Present Time.
Inuyasha Fanfiction
By alandrem
Chapter 22
Disclaimer: Blah, Blah, Blah. Same as chapter one.
Author Note:
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Ba-bump
The hanyou's ears perked.
Ba-bump
It was a very faint sound. He strained to hear it and there it was again.
Ba-bump
A small pause and there it was.
Ba-bump
"He's alive!" Inuyasha cried relieved. "He's alive! Just barely but it's still something!" He told the others, as with his own claws and not minding the gore he tore the bird youkai apart searching for the kit. "Hang in there pup!" He tried to encourage the kid. "I'll get you out."
Both humans reacted and they helped the hanyou, holding the huge carcass open, while Inuyasha searched the innards for Shippou. He finally found him and took him out; so covered in gore that it was not easy to see his injuries. But it was clear that he had trouble breathing and was badly wounded, his arms hanging limply at odd angles. As he grabbed him, the hanyou's hand went into the little kit's belly; he gasped and looked at him concerned. The wound was deep and it was a blessing that the boy was unconscious, he was too small to deal with that kind of pain
"I'll take him to Kaede-baba's as fast as I can." He told them as he cradled the kitsune in a way that could only be described as gentle. "I'll see you there."
"We'll follow as fast as we can, go swiftly." Miroku told him, just as Sango nodded in agreement and Kirara moved closer to them to let both humans to climb on her back.
With that Inuyasha leaped away, going as fast as he dared without jolting the kit and checking on him constantly to make sure he was still alive. He had not taken the time to determine what kind of injuries he had besides the belly wound, and did not want to make them worse by being careless. The whole trip Shippou remained unconscious, and only the sound of his labored breathing and faint heart beat reassured him that he was still among the living.
"Hang on Shippou, we're almost there." He murmured softly in a voice completely devoid of his usual harshness, trying to encourage the little kitsune and himself. "You'll be fine pup; Kaede-baba is going to patch you up. You'll see."
Kaede was outside the hut tending her herb garden when Inuyasha reached the village shouting her name at the top of his lungs, as he spotted the old Miko, he rushed to her. He was a terrible sight and for a moment she thought it was him the one injured, as his clothes and hair were covered in blood. But he told her that the one hurt had been Shippou and that he did not look good at all. Both went into her hut and the old Miko immediately set to work on the kit.
She removed his torn clothes and began washing the blood that covered him. All that time Inuyasha hovered around getting in her way with his concern for the kit. He could not hide it this time; it heartened the old woman, no matter how he tried not to show it, it was clear that Inuyasha cared for the little fox a lot. But, if she was going to save the kitsune she needed to be able to work, and with one very worried inu hanyou getting in her way she could not.
"Inuyasha make yourself useful." Kaede told him, and began ordering around the worried dog demon.
In any other circumstances Inuyasha would have colorfully protested to being ordered to do anything, but, a part of his mind knew that by doing as the old Miko asked he was at least helping a little to get Shippou healed. So he fetched water from the container in the hut, put some to heat on the fire, got bandages and helped to clean some of the gore from the kit and removed his torn clothes. When Kaede took notice of the seriousness of the wounds she decided it would be best to keep the hanyou away and wait for Miroku, who was a bit more level headed, to help her. She was not sure the little fox would survive.
"I need more water, get me a couple of buckets from the river, make sure the water is not muddy, and…" she paused for emphasis, "clean yourself while you're at it Inuyasha. You're a mess!"
"But Kaede-baba… Shippou…" he protested, not wanting to leave the kit out of his sight. What if he died while he was away?
"I won't lie Inuyasha. This is bad, even for a demon. I don't think he'll make it." She saw the hanyou's eyes cloud for a moment before he got a hold of himself and his face turned as expressionless as he could manage.
"Kaede-baba I've had worse injuries and I'm a hanyou. He's a full demon, he'll heal." Inuyasha stated, but even in his ears it sounded lame, the disgusting scent of death was already starting to pool around the kit. "Shippou can't die now, you have to do something! Kagome… Kagome is going to be so sad; please you have to save Shippou."
