Sooo sorry for the ultra belated update. I just want to thank all my reviewers and readers. Thank you for not giving up on me. Special thanks to Inuyasharocks540 for a kind message that prompted me to update!
There was another reader I wanted to thank that messaged me back in February (hence in my profile I put up a preview of this chapter. By asking for a preview, you prompted me to come up with this plot), but regretfully I cannot find your name in my inbox to thank you properly, but I think/hope you know who you are. Thank you!
Slowly, but surely I will finish this story.
Thanks everyone, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its rights. This is for entertainment use only! All rights reserved to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Seven Samurai directed and edited by Akira Kurosawa. I however do own a Playstation 3, but the rights are Sony's. lol.
Chapter 6: Shippo runs away!
"Ha-ha! Look at Inuyasha's face in this one!" Miroku laughed as he and Sango flipped through the pictures in Kagome's digital camera. Inuyasha audibly growled from the back porch. His inhuman hearing abilities never let him miss anything. He, Kagome, and Shippo had finally come over to see the new baby. They named their daughter. They named her Hikari, which means light. Kagome was currently cradling the newborn in her arms. Shippo was in the backyard playing with Takai and Miro.
"Aw, Shippo looks so cute in this picture." Sango cooed at the image of Shippo sitting in the sand box at the park. The next picture was of Shippo and Kagome putting yellow flowers in each other's hair. The picture after that was of Shippo and Inuyasha fighting with chopsticks over the last sushi roll. The following picture was of Shippo happily stuffing the tuna roll in his mouth. "That's great. Shippo really seems to fit into your family," Sango commented with a smile. "But, it seems he and Inuyasha don't get along too well." "Well, Shippo is still adjusting," Kagome replied, "But, I think they do act more like siblings than a father and son."
Hikari was gurgling happily in Kagome's arms. She had a full head of dark hair. A tiny pink bow stood out from the ribbon around her small head. "Miroku is convinced her eyes are going to stay blue." Sango stated as Kagome handed the little girl back to her mother. "Well, I was right about Miro." Miroku replied proudly. Kagame laughed at his certainty. "How are Takai and Miro handling the new baby?" She asked. "You know, they're jealous. It's hard to evenly give attention. If they were any farther apart in age it'd be even harder. I have to enroll Miro into preschool already. Time flies so fast!" Sango answered. "I'll set up preschool for Miro at my school, this way I can pick him up for you." Kagome offered. "That's so wonderful of you! Gosh, Kagome, I don't know what we'd do without you." Sango obliged. She smiled in response and said, "You don't have to thank me. You guys are like family."
"So, has Shippo started school yet?" Miroku asked as he looked out the window from the kitchen at the three kids playing. Inuyasha was now outside with them playing "samurai warriors" and shouting "Backlash wave!" Each had origami swords made from construction paper. Shippo threw his sword to the ground and plopped onto the grass pretending to die. "Uncle Yash is so cool! He comes up with great attack moves!" Miro exclaimed. "I haven't enrolled Shippo yet. He's not quite ready. He has to see a therapist because of what happened to his parents. He's making progress, so the therapist thinks he can start this fall."
"Are you and Inuyasha still trying to get pregnant?" Sango asked softly. Kagome smiled and replied, "We're just letting things go naturally for right now. Shippo's kind of a handful right now." "I understand. Well, this way maybe the stress is off you guys." Sango suggested. "I think so. Shippo needs our support right now." Kagome replied.
"Quick, give me the camera!!" Miroku pleaded excitedly. Sango handed it to him. He began snapping away. "Hey!! What are you doing?!" Inuyasha yelled. "I couldn't resist!" Miroku chucked as he continued taking pictures. Inuyasha had played dead this time and the three boys took advantage of the situation and were now jumping on him and pretending to attack him.
The sun was setting. The air became cool. "Okay, time to come inside!" Kagome called. The boys, including Inuyasha disappointedly walked into the house. "Pillow fight!" Inuyasha called as he ran into the kids' room, the three boys following after him. "I think they're starting to get along just fine." Sango stated.
