Sorry for the long update everyone but this chapter was a fighter, not as much as that friggin GKOD chapter… which I'm still working on.

Oh yea, and I did try to respond to the messages that I've haven't responded to but there was something up with the message system. I'll probably be pm-ing people this round.

Ch. 6 Chance Meetings

A few things happened since the day of the wolf demoness attack a few weeks ago.

The demoness in question and her groupies had been staying far away from her. Oh they still sent her glares but wouldn't dare get near her, even in the few classes that they shared even though Koga still hounds her. She and the inu could see the fear that they held in their eyes but masked it with rumors they spread about the two friends. That in turn caused Koga to assert his authority and try to make the inu see that the raven-haired girl was his. The wolf confronted Sesshomaru one day at lunch when the rumors began to get out of hand only to be verbally assaulted in the worst way possible. The wolf had been foolish and placed one clawed hand on the taller male only to be sent to the nurse's office for nearly loosing it. Koga's demon blood would heal his broken arm within a few weeks but it was going to be a long and painful time.

Besides those two wolves stirring up trouble for the pair, things were remotely normal. Well, another thing did sort of happen although it took a few weeks for it to become this way.

After the first time she discovered his creative talents, she never said anything on the matter sensing that it was a sensitive subject for him. She realized that the whole thing was to be a secret and remain that way and in order to stay on the demon's good side, she gave him all the privacy he wanted so she was very surprised to see him sitting at their normal spot one morning with a sketchbook in his lap and a pencil in his hand. He looked so tranquil drawing but also very focused. She definitely didn't want to disturb him so she decided to just sit in the class room.

Kagome turned around and looked over her shoulder at the inu before taking a step. Before she could take another, she stopped upon hearing her name being called out by his deep content voice.

"Hello Kagome, heading to the classroom so soon?"

She turned around with a smile and responded, "Yea, it's never a bad thing to start the day early."

His face was blank but she could see his eyes light up figuring that he would have smiled back if he'd allowed it. "That is true, however, it is a nice morning. You should enjoy that more than sitting inside of a classroom. Even I could not resist."

She simply turned not sure if he was implying what she believes he was implying. He turned his attention back to the tablet and after a moment of silence he spoke without stopping his hand. "So, are you going to sit or just continue to stand there?"

Within moments, she found herself sitting by him.

She settled down with her back on the tree but slightly turned away from him not sure if he still wanted to keep what he was drawing to himself. Just because she was able to be by him as he worked didn't mean that she had the privilege to peer at his works but seeing the sketchpad inch its way towards her, she couldn't help but look down at it. The sketch was still quite rough which meant that he just started drawing it but from the clothes, it was another female. Sesshomaru continued to draw as if he didn't notice that she could see what he was doing. He moved it on purpose to allow her to see.

"What do you think?" He asked, nudging her slightly with the tablet. Kagome quickly looked up only to lock eyes with him, he had obviously been observing her and she felt guilty that she had been caught not sure if he was still touchy on his whole drawing thing. The tone in his voice as he asked her the question did take away some of the embarrassment.

Kagome looked back down at the paper remembering his question. She didn't know what to say about it, he didn't strike her as the type to want a critique especially when it comes to his drawings but something seems different now.

"Well from the looks of things, you've just started but it's very nice so far. Wish I could draw like you." She said as she touched the page lightly.

"It is not that difficult." He then handed her some paper and a pencil. "Try."

Kagome slowly took the paper, she didn't want to try knowing that she was surely going to embarrass herself but she couldn't refuse his offer. And so they spent the rest of their free morning time just so.

~S~D~

The day was over signaling the beginning of the weekend and for once she was glad for it. Not that she was ever happy for it to be Friday, but this weekend was needed in her eyes. She had been getting monstrous amounts of homework, had things to study for upcoming test, and there was a project that she had to work on for the semester and would be a huge part of her grade. The sooner she started on it the better especially since she was one to procrastinate.

Kagome walked off campus… alone. Sango usually walked with her but Miroku snatched her hand and took her off on a random date. Miroku did things like that sometimes just to irk his girlfriend, he secretly loved it when she got rough which is one reason why his cursed hand goes into overdrive around her. Kagome also knew that Sango liked the fact that Miroku chased after her countless times because it made her feel powerful in the most feminine way possible since she used to be quite the tomboy. The raven haired-girl giggled, those two were truly a match made in heaven. With a sigh, she wondered if she would ever find her perfect match. Kagome usually ignored her loneliness feeling content that she had a loving family and few trusting friends but she wished that she had someone more.

