Sly as a Fox

Sly as a Fox

Summery: This is in response to a challenge issued by Shippa the Red Kitsune. Several years after the completion of the jewel and death of Naraku, a certain fox has taken up a new quest. But, is he sly and brave enough to tangle with the Demon Lord of the West?

Warnings: Lemon, WAFF, Angst, Character death, Language, and a really hot, older, Shippou.

Pairings: Sesshoumaru/Shippou

Disclaimer:
Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue,
I don't own InuYasha,
So you don't sue.

How long had it been since he had last been to this place? Years. No, decades. And much to his surprise, the rundown village that had once been his home had grown, stone paths repacing dirt, newer and stronger buildings replacing old. It had expanded a good deal as well and now a large shrine stood dominantly at the far edge of town near the Goshimboku. If the kitsune hadn't known better, he would have sworn that he was in an entirely different world. The dappled gray mare that he rode let out a snort as the fox pulled back on the reigns, his deep emerald eyes scanning over the scene before him. He was cloaked from the eyes of world by a tattered gray covering. It's hood was pulled carefully over his head and a worn blue scarf had been bound about his nose and mouth, leaving only a few strands of viberant reddish orange and his eyes exposed. He was weary from his long journey and was looking forward to a nice long rest at the home of an old friend. The fox clicked his tongue to his mount and with a toss of her head she started forward again, trotting alongside the path. The villagers that he passed paid the stranger little heed, a few even raising a hand in greeting. He returned their waves, unable to prevent a small smile from lighting his green gaze. A few village girls who came close enough to him to see his eyes ended up blushing and batting their eyes at the mysterious young man who sat proudly atop his exotic looking steed. It was true that such horses were not seen around this area of Japan. The mare was large, far larger then most, standing nearly ten feet tall with a mane and tail the color of silken ash. The fox neared one of the larger huts and the horse danced to the side as he dismounted. He stroked the animal's soft muzzle when she nosed his chest affectionately.

" Thank you Wynd." He murmered softly before walking toward the entrance of the hut. It was much larger then he remembered it, but, there was no mistaking the home of the village Miko. The moment the kitsune entered the hut he was overwhelmed by the intense smell of herbs, stew, and miko. A combination that he associated with two very important women. His grandmother and his mother. " Oi, Miko-sama?" He called softly as he looked about the well kept hut. A warm fire crackled in the center of the room, a bubbling kettle of stew causing the boy's mouth to water.

"Hai, Hai. What can I do for-" An older woman called as she strode from the other room, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight of her visitor. The distictive white and red hakama and haori that she donned covered her form like usual, Raven hair streaked in silver tied neatly back in a low ponytail. She stared in shock at the young man, wisened gray eyes wide. Slowly the fox removed his hood, long reddish orange hair spilling down around his shoulders. A warm smile curved his full lips as he gazed at her. " Hello...Okaa-san." The green eyed male murmured as he resisted the urge to run to the woman. The miko pressed a hand over her chest to slow her racing heart as she stared at the youkai. "Shippou-chan!" She exclaimed, rushing forward and throwing her arms around her adoptived son, holding the tall kitsune tightly to her. "Oh, my sweet Shippou!"

He hugged her as though she were going to vanish. "Okaa-san...I missed you so much." He whispered and buried his sensitive nose in her hair. The fox had left this village nearly twenty years ago and he had only communicated with his mother through a few letters. Now at the age of thirty-eight, Shippou was still considered a child as far as youkai years went, appearing to be no older then a sixteen year old. The aged miko pulled back to look up at her son, a tear filled smile gracing her face. "I have worried for you everyday." She scolded lightly. " And look at you! Your hair has grown out and you have gotten a bit taller!" The old woman continued to cluck over the amused boy, who chuckled happily at her remarks. " Yup! I am almost as tall as InuYas- I mean..." Shippou began, breaking off before he finished his statement. The miko's face saddened slightly and the kit could not help the painful stig that formed in his heart. His idol, the silver haired hanyou who he both hated and loved had died many years ago during the battle to end all battles. As much as the kit fought with the loud mouthed, foul tempered, stubborn bastard, Shippou had cared for InuYasha as a younger brother would his elder, or a son would his father. InuYasha had saved his life thousands of times and then some and without the man the kitsune would not be as strong as he was today. It was his mother whom he felt the worst for however. Afterall, she loved him far more then any other. And now, she had only Shippou left. Sure, occasionally, Miroku and Kohaku, two close friends would stop by to visit, but not even they could fill that void within the miko's broken heart.

