The wind played with her hair, swirling it back almost messily behind her shoulders, but it only seemed to add to her sexual appeal. Pouted pink lips shown with a clear lip gloss as they formed silent syllables. The lilting tune danced through her consciousness causing her body to flow to its sluggish rhythm as she walked. Lucid sky blue eyes watched the children chasing each other throughout the park. Yelling voices alerted her to their game. The kids were smiling as the occasional 'You're it!' and 'Tag!' rang in her eardrums, but Kagome didn't mind the loud voices. Their little faces were slightly red probably from the effort of their chase and hide tactics, but also because of the biting wind nipping gently with a shivering chill. But their smiles were warm reflecting the truth in their hearts.

Saddened blue eyes drifted to the swing set picturing the red-haired boy with bright green eyes laughing along with her as she attempted to swing him to the moon on that rubber seat. Kagome gasped, there he was. His features were darkened with a heavy heart as he sat perched on the swing, unmoving. The wing tousled his hair to one side, towards her, as she watched him. One part of her wanted to walk away to just leave him there because he hadn't exactly been fair when he yelled at her. Kagome knew he was worried and also was aware of what she was in his young eyes, but at that time, nearly a week and half ago, she wasn't sure she could handle that responsibility.

But their time apart was tearing at her soul missing the loving warmth he gave her. He had been secretly healing her and filling her heart with a compassion she thought long lost. Sure she would always been kind and have a stupid soft-spot for little kid faces, but true compassion was missing for she felt no pity for adults. She cared little about their affairs if they weren't directly related to her in some way. For the past year, Kagome had the brief glances into the light of innocence that she unknowingly acquired when with her special kid and now there was no turning back. In the last few days, she'd come to understand that Shippou had restored her trust in the human race. Inside her Kagome had been even more depressed, which meant she had to try much harder to appear her usual cheery self. Shippou need her and she needed Shippou. They were like peas in a pod, and not meant to be without each other.

Shippou stared into the distance, his eyes directed on the wood-chipped ground. His life seemed much drearier without his Kagome-mama. It was like the sun had been eclipsed and preferred to stay hidden behind the moon's shield. Shippou felt ashamed for blowing up in her face, but he cared so much for her and Kagome had practically disregarded his feelings. She just left without even saying goodbye and that had hurt. Kagome meant the world to him and to just watch her walk away from him…it was like she was turning her back on him. Shippou had been so upset that for a moment he feared he would lose her and than the next thing he knew he was yelling at her. Shippou had run because the emotion swelling in him was so great, his heart felt close to an explosion. His throat had begun to close and his breathing to a swift pant. The tears in his eyes hadn't stopped for hours because he knew that his uncommon outburst had just pushed away his mother-figure away, possibly for good.

Jade eyes glistened, but when a tender hand slid along his jaw line to cup his cheek he immediately raised his eyes. Tears began anew at the sight of her face with a small smile that was so sad. Understanding blossomed in her blue eyes and for once he didn't see her doubt or hesitation. Shippou watched anxiously as she kneeled in front of her and leaned forward to bury her face into his chest, across where his heart would rest. Her arms wrapped around his waist and the little boy sat stunned for a minute. Soon though, he responded quickly diving one tiny hand into her heavy, but silky hair and the other gripping her shirt on her shoulder. Shippou buried his button nose, red from the temperature, into her soft hair as his tears fell in joy as his heart sung a happy beat.

Kagome held him, accepting him as her son as he was meant to be. No one could fill that special void he'd dug into her heart. With every laugh, silly antic, and endearing smile the clever boy had pervaded the barrier around her heart, removing it stone by stone. Never the less, it was still there, but a small fix hole allowed him entrance into the well-guarded fortress. Kagome spoke quietly so as to not interrupt the moment.

"I want to adopt you…as soon as I can. All right?"
"Really…?"
"Of course!"
"Okay…MOM."

Kagome leaned back with a watery smile as she blinked away the surfacing tears. She wiped her gloved hand over his cheeks drying them before tugging him into her arms. Shippou instantly relaxed into her warmth and snuggled his head beneath her chin. Kagome sighed holding the sweet bundle close to her, sure he was seven, but he was pretty small for his age and weighed practically nothing! Really, she couldn't convince him to eat more because Shippou snared food down his gullet at least five times a day and they were all full meals! One couldn't expect to eat much more than that, but then again this was Shippou and if anyone was going to do it, it would be him. Kagome smirked.

