Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
A/N: Thank you to those of you who R & R. I apologize for the delay in updating. Enjoy and please R & R.
Kilala let out a sigh at the end of the day. It had been a very busy day at the clinic, besides the scheduled appointments, there were several emergency cases that required a large amount of discretion on her part for healing. Especially when Kagome was there helping her, Kilala did not doubt for a second that Kagome's miko powers would be able to sense her jaki. It has been more than a week since Shippou first called her, and ever since the day that Kagome was reintroduced to him, he paid a daily pilgrimage to her clinic at the end of every work day to pick her up for one reason or another.
"Cheater," said a voice from behind her. Kilala did not bother turning around knowing that it was only Shippou who was paying another visit to Kagome. "Well, I would like to see you try and heal an animal that was going into shock from its injuries and to figure out exactly where the injury was without using your jaki" Kilala retorted under her breath. Kilala then felt a pair of hands massage her shoulders and Shippou's breath tickling her ear. The neko youkai let out a relieved sigh, and heard Shippou's husky voice by her ear. "Don't start to purr, nei, or else Kagome would really suspect something." Kilala's face flamed up at the proximity of the kitsune and the words that came from his mouth. Well she knew exactly from where and whom did the kitsune pick up this habit from. But hell, she had to admit, she was tired and it felt good, real good.
Shippou stopped massaging Kilala's shoulders when he heard Kagome's footsteps coming towards the surgery and quickly took a paper towel to help Kilala wipe down the examining table. "Dr. Aki? Kito? I'm done outside. Do you need any help in here?" Kagome asked. Turning around to face her assistant, Kilala noticed that her assistant looked worn out and mentally berate herself for not noticing that fact earlier. Shippou did not miss the signs of fatigue and quickly offered to give Kagome a lift when he took Aki home. Kagome gave him a grateful look and thanked him so sincerely that Shippou blushed. He knew he was not going to live down this one from Kilala for a long time. But he was so happy to see that Kagome accepted his help. In the past, it was always him asking for help and Kagome giving it. So, now he would get to return the favor and take care of her like she did with him.
Kagome sat down in the patient waiting area to wait for Dr. Aki to finish cleaning up. She could have taken the bus as she leaned back into the sofa and closed her eyes. But she was so tired that she might just fall asleep en route and miss her stop. So, she was glad that Kito offered to give her a lift. It had only been a week since she met him, but then he came here every day after work to pick Dr. Aki up. She smiled to herself, as she noticed that her employer would blush very prettily whenever he was around and it was obvious to her that Aki and Kito have a very good understanding with each other. Their relationship reminded her Kilala and Shippou back in the day. The two seemed to understand each other so well and look out for each other in and out of battles. With the images of her friends going through her head, Kagome drifted off into sleep.
Kilala was still laughing at Shippou as the two emerged from the surgery. Kilala stopped laughing when Shippou raised a finger to his lips and cocked his head towards the waiting area. Kilala followed his gaze and smiled at the form of her sleeping assistant. She looked so at peace and fragile when she slept that Kilala didn't have the heart to wake her. Shippou seemed to share her idea for he whispered to her "Why don't I carry her to the car while you lock up here? I don't want to wake her up." Kilala nodded and whispered back, "I wonder what's she dreaming about? She looks so serene." Shippou gently scooped Kagome into his arms and Kilala followed him out locking the door of her clinic behind them.
In the building across from the clinic, Jaken remained on watch under Sesshoumaru's orders. He had no idea why in the world did his lord wanted him to watch the clinic after finding all the information about the girl for him. It was unlike his lord to take such interest in a human, other than Rin's family. He was certain that this girl had no connection what so ever with Rin's family. For he knew that her line had died out during World War II as well as the exterminator's line and he had checked to make sure that there were no descendents of Rin left or else… Jaken shuddered at what his lord would do to him for failing to do so. At least he doesn't have to worry about the company any more than he has to for Shippou had come back to take over his former duties as public relationships. To be honest, Jaken hated that position, he rather help his lord out directly than socializing with humans and other youkai to make 'connections'. However he took up that position when the kitsune left because it would help out Sesshoumaru sama. Jaken looked out the window yet again at the clinic. The kitsune arrived not long ago and have been doing so for the past week to see the neko youkai and the miko.
Yes, he had found out that the girl lived in a shrine and came from a long line of miko and priests. He had sensed her miko powers on his observations. Although Jaken had no idea why his lord needed the information about the human, but all he was able to find out about the girl was that she was often absent from school due to illness during the past year and about her family. He failed to see anything that would spark his lord's interest. Well in a way, the girl did resemble Rin and come to think of it, this girl resembled the wench that used to be with Inuyasha, the one who held the shikon no tama. She could be a descendent or something. Jaken was brought out of his thoughts when he caught movement out of the corner of his eyes. He saw the kitsune carrying the human in his arms towards his car, and placed her gently in the backseat while the neko youkai locked up the clinic and got into the car as well. Jaken's mouth dropped open, for the past week he had watched the clinic, this was the first time it happened. This was definitely something to report to Sesshoumaru as Jaken rushed to call for the driver to bring car over.
