SIX

"When they heard me call her name and the anxiety in my voice, they became anxious as well, I had a hard time stopping them from coming with me."

"She's loved." Miroku chuckled.

"Oh, but there's still one missing." Ren pointed.

Just then another dog walked into the room, passing through Miroku and Inuyasha; unlike the others, it didn't rush to her side or called her attention, it just stood across the coffee table with a seemingly proud stance, almost majestic. Kurenai noticed it and smiled.

"Okay guys, that's enough for greetings, give way to your proud big brother." they gave a few last licks and nuzzles before getting off her. Kurenai stretched out a fair arm, "Come here handsome." She beckoned and the dog slowly walked towards her and gently nuzzled her hand then licked, he continued upwards until he got to her face, "Geez, aren't you a spoiled little baby." she smirked as she rubbed the back of its head.

"His name's Zodiac, he's our first adopted and the closest to her—well, they're all close to her but he sticks to her the most. He is a bit of a jealous dog and doesn't like to squeeze in with the others to give her affection, he wants her focused on him." Ren said thoughtfully then suddenly snapped, "Oh! Please do sit down and get comfortable, you guys must be exhausted. I'll get the food ready." he hopped towards the kitchen.

The rest of them obliged; Miroku and Sango sat on the couch beside Kurenai, Shippo settled on Miroku's shoulder as it's quite crowded with her mother at the moment, Sango also cradled Kirara on her lap while Inuyasha decided to lounge on the carpet by his red-eyed bestfriend's feet watching her reunion with her beloved dogs, Rin sat on one of the deep coral single-seater couches next to Miroku while Sesshoumaru settled on the couch beside Rin placing his right elbow on the armrest cradling his head on his knuckle.

"Okay, let's introduce everyone shall we?" Kurenai spoke after the dogs calmed down, "This majestic one is Zodiac; we adopted him over three and a half years ago." she rubbed the Siberian Husky's neck, it has grey and white fur with blue eyes; she then picked up the puppy with her other hand and pulled it to her chest, its fur is dark brown with light brown streaks, "This little cutie is Toffee, he's not a puppy anymore which is what you might think, this is how they look like even as they mature. Very cute right? He is the youngest of the bunch, he's been with us for a year." she stared at the adorable Teacup Pomeranian like a giddy high school girl before putting it down and switching her attention to a white fluffy Samoyed. "Now, if there's any of my dogs that remind me of your physical appearance Inuyasha, JUST PHYSICALLY." she emphasized and the others snickered, "it will be him." she reached for it and it nuzzled her palm, "He's Nimbus, named after a type of cloud. Although it's a gray cloud that brings rain, it's still a cloud so it's fine." she shrugged, "We've had him for three years, and last, but definitely not the least, this is Sawyer, and we've had him for two and a half years." She patted the head of the caramel colored Golden Retriever.

Sesshoumaru peeked at the miko with his usual disinterested expression but in fact, he is actually quite fascinated by the way she dotingly introduced her adopted canines as if they're her human sons.

"Now, do you guys want to know who your new housemates are?" she asked the dogs and they barked. Most of the guests, except Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru chuckled at the gesture.

"Okay, so beside me is Sango and the cat on her lap is Kirara, be friendly with her okay?" she told them firmly, "Next is Miroku, and on his shoulder is Shippo. Oh! I forgot, be comfortable you guys, you can stop hiding your ears." the kitsune and Inuyasha removed their scarves and Sesshoumaru whipped his hair back, "Now, Shippo is just like you, he's my adopted son okay, so be nice. We have two guests that are from your kind as well, that is Inuyasha, who is sitting beside you Zodiac; please be patient with him, he has a temper." The hanyou glared at her as she said this which she ignored, "And his brother Lord Sesshoumaru and Rin sitting beside him."

"Half-brother." Inuyasha growled, "And stop speaking to them as if they understand Kurenai, aside from the fact that they're animals, they can't possibly understand Japanese. Are you saying they know both languages?" he snapped and it wasn't long 'till Zodiac growled at him.

"Inuyasha! He totally understood what you said and he's not happy." Sango snapped at him.

The hanyou didn't stop and instead sneered, "Keh! He just didn't like my tone." the dog got more heated, and barked at him as if challenging him.

"Inuyasha..." Shippo glared at him.

Kurenai smirked and looked into the husky's blue eyes, "Fine then. Zodiac, turn on the lamp." The guests were in for a surprise when the dog sauntered towards the table between Rin and Sesshoumaru lifting a paw and flipping the switch on the lamp lighting it.

"Oh! It's glowing!" Rin gasped.

"Now turn it off hun." and the husky did, then walked back to his mother.

"Whoa..." gasps filled the room.

She rubbed his neck, "Good boy Zodiac."

Sesshoumaru was rather amused with what they just witnessed. The dog is well trained and definitely intelligent, even more so than his idiot of a brother.

"So, Inuyasha?" Kurenai challenged her bestfriend and got a pout in response.

"Hmph!"

She smiled and gave her attention back to the dogs, "Be kind to everyone okay? They're my friends."

The dogs barked as if in agreement and Kurenai got an idea.

"Shippo, Rin would you like to say hi to them?" both kids perked up and brightened.

"Yes!" Shippo cheered and hopped towards his mother.

Rin looked at Sesshoumaru, waiting for permission.

"Go ahead Rin." it was all the young girl needed and she leapt off the couch headed to where their new furry friends are, but she froze for a second as she started to feel a bit intimidated.

"It's okay sweetheart. C'mon." the red-eyed reassured and Rin stepped closer, "Reach your hand out Rin." Kurenai urged further and the moment the young girl offered her hand, the dogs immediately nuzzled and licked it.

"Hehe. That tickles!" Rin giggled.

"Try and carry Toffee. You'll love this cutie I bet." The miko raised the pup, "Just form your arms into a cradle," Rin did as she was told, "There we go. Now just hold him gently okay?" when the little girl nodded, she carefully placed the dog in her arms.

The teacup Pomeranian immediately cuddled up to Rin and licked her chin, making the young girl giggle. She looked at Sesshoumaru, her face glowing with excitement, "Look, Lord Sesshoumaru!" she gushed.

"Hn." He responded as he watched the dogs get comfortable with their new guests. It seems they got their gentleness from their owner, although he can sense their protectiveness over her especially the one called Zodiac.

Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga caught Kurenai's attention and she jerked up, "Oh! Your swords!" her eyes switched from one silver-haired brother to another.