The Fox & The Hanyou

Scene 16 ------------------------------------------- The Next Morning

* Kagome stirs awake and sits up on her futon. She quickly realizes that Shippo is not there as he usually would be. When she sees that it is becoming light outside she quickly dresses and leaves her hut. As she rounds the corner, she notices Miroku and Sango standing a short distance away looking toward the old tree. They both glance at her when she reaches them. She stops when she sees what they were looking at. After a moment she looks up at them. On his branch, Inuyasha, alert since just before sunrise, senses their eyes but decides to keep his eyes closed letting them think he's still asleep. On the ground Kagome finds her voice.

Kagome - (Quietly) What does this mean?
Sango - (Quietly) Kagome,...
Kagome - (Quietly) Please tell me.
Miroku - (Quietly) I believe it means that they've... come to a truce.

* Kagome looks back up at her two friends.

Kagome - (Quietly) That's not all, though... Is it?

* Sango half glances at Miroku then reaches over and touches Kagome's shoulder.

Sango - (Quietly) I think that they may have... bonded.
Kagome - (Quietly) Bonded? Then that means...

* Kagome's eyes fill with tears as she looks back up at the pair on the branch.

Kagome - (Quietly) My little Shippo will be loved and protected for the rest of his life.

* Kagome swallows hard. 'I can't allow my own selfish hurt to ruin the love that Shippo needs right now'. With this thought, Kagome looks back up at Sango and the monk.

Kagome - (Quietly) Go start breakfast... I need to speak with both of them alone.

* Now Miroku lays his uncursed hand on her shoulder.

Miroku - (Quietly) Are you going to be okay with this?
Kagome - (Quietly) Yes, Miroku. Shippo needs him more than I do. I seen how we almost lost Shippo when Inuyasha was missing.

* Kagome nods. Sango and Miroku turn to go back to the hut and prepare breakfast. Kagome takes a deep breath, gathers herself, and goes over closer to the tree.

Kagome - Inuyasha, are you awake?

* Inuyasha looks down at Kagome as Shippo stirs on his lap where he's now curled up under his red kimono.

Inuyasha - You know I wake up before dawn.
Kagome - I would like to speak with both of you, please.

* Hearing Kagome now as he wakes up, Shippo sits up to look down at her. Inuyasha senses his fear and hugs his young mate. He whispers in Shippo's ear.

Inuyasha - (Whisper) Easy, I don't think she's mad at you.
Shippo - (Whisper) Maybe not... but I'm... still naked under here...

* Inuyasha hmmphs and looks back down at Kagome.

Inuyasha - Could you turn around a moment?

* Inuyasha smirks with amusement when he catches Kagome's quick blush before she complies. Inuyasha holds his red kimono up and watches as Shippo stands to retrieve his vest and pants from where he was laying on them. When he's dressed Inuyasha gathers him back in his arms and leaps down to the ground. Kagome turns as he pulls the fire rat kimono back on. As Inuyasha finishes dressing Shippo moves closer to look up at the girl he's considered his adopted mother.

Shippo - Mother Kagome,... are you angry?

* Inuyasha now looks at them to watch with apprehension.

Kagome - I was worried when I woke up this morning and you weren't there. But I see you were with Inuyasha...
Shippo - He didn't hurt me, Kagome... It wasn't like it was with... that coyote demon...

* Kagome nods.

Kagome - Okay.

* Kagome notices Shippo's neck and bends down to tilt Shippo's head to get a better look. She looks up at the hanyou as he now comes closer.

Kagome - You bit him??
Inuyasha - It is normal to mark one's bondmate.

* Inuyasha pulls the collar of his kimono aside to show her the place where Shippo returned the mark. Kagome sighs.

Kagome - I'm sorry. I just don't understand all of your ways here... So this means that you two are.. like... married or... something?
Inuyasha - We're mated... We will belong to each other for as long as he'll have me.

* Shippo glances up at Inuyasha, then back up at Kagome. Suddenly he remembers that they had feelings for each other.

Shippo - Oh no... I completely forgot, Mother Kagome... about you and 'Yasha...

* They both look down at the nervous Kitsune as he now hugs his tail, once more looking like the childish kit they all know.

Kagome - Oh, Shippo...

* Inuyasha watches puzzled as she bends down to gather Shippo up into her arms and hug him.

Kagome - Please, listen to me... Don't cry... Perhaps this is for the best.

* Shippo turns teary eyes up at her. Kagome glances toward Inuyasha.

Kagome - I will always have very special places in my heart for both of you...

* She looks at Inuyasha again and this time he looks away, but continues listening, swiveling his ears toward her.

Kagome - But I have to be honest with myself... When I've done my job to restore the jewel I'll have to go back to my own time... I was foolish to think that... he would go back with me. But now I will be able to go back much easier... Of course, I'll miss you both, but at least I'll know I won't have to worry about either of you being lonely or in danger.
Shippo - So... you approve?

* Kagome looks back down at Shippo again with the warmest smile she can manage.

Kagome - Yes, Shippo... Of course I do.

* Inuyasha looks toward them again when he hears Shippo's quiet purr as he snuggles his head under Kagome's chin. The hanyou wonders at his lack of anger at her for this gesture, when he would have had his mate away from anyone else's grasp by now. Then he realizes that the young miko really doesn't prove to be a threat.

Shippo - I love you, Mother Kagome.

* Kagome gives the kitsune a hug then walks over to hand him to Inuyasha.

Kagome - My baby is growing up and he's going to be a... mommy?
Inuyasha - Feh... Let's just say he's having kits.

* Kagome can't help but laugh a little when Inuyasha hmmphs with annoyance.

Kagome - Well, breakfast is being prepared. Shall we go eat?
Shippo - Oh yes, please!! I'm eatting for four now, 'Yasha.
Inuyasha - Indeed.

* When Kagome turns to lead them back to the hut Inuyasha sneaks a quick wink at Shippo as they follow her to the hut.