He was on his way back to the village when he heard the crying. Following it, he found himself standing underneath Inuyasha's tree, as they now called the large tree that the dog-demon had once been bound. He stealthily walked around the tree searching for whoever was crying. Seeing no one, he scratched his head, pushing his bow slightly off center.
"Hello?" he asked, wondering if it was some kind of spirit, although his demonic senses weren't telling him one was present.
"Huh? Who's there?" a voice cried out, seeming to come from within the tree. It sounded like a girl. "Come out where I can see you!"
"I would, if I could, but I can't see you either. Are you a tree spirit?"
"No, I'm...I'm a girl. Are...are you a tree spirit?"
"Of course not! I'm a fox!"
"Riiiiight." the voice said. "Because foxes can talk."
"Fox-demon," he said, clarifying. "Why are you crying little spirit?"
"I told you, I'm not a spirit!"
"But I can't see you. So you must be some kind of spirit."
"Well, I'm not!" the voice cried out in anger. "I'm a girl and aren't demons bad things?"
"Sometimes," he admitted, "But not me. I'm a good demon. I want to help."
"Will...will you be my friend? You sound nice."
"That's because I am nice!" he chimed. "My name is Shippo. What's yours?"
"Mayotta. My name is Mayotta."