Don't own Inuyasha… cries .o.o.
"Talking" 'Thinking'… all that stuff
Inu just didn't understand how the minds of adults worked; no matter how hard he tried to comprehend how they handled situations he just couldn't get it. Kids, now kids he got; after all he spend most of his time with his cousins and they only had one thing on their minds… he was not a toy.
Every time his mother brought him over to Sango-obasan's hut the twins would practically attack him wanting to either play with their toys or pull his hair; and the screaming… whenever they were over excited or angry at each other the girl's would release a high pitch screech that hurt his sensitive ears. Because of this the tiny pup would rather prefer to stay close to his mother while visiting, she would protect him no matter what; and being close to her all the time gave him the opportunity to observe the strange behavior of adults.
Unlike human children Inu, being half demon, was very aware of his surroundings since his birth two years ago; his most basic survival instincts to stay alive helped him with that and so while the girls were off in their own little world Inu himself understood what was going on among the people closest to him.
For example over the past few months he's noticed his aunt has been acting not like her usual self; one minute she would be speaking with his mother and the next she would be up and out the door then return ten minutes later looking horrible.
"You okay Sango, you want some water?" His mother always had a look of pity on her face whenever this happened and Inu didn't like it; her smell would always change also and it made him uneasy because it was his job to have her be happy while his father was not present.
Inu's nose was far sharper than any of the humans in the room and so he could easily pick up both his aunt's sickness and the fact that she smelled strongly of his uncle. He knew sickness was not good for humans and he wished to express his worry over his aunt's condition; since his human language skills weren't that great yet he spoke to his father one night in their native tongue to warn them.
Inu was surprised when his father started to laugh at his news, the pup didn't find anything funny about what he said; sickness was a serious issue for humans because it could lead to death… Inu wasn't very familiar with death but he knew sadness came with it and that he knew about and didn't like the smell of it.
"Calm down pup, Sango ain't sick… she's having another pup."
Pup! Inu knew what a pup was, how that made his aunt sick he wasn't sure; and then panic filled him with what that implied, if she was having another pup that meant there would be a third one to harass him when he visited. After that realization Inu was very wary around his aunt waiting for this other pup to appear; but after a few week of knowing what was to come and yet nothing happening he became confused.
"Inu, baby what are you doing?" Kagome stifled her laughter at the boy when after a few minutes of being at Sango's hut today the child got up from his spot next to her and began exploring the sitting room.
Inu just finished looking in the twins' small wooden box where they keep their toys when he heard his mother's question, "Where pup?"
Both women were surprised by his question, "Pup? What pup Inu?"
Inu didn't know how to express his thoughts so he simply pointed towards the girls. "Pup."
"Pup? Kagome, you don't think he's talking about the baby do you?" Sango put her hand to her slightly round lower belly; being only about three months along she was hardly showing anything but she was still protective of the baby.
"He could be Sango, Inuyasha and he were talking about something the other night and he's been acting strangely since… maybe he knows that you are pregnant."
"But then why is he looking around?"
Kagome thought about it for second, meanwhile her son went back to searching the room, and then she started to laugh, "He thinks the baby is hiding in the hut somewhere; Inuyasha must have told him you were having a baby but he doesn't understand you're carrying the baby," Kagome stood and walked over to her son picking him up to prevent him from going into the bedrooms, and brought him back to the fire pit where she had been sitting.
"Inu, yes Sango-obasan is going to have a baby." Immediately the boy began looking around the room again in search of this pup that he can't seem to find. "No, no sweetheart, the baby isn't here yet. Sango-obasan is carrying the baby in her belly until it is ready to be born which won't be until after the snow comes."
Inu's golden eyes had caught on that his aunt had gotten bigger in the recent months but he thought she was just gaining weight; suddenly his eyes grew wider and he turned to look at his mother, "Eat pup?"
Both women burst into uncontrollable laughter at the toddler's very panicky question, "No Inu, she didn't eat the baby. It's very small and lives in there until it is big enough to be born and live here like the twins and you do," Kagome explained while combing her fingers through his soft black locks.
Inu was still completely confused why the pup would be inside his aunt when it wouldn't be very comfortable; but he believed his mother's words and let the subject drop but he would still be very cautious around his aunt for the time being.
