SIX

A Siberian husky walked into the room, passing through Miroku and Inuyasha. Unlike the others, it didn't rush to her side or called her attention, it just stood across the coffee table with a seemingly proud stance, quietly watching with icy blue eyes. Kurenai noticed it and smiled.

"Okay guys, give way to your proud big brother." they gave a few last licks and nuzzles before getting off her. She stretched out a fair arm and called, "Come here handsome." The dog slowly walked towards her and gently nuzzled her hand then licked, he continued upwards until he got to her face, "Geez, aren't you a spoiled little baby." she smirked as she rubbed the back of its head.

"His name's Zodiac, he's the oldest and the closest to her—well, they're all close to her but he sticks to her the most. He is a bit of a jealous dog and doesn't like to squeeze in with the others to give her affection, he wants her focused on him." Ren said thoughtfully then suddenly snapped, "Oh! Please do sit down and get comfortable, you guys must be exhausted. I'll get the food ready." he jogged into the kitchen.

The guests gingerly occupied the assortment of seats in the living room while Kurenai's reunion with her beloved dogs went on.

"Alright, time for introductions!" Kurenai said after the dogs calmed down, "This majestic one is Zodiac; we adopted him over three and a half years ago." she brushed its grey and white fur before picking up the tiny bundle of dark brown fur licking her left leg. "This little cutie is Toffee, he is the youngest of the bunch, but he's not a puppy anymore, he's a full grown teacup Pomeranian that we've had for a year. Very cute right?" she stared at its cute little face streaked with golden fur on its cheeks and feet then looked down at the white, fluffy Samoyed lying next to Zodiac's feet. "Now, if there's any of my dogs that remind me of your physical appearance Inuyasha, JUST PHYSICALLY..." she emphasized and her friends snickered, "It's Nimbus, who we've had for three years, and last, but definitely not the least," she nodded at the caramel-colored Retriever by her feet, "there's Sawyer who we've had for two and a half years."

Sesshoumaru watched the miko with his usual disinterested expression even though he is fascinated by the way she adoringly introduced her adopted canines as if they're her human sons.

"Now, do you guys want to know who your new housemates are?" she asked the dogs and they barked.

"Okay, this lady beside me is Sango and the cat on her lap is Kirara, be nice to her alright?" she told them firmly, "Next to her is Miroku, and on his shoulder is Shippo. Oh! I forgot, be comfortable you guys, you can stop hiding your ears." the kitsune and Inuyasha removed their scarves and Sesshoumaru whipped his hair back, "We also have guests that are from your kind, Inuyasha, who's sitting beside you Zodiac and over there is his brother Lord Sesshoumaru and the young lady sitting beside him is Rin."

"Half-brother." Inuyasha spat, "Stop speaking to them as if they understand Kurenai, aside from the fact that they're animals, they can't possibly understand Japanese. Are you saying they know both languages?" the hanyou's statement earned a growl from Zodiac.

"Inuyasha! He totally understood what you said and he's not happy." Sango nudged at the hanyou.

"Keh! He just didn't like my tone." The husky barked at him a couple times.

Kurenai smirked and looked into the husky's blue eyes, "Fine then. Zodiac, turn on the lamp." The guests were in for a surprise when the dog padded towards the table between Rin and Sesshoumaru lifting a paw and flipping the switch on the lamp lighting it.

"Oh! It's glowing!" Rin gasped.

"Now turn it off hun." and the husky did, then walked back to his mother.

"Whoa..." gasps filled the room.

She rubbed his neck, "Good boy Zodiac."

Sesshoumaru was rather amused with what they just witnessed, the dog quite intelligent, even more so than his idiot of a brother.

"So, Inuyasha?" Kurenai challenged her bestfriend and got a pout in response.

"Hmph!"

She smiled and looked at the dogs, "Be kind to each other alright? We're all friends."

The dogs barked as if to agree then Kurenai got an idea.

"Shippo, Rin would you like to say hi to them?" both kids perked up and brightened.

"Yes!" Shippo hopped towards his mother.

Rin looked at Sesshoumaru, waiting for permission.

Not many things can deter the daiyoukai, but Rin's puppy dog eyes is not one of them, "Go ahead Rin." The young girl happily leapt off the couch to make some new furry friends, but she froze for a second as she started to feel a bit intimidated.

"It's okay sweetheart. C'mon." the red-eyed reassured and Rin stepped closer, "Stretch your hand out Rin." Kurenai urged and the moment the young girl offered her hand, the dogs switched from enjoying Shippo's attention to licking Rin's hand.

"Hehe. That tickles!" Rin giggled.

"Try and carry Toffee. You'll love this cutie I bet." The miko raised the pup, "Just form your arms into a cradle," Rin did as she was told, "There we go. Now just hold him gently okay?" when the little girl nodded, she carefully placed the dog in her arms.

The teacup Pomeranian immediately cuddled up to Rin and licked her chin, she giggled and looked at Sesshoumaru, her face glowing with excitement, "Look, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

"Hn." He responded as he watched the dogs get comfortable with their new guests. It seems they got their gentleness from their owner, although he can sense their protectiveness over her especially that one called Zodiac.

Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga caught Kurenai's attention and she jerked up, "Oh! Your swords!" her eyes switched from one silver-haired brother to another.