"Maybe one day-oomph!" Her wondering thoughts caused her bump into someone, or more rather that someone took advantage of her loss of focus and pushed her. When Kagome looked up, she could see Ayame looking smug over her shoulder while Tsubaki and Abi sniggered behind her. Seems like they were beginning to physically assault her again or maybe it was because Sesshomaru wasn't with her. Either way, she wasn't going to pay them any mind, she wasn't hurt. It would only amuse them more anyway.

She began to pick up the books and papers she held in her arms when the wind picked up and carried a few away. Kagome jumped up and chased after the fluttering papers, they were too important to lose.

"Gotcha." She said happily as she snatched the paper in mid air. The beeping of a car horn grabbed her attention and she nearly dropped everything once again. A car was speeding dead behind her and she knew that she was going to get hit.

Time seemed to stand still as the girl was yanked away and pulled into a solid body as the car screeched to a halt just over where she stood. Kagome's heart raced still not sure what exactly happened but she did know one thing, she was still conscious and standing. A hand holding her closer at her shoulder caused her to look up at her savior but went breathless at what she saw.

"Yikes, that almost didn't turn out too pretty." His voice was an energetic alto tone and his expression was just as vibrant. His eyes were a brilliant emerald and he had a mop of fiery red hair atop his head. He was quite handsome in a boyish way and looked to be a few years younger than her with his height being just a few inches under her.

The young… she noticed his pointed ears and a fury fluffy tail twitching behind him and recognized him as a kitsune. The young fox held her at arm's length he inspected her. "Are you hurt?"

At that, Kagome gave her own self inspection and shook her head in the negative.

He gave her a fanged grin as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Well that is good."

"Thank you for saving me…"

"The name's Shippo, Shippo Kato." He replied with a slight bow.

Kagome bowed back to him, still speechless that this demon came to her aid just as a superhero would. "I'm Kagome and thank you again."

"It is no problem, are you walking home from school? Me too actually! You sure do have an awful lot of things to carry, need help? I can escort you."

The kit seemed extremely eager and who was she to resist with how cute he was, especially with his chivalrous display. It was the least she could do.

"Um, sure." She said and he quickly took the books and papers she had in her hands.

He took a few steps forward before hearing Kagome call him with a giggle. "Um, it's this way."

He laughed nervously as a light blush stained his cheeks, oh he was just too adorable. "Sorry, lead the way."

~S~D~

Sesshomaru was treating Kagome to another trip to the café after school just because they haven't been there in a while. Kagome enjoyed eating there very much so and he felt that he couldn't deny her the privilege. Coming there was a great way to forget the day as even though she wasn't being attacked by her tormentors or pursued by her stalker there were still circulating rumors and piles of school work. He was still surprised at how optimistic she was about it all as it was starting to peeve him but with his control, would not allow it to show. So it was really more for himself that they were at the restaurant… or so that's what he kept telling himself.

The two sat down and ordered their meals before being left alone. Kagome took this time to proudly show her companion, albeit a little shy, her progress in drawing. There was a hint of a smirk on his face as he looked at her artwork, it was… cute, her attempt to draw him. He honestly couldn't make out what the scribbles were on the paper but he could recognize his markings anywhere.

"It sucks, I know." Kagome muttered as she hid her face between her hands. "And then I had no idea what the hell I was going to draw… I shouldn't have tried, I just shouldn't."

She kept rambling on and he became amused at how worked up she was.

"Kagome…" Apparently she couldn't hear him over her self-pitying. He reached over the small table and gently took her hands into his immediately gaining her attention. "Kagome, no one is perfect on their first try. I too struggled at first but that is what practice is for."

That caused her to give him the smile that he was beginning to become accustomed to. They're eyes locked but it went unknown for how long until the sound of a bell over the door rang throughout the restaurant and snapped them out of their trance. Kagome's attention was now on the door as she spotted a familiar face walk in.

"Shippo?" She questioned excitedly.

The new comer's ear twitched before he turned bewildered eyes on who called him only to shed an energetic, boyish smile as his new friend rose to greet him. "Hey Kagome!"

The young fox's arms circled her in a friendly hug. Once he had his head over the young woman's shoulder however, he stiffened.

