Imperceptible: Orphan

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this bit of fluff… especially for the little ones who've found laps to sit on in spite of everything they've faced. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Author's Note: My Imperceptible thread, which has heretofore been confined to the Ebony Silks challenge community, leaked over into another one this week. Since iyissekiwa doesn't insist on Sesshoumaru & Kagome taking the key roles, this drabble offers a bit of a side story in the Imperceptible universe.

This drabble was originally posted to Live Journal on July 25, 2007.

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Orphan

“Come, join us, Rin-chan,” invited Kagome.

“Are you playing a game?” the girl asked wonderingly.

“It's a memory game,” Sango nodded, patting her lap.

Once Rin was settled, Kagome addressed the kitsune ensconced in her arms. “You first.”

Shippo kicked his feet and screwed up his face in concentration, but finally announced, “My first mother could sing.”

“Did she sing to you, Shippo-kun?” asked Sango kindly.

“Lots of times,” he grinned.

“Your turn, Sango-chan,” urged Kagome.

The taijiya paused, then shared, “My father would carry me on his shoulders when I was small.”

Shippo's eyes bulged. “Mine too!” he gasped, then frowned. “I forgot that part.”

“You remembered, though,” Kagome said, tousling his hair. “That's why we play our game—to remember.”

Rin tipped her head, confused. “Why does Shippo-kun say `first mother'?”

“My parents died. My first mother was a kitsune like me.”

Rin look up at Sango. “My parents died too, Rin-chan,” the taijiya revealed.

Turning to Kagome next, Rin quirked a brow in a very Sesshoumaru-esque manner, and Kagome smiled softly before answering, “My father died when I was your age, honey. All of us have lost someone—even Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sesshoumaru-sama.”

Rin was amazed—this was the very thing that had once made her an outcast. “You were all… alone?” she ventured hesitantly.

Sango's arms tightened around the girl protectively. “For a little while.”

“Now we have each other,” Kagome added warmly.

Rin gave that some thought, then brightened. “Rin's Mama—she liked flowers.”

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End Note: This short fic was written for the Live Journal community iyissekiwa and their bi-weekly drabble contest. The theme was Memory. 249 words.