Dig

Shippo looked at the sparse contents of their food sack. A single piece of jerky stared back at him, a glaring reminder of how difficult it was going to be to remain in hiding.

Baby Haro was becoming more agitated because he was hungry. The baby hanyou clenched his fists and cried. His wails echoed in the closeness of the stone walls.

"Shh, shh, Haro. It's alright." Asako said rocking the baby to and fro, trying to soothe him even the tiniest bit. Dark circles lay under her eyes and the bones of her cheeks were starting to show through her skin. No one was getting enough to eat. Stealing food was becoming much harder, and they couldn't afford to take much without drawing attention to themselves. If only he could hunt or fish, things would be easier. Snakes were everywhere, and they blended into the forest. Every trip he made to steal food was a risk of getting caught. He couldn't be lucky forever.

He could probably manage to get away by himself, but he would never make it with the children in tow. Fear nipped at the back of his mind, telling him that the snakes knew their whereabouts and were slowly closing in on them.

Shippo pulled out the last piece of meat and broke it in half, handing a portion to Kenta and Asako.

The slender girl took a bite and chewed it for a bit before spitting it out and feeding it to Haro. The baby immediately wrapped his chubby fingers around the bit of meat and gnawed on it with his sharp fangs.

Kenta was about to toss his bite into his mouth when he stopped and handed it to Asako.

"Here. Just take it." He said holding out his half to her.

"No. You need to eat too." She insisted as she eyed the piece hungrily.

Kenta shook his head. "I'll be alright."

Asako took the dried meat and chewed it slowly, trying her best to make it last.

Shippo stood up, drawing their attention. "I'm going out. I should be back by tonight. If I have not returned in two days, prepare to set out by yourself. Stick together and stay quiet until I return."

"Yeah, yeah. We've heard it before. " Kenta said dismissing him with an eyeroll.

Asako nodded with quiet acceptance, hugging her brother a bit tighter in her arms.

Kenta watched Shippo leave with clear disdain. With a huff he crossed his arms over his chest and held his nose in the air, his eyebrows scrunched tight with agitation. At least Haro seemed to be in a better mood. He sat on his sister's lap, tangling his fingers in her hair and giggling.

"I hope he can steal some more meat. Haro needs to eat more." Asako rubbed one of the soft round ears on top of her brother's head. Haro cooed, leaning his head into his sister's fingers enjoying the touch.

Kenta turned around quickly, clenching his fists at his sides. "I'm not just going to stay here and watch us all starve! I'm going to go help him!"

Asako stared at him stunned. "What?! No, you're not!"

Kenta squared his shoulders. "He isn't bringing back enough food and we're hungry. Why are we depending on him Shippo so much anyway? I can get us food just as easily. I'm smaller and faster than he is."

Asako frowned at what he was suggesting. Her quick change in demeanor was picked up by Haro. The child's laughter turned to growls.]

"Don't be foolish. Shippo has more training and experience. Let him help us. He's just trying to keep us safe."

"We've been sitting here for days! I'm tired of waiting. I'm going." Kenta turned and ran out of the cave. Asako made a futile grab for the boy, but it was already too late. She set Haro down and scrambled out of the cave after her friend.

"No! Come back!" She called in her loudest whisper, doing her best to hide in the shadows in case there were patrols.

Kenta was already out of sight. Asako covered her mouth to hold back a sob, as a horrible sense of dread filled her.

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Shippo held his breath and flattened himself against a tree. A snake paused in his step. It's tongue flickered out, tasting the air as it's sharp diamond eyes darted left and right.

Sick panic rose in his chest. Their patrol pattern had changed. It looked as if they were on high alert with more of them out in the forest now. Shippo had been trying to sneak into the camp for hours without any luck. He was just going to have to chance it and hope for the best.

The snake tilted its head to the side when another snake stepped out from behind the tree.

"Oh, its you Nakago. What are you doing out this way?" The snake's body relaxed slightly.

Shippo shrugged. "I was sent out here to relieve you."

The snake stared at him intently for a moment. "Why would anyone send an idiot like you on patrol?"

Shippo didn't have a chance a think of a clever retort, because the sound of distance cheering made them both pause.

