Sequel to Chapter 69 (InuShiori, Foster Care, Purple)

"This was a good idea," Shiori said, fingers intertwined with Inuyasha's as they followed Hikari through the throng of aquarium patrons.

"Most of your ideas are," he replied.

She automatically poked him in the ribs. "Suck up."

He smirked, ears twitching. "Maybe. Are you complainin'?"

Shiori shook her head, grinning as Hikari's purple pigtails bounced every time she moved to a new display. "She's much easier to spot now, at least."

Her mate winced, rubbing the back of his head with his spare hand. "Sorry fer not talkin' to you about it first. She was so excited and—"

She silenced him with a finger on his lips. "Her smile is worth it; even with the ruined towel." His grimace only worsened, but any retort was interrupted by Hikari's enthusiastic squeal, the girl latching onto their hands and pulling them toward a frog habitat.

She pointed at one the colour of a bright green apple, then her hair. "That colour next."

Shiori laughed as Inuyasha groaned. "I've created a monster. Next, you'll be wantin' rainbow streaks." Hikari's eyes widened in wonder, the thought never having crossed her mind until then, and he stifled a curse.

She patted his chest. "You've got no one to blame but yourself."

"Yeah, yeah." Sighing, he ruffled the girl's hair, then sent her toward another display. "Guess that means we'll be needin' a whole new set of towels."

"One of each colour?" she asked, eyes wide with innocence at his pointed glare.

"I'm gonna give her the good pillows tonight," he grumbled, knowing the dye would be all over them in the morning. Shiori continued to grin, bringing their connected hands to her lips and kissing the back of his hand. Inuyasha tried to hide his flush by pursing his lips. "That won't work."

"I'm not doing anything," she replied.

"Keh, lying wench." He pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist as they caught up to Hikari, the girl babbling about how she wanted to be a frog scientist when she grew up so she could help them change colour to match her hair.