'And you're going to be sad too Inuyasha. It's a hard way to find out that you did care about the boy when he is dying.' The old woman shook her head sadly.
"He is not fully grown and he has been very ill these couple of days." Kaede explained, even if Shippou had not been sick she would still think he could not make it with his wounds.
"Demons don't get sick!" Inuyasha argued.
"Unfortunately they do Inuyasha, and he has been very ill, has not eaten in two days and was very weak this morning. Besides, you are much older, stronger and stubborn than he is. But I won't give up on him yet, that much I can promise you, miracles do happen sometimes. Now go, and get me that water."
The hanyou left feeling like a huge hand was squeezing his heart. Shippou was dying, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not deny what his nose told him. Shippou smelt of death, and there was nothing he could do about it. He felt guilty and the notion that those he cared about died just became stronger. Inuyasha berated himself for not being near to protect the little fox or take him to the future where he could have been safe.
He had a responsibility and failed again; he did not even have the chance to try and correct his mistakes and find a way to get along with Shippou. Perhaps not to the point of being affectionate, he did not think neither him not the kit could, but at least enough not to fight or argue everyday. Angry at himself, the young man hit a poor tree seeking an outlet for the feelings that were constricting his heart.
Once he started, Inuyasha could not stop hitting the tree with his fists, until a great part of it was reduced to small splinters, cursing the eagle youkai and whatever he could think off for not being able to do anything to help Shippou. He should not have cared, had worked hard not to, but he did and it hurt, he did not want to be hurt! Tears threatened to start falling, and he again resorted to pummeling the remains of the poor tree to keep them from flowing, still a few did manage to make their way down his cheeks. Only when there was nothing else to destroy did he realize he had not taken the water to Kaede-baba. His rage was less even if he was filled with sadness and guilt for not being able to fulfill his responsibilities as pack leader; he picked up the buckets and went to get what she asked him for.
The old woman did not really need the water, but it had been a good excuse to keep the young hanyou away. She had noticed that his indifference mask was on the verge of breaking and she needed to dedicate all of her attention to the kit. Soon after he left, Sango and Miroku arrived on Kirara. Both had minor injuries and tended to them, themselves. Not wanting to interrupt her concentration. The tajiiya left the hut once she was done while the monk remained to help the old Miko to put Shippou back together, literally. The eagle youkai's claws had almost cut the kitsune in half, crushed ribs and both little arms. He had lost so much blood, that it was a wonder his heart was still beating, perhaps he was as stubborn, in his need to survive, as Inuyasha. Also, the fluid from the demon's stomach had burned the kit's skin and fur in some places. In all he was a sorry sight.
Sango was in a guilt trip of her own, she was supposed to have been taking care of him, as his fever was still coming back. But she had been busy repairing her demon skin armor and did not notice the slightly delirious Shippou stand up and leave. Once his absence was noted, she and Miroku had gone to the well certain that he wanted to see Kagome. The kit had been there but so had the huge eagle youkai. Before they were able to do anything it had grabbed him and tried to fly away.
The tajiiya kept crying, and felt angry with herself. Inuyasha had depended on her to take care of Shippou; it was one of her responsibilities when Kagome was not around. Or so Myoga had told them, and she failed, she also had come to love the little fox demon. He was cute, warm and caring, usually keeping her company when the young Miko was back to her world. Staying in the village with Miroku around was usually trying and Shippou made her laugh with his teasing of the monk, he was really good at breaking the tension with his remarks.
Their little group had become a family when Myouga explained they were members of Inuyasha's pack and Sango did not want to loose anyone from her new family, all of them were important to her. The young hanyou came back sopping wet but clean from the river, and carried the water Kaede wanted. He took one look at Sango's crying figure and his guts wrenched, had the kid died while he was away? Dreading to hear that, he still hunkered before the woman, she looked desolate and… guilty.
