Author's Note – This story is different from the other stories I've posted up thus far for this fandom. The main character is still Kagome, and there are mentions of the others in the story… however, the layout is different. I cannot explain, as I do not want to ruin it for you readers. If you're willing to find out what I'm talking about then please continue on reading. This continues on with the last chapter I wrote. If enough people like this little series I'll continue to update it. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. *hearts*

Disclaimer - I own nothing.

Book 05: Found Part II

Hours later, Kagome returned to the Order safely through the Ark. Still clutching the boy in her arms, tucked away in the safety of her jacket, she stalked past several guards and scientists paying them no heed. What mattered most was getting the little guy clean and something to eat.

Trudging down the hallway, Kagome nearly passed by Lenalee, a fellow exorcist and friend. Besides the four year age gap – Lenalee being the younger one – the female exorcist was one of few people that Kagome actually trusted within the Order. When seeing her speaking with a scientist, Kagome slowly turned around and coughed catching her attention. Lenalee looked, smiled wide when seeing Kagome, and waved the man off before walking her way.

"Kagome-chan welcome—who is that?" She was caught off guard upon seeing a small head poking out of Kagome's jacket.

Kagome looked down. "He's what I found on my mission," she stated somewhat sheepishly. "I had no luck in locating the Innocence, but I managed to rescue him from a pesky squall."

Lenalee arched a brow. "Kagome-chan, while that was nice of you, you know how the Order will respond. They don't like others coming in, unless they're accommodators, or future workers."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I don't care about that right now. What matters most is getting him cleaned up, something to eat and tucked into bed." Slowly and carefully, she unzipped her jacket and shifted him in her arms. "Lenalee-chan, I was wondering if you might help me."

Lenalee pursed her lips together. "Of course I'll help. But before, I'll need to inform Nii-san."

Kagome nodded. It was fair enough. "Alright then; afterwards, please come to the lavatory."

Lenalee watched Kagome walk off, and couldn't contain her smile. Oh, Kagome-chan. Hands down, the girl was a real softie when it came to children. I wonder how the others will react to this. Lenalee left that thought brewing as she swiftly stalked down the hall in search of her brother. Maybe Nii-san will have some old clothes for him.

Kagome hummed a joyful tune upon entering the female lavatory. Stopping before the large and open bath, she knelt down and fully unzipped her coat. "Come on little guy, its time to get you cleaned up." The little boy, however, refused to let go. He kept a firm grip on her neck, and shook his head vigorously before burying his face into the crook of her collar.

Eyebrows rising, she exhaled softly, and patted him on the head. "Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise you that. All I want to do is help you freshen up." Wrapping her arms around his small frame, she began to hum another soft melody while she also ran her fingers up and down his back, resulting in a series of small giggles to be heard, although faintly muffled. Kagome laughed too and successfully managed to pry his strong grip off her neck. She heard him gasp in surprise and merely chuckled.

"Relax little one; nothing bad will happen. I just want to help."

He breathed heavily but made no response. Thus far, Kagome had yet to hear the boy speak.

Why won't he talk to me? She wondered, slowly setting him down.

He stood there and hesitantly surveyed the room. Kagome leaned over and lovingly tapped him on the nose. With her face surprisingly close to his, she gestured towards the tub with a nod of the head. "If you're okay with it, how would you feel about climbing in there?" His mouth opened making her quake with excitement. Would she finally hear him speak? Instead, however, he squeaked with fright and began trembling on the spot.

Kagome frowned. This is not what she was hoping for. Growing slightly frustrated, she ran her fingers through her hair and decided to state the obvious. "Little guy, if you want something to eat, you first need to get cleaned up. The only way to get cleaned up is with a nice, warm bubble bath." She chuckled a little, hoping to ease the boy's ever-present tension.

Luckily, it seemed to do the trick for he had stopped shaking, and slowly, very slowly, turned around to eye the baths. Kagome watched him take a hesitant step forward. Before he walked further however, she reached out and tugged him back by the hand. He jumped with fright.

"Little guy, you can't get in the baths fully clothed."

He flushed pink, before looking away in shame. Kagome affectionately ruffled his head. I wonder how long it's been since he's had a bath, she thought to herself.

"If you want, I'll turn around and wait for you to tell me you're in the bath." She partially assumed the boy was uncomfortable undressing around her. Yet, she couldn't leave him to his own devices. There was no telling what could happen if she decided to let him wash up on his own. The baths are quite deep, and he's pretty short, she deduced when studying him.

Turning around she then looked in the opposite direction. "Take all the time you need, sweetie." She waited several minutes, but could hear the sounds which she assumed to be him undressing. Upon hearing the sound of clothing dropping to the ground, and splashes, she assumed he had climbed into the tub.

"Is it okay for me to turn around?"

A soft grunt answered her causing her to turn. She saw the little guy sitting close to the corner on the last step. Her eyes softened before she looked down, eyeing his torn and smelly garments in both sadness and disgust.

He won't be wearing those anymore, she decided, slowly gathering them into a neat pile. Afterwards, with few towels, shampoo and soap in hand, she set about helping him wash up.

"Kagome-chan, I found some clothes for him," Lenalee gushed, approaching the senior exorcist with a smile. In her hands were several folded garments. "Nii-san and Johnny-san provided them."

Kagome nodded. "That's great." She turned her attention back towards the boy. Slightly stumped after the bath, she was amazed by the fact that he happened to have excessively bright blonde hair.

