Thank you for those who have been reviewing! It's very nice to know that people are enjoying the story. I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but the next has already been written and is longer.
Saro: I've researched Japanese Kitsune lore a bit for this story, and have found that while they prefer trickery, the general consensus is that they can indeed cause a lot of damage. Though Shippou's attacks don't seem like much now, when an adult Kitsune decides to take action, they can be very dangerous. They're fast and as crafty as…well, a fox! As to the age, we know from a comment Inuyasha once made that Shippou is at least fifty years old because he was alive when Inuyasha was first sealed. I am planning for Shippou to appear about eighteen, but as to how many in human years, that I don't know yet! We've never really learned how old any of them are, so anything I put will have to be pure preference.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
Chapter Two
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Inuyasha was incorrect in assuming that everyone was asleep. Shippou rarely went to sleep before Kagome did, and since she had gone to talk to Inuyasha, he was very wide-awake. The fox youkai watched the fire burn for a few minutes, listening to the crackling noise of the flames consuming the wood. It did not calm him, for his own thoughts were consuming him in much the same manner. Restless, Shippou rose to his feet and he moved away from the campsite.
Ennui in a young mind can be dangerous for it often leads to foolish actions. Such as wandering away from campsites in the middle of the night and not telling anyone you are leaving. Shippou's destination was the forest at the edge of the clearing. He liked the woods. They had always offered him a sense of peace. Perhaps it was the kitsune part of him, but the woods gave him shelter that open fields lacked.
Since he was seeking solitude, Shippou was surprised by the barely discernible voice in the night wind. Curious, he advanced further into the woods, ears straining to catch whatever they could. He was certain it was a female voice. And she's singing. It sounds so familiar... He followed the sound deeper, not considering just how far away he was getting from the others. Not that it would have made a difference if he had. The enchanting voice was calling him, and he could not find it in his young heart to disobey. Somehow he knew what the voice was promising. Comfort. Love. Safety.
The moonlight glinted off something further ahead, and Shippou found his steps quickening as he neared the place where he just knew the owner of the voice was. The sound of water soon mingled with the song and he found himself standing at the edge of a small pool. The moon glinted off of it, giving it the appearance of quicksilver. Any other time, such a sight would be enough to dazzle his eyes and keep his attention for a long while. Yet, it was not the water on which his eyes fell.
A young woman sat on a rock in the middle of the pool, her delicate features bathed in moonlight. She ran a comb through her hair as she sang, seemingly lost in the words of her song. Shippou felt as if he was interrupting something important, as if he was a child in a place where only adults were invited. He started to back away, but it was then that the woman lifted her eyes to him. A maternal smile curved her lips as she raised a hand and beckoned him to come forward. She wants me here! The giddy thought filled Shippou's head, more potent than any joy he had felt before. He scrambled forward, bounding over the trail of small stones that led to the rock the woman was seated on.
"Yes, my little Shippou, come to me." Her voice was gentle and melodic, calling to Shippou's mind another woman with such a voice. Mother. The woman gathered Shippou to her when he made it to her, holding him closely. Lethargy stole over the fox youkai as he snuggled closer. His eyes drifted shut as contentment filled him. She accepts me.
The minute the fox child was asleep, the kind smile the woman had worn until then was replaced with a cruel grin. She stroked his hair, her voice harsh, "Yes, my little Shippou. Your youth will serve to continue my immortality." She tightened her grip on him, eyes glowing red as she concentrated on the unconscious cub.
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Suggestions and comments are welcome (and appreciated!) I love hearing how people view the story. The next chapter will be out soon!