As he drove, Shippou looked into the review mirror and smiled at the peaceful look that was on his mother's face. He was happy that, at least, in her sleep, his mother was dreaming of happy thoughts. Turning his attention back onto the road, he couldn't help but make the comparison about the difference in environment when he traveled with Kagome all those years ago. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine that the countryside would turn into something like this. Shippou's thoughts were interrupted when Kilala asked apprehensively, "Shippou, you know where Kagome lives and how to get there right?" The kitsune let out a low chuckle. "You never change do you Kilala? I'm no longer the small child that requires looking after. I have done my fair share of looking after others over the years. Have a little faith in me, will ya?" Shippou's hand left the steering and reached over to give Kilala's hand a squeeze.
Kilala blushed at the touch, but undaunted she answered, "Yes, I know you are a veteran at guardianship. What I mean is that you've been away for fifty years and you've only been back for a week. I have no doubt that you know where Kagome lives, but knowing how to get there is a completely different story." Shippou patted Kilala's hand before gripping the steering wheel again. "Don't fret so, my dear lady, I've got it covered." Kilala could only sighed and prayed that they could get Kagome home quickly where she could rest more comfortably.
Kagome was awaken by a hand shaking her shoulder and a voice calling her name. She opened her eyes and found that Dr. Aki was looking at her. She blinked to get her bearings and found that she was at the shrine. "Oh, I'm so sorry Dr. Aki. I didn't mean fall asleep back at the clinic." And for the first time noticing it was Kito who had driven her home. "Oh, I'm really sorry too, Kito. You both should have just wake me up. There was no need for you two to drive me home." Kagome's face went red with embarrassment. Kilala just shook her head and smiled "Don't worry about it Kagome." Shippou said, turning around in the driver's seat. "We both understand that sometimes work just gets really caught up with you. Besides you're not that heavy, unlike some doctors we know." his eyes twinkling in amusement as he cocked his head towards Kilala. The neko youkai who was helping Kagome out of the car sent a glare in his direction before returning her attention to the sleepy girl in front of her. "Will you be alright going up those stairs?" Kilala frowned as she saw the long flight of stairs that the groggy Kagome would have to navigate before getting to her house. Kagome nodded her head and made her way towards those stairs on relatively steady feet. "I've been going up these stairs for all my life, so I'll be okay." She assured Kilala. Realizing that voicing anymore concerns would undoubtedly overstep the boundaries of an employer concern for her employee, Kilala stepped back and let Kagome go. She glanced at Shippou who had gotten out of the car as well and shrugged her shoulders. After all, Kagome was his mother and he should realize that once Kagome made up her mind about something, she would not change it.
Kilala motioned for Shippou to get into the car and followed suit. As they drove off, Shippou couldn't help but voice his concern. "Should we double back to make sure she didn't fall down the stairs or something?" Kilala looked over to him and scolded, "She'll be fine. Don't worry about her. You know she will be. However we still need to get you settled in." Shippou just grinned ruefully, it must be a woman thing to scold. No matter how young or old, all the women Shippou met in his life always scold him one time or another. Kagome and Sango did their fair share of scolding him and his friends. Rin had done it too especially when he and Kohaku used to gang up on her during their games. Seeing the grin on Shippou's face, Kilala smiled despite being annoyed with him for acting like an overgrown mother hen. Some habits do die hard, he hasn't been a guardian for more than fifty years, and yet upon taking up the role again, he just slips right into the role again. The two stopped at a supermarket near Shippou's apartment to purchase some everyday items and lay in a stock of junk food. Shippou was surprised that Kilala insisted on getting some prepared foods when he suggested that they have dinner at a nearby restaurant before heading up to his apartment. Remembering Miroku's advice about not arguing with women when it comes to shopping, he just let Kilala have her way and paid for their purchases.
Kilala gasped at the beautiful interior design of Shippou's apartment building. It was clearly one of the best in the city. The design was a wonderful combination of nature and modernity. "Pretty nice, huh?" Shippou said, as they rode the elevator up to his floor, "I was really impressed with it when Ginta first showed me the place. I tried to refuse, but he insisted that I stay here until everything is settled down. I haven't gotten around to really thank him yet." Shippou became preoccupied about how much Kagome would be awestruck by the design that he failed to notice that Kilala was nervously shifting and checking her watch.
When the elevator reached their floor, Shippou got out his keys and guided Kilala to his suite. "It's a bit bare at the moment. But you will find that I have enough seats for the two of us." said Shippou as he opened his door and reached to turn on his lights.
