Still having fun...

[bloodsong1]

The Saturday after the Miyajima Incident, Shippo pulled up at the Hikawa shrine. Sesshomaru was adamant Reiki be taken under the House's protection, along with her children. The woman in question had begged for some time to recover and reconnect with the Senshi. Sesshomaru agreed to five days. Now that time was up and Shippo had been sent to fetch everyone. If he didn't like Reiki so much, he would have been insulted, even if he was the most logical choice.

Stretching his arms, he walked up the steps, comparing the layout and aura to the Higurashi shrine. Hikawa had a stronger defensive barrier that sparked as he pushed through.

Might be time to update the illusion spell, he thought once he cleared the tori gate. Looking around, he spotted Reiki, dressed as a miko, tending the charm and fortune booth while another miko stormed towards him, broom in one hand and the other tucked into her pocket.

"Who are you?" The miko demanded. Shippo put both hands up.

"I'm Po and I'm here to see Re...I mean, Sarah-san."

"What's your business with Sarah-chan?" Their conversation was interrupted by a small group of high school girls, happily chattering about how well the Hikawa Shrine charms worked. Reiki was right on their heels and grabbed the miko's arm.

"It's okay, Rei-chan. He's a friend. Hi, Po."

"Hi, Sarah. We're still on for this afternoon, right?"

"Yes, let me go get changed. Come on, Rei-chan." Reiki tugged the younger woman toward the house. "He's one of Kagome's friends." She whispered, loud and clear to the kitsune.

"Kagome-chan? Which one is he?"

"He's the fox, all grown up."

"WHAAAAA???" Rei turned back, staring. Reiki sighed and smacked the miko upside her head.

"Get those hearts out of your eyes, Rei-chan. He's not interested in school girls."

"How do you know that?" Rei shot back as Reiki continued pulling her into the shrine.

"Because he's been hitting on me." The door slid shut, blocking Rei's response. Shippo snickered and wandered over to the booth. Hikawa shrine boasted of powerful charms for success, love and health, along with accurate fortunes. He could smell Reiki's influence on the charms and Rei's on the fortunes.

"Well, she does have to support two kids in a foreign country," He mused to himself and wondered how she'd respond to the offer of working for the House. Marc had been an excellent source of information once properly motivated by watching Inuyasha wield Tetsusaiga. Aside from her strong elemental powers, she had enough administrative experience to catch Aoinu's, their HR director, attention. Her medical experience was marginal, but she could be placed in one of the House clinics, once she got past the written language barrier. Her scent wafted by and he spun towards the shrine.

"I'm sorry for the wait," She said, hurrying over. Shippo clenched his teeth. She was wearing a jean skirt that didn't reach her knees and a lavender T-shirt. Gods, she looked AND smelled good enough to eat!

"It's no problem," He said once he could talk. "Your ride is ready!" They walked down the steps together, Shippo's hands stuffed into his pockets for safety. When Reiki saw the Suzuki Katana 600, decked out in House colors, she stopped.

"Why am I somehow not surprised you ride a rocket?" She asked, sounding slightly amused. Her scent betrayed excitement and fear.

"I'm a very safe rider!" He pulled a helmet from the small saddlebag and handed it to her.

"Damnit, Po, now I have to go change!"

"No you don't. You'll be fine. Put the helmet on and get on."

"Oh, this is so unfair!" She sighed, jamming the helmet on. "Not a word, Goblin King or I'll sell you to Mina. She'd just LOVE you."

"Who are you talking to?" Shippo asked, getting on his bike. Reiki hitched her skirt higher to climb on and Shippo swallowed very hard.

"An annoying Fey that just loves to mock me for using 'unfair'. I'm still trying to keep my fandoms separated, futile though it may be," She explained, snuggling up against him and wrapping both arms firmly around his torso. "Is it too late to say I've only ridden one of these once before?"

"Way too late." He revved the engine and took off, relishing her choked squeal and snug grip on his jacket.

--------------

By the time they got to Usagi's house, her knees were jellified. Shippo, to his credit, did not laugh when they parked behind Mamoru's Ferrari F355 and helped her off. He simply removed her helmet and took her arm. Mamoru, Usagi and Chibi-Usa gaped.

"Oh, Sarah-neesan! You made it!" Usagi cried, abandoning the oversized picnic basket to her boyfriend and rushing over. "And who's this?" She asked tellingly.

"Usagi-imoto, this is Po. He's the one who took us out Monday."

"Nice to meet you, Usagi-chan," Shippo said, bowing slightly. Usagi snickered as she pulled Sarah back towards her family.

"He's pretty cute, Neesan," Usagi leered. Sarah sighed and shook her head while Mamoru and Shippo introduced themselves.

"He's just a friend, Usagi-imoto, so keep any scheming strictly to yourself!"

"Ne, where's Hotaru-chan?" Chibi-Usa asked, looking around worriedly. Sarah spotted the frail girl a few seconds before she surprised Chibi-Usa.

"Thank you again for inviting me," Hotaru said.

"Hotaru-chan! Come meet Sarah-neesan! Sarah-neesan, this is Hotaru-chan!" Usagi made the introductions. Sarah bowed politely to Hotaru.

"It's lovely to finally meet you, Hotaru-chan."

"Likewise. Are you really Usagi's sister?" Hotaru asked, shyly extending a hand. Sarah took it and shook it gently.

"Only in the friendly sense." Sarah tried to let go, but Hotaru's grip tightened suddenly. Her eyes went hazy and her expression turned cold.

"Intruder! Enemy!" She hissed in a soft, evil voice.

"You're not going to win," Sarah whispered back, staring directly into the eyes of Mistress 9. The possessing spirit hissed again.

"Do you stand against me, Outsider?"

"I'm only the messenger." Sarah tugged on her hand. Hotaru's grip turned crushing.

"I will eat your pure heart!"

"It wouldn't do you any good. Now let HOTARU have a fun day!" Sarah felt her forehead get hot and saw Amaterasu-sama's light reflecting in Mistress 9's cold, dead eyes. The invader shrieked and withdrew back into Hotaru's hind brain. Sarah managed to catch Hotaru by the shoulders as the girl swayed.

"Oh, I feel dizzy," Hotaru moaned.

"Oh no! Hotaru-chan!" Chibi-Usa wailed. "Do you need to go to the hospital again?"

"I...I think I'll be okay. I really want to go on your picnic, Chibi-Usa," Hotaru said softly. Sarah laid her right hand on Hotaru's back, grounded and sent a small trickle of healing energy into her. Hotaru straightened as her body accepted the gift. "Yes, I'm okay now."

"I'm glad," Sarah said, cutting off the flow and retracting herself. She handed Hotaru off to Mamoru, who gave her a searching look. Usagi and Chibi-Usa fussed until they got into the car. Shippo and Mamoru reached for Sarah at the same time, saw each other and hesitated. Sarah shook her head, patted Mamoru's shoulder as she moved to stand beside Shippo.

"It's okay, Ototo. Go and have fun with your girls."

"Neesan, what..."

"I'll tell you later. Right now the most important thing is making sure Hotaru and Chibi-Usa have a wonderful day." Mamoru looked between them, nodded and climbed into the driver's seat. As the Ferrari drove away, Sarah folded her arms and sighed.

"Shippo?" She whispered.

"Yes?"

"I'll take the House's offer."