I thought he was a brunette… I guess that goes to show how long it's been since he's had a bath. Her frown worsened. That's terrible; I feel bad for the little guy.

Currently wrapped in several towels, the still unnamed boy pressed himself close to Kagome, leaning his small frame against her warm, motherly one. Lenalee smiled at the sight before kneeling beside them.

"Hello there," she greeted. "My name is Lenalee, and I'm a friend of Kagome's."

He looked up, startled, let out a muffled squeak and wrapped his arms around Kagome's torso. The older exorcist smiled sympathetically at Lenalee, who looked slightly disappointed by the boy's evident fear.

She decided to try again. "Um, you don't need to be scared. I'm not going to hurt you."

Kagome wrapped her arms around him. "No one here will hurt you. We both want to help you."

He sighed in contentment and snuggled closer into her arms. Once content, he cracked an eye open and cautiously stared at Lenalee. She smiled warmly and waved both of her hands gleefully.

"See," Kagome whispered. "Lenalee-chan is nice. Better yet, she's the sweetest~"

"Kagome-chan," Lenalee scolded her.

Kagome ignored her remark and continued to speak. "Sweetie, I think you're dry enough now. Lenalee-chan brought you some nice fresh and warm clothes to change into. Once you're dressed, we'll get something nice and good to eat. Sounds yummy, right?" She giggled.

A light blush flourished upon his cheeks. Again without speaking, he slowly detangled himself from Kagome, and looked back to Lenalee and the clothing she held before him. Taking an overly hesitant step forward, he held a small hand out, asking for the clothing.

He's so cute! Lenalee gushed when handing them to him.

He nodded in thanks, now clutching the garments in both hands, before turning back around to face Kagome with eyes shining in what appeared to be hope. Understanding the look, Kagome nodded. "Sure, sweetie, I'll help you change." Slowly but surely, a small smile lit up his cheeks.

Lenalee and Kagome shared a similar glance and a surprisingly similar thought: He's too cute!

"Kagome-chan, so that not too many people see him, I think it would be better for me to go to the cafeteria and bring him back something to eat," Lenalee suggested as she deposited the used towels in the nearby laundry basket.

Kagome nodded. "That sounds good." Not to mention the idea of bringing him into the cafeteria might be a tad… overwhelming. The little guy was nervous enough around Lenalee already; Kagome couldn't imagine how he would react to a cafeteria room filled with people.

Instinctively, she shifted him in her arms, bringing him closer to her. She heard him sigh softly and felt him wrap his arms around her neck. Just like when Kagome first returned to the Order hours ago, she had her jacket on and zipped up in hopes of reducing the chance of the little guy being detected.

"We'll be in my room waiting," Kagome informed Lenalee before leaving the lavatory change rooms. Lenalee nodded and watched her walk off before she too exited the lavatory and headed for the cafeteria that was in the opposite direction.

As Kagome was wandering down the hall towards her room, she could barely make out the sound of Lenalee's slippers hitting the cold stone floor. I hope she's not too long, she thought with a sigh. I'm more than positive this little guy is hungry, and will want something to eat really soon.

Kagome was feeling a peckish herself, and hoped that Lenalee would bring some food back for her as well. But until then she'd have to make do and wait for her friend to return in her room. As quietly as possible she tried her best to navigate down the hallways and reach her bedroom which was located on the third floor.

After the fairly recent Akuma attack on the old building belonging to the Black Order, the superiors had decided that it was time to move their base of operations to another location. Kagome preferred their new location much more to the previous one. The older location might have felt homier, but it gave off an eerie almost chilling aura that made Kagome quake in her boots at times—not that she'd even tell anyone though… knowing Lavi-kun and the others she'd never hear the end of their teasing about it.

Almost there, she thought joyfully as she reached for the door handle to enter her bedroom. Everything seemed to be going according to plan, except for one minor—major miscalculation: Lavi Bookman.

"OH! KAGO-CHAN, YOU'RE BACK!"

The raven haired woman had completely forgotten that the redhead was scheduled to return today too from a mission. Inwardly she cursed in her mother tongue. Lavi was an utter loud mouth and no good at keeping a secret whatsoever. If he found out about the little boy she'd be screwed.

Damn it.

Kagome tried in vain to open the door, enter her room and shut the door behind her but Lavi was too quick. He was a rabbit after all, so it did make some sense.

He leaned in closer his eyebrows rising while a mischievous smirk lined his youthful visage. "What's the rush, Kagome-chan? Are you off—Oi, who's the kid?!" His jaw dropped and the book he was currently holding in his arms fell to the ground making a loud bang echo throughout the vacant corridor.

The little one jumped with fright and wrapped his arms around Kagome even tighter than before hugging her with all his might. Kagome exhaled a soft sigh and patted his back soothingly murmuring soft words under her breath, "There, there, everything's going to be fine."

Lavi watched in the interaction in silence as he bent down to retrieve his book. He kept his gaze locked on Kagome and saw her gesture towards her room with a brief wave of the head. Lavi nodded and let her enter her room before shutting the door behind her.

Kagome, who moved towards her bed, slowly lifted the boy from her arms and set him down on the bed while she leaned over to untie her boots. She was hoping to use those few seconds to think of something to say to Lavi, but it seemed like neither male was offering her the chance to process her thoughts. First, the little one clambered onto her lap and wrapped his arms around her preventing her from leaning forward, and, second, Lavi enclosed the distance between them so that he and Kagome had locked eyes.

This was not good.

"Okay, Kago-chan, explain this. Right Now."