A Fox's Heritage

Chapter 9

Shippo sat in his father's lap, looking up at him with big, sad eyes. "What's wrong?" asked the young kit.

"Well, you wanted to know where your mother is, right?"

Shippo nodded. Suddenly he didn't want to know at all. Youko was looking extremely sad and depressed. A knot was forming in the pit of Shippo's stomach.

"I'm not sure how to tell you this, but. . ." Youko's eyes darkened. It was hard for him to come to terms with Sakura's death, but now he had to tell their son. This was not going to be easy.

"Did something happen to Mom? Is she alright?"

"No, Shippo, she's not fine."

Shippo hung his little head. What happened to her? He didn't want to know anymore. He shook his head.

"Sakura died."

"No. No! Your lying!"

Shippo started beating Youko's chest with his little hands. The silver fox grabbed his hands and tilted Shippo's chin so he would face him. "Listen to me." Shippo struggled. "I know you don't want to believe me, but you deserve to know. I can't hide this from you for any longer."

Tears were streaming down Shippo's cheeks. "I don't want Mom to be dead."

Youko wiped his tears. "I know, I know. I don't want her dead, either."

"How?" asked Shippo.

"Huh?"

"How did she die?" repeated Shippo.

Youko froze. He was not expecting that. How was he going to tell him that he and Kuronue left her all alone, and then they found her near dead? He was sure that his son would blame him for her death. Hell, he still blames himself for her death. But no, he did not want Shippo to know the gory details.

"When you're older, I'll tell you. You're too young to know how exactly," he replied simply.

"But I want to know! It's not like it's your fault! I deserve to know! She was my mother!" yelled Shippo.

A pang of guilt hit Youko. It was his fault. He should have never left her alone. He should have stayed behind.

"Are you finished with your tantrum?"

Shippo refused to look at him. "Yes."

"Good."

They remained in silent. Shippo refused to accept any comfort from his father. He didn't even look at him. Youko reached out to touch his son's shoulder, but Kuronue came busting in. His face was full of worry.

"We have a problem," the bat demon announced.

Youko stood up. "What is it?"

"Kagura and Kanna are attacking!"

Kagome came in next. Perfect timing, thought Youko.

"Kagome, I need you to keep Shippo safe." He turned to the bat demon. "Come on, Kuronue!"

The two thieves ran out, leaving a confused Kagome behind. Her eyes fell on the crying fox demon.

"Shippo, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied.

Kagome scooped him up in her arms. She wiped his tears away. "You know you can tell me anything," she said, soothingly.

"I know." He buried his face into her shirt and cried.

CrazyDreamerGirl: I am so sorry I haven't been able to update sooner. My teachers thought it would benfit us all if they pile on a whole ton of work, projects, and tests before finals. Now that it's summer, I will try to get the chapters out sooner. No promises. Writing this chapter was like pulling teeth out. (And time for some cheap advertisement! I've been playing around with this strange, not a bad strange, Harry Potter story. I've been writing the first 2 chapters in my spare time. Check it out on my profile.)

I don't think I did a good job with this chapter. Please tell me what you think. (Sorry I haven't been repling to reviews. There's no time! I will next time!)

I want to thank my very faithful and patient reviewers, especially the ones that reviewed for the last chapter:

sleep all night rock all day

Bloodcherry

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FireFox Shadow Wolf

Youko-Kuramas-Kitsune

You guys rock!