Growing Up the Wrong Way
Chapter Two
WITH KAGOME
Kagome led the pups along the eastern boundary in silence. So far everything had gone okay but for some reason no one would say anything. "Snowplow! You take this boundary, tell me what you smell, hear, and see."
Snowplow nodded and jumped onto a nearby boulder. He pointed his muzzle straight up into the air and inhaled deeply, " I smell: deer, about a day old. Um a very faint lynx scent and not much else." He closed his eyes and twitched his ears in all directions, "I hear the river, and lots of birds." He opened his eyes and looked around, "I see, trees, rocks, grass, and a squirrel high up in the branches of the trees above us."
Kagome smiled and nodded, "Very good! Silver, your next at the Southern boundary." "Oh goody." Silver commented. Once they began walking Snowplow jumped down beside Silver and whispered, "What's wrong Silv? You've been acting so weird lately? Is something bothering you?" Silver sighed, "You really want to know? Fine yes! Now leave me be." Silver sped up and walked beside her mother leaving Snowplow to follow in silence.
AT THE CLEARING
Inuyasha watched as Speck and Speckles fought playfully with each other while Kip, Deek, Coda, and Semmi talked among themselves. Miroku and Sango sat in the entrance of the main cave and talked quietly while Rumiko laid on a rock that stuck out of the mountain enough for at least 5 full grown wolves to lay on.
Tai walked over to Inuyasha sat down beside him, "You worried about Kagome?" Inuyasha nodded, "Yes, her and the pups. As long as the mount...I mean the you-know-whats are in our territory everyone is in danger until they are gone for good." Tai sighed, "I know son but don't worry. Have faith in them, Kagome has really changed since when you first brought her into our pack. She's like an actual wolf now and those pups have wolf blood in them so if they get into any trouble they should be able to handle it themselves."
Inuyasha nodded, "I suppose but I still can't help but worry about them." Tai nodded, "I know, but all we can do is wait." Inuyasha sighed wishing he hadn't let them go without him.
WITH KAGOME
Kagome stopped at the Southern boundary and turned to face Silver, "Ok, your turn Silver." Silver sighed then point her muzzle straight into the air like Snowplow had done. She inhaled and said, "I smell: badger, a hint of skunk and a...a...a fox I think."
Suddenly a small fox raced out of a nearby bush and skidded to a stop at the much larger wolves' feet. "Hurry, hurry! Follow me please! There's danger, coming this way! Please, I'll take you to my den, we must hurry." It said while glancing in every direction. Snowplow growled at the little cub but Kagome stepped in between them, "I believe him, yes, please take us to your den." The fox nodded then turned and said, "Follow me, its very close but we must hurry."
They raced after the small yet very quick fox, something wasn't right and the fox knew it. Suddenly, the fox disappeared then reappeared and said quickly, "Hurry, in here!" Kagome looked at her pups quickly before shrugging and racing into the tiny den, widening it as she squeezed inside with her pups hot on her heels.
The den was actually a burrow and a small one at that, but the main body of it was large enough for them all to fit but only barely. Snowplow opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the fox, "Shhhhh! Listen."
They all waited listened carefully but heard nothing. "There's nothin-" "SHHH!" The fox interrupted Snowplow again only this time he jumped onto his muzzle keeping it shut. Suddenly a large paw landed right on the entrance to the burrow, hiding all their scents inside. The thing hissed loudly and inhaled deeply as if it were looking for something. "Dang! Another failure! Guess I'll have to keep looking." Said the creature in a really strange voice, which was totally new for all of them except the fox.
The creature ran away leaving them all to sigh in relief. "What...what was that?" Silver asked in a whisper. "Its ok, there's no need to whisper now. That was one of the greatest dangers this forest has ever seen. Its worse then a grizzly bear now that they've started banding together and forming a pack like you wolves. They normally hunt together as a group which could mean death for any lone animal they find."
"So what was it?" Snowplow demanded. The fox shook its head, "I can't say. I'm not allowed to say its name. Just be careful, I suggest to return to your cave before the entire pack goes hunting."
Kagome pushed her way out of the burrow and waited for her pups to do the same. She turned to the small fox and asked, "So where are your family? I wish to applogize for ruining your burrow." The fox sighed, "I have no family. Those demons killed my family. I am all alone now."
Kagome stared at the poor fox and said suddenly, "You should come with us. We have plenty of room in our den for one more." "Mother! Are you insane? Sesshoumaru would kill him in an instant!" Snowplow explained. Kagome shook her head, "We have to return the favor. This little fox saved our lives, the least we can do is let it live in our den. Sesshoumaru wouldn't dare touch a hair on this fox's pelt or he'll have to deal with me."
