Chapter Four

Kagome sat next to the bed as she gently hummed, getting the younger girl to just fall asleep. She could see the tear marks on her face still making Kagome pause her humming and sigh, pushing some of Aoi's brown hair from her face.

She knew Aoi would do everything to find a way to pay the orge back...but she also knew from his words and tone that he wasn't going to back down and let them win either. He wanted Aoi for his bride and usually when a demon or a spirit makes their choice, they stick to it until they have it. Something Kagome had learned from being around them for so long.

Standing up Kagome moved so she could go out on the small balcony, shutting the door so the breeze wouldn't wake the younger girl who had finally fallen asleep. It had taken her hours to get her to calm down.

She gave another sigh as she propped herself onto the railing on the balcony, her back on the building so she could look out on the scenery. Her lips twitched as she felt the aura of the kitsune coming close but didn't say anything as she heard the sounds of soft feet landing onto the balcony.

Her eyes glanced over to see a silver fox, but he was small this time. He had an illusion up so he looked young, under ten years old in human years. This made the smile fully come to her face as she shifted so she could face the kitsune while still sitting.

"Hello Kitsune. You are visiting quite late." She smiled, and her eyes softened seeing he was holding a plate of food in his hands.

"Hello. I thought the two of you would be hungry..." He trailed off, tilting his head to the door causing Kagome to shake her head.

"She is asleep so I don't want to wake her up." Kagome glanced at the dejected look the fox had on his face, his ears and tails drooping.

"I could eat though...would you like to join me?" She couldn't resist the dejected look he gave. It reminded her too much of Shippo. The kitsune perked up, nodding his head excitedly.

"I would enjoy that." She patted the spot next to her on the balcony railing in invitation, she gave a light laugh as he eagerly perched on the railing, the plate of food sitting between like a barrier. It was the proper thing to do, they were both unmated and not related to each other in any way.

To be seen sitting right next to each other, scent marking each other, was not proper, in fact he shouldn't have even approached their room but she mused it was with good intentions so she would let it go.

Picking up a rice ball she arched an eyebrow at the kitsune, rolling her eyes as he ducked his head in embarrassment. With a small blast of spiritual power she cleansed it before taking a bite. She would have to make it a habit to inspect any and all food given to Aoi. If she didn't then there was a chance that the small spell woven into the food would take root.

Normal humans wouldn't last long in the world they were currently in, human lives were over in a flash compared to those of demon and spiritual origins. Thus the spell, it would slow Aoi's aging, the more she ate of the enchanted food the deeper it would sink into her being.

She had no doubt it was ordered by the Inn master, he would not want his bride to be to age before he was able to claim her. She herself was a by-product, it was no doubt easier to enchant them both so long as the food was eaten by Aoi.

"I should have known you would notice the enchantment." The kitsune's voice was layered with awe as he watched her eat. She tilted her head in questioning at his words, her mouth still chewing the bite of food she had taken.

"Shippo-sama spoke of you often Kagome-sama, or should I say the Shikon miko?" His eyes seemed to glow with mischief as she choked on the rice, coughing as she tried to dislodge it from her airway.

"You kitsune's always like drop information at the worst times." Kagome muttered, as she looked to the fox who was giving her an innocent smile.

"Innocent smiles don't work with me. I raised Shippo...he was a terror." The last part was muttered softly but Kagome knew with demon hearing that the kitsune would catch it.

The kitsune gave a laugh, "I don't think i have ever hear anyone call Shippo-Sama that before."

Kagome gave a small huff, but on the inside she was happy. Shippo was still around and living his life. She hoped she would get to see him again soon. She had missed him.

"I think as his mother figure I can call him that." Kagome shook her head before looking at the silver fox once more, "So do you like this form or do you like to stay in your normal age form better..." She could feel he was older than what he looked like, but knew some kitsunes liked to look like kids because it was easier to trick people that way.

"I just feel like this form is more approachable. I thought Lady Aoi would rather a cute form to see her than someone older..." He trailed off, making Kagome give a small sigh. He wouldn't be wrong. If he showed up in this form in front of Aoi she wouldn't suspect a thing and would welcome him in and ate the spelled food with no questions asked.

"You aren't wrong..." Kagome looked into the blue eyes that were watching her every movement, "How about your name and normal form..."

The kitsune gave a smile, before smoke formed around him, and in his place was a older form of himself. Kagome smiled at the older male, seeing him move further away so he was a bit away from her so his scent wouldn't get on her.

"I am Genji, Lady Miko." Kagome gave a snort at this greeting, but could see the cheeky smile the fox was giving her. He did it on purpose and was teasing her.

"I would like to keep my identity a secret for now, if that is alright with you." She didn't want to advertise who she was yet. She would like to keep her status and what she was a secret for now.

"If that is what you wish...but it would make things easier for you to reveal it. You are looked up to as someone very important here in this world." Genji told Kagome, a frown on his face at the request. He didn't understand why she would want to hid it.

Kagome gave a hum, knowing he was right, "I want to stay with Aoi, I don't want to be separated from her or her to be taken advantage of since she doen't know any better."

The kitsune gave a hum in understanding, "I will keep things to myself for now. But the master will figure it out eventually. He knows something is different about you."

Kagome laughed at this, an amused smile on her face, "Oh, I hope he does. I want to see his face when he finds out who I am and that he wanted me to be a servant." That would be funny. Sesshomaru had made sure she knew her standing in the demon world, she was never to serve but to be served by others.

If he found out someone wanted to make her do that kind of work, it would be a bloodbath.

"Thank you for the food. I think I will be heading to sleep for now. I have a feeling tomorrow will end up being a long day." Kagome stood and looked at the kitsune who was watching her every movement. She reached out and gave his head a small pat.

"I hope to see you in your normal form the next time we meet." She then went back into the room, snapping the screen door closed behind her, not noticing the grin on the kitsune's face as the door shut.