Disclaimer: Nope, don't own it.

Author's Note: I'm glad y'all like it! Here's the latest addition to the story. I'm trying to make it seem natural, so there might not be lots of fluff yet. Don't worry. I'm working on getting more interaction between Sess and Kag. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews!

Also, I've decided not to have a big fight with Naraku. This story will be all about Sess/Kag because that's enough of a prob without throwing in Mr. Evil. Enjoy!

Kagome was dreaming of golden eyes and a voice like velvet. The voice was whispering to her, but it was so low she couldn't make out the words.

"Wake up, Kagome." the velvet voice said. "Wake up, please." the voice changed from velvet to child-like. This new voice was turning frantic.

Kagome's eyes snapped open and found herself face to face with the small kitsune. He was hopping from foot to foot.

"Can you take me to the bathroom" he asked, ducking his head down in embarrassment. He hopped off her stomach and sat down on the bed, squirming.

Kagome got up and lifted him into her arms. She walked over to the bathroom and flicked on the lights. She stepped in front of the door leading to the adjoining room and turned around, facing the door. When the boy was done, she lifted him to the sink to wash his hands. Then she cradled him on her hip and carried him back to the bed, noticing a note and bag on the dresser. She grabbed the note with her free hand and sat back on the bed. She resumed her earlier position and laughed when the kitsune curled up on her stomach.

Kagome held the note with one hand while the other finger-combed his hair. Mom was here, she thought. She put down the note and saw the boy looking at her.

"What's your name, sweetie? I've been taking care of you for two days and I still don't know what it is." she asked him quietly.

"Shippou. What were you reading" he asked, curious.

"A note from my mom." Kagome stopped when she saw the tears forming in Shippou's eyes. "What's wrong, Shippou"

"My momma's gone. Her and daddy died a few months ago." He told her sadly.

Kagome hugged him closer. "Do you have any relatives? Someone who can take care of you" at his slow nod, she asked"How old are you sweetie"

"Six. We had just had my 6th birthday party." Shippou told her, his voice very sad. Shippou uncurled himself and put his head under her chin. "I don't wanna be an orphan. Are they gonna send me to a home" he started to cry softly.

Kagome looked into his teary green eyes. "I don't know, honey. But I'll find out." She let the young kitsune cry himself to sleep again, before getting up and placing him back on the bed. He whimpered in his sleep. "I'll be right back."

Kagome headed to the dresser and picked up the bag her mom had left her. "Thanks, mom. You're the best" she cheered silently. She hurried into the bathroom and showered with the stuff her mom had left for her.

Kagome felt much better as she walked towards the main nurses' desk. Her smile widened when se saw Nurse Hasegawa.

"Good afternoon, Nurse Hasegawa." she said brightly.

"Kaede, child. How many times do I have to tell ye" the elderly lady said mock-sternly. The happy young woman before her laughed softly. She is such a happy person, such a pure soul.

"Sorry, Kaede. Has the child care agency come by for my little friend"

Kaede looked sad as she nodded. "They were here earlier. They want to take him to an orphanage, Kagome. No parents or guardians have claimed him."

"He doesn't have any." Kagome informed the older lady sadly. "I don't want him to go to one of those places, Kaede. I couldn't stand it." Her smile had disappeared and she felt like crying. "I got so attached to him in just two days. I just discovered his name is Shippou. He has beautiful bright green eyes and he's a very curious kitsune." She knew that being sent to an orphanage would extinguish his bright soul. "But what can I do"

"I know not, child. But ye will think of something." Kaede tried comforting the young woman in front of her.

Kagome picked her head up off the desk and wiped away her tears. "I better get back to him. He is still scared of being alone for long amounts of time." Kagome tossed a sad smile at the elderly nurse and headed towards the elevator. Her thoughts were filled with Shippou and what she could do to help him. She wiped away all traces of her tears as she opened the door to Shippou's room. She heard him whimpering and she rushed over to his bed.

"Shippou." she whispered quietly. He stopped and his tiny hand crept out, searching for something. Kagome grabbed his hand with hers. She gently scooped him up and lay on the bed, placing him back on her stomach. Shippou wrapped his arms around her waist and fell asleep again.

"Momma..." he said quietly, still asleep.

Kagome started. For the space of a second, time stopped again. Could I do it? She glanced down at the little boy in her arms and had no doubt. Her soul called out for her to do something about his sad life. First I have to talk to my mom. She checked her watch. "One o'clock. Mom will still be at work for a few more hours." Kagome looked at the door to Shippou's room. "I wonder when Kikyo will be back" She had just opened her mouth when the door to the room opened. Kikyo walked in, looking unhappy.

"Kagome, the Shikon Childcare Foundation is here." Kikyo told her quietly.

