All in this fic belongs to the creator of Inuyasha. Shuro, Yuko, Shara, and Nara belongs to me.

Notes: This mind talk

(translations)

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Shippo looked to Shuro and Yuko.

It’s all right. You can show your self’s. Hesaid.

Shuroreleasedtheinvisibilityspell.ShippolookedbackdownthewelltoseeKagomelookingaround.Shelookedupathim.

Helooksfamiliar,shethought.

“Doyouneedahandtogetoutofthere?” Shippoasked.

Kagomenodded.SheclimbedupandgrabbedShippo’soutreachedhand.Hepulledherout.Shethennoticedtwosmallheadspokingoutfrombehindhim.

“Hello,” shesaidtothem.

“Comeonout,” Shippotoldthem, “she’sfriendly.”

Theystepoutofhiding.Kagomestudythem.Thetalleronealmostlookliketheman.TheshorteronelookslikeaminiversionofInuyashaexceptwithatailandacrescentmoonmarkontheforehead.Speakingoftailsshenownoticedtheothertwohadthemtwo.

Theirtaillooksafox’s,shethought,wait!

“Shippo?” sheaskedtheman.

Hesmiledandnodded.Shehuggedhim.

“You’vegrown,” shesaid, “andhandsometoo.”

Shippoblushed.ShuroandYukolaughed.Shippoclearedhisthroat.

“Um,KagomethisismysonShuro,” saidShippo.

Shurobowedtoher.

“Icanseetheresemblances,” shesaidwithasmile.

“AndthisisInuyasha’ssonYuko,” saidShippo.

Yukobowedtoher.Shesmiledsadlyathim.

“I’mhappyhefoundsomeoneotherthenwaitingaroundformetocomeback,” shesaid.

“It’sagoodthingyouarehere,” saidShippo.

Kagomelookedathimpuzzled.

“Whatdoyoumean?” sheasked.

“Nirokuisback,” heanswered.

Kagomegasped.

“How?” Kagomeasked, “Ithoughtwekilledhim.”

“That’swhatwewerewondering,” saidShippo, “come,theotherswouldlovetoseeyou.Shuro,Yukoyoutwocomealongaswell.”

Theyallfollowedhimbacktothevillage.

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InuyashahadfinallyconvinceSesshomaruthathisplanwasbetterbeforeSangopointedoutthatShippowasnolongerwiththem.Inuyashasaidthathemusthavegonetotheboys,becausesomethingcameup.Aftereveryoneinsistedtowaitforhim.Inuyashasighedatthis.Hisearstwitched.

Thatscent,hethought,there’snowayshecouldcomeback…isthere?

TheragsoverthedoorwaymovedovertoshowShippo.Hestepasidetoletsomeonethrough.Everyonegasped.InsteppedKagome.Shelookedaroundateveryoneandsmiled.

“Kagome,isthatreallyyou?” Inuyashaaskedindisbelief.

“Ifshewasn’tIwouldn’thavebeenabletopullheroutofthewell,” statedShippo.

Inuyashasmiledathimandpulledherintoahug.

“I’msogladtoseeyoutoo,” Kagomeagreed.

“Thisisabadomen,” SesshomaruwhisperedtoShippoashewatchedKagomehuggingtheothers.

“Ithoughtthesame,” Shippowhisperedback.

“HeandInuyashagetalongquitwellnow,” theyherdSangoanswer one of Kagome’squestion.

“It’sabouttime,” commentedKagome.

Sesshomarunarrowedhiseyesather.Shippoburstoutlaughing.HegrowledatShippo.Afterafewminuetshavepassedeveryonewastalkingamongstthemselves.Sango,Rin,andMirokuwastalkingaboutfoodthattastedawful.

“Tomehumanfleshtastesawful,” Shipposaid.

“Youatehumanflesh!?” exclaimRin.

“Whenwewereenslavedtheywouldonlyfeedusthecorpsesiftheirdead,” saidShippo.

