Chapter 3: A silent alliance


Ambient sound from the city night blanketed their silence as the mismatched pair walked. Passerbys occasionally stopped, stared, and moved on. Kagome paid them no mind as the auburn-haired boy held every ounce of her attention. Worried blue eyes darted every couple of seconds to make sure that Shippo hadn't decided to run off.

They were almost to their destination, where Kagome knew he would be safe. Her dear family friend, Kaede, always had a soft spot for the lost and little. After hearing of the boy's situation, the old woman was more than willing to take Shippo in.

The priestess glanced towards Shippo for the umpteenth time to check he was still there. Just as it was every time she looked, Shippo's frail hand remained wrapped around her fingers. Relief cooling her blood, Kagome swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. With a sigh, she flashed him the brightest smile she could muster.

"We're almost there, Shippo," Kagome announced. "Kaede might be old, but she's a very kind person who will take very good care of you until we figure things out."

Shippo's eyes remained in a staring contest with the concrete sidewalk, but she couldn't blame him for it. While he hadn't said much, she could sense the loss that emanated from him. Unconsciously, Kagome gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Too lost in her own mind, she didn't notice the boy looking up at her as he returned the gesture.

Long and winding stone steps indicated that they were nearly to their destination. Cursing shrines and their never ending stairs, they made it to the top. Catching her breath, Kagome led Shippo towards a one-story house with a propped front door. Warm, buttery light cast onto their faces as they approached the home. Inside, an old woman sat at a kotatsu, cradling a cup of tea while watching television.

"Kaede!" Kagome called from the doorway a grin spreading as Kaede waved them inside. Just as Kagome promised, the savory steam of the oden welcomed them in.

"My dear Kagome," Kaede stood up and embraced Kagome. Looking over her shoulder, Kaede's gaze found Shippo. "Hello there, you must be Shippo."

Kaede chuckled when Shippo hid behind Kagome's leg. Nonplussed, she bade Kagome's help in setting up the dinner table. Unsure of what to do, Shippo chose to sit down at an empty chair and observe the women. Once they were all settled and eating, the two women chatted amicably, catching up. Shippo paid them no mind as he devoured his food fervently. Watching him eat, Kaede's brow creased with concern.

"So what brings you here, Shippo? Surely it wasn't the oden that prompted the visit," Kaede prompted, her one eye twinkling with mirth at Kagome's pout. Shippo chewed slowly at the question. There was a pregnant pause at the table as everyone stopped eating.

"I don't know. Kagome brought me here," he finally answered, slurping the last of his broth. Kagome refilled the empty bowl, Shippo obliged for his third serving.

"How is it that you met Kagome, then?" Kaede lightly pushed further.

"He came into the café today to get a chocolate bar," Kagome cut in, sensing Shippo's hesitation. "He didn't have enough money for one so I–"

"My papa was murdered by two men. I hadn't eaten for days, I was desperate so I tried to steal food." Shippo's confession cut through the room like a hot knife. Neither Kagome or Kaede could muster up anything to say before the boy continued. "I thought stealing from a café would be easy, but that asshole captured me just when I thought I got away."

If the situation was not so serious, Kagome would have laughed as she knew 'that asshole' was in reference to Sesshomaru. Although he was rough bringing Shippo back, Sesshomaru allowed her to take care of him instead of getting police involved. For that, she was thankful to him. For all they could have known, the situation probably would have been even worse for Shippo. She knew he was in a bad spot for stealing from the café, but she couldn't have imagined his father being murdered.

Suddenly, Shippo pushed out his chair and stalked out of the room. Kagome shot up and ran after him. She was able to catch up with him as he walked out the front door.

"Shippo, wait! Where are you going?" Kagome cried. Shippo stopped in his tracks, not looking at her. His shoulders trembled as pained croaking emitted from his throat. As she crouched down to his level, she placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Angrily he swiped away her hand, spinning around to address Kagome through dripping tears.

"Why did you take me here?" Shippo screamed, pointing a trembling finger at her. "What do you want from me!"

"Shippo," Kagome said, her heart dropping as tears dripped heavily down Shippo's cheeks. "I brought you here because Kaede is a family friend of mine. She'll take care of you, and I know because she took care of me." The priestess freed a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe away tears and snot. Giving Shippo the cloth, she continued:

"When I was six, she took care of me when my papa passed away. Kaede took me in while Mama was at the hospital with him. I was young, but I understood what loss meant. If it weren't for Kaede, I would have been all alone, which is why I brought you here."

Kagome wrapped Shippo into her arms as he burst into tears. He cried for his father who he missed more than anyone in the world and for the father that the woman holding him also lost. The world wasn't fair. As he wept, Kagome ran a soothing hand up and down his back. Whispering promises that everything will be okay.

"I'm sorry for your loss, child," Kaede's voice appeared behind them. In her arms was a green blanket which she handed to Shippo, who immediately wrapped it around his shoulders. Kagome released him from her hold, but kept a hand on his shoulder as Kaede and Shippo studied each other.

"If you would like to, you may stay here," the old woman gestured to the home behind her. "It is a humble place here, but you may stay as long as you like. You can earn your stay through some housekeeping chores."

Shippo could only stare at the old woman for the offer she presented him. Ever since losing his father, he resigned himself to scraping by to survive. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that anyone would be so willing to open their home up to him.

"I-I would. Like to stay, I mean. Thank you." Shippo said, wiping away his tears. Hope swelled in his chest looking at the warm light peeking through Kaede's windows. Kaede smiled and beckoned them to come back inside. Still feeling Kagome's hand on his shoulder, Shippo cast a side glance towards her as she smiled at him openly. It was because of her that he was given a second chance to live.

"Thank you, Kagome," a toothy grin stretched over his face. Kagome playfully ruffled his auburn locks as they made their way back inside the house.

After his fourth serving of oden, Shippo began to engage more with Kaede's constant string of questions. Color smoothed the roughness of the plane's of his once gray face. There was a newfound ease in the air that was tangible. When Kagome's eyes met Shippo's, he flashed her another grin, his canines were sharply poking over his lip. Returning the gesture, she knew they had silently, but surely, formed an alliance.


A/N: Ahhh sorry no Sess this chapter! I wanted to establish Kags's and Shippo's relationship. But don't worry, y'all will get your fill soon enough ;) Thank you for reading!