'"MAMA!"
Kagome was clearing snow off the roof of the chicken coop when a teenage voice cried out through the forest. She couldn't stop the giddy grin from spreading across her face, her son was home! Dropping her makeshift bamboo shovel, Kagome sprinted towards the forest, nearly falling face first into the snowy ground.
Flashes of red hair followed closely by blonde zigzagged between the trees. Kagome stopped at the edge of the grove and threw her arms wide, ready to embrace her kit. The priestess was beyond excited to see Shippo again. He hadn't been able to come visit the year before and she had been worried the same would happen this winter.
Just as the kit was within arm's reach, Kagome was abruptly grabbed around her waist and yanked away from her son. She yelled out in panic and was about to purify whoever held her when blonde hair brushed her cheek and a soft voice spoke into her ear.
"My apologies Lady Kagome. This kit uses magic to avoid capture and I will not let another harm you again" Masaru landed in front of Kagome's hut and pushed her behind him.
Looking past the dog demon she saw Shippo hunched over with his hands on his knees gasping for breath. He had grown even more, and Kagome was sure he was taller than her now. Auburn hair had fallen from his high ponytail and covered his light green eyes. His once childish features had transformed into that of a teenage male.
"Mama… I've been trying… to get here… since yesterday!" The young fox yelled out between pants.
"Mama?" The lieutenant turned to Kagome. She had mentioned having an adopted son, but Masaru assumed the child was human. But a fox kit? The priestess gave the demon a reassuring pat on her the shoulder and jogged across the snowy field to her son.
"Shippo! You've gotten so big!" Taking a page out of the kits book, Kagome launched at him with such force they both tumbled to the icy ground. "You will always be my baby though." She proclaimed while rubbing her cheek against his.
Masaru felt a bit guilty now for keeping mother and son apart. He watched the woman attempt to smother the kit with affection and couldn't help but smile. Lady Kagome never ceased to surprise him with her kindness and love.
"Oh! Rin is here too! Come in and I'll make us all some tea and lunch." Kagome sat up and looked over her shoulder at Masaru, "That means you too! Like it or not you're part of this family now."
The bold declaration made Masaru blush all the way to his toes. The fox noticed this and glared at the unknown demon. "Mama, who is this?"
Kagome grabbed her son's hand and led him to their home. "This is Lieutenant Masaru. He is part of Lord Sesshoumaru's army." Still holding his hand tight she stopped in front of the blonde demon. "Masaru, this is my adorable son Shippo!"
"Mom stop! I'm not a kid anymore." He swatted away the fingers pinching his formally chubby cheek and pushed past Masaru going inside the hut. Kagome just smiled after him and giggled.
Rin had been so focused on her writing she blocked out all the ruckus going on outside. She looked up when a shadow blocked out the light pouring in through the shoji door.
"Shippo!" Throwing her ink quill, she jumped to her feet and embraced the teenager. Pulling back, she had to look up to see his face, "Wow you're so much taller. Soon you will be as big as Lord Sesshoumaru!"
It must be karma for judging the dog demon because a bright red blush covered his face and ears. Rin had also grown and was now the same height as his mother. If he had to guess, she the young girl was now the same age Kagome was when they first met years ago. Rin's face still held its youthful glow and large bright brown eyes. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a braid reaching the middle of her back.
"H-hi Rin. What are you doing here during the winter?" He let out the breath he was holding when the young girl released him and took a step back.
"Lord Sesshoumaru let me stay with Kagome while he is gone. He is helping a friend fight in a war!" Rin raised her fists and pumped them in the air. "Once he wins, he will be back for me!"
Kagome walked inside followed closely by Masaru, "Rin, you can catch up in a bit. Why don't you let Shippo rest and help me get lunch together." Always eager to be useful, Rin gave the boy one last toothy smile before dashing after Kagome.
As the girls worked by the hearth and the dog demon stepped out to gather more firewood, Shippo had the chance to observe the room he stood in. None of the items decorating the place looked like Kagome had picked them out. It screamed opulence and stunk of Lord Sesshoumaru. Walking over to the bedroom he found mokomoko and the demon lords haori. It seemed a lot had happened over the year he hadn't been able to visit. His mother smelled more like the arrogant dog than herself.
Deciding to get some answers, Shippo stepped outside intending to find the lieutenant.
"Hey, dog breath!" He called out to Masaru and tried to look as intimidating as possible. Unfortunately, puffing out his chest and giving the demon his meanest look only made Shippo look childish.
"What can I do for you Lord Shippo?" Masaru was no fool. He knew the fox's intentions so would humor the kit.
Shippo watched as the soldier kept his back to him as he piled logs into his arms. "What does Lord Sesshoumaru want with my mom? I'm not an idiot I can read the signs."
Brushing past the kit to take the wood inside Masaru answered, "Lady Kagome holds the status of Alpha Bitch in Lord Sesshoumaru's pack. He seeks to ensure her protection as well as Lady Rin's in his absence. My job is to see to their care." Simple and to the point.
Bullshit. Shippo knew he wasn't being told the full truth. The lieutenant was unlikely to give him any more information so he would just have to wait until his mom brought up the subject. Dropping his shoulders and putting his hands in his pocket, the kit went back inside.