Having Shippou so close did wonders to calm her. At first as she spoke, he insisted on standing and walking.
She told him about her son, originally trying to find the right words. Shippou didn't even see surprised. When she finished explaining who Kawayou was, Shippou just nodded.
"I knew you and Inuyasha were in love."
A flush so deep covered her face, she couldn't bother to hide it.
"So does he not know?" His childish voice didn't help. She frowned and shook her head. His eyes went wide but he didn't seem to dwell on it.
He immediately shot off into filling her in on his life for the few years. "I've been so valued at the village!" He beamed, and excited chatted at how he used his fox instincts to help.
"I'm proud of you Shippou!" She replied, catching his cheerful aura.
He stopped walking and Kagome turned back to look at him. She opened her mouth to talk before she saw his face. His eyes glimmered wet and Kagome got alarmed for a second.
"Shippou what's wrong?"
The tiny fox didn't reply, he looked at the floor for a second and then launched himself at her. Kagome caught him with open arms. She fell back a step surprised but starting laughing when he tucked his face into her shirt.
"Oka-san, I'm so glad you're back."
She carried him from then on, the warmth and feeling in her arms doing something to calm her heart. She'd always taken care of Shippou when she first met him, always acting as a mother to the orphan fox. But something changed when she gave birth. It wasn't just a game anymore.
She sighed, rubbing his fur. She really felt like his mother. All the old memories rushing back, it hurt her to think she'd been away from him. She thought about it for a brief second. She wondered the implications of staying in the feudal era. But then, there were so many things she needed to do, it would be useless to think about it.
~*~
"Damnit," Inuyasha growled as the creature lunged at him again. He twisted out of the way, and sliced his sword through the air where the creature had stood. It darted back and kept prowling. The three picked up a defensive stance around the boy and actively fended off its attacks.
"It's too fast!" Sango yelled, throwing her boomerang again. The creature jumped and ran for the gap between her and Miroku. Inuyasha was on it, jumping to attack. The creature leapt back and growled.
"Why does it want the boy?" Miroku asked, careful to keep track of the creature.
"I don't care but it ain't getting him!" Inuyasha ran on the offensive.
The creature roared and leapt into the air. They clashed, the force of the impact knocking them both back.
Kawayou scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding sickeningly loudly in his ears. Why did it want him? The creature kept track of each one of his movements and Kawayou could feel its stare boring into him.
He felt a twinge behind him and his head snapped up. A feeling he recognized.
"Inuyasha, we may be in for more trouble!" Miroku shouted and another shadow launched at them from the woods. Yanking his staff forward, he met the creature in the air. A crack sounded up and the force of the blow knocked it sideways.
"There are two of them! Inuyasha, watch out!" Sango realized what had happened and rushed forward to help Miroku.
The two demons seemed coordinated, twirling around the group of them and strategically attacking.
"Kid, stay back." Inuyasha growled, grunting as he clashed with the creature again.
Kawayou barely heard him, his attention off towards the woods that were just far enough to be almost indiscernible in the darkness.
"Where are these coming from?" Sango vented as she twisted around when the creature fell back again.
"Watch it Sango," Miroku knocked her back as the creature launched. Miroku just barely caught it with his staff, falling back to the ground; he held the piece of wood between the creature. Its claws dug in, and it bared its teeth.
"Miroku," Sango moved to aid him. And then it happened in second.
"Don't move!" A voice screamed from the darkness and just half a second later an arrow broke through the air, lit up brighter than the sun itself. Sango jumped back just as the arrow pierced the creature. It fell back, a horrible scream echoing through the opening of trees. Steam rose until the demon disappeared.
Her eyes widen and all three adults fell still.
"Momma!" Kawayou yelled running for the woman standing just at the edge of the woods.
"Kawayou, don't move!" She screamed, her heart freezing as the demon charged at the boy that had dashed into the open grass.
Time slowed down. Kagome's world shut out but for the five feet area where her son stood. The demon reached him, grabbing the boy's shoulder into his oversized jaw. Kagome screamed.
Suddenly catching into action, she knotted pulled back another arrow and sent it through the air. But the demon ran too quickly.
And for the second time in her life, Kagome saw her son disappear.
~*~
A/N: I guess the next chapter is the one you've all been waiting for. Inuyasha and Kagome reunite. Well sort of. But yes there is much more Kag and Inu in the next two chapters…which will be posted this weekend!
Oh, quick question for my work on another fic.
How does Kouga ever find out about Kagome's 'sit' command? Or does he never ask?
Just drop it in a review or something. Thanks