The fox stared at Kagome with his mouth open, "Why? Why would you do that for me? I'm just a fox, nothing special about me." Kagome smiled at him, "No that's not true. You saved us out of your own free will. We owe you, please come with us. You'll be much safer with us." The fox sighed, "Even if I say no you'll still talk me into it. Ok, I'll come with you but if your pack doesn't want me then I'll come back here."
Kagome nodded then asked, "So what's your name?" The fox sat up straight and replied, "My name's Shippo!" Kagome smiled, "Its very nice to meet you Shippo, thank you for saving us. My name's Kagome, and these are my pups, Snowplow and Silver." Silver walked over to Shippo and said, "Yes, thank you." Shippo blushed slightly at all the attention he was getting then Snowplow said suddenly, "We should go. Before Inuyasha comes looking for us and has a run-in with that...that whatever it is!"
Kagome nodded in agreement and said, "Come, let's head back." Everyone nodded and followed her back toward the pack with a new friend along with them.
AT THE CLEARING
Inuyasha sat outside his cave and waited for the rest of his family to return. Sesshoumaru and Rin had returned earlier but they didn't say much about their time away from the group. The pups were all gathered around the main cave talking with one another while the rest of the adults were inside the cave.
Suddenly a black figure pushed its way through the thicket and into the clearing. Inuyasha's heart leapt for joy at the sight of his mate unharmed. He raced over to her but stopped when he noticed the little fox following along after her looking as nervous as can be.
Kagome walked over to him and licked his muzzle but got no reaction. She followed his gaze and found it on the little fox who had stopped and seated himself near the edge of the clearing. "Inuyasha, I see you've noticed our little hero." Inuyasha looked at her in confusion, "Hero?" Silver sat down beside Shippo and whispered, "Don't worry, my mom won't rest until you're welcomed into this pack like one of us."
Snowplow hmphed and walked passed them and over to the others who took little notice in returning patrol. Kagome nodded, "Yes, his name is Shippo and he saved our lifes." Inuyasha cocked his head and asked, "How?" "He led us to his burrow and let us hide in there while the danger passed without even noticing we were there." Kagome explained. Inuyasha wasn't so sure, "What was the danger?" Kagome took and eep breath and whispered, "The you-know-whats." Inuyasha stiffened and walked over to where the fox sat with Silver.
"I hear you saved my family's life. Is it true?" Inuyasha asked. Shippo shivered nervously then nodded, "Yes-s-s sir-r-r." Silver jumped up, "Dad, he was very brave and we want him to stay here with our pack, his family was killed by...by...that thing." Inuyasha looked at her then looked at the fox and smiled softly, "Of course you can stay here. You saved my family, the least we can do is allow you to stay with us."
Shippo smiled and looked up at him, "Thank you!" Inuyasha nodded while Kagome came up from behind him and rubbed up against him affectionately, "That's the Inuyasha I know and love." She whispered so only he could hear. He blushed slightly and turned to face her, "You go inform the pups, I'll take care of the adults." Kagome nodded in agreement then they both turned and went to their destinations.
FIVE MINUTES LATER
The pups all raced over to Shippo who jumped up in surprise and ran behind Silver. Silver giggled slightly as they all stopped before her and looked at the little fox. "Wow! Kagome was right! That really is a fox!" Semmi commented. "What's its name?" Deek asked. Silver smiled and replied, "Shippo." "Hi Shippo!" Speck and Speckles said at the same time.
Shippo blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment, "Um hi." He muttered. Snowplow and Coda stayed back and whispered among themselves, not really ok with the idea of having a fox in thier pack.
Suddenly a loud voice shouted, "NO WAY!" Sesshoumaru raced out of the cave and turned around to face the entrance right as Tai padded out of it. "I believe its a good idea. So does everyone else here. You're the only one who is not ok with it." Tai explained calmly. "First a dog and now a fox! What next, a cat? This isn't even a wolf pack anymore!" Sesshoumaru shouted.
Inuyasha sighed and asked, "Why can't you just drop it? He saved 3 wolves' lifes. That's pretty impressive for a young fox." "Do you have another idea we could do for him as a reward?" Rumiko asked. Sesshoumaru growled with rage then turned and raced out of the clearing and into the woods without a word.
"Poor clueless brother of mine. Can I get a new one?" Inuyasha asked Rumiko in a joking manner. Rumiko chuckled, "No I'm sorry dear. Now let's go see this fox I've heard so much about." They all walked over to where the group sat at the edge of the clearing. They pups got out of their way as they passed them and sat down infront of Silver.
