"Shinobu, may I ask you something?"He turned to look down at the petite female resting against his side as they basked in the presence of the God tree.
"Of course."
"Promise me you won't get mad?" He wished he could see her expressive eyes to perhaps gleaned insight as to what she feared might anger him.
"Promise."
Blue eyes finally opened to meet his. "How do you manage to see things so… clearly in black and white when there are so many other colors and shades? Why do you think all demons are so evil?"
He blinked surprised by the familiar wording of the same question the spirit Kagome often asked him. "I have been capable of seeing demons and apparitions since I was a child and never once have they given me reason to think otherwise." He paused to gather his thoughts, looking away to watch the eldest Higurashi attempt to entice Kagome's younger sibling and his friends into listening to one of his fanciful tales. "I've seen what they can do, I've seen them hurt and maim innocence unable to do anything to help. They care nothing for those that are defenseless; in fact they seem more likely to attack. They're beasts with no honor."
She was silent for only a moment, also observing as her brother tried to dissuade her grandfather. "Not all demons are as such."
"Care to give me an example? Even that half demon who promised to protect you couldn't do so, and still you suffer greatly from his mistreatment. And not just his inadequacies at protecting you from that witch; do not think me so stupid to think I have not noticed his verbal abuses."
She flinched. "That's different he loves her."
"And you are to soft to kind."
"Did I ever tell you if it hadn't been for Shippo I'd be dead?"
Cold dread filled him. "What?"
"When the witch attempted to steal the entirety of my soul I could feel … Kagome disappearing. Shippo, he is just a child for all he is a demon, he was so scared to be alone and I could feel his fear as if it were tangible. If he hadn't called to me I'm not sure if I would even be here."
That thought didn't settle well with him. "Then perhaps demons have there… uses."
She snuggled closer to him smiling contently at his warmth. "It's a start."
Chapters are staring to get longer XP