Aha, I know a lot of you are going to appreciate this chapter. It will put many restless hearts at ease. What will happen… well read and find out you silly gooses!
Sorry… this one took an extra day to post, but I was exhausted yesterday. Other than Christmas, I only have one day off this entire month! That bites! Holla if you hear me, people!
Disclaimer: ÉG gera ekki eiga Inuyasha.
Familiar Face; Unforgettable Bond
Plopping down next to Mischief, Kagome blew a tired raspberry. Tearing a fistful of grass from the ground beside her, she held up her hand and offered it to the panting mare.
Accepting readily, Mischief gave Kagome's shoulder a gentle shove with her head, her velvety nose rubbing against the miko's cheek.
The two females lay silently next to one another, enjoying the light breeze that accompanied the evening. The small river they had come across had provided both with a refreshing drink and a place to wash up. Now, the pair sat in comfortable silence, Kagome propped up against Mischief's side.
While the horse grazed leisurely on the lush grass they lay in, Kagome retrieved a piece of bread and some jerky from the provisions sack.
Chewing happily, she failed to notice the two figures lurking in the woods behind her. It was only when Mischief shot to her feet and whinnied in a distraught way that she sensed their presences.
Drawing an arrow from her quiver, she readied her bow and took aim. Seeing two relatively short, silhouettes standing amongst the foliage, she asked warily, "What do you want?"
"Please," the one pleaded, "we only came in search of food. We mean no harm."
Finding the voice was somewhat familiar, she demanded, "Step forth. If you mean me no harm then you have nothing to fear."
Slowly, the pair stepped from their place in the shadows. First, a small child entered the little clearing, her pigtails bobbing in a synchronized manner as she scurried forward. Bright, lavender eyes accented a small, tanned face and pointed ears, deep red hair brushing her shoulders.
When the second party stepped forth, Kagome's bow and arrow fell to the ground with a soft 'thud'. Eyes welling with joy, she whispered, "Shippou?"
Jaw going slack, the young, green eyed demon gasped, "Kagome?"
She nodded slowly, sinking to her knees and opening her arms to her long lost son.
Lip quivering, he choked out, "Mommy?"
Again she nodded, tears streaking her cheeks.
Throwing himself into her arms, the redheaded tike bawled his eyes out as the woman he had thought dead for three years suddenly reappeared in his life. "I thought you were dead," he stammered.
"I thought you were dead," she replied.
Arms loosening, she took him by the shoulders and held him out at arms length. Shaking her head, she eyed him from top to toe and commented in amazement, "You've grown so much."
He had indeed grown since she had last seen him. The boy who had once stood just above her knee now reached her breast. His innocent green eyes were still full of tomfoolery, as she recalled they had all those years ago. His voice, she noted with amusement, was much fuller than it had been years ago. It had lost its high, nasally pitch, signaling his ascension into manhood. Yes, her little boy had grown much.
"You have too," he remarked.
Remembering the little demoness that was accompanying him, she cast a quick glance at the child and asked, "Who is this, Shippou?"
Clearing his throat, Shippou informed his surrogate mother, "This is Yumi."
Smiling kindly to the little girl, Kagome reached out to motion the child forward.
Shyly scurrying up behind Shippou, the youth peeked out from around his hip and batted her large, bright eyes at Kagome. "Shippou-chan," she whispered, "who's that?"
"This is Kagome, the miko I told you about," he explained.
Nodding, the little girl slowly stepped out from behind her protector, bowing in respect.
Smiling, the young woman suggested, "Why don't we get you something to eat?"
Tucking Yumi into her sleeping role, Kagome scuttled up to the fire, taking her seat next to Shippou. Pulling her knees to her chest, she gazed transfixed at the stars.
"So," she began after a moment's silence, "what happened? Why didn't you return?"
