A/N: THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. I would thank everyone by name as usually but it's 2am and I'm too tired for it at the moment. Special thanks to earthy876 who helped me with the Japanese words.

Vocabulary:

ototo = little brother


Chapter 7

They arrived at the desired shore and immediately Shippou jumped into the river, wading some feet into the deeper water. He stopped when the water reached his belly button and the kitsune winked to Inu-chan to join him.

Unsure of the whole hunting action the small hanyou looked up to InuYasha, who just nodded his ok. Slowly the little boy walked into the river and approached Shippou. Since Inu-chan was some centimetres taller than the other boy, the water only covered his thighs. His eyes fell instantly upon the surface and searched for his prey.

InuYasha watched the children and decided to give the two a chance to prove their hunting abilities. He knew that they wouldn't catch together more than one fish, well if at least one, but he didn't want to spoil their confidence in their abilities.

"There is one!" exclaimed the younger hanyou and looked up to meet Inuyasha's gaze.

"Then catch it, kid." Inu-chan's expression showed clearly his thought 'Me?', but he obeyed and tried his best.

Shippou just watched Inu-chan dashing forward into the water. The boy splashed so much water that the kitsune couldn't see if his friend was successful or not. But as soon as the milky water cleared again he eyed the child before him. He could hardly believe that this boy should have been InuYasha – the strong and skilful InuYasha. Inu-chan saw baffled down on his empty claws. His haori was on the front wet and water dropped from his bangs into his face. When the hanyou felt the demon's eyes on him he slightly blushed of embarrassment. "I'm not good at hunting. Sorry."

"These are our fishes, you filthy thieves!" "Leave our river at once, demons!" two angry voices came from the path in the meadow. Soon after the group heard them three villagers with nets, ready for fishing, neared the shore.

InuYasha spun around to greed the people with a deep growl that escaped his throat. "Your river! Funny thing, I always thought it would belong to everyone."

"Not to filthy half-breeds as you are!"

InuYasha hated it to be called that and he didn't want to let someone insult Inu-chan. He was too small and didn't understand yet the meaning of those words; the only thing he understood about it right now was that these words were bad and were addressed to him. "My boys will fish here and no one will interfere or threaten them. Understood?!" On the last word InuYasha lifted his hand and sized his claws, showing his killing instruments to the intruders.

The men backed away on the sight of the angry hanyou. When InuYasha gave a final growl they turned on their heels and ran back to the village as fast as they could.

The two boys had watched the scene in front of them with different feelings. Shippou was confident that nothing would happen to them as long as InuYasha would be near them. Inu-chan on the other hand was really shocked to hear the bad words. He wanted to escape those men, but was impressed and fascinated by the reaction that made them flee caused by InuYasha. He looked like hypnotised on the older hanyou. After some moments he slowly walked outside the water and placed himself in front of his rescuer.

When their eyes met he asked a total different question than he had intended. "You called us your boys. What am I to you?"

InuYasha broke startled away and scratched the back of his head with his claws. "Dunno, it's a weird situation. But we are family, somehow."

Inu-chan liked this big hanyou; he was brave and strong, protected him and was nice. "You could me my big brother, my other big brother." 'My caring big brother.'

The older boy looked up into the sky for a moment as if to search for the right answer. Then his golden eyes locked again with the child's. "Yeah, maybe. I'm fine with that, ototo."

When Inu-chan heard the last word a bright smile plastered his features because he would have a family again.

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PLEASE REVIEW

Sorry, it's short again. The thing with the villagers isn't over yet. Next chapter will be finally a bit Shippou/ Inu-chan friendship.