Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this small scene… especially for the one whose nose works very well indeed. A nod or recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken, who's usually right.


Early January…

Like Usual

"She's here early," Shippo remarked as they drove past Kagome's car in the front lot on their way around to the back of the building. Inuyasha grunted noncommittally, pulling out his ring of keys as he led the way to the back door. They kicked snow off boots and tromped inside, pausing in the short hallway that led to the maintenance room. "And she's been here recently," the redhead added, nostrils twitching.

"My nose works," grumbled the dark-haired janitor.

"I wonder what she's up to?"

Violet eyes darted to the bulletin board, checking the repair list for additions. "Nothing on the… oh." Black brows drew together, then lifted. "Huh."

Shippo propped his elbow on his partner's shoulder and studied the single purple paperclip that dangled from Kagome's tack. "Awww… now I call that sweet! She's speaking your language!"

"Mine? You're the one who started this whole paperclip thing."

"So I did," drawled Shippo, sounding quite pleased with himself. "What message do you think this little guy is bringing?

"How should I know?" Inuyasha shrugged, unlocking the door to their office.

"Hmm… lotsa possibilities. If she found it on the floor, it could mean 'you missed a spot'.

"In that case, she left it for you. You had dustpan duty yesterday," the dark-haired janitor remarked dryly.

"On the other hand," the redhead continued with mock seriousness, "it may be a subtle invitation, like… 'back me into the boiler room and kiss me senseless'."

The hanyou looked askance at the kitsune and snorted. "That's a stretch."

Shippo blinked innocently. "Well, what do you think it means?"

"Seems to me these things are supposed to say, 'lets be friends'." Inuyasha removed the paperclip and tucked it carefully in his breast pocket before rolling one of the large wheeled trash bins into the hallway. "I'll just have to go ask her what she had in mind."

The redhead paused in the act of reaching for a dust mop. "What… you mean now?"

His partner leaned past him, lifted the mop from its hook, and pressed it into the kitsune's hand. "Yeah… now's good."

"I take it I'm not invited?"

"Nope."

As the hanyou started walking towards the administrative offices, Shippo hastily called, "You got a plan?"

Inuyasha paused. "Not really. I'm just going to ask her why she left the paperclip."

"Oh… okay."

The hanyou turned and gave his friend a steady look. "Shippo, if you really want to come, it's fine."

"What? No! There's no way I'm butting in!" the redhead exclaimed. "You go on; I'll cover for you."

Inuyasha folded his arms over his chest. "What are you all worried about?"

"Nothing whatsoever!"

The kitsune's bright smile faded when Inuyasha backtracked to stand directly in front of his friend. "You're a lousy liar. Spit it out."

Shippo took a deep breath, prepared to bluff his way out of the corner, but an impatient growl filled the space between them. "Aw, crap," the kitsune grumbled, eyes lowered.

"I don't have time for crap," Inuyasha countered brusquely. "What's the problem? Do you think I'm going to screw this up on my own?"

"Not a chance," the redhead hastily assured. "I'm sure you'll do just great on your own."

With an impatient huff, the hanyou reached up and flicked the fox's forehead. "Don't be an idiot."

"I'm not an idiot," Shippo retorted.

"Then you're smart enough to know just how far I'd get 'on my own'." The kitsune's expression tightened, and Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Listen close, because I'm only saying this once. We're inseparable for a damn good reason, and it's not for camouflage. I'm not ditching you, and I'm not using you."

The redhead grimaced and muttered, "I know that."

"Sure about that?" the hanyou demanded, gruff in his concern.

Shippo's answering grin was genuine, if a bit sheepish. He offered a half-teasing, "Keh."

Inuyasha cuffed the kitsune's shoulder, saying, "That's more like it. Why don't you take a quick trip to the kitchens and liberate some of Gert's leftovers? I'll catch up to you in the east hall and we'll do the trash like usual."

The kitsune perked up even further and propped the dust mop next to the door. "You think she left any of yesterday's muffins?"

"She always does," Inuyasha smirked as they walked down the hall together.

"Some things never change… huh?" Shippo remarked when they reached the place where they'd need to part ways.

"Yep," Inuyasha agreed.

One janitor turned left. The other turned right. And everything was okay.


Posted on July 10, 2009. 751 words.