Shippo's Plans
Rating: PG, maybe PG-13… don't quite know.
Summary: Shippo launches step three.
Disclaimer: -snuggles her new Miroku duplicate- It's the closest I'll ever get.
Chapter 5: Hit Me With Your Best Shot… Fire Away!
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He was cold, he was wet, and about a hundred percent sure that he'd slept on like fifty rocks last night. All in all, it made him a very cranky fox kit. But Shippo'd managed to elude Inuyasha and protect Miroku, so at least some good came out of it all. Sure, he'd had to hide in the river to mask his scent, gotten lost, and stuck out in the rain… it was all worth it. He had to make things better for his Kagome.
Sticking his nose up in the air with new determination, Shippo tried to smell his way back to the village. Low and behold, there was Kagome's scent – it was faint, but it was there. Gleefully, Shippo followed his nose back to the girl that meant home to him.
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Last night had not been so peaceful. Inuyasha had been missing – no big shock there, but Shippo was also gone, and that worried Kagome. Kaede had told her that she'd seen neither hide nor hair of the wee demon since the morning, and Kagome had been so caught up in whatever it was that was going on with Miroku she had been virtually ignoring the kit. It had all of Kagome's maternal instincts on the fritz.
So she'd stayed out all night trying to find him in the rain. Her conscience wouldn't let her give up or wait until dawn. She had to find him as soon as possible.
She was paying more attention to her thoughts than her path, and as a consequence, managed to trip on a root and land not so gracefully on her face. Standing up as quickly as she could, she brushed herself off and hummed a bit to herself, as if nothing had happened. She may be alone, but you could never be too sure in Inuyasha'a Forest. It paid to save face.
The sound of low laughter reached her ears and Kagome couldn't help but blush. It seemed some one had seen her slip. Peering through her bangs, she saw none other than Miroku lounging against a large boulder. With a peaceful face and a rigid posture, he appeared to be mediating, but his laughter had given him away. "Miroku, have you seen Shippo?"
His cool façade seemed to twitch slightly at her words, and she realized that in her concern for Shippo, she'd dropped Miroku's honorific. Afraid that she'd offended the monk, she asked once more, "Miroku-sama, have you seen Shippo?"
Wide violet eyes opened and met hers… even at the distance they were standing from each other; she still saw those amethyst flames dancing in his irises. It stole her breath from her. Her traitorous brain replayed the scene from the well- she'd been so certain they were about to kiss and it had excited her… but why? They were just friends… the only reason things were weird right now was because he missed Sango, right? There was no way he'd wanted to actually kiss -her-. She knew she should have felt relieved when he left so quickly, but she didn't… in fact, she'd felt like everything inside her was crumbling – which was just foolish because they were friends… they were friends- they were just friends, damn it!
"Is he missing?"
"Uh, ah, yes, Shippo's been missing since yesterday morning."
Miroku jumped to his feet, crossing the small clearing to her and grabbed her arm. It wasn't hard or painful, but rather warm and comforting. Despite herself, Kagome swooned.
"Kagome-sama, have you been out all night? You look warm."
The dizziness that threatened to overtake her prevented her from talking. She locked her eyes on his, trying to communicate to him her distress.
It seemed to work, "Sit here, you need to rest." He maneuvered her to the ground, settling her gently next him.
"But – Shippo…"
"I'll find him; you rest." But before he could rise from her side, a crashing in the underbrush let them know that they weren't alone. Pivoting quickly, Miroku snapped his staff to him quickly, but to Kagome's surprise, let it drop. "Found him."
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He was fried, completely utterly fried. After that little – erm – episode by the well, Miroku had left for the woods to meditate. Taking the pounding rain the night had brought as penance for nearly kissing Kagome, he ignored it, never straying from his purpose.
And then Kagome came crashing into his little sanctuary, flushed and scared. He'd painfully quashed the joy in his heart when he'd heard his name from her lips, breathy from exertion and without the honorific; instead he'd tried to behave as platonically and stoically as he could.
Worry stabbed its cold blade into his heart when she swooned. Had she been out all night in the rain? With demons lurking about? What was she thinking? She could have been hurt!
So when Shippo found them, he was very relieved. Welcoming the kit onto his lap, he settled himself next to Kagome. The fox-child ambled carefully from his lap to Kagome's and began running his tiny clawed fingers through her hair. "Kagome, are you ok?"
She smiled weakly at the boy, and regardless of what Miroku's brain said about cursed hands and destinies, Miroku's heart warmed. "I'm fine, Shippo, I was just worried about you. You were out all night, are you hurt?"
"I'm ok. I'm sorry, Kagome, I didn't mean to worry you."
"It's alright; you're back now… that's what matters."
"Can I ask you a question?"
Miroku was pretty sure that he was about to panic. The last time that Shippo asked a question… it was bad. That couldn't happen again.
But, Kagome let him ask anyway.
"Will you – uh… Kagome, will you be my mommy?"
He had to admit, he was more surprised by this question than the last, but he supposed he should not have been. The look on Kagome's face, though, was precious. Her eyes were wide and brimming with unshed tears, and her smile, well, her smile glowed like the sunrise. The joy on her face made him smile, and he let himself dream about what it would be like to be a little family with Kagome and Shippo. It was a beautiful dream, but only a dream.
"Of course, Shippo. I'll be your mommy."
The little kit hugged her strongly and giggled. "Thank you, Mommy!"
It was too much for Miroku to bear. He stood abruptly, brushing himself off. Offering a hand up to Kagome and her pup, he led them towards the village, leaving all dreams of a little family in the clearing.
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Review Responses:
Puffin – I know exactly how you feel. There are so many talented authors out there who can really bring on the tears with their stories. I'm glad that this cheered you up!
CrimsonMoonInTheSky – It's becoming quite impossible for me to not update this, I'm addicted! I mean, I wrote chapter four during my birthday party, how weird is that? I'm glad you like it though!
Tokyobabe2040 – Dude, who all do you have in that closet? That's pretty nice. –cuddles Miroku duplicate some more- ahhh, so happy.
Samanda Hime-sama – Is there a line I have to get in to bear Miroku's child? A list? Cuz, I mean, if there is sign me up. My friends and I came up with this horrible idea of an 'Anime To-Do List' and Mr. Miroku is number two. Oh yes, he's delicious.
Denise D – Hey, it's good to see you again! I'm glad it's funny. This story is turning out far better than I thought it would.