And his aunt wasn't the only one acting strangely; Inu observed his parents doing odd things as well over the next few weeks. His father had been home a lot more since apparently Miroku-ojisan was in trouble because Sango-obasan was having a pup… or that's as far as Inu got from the conversation the adults had at the beginning of the summer season; but whatever the reason his father was home all the time now and could play with him.
But that wasn't all he was doing because Inu could tell his parents were up to something; several times during meals the pup would catch both of them giving each other weird looks. Inu called it the 'sleepy eye' look because they always looked like they were ready for a nap but they never took one… at least not while he was awake.
Another thing he noticed was that they were touching each other a lot more; dog demons were very physically emotional beings but every time Inu wanted to crawl up and snuggle with his mother his father had already beaten him to it… in the pup's opinion it was ridiculous!
"Inuyasha, why does Inu look so angry… have you been playing too rough with him?"
Inuyasha looked over his mate's head, since she was currently sitting in his lap, to look at his pup; indeed the toddler was giving them an evil glare and baring tiny little teeth. Inuyasha's sharp hearing could also pick up on the growls the boy was releasing; he knew why the little guy was angry but he wasn't going to do anything to make him better… not while he was comfortable with the object his son wanted. "Keh, he's fine mate… probably just needs a nap," Inuyasha buried his nose into Kagome's neck while she cuddled into his embrace.
"Mine!" Inu barked and stomped his foot to get his parents' attention. Inuyasha heard the pup and responded with a deep growl telling the boy not to challenge him; but instead of backing down Inu suddenly began to whimper and cry which he knew would get to his mother. "Mama!"
Kagome jumped out of her mate's arms, much to Inuyasha's displeasure, and scooped up her upset child bringing him close to her body to stop his cries. Inu, once in his mother's arms, buried his nose into her neck and smirked over her shoulder at his father who was glaring at them… Inu didn't have to challenge his old man for his mother's attention because he would always win.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his son's cocky display, having no idea where that came from, but he wasn't happy that Kagome wasn't with him anymore, "You baby him too much woman, how is he ever going to get stronger if every time he cries you go running to him?"
That earned the jealous dog demon a stern glare from his mate that caused his ears to involuntarily lower in submission, "I'm his mother Inuyasha, even when his an adult and has a family of his own he will still be my baby; he can cry and whimper all he wants and I will be there no matter what." Inuyasha knew by her tone not to fight back on this; but he was pleased that she could be just as deadly as a female dog demon when her pups were involved.
Inu was quite pleased to know that he won that battle but there were several that his father didn't let him win and the toddler swore his old man was cuddling with his mother while he was distracted; like some times while at his cousins, and they were tame enough not to want to play with him, his father would lead his mother away for a walk… Inu was certain they were doing something while away but he couldn't put his finger on it. And they had to be doing something at night too, Inu noticed while during the day if they didn't go into the village his father spend a lot of the day playing with him; Inuyasha had been trying to teach his pup how to hunt since the whole grasshopper thing a few months ago. Inu had no interest in learning to kill anything yet, and his patience to wait for the pray to relax was next to nothing, most of the time the two demons would just wind up playing tag; that was more entertaining to the pup but it did tire him out rather quickly. Which Inu thought that was his father's plan all along so he would go to bed early and his old man would have all night with his mother... Inu was going to have to do something about that.
Despite the long trip the sea was calm, the air was warm and smelled heavily of salt, the boat though rather large was crowded with merchants and their wears that they would sell once reaching the port; among the caravan were also several men dressed in priestly garb that bartered passage to the island.
Arata, who was among these men, was leaning against the railing of the vessel listening to the others speak; but since he couldn't understand a word they were saying he simply focused back on the horizon and enjoyed the beautiful summer day.
The last time he was on a boat he was still recovering from his deadly wounds he received from the wolf demon; two years ago he came close to death several times after that attack had Daiki not been extremely tentative to him… Arata owed the man his life yet again. The young man was very grateful to still be alive and vowed to remain with his teacher when all the others abandon them; but now after travelling the continent, trying to gather new followers, and now watching his teacher trying to understand their strange language was rather embarrassing.
Just watching Daiki trying to both listen and speak the tongue these men were and failing miserably caused Masanori to roll his eyes. The young man was skeptical about the foreign men but Daiki assured him that though they spoke differently their goal was the same… to purge the world of demons; ironically 'demon' was the same in any language and that was why they were all on this boat heading back to their home land. Arata closed his eyes and breathed in deeply trying to relax his body and relieve both his excitement and worry about returning home. Home, could he even call it that anymore, the village he was born and grew up in was gone; the woman he took as a wife was seduced and corrupted by a demon and ultimately lead to her death… what did he really have to go back to?
