Chapter Thirty:
The sun was high in the sky and still the group had not talked the entire walk, they hadn't passed any demons, or any villages that needed help destroying a demon so they all felt relaxed about that, but no one was relaxed around each other, except Ashten who wasn't fighting with anyone as usual. Hope walked beside her brother in a depressed way, Ashten watched everyone in a confused way even though he knew what was going on he never really realized how no one was mad at him. Shippo walked close behind Ivan who walked with his arms crossed and close in front was Lilly her fists still clutched together.
Hope smiled as she looked up at a small village only a few feet in front of them. The entire group brightened up when they saw what was waiting for them. Ashten began to run first pushing a bit past Shippo who still had his head down and Ivan who had yet to acknowledge who it was and moved up behind Lilly who was already racing forward. Ivan began to run after them Hope quickly made her way around Shippo who still had not started running even as he stared.
[b]"DAD, MOM!"[/b] Ashten yelled.
[b]"Hey, took you guys a while to get here!"[/b] Kagome yelled back.
Hope waved at her Mother and Sango who stood waiting for them. Miroku came from a hut close to the edge of the village and waved at them. Lilly ran into her mothers arms hugging her, Hope hugged her mom as well but didn't seem to be as distort as Lilly, Ashten hugged his mother longer and held back his tears of happiness. Ivan gave his father a manly hug and smiled as they spoke about what had happen. Hope held back her questions for her mother as everyone spoke about all that had happened.
[b]"Where is dad?"[/b] Ashten asked after a deep breath.
[b]"Oh, he went looking for demons to fight, he should be back soon."[/b]
-----
The sun started to fall behind the trees as they all sat in the hut, Hope sat beside her mother who sat next to Miroku as everyone spoke about their time, Sango and Lilly was outside of the hut though, Hope wondered if she was telling her mother everything about her and Shippo. Sighing Hope listened to Ivan and Ashten as they spoke of all the demons and what had happen. Shippo on the other hand was nowhere in sight, he was usually in the group talking but he wasn't there, was he out with Lilly and Sango? Hope sighed, her father had yet to come back and she wanted desperately to talk to him. Her mother was busy with the stories Ashten and Ivan spoke about and the burning questions they finally got to ask. Hope stood and walked to the window as the dull sun faded behind the trees, Hope sighed and looked out at the horizon as she watched the sun fall behind the trees. Kagome turned and looked at her daughter and sighed softly standing she walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder.
[b]"Are you alright?"[/b] Kagome asked softly.
[b]"Mom… Could I talk to you outside?"[/b] Hope asked.
Kagome nodded and gently took her hand as the two maneuvered around the group that had collected in the room as Lilly and Sango made their way in. Hope glanced over at Lilly as she entered and caught the hard glare from her as Hope closed the leather over the open area. Kagome and Hope both walked over to a tree and sat down under it. Hope pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees looking down to the ground she sighed. Kagome sat on her legs sides as she leaned close to her daughter.
[b]"So what is the matter?"[/b] Kagome asked.
[b]"Mom… I.. I think I might.. Like someone."[/b] Hope muttered.
[b]"Well what is so wrong with that?"[/b] Kagome asked.
[b]"We are on a journey, and its going to be for a long time, and I don't want all the problem's you and daddy had, but then I really like him, but I don't want to hurt Lilly by taking the man she loves, and I really don't want to be with a demon!"[/b] Hope ranted.
Kagome listened to her daughter rant when she looked up to see Inuyasha and Shippo standing in front of them. Kagome smiled and waved. Hope's face suddenly turned a bright red as she stared up at the two. Kagome giggled and looked over at her husband.
[b]"Um, hey dad…"[/b] Hope muttered.
[b]"Hope… We need to talk."[/b] Shippo commented.
Inuyasha nodded and grabbed Kagome's hand as she stood. Hopes heart started to beat fast as her embarrassment flushed over her face. Hope looked up at her mom as she stopped and looked down at her daughter.
[b]"Remember, your heart will always lead you down the path you are suppose to take."[/b]
Kagome smiled and began to walk with Inuyasha back to the hut. Hope turned to Shippo who sat down beside her. Hope blushed as she turned back to the ground and sighed softly. Suddenly she felt her heart start to flutter as he grabbed her hand and pulled her over wrapping his arms around her shoulders as she leaned over laying her head on his chest. Hope felt butterflies in her stomach as she heard his heart pound in his chest it was about the same race as her own.
[b]"Look Hope… I haven't ever felt the same about anyone else that I have about you… I wont say I don't like you because I do, but I can't make you like me if you don't.."[/b] He muttered softly.
Hope quickly felt her heart drop and she swiftly lifted herself from his chest and looked up at him with her face level to his she glared into his eyes her hair falling softly over her face.
[b]"I never said I didn't like you Shippo, you just assumed I didn't I didn't want to push you into talking to me if you didn't want to talk to me!"[/b] She growled.
[b]"I never said I didn't want to talk to you, you assumed I didn't."[/b] He answered.
Hope lowered her head before nodding in agreement sighing she looked back up at him to see the expression of a smile cross his face.
[b]"So you do like me then?"[/b] He asked with a soft sigh.
Hope blushed yet again and opened her mouth to talk before she heard the loud grunt of Lilly next to her. Hope jumped as she turned to Lilly who stood in anger at the two.
[b]"You boyfriend stealer!!!"[/b] Lilly yelled.
[b]Bloopers:[/b]
[b]Hope:[/b] OMG she's going to kill me
[b]Ashten: [/b] Hope and Shippo sitting in a tree..
[b]Lilly:[/b] DON'T YOU DARE FINISH THAT! ~runs after Hope and Ashten with her boomerang~
[b]Shippo:[/b] WHO EVER SAID I WAS YOUR BOYFRIEND!!!!???
[b]Lilly:[/b] I"LL GET TO YOU LATER!
[b]Hope & Ashten:[/b] HOLY, HELP!