I only claim ownership of Jaqulin Strife...


Chapter 6: Getting Acquainted

"That woman, that…female!" Jack was yelling on the way down to the galley. "Who does she think she is, bossing me around like that? Who the heck is in charge of who…or whom?"

"I know!" Jaqulin agreed, scowling. "It's my map and she's got me bussin' tables?"

A clawed hand grabbed Jack's and Jaqulin's shoulder and yanked. It was Bowser, who had heard their entire conversation. "I won't tolerate that kind of jib-jab from two dead-enders like you," Bowser snarled. "Our captain is the finest spacer the galaxy has ever seen."

Jaqulin pouted, but the pout faded when she glanced up. She heard humming and a shadow could be seen. Jaqulin narrowed her eyes, thinking she recognized the shadow somehow.

"Inuyasha?" Bowser called.

The man looked up and wiped his hands on a towel. "Hey, Bowser," he answered in a gruff voice that was conversational. "Bringin' in some suckers to my galley, eh? Had I known, I'd of sharpened my claws!" Inuyasha chuckled to himself.

Jaqulin gasped silently to herself. She remembered the warning Koga had given her. "A half-demon," she breathed.

"That's what I am, kid," Inuyasha said. Jaqulin jumped, startled that he had heard what she said.

It's those ears, Jaqulin thought. He can practically hear anything. I'd better shut my mouth or this could get nasty. Jaqulin glared venomously at Inuyasha.

"Let me introduce Mr. Fenton," Bowser said, extending a hand towards Jack, who didn't move. He was staring in fright at Inuyasha.

"Nice suit, Fenton," Inuyasha said casually, revealing his fangs as he smiled teasingly.

"Uh…uh…thank you! Uh…nice kimono!" Jack stuttered. He reached back and pulled Jaqulin up beside him. "This young girl is Jaqulin."

"Jaq," Inuyasha said, reaching out to shake Jaqulin's hand. Jaqulin only stared at his clawed hand with disapproval. She HATED those who called her Jaq right off the bat. Inuyasha grinned. "Aw, come on. I can't help having claws. They actually come in handy sometimes."

Bowser, Jaqulin, and Jack watched as Inuyasha peeled a fruit with his claws and threw it into a nearby pot. Taking two bowls, Inuyasha spooned some of his concoction inside and handed them to Jaqulin and Jack. It was brown and chunky—in other words, hardly appetizing to the eyes.

"My favorite dish," Inuyasha said. "Hope ya like it."

Jack sniffed it first, then licked at it like a dog. "Mmm…tangy, yet delicious!" he exclaimed, bending down for more.

"Eh, just a little somethin' I made." Inuyasha noticed how Jaq didn't bother to touch it. "Come on, Jaq, just eat it. Not like its poison or nothin'."

Jaqulin raised an eyebrow as she picked up a spoonful and studied it. Suddenly, a face appeared on the bowl of the spoon. Jaqulin gasped quietly. The spoon transformed into a little boy with brown hair and a bushy tail wearing a blue kimono and a furry vest.

"Ha ha!" the boy laughed.

"Shippo!" Inuyasha snarled. "What the heck are ya doin'?"

"Eating your special dish!" the boy, or Shippo, responded. Inuyasha snatched Shippo by the tail and yanked him off Jaqulin, dropping him on the ground.

"What IS that thing?" Jaqulin asked.

Shippo grinned, then morphed into a perfect copy of Jaqulin herself—besides the bushy tail on his behind. Jaqulin reached out and touched Shippo's nose.

"Eh, that's just Shippo," Inuyasha replied. "He's a fox demon…the most annoying kind."

Shippo changed back into himself, landing on Jaqulin's shoulder. He sat there for awhile before leaping onto Inuyasha's shoulder.

"I kinda saved him from getting into trouble with the Thunder Brothers and he decided to stick with me," Inuyasha added, eying Shippo. "Been with me ever since."

"We're gettin' ready to leave," Bowser finally interrupted. "Would you like observe the launch, Mr. Fenton?"

"Does a ghost live in the Ghost Zone?" Jack asked sarcastically.

Bowser merely stared at him.

"Um…I'll follow you." Jack started up the stairs while Bowser turned back to Inuyasha.

"Miss Strife is to stay here in your charge, Inuyasha," Bowser said.

Inuyasha choked on his own breath. "Wait, what? She's in my…? But wait…" he stammered.

"Captain's orders! Be sure that the new cabin girl is kept busy." Bowser turned away. Jaqulin and Inuyasha started complaining over each other.

"Wait, I don't wanna be with him!" Jaqulin cried.

"Don't leave me with her!" Inuyasha whined.

"Wait, wait, ah, no…." they both said. Simultaneously, Inuyasha and Jaqulin sighed, rubbing their eyes in frustration. They pulled their fingers away and looked at each other. By this time, Shippo had hopped off Inuyasha's shoulder and scampered away.

"So…captain's put you with me, huh?" Inuyasha asked, circling Jaqulin like a stalking lion.

"Whatever," Jaqulin responded casually.

Inuyasha gave her a look, but disregarded it. "Psh. Better not fight with the captain," he said. "Though it's in my demon nature to do that." He turned to cut up more ingredients.

"Yeah," Jaqulin said slowly, immediately suspicious. She noticed the fruit in a nearby barrel and she picked one up. It was yellow and star-shaped, a fruit she could recognize a mile away. "You know…these star fruits are just like the ones back home…on Planet Disney. You ever been there?" Jaqulin hopped up on the counter.

"Uh…can't say I have, Jaq," Inuyasha replied, continuing to avoid eye contact.

Jaqulin bit into the fruit, its sweet taste entering her mouth. "Come to think of it, just before I left…I met this, uh, old guy. He was looking for a half-demon buddy of his."

"Really…"

Jaqulin stared at Inuyasha, who still refused to look at her. "Yeah," she stated flatly. She closed her eyes, pretending to think. "Now, what was that old dog's name…? Oh yeah…Koga. You know a Koga?"

Inuyasha's dog ears flickered a bit before he thought about it as Jaqulin approached him. "Koga…Koga," he whispered. He shrugged. "You got the wrong demon, kid. There's a bunch of half-demons roamin' these parts. I ain't the only one."

A whistle sounded from above.

"Prepare to lift off!" came Bowser's demanding voice. Inuyasha glanced up and grinned.

"Eh, go on, kid," Inuyasha said, shoving Jaqulin forward. "Watch the launch and enjoy your freedom while you still got it."

Jaqulin glared at him while walking backwards towards the exit, then finally turned around and hurried up. When she was gone, Inuyasha glanced up. Shippo pounced on his shoulder.

"Can I have a cracker, Inuyasha?" Shippo asked. Inuyasha frowned and handed a cracker to the fox demon, who began nibbling on it.

"We've better keep an eye out for that girl, Shippo," Inuyasha growled. His golden eyes glimmered. "I have this feeling that she's going to be a problem in our plans. We can't let her stick her nose into things she shouldn't."