Many times in the last two years, while trying to recover from his wounds, he had asked himself this question while he laid on his stomach on his futon every time a flash of the beautiful miko from the old woman's village came to his mind. Despite everything that happened that night Arata was still convinced that he could save Kagome from her fate; he has completely ignored the fact that she had willingly accepted the wolf demon's protection and even saved him herself. He believed that the spell on her was so ingrained within her body that only he could possibly save her… and how could he do this you ask, being the weak human that he was? A smirk came to Arata's lips as he remembered the visitor he had several nights ago before they embarked on the boat and the agreement that was made between the two.
"You have been very quiet these last few days my boy… are you fearful of returning to the island?" Daiki stepped away from his guests to speak with his student… his only loyal student; it still angers him thinking about all his followers simply abandoning their mission because they were not able to purify that village with the dog demon. They really needed more powerful allies on their side other than one miko who lost her way during a most crucial time in their conquest which ended in her own death; but they could find many more where she came from and now with these men from the continent helping them it would only be a matter of time before they were rid of all demons.
"I am not afraid Daiki-san, I actually look forward to returning home… I must retrieve what I was forced to leave behind last time."
"Do not tell me you are still thinking about that traitorous woman boy; she was lost to you the minute she laid with that demon… and when we make port that village will be the first to fall to us," Daiki didn't wait for a response and went back to tend to his guests… which meant his missed what Arata said next.
"You can do whatever you want to that village and the demon old man… but Kagome is mine to deal with and you can't stop me."
The summer season was coming to an end and the afternoons had become much cooler than during the peak summer days when all you wanted to do was stay down by the river and cool off. This particular afternoon Kagome was enjoying a little quiet time and her sewing as she fixed a small tear in her son's kosode; for a two year old, who should be mostly sitting around playing with toys but instead could be seen running and chasing his father around in their front yard, he sure did rip his clothes a lot.
And speaking of her child, Inu for once was actually being quiet and playing with some of the wooden toys Inuyasha had carved for him by her side; Inuyasha was off hunting for that night's dinner and since Inu was still too young to remain quiet for long he had to stay home… not that he minded much.
Kagome frowned her brow a bit just thinking about her son's odd behavior over the last month; it couldn't just be her imagination that every time Inuyasha and she would try to have an intimate moment together Inu would suddenly require her attention for one thing or another… though Inuyasha insisted he was just faking it Kagome would still go to his every call; though now watching him sitting on the veranda beside her so content with just being there with her Kagome was being to think that her mate was right.
'No that's nonsense Inu is just a baby, he doesn't understand when we are trying to be intimate… does he?' Kagome quickly pushed that thought away as nothing when a familiar demonic aura brushed passed her senses and a minute later that unmistakable inflated pink balloon floated over the tree line. "Oh Inu look who's here… it's Shippo-oniisan!"
At his mother's announcement Inu pulled his attention away from 'the mighty Inu Taisho raiding the weak human village' to see the pink ball touch down, a grey puff of smoke, and then Shippo stood in the middle of the large yard.
"Hello Shippo, long time no see, how have you been?" Kagome put down her sewing and moved off the veranda to greet her guest; Inu, having watched his mother leave abandoned his toys and joined her in the yard.
"Hey Kagome… whoa wait a minute this can't be Inu could it? The last time I was here he was so tiny," Shippo crouched down to the toddler's level to get a good look at him.
Shippo, the fox demon himself, has had some major changes since his friends have last seen him; he last stopped by the village a year ago, his studies had become more advanced since the emerging of his second tail the previous year that he couldn't come around as often as before.
Kagome and the others understood that his studies were important and were just happy to see him when he could visit; but with his long absences many changes had happened to both them and the fox demon… case in point Shippo's shock in Inu's growth.
"Yeah this is him… it's been a while since your last visit; and speaking of growing look at you… I think you're taller than me now," Kagome's praise caused Shippo to blush.
"Hehe…yeah funny thing about that it happened right after my last visit; apparently once my second tail came in completely it started the second stage of my life," the fox demon stood back up to his full height and indeed he was a little taller than his once adoptive mother; Kagome also noticed his attire was different as well. Shippo still wore his blue hakama but gone was his once brown fur vest and cream colored haori with the leaves; in their place he wore a simple white short sleeved haori instead matching his new aged appearance making him look older… gone was the baby fox Kagome had cared for during their journey.
