Chapter 7: Visitors

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters…

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Kagome hummed happily as she set out to get things ready for dinner, digging out all of the necessary ingredients.

She'd heard the kitsune arrive a minute or two ago and she was brimming with curiosity but she waited. It paid off well, because not another minute later she heard a soft padding of feet coming into the large kitchen. Preparing a cheerful smile she turned, eager to meet the kit.

Before her stood a very small male with bright red hair and vibrant green eyes. Seeing her smile, he smiled hesitantly in return as he shifted from one foot to the other.

"Hi!" She knelt down before him, knowing that children preferred to talk to people on the same level as themselves. "My name's Kagome!"

"I'm Shippo," he murmured quietly.

Seeing how unsure he still was, she stood and patted one of the stools next to the counter.

"Why don't you come on up while I get dinner started. You hungry?"

"Yeah."

She turned away a bit, wondering if he'd feel awkward if she watched him too long. She could see from the corner of her eye when he leapt up to the seat in one jump and she couldn't help but grin. He was so cute!

"Hey Shippo-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"How do you like your steak?"

She smiled over at him as she set the first two steaks in the pan, loving the way they sizzled.

"Umm, I dunno." His nose twitched at the smells.

"Not picky, huh?"

"No."

"Alright then, I'll keep it a surprise!" She winked at him, her smile stretching when he blushed and smiled faintly in return.

Turning back to the meat, she continued to speak to him over her shoulder.

"So do you visit Sesshomaru-sama often with your father?"

"Yeah. Him and Papa have known each other a really long time and they're in business together."

"So you see him a lot then," she provided, seeing his nod. "Do you like Sesshomaru-sama?"

The boy nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! He's really cool! Papa said that in the old days Sesshomaru-sama was the most powerful demon in the whole world! Other than Papa, of course," he added.

"Of course," Kagome giggled, knowing that all children thought their parents were the best.

"And he had two super awesome katanas! I want a katana but Papa won't let me have one yet. Not till my third tail, he said. But once in a while Sesshomaru-sama will let me see his old katanas. He keeps em' in a special room with all of his old stuff. Have you seen em' yet?"

Boy that kit could talk! Realizing that she got onto one of his favorite topics, she kept on that track, hoping to get him to open up to her some more.

"Nope I haven't! I haven't even heard about them, but I suppose since I'm still kind of new to this house it's not surprising that I would have missed a secret room or two. It's nice of him to share them with you!"

"Yeah," he murmured contentedly as he leaned forward on the counter. "You should see him and Papa fight!"

"Fight?" Startled, she turned to him fully, her tongs held tightly in her hand.

"Not really fight," he corrected, "Spar."

"Oh, okay." She turned back to the meat. "That's better," she mumbled, a little relieved.

They were quiet for a few more minutes as she pulled some vegetables out of the steamer and seasoned them lightly with salt and pepper and then pulled the steaks out of the pan. She set two more well seasoned steaks into the pan, this time opting to leave them a little more on the rare side for the Inu and adult Kitsune.

Getting a plate ready for Shippo, she moved to put it in front of him.

"Here ya go, buddy. Want me to cut your steak for you?"

He scowled playfully at her.

"Naw, I can get it!" He picked the steak up in his hands, avoiding the no doubt awkwardly large silverware as he dug his teeth into it. "Mmmmm."

She giggled as she watched him eat, her moods lifted exponentially from that morning. Cutting herself a piece from her own steak, she put it into her mouth and turned back to the other steaks in the pan. Seeing that they were lightly seared, she turned them over onto their other sides.

"Something smells delectable," came a new voice from the doorway.

Looking up from his food Shippo waved his father over as he chewed.

Kagome turned and greeted him with a smile, wiping her hands bashfully on her apron. When his emerald gaze took in her overall appearance she suddenly felt self-conscious and was glad that she'd showered and changed into something more appropriate before they'd arrived.

"Hello," she greeted. It was obvious where Shippo's traits came from; he was the spitting image of his father.

The Kitsune bowed his head a little in greeting, a charming smile on his face.

"Good evening, Kagome-san."

"Oh! You know my name!" She felt a blush burn her cheeks, glancing at her husband as he joined them in the kitchen.

"Of course, Sesshomaru-sama was good enough to tell me of the situation and assured me that he would make introductions for us."

She smiled shyly and looked to the Inu.

He looked to her somewhat reservedly, his eyes darting to the Kitsune as well.

"Kagome, this is my associate, Akira. Akira, my wife," he gestured to Kagome with a slight nod of the head, "Taisho, Kagome."

Both bowed formally to each other before breaking out into smiles once more.

"Well I hope you like your steaks rare, Akira-san. Dinner's almost ready."

"Of course, Kagome-san, how did you know?" He teased as he took a seat beside his son. He rumpled the kit's hair, smiling dotingly.

"Is it good?" he asked as Sesshomaru sat beside him.

"Yeah!" Shippo cheered before digging his teeth in once more.

"Do not forget to eat your vegetables, Shippo." Kagome teased as she plated the other's food and placed it before them. She waited to see if they liked it before starting into her food once more, enjoying her own thoroughly.

A pleased trill came from the elder kitsune.

"Ahh you are a delightful cook, Kagome-san!"

"So you like it then?"

"Hmm, uncooked to perfection!" He dug in heartily, perhaps with a little too much enthusiasm. Kagome found that she doubted it was as good as he was trying so hard to make it seem.

"Good," she smiled, taking a bite of broccoli.

Dinner went on pleasantly and Kagome found that she enjoyed the kitsune's company very much indeed.

