Nightcrawlera
He loved his parents, always remembered them and wished they could be with him. But he wasn't alone anymore, he had his ragtag family of friends their bonds forged in battle and banter.
He was a part of the gang, doing his share. So, after a big battle, when everyone was tired and injured, he took it up on himself to watch over the sleeping members of the family.
He carefully crawled out of the sleeping bag he shared with Kagome. One glance on her face was enough to see she was fast asleep. He carefully made his way to the other side of the dying down camp fire to check up on Sango and Miroku. Kirara slept in the space between the two humans, her tails twitching a bit as she slumbered. They all looked very exhausted, so Shippou made extra sure the light sleepers wouldn't be roused by him moving around.
Then he started to climb up a tree. It wasn't any random tree, it was Inuyasha's bed. Now his skills as a youkai would be tested. Kirara usually reacted only to foreign scents and sounds, so no one outside of their group could sneak up on her. But she would ignore them moving around the camp, especially when she was tired.
Inuyasha, on the other hand, would be alerted to any and all movement, sound or scent.
Shippou was moving very carefully, not to make a sound. He avoided all dry twigs and leaves that could rustle against him passing. It was hard, but he wanted to make sure his dog-eared friend was fine.
Besides, it was also a test of his skills.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of climbing and crawling, Shippou reached the branch next to Inuyasha's. He looked at the hanyou and saw his face relaxed, his eyes closed. His ears were in the position indicating that he was listening while sleeping. Frankly, the boy was amazed that his older friend wasn't awake, since he hadn't been as silent as he'd like to be on his way up. He had broke a few twigs, despite his best efforts. But it was fine, since he hadn't woken the hanyou.
Shippou smiled proudly and glanced down to see all their friends sleeping too.
It was usually Inuyasha who stayed awake and watching over the rest from his high branch. Shippou could see why the hanyou preferred to be up - he could see everyone and drop on any suspicious being approaching the slumbering group.
Maybe he, Shippou, should do the same. He sat comfortably while looking down. The wind swayed the branch in a soft manner, leaves rustled. The little boy closed his eyes , just for a moment...
Inuyasha smirked when he heard soft little snores coming from the direction of the kitsune on the branch next to him.