Shippo and Rin silently crept through the Western Palace towards the Grand Hall where Sesshomaru was holding morning court. Climbing the back stairs and sneaking onto the tiled rooftop, of the duo began setting up their trap. A simple slingshot system of Kagome's design, the two abbreviated it so that it would suite their plan, it also featured many silk bands tied together in a way so that a little bit of pressure would make the whole rope fall apart. Making sure that the silk was scentless had been a painful business of scrubbing and rinsing that the duo had not enjoyed, but hoped in the grand scheme would benefit them. A "ruh-ba ba-n-da", was also part their slingshot, made from two small pieces from the rafter and the remains of two red columns, all of which Sesshomaru had accidentally knocked down at some point in his youth. The "Ru-ba-ba-n-da" would be held back by a hook and have a large batter of honey loaded in. The silk rope they had made was also used the "tripwire" and carefully selected to blend in with the tatami mats that lined the hallways. It was tied low to the floor a good distance away before running through the rafters to where it would eventually be tied to a loose hanging hook that was pulls the "ruh-ba-ba-n-da" taut. Determining what to launch from their slingshot was debated again. Shippo was initially against use of Honey because of the sweet smell that could give it away. But Rin had assured Shippo it was nothing to worry about, because honey was one of the few sweets Sesshomaru loved.
As they arranged the fallen beams and columns into a sling shot, it came up again. No matter how one looks at it, a GIANT pot full of honey sent flying at a victim was just not safe. "Sesshomaru-sama would sense the pot flying to him and break it before it can hit him" Rin had said with a smile "But by the time he can do that he'd already by doused in honey. It's his favourite sweet treat, so think of it as sorry the prank. Ok?" Shippo had then understood why Inuyasha was so worried…
"I'drathernotgetdousedinanything" he muttered…before returning to his work, without his former enthusiasm. Despite having agreed to be her pranking partner, Shippo can't help having jitters Inuyasha had informed him before he had departed for the West that Rin may be able to prank the lord and be fine afterwards, but the Hanyou doubted her accomplices would get any mercy. Logically Shippo knew this was most likely the truth, but he was a Kitsune and pranking was a form of deception. In Shippo's mind, Rin was a rival prankster, and his kitsune pride would not allow him to be "defeated" by a mere human. So damning all consequences he agreed to collaborate with Rin on her pranks against Sesshomaru, with one condition, that he is allowed to prank any one in the castle, except the Lord, whenever he feels like it. However every one has their limits and even Shippo knew not to take a joke to far. The Lord of the West who hated being dirty…was about to get doused in Honey…all so his mate can inspect the mokomoko. Shippo shuddered at the thought of what the angry Lord might happen to him if he was caught, his mind supplying him with many horrific scenarios all centred around the Lord's signature poison whip. Shippo shook his head to banish his thoughts, it was too late to back out now.
Looking at the sand-timer, Shippo determined that morning court was almost over. He swallowed hard, before digging a leaf out of his bag out of tricks, he transformed it into the "ruh-ba ba-n-da", which he attached to their slingshot, Rin finished tying the slick triggers in place, went to fetch the honey pot. Shippo sighed and took out another leaf turning this one into the hook that would be pulling the "ba-n-da" back and supporting all the silk ties. This hook he mounted loosely into a nearby wall. The honey bowl was to fly to Lord Sesshomaru's face from the left side as soon as his feet step onto the final piece of silk attached to it. Adding the finishing touches to their trap Shippo wasn't even sure it will work as he had chosen the location of the set up based on his own nose and he was certain the Lord of the West's nose was stronger. But when he had voiced his worries Rin had assured her that she can "distract" her mate enough through their mate-link that he won't be paying attention to his surroundings…Shippo had decided to pretend that meant singing her lungs out and being overall annoying. With everything in place, Shippo closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. All he can do now was hope that his prank works. For his own sake, he wanted Rin to be happy. Reason was simple, if the Lady was happy with the results she can talk the angry Lord into sparing him from a "date" with the poison whip. "Onegai please let Rin be able to talk Lord Sesshomaru into sparing this lowly Kitsune a date with his precious whip."
A/N: Shippo is having the jitters. Will the prank satisfy achieve it's goal? Is he scaring himself or not?