InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Security? ❯ Here we go Again ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: So here's the second chapter! After reading my very kind reviews (thank you for explaining yourselves) I was full of energy to write this!

Please leave only constructive criticisms and please explain yourself, that's the only way I can learn from them and that would be the major point of writing this. Thank you and go read!

Security?

Chapter 2: Here we go Again

She ditched her book-bag in the entrance-way and yelled out quickly, "I'll be right back mom!" She didn't even give her mother enough time to turn off the faucet and dry her hands to greet her daughter before Kagome ran back out the door making a beeline for the well house. On her way home on the late bus she went over in her mind all the possible out comes of her impending discussion with the irritable hanyou, not one of them ended without many sits, and now she just wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.

Without pause she jumped down the well house stairs and into the bone eater's well. The familiar light surrounded her and her mental chant continued as a blue early summer sky appeared above her, This will work. This will work. This will work. It changed to: this has to work as she started to climb out of the well. By the time she had made the rim at the top it was: he can't stop me! As she had only left early that morning no one expected her to return yet and so no one was there to greet her. That meant she had plenty have time in the walk to the village for her mantra to change several times to finally land on: oh gods! Why me!

Kaede's hut came into view and an orange ball of fluff dashed out lunging at the preoccupied Kagome. The unexpected weight suddenly hitting her stomach sent her and the ball of fluff toppling to the ground with a feminine "Oof!"; effectively interrupting her thoughts of impending doom.

From his spot on her stomach Shippo sat up and patted Kagome's face frantically "Sorry! Are you ok Kagome? I didn't hurt you did I? Kagome?"

Kagome held onto the kit as she sat up with a slight groan. "I'm fine Shippo." Smiling and rubbing the side of her hip, "I just wasn't expecting you. But I'm very happy to see you too!" She hugged the little kit to her as she stood up.

"Didn't you see me coming though?"

Smiling happily, "I guess not! You must be getting faster."

Shippo started to bounce excitedly in Kagome's arms as they headed back to Kaede's hut. "Really?! You think so? I was too fast for her to see me? I was too fast for you to see me! Cool!!" He beamed happily up at his surrogate mother. No one could replace his real mother but he loved Kagome just as much. Kagome smiled indulgently down at the excited kit, reminding Shippo how his own mother used to smile that very same way. I wonder if she feels the same way…That thought made him sober up and he looked at this girl closely, studying her.

Noticing the strange and intent look Kagome started to get worried, "What's wrong Shippo? You seem so serious all of a sudden." He didn't respond right away causing Kagome to slow her steps.

When they were almost at the hut he asked with the unrestricted curiosity and bluntness of childhood, "Kagome? Do you think of me as your son?"

That little and innocent question made Kagome stop completely. She looked up and noticed that at Kaede's hut Sango and Miroku were waiting for them. She looked back down at the eager and apprehensive face of the child that had been with her almost as long as Inuyasha. She had never thought about it before really. I've grown attached to all my friends here; the image of a certain hanyou crossed her mind; some more then others. Do I love Shippo that way though? I know I love him and I care for him…she smiled down at the little boy nestled in her arms remembering all the times she protected him from Inuyasha's wrath, how she cared for him and shared all that she had with him including her bed. She remembered the times when he would wake up in the middle of the night with a nightmare when he first started to stay with them and how she would sing to him and try to soothe away his fears. Yeah, I think I do. I hope he doesn't mind… but he asked so I should be honest.

Shippo gulped down his nervousness. Maybe I shouldn't have asked… what if she says no! What if she doesn't really love me at all! He mentally shook himself from that train of thought, of course she loves me! She wouldn't do all the things she does otherwise! But why is she taking so long in answering me then… and that brought his thoughts around full circle making him more nervous and apprehensive by the second.

Kagome set Shippo down on the ground and kneeled so she was eye level with him. She took a deep breath and began in a very serious tone of voice, "I do, in a way. But I don't want to replace your mom in your heart. She was very important to you and I would never want to replace her; I couldn't. But yes Shippo, you are like a son to me." Though in my time I would be way too young… she thought nervously.