When it was time for them to leave, she knew that she would miss them.

She hugged Shippo and kissed his forehead, already completely comfortable with the boy, having noticed that he absorbed affection like a sponge. He nuzzled into her as well, running his little nose along her cheek and placing a tiny peck there.

"Good bye Shippo, you be good!"

"I will Kagome-sama!"

She set him on his feet before standing once more, smiling at Akira pleasantly.

"Good evening, Akira-san. Drive safely."

The kitsune gave a nod of the head.

"Of course, Kagome-san. Have a delightful evening yourself." He turned to Sesshomaru and bowed. "Sesshomaru-sama."

"Hn."

The kitsune leaned in close to the Inu for a moment, grinning as he whispered conspiratorially.

"You have found yourself a wonderful wife, Sesshomaru. And she will surely make a wonderful mother once you finally decide to take her as your mate."

Sesshomaru growled lowly at him, and the red-head took off to his car hurriedly, but grinning foolishly.

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She and her husband watched as they left, Kagome waving happily.

When they were long gone and out of sight, they both finally turned to go back into the house, the sunset drowning everything in a warm glow.

"Did you enjoy their company?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.

"Oh yes! Very much!"

Her smile lit up her eyes, making them sparkle.

"Shippo is such a good kit…He'd make a good friend for Rin-chan."

"Hn. They are acquainted."

"Really? Good! That's good…" she trailed off as she went to lean on the arm of one of the couches in their living room.

She could tell that Sesshomaru was about to go right back into his office; into his little hideout. For some reason that bothered her.

"So, Shippo said something about some katanas?"

He stopped mid-stride and turned to eye her somewhat warily.

"Did he?"

"Yeah, and something about you being the most powerful youkai in history? Something like that…" She added in the last little ego-stroke just to appease him a little.

He snorted a little but said nothing as he looked away.

They were both silent for a moment as he contemplated what she'd said.

Glancing once more her way he tilted his head in the direction of the hallway and began to walk away.

She scurried to follow him, curious.

They went past the bedrooms and into his office. Curious, she waited by his desk as he went to the paneling on one side of the room and prodded one spot in particular. Skin tingling at the strange surge of youkai that spread across her flesh, she stepped forward as a door swung open lightly before him.

Bouncing a little on the balls of her feet, she waited for him to signal her to come forward before following him down into the dark abyss.

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As he led her down the steps into what remained of his personal armory, he contemplated her eagerness. She was much like the kit, her excitement palpable in the air, and he could feel her aura brushing along his senses.

Vaguely, he noticed her hand grab purchase on the back of his shirt, lightly. He didn't argue it, knowing that ningen had poor eyesight and as such she more than likely couldn't see where she was going or know how close he was without contact.

Eventually they entered the low armory and he flicked on the lights. He was rewarded with a small gasp from the female as she stepped forward, her hand slowly releasing his clothing.

"This is amazing!" she murmured in awe as she stepped closer to his standing armor and rows of katanas and weapons.

She reached a hand out to brush along the breastplate of his bone armor, caressing it almost familiarly.

He said nothing as he stood nearby, watching her every move. She was respectful of the items before her and the did not dare touch anything but his armor. When she came to his most personal of katanas, which hummed in their demonic auras to her nearness, she merely eyed them warily.

"These are most destructive," came her soft voice, almost hauntingly, as she wrapped her arms about herself. "They have done much damage, in the past?" It was more a statement than anything, but he answered her strange formality never-the-less.

"Yes."

She nodded, her eyes slowly drifting from them to him.

"I'm glad they are no longer necessary."

She stepped closer and smiled meekly.

"Thank you for showing me. I may not look it but I'm a lover of history. Items such as these are near impossible to find now-a-days and in such good condition." Seeing his frown, she continued. "And of course, given their personal value it makes them priceless." She began to walk back up the stairway, her thoughts obviously wandering. He followed, a tad curious as to what she could be thinking. When they were finally once more in his study, she turned to him with a somewhat mischievous glint in her eyes.

"So, I can tell that those items had to have come from pre-Sengoku Jidai…and if they are personal items," she paused, eyeing his facial features as if gauging them for something, "then how old, exactly, are you?"

He said nothing, caught by surprise even if he did not visibly show it.

She frowned up at him.

"I thought only females were uncomfortable talking about their age," she teased. They eyed one another for a moment, neither giving. "How about this? Can I ask you one question? You need only answer yes or no."

Considering, he nodded.

"Taking into consideration that that armor is at least six hundred years old, and that only a youkai in their prime would wear such armor…would I be correct in saying that you are at least nine hundred or so?"

Eyes wide, he nodded. How had she known such things?

She huffed a little, a somewhat smug grin on her face.

"I knew it. Was that so hard?" She turned to leave the room and go about her business, but she stopped at the door, her eyes once more questioning.

"Hey, how come in all of this time you haven't found a mate yet?"

Unable to answer dishonestly, he replied.

"This Sesshomaru had yet to find a female worthy."

A blush stained her cheeks, and though she knew she wasn't exactly his mate, she was his wife, so she was certainly closer to him than any other female likely had been. This made her a little proud, realizing what that meant. Was she worthy?

"Oh," she murmured. "I see."

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A/N: Sorry it's been so long guys! I promise, I never abandon my fics, I just tend to forget about this particular site...I post regularly on Dokuga under NicoRavenPen, so feel free to wander over there if you like...I actually have quite alot more work over there as well as all of my Sess x Kags fanart...So yeah. Here's an update bomb for you guys, I'll try not to forget about this place again anytime soon! (I also tend to forget my password...lol)