Chapter 13
Mighty Little Protector
Sharp green eyes zipped about the large cave before the tiny body hustled to the fire on the far side wall. Sniffing lightly at the meat roasting over the glowing coals, Shipo felt his mouth start to water with appreciation. It had been too long since the little kitsune had eaten but Shipo didn't have the time.
A quick shake of his head brought the little guy back to attention as he swiftly carved a serving from the smoking boar-meat. Kagome had been adamant about that. The meat had to be fully cooked. Something about making her sick otherwise and Shipo needed her healthy. Everything had to happen in the right time.
"What are you doing, you little thief?"
Tail bristling at the insult, Shipo swallowed the retort burning in his throat as he turned lightly on his nimble paws towards the tall Ookami, glaring down at him. Shipo merely flashed a brightly innocent smile at the accusing alpha.
"I'm just taking Kagome a share," he replied glibly as he lifted the portion.
Shipo hoped he sounded convincing because he didn't want to accommodate for Ookami stupidity, if he could help it. Everything in his plan required timing….and, the alpha to have a somewhat working brain.
Thankfully, the worry evident in the big oaf's eyes gave Shipo hope.
"How is she?" the alpha asked, his tone gentling considerably.
Shipo just shook his head slightly.
"No change," he replied with a heavy sigh. "Kagome sends her regrets."
The kit kept his wide gaze lowered to the floor, lest he give away his amusement to Koga's uncomfortable shifting.
For three days the little kit had kept the alpha at bay by telling him Kagome wasn't feeling well. When Koga had first started to call for Jiro to see to his woman, Shipo had been quick to tell the near frantic alpha it was nothing dire. Just stomach problems. That lasted one day.
The next day, it was woman problems. The wide-eyed stare the alpha gave Shipo told the kit he had no idea what he was talking about. A few overly-awkward sentences of explanation was all the alpha required to jump to his feet and avoid the cave Kagome was occupying like the plague.
Shipo would admit, that lie had been a risk. All Koga would have to do was take a quick sniff and would find nothing wrong with the young miko. However, just the possibility to the scent of blood sent the fool running out of the cave all that day and most of the next.
The fact Koga was asking again told Shipo he needed to hurry and move his plan along. The alpha was already shifting from foot to foot with an impatience that made the kit's guard rise.
"There is….something that might help," Shipo replied as he blinked up at the looming ookami. "An herb that helps fix these kinds of problems for women."
"Then, have Kagome take it," Koga growled, arms folding in open irritation as he glared down at the annoying kit.
The ookami's explosive temper didn't bother Shipo. In fact, it made his goal that much easier. The male was desperate for a "cure" to Kagome's condition.
Shipo took a step back, in an open display of submission.
"Well, I would," he responded quickly. "Kagome said she used to have some up North but, since you left in a bit of a hurry—"
A sharp oath from the alpha forced Shipo to bite his lower lip to keep from smirking. The wolf was eating out of his hand. This was almost too easy.
"I would go and get it but Kagome is uneasy about the other hunters coming near her right now," Shipo continued. "This time can be really painful for females, you know. So, if you want to send one of your scouts or whoever to go and get it—"
"I'll get it," Koga snapped, running a hand through his bound hair in frustration. "What does it look like?"
Shipo really hoped his answering grin didn't look as devious as he felt.
SSS
Kagome wasn't sure how much more mortification she could take at this point. Shipo meant well. He really did. But, he couldn't think of any-other excuse to keep Koga away?
The young miko knew this was going to be a problem sooner or later. She was now in a tribe of all men. But, the sheer awkwardness of Shipo's lie only made Kagome grateful she didn't have to see anyone else but the little guy. Even if she was about to lose her mind from boredom.
A cheerful humming echoed down the tunnel leading to her room before Shipo practically skipped to her bed, a small pile of cooked meat on a flat thin rock in his tiny hands.
"Here you go, Kagome," he chirped as he set the offering beside her sleeping furs. "Better eat up."
Kagome cocked a brow as the kitsune perched himself on a nearby rocky shelf against the wall behind her. It had become a favorite look-out spot for the little guy. But, instead of the fierce frown he usually held, Shipo's face glowed with a cheeky grin. He seemed pleased with himself. Quite pleased, in fact.
"Shipo?" Kagome asked warily as she sat up. "What did you do?"
"Oh, nothing," the kit replied with a slight dismissive wave of his hand. "Just moving my plan along. Koga is gonna be out of the den again today. So, you should stay in here again."
Kagome sighed as her face started to heat with embarrassment.
"What did you scare him with this time?"
Shipo merely shook his head in defiance.
"He's just looking for something," the kit replied with a toothy grin.
"What is he looking for?" Kagome asked, suspicion deep in her voice.
"The key to my plan."
Kagome covered her mouth to swallow the sharp gasp that jump up her throat. He didn't! If Koga found out what that herb was….
"Shipo, you shouldn't have done that," she hissed between clenched teeth. "It's too risky."
"It's all part of my plan, Kagome," Shipo reassured as he hopped down to pat her arm in comfort. "Koga will never see it coming."
"But, the herb doesn't do us any good if the ookami don't take it," Kagome argued, keeping her voice low. "How are you going to do that?"
"That's the next part," Shipo explained with a gleam in his wide eyes. "In fact, I'm about to take care of that right now. You don't worry, Kagome. Just rest up and eat. I'll bring you more later. When the time is right, you need to be ready to leave."
Before Kagome could argue, the little kit bounded from the room with all the energy of a play-day. Finding herself alone again with her thoughts, Kagome had no choice but to lay back down with a sigh. It wasn't like she had anything else to do. Maybe she'd count the cracks in the rounded ceiling again.
SSS
Shoulders heaving in exhaustion, Shipo tried to swallow breath after breath into his little body. The run down that hunter's path was longer than he thought. At this rate, he'd have to carry Kagome part of the way. Sucking a cleansing breath of cool air into his lungs, Shipo forced himself to go on. He'd do whatever it took. His honor would require no less.
Everything was going perfectly. Now, he just needed to find the right vessel to give the tribe the herbs Koga was gathering for him. Really, the fool had no idea what he was getting. But, all the alpha's ignorance wouldn't do Kagome any good if Shipo couldn't get them to take the darn stuff.
Hopefully, the kit's goal would bring him just what he needed.
Gruff voices in the distance told Shipo he was nearing his destination. Crouching low, the kitsune kept to the surrounding bushes as he drew nearer till the dirtied figures of villagers reached his vision. The two humans were grumbling about something, probably the approaching winter or a recent bout of raids. Who knew?
However, Shipo waited till the human men moved on before he quickly hopped up onto a nearby long house, snapping bright eyes across the hidden contents within the thatched walls.
Rows upon rows of covered clay jars that lined the shadowed structure almost caused the little guy to hop with glee.
Oh, yes! These will definitely do the job.
