Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha (Rumiko Takahashi-san and Viz media do). If I did, would I really be posting all these stories as fanfiction?
A/N: Sorry this is so late, I've been working a lot lately. I wish I had more time! Anyways, here is Day 14/FREE DAY and I chose Shippō. It seems as though Shippō and Inuyasha are always vying for Kagome's attention and affection. She cares a lot about both of them (in different ways, of course), but they seem to view love as a limited resource. This is supposed to be Shippō's day, but Inukag kind of took over. I will be posting my Inuyasha/Kagome story tomorrow or Tuesday, it just needs some polishing up. I have an idea for Miroku/Sango and hope to post that chapter before the end of the week!
Please enjoy (or tell me if you didn't)!
DAY 14 (free day)
Shippō: There is Enough Love for Both of You
"Lucky bastard," Inuyasha grumbled as Shippō skipped off to the hotspring, following Sango and Kagome.
"My friend," Miroku said, sidling up to Inuyasha, "you are not alone in your wish to bathe with such beautiful celestial maidens." He dramatically clasped his hand over his heart and wiped a non-existent tear from his eye.
"I didn't mean it like that, you pervert!" Inuyasha protested.
He turned red at the thought of what he'd accidentally implied. Him accompanying Kagome to the hotspring would be quite a different context than Shippō bathing with her. Inuyasha just wished he had more time with her, more affection from her. Shippō was a real brat for taking all of Kagome's affection. And, of course, she always had to side with the runt. Between Shippō and Kikyō, Inuyasha was getting nowhere fast.
Half an hour later, Shippō and the girls returned from the hotspring. Sango and Kagome were giggling about something and Shippō looked vaguely annoyed. He sighed and sat down next to Inuyasha.
"What's your problem?" he asked.
Shippō rolled his eyes. "All they talked about was 'Inuyasha this' and 'Miroku that'. Do girls not have anything better to talk about?" Shippō flopped back dramatically. "I think next time, I'll just bathe with you and Miroku. Kagome can always brush my hair later."
"What did they say about us?" Miroku inquired, looking a little desperate.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Shippō replied.
"Yeah, we would!" Inuyasha said. "So tell us!"
"Maybe if you weren't so dense, you could just have an honest conversation with them and not rely on secondhand information from a little kid!" Shippō was indignant. If those two screwballs just got their heads on straight, we wouldn't have so many problems!
"Hey! What's going on here?" Kagome walked over just as Shippō turned around and crossed his arms. "Are you two fighting already?"
"What about Miroku?" Inuyasha angrily gestured to the monk. "He's here too, ya know!"
"Miroku only gets into fights with Sango," Kagome replied, putting her hands on her hips and staring down at Inuyasha.
"Kagome," Shippō whined, "can you brush my hair again?"
"Of course, Shippō. Let me get dinner started first."
"Why are you always babying him?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Because he's still a little kid!" Kagome replied. "You know what? I think you're just jealous."
"Jealous? Of that runt?!" Inuyasha denied it, but he was positively green with envy.
"Yes, you're jealous! And I see no reason for you to be, Inuyasha; there is plenty of affection for both of you."
"Who said I want your affection, woman?" Inuyasha lashed out, instantly regretting his words. Why do I keep doing this? I do want her affection, damnit!
Kagome smirked. "Your actions do. Now, you and Miroku go and take your baths. When you come back, dinner will be ready and I'll brush your hair too." Her tone and stance brooked no room for argument. The gods must have been smiling down on him.
"Come now, Inuyasha, we must make haste," Miroku said, grabbing Inuyasha's arm and dragging him along. Maybe, if he got lucky, Sango would follow Kagome's lead and bestow extra affection upon him.
When Inuyasha and Miroku returned from the hotspring, Kagome waved to them. She was pouring hot water into the ramen cups and the fish Inuyasha caught were still roasting in front of the fire. Kagome sat down, waiting for the food to be ready, and Shippō immediately glued himself to her side. Rushing over, Inuyasha claimed the spot on her other side.
"I'm afraid the food isn't ready yet, Inuyasha, but I can brush your hair now," she said, reaching over to her backpack and pulling out the hairbrush.
"Oh, uh, sure," Inuyasha replied and turned so his back faced her.
She started brushing and he leaned in. It was nice to be cared for, to be touched. She had never shied away from him because of what he was. It took awhile for them to warm up to each other at first (it took him longer than it did her), but that was due to his own actions and her being Kikyō's reincarnation (he soon learned that the two women were nothing alike). And now, what were they? Friends? More? He should just enjoy this while it lasted. Sooner or later, she'd move on. Probably. Hopefully not. Inuyasha wished they could stay like this forever.
His hair was surprisingly soft. Which was strange, because she had never seen him brush it and he always rejected her offers of shampoo and conditioner. Maybe it was a demon thing? Kagome was, quite frankly, more than a little jealous of his amazing hair. He leaned into her touch. He always seemed to be finding an excuse to lean in, to be close to her. She didn't mind; Kagome always found excuses to be close to him. When had someone last hugged him? Kagome wasn't sure, so she decided she would do something about that, and soon (piggyback rides did not count as hugs). Was that why he started carrying her? To be close to her?
"The ramen's ready!" Shippō shouted, interrupting Kagome's thoughts. Inuyasha scowled at Shippō - he loved ramen, but the runt had interrupted his time with Kagome! Given the choice between ramen and Kagome, Inuyasha surprised himself by not picking ramen.
"I counted out three whole minutes! Did I do a good job, Kagome?" Shippō asked, bouncing up and down.
"Yes, you did. You were an excellent ramen timer, Shippō!" Kagome quickly praised the kitsune child. He glowed with pride and joy.
After Kagome passed the ramen and fish around and sat down, Shippō snuggled up to her side. Inuyasha scooted a little closer. Miroku and Sango exchanged looks.
"Hey, Inuyasha! My fish is bigger than yours! Kagome loves me more!" Shippō taunted. Come on, take the bait.
"Does not!" Inuyasha retorted and turned a little red when he realised what he just said. "I mean - I meant that you don't have more fish than me!"
"If love is measured in food, I think Kagome loves Inuyasha most," Sango whispered to Miroku, loud enough for everyone else to hear.
Shippō blew a raspberry at Inuyasha. Inuyasha smirked, maybe Kagome did love him best. Kagome blushed and became quite focused on her food. Shippō happily continued to eat his dinner and plotted how to trick Inuyasha into admitting his feelings for Kagome. Things would be much more peaceful if the idiot would just get his head out of the sand and man up already. Of course, that might mean Shippō would lose his spot in Kagome's sleeping bag…