Author's Note: Yet again, I stole a line from SeruleanOrbs. This is the third time, in one fanfiction! See? Reviews prompt chapters.
The story is almost over – only 45 chapters total. (At least in my outline.) If you want something else, then tell me.
A Distant Promise – Mini-Chapter # 40
Yes. Close enough.
Blatantly eavesdropping on his favorite priestess, Shippo pushed his way out of the lobby and into the hallway, sliding along one of the walls. A few other guests gave him strange looks, but the kitsune paid them no heed. He had to hear every word!
Satoshi had returned, in the nick of time. Well, perhaps saying 'in the nick of time' was incorrect. The timing had been elaborately planned by a certain fox-demon.
He needed an assistant. And due to Kagome's developing feelings for Sesshoumaru, the fox-demon could no longer request the taiyoukai aid him. Somehow, he had not prepared for this. Asking Sesshoumaru to encourage the relationship between Kagome and Inuyasha, it had exploded in his face. Instead of furthering the goal, the dastardly dog-demon had started to steal her away… and that was the worst news of all!
After traveling with Sesshoumaru for many years, Shippo knew the taiyoukai allowed very few people into his heart. If he enjoyed the time that he spent with Kagome, then what was Shippo supposed to do? Suddenly, it became clear that he could not make everyone happy, in this situation. One of the dog-brothers would end up alone.
Thus, Shippo decided to determine which pairing pleased Kagome the most. Heartbreak might be inevitable, but he would ensure that only one heart suffered, rather than two. Hence, the beginnings of The Plan.
At the moment, the inu-youkai was searching Inuyasha's room in the hotel behind the onsen. The ex-hanyou had never met Sesshoumaru's son, so Satoshi might slip by without comment, as long as he was not caught while burrowing through private possessions. Really, it was reasonable behavior. Shippo merely desired information!
Meanwhile, Shippo had the best and worst job. He had to listen to Kagome and Inuyasha… Either these two would argue, or they would make up, and both results would be unpleasant to overhear.
Truly, it should be a crime to feel this conflicted. Nervousness was eating him up inside, dissolving his good temper. Inuyasha and Kagome still cared for one another, yes, but they did not always relate well. And… damn it! Sesshoumaru had bought her a diamond. A blue diamond. Sesshoumaru would not be caught dead buying anything less. The necklace had to be a ridiculously expensive one. Didn't Kagome realize what he was offering? That he would never accept even a hint of duplicity?
Naturally, he had sworn Satoshi to silence. It had been easy, too. The pup was not supposed to be in Japan yet, and if anyone found out about this, then they would in a large amount of trouble. But luring the youngster away from his studies, that would be nothing – nothing! – compared to the disaster that might result from Sesshoumaru's knowledge of Kagome's return to Inuyasha. It would ruin the taiyoukai to finally begin to leave his shell, only to learn that the world did not wait patiently for him to become more extroverted.
So, Shippo would investigate. Kagome deserved to be happy, too. At the first sign of a problem, however, between Kagome and Inuyasha… he was going to settle this affair once and for all!
Maybe! Okay, no probably not! But he was going to listen, carefully!
After all, he had promised Kagome. That someday, he would look after her, in the same way that she did for him… Ensuring a good future for her, it meant a great deal to Shippo. His loyalty lay with Kagome first, not the dog-demons.
