Author's Note: Someone pointed out these aren't really "drabbles" anymore – it is turning into a cohesive story. So I changed the chapter titles. Does it still sound cool? : p

A Distant Promise – A Tale Told in Ultra-Short Segments – Mini-Chapter #17

A new beginning.

It had been a long time coming. In hindsight, Shippo could see a subtle resignation had pervaded the taiyoukai's actions since the day he joined their pack. Nothing had ever held his master's attention or sparked his interest. For centuries, the taiyoukai had wearily gone through the motions of ruling, as humans grew in power and numbers. Like other youkai, they went into hiding when it was appropriate, but not once did Sesshoumaru stop fighting for his land and their traditions. Until one day, he just quit.

Saying that Sesshoumaru 'surrendered his goals' was unfair, perhaps. Instead, one might say the taiyoukai became tired of tradition, and he began to fight for change instead. Sesshoumaru woke up and started to pay attention to the world again. He had been detached for so long that Shippo had considered apathy to be his natural state. No one had ever wondered whether Sesshoumaru was happy. But the transformation had been as obvious as it was sudden, like watching him come out of a long, protracted depression all at once.

Black ships had come to Japan, and the human Shogunate had been battling with Choushu and Satsuma, while the fate of the restored Emperor hung in the balance. It had been unclear which side intended to cooperate with the foreigners and which side wanted to banish them. Fascinating foreign technology and weaponry had flooded the country, as opposed to the mere trickle that existed in previous centuries. All in all, it had been a perfect time for a fresh start.

And when Sesshoumaru picked a team, it won. It didn't really matter which side he chose. Either way, his support would have helped to carry the day. As it was, he decided to assist whomever most favored the Emperor, because at least that line was descended from the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. Shippo understood this to mean that favorable roots should not be forgotten, and perhaps a certain taiyoukai missed being treated like royalty too.

Japanese youkai found a foothold in the new government, and they had slowly started to flourish again. Fashions came and went, and they had both cut their hair. Ultimately, Sesshoumaru had become a businessman not a politician – an immortal in public office might be too noticeable – but he still carried a lot of clout behind the scenes. It helped him to have something to control again, Shippo thought, after all the losses he had suffered.

As for the kitsune's relationship with Satoshi, a unique sort of rapport had developed between them. Shippo was more than a brother, yet the role of Father was already filled. What else could be said?

"It must have been hard for him, to grow up watching his Father losing more and more land, prestige and power," Kagome sympathized, once he finished, her eyes slightly glazed from all the information that Shippo had conveyed. Still, she had asked to know about Sesshoumaru and Satoshi, and the kitsune had merely been honoring her wishes.

"Nah," corrected Shippo casually, "Satoshi never really cared about those things. That was his Father." Leaning back into the cushions on the sofa, Shippo observed the miko through half-lidded eyes.

"But maybe he felt neglected because his Father was spending so much time on other things?" Kagome pushed the issue.

A soft chuckle set her fears to rest. "If Satoshi ever felt overlooked, he came to me, and I helped him plan horrible tricks to play on people. Especially Sesshoumaru."

"Shippo!" she swatted his arm jokingly. "You didn't!"

"Well, I couldn't deceive him directly – I never wanted to test his patience – but Sesshoumaru was absolutely certain not to kill his son for insolence…" The fox-demon grinned unrepentantly. "It was the perfect solution, you see?"