37.
"What is one of the most dangerous pieces on the board?"
Kagome squinted. "…The queen?" she replied.
"Sure. The queen is omnipotent, able to move and conquer in every direction she so chooses. But your opponent knows this too; the moment she advances, he will be watching her like a hawk."
"The most effective piece can move without being seen, slipping from memory while it slowly places the board under your control."
"That, my dear little bird, is the duty of the knight."
Shippo looked absolutely and utterly disheartened as Kagome stared at him evenly, arms crossed snugly across her chest.
"So." She spoke at last. "You were told to follow me around by Sesshomaru?"
The red-haired male winced before humming an affirmative. "Mhmmm."
Kagome pursed her lips. "Why?"
Shippo shrugged. "You think he tells me this kind of stuff, lady?"
"Kagome." She corrected. "If one more person calls me 'miss' or 'lady', I'm going to start cracking nuts."
Her response earned her a jaw drop from the teenager in front of her. "Is a girl like you allowed to say something like that?" he asked with something akin to awe.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
The boy squared his shoulders. "I just didn't think girls that came to this school talked like that, is all." He shuffled his feet. Kagome approached swiftly, sapphire orbs steely as they pierced into his own emerald ones.
"Well, I can. And I will." She warned.
"Aye aye, captain." Shippo replied with a shaky salute. "Dully noted."
"Cheeky brat." Kagome rolled her eyes. "Now tell me – how do I know you're telling the truth regarding your supposed ignorance?"
The redhead snorted. "Yeah. 'Cos Sesshomaru is definitely the kind of guy who likes to let you know what's on his mind, right?"
His words inspired her to contemplate them for a moment before she conceded with a sigh. "Touché. I guess I'll just have to go to the source for answers."
"No!" Shippo shot upwards. "You can't!"
Kagome's hands moved to her hips. "And why not?"
"Please don't." the redhead pleaded. "Sesshomaru would be furious if he found out that I got my cover blown so quickly. I don't think I need to tell you how scary he gets when he's angry – it's all sharp teeth and poisonous claws until he's satisfied that he's taken at least ten years off of your life."
"But your cover did get blown." Kagome pointed out. "What are you going to do about that, even if I didn't tell?"
Shippo's ears drooped. "I dunno." He replied. "…Lie?"
"Somehow I don't think that will work very well." The raven-haired girl grinned wryly. "I tried it once and got called out on it instantly afterwards. And I'm good at it, not to pat myself on the back or anything."
"Yeah, I know." Was the gloomy response. "Guess I'm pretty fucked, huh."
Kagome regarded him with a thoughtful gaze. The kid deserved to be cut some slack – he was obviously decently skilled, as he had managed to avoid detection the last few days he had claimed to be following her.
Plus, a person of his particular skill set had his…uses.
"What's your name?" she asked, settling down next to him.
"…Shippo." The redhead answered, obviously seeing no point in resisting any longer.
"Shippo." Kagome repeated. "How about I make you an offer?"
The boy looked up curiously. "…What kind of offer?" he questioned cautiously.
"I'll let you continue reporting to Sesshomaru what he wants to know, and in exchange, you do a bit of reconnaissance work for me." She smirked.
Shippo brightened. "Really? That's it?"
"Yup." Kagome nodded. "But just know that if I find out you've betrayed or deceived me in any way I am going straight to Sesshomaru – after delivering an ass kicking of my own."
Her stony expression showed that she meant every word, and Shippo gulped.
"Yes ma'am." He stammered quickly. "…I mean, Kagome!" he corrected as Kagome cracked her knuckles.
"We have an understanding, then?"
Shippo's head bobbed up and down enthusiastically. "We sure do. What do you want me to find out for you?"
Kagome's face softened and she smiled. She had wanted to remain stoic, but the kid was proving to be pretty cute – she had a soft spot for brats like him.
"Those nifty spider tats that I see people getting." She stated, making sure that he met her gaze. "I want to know what they mean."
"That's it?" Shippo asked with an arrogant fanged grin. "What a cinch!"
"For now." Kagome corrected. "I'll have other things for you to do after you've given me that information."
"No problem." The boy puffed out his chest. "You won't be disappointed in my work, I can guarantee you that!"
"That's what I like to hear." The raven-haired girl reached over to ruffle his hair. "Report to me as soon as you know anything."
"Sure thing, boss-lady." Shippo beamed.
Kagome resisted the urge to hit her head against the conveniently placed desk next to her. "Kagome." She reminded. "Now off you go."
The redhead did so without protest, leaving her to look after him with a small upwards curve of her lips.
Now she just needed to find out what a certain ice prince was up to.