"SURPRISE!" came a shout that nearly made Shippou dropped his bags of groceries. He blinked and found the smiling faces of Kouga, Ginta, and Ayame looking at him and Kilala. He turned to the neko youkai and found that she was grinning ear to ear as Ginta strolled over and help him take some of the bags. "You knew about this, didn't you, Kilala?" Shippou accused. "That's why you insisted that we get food and eat here." Turning to the rest of the group, "Well I hope the rest of you brought something along as well. Because I don't think we will have enough to stuff both Kouga and Ginta." The group broke out laughing and Ayame came forward to give Shippou a kiss on the cheek. "Welcome back Shippou to Japan and congratulations for kicking Jaken out." Ayame beamed while her mate came up beside her and slide an arm around her waist. Kilala envied the ease which Ayame could so openly display her affection for Shippou, even though she had known the kitsune shorter than she did. Despite the long standing relationship between Shippou and her, Kilala couldn't bring herself to have any intimate contact with him.
Kilala went to the kitchen to help Ayame bring out the food that they had brought along with them while the males set up the table. Soon the group was busy chatting between bites of food, reminiscing the past and catching up on the news. Kilala smiled as Shippou, Kouga, and Ginta got into an animated discussion the business trends these days and ended up with Ayame hitting Kouga on the back and scolding him about talking while eating when he choked on a piece of sushi. Everyone pitched in to help clean up and somehow it was Kilala and Ginta who ended up washing the dishes while Shippou discussed current business dealings of their companies with Kouga and Ayame over green tea.
"You really missed him." Ginta said quietly as he dried the dishes
that Kilala finished washing. "Every one missed him. He was like a
light, bright and cheerful. Not to mention a brilliant person at
networking and public relations. I think even Sesshoumaru missed him
too" Kilala said wryly. Ginta was silent as he continued to dry the
dishes. "You could have told him how you felt." Kilala's face went red
at the comment. "We're good friends that's all. There's nothing between
us." She stammered. "He needs more than friends you know." Ginta
replied. "Ayame knows about Kagome, Kouga told her. Ayame had made
Kouga and I promise to help him as much as we can. Give yourself a
chance Kilala. Both you and him have been alone for far too long."
Taking the last dish from her and drying it. Kilala stared at the sink.
She knew Ginta was right, both Shippou and her have been alone since
their days as invisible protectors were over. To be honest, she was
lonely. The only close friends she got were Shippou, Ayame, Kouga, and
Ginta. "I think what matters most now to Shippou is Kagome." Kilala
said as she drained the water from the sink and washing her hands. "She
doesn't seemed to remember any thing about the past yet, although her
miko powers are intact. Shippou comes to my clinic everyday to get to
know her and hope for signs that she would one day recognize him."
Ginta looked thoughtful upon hearing Kilala's words. "We're done
here, so let's go see what those three are up to." Ginta said gesturing
for Kilala to go ahead of him.
Partway through their discussion, Ayame stepped aside to talk with her grandfather on her cell phone. Taking advantage of the break in the talk, Shippou got up and stepped out on to the balcony to enjoy the warm summer night. "The night's getting brighter with the lights on all those shops." Kouga said following him and leaned on the railing. "I remembered back then, the only illumination at night was either the fire or the moon." Turning his head to look at the kitsune, Kouga asked "There's no need to ask whether or not you've found Kagome yet, since you're the only one alive who knows the most about her. So how is she?" Shippou shook his head. "I told Ayame about Kagome." Kouga continued as he looked out into the night. "I don't why I kept it from Ayame. But it didn't seemed right to talk about her in the past tense when she is the future."
"She doesn't recognize us." Shippou said. "but her miko powers do." Kouga looked startled. "What do you mean by that, kit?" Shippou took a deep breath and told him the situation with Kagome. The wolf listened quietly to Shippou's narrative and couldn't help but think how much the kitsune had changed over the years. Kouga had watched the kitsune grow up and realized that his friend must have been very lonely. Shippou took his duties to protect his friends' families very seriously and never took a mate. Hell, come to think of it, Sesshoumaru didn't either. But he was the ice prince, and that's a whole completely different story. Well at least there is hope now for Shippou since Kagome reappeared in his life again and maybe the kitsune will finally get a life somehow.
The arrival of Ayame, Ginta, and Kilala effectively changed the mood of the conversation to happier topics. The friends talked into the wee hours of the night and was forced to break up the party by the females due to the fact that they all needed to work the next morning and would certainly benefit from a good night's sleep. So the wolves bid their friends good night and left. Kilala stayed to help Shippou clean up the remnants of the party. Shippou offered to drive Kilala, but was declined by her. "But it's late, and it's too far for you to walk back." He protested. Kilala laughed, transformed into her battle form and leapt off the balcony. Turning her head and giving Shippou a grin, and flew off into the night. Shippou ran to the balcony and watch her fly off into the night. He had forgotten how graceful she was in her battle form. After all it has been a long time since he last her take on her neko form. Shippou continued to stand at his balcony looking up into night sky long after Kilala disappeared from view.