Disclaimer – :still laughing hysterically:

Author's Note – I'm not sure if everyone is aware of this, but for the most part (this may not always be the case for some chapters ) each chapter is to be considered its own individual story. Consider it an excerpt or a mini-oneshot, if you will. Though chapters 9 and 10 dealt with the possibility of Kagome being a hanyou (via a spell or a wish from the Shikon no Tama) that is where their similarities end.

Just thought I'd clear that up to those who were confused. Gomen!

Read on and enjoy!

#11 – Family

"Do you think…"

Sango paused in the polishing of Hiraikotsu to glance at the small redhead beside her. She frowned gently at the uncertain expression on his youthful face.

"Yes, Shippou?"

His normally bright eyes clouded slightly as he glanced up at her. "Do you think we'll beat Naraku soon?"

The youkai taijiya paused. What a question; it went without saying that it was one that she asked herself constantly. Why would Shippou, one who had nothing directly at stake, wonder about such a thing?

"I wish I had an answer for you," she replied solemnly. "I suppose we can only hope." At his crestfallen expression she added on, "But we will defeat him. Make no mistake of that."

However, the young kit's demeanor did not improve. His little hands clutched at the folds in his hakama as he stared down at the grass beneath him. "But what happens then?" Sango blinked. "Will Kagome go back to her time? Will we all stay together or split apart? I don't want to be alone!"

Sango didn't know what to say to that. She'd been the last to join the Inu Yashi-gumi and was not fully aware of the circumstances of others' meeting – she was almost certain Miroku's introduction involved a proposal or the siring of children. Seeing since everyone seemed to avoid discussing the incident in which she first met them, she figured it wouldn't have been fair to pry into theirs.

Steering her mind away from thoughts of the past, she turned to Shippou, a gentle smile on her face. "Kagome–chan is very important to you, isn't she, Shippou?"

He paused, flushed, and grinned all within the span of a few seconds. Sango inwardly rolled her eyes; Kitsunes.

"I like Kagome a whole lot," he answered simply.

"I do, too." Sango agreed with a smile. "She's very kind." Shippou nodded. "I don't know how she feels about the matter, but if she does return to her world it wouldn't be to intentionally abandon you."

"I know that!" he replied too quickly. A desolate expression crossed over his face and he glanced down again, toying idly with a blade of grass. "I was wondering…" He trailed off and got quiet.

"Hm?"

Shippou jumped, glancing around quickly as if he expected someone to be eavesdropping. "I was wondering if I could ask her to stay… with me."

Sango blinked in surprise. "Shippou…"

He blinked again, waving his hands up in defense. "No, no, not like that!" he squeaked.

She frowned again, this time in confusion. Just how did he mean, then? She hoped he wasn't getting any ideas from that perverted houshi…

"I…I want Kagome to be my okaasan!"

Recovering from her shock, she leaned forward to study him intently. "I wasn't aware the Great Youkai Shippou needed a mother to look after him…" she teased lightly.

Shippou looked slightly affronted, but before he could comment she rustled his hair affectionately. It was strange actually; if someone had told her she would one day spend her afternoon in the company of a small kitsune, she might have beaten them soundly.

"If she's able to keep returning here, I'm sure Kagome would love to be your okaasan, Shippou." She replied softly. "It's important to have family."

Her own family was gone. Her mother had died while she was young, her father slain before her very eyes with all their comrades, and her brother…'Kohaku…'

"Sango?" She forced herself out of her own dark thoughts, turning back to the small kitsune beside her. Ever since she was a child she had been taught that the most dangerous demons were the ones who looked the most human. And yet, looking down at the small child beside her, she had to believe that such was not always the case.

Youkai he might be, Shippou was still a child, and one without family at that. He had been lost and alone, and when given the opportunity to join people who actually cared about his welfare he had latched on with all his might. No matter what, he was not willing to give that up.

Maybe it was just her maternal instincts, or maybe it was the sensing of a kindred spirit... but Sango was not quite willing to give it up either.

'I guess we're not all that different.'she mused thoughtfully.

Shippou glanced up at her hesitantly. "When you get Kohaku back," She noted he had said when, not if. "Will you leave, too?"

She paused, weighing the question over. "I don't know how things are going to turn out," she said finally. Shippou's face fell. "But if for some reason Kagome is not able to, would it be all right if I were your family?"

Shippou blinked in surprise. After a few moments, tears began welling up in his green eyes and he nodded vigorously, a smile spreading across his face. He then gave her a knowing look. "Just so you know," he replied, grinning. That was kitsunes for you. "We're already family."

"Guys, we're back!" the pair looked up to see the figures of Inu Yasha and Kagome coming towards them in the distance. She hadn't recalled Inu Yasha leaving to escort Kagome back from the well, but perhaps he had never left her alone in the first place. She shrugged it off.

Before she could rise to greet them, Sango found little arms wrapping around her in a grateful embrace.

"Thank you, Sango…kaachan" Shippou gave her a bright smile before rushing off towards the hanyou and schoolgirl from the future; no doubt he wanted to see what treats she had brought back for him.

The young taijiya watched the exchange, a wistful smile on her face. They might not have realized it, but the three of them together made quite the little family picture.

Perhaps someday she might be able to share in that joy. She thought back to Shippou's words and a certain violet-eyed, perverted houshi came to mind.

Sango-kaachan, huh…? Sango found herself laughing.

End

Author's Notes: Just for those of you without a Japanese/English dictionary, okaasan means mother. Kaachan is just a variation on that.

See you all in Chapter 12!