"That's right! He would be proud to see how big and strong you are getting, Shippou-chan." The woman replied, a bright smile morphing her face. It was a power that Kagome had never lost. Her ability to smile and carry on despite the wrongs in her life. "That or he would whine and pout about it because he wouldn't be able to pick you up by the tail anymore." She added with a laugh. Shippou sniggered in amusement, already picturing a snarling hanyou complaining about the wrongness of it all. "Come, sit down and have something to eat. You can tell me all about your travels." Shippou followed Kagome to the fire, seating himself on one of the plush cushions that surrounded it. "So, how long are you here?" She asked as she spooned out a bowl of stew for him.

" Well, I cannot stay for long. Perhaps a few days. I really need to head out West to meet with the Demon Lord there." He chimed cheerfully, even though he dreaded the thought. Kagome lost her grip on the bowl and had Shippou not been quick enough, it would have emptied it's contents onto the floor. "You are going to meet with Sesshoumaru?" She practically yelped, wide eyes locked on her son with concern. The fox raised the bowl of stew to his lips, sipping some of the hot broth before returning her look. "Yup! I don't have much of a choice really. After gaining the title of Youkai Lord of the South, I was given a list of old allies and one of the biggest ones was Sesshoumaru-sama's father, the Inu No Taisho. Apparently my father and his father were really close friends and had established a firm alliance with our lands. And, since I have just recently taken over, I need to re-establish said alliance." The fox explained. Years ago, a few years after the death of InuYasha and their old enemies, Shippou had been found by another Kitsune, one that went by the name of Takai. Takai had been his father's bestfriend and second in command. The older youkai had claimed that Shippou was the heir to the Southern lands and that he had been searching for so long for the kit. Of course Shippou had thought the man insane, but when the fox had presented him with a golden pendant that held the family crest, Shippou found himself believing him. However, it wasn't until he had nearly died in an assasination attempt that the kit finally agreed to going with the older youkai to claim his birth right.

It had taken a good long while before he had finally finished his training with Takai. And when it was finished, the kit had changed almost entirely. He had become stronger, older, and more confidant. Shippou was no longer the frightened child who hid behind simple illusions. Illusions were still one of his favorite weapons, but they had become more advanced and when coupled with his impressive fox fire abilities and his own weapons, the kit was a force to be wary of. The duo had been joined by Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, and the village of demonslayers, as well as many rebel Kitsune in a fight against a devious vixen who had stolen his throne. Unfortunately, Sango, the beautiful and powerful weilder of hirakotsu had perished in the fight. Miroku and the woman's younger brother had been devisated, not to mention the added grief it had caused his mother. So many sacrifices. But, in the end, Shippou had killed the imposter and begun the slow recovery of his new land. In fact it wasn't until the past year that everything had finally been sorted out. Now all that remained was to gain allies and renew old bonds with the other Youkai Lords. So much work. It was a wonder that the kit hadn't imploded from stress. He hoped that the Inu Youkai he was about to face would be reasonable, or at least pay attention to him. Hell, the last time they had met had been during the fight with Naraku. Sesshoumaru had fought alongside his brother and their little group for only the second time. And as usual, the cold hearted man had ignored the kitsune all together. Not that it was a bad thing. Besides, having the attention of the beautiful ice prince would normally end in one losing their life.

"I see. Do you know how you are going to deal with him yet?" Kagome asked. The red haired male swallowed a few spoonfuls of stew as he thought to himself before answering. " Well, I think I am just going to get straight to the point. He doesn't seem like a man who would tolerate anything more the the point of an encounter. And, if all else fails, I have a trick up my sleeve that even he won't refuse." The fox stated slyly, a grin stealing onto his face. " Tetsusiaga." Kagome remarked knowingly. Shippou nodded sharply in response. "Besides, it's not like he can ever use it now. Unless he cuts off his arm again..." The kit added thoughtfully. "True...but you know that man...He will find a way." She said in warning. Shippou's gaze slid to the fire as he rolled about his options in his mind. It was going to be tough negotiating with the youkai. But, he had gained something else from InuYasha aside from his foul mouth. That damned stubborn attitude. "And if that doesn't work I'll just kick his ass." He laughed playfully, earning a chuckle from his adopted mother. The next four days passed wonderfully slow, much to the youkai lord's delight. He felt rejuvenated entirely for the first time in many years. It had been so long since he had been at ease. However, he knew that he would be leaving in the evening for the Western Palace, a place he had never actually seen with his own eyes. The fox was to meet up with a guard detail from his own lands on the way. Shippou hadn't wanted them in the village for they would have caused a rather large disturbance, not to mention the constant reminder of his duties they would pose as.

