The Fox & The Hanyou

Wow!! I finally have my very first reviewer for this story!! Thank you so much, VeryNaughtyOttsel!! :o)

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Scene 11 ------------------------------------------- Two Hours Later

* Shippo comes back to conciousness. As he lays still on the futon his mind settles on his most recent reason for taking a mental break. 'My babies', he thinks, something inside dictating the pluralness. He keeps his eyes closed and once again travels inward, searching. It isn't long until he feels them. 'One,... two,... three,... Oh, wow', he beams internally, 'I'm carrying three new lives... Three innocent lives...' This last thought is the one that causes him to catch a sob and brings tears to his eyes. The two mikos, who were preparing the evening meal, both turn from the firepit in the middle of the hut. They watch Shippo's hand move to lay on his belly protectively. Kaede sighs, then meets Kagome's eyes and nods slightly. Kagome goes over to her adopted Kitsune son. He looks up at her when she touches his arm.

Kagome - Shhh... You're safe here, Shippo...
Shippo - B-But they're... n-not... S-She wants me to t-take them away...

* Shippo sobs again and sits up to half turn away from Kagome.

Kagome - No, Shippo... Kaede isn't going to...
Shippo - They're my babies... I can feel them starting to grow... Little bursts of warmth...

* Shippo lowers his eyes to look at his middle as he hugs himself.

Shippo - Three, Kagome-chan... Three tiny, innocent lives... My babies...
Kagome - I told Sister Kaede that it's your decision, Shippo... If you want to keep them...

* Shippo's eyes snap up to look at her. Kagome smiles as warmly as she can, then nods.

Kagome - Yes, Shippo... You can keep them...
Kaede - And you are right, little one... The ones inside you are innocent... But they will be a responsibility...
Shippo - Mine!! They will be mine, Sister Kaede!

* When the old healer nods and goes back to preparing the food Shippo wilts some.

Shippo - Please forgive me... Kagome, family is one of the most important things to a Kitsune... I lost my last one before I could really have long to enjoy them...

* Kagome nods and reaches over to touch Shippo again.

Kagome - It's okay, Shippo... We all agreed to be here and to help you...

* Shippo looks back up at Kagome hopefully again.

Shippo - All? Even Inuyasha??

* To this question Kagome sighs.

Kagome - If he were here, I'm sure he would support your...
Shippo - If he were...?

* Shippo tilts his head puzzled. He glances up at Miroku and Sango when they enter the hut just then.

Shippo - Where is he?? Where did he go?!

* Kagome looks up at Miroku and Sango.

Kagome - Has Kouga returned?

* They both shake their heads negatively. Kagome looks back down at Shippo, but it is Sango that speaks now.

Sango - Kouga told me that he feels as though he's failed us, his pack. I sent Kouga after him to bring him back somehow... Kouga said it may take him a couple days.

* Shippo drops his eyes again.

Shippo - (Quietly) My heat scent threw him into his own cycle... There may only be one way for Kouga to get him to come back now if he feels he's lost us.

* Shippo looks back up at them.

Shippo - Will you hate him for not being able to stop that, either?
Miroku - We have no right to hate nature.

* Sango and Kagome look at the monk, but neither disputes his simple answer. Miroku solemnly moves to one of the mats to prepare to eat. The two girls look at each other, then Kagome breaks the heavy silence.

Kagome - No, of course we can't hate nature... It rules all of us... But if Kouga has to... claim Inuyasha... Does that mean that he will be lost to me forever?

* Her question seems to finally answer the question they'd all been asking themselves privately for some time now. Sango places her arm around the young miko.

Sango - Such it falls in their realm, Kagome... Kouga will have to order Inuyasha to resume his duties to us... In fact, if Kouga has to go that route with the stubborn hanyou we'll all be considered a branch of Kouga's pack, too.

* Miroku looks up.

Miroku - Which may prove quite helpful, then...

* Sango moves to the mat between Miroku and Kaede.

Kagome - How is that, Miroku?
Miroku - Because then we'll be able to call on Kouga and his pack anytime we'll need his help against Naraku.

* Now Sango nods and looks back up at Kagome.

Sango - And it'll be easier for us to get him to give up his shards when that time comes.

* Kagome moves to her mat to sit quietly a couple moments, then she looks toward Shippo.

Kagome - Come eat, Shippo... You'll need to keep your strength up.

* Shippo glances toward the door, but Kaede seems to read his thoughts.

Kaede - No, it's not for ye to interfere, young kit...

* Shippo looks at Kaede sadly.

Kaede - Listen to your mistress now... Come eat.

* Quietly, Shippo moves to the one empty mat, instead of his usual place on Kagome's lap. He looks up to meet Kagome's eyes.

Shippo - Physical maturity for a kitsune comes when they produce their first litter... This is why males of our species can produce as well...

* Shippo lowers his eyes until Kagome finally manages to smile and reaches over to ruffle his shaggy hair.

Kagome - Okay, little man... I am proud of your decision.

* Shippo blushes some and glances his own brave smile up at Kagome. Then they all busy themselves with their food.