Chapter 7

Concealed within a shroud of darkness, a lone figure sat amongst a cluster of rocks deep within the forest. With the lean and graceful figure of warrior, the figure sat still against the base of a large oak tree. His shoes and his weapon lay forgotten several feet away. Poised in meditative silence, he seemed to be unaware of everything surrounding him.

Soon, his solitude was broken by a buzzing sound wavering through the still, forest air. Strangely enough however, the figure did not look up or even seem to notice the disturbance at all. He remained unmoving, undeterred by the forces around him.

He remained this way even when a lone Saimyosho, one of Naraku's poisonous insects, appeared out of the trees. He didn't stir even when it was soon joined by a small swarm of even more of its kind. Unfortunately for him, however, they had taken notice of him. They loomed over him, buzzing noisily as they inched closer and closer. Still, he made no movements towards the weapon at his side.

Upon realizing he seemed completely unaware of their presence, one insect decided to be bold. Without a second thought, it rushed forward at quick speeds. Spiraling towards its intended prey, it raised its stinger ready to sink in for the kill.

With lightning fast movements that none of the others had time to acknowledge, its tattered remains fell to the ground in a small heap. The remaining Saimyosho started in surprise. What had happened? One minute they had had the advantage and now their quarry was staring up at them disdainfully.

Buzzing angrily, they all thought in anger, 'Such insolence! How could their master wish the aid of such a lowly creature; and one that had just slaughtered one of their brothers, no less?' They bunched closer together, staring hatefully down at the figure below them. He was stretching his limbs now, acting as if he hadn't a care in the world. No, this could not be permitted.

His fate had been decided at once. He had to be destroyed. Once they were all pleased with their decision, the demon insects gathered together in a large swarm. Without a warning, they all converged down upon him, prepared to show no mercy.

No emotions showed on the figure's face or any inclination of his impending doom. A few seconds passed by before he took a graceful leap into the air. With a few skilled blows, he had slashed and obliterated all but one insect.

"My, aren't we gracious today."

Kagura appeared in the distance, swathed in a thin patch of sunlight filtering through the trees. She beckoned the lone Saimyosho to her, examining it briefly before releasing it back into the sky. She watched briefly as it flew off to parts unknown before turning back to the figure still lurking in the shadows. An amused glint was present in her crimson gaze.

"It's not like you to leave one behind," she remarked lightly. "Getting sloppy over the years?"

A pair of narrow slanted eyes gleamed back at her in response. "I'm tired of this game."

Kagura made a 'tutt'-ing sound. "That's too bad." She replied with a smirk. She lifted her fan, hiding behind it coyly. "Perhaps you'd regain a bit more efficiency if you changed your methods a bit." There was no movement from the shadows. Kagura bit back a grin, pretending to look thoughtful. "Clawing and slashing is so primitive these days. Perhaps if you used that weapon of yours—"

In less than an instant, Kagura found herself pinned against the very tree he had been sitting under. She blinked, staring into a pair of glowing red eyes.

"You're too bold, wind demon." He spoke with a tone that was low and dangerous. It was also a bit hoarse, as if it hadn't been used in some time. "I'm not your friend – you'd best remember who it is you're talking to."

Kagura would have laughed were she not in her current position. Nonetheless, she had a job to do and if she didn't do it there would certainly be hell to pay. "How can I not when you put it so eloquently," she commented, wincing when his grip on her tightened slightly. "I don't remember you being so refined the last time we met… has this self-imposed solitary of yours improved your manners?"

"You know what I am and you know why I'm here – don't be so stupid and pretend that you don't." He paused, taking in the faint traces of her previous injuries. "Your master may feel the need to punish you for your forgetfulness," Kagura scowled at this. "But I won't hesitate to kill you."

"That would surely put a damper on your relationship with my master, now wouldn't it?" Kagura said with a snarl. "Besides… word has it you've gone soft."

"Really now?" It seemed his voice could get no lower than it was now.

"Why else would you wallow here in the shadows like some pathetic imp?" The wind demon knew she was pressing her luck, but still she persisted. "Are you not a great youkai warrior who has the power to slay any who dare to oppose you? Surely you aren't afraid to step out into the light after all these years?"

"I'm not afraid of anything!" the figure spat. "You'd do well to remember that."

"Of course," Kagura said with smirk. "Naraku-sama assured me of this as well, but I had to be sure for myself."