At 8PM it was time to go home. As much as Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippo loved to visit, a family with a new baby gets tired quickly. "When will you come over again?" Miro asked with a pout. "Soon." Kagome answered. "How soon?" Shippo asked. "In a week, okay? We'll have a barbecue." Inuyasha offered. "Sounds great, see you guys. Thanks for stopping by." Miroku said as they watched the family climb into the SUV, then drive away.
+x+x+x+x+x
The next day, Monday, Kagome walked with Shippo hand in hand as they entered the store. Kagome had just picked up Shippo from her mother's house. When Sota, Gramps, and her mother met Shippo they were delighted. Sota was in college, but he came to visit just to meet Shippo. He was instantly accepted-and spoiled- by the Higurashi family. Kagome had wanted Shippo to meet Rin, but her school schedule made it rather difficult.
They strolled over to the photo corner. They developed the pictures in the camera, which, luckily, were not too many as they regularly stayed on top of the pictures. It was easy to just leave the digital images in the camera, but Kagome was always worried technology would fail, so she religiously made sure to back up and develop the images.
Inuyasha came home to find the house empty. He grumbled and heated up some water on the stove for his ramen. Then, he heard the rattle of keys and the click of the doorknob. Kagome waltzed in with two straps of bags of groceries on each arm. He jumped up from his place on the kitchen table sifting through the mail to help her.
Once all the groceries were down Inuyasha planted a huge kiss on Kagome's cheek, then a tender one on her lips. Shippo whined "ewww" from his place behind Kagome. Inuyasha playfully scowled at Shippo and ruffled his hair. Shippo struggled to fix his brown strands back in place. "Why don't you two watch a movie and I'll prep dinner?" Kagome suggested. "I want to help you!" Shippo whined. "Hey, Squirt, we can watch Seven Samurai." Inuyasha offered. Kagome added, "Tell you what, you can help me make dessert after, what do you say?" Shippo turned his head from Kagome to Inuyasha. "That movie is long. Can I stay up to finish it pleeeeaassseee?" He begged. "Sure." He agreed. "Yes!" Shippo cheered as he ran to put in the DVD in the Playstation 3.
Thirty minutes later, the DVD was on pause as the family sat at the dinner table. There was some bickering between Shippo and Inuyasha over a few rice balls. Kagome had been certain that she had cooked enough, but maybe that was Shippo's way of getting attention from Inuyasha and for Inuyasha to somehow show some affection to Shippo (as he ALWAYS let Shippo have the last piece. Kagome wondered if Shippo even realized that kind of behavior as affection.) But, Inuyasha was Inuyasha and Shippo was Shippo, so maybe this was a pretty good start to a relationship.
The table was quiet as the Kagome's two boys stuffed their faces. She admired them from the corner of her eye as she looked at her plate. She didn't want either to notice lest they get embarrassed and she'd lose this moment. Suddenly, Shippo stopped shoveling food and asked, "So, do you still want babies of your own?" Kagome's eyes widened in surprise and Inuyasha glanced nervously at her. "Someday, but, what makes you ask that?" She answered honestly. "I heard you talking to aunt Sango." He said as he poked at his vegetables with a chopstick. "Well, if we have our own kids, then we will, until then, we're plenty happy with you, Shippo. Are you happy?" She replied with a sincere smile. He half smiled back at her. He simply nodded in response. "Listen, Shippo, just be a kid and don't worry about stuff like that." Inuyasha said as he patted him on the head. "Okay." He said softly.
Later that night once the movie was finished and Shippo was tucked in, Kagome and Inuyasha were ready to be alone together. But, just as things were getting heated, Shippo suddenly burst into the room crying: I had a nightmare!" and jumped into bed with them. Inuyasha cursed himself for not checking if the door was locked. Not that it would have made a difference. If Shippo had cried outside the door, then Kagome would have gone out to him.
The three settled into bed. Inuyasha was none too happy, but he didn't say anything as Shippo wedged himself between him and Kagome. Shippo tightly clutched his turquoise baby blanket. Kagome pet his head and looked at Inuyasha with apologetic, caramel eyes. Inuyasha's golden eyes softened and he leaned in to lean his head on Kagome's.
Inuyasha watched his sleeping family. Shippo could be annoying, but the kid was quickly growing on him. He slowly sat up in bed, careful not to wake Kagome or Shippo. He noticed the envelope from the photo place on the kitchen counter. He turned on the light in the living room and flipped through the pictures. Each picture of him and Shippo seemed to be of them not getting along. Inuyasha's brows furrowed together as he scowled. He decided tomorrow he'd take off work and spend some time with him.