Shippo just stared at her blankly, so lost in his own thoughts and fears that he wasn't completely sure he had heard right. He had suspected that she thought of him as her own son, for a while actually but it still took time for it to sink in. …she…she does? Really? I can have a real mom again? …I won't be alone again?

Sango looked over to Miroku out of the corner of her eye with her eyebrow raised in question, "What do you think is going on houshi?"

"I am not certain. It would appear to be something of some importance though the way Lady Kagome stopped like that." Miroku answered without taking his eyes from the pair in the road. Smirking and looking fully over at Sango, "We could always get a bit closer and find out." He pointedly eyed the nearby bushes

"I'm not sure Houshi. It's not like it's Inuyasha and Kagome."

"True, but have you ever seen them act like that?" Miroku looked back to where Kagome had just set Shippo down and was kneeling in front of him. When he looked back Sango was already gone, the small rustle of the previously mentioned bushes the only indication as to where she had gone. With a wry smile and a shake of his head he followed quickly after her.

Sango had arrived just in time to catch Kagome say "-yes Shippo, you are like a son to me." After that neither talked, only starring at each other. Is that what this is about? Wow. I knew Kagome cared for the little guy but like that? Before her thoughts could go any further she felt a familiar beaded hand on her behind. Her eyebrow started to twitch rapidly while trying to resist the urge to scream and knock the monk out for the liberties he had taken with her…again!

Sango turned around slowly, her eyebrow keeping the rapid tick, reached out to the offending hand with one hand and the other to the perverted monk's ear twisting it mercilessly. "Hentai!", she hissed between clenched teeth as she flung his hand back at him and released his now very red ear.

Stifling a cry of pain, rubbing his ear and flashing Sango his most innocent smile he looked through the bushes at the still silent pair. "What have I missed Sango dear?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Kagome just told Shippo that he's like a son to her."

It would seem that the spell had finally broke, for before Miroku could question Sango further Shippo spoke. "Does that mean that you won't leave me?"

"I have to leave from time to time Shippo. I have responsibilities back in my time too, but I'll always come back to you. I could never leave you forever." Kagome responded in that same bright sternness that her principal had used on her only a few hours ago.

"But after the shards are all collected, are you going to leave then?" Shippo had been worried about that one for a long time. It was right up there next to Inuyasha running Kagome off with his "Jerk-ness".

Now that one got her. I don't even know if the well will even work after I've purified the jewel… Think Kagome! How do you answer that one? …well honesty always works best I suppose… "I don't know what will happen to the well after we've purified the jewel, Shippo. But if I can avoid it I will always come back, and who knows? Maybe I can figure out a way to bring you through with me sometime? How's that sound?"

Satisfied with that answer Shippo had one more question to ask; one that had his stomach doing huge flip flops that he almost felt sick. She said I was like a son to her but… would she really mind. I mean I'm not really her son but…I would love to be able to call someone…Ok! Here goes!  He took a deep breath and while his toes dug trenches in the soft dirt he asked, "Would… would you mind if I… I called you…mom?"

He couldn't bring himself to look Kagome in the face until the very end but when he did his eyes were filled with such hope that it made tears come to her eyes. This means so much to him. And why wouldn't it? He's been an orphan for so long now with no one to call family. He's had us but it's not really the same… I don't know how I could ever handle not having my family. She reached out and scooped him into a huge bear hug, trying to show him in that one gesture how much she loved him and that he would never be so alone again. "Oh Shippo! Of course you can!"

His little arms circled as much of his "mom" as he could hugging her back just as tightly. I'm not going to be alone anymore! I have family again! Real family!

The scene was ruined by the cheers and clapping from the bushes behind them causing bright crimson to soar high on both Kagome's and Shippo's cheeks. Kagome loosened her hold on Shippo slightly but not letting go as she stood and turned to the clapping bushes. "Why were you spying on us!?" She hoped her tone was firm and commanding but had a sneaking suspicion that it came out sounding more nervous and embarrassed then anything else. Shippo tried to glare but couldn't wipe off the stupid smile that was engulfing his face for it to have any effect.

