New chap! hopefully you all enjoy :)
Chapter27sneaky foxes
Though Touga knew flying to the western palace would cut down the travel time, he was hoping to be able to spend some time getting to know the beautiful inumiko.
Inwardly, he shuddered at the thought of Inukimi's reaction to another inu female. She would likely put on a stoic façade, hiding all her emotions, then she would wreak havoc when they were least expecting it. Saying 'they,' he was fairly confident Kagome would be her main target, and in turn, her fox pup.
Looking down to the kit, he smiled at the way he was happily walking along, holding his mother's hand. The small kitsune reminded him of a certain…
Suddenly the group stopped when Kirara suddenly transformed and growled in the direction they were headed. The bushes rustled and out burst a red blur headed strait for Touga.
Before anyone could react, the intruder pounced upon its target.
Kagome had to stifle her giggles, when she saw a young adult kitsune with his legs wrapped around the western lords shoulders hugging the back of his head and slowly petting his silver hair. Touga's unamused face made her laughter even worse.
Toga knew exactly who was approaching when the fire cat growled, so he made no attempt to stop the inevitable.
"Oh, my poor little western lord. I bet you have been terrified without your strong, loyal fox protector with you. But fear not, for I have found you and shall keep you safe from all harm," he said whilst puckering up Touga's cheeks, not seeming to notice or care about his annoyed face.
"Have you been eating? You look thin! You've aged so much whilst we've been apart. Look, your hairs have gone grey!" the kitsune declared with tears in his eyes, grabbing the long strands of hair tied in a high ponytail and shoving it in Touga's face. "See! See, oh you poor pup, but don't worry I'm sure we could dye it a beautiful green to help with your camouflage. or maybe a hansom auburn like mine"
The explosion of laughter behind him caused the sobbing fox to stop and turn to bow to his audience. He froze seeing the little kitsune rolling on the floor with laughter.
Shippo was suddenly scoped up into the air and met a matching pair of green eyes.
"Hello, my fellow trickster! Nice to meet your acquaintance. My name is the all powerful and mighty Yokio. But seeing as you're a little guy, you can just call me Yokio." Shippo was in shock with who was in front of him. Luckily Kagome saved him any awkwardness by taking Yokio's attention away from his frozen form.
"My name is Kagome, this is my son, Shippo, and our family friend, Kirara," she said gesturing to both Shippo and Kirara.
Yokio's eyes bugged out of his head as he gave a slow whistle. "Wow, what a beautiful bitch."
Kagome tried not to flinch at his wording. It was going to take a while, a long while, to get used to.
"Well, this sorts out your problem, don't it, Touga?" Yokio said whilst elbowing his friend in the ribs. "I know who I'd pick! Whining spoiled brat or clearly mother material?" He suddenly disappeared and reappeared with Shippo in one arm and the other around her shoulder. "Oh, don't we make a cute family, you know foxes are canines, so you and me could howl all night long baby." Yokio whispered the last part seductively in Kagome's ear. But apparently not quiet enough as he was suddenly ripped away from her causing him to drop Shippo.
Ryūkotsusei was amused at the fox's interaction with the western pest: seeing Touga's annoyed look brought a smile to his face. But when the red head moved to his little gem, enough was enough.
He growled in the face of the fox whom he was holding mid air by the scruff of his neck. "She's mine, so if you want to keep all your limbs, I suggest you keep your distance from what's mine!"
Yokio was staring wide-eyed at Ryūkotsusei's face. Shakily, he raised his arms in surrender. "Whow! Hey there stripes, I was only joking. I'm not looking for a female. No one can tie down this hot stuff," he said motioning to himself.
Ryūkotsusei raised an eyebrow and gave him a 'yeah right look'
Yokio raised his little finger. "Pinkie promise"
Ryūkotsusei huffed and dropped the fox. He didn't see the fox as competition, even if he was Ryūkotsusei was confident he could deal with the trickster.
Yokio shuffled over to Touga and wrapped himself around the dog lord's leg. "Did you see what stripes did to me Touga? And you just stood there!" Yokio sobbed.
The western lord pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I thought you were the all powerful Yokio? Or were you mistaken, and what's with stripes?"
"Oh that's him," he stated, pointing to Ryūkotsusei. "What is he, a tiger youkai?" questioned Yokio.
"Use your all powerful nose," Touga drawled whist flicking Yokio's nose. "Does he smell of tiger?"
The kitsune nose twitched slightly then his eyes narrowed "What's one of the overgrown lizards doing here?"