To keep herself from crying Kagome focused on the present with two of her precious boys right in front of her, "You look great Shippo, are you able to stay for dinner… maybe a little longer so we can catch up; Inuyasha should be back soon with dinner."
"Inuyasha is in the village? I thought Miroku and he would be out on a job or something."
Kagome, seeing Inu wanted to be picked up did so, and headed back towards the hut, "No they're both here; Miroku is grounded until Sango gives birth."
Shippo had been following the woman and stopped to pick up her sewing and Inu's toys that they left on the porch since she had her hands full; but hearing this surprising news caused him to drop everything, "Sango's pupped again!?"
Once inside and Inu was comfortable, and the rice was prepared for dinner Kagome went into detail about everything the fox had missed while away. Sango's pregnancy was a shock, and Shippo made a note to go visit her and the twins later, but when Kagome told him of Ayame's recent births the fox wasn't as shocked as she thought he would be.
"Oh I already knew Koga has five daughters, the elders that teach me live on the wolf demons' lands so we're informed about things that happen with them."
"Oh… I wasn't aware of that information," Kagome smiled at the fox demon while tending to dinner.
The room fell silent after that, except for Inu occasionally clanking his toys together, and the crackling fire as it heated the rice; Kagome didn't like the silence but didn't have much to say so she focused on cutting up vegetables while waiting for Shippo to say something.
Looking up through her bangs at the young man she could see something was on his mind but he was deciding whether or not to tell her; well she wasn't going to wait forever, "Shippo, is something on your mind?"
When she first called out to him Shippo jumped in shock before releasing a nervous chuckle at her question, "W-What? Why would you think that Kagome?"
"Because you're worse than Inuyasha when it comes to lying and you both twitch uncontrollably when there is something you want to talk about."
Shippo's face bloomed into a deep red color with his embarrassment and his tails drooped at being called out; knowing he couldn't fool her, and didn't plan on trying to, Shippo relaxed his body and just let it all out. "Well you see here's the thing Kagome, I know I haven't been around a lot in the last five years because of my training," even in his sharp ears that sounded horrible, this woman took care of him during a very difficult time in his life and now he was barely around, "And you probably won't believe me but I'm no longer a kit anymore."
"Well of course I know you're not a baby Shippo, look at you, you're taller than me and so soon you'll probably be Inuyasha's size… I definitely can't hold you in my arms anymore," Kagome tried to laugh at the topic to keep herself from crying at the memories she was bringing back up.
"Yeah… and since I'm older now I'll be doing more 'adult' type things," Shippo blushed even harder because he still saw Kagome as a mother like figure and talking about these types of things was very uncomfortable for him.
"What do you mean… you may have gotten bigger but you are certainly not old enough to be doing those types of adult activities," Kagome frowned not pleased with where this conversation was heading.
"Well… not completing the activities of course, I am still young; however, I am old enough to start searching for my mate," to keep from fainting from his embarrassment Shippo took a spoon and stirred the rice so it wouldn't stick to the pot.
"Oh well of course… Shippo looking for a girlfriend, oh now I really feel like a nervous mother… which means I'll probably be a wreck when Inu starts dating," Kagome giggled like a school girl; and Inu, upon hearing his name, dropped the toy he was playing with and approached his mother who gladly picked him up to hold.
"What's a girlfriend? Is that like a mate… it doesn't sound like it would be as permanent as mateship would," taking Kagome's cue the fox drained the water from the rice and poured it into a large serving bowl that Kagome would divide up later.
"Well according to Inuyasha it isn't but you're still so young you couldn't possibly be looking for the one girl you will spend the rest of your life yet could you?" Kagome didn't miss his cringe when Inuyasha's name was mentioned; she was just about to question him on it when Shippo spoke up again.
"Well some demons are different than humans… we're not interested in coupling with many different females; fox demons are very close to dog and wolf and they mate for life… being with someone that isn't your mate is like a betrayal to them and you don't deserve them."
Kagome smiled very proud that the boy was growing into a respectful young man, she had been worried for a while with all the time he spent around Miroku; with dinner nearly complete and no sign of her mate yet Kagome wasn't going to make the boys wait for him so she began preparing plates.
