Bad, Bad Berries...

[kagura]

{ooc: I'm sooooo sry for takking so long to reply! my muse has been gone forever but I think and hope its finally back!}

Shippo watched the girl curiously. He was amazed out how one minute she could be all sad and depressed, then the next all happy and cheerful. He didn't mention anything of it but he was still a bit confused by it. Seeing her goofy grin made him smile. He'd rather see her happy than sad anyway. "Thanks," He replied, a friendly smile and twinkle in his eye. Seeing her pick up the fish he had given her, it reminded him that he needed to eat as well. He'd need his energy to keep up with the group the next day, since he was the smallest, youngest, and all around weakest. He picked up the stick and began chewing on it. The smoky greeted his taste buds happily as he chewed away.

After a few minutes he layed the now bare stick aside and picked up his peice of fruit. The sweet taste complimented the smokey flavor of the fish deliciously. He took a large chomp, only to have much of the juice dribble down his chin. He chewed the bite up and swallowed. He raised his right arm and used her sleeve to wipe away the excess juice.

His bright big green eyes looked over to the girl. He saw that she had finished. He nibbled on the fruit, and watched her for a moment. He dropped his gaze to the grass, not wanting for her to think he was staring. He glanced back up at hearing her voice. He swallowed his mouth ful before speaking.

"Oh, I was just wandering for a bit. My group and I are traveling in search of a great demon," He replied, not sure as to whether or not he should mention the search for the Shikon shards as well. "I just wanted to get away for a bit and enjoy some peice a quiet," He added, before taking another bite of his fruit. Being around that fool InuYasha all time had its tull. Especially whenever he did something stupid and got Kagome mad.

[Aiko]

“Oh, alright.” Instantly taking whatever Shippo said as a granted truth, Aiko nodded, even though she couldn’t quite understand. Why would he get tired with his group? she wondered. Wouldn’t he just be happy being with those he cared about? The girl wasn’t aware of struggles within a group; every close-knit little band she had ever been in which consisted of, let’s see, two members also consisted of a certain level of caring for and needing each other. But she didn’t question the little fox demon’s motives for abandoning those who might need him. She was sure he had his reasons.

“They sure must be noisy, then,” she squeaked suddenly, her soft, girly voice high-pitched as she suddenly piped up to voice this realization. Perhaps they had babies with them… she had heard them in the villages she had traveled through, and even though she had never been welcomed into a home, she could hear them from outside. Or perhaps they argued a lot. She’d heard that, too, as she sat on the sides of the street. She was quite sure they had their reasons, though. Everybody must have had reasons, though she privately thought it was nicer to not argue.

But, like she said, everybody had a motive, right?

For example, Shippo’s motive to help her was just his kind spirit, wasn’t it? Her heart just swelled with sudden happiness at the thought that there were such kindly people in the world that would look after a poor sick girl they didn’t know. Not one to keep something nice to say to herself, she beamed at him and commented suddenly, “You have been very, very kind to me. Thank you.” It was just so warming, and so humbling, to be in the presence of such great goodness as that of Shippo!

Yes, it really was quite humbling. Thinking about how she could never repay him for his great kindness was extremely depressing. Shippo had been so kind and good to little Aiko, that she simply had to return the favor in some way. But for someone who lacked skills or money, the girl had a difficult task ahead of her. Still, she had to do something! No matter what the fox demon had said, he needed repayment. Great kindnesses, in Aiko’s mind, always had to be rewarded! And wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could be the one to reward?

“I must be able to do something for you!” she declared suddenly, leaping to her feet. Not being the most graceful thing on two legs, the blanket tumbled off her shoulders and, somehow, she managed to trip over it and, with a squeal of surprise, topple over backwards, narrowly missing the stream. As the back of her head hit rock, she grunted slightly, but almost immediately stumbled to her feet again. She did that so much she hardly noticed the pain any more, save for the gentle throb at the back of her skull that made her eyes water.

“I can… Well, gee, I bet I can do something!”