In the morning, Kagome was surprised to see Inuaysha was not up for work yet. Shippo lay snoring in the bed still. She gently shook his shoulder and whispered in his plush ear, "Time to get up." He groaned and replied groggily, "I'm not going in today. I already told Sesshomaru. I'm gonna take Shippo out today." "That sounds great. Okay, have fun." She said trying to hide how giddy she was that Inuyasha and Shippo would be bonding. She leaned down to kiss his cheek, but had a better idea. She glanced at Shippo's sleeping form before playfully nipping Inuyasha's ear. "What are you doing?" He grumbled. "Well, Shippo's asleep." She said softly. His eye cracked open and his eyebrows rose. "In that case." He mumbled as he and Kagome quietly snuck off into the bathroom. Inuyasha made sure to lock the door.
Kagome was gone for work. Inuyasha stepped out of the shower and decided it was time to wake up Shippo. He opened the blinds to let the bright sunlight stream in. Shippo grimaced and covered his head with the blanket before flipping over to turn his back on the sun. "Get up! I have a surprise!" Inuyasha urged with a gentle shake. "What is it?" Shippo mumbled. "We're going to spend the day together! Anywhere you want to go!" He said enthusiastically. "Why?" The sleepy kitsune asked. "What? We're gonna have fun, come on!" He encouraged, his voice a little more gruff than he intended. "Can we go to the baseball game Tigers Vs. Cougars?" He asked as he peeked out from under the blanket. "Well, no, I didn't get tickets for that. That game is sold out." Inuyasha replied. Shippo frowned and whined, "But, you said anywhere I wanted." "Yeah, but within reason." Inuyasha replied. "Then, I want to ride the big Ferris wheel." Inuyasha was not particularly fond of rides like that. He inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly. This kid was making it difficult to not get irritated. "Okay, then after that?" Inuyasha asked. Shippo smiled to himself under the blanket. He stifled a "kukuku" and replied, "Let's go to the zoo!" "Great, hurry and get up." Inuyasha replied. We're going to have lots of fun. Shippo thought.
Shippo stuffed blue cotton candy into his mouth. "Is my tongue blue?" He asked Inuyasha as he stuck his tongue out. Inuyasha winced at the disgusting sight of blue saliva, blue tongue, and chunks of dissolving cotton candy, "Yeah. Just close your mouth." "Can I get pink next, I want my tongue purple!" Shippo exclaimed. "Um, no, Kagome will be mad if I give you too much sugar, besides you'll get a stomach ache." Inuyasha replied sternly. Shippo scowled. Inuyasha straightened the baseball cap on his head. Despite the world being relatively accepting of demons and half demons, he felt more comfortable wearing a cap to cover his ears.
"Wow! Look how high up we are!" Shippo exclaimed. "Yeah, we're high up." He said as he glared out the window. It wasn't the heights he minded so much as how ridiculous the line had been just ride a stupid Ferris wheel.
"LOOK! Balloons!" Shippo cried as he dashed over to the array of floating colors. "Can I have a red one?" He asked when Inuyasha caught up. "Yeah, but don't run off like that!" He scolded. The child grinned up at Inuyasha. "Try to win me something from that!" Shippo pointed to a UFO catcher in an arcade. "No way, that thing is rigged!" Inuyasha refused. "Fine, then win me something from that! I want a gold fish!" He exclaimed. Inuyasha eyed the row of booths with various games to win plush prizes and gold fish: ring toss, basketball, breaking plates, and tossing ping-pong balls into glass cups, to name a few. He took his chances with the booths rather than the UFO catcher.
Inuyasha was currently set on winning a water gun race. As he was distracted, Shippo took his wallet and ran off. It wasn't until after the third try and having won a giant panda plush that Inuyasha realized Shippo-and his wallet- were gone. He didn't panic at first. He searched among the crowd for a red balloon strapped to a child with brown hair, which turned out to be half the kids at the zoo. "Shippo!" Inuyasha called. Finally, Inuyasha went to the zoo police. They asked for a picture of Shippo and he replied, "Well, he took my wallet." So all he could do was give a description. They asked workers at the entrance if anyone fitting Shippo's description had left. No one saw him, which was good news because it meant he was still in the park.