A slow wicked grin crossed the snake's face. "Ahh yes. Maybe someone caught the little shit who has been stealing from us!"

The snake made a move to head towards the camp, when he realized Shippo wasn't following.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go see."

Shippo swallowed the terror that paralyzed him.

With numb limbs that threatened to trip him, he followed the snake towards the camp.

The roar of soldiers greeted them as they walked into the camp. A circle of youkai gathered around a large snake standing in the middle.

Shippo pushed and shoved his way past snakes to see.

The large snake who has pushed him around a few days prior held Kenta in the air by his tail. Kenta flailed his arms about, desperately trying to free himself.

"Let me go!" Dried tears stained his face as he fought against his captor, trying to inflict any sort of pain.

Unbelievable heart-stopping panic seized Shippo. They found them!? How?

"Oi, Goji, look what we found hiding out in the woods. Little bugger led us right to em." Another youkai shoved his way forward and pushed Asako forward. Haro screamed, terrified in her arms.

Asako sank to her knees clutching Haro to her chest. Her eyes were wide with fright and her frail body shook with tremors.

Shippo fought the urge to be violently ill. He had to keep his wits about him. There had to be a way out. His eyes darted around the area, searching for opportunities.

Goji, the snake holding Kenta, tossed him to the ground. "Ah, but there's more isn't there? Why don't you bring Nakago out?"

Shippo froze, and forgot to breathe. A few snakes sneered around him.

Then to his utter horror, the crowd parted to reveal a soldier leading a bound and gagged Nakago behind him.

The gig was up! Shippo turned to make an escape. He had to get away; he was no good to them dead! Clawed hands and bodies with hard scales rushed towards him, yanking him back.

With little effort soldiers nearest him grabbed him and shoved him into the center. The soldiers' hisses were deafening. The circle closed in around them. Snakes hissed and snapped their fangs. Faces upon faces of snarling youkai circled around them.

"Heh heh heh...so which one is the imposter Nakago hm?" Goji taunted.

Someone shouted from the crowd, "The one who did any work!"

The youkai erupted into a cacophony of laughter and jeers.

"Enough!" The crowd became hushed, eager to hear what the ringleader had to say.

"Drop your disguise." The snake commanded.

Shippo didn't budge. Maybe he would get lucky and they would think he's the real Nakago. Then again, they treated Nakago pretty harshly anyways. Would it be that much better?

The real Nakago stared at Goji with fearful, narrow eyes.

"Not going to cooperate huh?" He said looking between them. "Let us do a test."

He grabbed Nakago by the front of his robe and pulled him close. "The real Nakago will be immune to our poison..." Goji slide a claw down the side of Nakago's cheek, drawing blood.

Nakago flinched but otherwise seemed unaffected.

"Hmm interesting." He said pushing away Nakago." Now your turn."

Shippo made an effort to get out of reach, but it was no use. Goji was fast, and he grabbed him before he could get away.

"Be still, otherwise I might accidentally slit your throat." The snake threatened as Shippo thrashed around in his grip. Goji placed his hand over Shippo's face. His claws dangerously close cutting him.

"Wait! No!" Shippo cried out. He had run out of options.

The air around him shimmered with youki, and within a moment, Shippo's true form lay bare in front of all the soldiers.

Goji clenched his fists; his youki rising as his anger grew. "A child!? Where are the rest of you?"

Shippo looked up at him from the ground. "What?"

Goji turned his back to Shippo, addressing the soldiers behind him. "Throw them in the pit. Maybe if we keep them hostage, it'll draw out the rest of the village."

Rough hands grabbed him and pulled him through the crowd. Shippo fought against his captors until he could see over his shoulder that the other children were being pushed behind him too.

Everything had gone horribly wrong. Tears threatened to cloud his vision. He had let them down.

On the far side of camp, where the field started to give way to forest, a large deep hole had been dug.

Shippo swallowed the lump in his throat. He had watched them dig this hole. At the time he didn't understand why they were digging it but now it all made sense. It was a place to punish prisoners.

