Wounded

Karappo sat Shippo down in a clearing after she had walked for an hour. He fell to the ground with a low thump. She turned from him as he rubbed his lower back. She sat in the middle of the clearing, her back facing him. She lowered her head as her tail flopped back and forth. She released a sigh from her feline nose as he stood and began to cautiously walk over to her.

"Kagome, are you ok?"

Karappo gave no indication that she would reply.

"Miroku and Sango said things, that you wanted to kill us just cause we were with Inuyasha. Is that true?"

Shippo stood in front of the giant cat that was his mother figure. His body shook in fear and anticipation to know the truth. He stared at Karappo's furry head and ears for what seemed like an eternity. Then, she moved. Her massive fore limb stretched out toward him. Before he could turn and run, her paw was around him and pulling him to her massive, muscular frame. He immediately began screaming when he was crushed between her paw and chest. Then, he stopped. He felt something cold and furry against the top of his head. He looked up to see her nuzzling him. he immediately calmed down when he felt a purr vibrate through her chest.

"Shippo, I could never hurt you."

Shippo looked fort he source of the voice but found none. Then he looked to Karappo, was she speaking to him telepathically like Sango said she could?

"Yes I am Shippo. I don't feel safe in my human form."

"Why did you take me from Sango and Miroku?"

"I don't trust Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango can handle themselves and Inuyasha better than you can."

"Why don't you trust Inuyasha anymore, Kagome? I thought you liked him."

"I did once Shippo but he broke my trust. That is why I left for five years."

"Everyone missed you Kagome, well, everyone except for Inuyasha."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"Sure he was worried about you but he had Kikyo to preoccupy himself with."

"I knew it. What has Naraku done in the last five years?"

"Nothing except piss Inuyasha off and get more jewel shards."

"Everything pisses Inuyasha off."

"He was on a whole new level of pissed when he saw you with SesshoMaru."

"I know, I could smell it. I scare him so easily."

"Why aren't you with SesshoMaru?"

"Let's just say we had a disagreement."

"Ok, will I get to see Miroku and Sango again?"

"Of course, you can leave me anytime you want."

"Then why did you really take me?"

"You're like a son to me Shippo, I felt I needed to protect you from the idiot of the year and the Scottish wolf. Plus,"

Karappo rubbed the side of her head against Shippo's head.

"I don't want to be alone."

Shippo hugged Karappo's leg, since that was the only thing he was tall enough to hug. She placed her paw upon his back as she gave a feline smile. She then kneeled down to his level. Catching on, he hopped onto her back. He held on tightly as she stood to her full height and began to stalk out of the clearing. As she walked, they conversed about the last five years. Every once in a while, he would give her a hug. The traveled till around sunset, then, they stopped to make camp. After the fire went out, she laid down, with him snuggled in her fur. For the first time in a week, Karappo slept soundly.