His cell phone rang and he reluctantly answered because his caller ID read: Kagome. "Hey, how's it going with Shippo?" She asked. "I think you should come down to the zoo. I don't want to worry you, but he ran away from me."
+x+x+x Meanwhile…+x+x+x
Shippo found himself in the jungle section of the park. He admired the gorillas. A little girl with black hair and pigtails stood beside him. "Look at that, a baby gorilla!" She squealed as she whipped out her sketchbook and crayons. Shippo curiously glanced over her shoulder. "Hey, what are you doing, nosy?!" She quickly covered the picture by hugging it against her chest. "Jeeze, I was just looking." He snapped. "Well, don't look!" She retorted as she turned her back toward him. Shippo flipped open Inuyasha's black wallet. "Dang, only credit cards." He muttered. "Oohh, you're a pick-pocket, I'm telling!" She threatened in a sing-song voice. "Shut up, mind your own business! Besides this is my adopted-father's wallet, so it's not stealing." He explained. "Whatever." She said and went back to her coloring.
"So, you're adopted?" She asked after a few seconds of silence. "Didn't I tell you to shut up and mind your own business?" He replied harshly. "Yeah, well if you talk to me, I'll give you this picture." She said as she held up the paper. She had drawn a picture of…HIM! What? Who was this girl? "Give me that!" He snapped and she hid it behind her back. "No way. You have to answer my questions first." She stated with a sly grin. "Fine." He stated.
"What's your name?"
"Shippo."
"So, you're adopted."
"Yes."
"What's that like?"
"It's okay, I guess."
"Are you a demon?"
"Yes."
"Cool, so am I! Are your parents demons?"
"My real parents yes."
"What about your parents now?"
"My adoptive mother is human and my adoptive father is half."
"My name is Souten. Now that I know you, will you be my boyfriend?"
"NO! Now give me that picture." He yelled as he jumped at her. "Fine, here. I drew it for you anyway." She said with a giggle. He snatched it out of her hand, rolled it up and tucked it in his back pocket.
"Are you lost?" She suddenly asked him. "No, are you?" He asked. "Yes, so I was told if you stay in the same place, then you will be found." She answered. "In that case, I better get moving." He stated. "Did you run away?" She pried. "What's it to you?" He retorted. "Well, it's just, no dad just gives his wallet to his kid." She replied. He looked down at the wallet. "It's fine. I'm only playing with him." He said. "I bet he's worried." She said softly as she looked carefully at the wallet. Shippo stared at his feet and said, "Probably." "Oh, Souten, there you are!" A woman cried. "Mom, I'm sorry I got lost!" She said. The woman clutched onto the girl and looked over her shoulder at Shippo. "Are you lost, too?" She asked. "Nope." Shippo replied. "Let's go, mom. His dad will find him soon. He's playing "hide and go seek."" The mother smiled at him.
"Hey, you dropped this." Souten said before walking away. She stared at the picture, "Is that your adopted mom?" Shippo curiously took the picture from her and looked at it. It was a picture of Kagome and himself. She was holding him in her arms and they both wore a string of flowers. "Oh, Inuyasha must've had this in his wallet." He muttered. "Bye!" Souten called as she trotted beside her mom.
Guilt suddenly overwhelmed him. Why was he testing Inuyasha? Clearly he cared about him, even though they did fight a lot. Shippo thought aloud, "He brought me here and never complains when I bug him and Kagome. Oh, he's going to hate me now." Shippo looked around. Maybe I should turn myself in, he thought.
He saw only the faces of strangers. He watched as other kids were happy with their parents. He watched a brother and sister fight over an ice cream cone, until their mother gave them another cone. He suddenly wanted a sister of his own. He started walking back the way he had come.
In the distance, Shippo saw the zoo police stand. He saw Inuyasha there holding a sobbing Kagome. He felt even worse. He had made her cry. "Kagome! Inuyasha!" He called as he ran to them. Relief immediately washed over Kagome. Inuyasha looked angry, but even his features seemed soft and relieved despite his brows being knitted together. "Don't ever do that again!" Kagome cried as she hugged him. "I'm sorry." Shippo apologized. Inuyasha thanked the zoo police. Shippo handed back his wallet. Inuyasha didn't' say anything.
