Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form own Inuyasha.

Inuyasha's POV

I watch from the tree as the runt leaves camp. I'm not really worried he'll wander off or get hurt, he's within hearing range so I'll know if he's in trouble. Besides I think he needs to have some alone time today. I don't think the others have realized it yet but the kit lost his parents about a year ago. The only reason I remembered was because of our fight after he stole my ramen last night. We picked the kid up about a year ago, back when it was just Kagome and I. He had been doing pretty well in our makeshift pack, but I was uncertain if it was enough. He had a family now, but we were by no means apt replacements for an actual kitsune family.

Not having grown up in a demon family myself I really don't know all the details as to what the kit is missing out on. However I know his father would be the one to teach him important yōkai skills like hunting, fighting, and interacting with other yōkai. I figured we were pretty set in the fighting department. The kid freaking lives with a group devoted to killing demons, he'll learn more fighting when he's older. Being the only hunter in the pack I'll be the one to teach him how to hunt. If he hasn't been spoiled with too much ninja food, that is. We encounter yōkai on a daily basis so the kid will have no problem identifying them, and killing them for that matter. Personally I don't think he needs to know much else. It's pretty obvious that he's comfortable around humans and most of the demons we've met aren't worth knowing. However he should know anyway, just in case. I'll talk to Sango and see if she can teach him anything. There is one thing that ticks me off about him living outside a yōkai community. He has no friends his age. Sure, there's Kirara and the random village brats that we run across, but he doesn't have any consistent friends who he can call on at any time. I remember growing up with only my mother for company. I loved her, but I wanted kids my own age to play with. Several times I've thought of leaving the runt in Kaede's village, just for a while. If he stayed he might be able to make friends with some of the village brats. But then I think about how the kids in my village treated me. I don't want to risk the runt feeling like that. He may be a brat and steal my food and be damn annoying, but he's one of the pack. Plus I don't think Kagome would leave without him.

Speaking of Kagome… I look down to see if she's still asleep. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see her still curled up in her sleeping bag. If she wakes up and finds the brat gone she'll freak out. I better go get him before the wench wakes up. I jump down silently and follow the squirt's scent. He's at a nearby river, sitting on the bank and looking pensive. I feel a little bad for the kid. I know how it feels to lose both parents.

"Hey, Shippo!" I call.

"Inuyasha? What are you doing here?" He asks.

I can smell tears on his face, but I don't see any trace of them.

"Came to get you Squirt. You've been gone for hours."

The kit looks surprised and looks around. He must have been deep in thought to have not noticed the time.

"Wait a minute. How did you know when I left? You were asleep."

I roll my eyes. "Keh. Runt, I'm always the first one up. Now come on. Kagome will have a cow if she wakes up and you're missing." I answer, turning as I motion for him to follow me.

He gets up to follow, but stops to look at the river again. I walk up behind him and ruffle his fur. "It's tough kid, but you still have us."

He turns around to look at me. He looks kind of surprised. What, did he think I was going to hit him or something? Keh. I only hit him when he deserves it.

"Now come one, before Kagome wakes up." I say as I begin to walk back to the camp. I don't know why, but I feel proud of the little guy. He isn't crying and whining like I half expected him to. He's being mature and handling himself like an adult. Maybe the runt ain't so bad.

But I'll still pummel him if he steals my ramen.

That's it. I hope you liked it. I'm thinking of writing a chapter where Shippo's parents are watching over the group. What do y'all think?