Spring was here and Shippou the adorable little fox demon couldn't be happier. Spring meant picnics with his best friends but it also meant feuding over the last rice cake with Inuyasha. Spring also meant kites, good food, family, and making arts and crafts. Spring was his favorite season but he recently he noticed, spring meant other things as well. He would notice the birds fluttering two by two, chirping merrily in the trees, the rabbis bouncing off into their holes two by two, the large barn owls taking wing in their burrows two by two and couples holding hands, kissing underneath the pale light of the moon while the gleaming light bugs floated like magical orbs of yellow light around them; presumably in a pair as well.

Shippou sighed heavily watching a pair of yellow colored birds sit next to a tree rubbing their heads against each other and hopping around a nest with eggs expectantly. Spring made him feel a numerous amount of things. Happiness, longing, depression, and joy and now Kagome was starting to recognize it. She kneeled down to Shippou's level and frowned. He looked up with a drowsy forlorn look. Sighing again he clung to her chest. She pulled him up with her, stroking his head soothingly. Shippou was her first child and it would always be that way and to Shippou he felt the same. Kagome was his mother but Inuyasha was his annoying big brother.

"Oh Shippou, what's wrong?"

"It seems that every bird, bee, and bunny rabbit has somebody. You have Inuyasha, Miroku has Sango, but then…I am alone."

"Shippou you just turned seven, you're still a little too young to be worrying about romance right now. You can worry about girls when you're eleven, maybe. My brother Sota had his first crush around that age. It's okay to be alone; you don't HAVE to have some significant other to be happy."

"What's she's saying is you'll never find a girl. Not now, not ever," Interrupted the brash voice of Inuyasha.

"You stay out of this dog boy!"

"Hey at least I have a woman. You have to wait to grow up to even get a real one."

"I've had plenty thank you! Just…not one that stays forever…"
"Listen Shippou you got a long time to grow up Kid so stop rushing it. Enjoy it while you can. Being an adult is tough work, too tough for a little squirt like you and believe me love is hard."

"For you maybe because you were a two-timing dog but I will always be faithful especially to somebody like Kagome. Kagome is smart, brave, honest, and very beautiful! That's what I want."

Inuyasha took Shippou and pounded him on the head giving him massive lumps. The poor fox kit demon cried helplessly until he got justice from Kagome's venous, strong "SIT" command. Kagome picked up the little crying fox demon and placed sweet kisses on his head alone with a bandage. He curled his fox tail under his body and lay against her chest.

"Kagome…one day when I become a great demon I want to have a woman of my own just like you. Do you think it's possible?"

"Anything is possible with hope. You keep hoping and dreaming and one day she will come. She could be a demon or a human or a half breed like Inuyasha."

Inuyasha groaned as he got up from the ground, rubbing his back and scowling at Kagome but she smiled softly at him which put him at ease. Shippou opened his ears to hear more of Kagome; her voice was rich and soothing like a breeze on a hot day.

"She could be poor or wealthy younger or older but it isn't always what kind or what she looks like but the inside, her heart. The heart is the key to love."

"The Heart is the key to love…" He repeated slowly, "But it doesn't make sense. Why choose Inuyasha then? His heart is cruel."

"What did you say maggot?"

"Well it's true."

Kagome shook her head and pat Shippou on his. "Listen, he may be rough and gruff sometimes but he has a heart of gold. I know he can't always be like that but I accept his flaws because it makes him Inuyasha just like he accepts mine."

Inuyasha put his arm around Kagome proudly. "Yeah and you have a lot of them."

"Don't make me say the word again mister."

"Ah!"

"Hmph. You see Shippou, love is something special and finding that special person is difficult. I know it was for me. I had to overcome so many obstacles but in the end it was worth it. You will too, which is why you shouldn't worry about it you have enough to worry about. You are still a little kid but if a little girl so happens to steal your heart it won't always work out. It's usually what I call puppy love. It's quick, sweet, short and rarely lasts. My brother Sota has moved on since his last crush and you will too. Just…for now, be a kid okay? I'm not ready for you to grow up yet."

"I don't think he'll ever grow up."

"You leave me alone! I'm more grown up than you'll ever be! At least I can chose one woman and stick with it and I don't go around flaunting my skills like I'm some god. Brains always wins out over brawns, idiot."

"Come here I'm gunna wring your tiny neck you little-"

"AAHH KAGOME HELP!"
"Sit boy!"

Inuyasha plummeted to the ground with a heavy thud, groaning and mumbling curses. Shippou leapt off Kagome to trot victoriously around Inuyasha, sticking out his tongue. Inuyasha quickly grabbed the little fox by the fluffy ball of orange that was his tail.

"Hey let go! Ah ah ah!"

"Sit boy!"

"Ugh!"

Kagome picked up Shippou and carried him until they got to her house where she sat him down. She gave him some crayons and paper with a smile.

"Whatever you do, whatever you grow up to be, remember beauty is on the inside. Alright?"

"Okay…and I won't be like Inuyasha."