They left the zoo in silence. Shippo sat quietly in his back seat with tears in his eyes. Inuyasha looked at him in the rear view mirror. "Don't cry. I'm not gonna hit you or anything." He said in an irritable tone. "Then what are you going to do?" Shippo asked. Inuyasha turned his eyes back to the road and sternly replied, "Well, I hope you know how much you made us worry today. Something bad could've happened to you; you could've been taken away from us. There are bad people out there. Don't do this ever again." "I know and I'm sorry! I'm sorry I made you cry, Kagome! I'm sorry, Inuyasha for taking your wallet and testing you." "Keh! I figured that's what you were doing," he scolded, "No video games for a week and you're enrolling into school." "Don't make it sound like school is a punishment!" Kagome interjected. "Yes, sir." Shippo replied and hung his head.
They pulled up into the driveway. Kagome unlocked Shippo's door. He hugged her tightly and apologized again. She squeezed him tightly and said, "It's okay now." As they walked into the house, Inuyasha picked up Shippo and sat him on his knee. He spoke calmly, "Look, Shippo, I know you and I got off to a rough start. I've been more like a big brother than a father, so I don't blame you for today." Shippo looked down. Tears welled in his eyes. He didn't feel he deserve their kindness after acting like such an ingrate. Inuyasha continued to speak, this time his voice was firm, "All kids pull their set of mischief and give their parents a hard time. Just don't ever think that we don't care about you! Ever! You got that?" Shippo nodded. Inuyasha patted the young fox-child on the head before putting an arm around him and pulling him into a quick hug.
There was a flash. Shippo and Inuyasha's heads shot up as they looked in the direction of the flash. It was Kagome with the camera. "I'm sorry to ruin the moment, but I had to! This is priceless! I'm going to email it to Miroku and Sango right now!" She exclaimed. Inuyasha and Shippo playfully ran after Kagome.
After the laughter and chaos subsided, Shippo said, "Hey, I want to be a big brother." Kagome and Inuyasha's eyes widened and they stared at the kid. "What brought this on?" She asked. "Well, at the zoo today, I saw a family. So, I'll sleep in my own room tonight. I need to act older if I'm going to have a little brother or sister. Goodnight. I'll leave you two alone." He said and started to head to his room. "Wait," Inuyasha said, "In case you don't end up getting a younger brother or sister or even if you have one, nothing will change. You're our first kid, no matter what." "Thank you." Shippo said, his hazel eyes growing wide and glossy. He ran back to them with open arms. "Goodnight, mama and papa!" He exclaimed.
Kagome started giggling. "Please, don't." Inuyasha said in embarrassment. She wrapped her arms around his neck, "Hey, this is another side of you I'm getting to know." "Keh!" He scoffed, turning his head away from her. "It makes me happy." She said softly as she cupped his face in her hands. He said with a sigh, "It's going to be an adventure." She leaned in, her lips a millimeter from his. She spoke, her lips lightly brushing his, "I knew being with you would be an adventure."
-0-0-0-To be Continued-o-o-o-
A/N Yay a long chapter for you!! Doesn't make up for my late update. I know.
I hope no one is too out of character. I just don't think it'd be right if I had Inuyasha beat Shippo the way he does in the series! LOL.
I forgot how fun this was to write! There is still so much I have to cover in this fic: Shippo attending school, how the Miroku and Higurashi family are doing, and of course whether Kagome and Inuyasha will have kids of their own. ;-) So, I will fit this story into my schedule of fics. I want to start new Vampire Knight fics, but I refuse my muse until my other two VK ones are completed (as a result, my notepad of VK fic ideas is full). As for my Inuyasha fics, I will make this one my priority. So, that means I am working on three fics. I'm pretty busy because of work, but I have enough free time to work on these, but I don't know if I can promise frequent updates. I hope I didn't disappoint and I haven't let you down too much with my slow updates. Forgive me. Thank you for reading, I plan to update again in July sometime. A monthly update should do, ne? I hope sooner than that, too. Thanks again. Until next time!