"Shippo, may I ask you something?" Kagome handed the fox his portion which he eagerly accepted with hunger in his eyes.
"Yeah sure Kagome… what is it?"
"Well I couldn't help but notice just now and before when we were outside that whenever Inuyasha… is mentioned you flinch for some reason… did you do something to upset him and you're feeling guilty about it now?" Kagome knew she was on the right track when he froze half way from putting the spoon in his mouth.
It took a second but he finally relaxed again and put his bowl down, "Um… well yeah it has something to do with him; I haven't done anything yet to anger him but I know he won't be happy," when Kagome gave him a look to continue speaking Shippo bowed his head finding his claws more interesting to focus on, "Well remember I said I was looking for a mate… I actually already found her." Shippo expected his friend to blow her top at what he just said, something along the lines that he was too young to have found a mate yet; but instead Kagome just sat there with a look of shocked confusion on her face.
"You… you've found her already… well that was a little quick wasn't it?" Kagome wasn't expecting that as his answer to her question, especially after she just got finished telling him that he had time until he should settle down; but the look in his eyes told her to keep her mouth shut.
Indeed the young fox demon looked smitten just thinking about the girl he was in love with; he reminded Kagome of all those love sick girls she went to school with and was just waiting for a bit of drool to come to the corner of his mouth. Seeing his reaction she knew not to fight him about this and just went with it, "So tell me what it is about this young woman that has gotten your attention?"
"Well she's very soft spoken, smells like honey suckle, and has the prettiest cream colored hair I've ever seen… she kind of reminds me a little of you Kagome," Shippo's blush darkened by his description… he didn't wish to creep his friend out but it was the best way to describe the young female that has his interest.
Kagome wasn't in the least bit offended by his comment and was rather flattered by the comparison… at least she knew the girl would be good for him, "Well she sounds lovely Shippo I can't wait to meet her but surely you will wait a few more years before mating yes?"
"What? Oh y-yes… the courtship for fox demons can last for decades so there is no foreseen mating for me yet so you don't have to worry… that is if I'm even allowed to court her in the first place," Shippo's two tails drooped again and Kagome could pick up on the depression seeping into his normal cheerful aura.
"What do you mean Shippo; is something stopping you?"
"Sadly yes… her father is not very happy about the match."
Not having much experience with seeking approval from a parent, since both Inuyasha's parents had already passed on before they mated, Kagome wasn't familiar with Shippo's plight, "He doesn't see it as a good match, why? You're a very lovely young fox demon, how could you not be good for his daughter?"
Shippo didn't answer but the look he gave her told Kagome a few things, "Me!? He doesn't think you're good enough because of me? Is it because I'm a human… because if that is an issue I'll just have to go talk to him myself and set him straight."
"What, no no! Kagome it's not you really it isn't."
"Well if it's not me then who, is he not pleased because Inu is a half demon… I'm sure we can straighten him out with that too," Kagome pulled her son into a tighter hug not liking the thought that he could be hated just because of what he was.
"No it's not Inu either, I think he's actually afraid of him, no the problem is Inuyasha," Shippo, now with that off his chest, released a sigh of relief.
"Inuyasha… what did he do?" Kagome couldn't think of anything her mate could have done to upset the fox clan; he's been in the village for the past few months and she was certain the two had never met before.
Shippo scratched his head in thought, "I'm not sure really… sensei grumbles a lot but from what I got there apparently is a badger demon clan in the west that was denied more land by Sesshomaru and him; the leader of the clan is very good friends with my teacher and so he's holding a grudge too."
Kagome remembered Inuyasha mentioned some annoying badger demon while he was at those meetings in the west but that was years ago surely they had gotten over that by now right? "Your teacher does know that Inuyasha didn't really have anything to do with that right… it was Sesshomaru's decision."
"He knows but he doesn't care… he doesn't like dog demons very much either."
"Well that's not really fair to you, it wasn't your choice; how can he blame you?"
Shippo merely shrugged his shoulders while finishing what was on his plate, "I guess because he considers me Inuyasha's pup is why he's not going to allow me to court her… or it's going to be ten times harder. He's already expressed that he wishes for Yuu to mate an older fox… one that has four tails."
Kagome took his and Inu's empty plates to be washed in the water basin, "But she hasn't agreed to this courtship I'm guessing?"