"Idiot woman," The figure scowled at her. "Spare me – I don't give a damn about what Naraku says or does."

"My, how times have changed!" Wriggling out of his grasp, Kagura looked up with him with a pout. "It really is a pity." She replied. "He thinks so highly of you – he sent me here to tell you that he wishes to speak with you."

The figure let out a short bark of laughter. "Of course. Why else would that fool intrude upon my solitude – sending his stupid insects and man-hag, no less – to extend his oh-so gracious invitation?" He scowled and spat at the ground. "Don't take me for a fool – I know he wants something." Stepping into the patch of light Kagura now occupied, the red in his eyes faded away leaving only the steely blue of his irises. Kagura paused – that had never happened before. "Know this; I work for no one – certainly not for the likes of Naraku. If he thinks he can just snap his figures and I'll do his beckoning, he can kiss my ass." He turned away from her with a snort. "I do as I please."

Recovering her composure, Kagura smirked and bowed mockingly. "Of course, Great one," she intoned. "I'll be sure to tell him." Watching as he retreated back into the shadows - to meditate, or whatever it was he did in this dull place – she plucked a feather from her hair. Willing it to enlarge to size where she could sit comfortably upon it, she took off into the sky.

Once there, she was rejoined with the surviving Saimyosho. "Don't worry, he'll come around," she replied. "After all, curiosity killed the cat..." She climbed higher into the clouds. "Or in this case... the canine."

000

Kagome dropped to her knees, her whole body trembling. Her hands clenched in the dirt, she bowed her head down remorsefully.

Shippo, who had been grinning up until that point, looked down at her worriedly. "Kagome?" He knelt down by her side. "Are you all right?" He searched her body looking for any visible signs of injury. "What's wrong? Did you use up too much of your spirit?"

The young miko looked up at him with tears brimming her eyes. The kitsune looked at her in confusion. "Shippo, you must think I'm terrible."

He blinked, his expression turning to curiosity. "Why? What would make me think that about my kaasan?"

Gravity took its claim on Kagome's tears. She covered her face shamefully. "Would a mother abandon her child?" she sobbed. "It's been 40 years!"

"Only in my time, not yours." Shippo pointed out with a shrug. Kagome blinked at him disbelievingly. "Besides, I'm a great youkai! 40 years isn't a long time for me at all."

Kagome smiled lightly at the smug expression on his face. Although she was a bit more inclined to believe his claim now that he wasn't 3 feet tall. He'd changed so much. "You've grown so much..." She replied, her earlier mood fast returning. She felt like a mother who had missed out on the entire life of her child. Granted, Shippo was not her child, but he had been close enough. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's all right, Kagome, I'm not all that old," Shippo replied gently. "I guess I'm pretty much the same age as you now technically… A tee-nay-jaahh… was that the word?" He grinned roguishly. "Besides, I haven't changed all that much really... I still like chocolate." Kagome gave a watery laugh. He paused, his eyes studying her intently. "You haven't changed that much either, you know." Kagome sought to object as he lowered his face to hers. "You're still my little kaasan."

"Shippo..."

A mischievous grin appeared on his face again. "You're still so young! You almost look like you did back then!" He paused, his expression turning thoughtful for a moment. "Which is a good thing, I think. It would've been hard to believe some little old grandma beat the stuffing out of Naraku all by herself!" He laughed. "Man, what that would've done to my ego!"

Kagome shook her head. This was her Shippo all right. Her heart warmed a little until she thought of Naraku. "He's not totally beaten," she pointed out. "What I did to him was only temporary. It's only a matter of time before he decides to strike again – if he hasn't already."

The kitsune only laughed again in response. "That's why we'll be ready and waiting for him!"

'We?' The young miko blinked. Had he flipped? How could he be taking the situation so lightly? This was Naraku she was talking about. Did he know something she didn't?

Sensing her confusion, the kitsune whose sanity was now in question grinned again as he took her up by the hand. "C'mon, Kagome-kaa," he replied. "We've got a lot of work to do."

"Where are we going?"

Shippo let out a short whistle. A few seconds later, a horse trotted up to them. The kitsune hopped on, pulling her up behind him. After instructing her to hold on tight, he urged the horse into an all-out gallop. "To the Hidden Village you were looking for, where else?" he replied. "There're some folks I want to show you. They can't wait to see you again!"

Kagome had no chance for any more questions as they took off down the road.

End Chapter 7