"Oi, Shippou-chan! Do you eat when you're depressed?! You weigh a ton! Ugh…"

Kagome acted like she was carrying a whale of a boy as she bent her knees as if struggling under some unbearable mass. She groaned and dropped her mouth open in effort, sticking her tongue out to the side. Then she gritted her teeth and scrunched her nose eliciting Shippou's mirthful enjoyment. Suddenly he jumped from her arms skidding to a halt clumsily on the ground.

"If I'm so heavy, why can I still outrun you?"

Her eyes glittered with the challenge, and she smiled in what could be described as almost a cruel manner, but love still lit her eyes. Shippou yipped and turned tail to jet across the playground. Kagome jumped over the corner of the wide sandbox and nearly tripped over it seeing as how she caught her toe on the edge. But she kept composure and continued on after the little trickster ahead of her. As he leaned over when he ran, Kagome knew Shippou was laughing at her clumsiness. Shippou ran on one side of a duck that sat on a spring and bounced, rocked, when you sat on it. Shippou held onto the thick plastic head as Kagome stilled on the other end. Her hands grasping the tail waiting and also trying to predict his next movement, but he would rock back and forth trying to confuse as to when he would take off again. Kagome turned her head at the deafening call of her name. Shippou took this opportunity to tackle her into, luckily, the soft grass hugging her waist as he lay on top of her. Even with the softer landing, compared to the wood chips and pavement anyways, Kagome felt a jolt of pain in her back where she had taken the full-on assault while shielding Rin. Kagome heard laughing above her and looked into warm chocolate orbs staring back at her.

"Sayo, Rin-chan!"

In a quick movement Kagome stood picking her surrogate son up along with her. To Kagome's surprise Rin then gave the elder woman a good look over checking to make sure she was certainly okay. Rin didn't doubt the word of her guardian, never her Sesshoumaru, but the child wanted to make sure for herself. Rin circled Kagome placing a hand against her back. Kagome's muscles gave a sharp jerk tensing in a small, almost unseen wince that Rin's meticulous eye had still caught. With a small exclamation, the girl pulled her hand from weak spot.

"Forgive Rin!"
"I'm fine, don't worry, Rin-chan!"

Rin's voice had almost been frightened, but Kagome turned quickly noting the twinge of an ache in her back from the attack. It didn't really hurt as much as it did before, but the muscles were sore and certain parts of back still sported bruises. And the once porcelain skin would remain blemished for many weeks if not months, they were quite severe, but Kagome didn't bother to see a doctor. Not just for some dumb old bruises, she could take it. The worry in Rin's voice had brought her ever-watchful guardian angel to the scene. Sesshoumaru patted her head and Rin wrapped both her tiny hands around his one. Tears sprouted the corners of her eyes. Sesshoumaru saw this still wishing to make up for leaving her on 'their' day together, so he sighed and addressed the woman currently trying to calm Rin.

"Really, I'm fine! See?"

Kagome stretched and twisted side to side, but even by this simple movement it was clear to Sesshoumaru that she was indeed in pain. However, Rin seemed to brighten.

"Shippou-chan just jostled me a bit when we fell."

"Kagome-okaasan I didn't know you were hurt!"
"Shippou dear, I'm okay! Would you all stop blubbering?"

Kagome had stood leaning over slightly so her face was slightly lower and her hands were on her hips in a scolding gesture. A mock-scowl marred her normally pleasant features and Shippou laughed. Rin soon followed and Kagome smiled as she received the desired effect. Kagome did discipline, but she preferred to use the reward system, rather than punishment, unless absolutely necessary. Scolding words and such were always a last result. Kagome was optimistic towards life despite her somewhat more gloomy life as she experienced when she was young. Kagome strayed from this thread of thoughtful ponderings not wishing to ruin the mood with her sudden dampening disposition.

"Rin-chan, would you like to play on the jungle gym? I think Kagome-mama could use some rest."
"Hai Shippou, I agree."