"I heard that!" Shouted Inuyasha from outside the door glaring angrily at his wife.

"Well who would want to be? Your stubborn, rude, crass, mean, untrustworthy, stupid, and not to mention cocky. Kagome would have been better off with Koga."

"Are you saying that scrawny wolf is better than me?"

"Yup. Loyal, brave, smart, kind, loving, and good looking. Everything you are not. Plus he's a full demon."

"Why you son of a b-"

"Inuyasha….lay off the boy okay?"

He cringed, thinking she said Sit but she didn't so he unfolded himself back into a straight up pose with his arms crossed. Shippou stuck out his tongue and pulled down his lower eyelid. Inuyasha mouthed a few choice curse words before leaving with Kagome. She had gone out the back door to stand outside and let the breeze whip her dark brown hair around. Shippou watched her and decided to draw her then after that decided to draw up concepts of what his wife would look like and each one had something oddly familiar about them. When Kagome went back inside she found Shippou fast asleep around his scattered drawings. She picked them up and looked at Inuyasha with a quirked eyebrow.

"That's funny…"

"What?"

"They all look like…me."

"Oh yeah your right they do. The kid thinks you're like some goddess. It's weird."

"I think it's cute and I'm flattered that he wants a girl like me."

"Who would want aloud mouthed nag like you?"

"Just for that you can sleep outside and one more thing….SIT SIT SIT SIT SIT! Bastard."

"OWWW! What did I do?"

After his plummet he got up and stretched following Kagome to her bedroom. He leaned close to her face and kissed her nose. "I'm sorry, Kagome."

"Go away."

She turned away from him. He huffed angrily. "Fine, be that way, see if I care."

He started to leave in a fit of aggravation when Kagome softly said, "Wait." He turned to her and asked in an aggravated tone what her problem was. Shippou was awake now, listening to the conversation. Sometimes they would fight like this, just like old times. He would fear they would leave each other, he would fear for Kagome and even for Inuyasha. He knew she deserved better but she loved him and he had the best. If they were to split they would both be devastated and Shippou couldn't have that.

"I mean really Kagome what the hell!"

"Look at it from my point of view, you moron. You called me a big mouthed nag! Do you think that's kind? What kind of husband are you!"

"The good kind! I was being honest, if you can't take it then you should leave."

Kagome gasped, tears forming in her eyes. Inuyasha released his tight arms crossed form of resentment and went loose and soft. His heart melted with her tears and his words.

"Kagome I…"

"Get out…now."

"Please…I didn't mean it…"

"OUT!"

Shippou cringed, crying to himself. It was over now. Inuyasha basically just left Kagome. Now what was he going to do? Koga was married to Ayame, so he was out of the picture but what about that Hojo guy? He loved Kagome a lot. He was perfect. Shippou was already making the arrangements. Who needed a bully like Inuyasha around anyway? Sure he was Shippou's friend in some manner and Shippou did care about him but if he hurt Kagome then it was done. They could still be friends…though bitterly and estranged. Kagome was his mother, he would never leave her.

"Kagome will you listen to me?!"

"I said GET OUT!"

"NO! Listen!"

"Fine then I'll do what you wanted and leave!"

He grabbed her wrist and jerked her toward him. He looked at her seriously, his dull gold eyes disheartened and firm. "I won't let you leave me. I can't live without you…"

Kagome reached up and slapped him across the face then cried SIT repeatedly then stormed off in a fluster of tears and black hair. Shippou got up and started throwing things at Inuyasha. "YOU AIRHEAD!"

Inuyasha pushed him out of the way and reached Kagome where he held her to her place. She struggled in his arms, fighting him with all her might. He kissed her passionately. Her tear-filled eyes opened wide and despite her wanting to reject the kiss she found herself melting in it.

"Kagome…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, you know that. I'd never want you to leave. Please stay?"

"Inuyasha…you hurt me for the last time…I think we need a break."

He leaned his forehead onto her, fighting back tears. "No…if you go…I don't know what I'll do."

Kagome fell into his arms finally, crying into his red kimono whispering that she loved him over and over. He stroked through her hair until she fell asleep in his arms. He carried her into their home and placed her on the bed. As said, he slept outside. Shippou was befuddled. What had just gone on? Weren't they supposed to leave each other? Shippou crawled up the tree to Inuyasha who was asleep by now. Shippou noticed the tears. Inuyasha loved to fight…right? He was a violent, evil, big butt head…but no, he was soft, caring, and even now he was crying in his sleep over the fight with Kagome, who he loved. Shippou curled in his lap with a smile of realization, remembering the words Kagome had said.

The heart is the key to love. Inuyasha has a heart of gold. This is why she stayed and why he would apologize and why they would never depart for a prolonged period of time without feeling a deep hurting loss. Their love was stronger than diamonds and just as beautiful, if taken care of right. Shippou wanted a woman like Kagome but now he wanted to be like Inuyasha, strong and brave enough to put up with Kagome's flame yet weak enough to cry and human enough to love.