“Ew,” saidRin.

“Andtheywonderwhytheywerenearlywipedout,” commentedMiroku.

Shippo’shandtwitchedalittle.

“Ittastedbettercooked,” saidSesshomaru.

“Youtoo?” Rinasked.

“Demon,Rin,Demon,” wasallSesshomarusaid.

“Neverhadit,” saidShippo.

“Actuallyyoudid,” Shuropippedin.

Shippolookedathissonwithaconfusedlook.

“Mothermadeitonce,” saidShuro, “shetoldustonevertellyouwhatittrulywas,becauseshewasafraidyou’llbedisgustedwithher.”

“Iwouldn’thave,” saidShippo, “ShemadeittastelikechickensoIwasgood.ThoughIwonderwhyshemadethatinstead.”

“Shehuntedinthepermittedarea,butcouldn’tfindanything,” Shurosaid, “Soourownergaveherhebodyoftheirrecentlydeadgrandfather.”

“Hm,” saidShippo.

“OkayI’mchangingthesubjectbeforeIgetevenmoregrossedout,” saidRin.

Thesubjectwaschanged.KagomelendovertoInuyasha.

“WhydidShippo’shandtwitchedwhenMirokusaidwipedout?” shewhispered.

“Somethinghappen,butIhavenorighttotellyou,” whisperedInuyasha, “butIcantellyouthathehadanotherson.”

“Really?” whisperedKagome, “whereisheat?”

“He…” whispered, “Diedduringthewar.”

KagomecoveredhermouthandlookedoveratShippowithasadexpression.ShepicturedShippoweepingoverthelimpbodyofhissonwhilethewarwentonaroundthem.ShipposawKagomestarringathimwithasadlook.

What’swrong,mother?Heasked.

Kagomejumped.

“What?” Inuyashaaskedworried.

“It’snothing,” answeredKagome.

Iwasjusttoldaboutyourotherson.I’msorry.Shesaid

Shipposmiledathersadly.Inuyashanoddedunderstandingly.Hehadherdthatsomefoxdemonscanspeaktopeoplethroughtheirminds.

It’sallright.I’manadultnow,soI’llgetoverit.Shipposaid.

Ohhowareyoudoingthisbytheway?Kagomeasked.

Shippogaveaproudlook.Inuyashastartedtowonderwhatshesaid.

Ilearnitduringmyshamantraining.Shippoanswered.

Ohwow!Ilearnabouttheminmyera.They’rereallypowerful.I’mproudofyou!Kagomesaid.

Shippobeamed.Inuyashawashappytoseehiminhigherspirits.

Onemorequestion.WhydidyourhandtwitchedwhenMirokusaidwipedout?Inuyashaknows,buthesaidhedidn’thavetherighttosay.AskedKagome.

Shippofrownedandhiseyebrowsmet.Inuyashastartedtopanic.

Don’ttellmeshejustaskedhimaboutthetwitch,Inuyashathought.

ShippolookedatShuro,whowasplayingwithYukoonthefloor.KagomelookedbackupatInuyashawitha “whatdidIdowrong” look.

“Shurohilunicmdiltrexatalingratdatinbalitewot?” (Shurohowmuchdidyoutellgrandpaaboutthewar?)heaskedangrily.

“Evontalino,” (Everything)Shuroanswered.

Shippogrowledathim.Shuroflinched.

“Shippo-” startedInuyasha.

Shipposnappedhisheadtowardhim.Inuyashastartedtobereaveheavily.Shippo’seyeswere slighted andwasredasblood.

“Youstayoutofthis!” heshouted.

“Datin!” (father)Shuroshouted.

“ShippoIdidn’tmean-” Kagomestartedaswell.

“Youtoo!” heshoutedather.

Everyonebackedawayfromhim.ShippograbbedShuro’sarmandpulledhimup.