"Shippo, what's wrong?" Kagome pulled him at arm's length and he fidgeted. She turned around to see what was behind her only to see a few customers spread at different tables and of course Sesshomaru who had his sights out toward the window. There was a smug look to him though.

The kit shook his head and stuttered while backing away, "N-nothing's w-w-wrong, just here t-to pick up an o-order. It's not ready yet… so I guess-I'll-come-back-later-BYE!"

Shippo pulled away from her and turned to leave out the door when he felt small hands wrap around his arm. "You shouldn't leave just because your order isn't ready yet. Come sit with me."

His eyes pleaded for her to let him go but he couldn't resist her offer and allowed her to take him to her table… still occupied by one stoic inu.

"Oh Shippo, this is Sesshy… Sesshy, this is Shippo." She introduced the two as she pulled the kit down to sit.

"Sesshy?" He whispered confusingly earning a growl from the inu.

Kagome then explained to him, "His real name is Sesshomaru." She then pulled him to whisper in his ear even though it wouldn't do good being in front of a demon with exceptional inhuman hearing such as his. "It's the nickname I came up for him. He hates it but I think he secretly likes it."

She then used her normal tone of voice to say, "I'll find a name that he'll like someday."

The glare that was directed toward her should have killed her on the site ad it made Shippo's stomach flip but the fox noticed that there was no threat behind his irises.

"I already have a name that I would appreciate that you would call me."

Kagome laughed, "I know, I know… your own name but, I have to admit it's fun to watch your face when I call you anything but."

His eyes narrowed a fraction. "So you admit you only call me out of my name just to annoy me for your amusement."

"Oh lighten up Marukins."

That caused the fox beside her to choke on air and earning an even more threatening growl. Why was he getting all the negative attention, she was the one annoying him.

Kagome giggled and placed a hand over his. "I'm sorry Sesshomaru and I was kidding… sorta. I give all my close friends a nickname, it's just something I'm used to doing."

The demon just sighed softly as if saying, he knew before he once again gained her gaze.

"Wow, who drew this? Some little kid or something?" Shippo laughed as he looked over the forgotten drawings.

Kagome's eyes went wide as she snatched the paper. "It's nothing!"

Sesshomaru snorted as he looked away. That remark did not sit well with him as he hid the frown marring his face with his hand. If he'd known any better he would have to say that he felt insulted but how was he to know if he never felt that way before. He watched them from out the corner of his eye as the fox continued to make fun of the sketches and she laughed back. She didn't think it funny before when she thought he was going to make fun of it, why was the outcome different when someone was actually teasing her.

'Such a confusing little female.'He thought as he turned his attention back to the window. The happiness that the younger demon was invoking from his companion seemed to make the dark feeling within him heat his veins.

~S~D~

The fox kit waved to Kagome as he left out of the café. Shippo had his order just about an hour ago but Kagome begged him to stay and so he did. She was just so sweet to him that he couldn't resist… even when Sesshomaru kept sending him unnoted death glares. He kept questioning within his mind, how in the world had she been able to befriend the impassive inu such as he. Then again, she seemed like the type who was able to win over anyone.

"Kit."

Shippo nearly dropped the food he held as he recognized just who called him. He cursed as he knew the person who called him was not happy with how late he was. Time just passed by so easily while he was having fun and now he was going to pay for it.

As he came up to the tall dark male with long, wavy onyx tresses wearing sunglasses, the man hissed. "You are late."

Shippo flinched and kept his eyes averted from his eyes. Even though they were covered by dark lenses, he still couldn't look him in the eye. "S-sorry Naraku-san."

"Don't make me have to fetch you again." He muttered softly but even so, there was a warning which the kitsune would definitely heed. "What took you?"

Shippo didn't know how to explain but looked back to the door when it opened and a young pair walked out. The girl turned when she spotted the fox and smiled brightly before turning her attention to the silver-haired male.

A slow devilish smile spread across his face as he lowered his shades down the bridge of his nose and his crimson eyes flickered with mischief. "Hn… so I see. Come face to face with my target, splendid. Maybe you can help me move things along then."

Shippo didn't like that look he had, there was definite trouble ahead.

So… first time I added Shippo I believe and if I had him before, it wasn't as a main character in the story. And of course what's a story without a little trouble involved heh…

No promises on when I'll have the next update but I am working on it.