Move Along

Chapter 048

Kyoya decided to stay behind. Though he was interested in the idea of checking out Kagome's greenhouse, he had been watching the front door monitor. He would get much more information staying in the main room.

"Yokomizo-san, it's good seeing you again," Kyoya politely greeted the fox demon.

"Oh, Kyoya-chan," Shippo excitedly greeted the younger male, slapping hard him on the back.

Inwardly, the Ootori cringed at the honorific and crude greeting. But he let it go. He dealt with Tamaki's eccentric behavior on a daily basis so he would get through this.

Shippo grinned and said, "I didn't realize you were coming over."

"Sorry about that, our presence was unannounced," Kyoya easily replied. "The other club members were eager to visit Kagome-san's home."

"The more the merrier. Since it's so quiet, I guess they're on the roof,"

"How astute of you."

Shippo grinned as if he knew some big secrete that Kyoya was unaware of (which he did). He asked, "So tell me, how is Kagome really getting along with everyone?"

Kyoya's confusion must have shown because Shippo soon elaborated, "I am well aware of his track record. It's been too long since he has had any real friends."

Kyoya tried his luck. "Since InuYasha."

Shippo automatically tensed and stared intently at the boy. He couldn't believe that Kagome would actually talk about the half-demon. And to a kid she claimed she wasn't even friends with over him. Before he could help himself, he demanded, "How do you know about him?"

"Kagome-san told me a little bit about him," he carefully said, taking in Shippo's tense reaction. "He said he was his best friend."

"They were more than that," Shippo snorted under his breath, not meaning for Kyoya to hear him but he did. "I'm surprised he talked about InuYasha."

"He made it sound as if InuYasha wasn't around anymore. And he isn't the first friend of his to refer to in the past tense."

Shippo sighed tiredly, and Kyoya watched as he seemed to age years before his eyes. More subdued, the fox demon spoke, "That's because when Kagome was in middle school, three of his closest friends passed away. He hasn't dealt with their death well."