“We’releavingnow,” hesaidsternlywhilepullingShurooutofthehunt.

KagomelookedatInuyashaandranoutside.

“Kagomeno!” Inuyashayelledrunningafterher.

Whentheygotoutside,ShippoandShurowasgone.Kagomelookedtothesky.

WhathaveIdone?Sheaskedherself.

Theybothwentbackinside.Everyonewassilentforawhile.

“IcanunderstandwhyShippoactedlikethat,” saidSesshomaru, “HeprobablytrustedhissonwithallhissecretsandthefactthatShurotoldanothersoulbrokeit.HellevenIwouldhaveactedlikethatifoneofmydaughters,SharaandNara,didthesame.”

Everyonenoddedinagreement.

“IstillfeellikeIshouldapologize,” saidKagome.

“IfyouwishtodothatthenI’llcomewithyou,” saidInuyasha.

“Idon’tthinkthat’swise,” saidSesshomaru, “IfShipposeeshercomewithsomeoneelsethenhe’llknowshedoesn’tmeanit.It’sbestifshegoesalone.”

“CouldshetakeKirarawithher?” Sangoasked, “justasawaytotravel.It’salongwalktoMt.Fuji.”

“I think it’ll be all right if she does that,” answered Sesshomaru, “Though I would give him today to cool off.”

Everyone nodded. First thing tomorrow morning Kagome will visit Shippo.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Shippo and Shuro made it back to the entrance of Solarira without saying a word to each other. No one bother them for they could tell on their emperor’s face that he was in a bad mod. He’s eyes had long since turn back to the beautiful emerald. When they got to the palace Shuro marched himself up the stairs to their room. Shippo watched him. After a moment he sighed and followed his son. When he was in the room he found Shuro at the window seal that was facing the guard’s quarters. Shippo sat on his son’s bed watching his back.

“I’msorry,” Shurosaidafteramomentofsilence, “Ishouldn’thavetoldgrandpaInuaboutthatmoment.”

Shippo’shandtwitchedatthememoryofit.

“Ishouldbetheoneapologizing,” saidShippo.

Shurolookedathisfatherinsurprised.

“Why?” heasked.

“Icagedyouinheresoallyouhadtotalktowasthoselikeus,” answeredShippo, “SowhenInuyashacamehereyouwereexcitedtohavesomeonenewtotalkto.Beenhewasmyfatheryouprobablythoughtheshouldknowwhathashappeninhisson’slife.AmIright?”

Shuronoddedhesitantly.

“ThereforthIapologizeforbeingahorriblefather,” saidShippolookingdownatthefloor.

Shuro’seyeswiden.Hewentover,gotonhisknees,heldhisfather’shands,andlookedupathisface.Hegasped.Tearsweremakingtheirwasdownhischeeks.Shippohadnevercriedsincehisoldestson’sdeath.Shurohuggedhimtightly.

“You’renotahorriblefather,” hecomfort, “youjustaconcernone.OneIloveandwillloveevenwhenwearewiththemistressofthesun.”

Shippohuggedhimtightly.Thenamostrarestthinghappen.Shipposmiledarealsmile.

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itwaslatemorningwhenKagomemadeittoSolarira.ShehadtoldKiraratolandalittlewaysawayfromtheentrance.Thetwotailwasnowonhershoulderrestingwhilesheclimbthestairs.Kagomemadesureshedidn’tcomearmedwithanything,becausesherememberedthehistoryofthefoxdemonsshelearnedinhistoryclass.Atthisdayofagetheywereverywearyofhumans.Whenshegotonthelaststepshesawtheentrance.Ithaddoorsmadeofblackstonewithglowingonesinsunshape pattern onboth.Itlookliketheyslidetogethertocloseupthedoorway.Shethennoticedtwoguardsstandingwatch.Theystoppedheratthedoors.

“Halt,” saidtheoneontheleft, “whatbusinessdoyouhaveherehuman?”