"I'm sorry," Sango cried and he felt his heart stop.
"Is he…" his voice broke, but at the moment he did not care.
"No," she said shaking her head, and he let out the breath he did not know he was holding, relieved that Shippou was still alive. "He is badly mauled but still alive."
"Then what the fuck do you have to be sorry about Sango?" He asked a bit harshly, coming back to himself. She had scared him and whenever he was scared he usually turned it into anger.
"I should not have let him out of my sight," she sobbed. "He had been so sick… and I… I was supposed to be keeping an eye on him"
"Youkai don't get sick!" Inuyasha stated again, still refusing to believe that, even if Kaede-baba had already told him they did. He had never gotten sick as a pup, so it was hard to believe it.
"They do Inuyasha, specially the young and the very old," she said between sobs. "I… I was mending my armor and did not see him leave… he went to the well and…"
"Sango it's not your fault." Inuyasha interrupted her and put a hand on Sango's shoulder squeezing it lightly. It was as comforting a gesture as he could muster, but it was enough to catch the tajiiya's attention, coming from him, it was unexpected. "It's my duty to protect him and you all, and I have neglected that for a long time. I should have done something to insure that he was safe." He was blaming himself.
"We, houshi-sama, Kirara and I should have been able to do that Inuyasha. You can't be here all the time! You have to be in the future for Kagome-chan, she needs you to keep her safe there!" Sango argued knowing that he really could not be in both places at the same time.
"It's no use getting on a guilt trip now," Miroku's voice came from the hut's door. "Shippou has a mind of his own. For someone as young as he is, he does whatever he wants and we have let him. None of us is used to treating him like a child that needs to be educated, even though he really is a very small child." Sango was about to protest but he raised a hand to stop her before he went on. "So Sango, even if you noticed he was not here, I'm sure you just thought he was being his normal self, going away to play like he usually does." He stressed the last words; Shippou came and went from the village as he pleased when he was fine.
"But he was sick this time!" She argued, still feeling guilty.
"And up until he got like that did I learn that demons get sick too."
"I'm a hanyou and I didn't know youkai got sick." Inuyasha provided, starting to come to terms with that fact of demon life.
"Sango, Inuyasha, there's no use in laying the blame of this on someone. It is not going to help Shippou get better," Miroku stated.
"How is he then Miroku?" Inuyasha asked.
"Barely holding on," The other two cringed at his words, "I have to give the kit credit; he is fighting to survive as stubbornly as you would Inuyasha." This said Miroku listed the kitsune's injuries. Dog demon and tajiiya blanched, they were much worse than both originally thought. "Kaede-sama has done the best that she can, but… no matter how hard he is trying, it really doesn't look like he will make it as weak as he already was." His voice was full of regret and conveyed his slightly contained desperation at being unable to do anything save praying to help the kit.
"Feh! I've been hurt worse, and I'm just a hanyou. Shippou is a full youkai he'll be fine in no time!" The hanyou said trying to cheer them and himself up by sounding confident, although he really did not feel it, not when the kitsune reeked of death.
"You've survived only because you're too stubborn to die Inuyasha." Sango pointed out.
"Shippou is stubborn too, Miroku just said so Sango, he is holding on."
"I think you better bring Kagome-sama…" The monk began saying only to be interrupted.
"No!" Inuyasha said vehemently, which surprised them both. "I don't think I'll be able to protect her… look what happened to Shippou… I should…"
"Are you stupid or what?" Miroku asked exasperated as he bonked him on the head with his staff. "You are very capable of protect Kagome-sama! You killed Ryuukutsusei*, the youkai not even your powerful father could!"
This was not the time to have Inuyasha fall apart, Kagome was going to need him to offer support. The young hanyou needed to gather his wits together. Miroku had to admit he was surprised at how upset his friend seemed to be, it only convinced him that he cared more for Shippou than he wanted everyone to see. He had suspected something of the sort, since Inuyasha could easily catch the kit, and do more damage than just a few lumps on the head. But he never really harmed the boy no matter how many death threats he issued.
