Shion

A rapid knocking on his front door awoke Shion from his slumber. He slowly blinked away the weariness from his eyes and frowned at the thought of having to remove himself from his well built blanket cocoon.

He sighed wistfully, a habit Nezumi constantly tried to break out of him.

Shion made his way down the cold stairs, reprimanding himself for not bringing socks. Who could be knocking on his door so urgently at this time in the morning?

Did Inukashi get himself into another emergency, was it someone from the council board here to get him to a meeting, was Rikiga handing out his address to single bachelors/bachelorettes again. Honestly.

Shion sighed and braced himself for whatever onslaught was bound to happen.

"Mom?" Shion gaped at his mom across from him, she looked as if she had been through a hurricane, she had tears running down her face but she was smiling, "are you okay?"

He immediately put his arm around her shoulders.

"I am fine dear, just..." she sniffled, "I-I need you to come to my house for dinner tonight, make sure you make it. I have a wonderful surprise for you."

"Don't worry Mom, I'll make it," he said with a frown, "don't tell me you've found a husband?" he asked thinking of the person from last night.

"No silly," she said, slapping him on the shoulder softly while wiping her tears away, "no, just make sure you come tonight. I'll be making the strawberry bread you love so much-I can't stay to talk though, I have to open the shop, I just wanted to tell you in person so make sure you come," she laughed in a rush.

"Of couse I will Mom," he replied, still frowning.

"Mom," he called out as Karan began to walk away, "I love you."

"I love you too Shion."

Inukashi

"GOD DAMMIT YOU LITTLE BUGGAR STOP TOUCHING THINGS YOU OUGHT NOT TO!" Inukashi screamed while trying to fight his silver coins out of son's mouth, "AGHHHHHHHH! Where the hell is Rikiga!"

"But I want!" Sion screamed while slapping Inukashis legs.

"Shut up you little gold digger!"

"Shut up dog!"

"Why you little! Where's your mom Sion!"?

"Hunting!" Sion screamed, still clawing at Inukashis legs.

Zion was almost four years old now. He had a head of very shaggy uncut hair that went down to his shoulders and wore ragged up clothing given to him by Rikaga. He was loud, energetic, smart, and loved getting in the way. He knew how to get Inukasha mad and how to get the dogs to fight, he was nothing like Shion, whom he was named after.

Inukashi and Sion lived together on the outskirts of humanity, close enough to be able to cause a ruckus and disturb their friends if they so pleased, but far enough away that they could live in their own little world. Though No 6 was gone and Inukasha was free to work, study, and rent a house, they opted instead to continue living out in the wilderness with their nine dogs and shitty companion, Sion.

"I want to see Karan, Inukashi! Karan! Karan! Karan! Karan!" Sion screamed as he began to climb up Inukashis blouse like a lizard.

"The only place I'm taking you is your death bed-"

"Would another time be better?"

"Nezumi!" Inukashi yelped, throwing Sion to the ground, "where did you come from!"

"No 6, I've been looking for Shion. He left the bakery?" Nezumi asked, feigning indifference.

"Uh, yeah. I mean no, they still own the bakery but they don't live there anymore. Shins got his own shabby apartment across the street and Karans moved in with some kid named Lily to help take care of their family," Inukashi grumbled while trying to extract Sion from their face.

"Wait," Inukashis says after throwing Sion to the ground a second time, "Shion doesn't know you're here yet?"

"Unless his mothers told him... How has he been."?

"Psshtt, how about how I've been you little shit," Inukashi barked, staring at Nezumi before rolling their eyes, "he's lost quite a bit of weight and he doesn't smile as often as he used to. He misses safe and he misses you and he's still pretty messed up from his time in the correctional facility. And if you want my advice, I suggest you don't reopen a still costing wound if you don't instead to stay."

"Tech. Mind your own business dog," Nezumi sneered walking off, "Karan wants you at her house for dinner tonight, she's holding a celebration of sorts," he yawned, waving a hand over his shoulder as he left.

"Karan! Karan! Karan! Karan!" Sion cheered as Inukashi tried to get a handle on him.

"Whatever bastard! Where the hell are you going!"

"Home."