Summary: In which Shippo makes more dog references and Inuyasha certainly doesn't appreciate it.
Characters: Shippo and Inuyasha
Shippo knew how to annoy Inuyasha. In fact, he prided himself in being the best at it. And sometimes, even getting hit repeatedly by the half-dog demon was worth it.
It was after the incident with Buyo, Kagome's cat that had managed to go back in time by hiding in her bag. The kitsune hadn't understood what had really transpired between the house cat and Kirara, and his companions refused to tell him. But this didn't mean he no longer had questions, or that he didn't know when to time them.
"Ah, Kagome-chan! That reminds me did Buyo get back safely?" Sango glanced up from polishing Hiraikotsu.
Kagome stirred the ramen she was making and smiled. "He was a little tired at first, but he's fine now. Thanks for asking."
"I would be tired too…" The mumble came from Miroku as he gave a sidelongs glance to his only male companion.
Inuyasha glared at the implication and turned his head with a 'keh.'
Drawing a picture in the loose soil, Shippo mused that the monk was lucky Sango hadn't heard him. His twig formed a tail, whiskers and two eyes, completing a cartoon version of Kagome's cat.
"Ne, what does 'being neutered' mean?"
Kagome froze in midst of making dinner, Miroku coughed under his breath and Sango stared. Inuyasha kept his eyes shut, either not understanding or not caring about what was happening.
The monk picked up on Kagome's discomfort quickly. "Well, it's not something for young ears…"
"It's okay, Miroku."
He looked at the miko in surprise, but backed off.
She smiled at Shippo while she served food to everyone.
"In my time, if someone has a boy cat… and they don't want it to make babies they... make it so they can't," Kagome finished haltingly, an expression of mingled hope and doubt on her face. Had her story stuck with the clever, if naïve fox demon?
Shippo considered what the miko said while the others exchanged looks, except for Inuyasha who was aloft in a nearby tree after devouring his share of ramen.
Finally, he asked, "Do they do that with dogs too?"
This time Miroku couldn't stifle his laughter. Sango cast him dirty looks across the fire until he finally quieted down. A pair of dog ears twitched slightly above.
Poor Kagome merely smiled weakly and answered, "U-uh yes."
A tiny grin formed on the kitsune's face. "Why?"
"Um, well… when they're not neutered they…"
And Shippo settled down as Kagome continued to explain, the beginning of a plan coming together in his head.
0~0~0
On Shippo's new scheme fueled by the information Kagome had unwittingly given him for dastardly means, certain steps needed to be taken. Certain steps that would see if the hanyou was indeed as dog like as he seemed and certain steps that would allow Shippo to see the light of day when all was said and done.
Since Inuyasha would almost certainly not appreciate the kitsune trying to find out if he was neutered or not.
0~0~0
Step 1: Marking their territory.
The kitsune had listened attentively as Kagome described the differences between neutered and un-neutered animals, and, after some careful thought, he decided to test it with Inuyasha by starting off with one that was less likely to get him killed when he had just begun.
As they traveled, Shippo kept a close eye on the hanyou. He wanted to pick out the right mannerisms and file them away as quickly as possible, but Inuyasha wasn't exactly complying to his unspoken wish.
Finally, he caught Inuyasha doing something out of the ordinary. Not for people in general because that was pretty much everything, but for him.
Every once in a while he would stray off the path, sniff the trunk of a tree and do something with the wood. Each time he would turn his back on the group and then would move to the next random tree and repeat.
Eventually, Shippo's curiosity couldn't be contained and he peered over the basket attached to Kagome's bicycle and asked, "Are you marking your territory?"
The question was unmistakably directed at the dog hanyou, but even so it made the others start and stare at Inuyasha. They had noticed his odd behavior as well and were beginning to wonder if maybe Shippo's observation was right.
Inuyasha's reaction, on the other hand, was instantaneous. After stiffening, and turning his face away he pounced on the poor kitsune and hoisted him by the scruff of his neck."
