AN: If there was any confusion at all (my firend who read it said that there might be), SHippo is not a girl… InuYasha just first thought he was because his scent is odd. Reemmber this is a Yaoi story.

InuYasha blushed a bit when he realized what he was doing and quickly pulled out of the kitsune's grip. He backed away a bit. Shippo was also blushing. "Erm… sorry."

"It's okay…" His voice trailed off. "Um…" He searched desperately for a new subject. "Where's Kagome?" InuYasha's eyes sunk.

"She left, a long time ago." His voice was laced with sadness.

"Oh, I'm sorry InuYasha! I didn't mean to make you sad!" Shippo wanted to hug him again, but couldn't bring himself to do it.

"No. It's okay, you didn't know. She left a bit after you." He sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry InuYasha."

"No it's okay." He looked up with a weak smile. "So what are you doing around here?"

"This is my territory. It might not be a lot, but its home." Shippo motioned around.

"How old are you now?"

"14 seasons."

"You've certainly gotten bigger." Shippo smiled sheepishly. "Do you mind giving me a place to stay for a bit? I'm exhausted." InuYasha said hopefully.

Shippo looked down. InuYasha took in his look. He looked sheepish, not like the smirking "yasha" he had seen before. He had to admit, before he knew it was Shippo, he thought the fox demon before him was quite cute… sexy even. No! This was Shippo! Not anyone to be thinking derogatory things about! InuYasha shook from his thoughts and awaited Shippo's answer.

"I don't think that would be a good idea." Shippo looked almost sad and wouldn't rise to look at InuYasha.

"What? Why?" InuYasha was confused.

"I—I… I just don't think it would be wise…"

"Why, Shippo?" InuYasha felt hurt. Why? It was just Shippo, maybe because he had been void from any companionship.

"Later… not now." Was his only response, ignoring my last question.

"Shippo… I want to know why." InuYasha was determined to get an answer out of the fox youkai.

"Because…" He shifted uncomfortably; it reminded me of the young Shippo. "I'm…"

"You're…?" InuYasha pushed.

"I'm in heat…" He was blushing wildly by now and InuYasha wasn't expecting it at all. That's why he couldn't recognize his scent before; it was mixed with the scent of his heat. That must have been why they youkai took his hug so openly, and InuYasha could have sworn the smaller man nuzzled into his chest.

It wasn't odd for youkai to take a male during their heat period, though it wasn't often that they took that partner on as a full mate, but it had happened. InuYasha couldn't hold anything against the kitsune for being uncomfortable. He, himself, had fallen pray to the heat, even bedding Sesshomaru. That thought made InuYasha cringe a bit. Sesshomaru had certainly lightened up since the human, Rin came along. He was now more of a kinder man, and could certainly release InuYasha's desire, but it didn't mean anything but heat to them. They still fought every so often, and didn't make casual visits, but no more killing.

"It's okay, Shippo… I understand, but I'm sure I wouldn't do anything."

"I'm in my late stages and no partner… I'm worried I could take anything that moves." He gave a light, nervous laugh. "I'm afraid I would stoop as low as taking someone in their sleep, might even be you if you come to stay."

"Ah, I understand, Shippo. Don't worry, okay. I can take care of myself and a little kitsune in heat, okay." He laughed lightly and ruffled the fox's hair.

Shippo smiled fondly at InuYasha. He rather enjoyed the newer InuYasha. No longer hitting him, but smiling. But another part of him wanted to shun the new hanyou because it drove him wild, as much as he hated to admit it. It was probably just the heat, but it was there all the same. The new hair cut made him seem manlier and it framed his masculine face nicely. Shippo twitched at the thought of the very handsome hanyou in his dwelling for the night… maybe even more. At least InuYasha would understand if he went off his rocker and mauled him with hunger lurking in his eyes, and he was almost positive it would.

'Hey… I warned him.' Shippo smirked to himself, feeling as if he was a different person, not Shippo, but Desire.