She couldn't sleep. Ever since Shippo had arrived over a week ago Kagome had been battling with insomnia each night. Something had been bothering her son and she didn't know what, but the worrying had been keeping her awake. Looking over to her right Kagome gazed at Rin with envy. The young girl slept soundly cradled in a mass of white fur and snored softly. She pushed down the jealousy bubbling up in her chest from watching Rin snooze away without a care and decided a cup of tea might help her relax.
Tiptoeing into her sitting room Kagome tried to move about as quietly as possible so as not to wake her children. With Rin now staying year-round, Shippo had settled for sleeping in the main room on the spare futon she kept. The embers in the hearth gave her just enough light to find her favorite teacup on a high shelf. Kagome was still slightly miffed to have lost its mate the day Sesshoumaru startled her by the stream. The remaining cup was simple white porcelain with crescent moons etched around it. Its missing partner had been marked with a sun in place of the moon.
"Mama?"
Kagome barely managed to stifle her gasp and nearly dropped her cup. Turning around she found Shippo awake and sitting at the low table in the middle of the room.
"Shippo, what are you doing- "Her questioning stopped short when she saw what he had been doing. Spread out in front of the kit were her letters from Sesshoumaru she had hidden at the bottom of the linen chest. The blue silk cloth they had been wrapped in was lying on the floor next to him.
"Mama, is Lord Sesshoumaru courting you?"
She wanted to be angry, to be upset that Shippo had read her letters, but the look on his face tempered her ire. Green eyes were slightly glassy and impossibly wide as he looked up at her. His features may have grown and matured over the years, but in this moment all Kagome saw was the tiny, frightened kit she had taken in all those years ago.
Letting out a fatigued sigh, Kagome gave him a small smile and restarted the fire in the hearth before she sat down next to her son.
"Honestly Shippo, I don't know." It was obviously not the answer he wanted to hear as he worried his brow and looked down. "Sesshoumaru has never been the best at communication. If he is seeking more from me other than being Rin's caretaker, he hasn't made it known."
Her last comment had Shippo looking back at her. "Sesshoumaru isn't human Mama. A dog demon of his rank expresses himself through actions and with his senses. He is unlikely to verbally acknowledge his intentions unless you push him to."
She had been afraid of that. Masaru had been teaching her all he could about dog demon behavior, and she had concluded that Sesshoumaru saw her as part of his pack. Kagome wasn't even sure how she felt about this whole situation. Sure, she liked Sesshoumaru fine, but the thought of dealing with another moody dog demon wasn't at all appealing to her. That thought reminded her of what Shippo first asked her.
"Why did you ask if Sesshoumaru was courting me?"
Looking back over the letters scattered across the table Shippo answered, "I may not be a dog demon, but there are similarities between our kind. The gifts he's bestowed on you, his scent covering your own, and I've noticed the faint mark on your neck." That last remark had Kagome blushing. She had forgotten it was still there. "He even went against his instincts by allowing another male around to look after you."
Reaching out, Kagome took her son's hand in hers and used her other to caress his cheek. "Shippo, tell me what you are really worried about."
The kit's eyes met hers and he let a lone tear escape, "I'm afraid he will take you away from me. You are the only family I have left Mama. Please don't leave me alone." Then, for the first time since Shippo had gone off to school, he collapsed in Kagome's lap unable to stop the tears now freely falling.
"Oh Sweetie, nothing could ever keep me away from you. We are a package deal remember?" Kagome's arms held the kit tightly to her. "No matter how old you get you will always be my kit. If anyone has a problem with that then they don't deserve us." Her proclamation only caused Shippo to weep harder.
Mother and son stayed in each other's embrace for some time. Kagome rubbed soothing circles along Shippo's back and hummed softly until his whimpering quieted down and eventually stopped. When the young fox finally pulled away and allowed Kagome to wipe his face clean, he averted his eyes and blushed with embarrassment.
"I've been so worried about the possibility of Lord Sesshoumaru taking you away. Then I found these." He gestured to the parchment covered table. "I know I shouldn't have read them, I'm sorry."
Kagome's hands rested on both of his cheeks bringing his face back up to look at her. "It's okay, I understand. Next time something worries you, please tell me." He nodded his head, and she gave him a teary smile. "I love you Shippo."
"I love you too Mama." The admission earned him a sloppy wet kiss on the forehead. "Ugh, Mom that's gross!" His typical teenage boy reaction had Kagome giggling.
"Why don't you put these back and I'll make us some tea." Before Kagome could get up Shippo grabbed the sleeve of Sesshoumaru's haori she still wore.
"Why haven't you opened this letter yet?" He held up the sealed envelope that had arrived with Ah-Un three days ago.
"I-." She was going to lie and say she had forgotten about it, but she didn't want to hide anything else from him. "I was going to wait until you went back to school."
"But you want to read it?" She nodded and Shippo shoved the letter into her hands. "Go ahead. I'll make us some tea." Before Kagome could protest, her son was already filling the kettle and made sure to keep his back to her, so she had some privacy.
Breaking the wax seal on the back, Kagome pulled out the letter and was surprised when something else fell in her lap. Setting the letter on the table, she reached down and picked up the mystery item.
It was a sapphire blue ribbon with moon phases embroidered in silver thread. The demon silk was impossibly delicate yet felt sturdy and strong and the thread shimmered in the firelight. Still holding on to the long piece of fabric, Kagome picked the letter back up and began to read.
Priestess Kagome,
Spring flowers come to adorn the earth, to simply be, to drink in the sunlight and rain, to fragrant the air, to grow and have their time to live. There is an eternalness in such unmeasured time, forever in a moment, and perhaps that's what I feel when they blossom, and I smell your scent. You are like an endless Spring, Priestess.
Kagome's heart was beating so fast that she had to stop reading to compose herself. No one had spoken to her in such a way before and she couldn't stop the blush spreading across her cheeks. Taking a few deep breaths, she continued reading.
Thank you for sending me what you call a scarf, I keep it close to my person to always smell your scent. I do remember your immorally short green and white kimono. What type of education were you seeking Priestess if that was your mandatory uniform?
As quickly as her blush had come, it was now gone and replaced with a scowl. The thinly veiled insinuation had Kagome wanting to punch the demon lord.
A traveling merchant came through my encampment recently. Normally I am not one to bother with such trivial wares, but the small hair ribbon caught my interest. The color reminded me of your mesmerizing midnight blue eyes. I requested the peddler to weave in a design using strands of my own hair. I hope this gift pleases you.
The Lieutenant did send a report detailing the half-breed's transgressions. I have already taken action to ensure he never dishonors what is mine again, you need not worry.
Perhaps you will share with This One what exactly my Lieutenant has taught you regarding my kind.
Be well Priestess, This Sesshoumaru awaits your reply.
Setting the letter back down, Kagome brought the ribbon close to her face and inspected what she first thought was thread. The silvery strands were indeed locks of Sesshoumaru's hair. She pressed the crescent moon to her full lips and smiled.