At Tougas exasperated face and Ryūkotsusei death glare Kagome cut in "he's here to watch over me and my pups" She said whilst placing a hand on her stomach. She chose to ignore Ryūkotsusei mumble of "hatchlings."
Before Yokio could say anymore Kagome continued. "Well, its getting late: shall we set up camp? Touga, you go find some food, Ryūkotsusei water, and Yokio wood for fire. I smell a hot spring and need a bath! Shippo, you're with me. You need a bath too mister. Kirara would you be so kind as to accompany us and prevent any pervert from peeping on us?" she said mainly looking at the fox and dragon. She barely knew Yokio but from what she could tell he wasn't averse to sneaking an eye full.
Ryūkotsusei not missing a beat slipped up to her and put a hand on her backside. "You sure you don't want any company? I'm sure the runt wouldn't mind joining the other fox to find fire wood."
"BAD DRAGON!" Kagome yelled, and Yokio started to laugh as the dragon was slammed into the ground.
"Just get to work, all of you," kagome said in a stern voice.
Touga was thoroughly impressed by Kagome taking over as alpha. He watched her walk off and couldn't help but give an internal evil smirk. She thought the dragon and fox would be the ones to peep on her.
He was after all male and he was curious to see what she looked like unclothed. After all curiosity killed the cat, not the dog and he was sure he could get away undetected.
In the corner of his eye he watched the dragon pull himself from the dirt, grumbling and walking to the nearest stream that was surprisingly to the opposite direction of the hot spring. Yokio, being the simple-minded demon he was, went skipping off picking up sticks naming them as he went along.
He'd just take a quick peek then go hunting.
As Kagome and Shippo walked away for the males, she looked down to Shippo and gave him a soothing stoke to the head. "Was it strange seeing him again?"Shippo looked up and had tears in his eye. Kagome opened her arms, and he jumped into her embrace. "He.. he looked right at me and didn't recognize me, my own father didn't recognize me…" Kagome rubbed his back slowly as he cried. "Its ok, my Shippo. He doesn't know you. You won't be born for many years." Pulling Shippo away slightly, she looked him in the eye. "Don't be sad, you get another chance to bond with your dad. Maybe one day, you can tell him who you are." At his still downcast face, she leaned forward and rubbed noses with him. "Maybe, just maybe, we can try and save him, so this time line's Shippo can have his dad?" His eyes lit up then. "Yeah! Thanks mama!" With that, he stripped down and jumped into the water.
Concealing his scent and aura, Touga slunk close to the hot spring and climbed a tree. He could see the kit already swimming around but not Kagome, so he edged further forward. He could just make out her back as she dropped her kimono. Seeing her turn and lower herself into the water he let lose a growl of approval. As soon as it left his lips, he clamped a hand over his mouth but it was too late: she was looking directly at him with wide golden eyes.
"DOWN BOY," she shouted before she thought of the consequences.
Touga plummeted from the tree straight into the hot spring sending a tidal wave over Kagome and Shippo. Kagome screamed, and before she knew it, she was in the arms of Ryūkotsusei, still very much nude.
Realising Ryūkotsusei's eyes were looking at her state of undress, she screamed, scrambled out his arms and shouted "BAD DRAGON"
Noticing Shippo soaking and struggling to get out the water, she picked him up along with their clothes and ran for cover.
Just as she rounded a bush, she saw Yokio wrestling with Kirara. "Aww, don't tell me I missed the show? I was just going to get a look in when this fur ball jumped me!" he complained, but stopped when his eyes ran down her form. "Hn, maybe I didn't miss anything. I know I'm irresistible, but there's no need to undress for me. I like ripping clothes off, they make a great noise, very satisfying." As he rambled on Kagome ran off and got dressed. Fully dressed with Shippo and Kirara at her side, she walked back to the clearing they had agreed to make camp in. She became annoyed when there was no fire, water, or food.
Oh, the boys were gonna get it when they came back.
So there you have it. in case you hadnt noticed we had a reveal Yokio is shippo's dad. i feel sorry for shippo he's so close to his dad yet so far. Yokio isn't in love with kagome at least thats not the plan...Hes doing it more for the laughs. but at the same time he is male so won't miss an opportunity.
I tried to make Touga a little more 'human' in this chap. He might be the lord of the western lands but he's still young and travelling with a beautiful woman.
let me know what you think your reviews are my food they keep me going.
Thanks to inushinigami for betaing this chap! :)