Shippo smirked, "She's very stubborn and since she's teacher's only kit she pretty much has him wrapped around her finger so she's been pushing that courting aside for as long as possible until I can convince her father that I'm the better match. After my training we meet by the lake just outside of our den… I know she would rather be with me but I doubt he's going to allow it."
"Well there has to be something that would change his mind; this Yuu-chan can't persuade him?"
"No that's the one thing she can't do; however, before I left to come here he did offer me a deal."
Kagome's mood was slowly copying that of the fox demon's as he told his story of heartache; she herself was all too familiar with trying to fight for her love… but she won her battle and she would help her friend win his too. Hearing there may be a way her mood immediately perked back up, "Well that sounds good, he's willing to make a deal… what is it?"
"Well it's not that simple; he wants me to prove that I am loyal to the fox clan by severing my ties to Inuyasha."
Kagome was quiet for a second to gather her thought on this news, "So in order for you to be with Yuu-chan you can't come and visit anymore?"
"No he wants me to… to attack Inuyasha to prove myself."
To say Shippo's information unsettled Kagome would be an understatement; having Shippo try and attack Inuyasha would be suicide. Her mate was far too strong for the young fox to harm and it would be a direct betrayal to the west and would cause war to break out among the two lands if Sesshomaru got wind of this plan.
It was late now so Kagome busied her troubled mind with putting her son to bed while Shippo remained in the main room sulking over the plight he was in; once Inu was tucked in safely she returned to stoke the fire and deal with this mess.
"So in order for you to be with this girl, if your teacher is even telling the truth, you have to prove your loyalty to the fox clan by attacking Inuyasha to avenge the badger clan that Sesshomaru refused to give land to years ago… did I miss anything?"
"No… that was pretty much it."
Kagome moved the pot of water over the fire to make tea since that normally calmed her down and helped her think. "Could there be a way around this? Could we trick your clan… simply inform Inuyasha of what is going on and then stage an attack?"
Kagome's hope about her plan was quickly shot down by Shippo's head shake, "They would know, like that test I had and failed because I couldn't trick you… they'll be watching everything."
A short time later Shippo slipped off to the back bedroom to rest up after his long trip back to the village; Inuyasha for a while now had been planning to add another room to their home but he hadn't gotten around to doing it yet so Shippo slept on the extra futon in Inu's room.
Kagome was too nervous to go to bed yet, and she was wondering what was taking her mate so long to get home; she sat up in the main room just thinking about all Shippo told her and how they could prevent it.
About an hour later she felt a familiar aura gently brush against hers just before the door opened to reveal her mate, "Where have you been? I was just about to go out and look for you."
"I was on the trail of a deer when I bumped into a farmer from the next town over; apparently he was being sent here looking for Miroku and me. Turns out a toad demon got into their town and so I went to take care of it; it was related to the one we killed years ago and he wasn't too thrilled to see me… took longer than I thought and I lost the deer," Inuyasha raised his hand to show his mate the fish he caught.
"That's okay that you didn't get the deer and at least you're okay and were able to help that village; the boys were fed and went to bed… Shippo's come to visit," Kagome took the fish to prepare for breakfast the next morning.
Inuyasha sat by the fire and took the bowl that was saved for him, "Yeah I thought I smelled the runt when I entered the yard… how long you think he'll be staying this time?"
"I'm not sure really but we have a much bigger problem to deal with."
"Oh? Well what is it… Miroku do something stupid while I was gone?" Inuyasha quickly scarfed down his food and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve; when Kagome saw this she frowned and handed him a small piece of cloth.
"You really need to stop using your haori like a napkin; I don't want our son to think it's okay to eat like a pig too. And no Miroku isn't the problem; Shippo has come to me with a situation that affects you."
Her mate ignored the jab about his table manners since she had been telling him that for years now but he did take the cloth just to please her; Inuyasha's ears perked up at the mention of the fox's problem having to do with him though… to his knowledge he hadn't done anything to Shippo in a while that would cause a problem. "How? I haven't seen the runt in a while… what would this have to do with me?"
Kagome went into a quick overview of what Shippo told her earlier in the evening; she wasn't sure if she was allowed to tell him about what Shippo had to do but then she decided she must since Inuyasha was her mate… but she did feel like she was betraying her young fox friend.