Miroku stood up from the bushes and approached the comical pair, praying to all the gods he could think of not to burst out laughing at their contradicting expressions. When he reached them he bowed and took Kagome's hand in his and with has much seriousness that he could muster, "Congratulations, Lady Kagome! You're a mother!" He gave them both a quick hug and when he stepped back he finally gave into the laughter that had been threatening to make his chest explode if he tried to contain it any longer; their expressions were just too funny! Kagome looked shocked but had such an indulgent look to her eyes that it was light night and day playing upon her features and Shippo just looked plan silly still trying to glare and still being unable to wipe off that all consuming smile. It was just too much!

Sango stood and approached them next.

"You were spying on us too Sango?" Kagome asked trying to sound disappointed in her friend but by this time her smile had made a full appearance and couldn't be removed.

Looking slightly bashful but smiling as well, "Yes, but that was so sweet! I don't know if I could ever adopt a child like that; even one I loved as much as Shippo." She looked apologetically at Shippo for a moment before continuing, "But I'm very happy for the both of you. It's hard to lose family the way Shippo has and harder still to find another one again afterwards. You're afraid you'll lose them all over again." She ruffled Shippo's hair a bit, "you're very lucky little Shippo. I have never heard of a human ever adopting a youkai; or even many youkai adopting other youkai children for that matter."

Shippo's smile went down a bit at Sango's words. She was right, he was afraid that he would lose Kagome the way he had lost his mother and there hadn't been much hope that he would ever find a real family again. He thought that the friendships he had forged between their revelry were about as much as he could hope for. He looked up at Kagome, I promise I will protect you with my last breath! I will not lose another mother!

They stood in near silence as Miroku got himself under control before he spoke, "Not to sound like we do not enjoy your presence Lady Kagome, but I thought you said that you were to be gone for a few days. What has changed your mind?"

Oh right! I came to talk to Inuyasha. I got so caught up in Shippo I totally forgot! "I just wanted to tell everyone that I would be gone a little longer then expected. I forgot that next week are my final exams so I have to do some major cram sessions if I'm going to pass all my tests." She told them as they started to head back to Kaede's hut.

"Well how long will you be gone then?" Sango asked, not sure what was so important about all these tests but knowing they seemed very important to Kagome.

Rubbing the back of her neck and trying to sound casual, "Oh… um… just two weeks." She added hastily, "But with any luck I won't have to go back for anymore tests for nearly three months…! Just don't tell Inuyasha or I'll never be able to get back!"

Shippo climbed up to Kagome's shoulder, "Inuyasha isn't going to like that, mom."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear; Inuyasha dropped from the roof of Kaede's hut right in front of them. "I'm not going to like what, Kagome?" Thinking for a moment, "and why did the runt call you mom?"

"Inuyasha! How long have you been here?!" Kagome asked a bit startled at his sudden appearance. I really shouldn't be; he does this sort of thing all the time. Man! That can be annoying!

"Just got here. But that doesn't answer my questions!" he said in a huff crossing his arms. "What's going on? And why," he pointed at Shippo but continued to glare at Kagome, "did that runt call you mom?!"

Shippo stuck his chest out proudly from atop Kagome's shoulder. "She adopted me! Jerk!"

"You WHAT!?!"

"I adopted him. Got a problem with that?" Kagome said with the air of authority. Her anger was already starting to rise and she hadn't even gotten to the reason she had come here in the first place.

Miroku and Sango had already wisely taken a few steps back to watch their entertainment for the afternoon from a safe distance. If this is how he reacts towards the news about Shippo he is going to go ballistic when she tells him that she will be gone for two weeks. Sango thought with a noticeable cringe at Inuyasha next words. Oh…he's in for it now…

"You adopted him?! For gods' sake Kagome! Now he'll never leave!"

Offended that he thought so lowly of her "son" Kagome's anger instantly shot up to the "seeing red" level, "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!!!"

Inuyasha did an immediate face plant and kept going creating a nice sized crater right outside Kaede's door.