"But… but look at what happened to Shippou!"
"You were not here, so how could you protect him? Besides Inuyasha, you did arrive on time, and got him out of that youkai's entrails. He is being treated because you were there to hear him. So stop this guilt nonsense and get Kagome-sama now!" He had raised his voice, something he did not do often, but he needed to be sure the point was getting through to the hanyou's thick head. "She has a right to see him, and if he wakes," not that he thought the little one would, in his opinion it would be better if he did not. The pain from his injuries would be too much for someone as small as he was. "He will want to see her; Kagome-sama is like a mother to him."
Inuyasha and Sango both stared at the houshi. He had been the voice of reason and both had started to get rid of their guilty feelings, he was right. Kagome needed to know, she would not forgive them if Shippou died with her away. Especially now that she was aware of her duty to him, the hanyou turned to leave, but something kept bothering at the back of his mind. And it demanded attention, so he gave it. The knowledge that there was something he could do to save the kit just popped into his mind, it was probably his youkai instincts. Anything he could do to save Shippou was worth a try.
"Shippou won't die," he said resolutely and started walking back to the hut.
"If it's his time you can't stop it," the monk told him.
"I just might," there was that stubborn look on his face that told them that nothing short of a 'sit' would stop him. And Kagome was not around. "I'm not sure if it'll work for him but if the possibility to save him exists, I'll sure give it a try."
"Inuyasha-sama." The flea demon spoke from the first time as he jumped from Kirara to one of the prayer beads on his neck. "Are you sure you want to do it?"
"Myoga-jiji, when did you arrive?"
"Are you really sure you want to try it?" The flea asked again, choosing not to respond his master's question. "He is not yours, and you must be willing to accept the consequences as they will be for as long as you both live."
"But he is a member of my pack…"
"That which you want to do is only done to the closest kin, only your mate or pups, not even the other members of the pack." The flea sounded concerned. The others looked at them confused not knowing what they were talking about.
"You think it will not work because he is not my pup?"
"I have heard of cases when an orphaned pup from one pack is taken into another. But it is so rare and only among same species. Shippou is a kitsune…"
"Will it work Myoga-jiji? Shippou is dying, you can smell it even out here, and we can't waste any time!" Inuyasha interrupted, the scent coming from Kaede's hut was unnerving him.
"He is young enough and weaker even if he is a full blooded youkai, there is the possibility that it will work." Myoga conceded with a sigh, both Miroku and Sango could only watch them, preferring to keep quiet and wait until they explained, although it was hard. "But I have to ask you again, are you aware of the consequences for the both of you? He might not like it even if it saved his life."
"They are not much," Inuyasha said. "I don't think Shippou would mind too much anyway, after all we are the only family he has left. And… I… I don't mind either, or I would not be suggesting it in the first place."
"What are you too talking about?" Miroku finally could not resist, they were talking so cryptically.
"Inuyasha-sama is going to share his healing powers with Shippou, by giving him some of his blood. As I said it is only done among mates and their pups, because it marks the recipient with the donors scent, and it strengthens the familial bonds," Myoga explained. The fact that Inuyasha was going to share his healing powers with Shippou gave them the confidence that he would make it, Inuyasha was strong and a fast healer no matter how severe his injuries were. But the mark thing was something neither monk nor tajiiya really understood.
"Marks? And what would that mean?"
"He'll be considered Inuyasha-sama's own pup for all other youkai to smell, his first born. The scent from his real parents will become too faint to matter, it won't disappear as far as I heard, but you'll have to really look for it to notice." It was as good an explanation as he could give and hoped the humans understood it. Their sense of smell was pathetic. Now that really left both tajiiya and houshi gaping, Inuyasha cared enough for Shippou as to adopt him? That came as a surprise, but they began to worry about what the little fox would say about that, he seemed to really hang on to his father's memory. "He'll probably become more of a target and a way to get to Inuyasha-sama."