Without preamble, he felt the hands on his back shove him into the pit. Thankfully it was only about eight feet deep. He easily landed in a crouch and looked up in time to see them toss Asako and Haro into the pit. Shippo jumped in time to catch the small girl and her baby brother, all together handing in a heap at the bottom. After a soft thud and some swearing, they knew that Kenta had been thrown in there as well.

Goji looked down on them sneering. "You better hope that they come for you. Otherwise, we're just going to leave you here to rot!"

"Who are you talking about?!" Shippo shouted.

Goji ignored them. "There is to be two guards here at all times. Can't have them sneaking away before the commander gets here.".

"You son of a bitch! DIRTY NO GOOD-" Kenta ranted before Shippo clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Be quiet. There's no use antagonizing them."

Kenta folded his arms over his chest and sat down in the dirt. Asako rocked her crying brother as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Shhh, Haro, Shhhhush." Her composure weakened and soon she was crying herself.

Shippo sat down and wrapped an arm around Asako. She leaned against his frame, and after a few minutes everyone had quieted down.

Things may have turned out badly, but they were still alive. The snakes assumed someone was going to rescue them. Is it possible that others in the village survived?

Shippo had been negotiating with a vendor for enchanted powder, when a drum sounded from the watchtowers. The sound had caused everyone to stop; from the merchants in the stalls to the children playing in the streets, it was silent. Before he could ask what the drum meant, the merchant slammed his stall shut and rushed away. All others did the same. It was when he saw the first snake slither into the village, he knew that the drum had been a warning.

Shippo had followed the villagers lead, and ran to escape. He would have made it out without any trouble, except he caught sight of three children, one carrying a baby as she ran from a snake pursuing her. There was no way he could leave them to their fate.

Saving them had cost him his own escape.

Kenta glared at Shippo. "Well, what now, great leader?"

Asako snapped her head up. "How dare you! This is all your fault, Kenta!"

The older kitsune took a steady breath and a prayer for patience. Shippo let go of the girl's shoulder, and sat up, looking down at the a claw, he began to write in the loose soil. After a moment, Kenta and Asako stopped arguing and watched him.

Shippo stopped writing to look at them, placing a finger to his lips.

Everyone looked back at the ground to read what he had written.

"Tunnel your way out of here and get help."

Kenta looked between Asako and Shippo.

Shippo jabbed his finger at him.

Kenta mouthed, "Me?" pointing a finger to himself.

Both Asako and Shippo pointed back at him, nodding.

"But-" Kenta started a protest before Asako's glare hushed him.

Shippo drew more words on the ground.

"Find the miko with a dog

daiyoukai. Go. We'll cover for you."

Shippo pulled his arms out of his sleeves and removed his kimono jacket.

"You look cold. Take my coat, Kenta."

Instead of handing the coat to him, Shippo laid the large kimono on the ground, indicating where Kenta should start digging.

"So, Asako, tell me about your family. Your Dad is a bear youkai, right?" Shippo asked as Kenta began to dig.

"Oh yes, he's really strong..." She continued the conversation over the soft sound of Kenta's digging.

As dirt was shifted, they both worked in their small space to spread it out, all the while chatting, ever watchful for snakes.
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Kagome sat watching her fish roast over an open fire. Night had fallen, and Sesshoumaru had decided it was time to set up camp. While she felt the need to continue on, there was no denying that she needed food and sleep. Her eyes slid closed for a few moments, when she heard leaves rustling to her right.

Sesshoumaru emerged from the forest holding a water skein.

"Your fish is about to burn."

Kagome sat up and grabbed the skewer from the fire.

She shoulders slumped forward, "Ah...thank you." He handed her the water and took a seat next to her.

His sharp golden eyes followed her every movement as she poured the water into a kettle to make tea.

Neither said a word, until Kagome handed him a cup of tea.

Sesshoumaru took in the faint leafy smell of the tea before taking a sip. His eyes bored into her as he looked at her over his cup.

"You are distraught."

Kagome raised a dark eyebrow in question. "Distraught?"

"Hn...You are tense. Your thoughts are far away."

Kagome poked her fish listlessly with her chopsticks. Her appetite had fled again.

"I haven't said anything. Why would you think I'm distraught?"

