Shippo's Plans

Rating:  OK, the verdict's in, and I have to apologize, I've had some requests for a lemon, and I gotta say that this story will be lemon free.  It just doesn't fit… so the PG rating stands.  Sorry about that.

Summary: Kagome hatches her own scheme and needs help…

Disclaimer: In a situation like this, you really got to ask yourself, would I write fanfiction if I owned Inuyasha?  NO!  I'd animate my visions!

Chapter Nine: One Way Or Another

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          It had been three days since she'd told off Inuyasha, and Kagome felt as though she had a new lease on life.  It was amazing at how free she felt.  Kikyo's soul stealers couldn't even bring her down, (she knew that for a fact – they'd been around quite a bit lately), and Inuyasha?  Well, he was gone usually up a tree some where grousing.  It was a vacation, and nearly perfect.

          Yes, only nearly perfect.  She stole a glance at the meditating monk sitting across from her.  Miroku was being awfully quiet.  Ever since the confrontation with Inuyasha, Miroku had avoided her.  Whether it was because of Inuyasha, or the quasi kiss they'd shared upon finding Shippo, she wasn't certain, but she wanted to find out.

          The game plan?  She had no clue.  She was just going to wing it. 

          Flicking her eyes to her other companion, Shippo, the proverbial light bulb clicked on in her brain.  She wasn't the only person who could resist the kit's charm.  Miroku had quite the weak spot for him too.  Huh. 

         A dangerous light settled in Kagome's eyes as she went over her plan.  Miroku would never see it coming.  This was going to be fun.

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          Ok – it was official.  Shippo was frustrated.  Things had been going so well!  He'd gotten through to Miroku – even gotten him to acknowledge how he felt for Kagome.  And he'd even managed to show Miroku that Kagome was interested!  All that had been left was asking Miroku to be his daddy, and asking a few more suggestive questions – like when was he going to get brothers and sisters now that he had parents.  Then that worthless Inuyasha had to wreck it all by interfering.  It made him want to growl.

          He was so engrossed in thoughts of what to do to get the ball rolling again that he didn't see Kagome walk over to him.  He squealed out in surprise when she scooped him up into her arms and made off with him.

          "Shh, Shippo – Mommy has a question, and I need you to think very seriously about it before you answer me."

          "Ok, Mommy!"  He really liked the way it felt to call her his mother; it filled him with warmth.

          "Do you want a daddy, Shippo?"

          Er?  Huh?  DUH!  That's what this is all about!  Oh, oops, this is the time to play innocent.  "A daddy?" 

          "Uh huh.  Well do you want one?"

          Shippo blushed cutely for Kagome while his little mind raced over possible reasons Kagome would ask him such a thing.  This could be the break he was looking for, but who knew for sure?  "Yeah, I really do want a daddy."  It was best to be as honest as possible at this moment.

          An appraising look settled on her features at his answer, "Inuyasha?"

          What!?! NO!  NOT HIM!  "Uh, I don't think so."

          "Oh really?"  She sighed, "why not?"

          "He's mean to me –" and you, "I'd want some one nice, like Miroku."  There we go, steer her back in the right direction.

          Shippo registered that there wasn't something quite right about the look of surprise that was on Kagome's face… it wasn't – real?  Was Kagome trying to… she was!  That little sneak.  It made him want to laugh.  Kagome had been trying to lead Shippo to that conclusion.  Hmm.  She was literally asking for him to launch back into his plans.  "Well, yeah – Miroku would be the best daddy ever!  He's fun, kind, and he's always asking people to bear his child, so I'll have lots of brothers and sisters!"

          A dark look crossed Kagome's features at that last bit, and Shippo realized that perhaps reminding Kagome about Miroku's lecherous ways wasn't exactly wise at this point.  To distract her, he jumped from her lap and grinned.  "I'm gonna go ask him!"

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          Miroku wanted to know how he found himself in these situations.  In love with a woman who'd loved another – a jealous other.  Then, when her attentions finally turned to him, it was all ripped away in a fit of jealous rage.  Miroku didn't doubt Inuyasha's threat.  The half demon got entirely too violent when he was angry… but then again, recalling the flames he'd seen in Kagome's eyes, he didn't doubt her threat either.  And what of Sango?  How would she feel if she found him with Kagome?  Was he really willing to rip this group apart – the group that was literally the last threat that Naraku faced?  Perhaps it would be better to just leave and remove the tension that he had brought into the group.

          But he didn't want to.  He didn't want to stray from Kagome, but it had to be done.  His mind set, Miroku opened his eyes and looked for Kagome.  She was gone.  Instead, Shippo was standing in front of him.  "Hello, Shippo."

          "Miroku – can I ask you a question?"

          Oh how he was beginning to hate those words.  "Of course, Shippo."

          "You promise not to laugh?"

          "Of course."  Was it just his imagination, or were Shippo's eyes getting a little teary?  Must be an important question.

          "Kagome knows, but you weren't there.  Before I met you, my parents were killed because they had a jewel shard."  Shippo sniffled and Miroku knew what was coming next.  No matter how much trouble the kitsune had gotten him into, Miroku still couldn't bear to see him cry, so he plucked the boy from the ground and nestled him into his lap.  Seemingly comforted, Shippo carried on.  "I never thought that I'd have a family again… but Kagome came along."

          Miroku stroked Shippo's hair silently, willing the pup to continue.

          "She hugged me and gave me things, made sure I was warm and took away my bad dreams.  She became my new mommy."

          Miroku nodded, remembering that particular scene with an empty heart.  He could admit it, he was jealous.  "Inuyasha promised to protect Kagome, but he's been gone with Kikyo and Kagome's all alone.  Will you keep her safe?"

          "I will always protect Kagome-sama… she's a very dear friend."

          "Thank you, Miroku!"  The tiny kitsune threw his arms around the monk's neck and hugged him.  "I knew you would!"

          Something didn't add up though… "Shippo, why were you afraid I would laugh at you for that?"

          Shippo squirmed a bit as if he didn't want to answer, "That wasn't what I was really going to ask you…" he mumbled.

          "Well, then, what was it that you wanted?"

          Shippo looked to the ground and replied very, very softly, "Will you be my daddy?"

          But Miroku heard it, and he'd never ever forget hearing those words.  Yes, Miroku loved the boy very much, and was very honored to be asked – but did Shippo know what he was giving to him?  A son untouched by Naraku's curse.  It was quite possibly the happiest that Miroku had ever been.

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          Meanwhile, Sango was convinced that she had lost her mind.  Nobunaga had dubbed himself her tour guide and over-all source of entertainment while she resided in the castle, and he never left her alone.  Ever.

          He took her for a picnic in the garden and managed to get them both attacked by an entire swarm of wasps, lost control of his horse while they were riding, and she'd had to rescue him, gotten lost on the grand tour of the palace he took her on, and managed to run in to or knock over a grand total of fifteen servants since she'd arrived.  She knew, she'd been counting.

          But that wasn't the thing that was driving her nuts.  Nope… it was something else entirely.  It was the way that her heart would stutter when he'd fix sheepish eyes on hers after one of his accidents.  It would be the way that when she'd wake up in the morning, she would wait in anticipation for his arrival, looking forward to spending the day with him.  He was kind and honest, and yes, clumsy, but that had its charm, and he never failed to bring out a smile on her face.  Yes, it was driving her crazy that she was falling for him.

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Review Responses:

Puffin – Yuppers!! Sango and Nobunaga.  I'm not creative enough to make up a character, and the idea of Sango and Inuyasha or Sango and Sesshomaru really didn't sit well with me.  Yay for Nobunaga!

Moon Syryn – Is it too weird?  Sango and Nobunaga?  I'm glad you like the story!  I'm honored that you put me in your favorites.  pleased giggle

Samanda Hime-sama – I'd never neglect Sango, I just wanted to get things set up with Miroku and Kagome before I started telling her tale.  I'm just really glad that the whole Nobunaga thing didn't piss everyone off. 

DeniseD – I would have updated sooner, but life has been rather chaotic lately and I'm pretty sure that my boss is trying to kill me!  Either way, I want this story done before she does, so I promise to keep updating, and updating fast.

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Thank you so much for reviewing.