Inuyasha sat quietly while his mate spoke, filtering everything she said out in his head; it didn't really upset him that the fox clan leader wanted revenge for something Sesshomaru did because Inuyasha knew he would be making enemies when he took his place at his brother's side. No what made his blood boil was the look on Kagome's face; she was clearly upset about the whole matter not wanting anyone she held precious to get hurt. At the point when she broke into tears is when Inuyasha pulled her into his arms, he didn't want her to wake either of the boys in the other room, "Oi, why you crying woman, there's nothing to be sad about."
"But I know how Shippo feels caring for someone and not being able to be with them; but then in order for him to be happy you would have to be hurt and I couldn't bare that either."
"Hey hey shh… hush now or you'll wake the pup and you know how he don't like when you're upset. And who says I have to get hurt for the runt to be with this girl huh?"
Kagome pushed away from his chest to try and find out what he was thinking, "Inuyasha-."
"You just tell Shippo when he gets up tomorrow to send for his teacher… I'll handle the rest," Inuyasha didn't let her question him as he simply kissed her forehead and then dashed out the door again.
"What is he thinking?"
Well needless to say Kagome didn't sleep at all that night worrying about where her mate had planned; Inuyasha didn't return and by dawn Kagome decided she was done trying to rest.
"Maybe if I start breakfast early I can get my mind off this," Kagome dressed and rolled up the futon neatly in the corner of the room completely set in her plan; though she knew no matter how she tried to distract herself her mind was solely thinking about her mate.
When entering the main room Kagome was a little shocked to see Shippo sitting by the fire and deboning the fish Inuyasha brought home last night… apparently she wasn't the only one that wanted to get an early start today.
"Shippo! What are you doing up?"
"I don't need much sleep and I wanted to head out early… I heard what Inuyasha requested last night."
Seeing Shippo's shoulders slump Kagome realized he wasn't sleeping when they were talking, "You… you heard us last night?"
"Yeah… but I wasn't ease dropping honest… I'm sorry to upset you so much Kagome."
She moved across the room to kneel next to him, "No Shippo, you didn't upset me this whole situation is just troubling me that's all; and now Inuyasha is up to something and I have a headache now."
Shippo tried not to laugh as Kagome's expression so he turned back to cleaning the fish; Kagome sat in her seat by the fire pit and took the fish Shippo was finished with to wash them.
"So are you going to leave right after breakfast; I don't know where Inuyasha went or when he'll be back so I don't really know when you should retrieve your sensei."
Shippo shrugged while trying to dig out the tiny rib bones of the fish, for a human using a knife it would take a lot longer than him using his claws, "I guess I could, it's not far when I fly but he could be anywhere at the moment since the younger kits are having tests right now but it won't be too hard to find him… convincing him to come here is a different story."
"Oh I'm sure whatever Inuyasha has planned will intrigue him enough to come."
"Ah-choo! What the hell? That's the third time I've sneezed since I've been here; must be because of these damn smelly wolves… oi, flea-breath would you hurry up!" Inuyasha was currently leaning against the stone wall of the cave that housed his once rival now friend; not only did he seem to have the sniffles but he was itching to leave the wolf infested mountain quickly… and he wasn't the only one that wanted him to leave if having all the other wolf demons starting at him was any indication.
The dog demon brushed off their growls and glares as just empty threats, if any of them dare challenge him he would easily take them down, and put his focus simply on what the idiot wolf could possibly doing that was taking so long.
"Would shut up and stop complaining mutt, you show up in the middle of the night and expect me to be ready in less than an hour!" Koga barked back from deep within the cave; his angry snap caused the wolves that were guarding the den's entrance to growl deeply in warning at the dog.
"What are you doing in there anyway, it's not like you need to pack a bag or anything you're only going to be gone maybe a day if we leave now!" Inuyasha pushed off the cave wall but didn't go any farther in not feeling like having to deal with the guard wolves that were now standing as well.
"You'll understand when you have more than one cub to take care of; I just can't up and leave anymore, not when my mate will be here alone with five cubs… I'm sure Kagome will leash you when the time comes."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the excuse but he could understand Koga's plight, if Kagome had more than one little one to take care of he would probably be in the village a lot more… though he wouldn't mind that that much. But never would he burden his mate with so many pups at one time like Koga did to his; in Inuyasha's opinion the wolf really needed some self-control… the next time the she-wolf goes into heat go take a dip in the river or something.