"You have been quiet. It is unlike you."

Kagome pushed her fish away, giving up. She didn't want to admit that he was somewhat right. Upset, worried, stressed...sure. Distraught? No.

Just thinking about it, she let out a large sigh, as if the release of air would lessen the pressure on her chest.

"I'm not distraught."

"I would appreciate it, if you didn't lie to me." He said softly as he set down his empty cup.

Irrational ire choked her, everything bubbled to the surface. "I'm...I'm not d..distraught!" She stuttered. "I'm stressed out! I'm worried sick about Shippo! I miss my son!" She grabbed her forgotten meal, and threw it into the fire. "And I'm sick of eating fish!"

His eyes widened at her outburst.

"Why haven't we found them yet? It's been 4 days!" She shouted, pounding her fists on her knees.

"Kagome." Sesshoumaru said trying to get her attention.

"WHAT?!" She snapped at him, her eyes wild and blazing with emotion.

Sessshoumaru pulled her to him.

"Sess..."Her words died on her lips as he kissed her.

Kagome's rambling thoughts came to a halt, and she leaned into him.

His hand caressed her cheek, before sliding back into her thick messy hair.

She gasped when his hand curled into a fist and pulled her neck to the side.

His eyes glowed in the firelight.

"Trust me." Sesshoumaru said gruffly.

"I do."
He leaned down and bit on her neck. "Quit lying."

Confusion colored her blue eyes. "I don't understand..."

Sesshoumaru abruptly let go of her, and stood up.

Kagome collapsed backward on the ground and stared up at him. "What was that?!"

"You continue to lie. You do not trust me."

Kagome stood up. "Remember when I said we needed to communicate with each other? I need you to explain to me what you mean!"

Sesshoumaru slid his eyes in her direction. "If I had believed the kitsune to be dead, I wouldn't have bothered with this journey."

Kagome took a step back as if she had been slapped. "How could you say something so cruel?"

"I am being logical. If I thought that the kitsune was dead, I would not waste my time going to find him. The invading youkai are not just a problem for us, but for the people on my land. They could use my assistance as well."

Kagome folded her arms over her chest, with a clear scowl on her face. He spoke the truth, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

"You had begun to panic because you did not trust my judgement." He continued

She tilted her head to the side. "I am missing something."

"Tomorrow we will reach Shirakawa. My informants have told me that there is an enemy camp just past the village. Since no bodies have been found, it is safe to assume that the other youkai have fled. I suspect that they will not give up their village so easily."

Kagome released a long breath. "That is comforting to hear. Why didn't you just tell me that? Why leave me in the dark?"

Sesshoumaru opened his mouth, and then stopped. She was right. It didn't occur to him to share with her this information. He really needed to work on communicating with her.

"I...was wrong. I should have told you all that I know of the situation. Perhaps then...you wouldn't have worried as much."

Kagome stopped herself from saying "damn right, you were wrong!"

Instead she walked over to him and grabbed his hand. "Why do you say I do not trust you?"

His gold gaze focused on her. Why did she have to be so beautiful and powerful? Why was it so hard to understand her and speak with her?

"If you had trusted me to handle this situation, then you would not have gotten upset." He said trying to explain his intentions.

Kagome made a face before she snorted and laughed.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! I am going to worry and stress no matter what! It doesn't mean that I don't trust you. I do trust you; why else would I have given my only son to you? Why would Ieave my son to go on a journey with you? It's because I trust you with my life that I am here at all."

Sesshoumaru stepped close to her, their hips touching. "You speak the truth..."

She gave a huff. "Of course I do." She ran her hands up his chest and over his armor.

He took her hand as it reached one of the spikes. "I will find the kitsune child."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "His name is Shippo."

He leaned down and kissed her softly. Holding her hand, he guided her back over towards the fire and together they sat down.

A large warm wrap of white fur settled over her shoulders.

"Sleep." He said softly.

Kagome laid her head against his shoulder. "You know I could keep watch while you get some rest."

Sesshoumaru gave an amused scoff. "Don't be silly."

woo

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Author's Note: Omg I have been gone forever. I'm sorry it has been so long. I will be updating again soon.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews!