I have no excuse for the title. Lol I was on the phone with Frizzy when I thought of it. Blame her!

Anyway, I'm behind on the chapters now. The was the last I had, so I need to add the next to my list of things to do.


Hug-a-Bugs and Sniffles

Shippo huffed when he made it to the top of the stairs, dropping the stag to the cold ground as the snow fluttered around him. His back popped when he straightened, his nose scrunching at the sound. Tail twitching with his nerves at being home, the kit grabbed the stiff hind legs of the beast, and dragged it to the outer path around the garden, flicking the grass mat of the door aside. The stag's fur scraped loudly on the wooden floor as he walked, leaving a trail of snow and shedding in its wake while its tongue dragged free from its mouth.

The familiar scent of mandarin and sage filled his nose, a soft smile lighting his still boyish features. 'Ahh, the scent of home. Never thought I'd grow to like this." It was the truth. When he had first arrived to the compound, Shippo had been apprehensive with living in such a place and with other demons.

i'It'll be alright, Shippo! You'll have a blast here. There is soo much room to explore and I promise you'll fit in just great!'/i Kagome had told him while cuddling him to her chest. He remembered the smells of that day, so new to him; even the smell of his mama had changed. Shippo took her word for it though, never once doubting his adoptive mother's word.

To his complete and utter surprise, he had fit right in almost immediately. With the help of Rin and the servants who were kind, they helped him to find his way around, and even one of them had showed him all the hiding spots of the castle. He had discovered a place just beyond the back gates in the forest where the tree roots knotted to form the entrance of an abandoned badger demons nest. It became his own little escape when the change became too much.

The lord of the palace surprised him the most.

He'd always feared Sesshoumaru, the killing perfection the lived up to his name quite well, and his fierce and terrible aura. The dog had a temper simular to that of Inuyasha, but his was colder and far more frightening, you never knew if he'd strike you then and there, or wait until you were sleeping. For three months he had made sure to remove himself nearly completely from the dog's path, hiding behind his mama or in the corners of the rooms when he walked by.

One day he'd been caught off guard while in the garden and had no where to run to when the demon stepped onto the bridge with him, and it had caused his tail to quiver almost audibly. Those scary yellow gold eyes had merrily glanced at him as he walked by, and those thin, lethal claws had gently grazed the top of his head before Sesshoumaru all together disappeared, showing up across the garden.

He'd been absolutely horrified, and yet, he had grown to appreciate his pack leader, but in a different, not so buddy-buddy way like he had Inuyasha.

Shippo grinned, now he was tall enough and strong enough to give the younger dog demon a butt kicking. The thought made him laugh out loud, causing a bit of a stir from the gardens.

Looking around, green eyes spied figures across the entrance's garden, their shapes twirling and dancing in the snow.

His mama, dressed in a radiant kimono, waved at him frantically, tears in her eyes. Rin and the young servant girl Miyo bounced around excitedly.

"Shippo-chan!"

His heart warmed with the enthused greetings he received, tail waving back and forth excitedly. Dropping the legs of the stag, Shippo dropped his small pack at his hip to the ground, placing his hands on the railing at his side before springing over the short wall. His feet landed on the cold earth beside a wilted magnolia tree and he sprang away again, leaping over the pond in front of him and running over the same bridge his lord had acknowledged him on. He slowed to a jog, then to a walk as he approached their section of the garden, little puffs of mist leaving his mouth.

Kagome hobbled towards him, little Miyo dashing past them both to jump into the grown kit's arms excitedly, nuzzling into the fur of his vest. Shippo laughed as he held her with one arm, ruffling the fiery crop of red on her head with his other hand. "Konbanwa, Miyo-chan!" Bright eyes turned to his mother, taking in her beautiful glow.

Kagome was crying, of course, but had a bright smile on her face. "Oh Shippo-chan, ogenki desu-ka? I'm so glad to see you!" Her arms wrapped around his middle, her head resting on his shoulder as she hugged him tight.

Shippo sighed in contentment, wrapping his free arm around the pregnant woman. "Genki-desu, Mama. And you? Please tell me you've tried to stay out of trouble."

The woman laughed, slapping his shoulder lightly as she pulled back, grabbing his hand. "I tried, but it was so hard! I got bored!" She pulled back a little to look him up and down, "You've grown again! What happened to my little boy?"

The kitsune grinned, tail swishing pleasantly behind him, "I'm growing up, Mama. You should be happy. I'm taller then Inu-kun."

She laughed, "Just don't say that to his face, or he'll feel old." Looking around, Kagome noted the absence of a certain tall dog. She hummed, frowning. "Did Sesshoumaru stop to talk to Yasuo-san and Tao-san?"

The kitsune nodded, putting the squirming little girl down and instead to hold her hand to. Rin gave him a respectful tip of her head, a soft smile on her lips, one which he returned with his own sheepish one. "Yeah, he had business to do, checking up on what happened while we were gone an' all."

The priestess sighed, "He'll be there for a while I guess."

Rin put a hand on her shoulder, hair shifting in the snowy breeze, "Hai, but at least he's home, right Kagome-san?"

"Yes," she smiled, "I suppose that's the part to be thankful for." Squeezing her kit's larger hand, she turned to tug him towards the main house. "For now, how about you three go inside, get settled, and prepare the main room for a welcome home dinner, hmm?"

Shippo groaned, "But Mama! I just got back!"

Rin laughed, taking the kits hand away from Kagome to drag him herself to the kitchens, causing both teens to blush. "A dinner together will be nice, Shippo-chan!"

As the girls dragged the boy away, Kagome giggled after them then turned to the entrance. The snow was getting worse, but she was warm under so many layers and it barely touched her skin. Staring at the top torii arch, the priestess made up her mind and began to cross the garden.