With a yawn the kitsune rose from his place on a futon that Kagome always had laid out for him, shrugging out of the large haori that he slept in. His pale skin held an odd glow to it, one that he had inherited from his biological mother along with his feminine features. He was a very pretty male, often called beautiful by those of his kind. The fox wasn't sure if he should be flattered or not. Carefully he dressed himself in the thick white haori and hakama that was a statement of his rank as a Youkai Lord. A emerald green and gold phoenix had been stitched on the sleeves as a symbol of the boy's triumphant return from the ashes into his true glory. A gold obi bound his waist and trailed down to his knees. The kitsune donned his black armor, the metal, leather, and bone fitting over his chest and hips. He did not wear a great deal of armor, for one of his greatest weapons was his speed. To be weighed down was pointless. Shippou then tied his hair up into a neat topknot, two stray strands falling to either side of his round face. His plume tail of cream and reddish fur donned a black metal cuff of sorts at it's base. The accessory had been enchanted to increase the kit's magics and worked quite well to give him a nice little boost. Out of habit he reached up to toy with the dark violet and white prayer necklace that encircled his neck. It had once belonged to InuYasha and Kagome had given it to him under the claim that she didn't need anything to remember the hanyou, for he was still with her even in death. "InuYasha...please help me. If you are listening, give me the strength to deal with that tight ass brother of yours."

The youkai lord of the south exited the hut to greet the fading sun and the surprisingly large collection of villagers that had gathered to send him off. Over the course of his stay he had regained the favor of these people, the stories of his adventures with the great InuHanyou and Kagome-sama spreading in his wake, as well as the new tales of his own journey. This had gained the kit the respect and trust of the humans and surprisingly the several youkai that now inhabited the growing village. Apparently after the defeat of Naraku, Kagome had worked to bring about equality among the races. She had even been employed as a representitive to various lands and to even the human lords. The miko had suceeded in bringing about a odd sort of peace that set up a strict protection system for hanyou that was in fact, named after a certain dog that weilded a massive sword in order to protect. She had also managed to help pass a few treaties that would help protect the races from each other. Sure there would be battles and wars, but at least it was a step in the direction. Shippou had supported his mother's ideals and had even begun enforcing similar laws within his lands. The kitsune allowed a warm smile to light his features as he bade farewell to the villagers, leaving promises of returning soon. His mount nudged his shoulder almost insistantly and the fox let out a soft chuckle. "Sheesh, hold your horses!" He stated, laughing at his bad pun. The hourse was not amused. Shippou took up the reigns of his steed, leading the mare toward the Goshimboku and to where he knew his mother was waiting. When he finally found the miko, she was knelt before the large tree, head bowed slightly. "Okaa-san..." Shippou murmured softly and the aged miko looked up at the kit with an affectionate smile. "Shippou-chan...I wanted to see you off...but...there is something I need your help with." Kagome began. "Could you...take me to the well?" She asked softly, her warm eyes looking far more exaughsted then he remembered.

"H-hai..." He stated softly. The kitsune helped the miko onto his horse, leading the beast toward the well that sat dorment nearby. "I have one last thing that I must do..." She said as she slid down from the horse's back with the help of her son. The miko was having trouble moving these days. It had been, afterall, several years. The kit knew that she was ill. She had always been ill. However, this was far worse now. At first, they hadn't paid the illness any mind. It was far too faint to detect and it did not inhibit her at all. However, through the years it had grown. Shippou knew that it was close to the end for her. A calloused hand on his arm snapped him from his trance and the kit looked down at his mother with a fearful expression, one that hadn't graced his features in years. "It's alright, Shippou-chan." She stated with a smile. " The well is still useable...I suppose...However...that cannot continue. I do not want someone to fall through as I did. And there is still the issue of the jewel."

"The shikkon no tama? You still have it?" He asked, stunned. He hadn't sensed it at all. How could that have been possible? The old miko slowly pulled out a necklace from her haori, a pure white jewel hanging silently from it. "Pure..." He gasped. After all of these years, it was finally completely untainted. " How?" The fox asked. "I am not sure myself...but...now it is safe to use for a wish. I am going to make sure that things like Naraku do not happen again." She murmured wistfully before moving to place her hands on the well. "But first...I am going to say goodbye."

"I love you my son. Take care, eh? And make us proud." She stated before she was gone, vanishing within the blackness of the well before a flash of violent light sucked her into the future. Shippou stood motionless before the well for a long while, until a nudge from his horse awoke him. Grimly the young lord mounted Wynd before kicking her into a gallop toward the west...

A/N: I think this will only be five chapters long altogether.