"So you must be the little fox who saved Kagome, Silver and Snowplow correct?" Rumiko asked. Shippo nodded, "Yes ma'm." Tai smiled gently at the little fox and said, "I am the alpha male here in this pack and I agree to letting you stay here in our pack. Welcome young Shippo." All the wolves backed up, including Silver and made a circle around Shippo. They all lifted their muzzles and howled making Shippo a nervous wreck.
Tai nodded to Rumiko and they both turned and headed back into the main cave. Snowplow, Coda, Deek, Rin, Miroku, Sango, Speckles and Speck all walked away to do whatever. "Welcome to the pack Shippo." Silver said softly resting her chin on the tip of his little head for a second before pulling away. Kagome walked over to him and said, "Come, let us go and find a good place to make you a bed." Shippo nodded, he personally liked Kagome and Silver best but only because they had made him feel the most welcome.
Silver sighed as Inuyasha followed after them and Semmi ran off to find Snowplow. Kip turned to Silver and commented, "You seem to have taken a liking to our new friend." Silver nodded, "I suppose I have. I don't know why but I feel like I have to more for him, I mean, he did save my life after all." Kip nodded and walked over and sat beside her so that their bodies were touching.
"Things are going to change Silver. More and more everyday. All we can do is welcome it. Welcoming change will help us all a lot, even if we don't alway like it. But one thing will never change." Kip explained. Silver looked at him and asked, "What?" Kip smiled and looked at her, "We'll always have each other, nothing will ever get between us Silver...not even change." He replied.
Silver blinked then scooted away slightly, "Okay, you're scaring me. I mean I know we're more then just brother and sister. You and me...we're friends but all this serious talk is freaking me out." Kip smiled, "Alright, I'll stop. Let's go and hang out with the others then." Silver nodded then followed her brother toward the others in silence. 'Thank you Kip. You always know just what to say at just the right time. Thank you.' Silver thought with a smile.
THAT NIGHT
Deek, Coda, Speck, Speckles, Snowplow, Tai and Rumiko had gone to sleep by now. Miroku and Sango sat outside the main cave in the moonlight and chatted quietly to each other while Inuyasha and Kagome laid on the rock ledge in silence.
Kip and Silver had taken Shippo a little ways out of the clearing to show him where he could usually find someone. Like they showed him: where the river was and where all the food clearings were located. They promised they'd show him the territory boundaries some other day when they were allowed to.
They walked back into the clearing in silence, mostly because they were tired after such a long day. Rin's ears perked up once the small trio entered the clearing. She narrowed her eyes again, but this time at Kip only, 'He looks like a wolf yet he has dog in his blood. Is that why Sesshoumaru is always so angry at him and all the others?'
They walked over to their cave and Silver and Shippo went inside but Kip didn't. He stayed outside and looked up at his parents. Kip leapt up beside them and sat down, "Tomorrow isn't gonna be good day...I can feel it." He muttered. Inuyasha nodded, "That's true. But I only think its the weather that's gonna be bad. Not anything else." Kip twitched his tail as if to say there was something more to it.
"You should go inside a sleep Kip. You've had a pretty long day." Kagome commented. Kip nodded then stood up, "You two shouldn't stay out too long either. Not if the weather changing before morning." Inuyasha chuckled, "Alright, we'll be in before long. Don't worry." Kip nodded then leapt down and walked into the cave.
"He's so serious. Always, he acts so mature." Kagome commented. Inuyasha nodded in agreement, "True, but that's ok. He always has advice to give to the other pups and he'll be a father when he's older." Kagome rubbed her muzzle under Inuyasha's and added, "Like another certain wolf I know." Inuyasha chuckled, "You like saying that a lot don't you?" Kagome nodded then rested her head on her paws while Inuyasha laid his head on her back without a word spoken.
Miroku looked over and saw Semmi lying near the main cave, fast asleep. Miroku chuckled and walked over to his daughter and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. He threw her over his back and carried her inside with Sango following along beside him in case she slipped off.
After awhile Inuyasha and Kagome jumped down and padded into their cave in silence leaving Rin alone outside. Rin waited and waited until she heard something. Her tail twitched in excitement as Sesshoumaru stepped out of the woods and into the clearing right infront of her. He glanced over at her and smirked slightly before walking into the main cave. "Come on Rin." He called softly. Rin jumped up and followed her father quietly leaving the night behind her.
That's it for chapter two! Hope you all liked it! Plz review! I want to know what you guys thought. Thank you all for taking time to read this story!
