Disclaimer: I very obviously do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters if I did . . . well let's not get into that . . .

Authors Note: Before you get out the ropes and form a lynch mob, I have a few things to say. First, I am very sorry for the lack of updates this past year. I hope to not go that long again without updating. Second, since I last updated, I have had a multiude of different illnesses, one of which was a tumor (it has been removed) and the newest one that the doctors are still on watch for is multiple sclerosis. On top of that, I am a full time student in college and I work two jobs. Between all of these things, I haven't had much opportunity to write, or a strong inclination to do so. I'm feeling much better now, so I hope to have a new chapter out at least once a month again. Thank you everyone for sticking with this story and for all of the wonderful reviews. They helped me to sit down and finish this chapter which I began over a year ago. Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

LoudlySilent

Kagome felt her mouth drop open in surprise and her mind went blank for a few seconds. When it started up again, there was only one thought resounding through her shock addled brain: Shippo and Kagura are a couple? Finally managing to close her mouth she opened it again to sputter "But I thought she liked Sesshoumaru? She acts like she likes him."

"Well I won't deny that she rather likes his . . . physique, but most of that was an act to make you start thinking about him," here he stopped to look at her with a coy turn of his head, "and maybe make you jealous."

Kagome snorted at his disgruntled expression when he mentioned Kagura's interest in Sesshoumaru's body and ignored him when he mentioned her supposed jealousy. I think she was trying to make more than me jealous, and I think she succeeded. In true Kagome fashion, she voiced her thoughts. "I think she made you jealous Shippo."

Shippo glowered at her. "I'm not jealous of Sesshoumaru."

Kagome raised her eyebrows. "Sure you aren't," her tone left no doubt as to what she really thought.

"I'm not."

"Sure," she snorted.

"Really!"

"I believe you."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "You can be so annoying."

Kagome winked at him. "I learned from the best." She took a sip of her drink. "Besides you deserve it for plotting my future relationship." By the end she was glowering at him.

Shippo sighed gustily. She was never going to let him forget either.

XXXXXXXXXX

Sesshoumaru watched the two of them at a distance. Shippo was squirming around like he was uncomfortable about something and Kagome had a decidedly vindictive look about her. He ignored the little spark of happiness that lit within his chest at the thought of the kitsune's discomfort. He didn't have a real problem with Shippo any longer, but he was still a fox, and dog's disliked the tricky nature of foxes because they were so contrary to the dog's more straightforward manner.

But, even if he didn't have a problem with Shippo anymore, Kagome still needed someone to watch her. Someone other than a kitsune that wouldn't be able to protect her as well as, well, him. He didn't trust anyone else to protect her as well as he could, it was as simple as that.

XXXXXXXXXX

While Sesshoumaru was keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious, he was being

watched by one of the very people he wanted to protect Kagome from.

"She's with the kitsune and the dog is watching from a distance. When do you want me to do this?" frustration was obvious in the unknown caller's voice. "I'm getting tired of this game."

"I pay you to do what I tell you, not question me; if this has become a problem, a solution can easily be found. Unfortunately for you, the solution involves your death. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," came the growled reply before the cell phone was snapped shut.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Shippo! Open the damn door!" BANG! BANG! BANG! "I'm not kidding Shippo! Don't make me break it down!" Inuyasha rubbed his temples to help soothe the headache he felt coming on. He hit the door again. "Shippo! I can't watch your dog anymore! He's a menace!" He looked down at the dog in question, shuddering when Cujo burped. "He ate a freaking spatula! A spatula! Come out here and get your damn dog!"

No one came to the door and Inuyasha slid down to his knees. "Please I'm begging you to take your dog back." Cujo sat down and snapped at one of Inuyasha's hands. Inuyasha made sure he wasn't in biting range and went back to begging at the door for Shippo. "Please come get your devil dog!"

"Inuyasha?" came a voice from behind him. "What are you doing here?"

The defeated hanyou whipped around, "Shippo. Thank. God."

