This is my very first Inuyasha fanfiction, so I hope you enjoy it. Rest assured that the prologue is shorter than most of the chapters will be. Please review. Suggestions and creative criticisms are quite welcome. ^_^

Disclaimers: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters. Unfortunately.

A Wish Gratified

Prologue

"We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified."- Aesop

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Shippou sighed, staring into the water at his reflection. It was impossible for the young fox youkai to not note his young features yet again. He lifted green eyes, tilting his head slightly to regard his traveling companions. Inuyasha was sitting, back against a nearby tree, dog ears twitching as he listened for trouble. His golden eyes were heavily lidded as the hanyou watched the activity in the field before him. Sango was a bit farther off, tending to Hiraikotsu, Miroku relaxing next to her. The monk was surprisingly well behaved for being in such close proximity to the exterminator. Of course, the fact that Kirara was nearby her mistress had nothing to do with it. Kagome, for her part, was tending the fire. Inuyasha's gaze often trailed to Kagome when he thought no one was looking. He thinks no one notices, Shippou thought derisively, a childish frown curving his lips. He's more immature than me! Of course, for all Inuyasha's manners, the fact remained he was still a powerful warrior. When he wasn't sulking, he stood tall and strong, and was capable of wielding the large Tetsusaiga. Shippou would have trouble lifting the sword, let alone using it in battle. The frown on the cub's lips turned into an outright pout.

They were all strong warriors. All except...him. Shippou's shoulders slumped a bit as his eyes again returned to the water.

"You're young, Shippou! When you get older, you'll be strong too!" That had been Kagome's response when he had expressed his upset to her. Kagome was always nice and encouraging.

Too bad Inuyasha ended up ruining her valiant attempts with a quick hand and even quicker words, "Feh! Stop whining. You don't get strong from whining."

"Stupid Inuyasha." Shippou muttered bitterly, rubbing the sore spot on his head gingerly as he glanced up at the resting warrior.The hanyou's ears twitched and for one terrified moment Shippou was certain he had heard the comment. When Inuyasha raised a lazy hand to bat away the offending insect that had disturbed him, however, Shippou let out a barely audible sigh of relief. Then he frowned again. Why did he have to fear Inuyasha? Would he never be strong enough that the hanyou wouldn't have the right to hit him?

The setting sun gave the water a warm, orange glow. Disturbed by the tranquility of the river when his own thoughts were in such turmoil, Shippou gave in to the desire to disrupt it by splashing his legs in it. As he watched the ripples move across the surface, a soft wish escaped his lips, "I wish I could be older now. Then Inuyasha would see that I can be powerful too!" He was unaware of the extra set of eyes upon him, eyes that did not belong to any of his companions.

A feral grin curved the lips of the figure covered in shadow, the creature watching as the young one scrambled out of the water and rejoined the others. It faded back into the forest, the snicker on the wind the only evidence it had ever been there at all.

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Chapter one will be posted soon, and after that the main action of the story will start! This will have Inuyasha/Kagome romance in it, I promise. Please review so I know if there's interest!