"What! I was just downstairs and I didn't see them. Are they here to take him away? Is there anything you can do" Kagome asked, fear creeping into her voice. She looked at the young boy, sadness in her eyes as he began to wake up.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. There is nothing I can do." Kikyo looked at her distraught cousin and smiled grimly. She was about to try and offer some comfort when the door to the room opened further.

Kagome watched apprehensively as two women walked in. One was tall and had red eyes and seemed to be the one in charge. The other was more startling in appearance. She had white hair and very pale skin. Kagome could tell both were demons.

The one with red eyes saw Shippou on Kagome's stomach and stepped closer to the bed. "My name is Kagura Onigumo. This is my associate, Kanna. We are here to pick up the child and take him to the Shikon Children's Home."

"Does he have to go now? He is still recovering. Please, is there anything I can do?" Kagome pleaded. She could not stand to see Shippou go to some orphanage.

Kagura smiled sadly and shook her head. "I'm sorry. The most I can do is give him a few more days, but only until he's recovered enough to be moved to the Home." She turned to her associate, who had tugged on her sleeve. Kagura bent down as the younger woman whispered in her ear. Kagura looked at Kagome as the pale girl spoke into her ear. "My associate has just given me a suggestion. There is one thing that can be done, but it might not be easy."

Kagome seized the ray of hope. "What can we do?"

"One of you can adopt him. Being a demon, even though he's a child, will lower his chances of being adopted. Demons are tolerated, but not thoroughly accepted. Most humans have no idea that demons even exist." Kagura informed them.

"I'll adopt him." Kagome said quietly, before her cousin could even say anything. "I'd already decided that's what I wanted to do, if Shippou was okay with the idea." She looked down at the kit and gently shook him. "Wake up honey." She said.

Shippou sat up and rubbed his eyes. He jumped when he saw two unfamiliar people. Judging by the way they were dressed in suits, he knew they were here for him. He felt tears prick his eyes as he subconsciously hugged the girl whose lap he was in.

"Shippou?" came Kagome's soft voice. She smiled when she saw the watery emerald green eyes.

"They're here for me, aren't they?" he asked Kagome, softly. She nodded. She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"But you have a choice. You can go with them and live with others your age or you can come live with me." She sat back and almost laughed at his puzzled expression. "What?"

"I want to adopt you, Shippou. Would you like that?" She smiled before continuing. "I'm single, I have a cat and a small apartment to myself. My mom would love to have you. I have a younger brother who will corrupt you with video games and too much TV." Shippou's eyes got bigger and bigger. "So, what do you say?"

"Yes!" he shouted in joy. He stood up and threw his arms around Kagome's neck.

She hugged the little boy closer and smiled tearfully at the other occupants in the room. Kikyo gave her a small smile, similar to the one Kagura was giving her. Kanna was stoic, showing nothing on her pale face. She reminds me of someone else…. Kagome thought as the image of golden eyes and silver hair flitted through her mind.

"One problem down, a million to go." Kagura said, shaking her head. "Okay, Kanna and I will go back to the office and start filling out the paper work. It may take a few days or a week until everything is official." She looked at the yong boy. "Shippou, you will have to stay at the Children's Home until everything is clear. You can stay in the hospital only another day before we have to take you with us."

Both Kagome and Shippou looked dismayed at Kagura's announcement. Kagome looked like she wanted to argue with the older woman.

Kagura held up her hand to ward off Kagome's objections. "It's standard procedure, Kagome. If we get back and push the paperwork, we can finish this by…what day is this?"

"Monday." Kikyo informed her.

"Monday, right. Okay, if we can get the paperwork pushed, we should get everything done in a week tops. Maybe less, if we're lucky. The only snag is convincing the higher ups that a Miko isn't going to use the demon as target practice."

Kagome was outraged. "Who would do something insane like that!" She glared at the red-eyed woman.

"Miko's and demons are traditional enemies. Things haven't always been peaceful between the two; still aren't." Kagura informed her. "But, I honestly believe we'll have no problems once you come in for your prospective parent interview. We'll give you a call when that is." She glanced at her partner and moved towards the door. "Personally, I don't think the kid could be going to a better person." Kagura tossed over her shoulder as she left.

Kikyo looked a Kagome. "That is a noble thing to do, cousin."

Kagome smiled, "What else could I do?" She had sudden idea. "Kikyo, do you think Shippou is okay to go outside for a few hours?" Kikyo looked at her patient, then nodded.

"He should be fine. He needs to stay warm, though. Thanks to his youkai healing, his broken bones mended fine, but he will be sore. There is a slight chance that he could get sick, though, from overexposure. What do you plan on doing?" the doctor asked.

"Well, I'm sure my family would like to meet the newest addition and the Festival of Lights is tonight. I'll have him back here by about 10:30 or 11." Kagome told both Shippou and Kikyo.

Kikyo just nodded again and continued to check her patient. "Shippou, you are well on your way to 100 recovery." She smiled at her cousin and the small kitsune before turning to leave. "Make sure to keep him warm, Kagome."