"For a little while," Inuyasha said. "Couplea days, maybe." That way he could keep an eye on the newcomers and get a feel for them.

Kagome nodded. That was fine with her. Although she had noticed Sesshomaru hadn't yet gotten back into his car to retreat again, which was rather new. "And what about your brother?"

Inuyasha glanced at Sesshomaru and then shrugged.

"He'll do what he wants, like always," he said.

Kagome snorted softly. "Well, come on inside and make yourself comfortable," she told Inuyasha, glancing over at Sesshomaru to include him as well. "Shippo will likely be a while yet."

Sesshomaru inclined his head gracefully to her, although for now he was content to stay outside.

"Keh, the brat's going to be clingier than usual," Inuyasha said, rolling his eyes. "The fox clan tried to get him to stay again, and they were pushy this time."

Kagome frowned. "They weren't pushy last time," she murmured, a little concerned. Even though Shippo was definitely an adult now and could take care of himself.

"I know," Inuyasha said. "Makes me wonder if something happened, or if they're just getting antsy. Our clan might be the smallest, but we're not the only ones thin on the ground these days."

Kagome nodded. "Seems like the numbers have been declining the last few years," she murmured, which was a bit worrisome.

"The last few years haven't been too bad, but the last few decades have gotten the clans worried," Inuyasha admitted. "Probably why the foxes are getting pushy, he's an adult outside the clan."

"Which also means he has the right to choose," Kagome reasoned. Then she grimaced at herself and shook her head. "Which you already know. Sorry."

"I understand how you feel, Kagome," Inuyasha said. "Believe me, I do. I can't say I blame the foxes for wanting him back, but Shippo's allowed to do what he wants, and it's obvious he wants to stay here."

"He's still my kit," Kagome muttered, watching the fox lead the two girls to another section of the shrine, chattering away animatedly. "If they push too much, I'll be displeased."

"I'm sure they know that," Inuyasha said. He snorted. "Hard to miss the fact the brat smells like you all the time." He grinned, clearly teasing her.

Kagome rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, the first demon to live full-time with a priestess and not get purified. Pretty sure that gives him some bragging rights."

"I'm sure it does too," Inuyasha said. He watched Shippo lead the girls around. "So what's the plan with those two? Are they just gonna hang around?"

"As far as I'm concerned," Kagome agreed with a nod. "Winter has been working on her teleporting, so I assume at some point they want to go home. But until then, they're welcome here. They're good company."

"From what I understand, they were trying to go home and ended up here," Inuyasha said. "With no idea how. At least, that's what the one girl told Sesshomaru."

"Which lines up with what they told me, as well," Kagome agreed. "So they might be here for a while, if they don't even know how they got here."

Inuyasha made a vague neutral noise at that and glanced around. He paused when he saw his brother still there.

"Huh, thought he'd have left by now," he commented.

Kagome grinned. "Maybe he's curious too," she offered.

Sesshomaru had tracked the progress of the kit and the girls, and having given Shippo sufficient time to monopolize them, he made his move. He walked across the yard over to where Shippo was currently entertaining them with stories, giving the fox a look.

Shippo paused mid-tale when Sesshomaru walked up.

"Lord Sesshomaru," he said, a bit surprised. "What are you still doing here? I thought you'd have left already."

"Not yet," Sesshomaru murmured. "I've decided to stay for a few days." He smirked faintly, fully anticipating Shippo's reaction.

"You have?" Shippo asked. He almost asked 'but why', and then realized that the taiyoukai must want to investigate the girls. "Does Kagome know?"

"She's guessed." Because of course he'd shamelessly eavesdropped on her conversation with Inuyasha. Really, they knew better if they wanted to have a private conversation. One silver eyebrow quirked at the fox. "Do you object?"

Shippo eyed him warily.

"Even if I did, would it matter?" he asked in return. He knew nobody told the taiyoukai what to do. Even Kagome was careful with him.

Winter just watched the exchange with rapt attention, unable to look away from Sesshomaru. Oh he was so much prettier up close and that was a thought she really shouldn't be having.