The Fox & The Hanyou

Wow, this far and no reviews or votes, yet? Does this mean you don't like this story?
:o(

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Scene 10 ------------------------------------------- Kaede's Village

* Even with Kouga's speed, it takes nearly half the day to arrive at the edge of Inuyasha's village. Kouga stops and puts his cargo down. Shippo, now awake, has remained quiet. Somewhat disoriented by Kouga's speed. But when he realizes where they are he begins to panic again.

Shippo - No!! I can't go there!!
Inuyasha - I'm taking you to the old miko...
Shippo - No, please... I have to go find that coyote...!!
Kouga - You won't find him no more, kit.

* Shippo slowly lets Kouga's words sink in, then peeks up at the wolf timidly.

Shippo - I-I... have to...
Kouga - I killed him because he hurt you.

* With this news Shippo moves away from them to brace himself against a tree.

Inuyasha - He won't be able to come around and hurt you no more.

* Shippo hides his face against the tree and swallows. Inuyasha goes over closer to him and grasps his shoulder supportively.

Inuyasha - You'll have all of us... them... Kagome...
Shippo - (Quietly) So I'll have to do this... alone...?
Inuyasha - No way!! You should know Kagome won't... She'll spoil you worse than you already are... Not to mention Sango... and Miroku... The whole village will...

* Shippo bows his head again and tries to stop his tears.

Shippo - The whole world will know... what happened to me... And that I-I allowed it...

* Shippo slides down to curl up against the tree to hug his middle.

Kouga - If they're your friends they'll understand.
Inuyasha - I know they will. Now, come on, kit... Remember, you shared the mikan with me.

* Shippo gives no further protest when Inuyasha picks him up and gently embraces him against his chest and shoulder. The hanyou half-glances at Kouga and sighs.

Inuyasha - It's me they'll hate...

* Shippo pulls back to meet Inuyasha's eyes questioningly.

Inuyasha - I'm the one that didn't protect you... I let that demon take you...
Shippo - You and Kouga were trying to protect me from that hyena hag...
Inuyasha - Yeah, well... I doubt they'll see it that way...
Kouga - I think I'd better stay right here...

* Inuyasha looks at Kouga. His stern visage keeps Inuyasha from arguing. As the ookami prince moves to sit on the trunk of a toppled tree Inuyasha continues on into the village. As soon as they are noticed, the rest of the 'pack' hears the excited cries of the other villagers and hurry out of the large hut where they were making plans to search. They rush to greet Inuyasha who waves their questions off and makes his way quickly to Kaede's hut.

Inuyasha - He needs help, Old Miko,... please...

* Kaede quickly nods and holds the screen aside as they all hurry into her hut. Shippo keeps his face lowered as Inuyasha deposits him on an empty futon. Kagome and the others now move closer pushing the hanyou out of the way in their concern as Kaede begins to check Shippo.

Kagome - My poor little Shippo!! What happened to you??

* Shippo gulps then tries to explain as Kaede hurries to cover him with a blanket.

Shippo - I was caught up in my... m-mating period, Inuyasha tried to take care of me, but I ran f-from him... He told me not t-to run, but...

* Before he can finish Sango startles them all when she turns on Inuyasha and slaps him quite hard.

Sango - You lousy...!!
Shippo - No, Sango!! No!!

* Inuyasha feels his demon anger rising, mixed with the hurt he knew his feelings were going to suffer. As Sango and the others turn back to Shippo Inuyasha quickly leaves.

Shippo - Inuyasha, come back!!
Kaede - Perhaps we'd all best calm down and hear the whole story.
Shippo - Yes, please... I would still be out there laying if it weren't for Inuyasha... Please, listen to me...
Kagome - Okay, Shippo... Calm down, sweetie, and tell us what happened...