"You know I'll protect him, even without marking him. I have been doing that since he joined us. Besides Kagome and I had already decided that he was to remain in her time while we catch those thugs. He, after all considers her a sort mother and well… I spoke to her and she knows everything." He avoided their looks; this was really not the time to talk.
"Everything?" Miroku asked surprised, what made him change his mind?
"About the pack?" Sango was a bit perplexed, just four days ago he did not want to tell her, arguing that the future girl would not understand.
"Yes, she agreed," Inuyasha said simply and looked at them. Through the worry for the kit they could see a small glimmer of happiness reflected in his golden eyes. But that was not the time to talk about it, once Shippou was out of danger then he could explain.
"I am happy for you Inuyasha-sama," Myoga congratulated the young hanyou. "But you do know there will be some effects for you too?" The young man just nodded.
"And those would be?" Miroku asked, what could possibly happen to Inuyasha for sharing some blood.
"Well, this is a stronger bond than just accepting him into the pack." Seeing the perplexed look on the humans faces Myoga sighed, the difference would not be that clear to the humans, as it seemed to be the same thing, even though it was not. He also was not sure the hanyou understood completely what it meant. "As a pack leader his duty is to provide, educate and protect an orphaned member of his pack, but that's it, only duty is involved. With Inuyasha-sama's scent emanating so strongly from Shippou his instincts and his… feelings will change." The humans still looked perplexed, but Inuyasha looked like he was getting what he tried to explain. "He'll be more protective of the kid, more inclined to teach and in general, his attitude will change. This is something ingrained in most demons' instincts to keep them from killing their own offspring. Saving a pup through marking also makes the ties between child and parent stronger than they would normally be." The other two just 'ahed' unable to really say anything. It sounded like Inuyasha would become more caring towards Shippou and the kit would in turn be more caring towards the hanyou, which did not sound bad at all. So why was the flea making such a big deal of it? Their friend seemed more than willing to try and save Shippou's life that way. "I must ask you again…"
"Feh! Myoga-jiji I already made my mind," Inuyasha interrupted his retainer only to be interrupted by him.
"There is more to it Inuyasha-sama and you know it. Should something happen to your half-brother Sesshomaru before he has any pups, you will become his heir. It is you who will inherit the Western Lands, the clan might not be happy that you are a hanyou but they will still uphold the law. If you mark Shippou he will become your heir, your first born, and he is a kitsune not a dog demon." The flea stated leaving a gawking trio of humans as Kaede had joined them. It had never occurred to them that Inuyasha was that important; they knew his father was a Taiyoukai and Sesshomaru the current Demon Lord of the Western Lands, but it was hard placing their hanyou friend as a Demon Lord.
"Feh! I couldn't care less about them Myoga. I only have one pack, and you know it. So the whole clan can shove the lordship or whatever were the sun don't shine for all I care. Besides, nothing is going to happen to my fucking half brother. Now stop stalling, I had some time to think about the pack and its members over there. And I WANT to do this for Shippou before it really is too late, and then I'm going to take him back with me. There are people and things there that might help even if my blood can't."
After saying that he walked resolutely into the hut and headed straight to where the bandaged bundle that was Shippou lay. He sat in his typical cross legged position beside him and gently, so he did not to hurt him, cradled him on his lap. The hanyou roughly caressed the kit's head and called him softly trying to get him to react. Shippou did open his eyes but they were mostly unfocused, it was then that Inuyasha tore his wrist with his fangs and placed it on the kitsune's mouth. At first he gagged and refused to drink.
"Come on Shippou, drink this." The hanyou coaxed him; his voice was so gentle that it registered in the kit's foggy mind. Gentle and Inuyasha did not mix in the same sentence.
"Inu…ya… sha?" He asked wearily, his voice so low that only the hanyou's superb hearing let him know he spoke.
"Yes, it's me."
"You… came…" the kit took a pained breath and whimpered. "… saved… me."
"I did…" The kit interrupted him.
"I… called… you… I'm… glad… you… came…"
"Shhh Shippou, don't talk you'll tell me later."