The dog demon was pulled from his thoughts, of dunking the wolf in the river and not letting him back up for air, when he heard a deep yet gentle yipping type of bark that was followed by four almost identical baby yips and one infant type of whine; all the sounds had Inuyasha struggling to not laugh at the fact that the once big and brave, loud mouthed leader of the wolf demon tribe was talking baby talk with his five young daughters.
"What are you snickering about out here Inuyasha; I know for a fact that you do the same thing with Inu," Ayame appeared at the cave entrance with her youngest daughter in her arms; Inuyasha had never seen this pup or the one born before her so he was a little curious as to her features.
"Keh, I don't do that anymore," Inuyasha wasn't going to deny that he spoke in his native tongue to his pup when he was an infant because Kagome practically told everyone they knew that he did and how cute it was; but luckily no one knew that he secretly still did talk to Inu with yips and barks just before putting him to bed… he didn't want the boy to lose a part of who he was simply because no one spoke to him that way anymore.
Ayame merely nodded her head though she didn't believe a word he said because she knew he had just as much pride as her mate, "So why do you require Koga's assistance?"
With the elegance in her voice now Inuyasha found it hard to believe when he first met the female she was nothing but a spoiled princess trying to force Koga to remember some ridiculous promise he made her years before, "Feh, it's nothing dangerous and if he'd hurry up he could be back here by nightfall if he wasn't taking so damn long now!"
"Please watch your language Inuyasha, we have a lot of cubs in the area now and Koga and I are raising our daughters like proper ladies," Ayame's glare was nowhere near as scary as Kagome's.
Inuyasha huffed and folded his arms in a pout knowing he won't be able to move the wolf any faster; at that moment the cub in Ayame's arms started to whimper wanting someone's attention on her.
"What's wrong Ran-chan? I just fed you so that can't be it… maybe you realize your Papa is leaving the den, don't worry though he'll only be gone a short time," Ayame gently nuzzled the cub's head to calm her.
When the baby first squeaked it drew Inuyasha's attention and made him remember that she was actually there and that he wanted to see what she looked like; without Ayame noticing Inuyasha casually leaned closer to her to get a better look at the baby.
Like the other cubs before her Ran was wrapped up in a soft fur blanket to keep the chill of the mountain air away; Inuyasha could barely see the pup's head but he wasn't surprised that at least one of the pups looked like Koga… he shook his head feeling sorry for this child having gained her father's looks.
Ayame noticed him staring and tilted her head, "Would you like to hold her Inuyasha?"
Before he could decline Koga appeared with the other children, "No way is mutt-face holding my cub; besides we have to go since he's so impatient."
Even with the frown on his face Koga was anything but menacing with three cubs hanging from his body; this time Inuyasha did start laughing, "You look like you've got a problem there wolf."
Ayame shifted the baby in her arms to except the small mini-me version of herself that her mate handed over to her; at the exchange the twins and five year old Sayuri moved away from Koga and went to their mother. "Whatever mutt needs me to do at his village hopefully won't keep me away all night," Koga leaned toward his mate to nuzzle her neck before stepping away and heading toward Inuyasha.
"I'm hoping it won't… tonight's bath night!" Ayame's words were followed by several whines of displeasure from the girls.
Koga nodded before both men left the cave and began heading down the side of the mountain. "So what is so important that you can't handle it on your own mutt?"
"Oh I could handle it just fine on my own but if I did it would upset Kagome and I can't have that so it's just easier if you deal with it." Inuyasha smirked at the confusion on Koga's face since the wolf never did like to get his hands dirty.
"And just what am I handling exactly?"
Note: Sorry the chapter took so long to get up... I've got a lot more hours at my job now so I try and write in between that. A lot happened in the chapter, I brought back Inu's POV I just love him so much and he's too cute not to include how he thinks of things; I plan on putting him in a lot as the story goes on. Arata and Daiki are back once again... I wonder what they have planned; and what's going on with Arata? And now Shippo has returned with a problem of his own that will be wrapped up in the next chapter... just a little filler really on his part because I couldn't think of anything really good to end this chapter and start the next one. And speaking of the next chapter I'll try not to take two months to get it up but I can't make any promises as to when it will be out.
Thanks to:
bloodlinenaruto
inuyashalover33
S0me18skittles
AiydanWarrior
Kaggy-Higgs88
Inuyasha-loves-Hanyou-Kagome
FallenFan77
Ldsprincess
Illionna Cifer
Kairifreak
DemonChild94
KairiAngel13
For reviewing... luv'em; keep it up!