* Shippo draws his knees up to hug them against his chest, wipes some tears away, then keeps his eyes lowered as he quietly tells them of his ordeal. His friends all listen to everything he has to say with their complete and undivided attention. They all remain silent when the kitsune is done except for Kaede. She brings him a small bowl of water and strokes him gently as he sips at it shakily. Kagome gently bends to hug Shippo as she sobs.

Kagome - Oh, my baby... You're safe here now... We'll all take care of you...

* Miroku watches Sango turn away, raising a hand to cover her eyes, then leave. Miroku places one of his hands on the youth's shoulder.

Miroku - You must understand that it wasn't your fault... That demon has paid the right price for his heinous crime... I shall congratulate the Wolf next time I see him...
Kaede - You need to lie down and rest now... You don't have to make the decision at this moment... Take a couple days to...

* Shippo looks up at the old miko puzzled.

Shippo - De-decision??
Kaede - If ye wish to end the pregnancy, if the act was... successful...

* Shippo pales some and the brunt of her words once more finds him overwhelmed. Kagome tucks the blanket around him as he lays down to curl up. Miroku leaves as Shippo just stares at the far wall of the hut until Kagome's petting soon lulls him to sleep. When she is sure the kit is sound asleep, Kagome looks at the healer.

Kagome - Kaede, I'm not pleased that he's suffered such a cruel act... But whatever he decides should he happen to be... pregnant... It'll be his and we'll support him.

* The old healer nods decidedly.

Kaede - Most definately, child.

* Kaede then moves away to leave Kagome alone with Shippo. Meanwhile, at the outer edge of the village Kouga is still waiting. He looks up, but remains quiet when Inuyasha approaches sullenly. The hanyou doesn't speak a word as he paces around the fallen tree a few times. When he stops Inuyasha meets Kouga's eyes. After studying them for a moment he turns away to cross his arms.

Inuyasha - You don't want me... You want Kagome...
Kouga - I've always wanted her, Mutt.

* Inuyasha's arms slide down to his side and he lowers his eyes.

Inuyasha - (Quietly) Yeah... well... Take her if she'll have you, Kouga...

* Kouga looks up stunned as Inuyasha starts to head into the forest. The ookami had noticed the redness on his cheek.

Kouga - Hey... Inuyasha...?

* The sad half-breed pauses, flattens his ears, and half-glances toward the wolf demon.

Inuyasha - I failed my pack... Shippo... All of them... I have no more rights to any of them...
Kouga - You can't just go out there on your own...

* Now Inuyasha turns to glare at Kouga.

Inuyasha - I've made my choice!! Don't give me your misplaced pity no more!!

* With that Inuyasha takes off. Before he can follow, Kouga hears Sango calling out as she nears.

Sango - Inuyasha!!?? Where are you??

* She enters the small clearing to face Kouga.

Sango - Kouga,... Is Inuyasha here?
Kouga - He was... He just took off.

* Kouga's eyes narrow at her.

Kouga - You're the one that strikes men's faces...

* Sango looks up at Kouga guiltily.

Sango - Yes, I struck Inuyasha... But it was a mistake.... I know that now... Shippo told us everything...

* Kouga softens a moment.

Kouga - Is the kit okay? Will he be...?
Sango - He's under our old healer's care... And we're all going to take care of him... That poor boy...

* Sango looks back up at Kouga.

Sango - When will Inuyasha be back?
Kouga - He left. He said that he failed to protect one of his pack... He feels that he has...
Sango - Oh no!! But we know the whole thing!! If it weren't for both of you, Shippo would've been killed... Please, Kouga... Please go bring Inuyasha back.

* Kouga sniffs in the direction Inuyasha left a moment, then looks back down at the slayer.

Kouga - I can track him easily because he's in heat... But it may take a couple days for me to talk to him... If his youkai tells him that he's failed those he considers as his 'pack' he won't be easy to bring back.
Sango - Knock him out and drag him back here if you must... Just get him back here, please, Kouga.

* Kouga grunts and dashes off. Sango wipes her eyes and goes back into the village.