"What?" Shippo tried and failed to keep the utter confusion out of his voice.

"What's wrong Inuyasha?"

"Your devil dog is what's wrong!" Inuyasha climbed to his feet and wiped his hands on his jeans. "He's like a black hole that eats everything. He ate a spatula, Shippo!"

Shippo rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Eh, well you didn't know that dogs like to, er, chew plastic?"

"It was made out of steel!"

"What!" Shippo kneeled down beside Cujo and started looking him over. "Are you okay Cujo boy?" he asked in a baby voice. "Why didn't you take him to the vet?!" the anger rang clear in the question.

"Because he's the devil," Inuyasha said crossing his arms. Shippo scowled. "What? I figured he ate shit like that all the time!"

"I don't leave things he shouldn't eat out where he can get them! Only an idiot would do that when they know the dog is inclined to eating anything he can fit in his mouth."

"Okay, first it was in the drawer, which he also chewed on and broke-so you owe me some extra money, and second, do you not have furniture?, because last time I checked, furniture touches the ground. And if it touches the ground, Cujo chews on it."

"He doesn't chew my furniture."

"Good. That means you won't have a problem taking him back."

"No, I need you to keep him for one more day."

"Not a chance."

"Please!" Shippo put his hands together and did his best impression of puppy dog eyes.

"No."

"What is this going to cost me?"

"You'll need to replace everything that Cujo ate or destroyed."

"Okay, I can do that, as long as you don't expect everything right away."

"And I'll need an extra $100.00."

"WHAT! I can understand the other stuff, but an extra hundred dollars! For one day? You're out of your mind!"

"Hmm, I suppose I could settle for $50.00." he stroked his chin considering.

"You'll come get him tomorrow? As in tomorrow by 3:00?"

"Thank you, Inuyasha."

"Keh, don't ever expect me to do it again."

"Don't worry I won't."

"Inuyasha tightened his grip on the leash and tapped his foot impatiently while

Shippo baby talked the dog and said goodbye. "Alright come one devil dog. Bye Shippo."

"Bye Inuyasha, thanks again."

"No problem. Just make sure to bring the extra $50.00 with you tomorrow when you come to pick up the hell spawn here."

XXXXXXXXXX

Kagome edged around the corner in the hallway, trying to get a clear view of the kitchen. She wanted to sneak up on Sesshoumaru and scare him. So far she had been unsuccessful. Damn inuyoukai hearing. Can't sneak up and scare them no matter how hard you try. He seemed unaware of her approach, sitting at the table and staring into space, the expression on his face the look she had dubbed 'I am busy thinkng of big important things. Do not bother me.'

Fortunately for her, this look also usually meant that he was being as inattentive to his surroundings as she was likely to ever find him. She decided to seize the opportunity that had presented itself. Who knew when it could happen again?

She tip toed closer until she was standing directly behind him. She raised her arms so that they were level with his sides and slowly inched closer so that she could tickle him unawares. When her fingers were mere centimeters away from their goal, she found herself looking at an empty chair with both her hands being held behind her back in one of Sesshoumaru's while the other tickled her sides mercilessly.

"S-Sesshoumaru! S-St- stop it!"

"Why?" Sesshoumaru asked as he continued to tickle her. "This is what you had in mind for me isn't it?"

"Y-Yes but," Kagome gasped in another lung full of air. "I wouldn't have been able to keep tickling you." She folded over the arm that had snaked around her middle and hung limply, gasping for breath when he stopped the laughter inducing assault. "You're much to fast and strong. You would have gotten away easily."

"True enough." He tilted his head down and watched her arms swing like clock pendulums. "Kagome, what are you doing?"

Throwing her head back so that she could see him she replied, "Well, since I didn't get to tickle you, and I got tickled, I figured I would let you expend the energy to support me. I used up all of mine laughing so hard."

Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow. "Who's to say I want to expend the energy holding you up? I could drop you."

Kagome smiled warmly at him, "But you won't."