Kagome tilted her head watching as they ran towards the multi-colored metal jungle gym. Shippou climbed the ladder-like stairs and across a small platform to the monkey bars. She laughed watching him swing crazily as he effortlessly moved from one bar to the next. A stupid smile was on his face and Kagome's mood brightened instantly upon seeing it. Kagome focused on it and hoped that he would always be so precious and happy throughout his life. Kagome also hoped that she could be the one to make that plausible.

Sesshoumaru stood slightly to the right and behind the woman. He heard her, Kagome, laugh lightly and golden eyes to move to watch the small boy. It looked as if he was about to fly off the metal bars the movement across the apparatus was so exaggerated. He relaxed when he saw Rin move fluidly from one side to the next following her play mate, except in a much safer, usual, way. The boy's arms were short for his age and he had to work harder, no doubt part of the reason for his inane motions. The male's gaze flickered back to Kagome who stood watching them still. He cleared his throat and she took the bait turning towards him, her eyes wide with question.

He silently gestured toward the bench and Kagome nodded, walking after him towards the seat. She noticed how long his strides were and that she had to do a faster trot to keep up. The bench was only a few meters away and sat still close enough to regard the activities of their wards with ease.

"Rest."

Kagome looked at him oddly.

-Did this man always order people around with the expectation to obey it?-

"I don't see why, I am perfectly fine."

Kagome sat with her back now flat against the bench's back and her arms crossed beneath her breasts in a huff.

"Perfectly fine?"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her childish behavior.

-And this is one of the interns…-

This Kagome seemed head-strong as well as a little empty-headed, but appearances can be deceiving. Such as with the first time Sesshoumaru met Bankotsu during one of his father's many board meetings. His first impression of the man had not been flattering. Over time Sesshoumaru's opinions swayed to a less harsh degree because of Bankotsu's efficiency and intelligence, as well as loyalty towards the company.

Sesshoumaru knew she was working in Jakotsu's department at Hamasaki Corp. and also in partnership with Hirakata. Bankotsu was there as well since he had been recently transferred to Hama Corp. This was because his expertise was research and with the rise of this sudden illness, his skills were going to be necessary. He worked alongside the other head of the department, Jakotsu, for the time being until this who ordeal was settled. Sesshoumaru saw the difference in his company without Bankotsu's leadership. With him gone, the few weeks had been a disaster in the research department. Even his temporary replacement, Kanna, was not as efficient because she lacked the ties and strings Bankotsu acquired from being in the company for so long. It seemed the man had many friends, nearly with everyone, in Taka Tech.

-But this one…-

"Hai, I'm fine." She retorted intensely.

Sesshoumaru closed the foot space between them until his face was near inches from her shoulder. Her head turned quickly towards him fluttering her hair to brush softly against his nose leaving a rose scent to storm his sense of smell not so unpleasantly. Sesshoumaru glanced up at her holding her gaze steadily. Golden eyes darkened with intent and Kagome blushed innocently not exactly understanding the look in his eyes. It wasn't lustful or sadistic, not even the usual boredom she had come to associate with this male. She didn't notice the long finger that rose to her ribs. Sesshoumaru moved the wayward digit slightly backward towards her spine. Halfway in between he stopped, pressing slightly against her side.

Kagome back interlaced with a burning spasm and she shivered lightly from the throbbing sensation. She glared at him, not even thinking that he was kind of her boss. Kagome poked him in his chest when he was sitting normally again though slightly closer. Her words were spoken heatedly and Sesshoumaru could only watch as her mouth moved, but all that he noticed was the fire blazing in the depth of her soul revealing its nature to him via her eyes. It was a sight to see such spark and certainly a refreshing change from the shameless, immodest glances he was used to. This one barely even noticed his handsome charm, at least at this point in time, as she waved her hand in front of his face.

"Mou! Are you even listening to me?"

I have to leave off here, but it will continue next chapter! I wasn't sure if I used 'sayo' correctly. So don't kill me if I used it wrong, but please tell me if I did.

Words to know:
-Mama- suffix for mother
Oi- (kind of like) hey! or Man! - anyone know a better translation?
Sayo- evening
Mou- hey!

-I changed the dialogue to English. One reviewer said that it was annoying to have to scroll down to the bottom for the translation. And after giving it some thought, I agreed with her.