Thanks for this chapter goes to Saro for giving me the inspiration by a comment made in a review. ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
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Chapter Twelve
"The one who cannot restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do."-Horace
Having returned sometime during Shippou's absence, Kagome immediately noticed that the kitsune was not there, which riled her maternal instincts towards him. This put Inuyasha in a bad mood because Kagome was panicked, and he didn't like her being anything but happy. Especially after how well the night was going earlier. In his way of thinking, earlier should have warranted at least three more hours of happiness. Sango, Miroku, and Kaede faced the problem calmly as they always did, attempting to reassure Kagome that Shippou was most likely fine.
So intent was the group on reassuring, scowling, and pacing that none even noticed Shippou when he stepped into the hut. Well, not quite true, as Kirara did, and padded over to him. He picked the small two-tailed cat up with a soft, "Hey Kirara." The murmured phrase did what stomping and banging of drums might not have. It alerted the others to his presence.
"Shippou!" This was exclaimed as one.
"You little runt, where have you been?" Completely ignoring Inuyasha, Shippou didn't even blink at his comment.
"Kagome-chan was very worried about you Shippou, " Sango said, coming to take Kirara from the kitsune. Miroku and Kaede simply nodded, as Sango spoke for all three.
Kagome approached cautiously, walking around Shippou in a circle as if to make sure he had not been harmed. "Why did you go out alone?" The question was laced with uncertainty, as were her features.
Ordinarily, Shippou would be pleased by the concern of his friends. However, this time he saw it as a blatant lack of trust in his abilities and replied flippantly, "Why does it matter? I can take care of myself."
Annoyed that the kitsune was speaking to Kagome that way, which in his mind only Inuyasha was allowed to do, the hanyou growled, "Since when? I'm always having to save your scrawny hide."
"Not anymore." was the kitsune's cool response, a flash of red appearing in his green eyes.
"What?" Inuyasha sneered, "You think now that you have an older body, you are capable of taking care of yourself? Listen well, runt, you're going back to normal as soon as we can track down that youkai."
Shippou was getting angrier by the moment. Not that it was very visible. It was more an aura of fury that formed around the kitsune which hung almost tangibly in the air. His voice however, remained eerily calm, though somewhat contemptful, "Leave things be, hanyou. It's not for the likes of you to meddle in youkai affairs." The kitsune really wasn't sure where that sentiment came from. It sounded like something Inuyasha's older brother would say...a comment meant to wound. The words were acidic, and Shippou meant them to be.
The entire group was stunned by Shippou's words, but the one addressed was the first to recover. "Is that so?" He cracked his fingers in a habitual move, readying his claws for use. The scathing retort had indeed hurt. Inuyasha was used to such speeches from his brother, but to hear them from the cub that he had protected...the same cub that so often said that Inuyasha being a hanyou didn't matter... it was proverbial arrow through his heart.
Kagome, though surprised by the kitsune's vitriol language, could still see the reason for his behavior. Had she not acted as a mother to the kitsune these past months? She was accustomed to his moods, and even his stance warned her that Shippou, too, was hurting. "Inuyasha..." The hanyou ignored her. "Shippou..." The kitsune glanced briefly to her, but looked away just as quickly. Still, that small acknowledgement gave her hope, "Can you not see that you can't continue like this? You have to go back to normal."
Shippou bared his fangs, casting an angry look at the girl. Though her words were meant to placate, he saw them as betrayal. She was, after all, siding with the hanyou. "And what would a human girl know of such matters?"
Kagome drew back as if Shippou had physically struck her. In actuality, it was merely an emotional blow, but that was all the provocation Inuyasha needed. Seeing the anger on his face, Kagome called, "No, Inuyasha!" He ignored her, leaping towards the kitsune. Panicked now, she quickly added, "Sit!"
The hanyou slammed into the ground, stunned for more reasons than simply the effect of hitting his head on the floor. "What the hell did you do that for?"
Kagome didn't answer. Or at least, she didn't while Shippou was still there. Seeing that he would be denied yet another chance to prove himself, Shippou cast a cold glance in Kagome's direction and turned to disappear back into the darkness.
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The kitsune couldn't recall ever being this angry. Fury coursed through him as he walked through the village, consuming his thoughts in its fire. Why couldn't they accept that he wasn't a weakling anymore? That he didn't want to be one again! Because they're jealous. The thought niggled its way into his brain, despite its irrational sentiment. Angry thoughts rarely have any sense to them. They're jealous because you have power now. You're a full youkai and Inuyasha's only a hanyou. The rest are just human. He paused on the outer edge of the field he had sat in earlier with the girl. Could it be? Were they really jealous? He could excuse their jealousy if that was what prompted their behavior towards him, but he was intelligent enough to know that it wasn't. So that left him clueless once more. Shippou hated being clueless. Why can't they be happy for me?
He scowled into the darkness, a soft growl escaping his lips. Before he could even stop to ponder it, he felt the power gather in his hand. Surprised, he could only stare as the power built into a small ball of fire, leaping out of his hand and into the air. He watched in shock as it shot forward, hitting a tree a good couple hundred feet away. How the hell did that happen? He would have mulled over it some more, but was soon aware that not only had the fire hit the tree, but was now also spreading to the grass. Damn. I'm going to be in trouble now. This was the last thing he needed tonight.
The fire spread quickly and out of control, consuming the field with alarming speed. He wasn't that overly concerned. The field wasn't used for anything, so not much damage would be done. Still, it needed to stop before it reached the residences. So intent was he upon returning to the village to get help, he almost didn't hear the choked scream coming from behind him. He stared incrompehendingly at the wall of flames, his mind pleading with his ears to say that they had misheard. The sound came again, this time weaker, and the kitsune slowly realized that the grass wasn't the only thing threatened by the burning death. Akina! He had assumed the girl would return home as she promised. Assumptions can be fatal.
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Please review! I appreciate everyone who has taken a moment to drop a line and give suggestions. They really have helped. I will try to get the next chapter out in a few days. I'm thinking the story will be wrapped up in a week, at most two. I'll have to see where my muse leads me. ^.~
