an enemy.

"Is something the matter?" Kikyo asked curiously. She blinked innocently her brown eyes twinkling at him.

"Do...Do you.." Shippo began nervously sweat running down his temple.

"Hmmm?" Kikyo said sweetly.

"Do you hate Kagome?" Shippo burst out quickly.

Kikyo stared at him in awe. She couldn't believe what he just said to her "Shippo..." she said in amazement.

"Crap..." Shippo thought to himself nervously.

Kikyo sighed heavily "I don't HATE Kagome I just dislike the way she behaves and her reckless attitude" Kikyo explained.

Shippo thought about what Kikyo had said. It was true she was often thoughtless about the danger she was in but she just wanted to protect her friends. Plus she only lost her temper because InuYasha was such a jerk.

"So why do you get so mad about her being with InuYasha?" Shippo asked innocently.

Kikyo's expression became pained "I loved InuYasha deeply when we first met and during my death he was the only thing on my mind..." Kikyo explained.

Shippo was amazed. Instead of finding peace and remembering all the good she may have done while alive Kikyo's heart was locked onto one event. "Then why do you get mad around Kagome?" he asked.

"I feel that she is too hard on InuYasha despite the kindness and protective attitude he shows towards her" Kikyo explained.

"I see" Shippo said thoughtfully. It seemed Kikyo was not as bad as she seemed she merely thought about the welfare of others and of course InuYasha.

In Village

Shippo was making his way to Kaede's hut where he knew InuYasha would be as he talked to her when he needed to clear his mind. When he arrived he found Kaede picking herbs and InuYasha sitting on a fence.

InuYasha saw Shippo looking at him crossly and frowned "What's your problem?" he said defensively.

Shippo pointed at InuYasha "Do you love Kagome or Kikyo?" he demanded.

InuYasha stared at him in shock. His expression then changed to an annoyed yet pissed off look "What business is it of yours?" he snapped.

"Kagome is crying her eyes out over you and yet you still stay beside Kikyo" Shippo yelled.

InuYasha frowned at scratched his head awkwardly "It's not that I don't CARE about Kagome it's just my relationship with Kikyo is...complicated" InuYasha grumbled.

"How so?" Shippo said suspiciously.

InuYasha jumped off the fence and landed in front of Shippo "I do CARE about Kagome but would you abandon a girl you loved for 50 yrs. at the drop of a hat?" He said firmly.

Shippo went quiet. InuYasha had a point he did care for Kikyo's wellbeing since Naraku was constantly after her life plus he felt responsible for her suffering.

"Exactly..." InuYasha said and patted Shippo's head gently "I do have feelings for Kagome but I can't turn my back on Kikyo either" he explained.

"Mmm" Shippo said thoughtfully.

InuYasha smiled "You'll understand when your older" he said kindly.

Shippo gazed admirably at InuYasha. Despite his short temper and thoughtless attitude sometimes he was more thoughtful and caring than he gave him credit for.

Later

Shippo walked up to the tree where Kagome was sitting "Um Kagome?" he said worriedly.

"Shippo" Kagome said wiping her tears "Are you ok is InuYasha bullying you again?" she said firmly.

Shippo shook his head "No I have something to talk to you about" he said firmly.

"Um...Ok" Kagome said nervously.

Shippo sat next to her and gazed up at the clouds in the blue sky. He sighed heavily this wasn't going to be easy. "Kagome I think InuYasha does love you" he said bravely.

"He has a funny way of showing it" Kagome huffed crossly.

"I talked to both of them and they both hold you in high respects" Shippo explained.

"They do?" Kagome said curiously.

Shippo nodded "Yeah Kikyo really does respect you she just doesn't like how you act sometimes and that you are too harsh on InuYasha" he explained.

"That's understandable" Kagome said thoughtfully. It was true she was too harsh on InuYasha from time to time. She remembered hearing his bones crack after the last sit fiasco.

"And InuYasha cares about you too he just feels responsible for Kikyo" Shippo said kindly.

"I see" Kagome said smiling. He was the one who made Kikyo unhappy by leaving her and she had suffered a lot because of him. It was only right that he would protect her from harm.

Thinking about this made her feel guilty for being so harsh on the pair of them. She picked up Shippo and hugged him "Thanks Shippo you're a good friend" she said gratefully.