"I was leaving scratches on the trees so people like you wouldn't get lost on the way back!" he growled, his face thrust right before Shippo's, who quailed and looked over his shoulder.
Indeed there were marks gouged into the trunks of the trees by Inuyasha's claws, and they stuck out starkly among the forest foliage.
Unfortunately, Shippo wasn't afforded any mercy. He had thought to be quick, but not to be sneaky.
0~0~0
Step 2: Protecting their property.
All Shippo needed for proof was Inuyasha's selfishness. No doubt he coveted his Tetsusaiga, Kagome's ninja food-especially the ramen- and obvious from his spats with Kouga; Kagome herself.
Perhaps a little more wisely, Shippo only made the observation that Kouga and Inuyasha's fights were akin to wild animals fighting over the best potential mate.
Even Kagome would have something to say about that.
0~0~0
Step 3: Increased Aggressiveness.
This point posed a particular issue for the kitsune. The problem being- aggressiveness described Inuyasha so well that it was impossible to decipher if it was part of his dog-like nature or just Inuyasha being Inuyasha.
After a long debate, Shippo decided not to test the hanyou's patience for now and leave it at that he, no question asked, possessed a fiery temper.
0~0~0
Step 4: Lacking Something… Important.
The hardest information to get from Kagome was how a dog or cat was neutered. Not only was it partly beyond her knowledge to explain in full, but her other companions similarly had no idea how it was performed. Eventually, without the proper medical terms, she told them about the surgical process that removed the organ needed to father a puppy or kitten.
Now, armed with this knowledge and tired of sneaking around and getting his tail in a knot over every canine growl or tendency Inuyasha displayed, Shippo sought to gather the final piece of evidence.
And that and no other reason was why he was currently concealed behind a bush while he waited for Inuyasha to undress and enter the hot springs.
He had only taken off Tetsusaiga and his fire-rat haori when he abruptly disappeared behind a jutting rock.
Shippo frowned and craned to see better, consequently surrendering part of his cover.
However, it no longer mattered whether he was hidden or not because the kitsune felt a shiver go down his spine at the same moment a shadow fell across him.
He didn't dare turn around as a menacing voice leaked out, "It looks like your days of sneaking around are through, you little bastard."
Suddenly, he was being roughly lifted into the air and he squeaked, squeezing his eyes shut. "Shippo, I didn't think you were taking a page from that perverted monk but… stop following me around!"
Inuyasha's fury knocked the kitsune out in an instant and he was carried unceremoniously back to where the others were camped.
0~0~0
The world was still spinning as he was dumped on the ground in front of Kagome and the rest, but Shippo could still hear their surprise.
And Kagome's anger, "Inuyasha… you know what I said about picking on Shippo… "
"He deserved it! I caught him hiding near the hot springs!" the hanyou interrupted with a harsh snarl. "Since when has stalking someone been socially acceptable?"
Even Kagome had nothing to say on that as Shippo rose to his feet unsteadily.
Inuyasha immediately wheeled on him, "Damn kitsune!"
Yet, faced with a furious Inuyasha and a Kagome too dumbstruck to 'sit' him, Shippo's mind was made up. The hanyou was way too out of control and with or without proof Shippo could safely say-
"Definitely not neutered!"
He screamed as Inuyasha evidently heard, uttered a feral growl, too angry to speak and chased after him into the night.
0~0~0
Omake:
"So, that's what this was all about!" Kagome exclaimed even while Shippo desperately dodged the swipes of Inuyasha's claws.
Then, her eyes lit up and she turned to the hanyou with a rather evil grin.
Inuyasha froze in the act of pulling Shippo's tail when he felt her gaze and he swallowed nervously upon seeing her expression.
He moved to escape, but it was too late.
"Don't worry, Shippo," she nodded and smiled at the bedraggled fox demon. "I can do something about that!"
And thus our story ends with Kagome bringing out many sharp objects and Inuyasha running like a bat out of hell.