Jaw clenching, the young kitsuine answered in a shaky voice, "Miroku and I continued traveling, though he insisted I stayed behind at Kaede's village. During our travels, we came across a village that was being destroyed by an oni. Despite our best efforts, without you, Inuyasha, Sango, or Kirara to aid us, the giant beast was too much to handle. I told him not to… I told him it would kill him… he didn't listen… I tried…"
Kagome hushed the now sobbing youth, cradling him in her arms as he cried. "It's alright Shippou, it isn't your fault. With Naraku still in existence, it was bound to happen sooner or later. You couldn't have done anything to stop it."
"I just felt so helpless, Kagome, standing there when it happened. He took the oni, but the wind tunnel wasn't satisfied. It took him too. He's gone, they're all gone, and I couldn't save any of them. I just felt so worthless. That's why I didn't return to Kaede's. I couldn't stay there, not when I was the only one left. I was nothing but a burden."
Shaking her head, Kagome whispered, "Never a burden… you were just as much a part of our group as I was. You were the heart, Shippou, the joy in our lives. There are times that I would have given up if it weren't for you. You are my son, and I love you." She stroked his orange locks, which were no longer in a messy ponytail, but rather a braid that reached his tailbone.
Needing to change the topic, Kagome asked lightheartedly, "Now, how did you come across Yumi?"
Wiping his eyes, the young kit told her, "After I left, I traveled to the north, to a village I'd heard of. I thought that maybe, since I didn't have anywhere else to go, I could find somewhere to stay there."
"Did you?" Kagome inquired when he paused.
Rolling his eyes, he sighed, "If you consider an abandoned shack a place to stay. I was still too young to work, so I started stealing to get by. During my second year alone, I came across her." He glanced lovingly in Yumi's direction, a small smile tilting his lips. "I was about to steal some fruit from a vendor when I saw her running from a shop keeper. She was trying to steal a loaf of bread…" He paused, chuckling a little before continuing, "Apparently, she hadn't done a very good job of it."
"So," Kagome interjected, "you swept her away to safety and the two of you have been together ever since?"
Nodding, the fox demon affirmed, "Yeah, that's pretty much how it goes."
"So… where are her parents?" Kagome questioned grimly.
"They were killed by bandits," he hissed in distain, his eyes hardening a little before softening, taking on a sympathetic light as he once again cast a look in her direction. He smiled and shook his head. "I don't know if I would have made it this long if she hadn't come into my life."
Brows lifting, Kagome nudged him playfully in the ribs and teased, "I think someone has a crush."
"Mom!" he cried exasperatedly, shooting a nervous look in toward the little demoness, "Don't say that!"
"Why," the young miko jibed, "afraid she might hear me?"
Shippou growled and pounced on his adoptive mother, laughing quietly as they rolled around in the dirt for a few moments before righting themselves.
Brushing herself off, Kagome took a closer look at her son. Aside from his hair, voice and height, his paws had changed, no longer that lovable fox like appendages she had so adored. Now, in their place, were claw tipped hands and feet. His tail remained, though it was longer than she remembered it being. Either way, he was still her son.
Yawning, Kagome suggested, "We should get to bed too. You can curl up in the bedroll beside Yumi. She'll need your body heat to stay warm since the seasons are changing."
"What about you, mom?" he asked in a concerned tone.
"I'll sleep next to Mischief, she'll keep me warm," Kagome assured him.
Zipping up the sleeping roll once Shippou was nestled inside, the young priestess took her place next to the midnight steed, hunkering down against the mare's belly and shutting her eyes.
Though her heart still ached with sorrow and loss, some of the pain had eased upon her son's arrival. She had missed him terribly, and the fact that he was here with her now was almost too good to be true. 'Please don't let this be a dream,' she thought in a frightened manner.
Eyes cracking open, she lifted a hand and pinched herself on the cheek. "Nope," she muttered sourly, rubbing her face as a tingle of pain bit into her flesh.
Gazing up at the stars one more time that night, she smiled. 'Perhaps things are staring to look up.'
Shippou's back! For those of you who assumed he wasn't dead, good for you. I had never stated plainly that he was dead… only that he was missing. So ya… the fluff-ball is back, only he's not so little anymore, and he's got a friend!
Don't worry; we get to see more Sesshomaru next chapter.
Review… it'll make me happy.