He didn't even get the chance to grumble his usual string of curses before Kagome's heel came crushing down in the middle of his back. Grinding it harder into his spine with every emphasized word, "You Jerk! How can you think so low of Shippo!? You were the one to let him stay in the first place! You-you pig-headed stubborn dog-breathed piece of-piece of-of DOG-Turd!!" She really wasn't very good at insults, most of them being stolen from what she had heard Kouga call him, but she was satisfied that she had gotten her point across when she heard his moan of pain.

Stepping over him now that she noticed that Kaede had come out of her hut (probably to see what all the commotion was about), she headed that way to tell her how long she would be gone. Kagome looked back over her shoulder once and with her nose in the air said, "Hmgf! Serves you right!" with that she turned back towards Kaede.

Shippo's pain at being rejected by Inuyasha was completely forgotten at the sight of his prone pain-riddled body. From his position still on Kagome's shoulder he imitated Kagome to a "t", expression of utter annoyance, nose stuck in the air, the "Hmgf!" and all.

Had Inuyasha been in a better mood or have been able to move to even see it for that matter he might have laughed. As it was Miroku snickered as he crouched down beside his twitching form in the crater. "Now Inuyasha, was that really called for? You should be happy that Shippo has found a mother in Kagome. As I'm sure you know the hardships of being an orphan." Inuyasha could do nothing more then grumble incoherently in response.

"Good afternoon Kaede!" Kagome said cheerily as if she hadn't been shooting daggers at Inuyasha only a moment ago.

"Good afternoon child." She replied in her slow wise way, "From what I have seen I see that ye have become a mother. Congratulations and many blessings Kagome and Shippo."

"Thank you" they replied together.

"But I take it that that was not ye original reason for coming, is it not, Kagome?"

"No Kaede. I came to tell everyone that I would be away longer then expected. I have final exams all next week and I have to begin major studying for them if I ever hope to pass this year. So I won't be back for two weeks."

"UGH! Mghf! K'g'me!" Inuyasha tried to get up but fell back down with a yelp of pain.

Almost completely ignoring Inuyasha (and if it wasn't for the angry tick of her eyebrow she would have), "Would you mind watching Shippo for me while I'm gone? I would have asked Inuyasha but he seems to be in total jerk mode now. "

"Aye child, I can watch him."

"Thank you Kaede." She bowed in thanks and handed Shippo over. "Shippo I give you full permission to hog-tie Inuyasha if you need to, to keep him here. I'll never be able to study with him over on my side of the well."

"Ok mom. Can you bring me something back? And come back soon ok?"

"I'll be back as soon as my exams are over and I'll see what I can find for you." She replied ruffling his hair and smiling that indulgent smile again. …hmm my son…being called mom… Not that bad really…I like it. "Be good for Kaede", she added over her shoulder with a wave as she began her trek back to the well, "See everyone in two weeks!"

Everyone waved back and said goodbye expect for a certain hanyou who was still struggling to get up out of the crater. "Oi! Wench! Get back here! Agghhhh!" he shouted as his back sent him the message yet again to 'stay still you idiot!'

Kagome turned in Inuyasha's direction and if he could have seen the glare that promised a horrible death that she was sending he would have cowered and shut up. Unfortunately he couldn't see her with his face back in the dirt before he tried to get up again and so kept yelling. "You can't leave for two weeks!! We have Shards to find you--!" He was mercifully cut off before he could earn himself another bout of spine grinding with Kagome's quiet and exasperated "sit" command. With his demon hearing he could hear her angry mutterings for some distance as she returned to the well and he wallowed in his pain.

"You sure don't know when to quit do you?" Shippo asked from the lip of the crater.

"S-Shut up!" He tried to get up again to swat the annoying little brat only to have his back shout even louder at him to 'don't move you bloody idiot!!' "AARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!" he shouted in pain and frustration.

His cry startled the birds from a few trees nearby and though Kagome heard it she didn't turn around or make any other indication that she had expect for her increasingly dark promises for Inuyasha.