“IcomewishingtoseeEmperorShippo,” sheanswered.

“Hewillseenoone,” saidtherightone, “especiallyalowlyhuman.”

Nowthathitanerve.Kagome’seyesnarrowed.

“IamKagomeHigurashi,” shesaid, “hismotherandIwillseemyson.”

theguards’eyeswidenandknelledbeforeher.

“Forgiveusgreatpriestessoftime,” saidtherightone, “wedidnotknowitwasyou.”

Kagomebackedupalittlebit.Shedidn’tlearnaboutthisinclass.

“Um,” shesaid, “youareforgiven.”

Theguardsstood.

“Iwillleadyoutothepalace,” saidtheleftone.

Whentheroundedthecorner,shegaped.Thecityasbidandhadthestrangeglowingstones,thatwasonthedoors,wereontheroof.

“Thisisjustthefirstlevel,” theguardsaid.

“There’smore!?” Kagomeexclaimed.

“Yes,” answeredtheguard, “includingtheforgeandmines,thereisfour.Thisoneisthesmallestcomparetothefourthlevel.”

“Ohwow,” wasallKagomecouldsay.

Thosethattheypassedbowedinrespecttoher.

Okay,whatexactlydidShippotellthemaboutme?Shethought.

Theymadeittothepalace.Theguardbowedandheadedtobackhispost.Shewalkedinandspottedafemalefoxdemon.SheturnandsawKagome.Shethenbowtoher.

“Youhonoruswithyourpercentspriestessoftime,” sheshesaid, “IamShalemeoneoftwoadviserstoEmperorShippo.Whatisityouseek?”

“Iwishtoseemyson,” Kagomeanswered.

Shalemebowandleadhertothethroneroom.ThereshespottedShippotalkingtohissonandamalefoxdemonattherightsideoftheroom.Themaleglancedatherandwentbacktotheirconversation.He’seyeswidenandlookedbackather.ShurothenpeekedbehindShippoandgaveabigsmile.

“GrandmaKagome,” hecalledherbythetitlesherequested.

Shippoquicklylookedbehindhim.Hegaveheroneofhisrarerealsmiles.

“Wellisn’tthisasurprise,” hesaid, “KalohuthisismyamazingmotherItoldyouabout.”

Hebowedtoher.

“It’sanhonortomeetyou,priestessoftime,” hesaid.

“Um,youtoo,” shesaidstillgettingusetothetitle.

“Whatbringsyouhere?” Shippoasked.

“Iwantedtoapologize,” sheanswered, “Ishouldn’thaveasked.”

“No,” saidShippo, “Itwasallright.Ishouldn’thaveyelledatyou.”

“No,” saidKagome, “Youwerefine.I’musetoitfromInuyasha,remember?”

Shipponodded.Ahurriedsoundofpawssoundedonthestonefloor.Thethroneroomdoorsopenwideandafoxdemoninfoxformwiththreetailscamerunningin.hequicklychangedtohumanformandbowed.

“Emperor,” hesaid, “Icamefromtheeasterndesert.Thetemplethereisbeingattackedbywhatlooklikeacrossbetweenahumanandaspider.”

“Soundslikethey’reNaraku’s,” saidKagome.

“Kalohu,Shalemegathersomeofthetroops,” Shippoordered.

“KiT’rra!” (yessire)theysaid.

“Shuro,” Shippocalledtohisson.

“Iknow,guardthethrone,” Shurosaid.

“Thatwasn’twhatIwasgoingtoask,” saidShippo.

Shurogavehisfatheraconfusedlook.

“Howwellisyourhealingskills?” Shippoasked.

“Icanhealmajorwounds,” Shuroanswered, “butnotasgoodasyou.Whyyouask?”

Shipposmirked.

“Howwouldyouliketoseesomeaction?” Shippoaskedsimply.

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Thisisalongchapter.About8fullpagesO_O