"Now… won't… be… later… I'm… dying… right?"
"No, you're not dying Shippou," in the little kit's mind he noticed that Inuyasha was being patient and his voice was still gentle, maybe the hanyou did not hate him, as he thought. "Now you have to drink this."
"Nno… blood…"
"Yes it is blood. Drink it, you'll get better." The kid managed to shake his head, but he whimpered in pain.
"…blood… don't… like… blood…" He sounded so incredibly exhausted and he was beginning to drift back into unconsciousness.
"Look, I'll drink then you'll do the same Ok?" Again his gentle tone startled him, as well as the insistence underlying it, and then he saw the hanyou lick his wrist. It was at that moment that Shippou noticed Inuyasha was making him drink his own blood. His mind was too foggy and he felt too much pain to ponder what it meant, but the feeling that it was important remained. When the wrist was placed back on his mouth he sucked making a grimace at the coppery taste. "That's good. Take as much as you can."
It was not much, but at least he took a little. Something told Inuyasha that he should try to get him to take more blood later. It was probably his instinct, and he planned to listen to it. After the kit drifted into unconsciousness again, Kaede bandaged his wrist and Sango covered the kit with some blankets so he could take him back. The old Miko also gave him some herbs, instructions on what to do in case the fever the little one had been suffering returned, and how to prepare the herbs for a poultice and some teas for both the pain and fever. She made sure he understood and would not forget before he left.
Inuyasha left carrying Shippou toward the bone eater well. Sango, Miroku and Kirara walked with him. There was no need to hurry as all that could be done for the kit was done, and all they had left was to wait and see how he responded. Their trek to the well was mostly done in silence although the worry that it would not let the kit pass did come up. But there was not much that could be done about that except try and hope it would let the kid pass. With promises of returning when he had news, either good or bad, Inuyasha held Shippou close to him and jumped in. He saw the same violet light that engulfed him every time he went through, felt the kit's slight weight on his arms all the way through and as soon as he reached the other side he saw that the kid had made it with him.
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Jii-chan spotted the hanyou and his cub still in the living room. It was about an hour before dawn, the perfect time for a completely peaceful meditation. Watching the sun rise had always settled his mind and given him a sense of contentment. And that morning he had a lot to think on about the sleeping pair.
When the young youkai had returned from the well carrying the little kitsune the day before, the house had become a chaotic place. Kagome had cried at the same time she tired to ask what happened, his granddaughter had been extremely upset, and that made the dog demon even more distressed than he already was. Asami worked on trying to calm both of them enough to make sense of what was happening and Sota, being Sota, just wanted to take a look at the baby kitsune, which only got him in the way.
His daughter in law had finally managed to calm the distressed teens making them sit in the living room, and having Sota run errands for her to keep him out of the way for a moment. He too had been sent to do some things, mainly fix some hot tea to soothe frayed nerves, and only after they had taken a few sips of the hot beverage did she start asking questions. Inuyasha had answered as best as he could, explaining what happened on the other side of the well. Not once did he release his hold on the little kit while he talked, even though it was clear Kagome had wanted to hold him. He also tried to explain what he did to save the boy's life and Jii-chan had to admit that it left him perplexed.
It was also during that conversation that he found out about the plans the teens and his daughter in law had to bring the kitsune youkai to live with them and raise him. Jii-chan had to admit that upon first hearing those news he had been angry. Wasn't it enough with one demon living with them already? But he was not a heartless man and the little youkai was just that, little, a very small, hurt child and he could not really argue against the need to care for an orphaned creature so he had remained quiet.
Only a few moments later, when Inuyasha finally agreed to let Kagome hold the child, they realized that the small demon's fever had soared and all attention had been focused on trying to bring it down. After a few moments he had taken Sota to the TV room, both of them were only getting in the way. Asami had offered to fix them dinner but her attention really was on the kitsune, so he had refused and ordered pizza for everyone, not that he thought the others would eat until the kit's fever was down. Later on they had all gone to sleep, and as Asami passed his room that night she had told him that Inuyasha would be staying up to care for the kid.
