Work Text:
Big Brother
“If Inuyasha can manage to hold her then so can you,” Kagome said, skillfully adjusting the squirming bundle in Shippō’s tensed arms. Her hands rested on his shoulders once Moroha was safely swaddled in the crook of his elbow. “Come on, Shippō. I’m sure your fox trials are two - no, three times as hard as this.”
“Those I can retake, Kagome,” Shippō groused, unable to keep the pitched whine from his voice. Fear catching his breath as Moroha wriggled and opened her mouth with a soundless cry. “If I drop her or anything happens to her—“
It’d be disastrous. Not only would Inuyasha hate him but Kagome too. This was their daughter. She was precious, meant to be protected, and above all else irreplaceable. There were no do-overs. Kagome’s grip on him tightened. Enough to leave him aware that he was trembling and gather his attention all at once. Her dark eyes softened with concern, wide and reassuring as she hugged him around his middle and laid her head against his shoulder.
When did she get so small, Shippō thought, unconsciously tipping his head to rest against hers.
“Moroha will be fine, Shippō. She has her big brother to look after her.”
“... Big brother?”
Kagome hummed affirmatively and Shippō stared at the top of her head. Moroha’s soft whine making his ears twitch and he glanced over in time to meet a pair of familiar dark eyes on a much too young face.
Moroha stared and Shippō stared back. The moment seeming to drag on for an eternity until she sputtered into shrieking laughter, bubbles forming at her lips while she squirmed.
Kagome giggled. “See, she loves you already...”
Shippō smiled timidly and hugged the laughing child closer.
“... I love her too.”