Now, as he observed them, he noticed Inuyasha had a wet spot on his chest where Shippou's head had been sweating. The hanyou had clearly been up all night tending to the younger demon, as he still gripped loosely a wet towel in his claw, herbs and cups with odd concoctions were scattered on the side table and the lamp was still on. The scene reminded the old man so much of the times his son had stayed up all night with Kagome or Sota when they were sick as toddlers. Jii-chan frankly did not know what to make of it. It was in direct contradiction to everything he had previously seen of the dog demon and everything he had known about demons in general. He would meditate on his confusion this morning, but first those two needed a blanket, mornings were getting chilly. Jii-chan took the quilt from a nearby couch and spread it over the sleeping pair. He tucked one end under the hanyou's feet, knowing that most people slept better if their feet were warm.
He brought the rest of the quilt up to the child's chin and moved to place a hand on his forehead, Inuyasha's hand shot in a flash to grab him. It was more a reflex than a conscious act, and the old man saw the hanyou's golden eyes open still unfocused with sleep. Then recognition flooded and he narrowed his eyes, looking distrustful, only moments later he became aware of the blanket and released his hold, nodding his head once in silent thanks, not wanting to wake the sleeping Shippou. Jii-chan still checked the kid's temperature, the cub did not feel feverish, so it must have broken finally, he shook his head to indicate to the young hanyou that the kit had no fever. The little thing was nothing more than fur and bandages, and he looked so pale and frail.
'How could anyone do such a thing to a child?' he wondered as he finished tucking the blanket in around the hanyou, who eyed him quite surprised, he left the towel on the table and held the little one protectively against his chest before settling back to sleep.
The elderly priest walked out on to the porch and stretched. He spotted the surveillance team and waved at them, of course they were not supposed to know where they were but Inuyasha had told the family anyway. They waved back while sipping their morning coffee. He thought they were a redundant and almost silly cautionary measure in light of who was sleeping in the house just now, but the hanyou had not protested their presence which had surprised him. He would have to think on that too, as he was sure there were some things Asami had not told him about the whole attack problem. Jii-chan settled into his favorite spot and began to ponder the events of the past week. He had discovered that the surly hanyou really did care about Kagome, and that had been yet another surprise in a week full of them, and the young demon wanted to protect her in the present time as well as in the past. Perhaps it was true that he really loved her more than anything, as Asami had told him.
Jii-chan had heard stories about the hanyou's fights from Sota and Asami had said a little on the matter. Sota loved to pester his sister into telling him what had happened in the past. Yet, when he had listened to Kagome tell her brother her adventures, the tales were clearly edited. He had thought that she had been making at least some of it up to satisfy Sota so that she could be left alone to get her work done. The stories of Inuyasha battling monsters as big as a house and as cruel as cruel could be and beating them up, had seemed far fetched to say the least. Inuyasha was really slender, as seeing him wearing modern clothes and not his normally bulky attire had demonstrated, so, how could he be that strong? Yet, the little cub was hurt by something, something big enough to actually swallow the small demon whole. Whatever had attacked the little fox had wanted it dead and Inuyasha really wanted him to live.
Jii-chan had been in the room to hear the explanation about the blood marking that Inuyasha gave Asami, but he had been too busy keeping Sota quiet to actually pay all the attention he wanted to what was said. But, from what he could make up, it seemed like it was an extremely important discussion for the young man, something that would change his life and the little kitsune's, but that it had not mattered to him at all because there was no other choice that he could live with. Jii-chan startled himself with his own conclusion. Inuyasha, that rough and surly hanyou, had adopted the little fox as his son because he had already loved him and could not bear to see him die.
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A/N: * This name might be misspelled but I got this from the subber's translation.
This chapter was not edited either. I proof read it but well, I'm sure some stuff must have slipped, please if you find any errors point them out and I'll correct them. Thanks.