Of Gold and Adamant

Everything Changes

Giving a chance because you can
Turning your world upside down
It doesn’t make you less of a man
Saving yourself before you drown
Making a change can be rough
Thinking about your past
For life, itself, is tough enough
So make the good times last

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It was very hard for Shippo to get any time alone with Inuyasha. It was either Sesshoumaru was right there or Uncle Hideharu. Shippo couldn’t go anywhere any longer without his Uncle practically glued to his side. As soon as the summer excursion began he would be able to talk to Inuyasha wondering what threats his Uncle would come up with if he embarrassed him.

Choukichi was acting funny the whole time as though trying to find the words to tell Shippo something important. It would have to wait until they could be alone.

“My Lord and Lady, would it be acceptable if my cousin Choukichi came with me this summer?”

Shippo knew that was the only thing he might request without receiving a beating or being punished for speaking to the adults.

“I don’t see why not.”

Inuyasha stated firmly. They had plenty of room. Sesshoumaru frowned, but nodded his consent. Mother looked at Shippo and sighed.

“It was to only be the children who will be mating our litter, but if it will make you more comfortable in our home I think we can manage. Just understand young fox, that most of the time spent is meant to be with Fuu and not your cousin.”

Shippo nodded and smiled. He felt much better since he knew his cousin would back him up when it came to his claim if he got a chance to talk to Inuyasha alone.

Uncle Hideharu frowned at Shippo, but then shrugged it off. If the Tashio’s did not mind taking the brat then let them. He never raised children and therefore had no idea how much Shippo needed a friend. He was just doing as his Father had done with him when it came to Shippo.

“We will see you soon then runt…….”

Inuyasha stated ruffling Shippo’s hair. He missed Shippo very much and in many ways wished he could have kept the pup. If Shippo had no family at all he would have.

Sesshoumaru noticed the longing the two had and rolled his eyes. Inuyasha would be miserable and make him miserable now that he was leaving the pup behind.

“We shall take them both now. Can your servants have them ready Hideharu?”

Hideharu wasn’t exactly prepared for Shippo to leave so soon, but it would give him time to do other things he needed to accomplish as well as find a new way to woo Lady Inuyasha. He had to convince him that he was the one to mate and that the cold Lord Sesshoumaru would just leave him when he was no longer useful.

“I will send a missive to my brother and the servants can have Shippo packed in less than an hour’s time. Will that suffice?”

Sesshoumaru nodded and Mother shook her head. She didn’t want the other children to think that they were favoring Shippo.

“I do not see this as boding well for our relations with the other kingdoms my son.”

Louna stated plainly as they walked away allowing Hideharu to get things together for Shippo and Choukichi. Shippo was then pulled aside by his Uncle.

“You are being favored……..why? It has to be because you were raised with Inuyasha’s pack before the plague.”

Shippo saw some disappointment in Hideharu’s face. Hideharu would never get the credit for raising Shippo to be the best in battle nor would he gain praise from Inuyasha for his influence.

“Shippo, do you wish to live with Inuyasha for good?”

Shippo didn’t want to be beaten anymore so he was afraid to answer.

“Uncle……….”

Hideharu took Shippo over to a bench and sat with him.

“Shippo, I have never raised a child. I am raising you as my Father raised me. If you think I am hard on you, you have no idea what I went through. I am not saying that I am kind. I am saying that I know no other way to raise you. You do not talk to me, but I know you have talked to your cousin.’
“If you tell Inuyasha what I have done it may start a war. Perhaps instead of feeling like you have to take what I do to you, you should say to me what your Father would do. Perhaps even tell me what Inuyasha did so that I can raise you properly.’
“You have surpassed most adults in your training including your Father and mine. I really did not expect quite that much out of you. I wanted you to just do well and perhaps I have put too much pressure on you.”

Shippo wasn’t sure if this was manipulation or the truth. His Uncle was a fox demon after all and they tended to do tricks plus manipulate people to their will. It was part of their defenses and part of their charm.

“Uncle…….I won’t tell. Is that your concern?”

Shippo looked into his Uncle’s eyes when he said it so that Hideharu knew he wasn’t lying. Uncle Hideharu gently held Shippo’s chin to insure Shippo knew too that he was not lying or trying to trick him. He honestly wanted a chance with his nephew and knew he was messing up. When Shippo arrived he was a happy go lucky kid and now he was so quiet it was like he had to beat the words out of the boy to get him to speak to him.

“Shippo, you are as a son to me. Help me to raise you like a proud Father and I will give you the world. All you need to do is talk to me.’
“I am not going to use you to gain Inuyasha’s favor. I doubt that anything I do at this time would assist in that. I still will try though.’
“I don’t know if you ever had a moment you felt love at first sight, but I knew the moment I saw Inuyasha that I was in love.”

Shippo sighed and wanted to tell his Uncle obsessing over something that did not want to be obsessed over would just bring him trouble. Uncle Hideharu was young and almost too young to be a Father.

“Uncle, you are too young to be my Father. Perhaps older brother…….I will help you if you will listen before you lose your temper. However if you lose your temper and beat me again…….”

Hideharu nodded understanding that Shippo would escape him if he did and he would never see the boy again.

“I know love at first sight Uncle. I have fallen in love many times as a child. However, nothing worked out. Now I am to be mated and it will be years before I can say I will fall in love or do this for duty sake. I am unsure about love anymore. I have no time for such frivolous things and therefore I concentrate on my training.’
“If you wish to become closer to me and be as family then you have to do some things I am interested in. I want to learn the fox fire dance, but we won’t have time now….when I get back maybe you can teach me if you have time?”

Hideharu ruffled Shippo’s hair and smiled.

“Yes, I will I promise. Perhaps you can tell me when you return how you were able to move past your lost loves. This is my first.”

Shippo blushed and nodded as he turned away. At least they had come to an understanding for now. Shippo just hoped that his Uncle wasn’t lying because in truth he did really want to have good relations with his family especially the man who took him in.

Choukichi caught up with Shippo as Hideharu smiled at the two boys. He knew that Choukichi had a crush on Shippo. It was adorable, but not meant to last. The one thing about boys though was they were allowed to experiment a bit before mating where girls were not. Perhaps the pups could use a little advice if anything came from the infatuation.

Hideharu knew that he had to do something Fatherly or he would indeed lose his nephew. It was just too bad it took him so long to realize that he needed to change and that one could not change one’s past. Still, Hideharu would try since there was more to lose if he did not do something soon.

Saying goodbye to the two boys he again took Shippo’s face in both his hands.

“Don’t forget to be a kid for a while………”

With that he kissed the top of Shippo’s head ruffling his hair again before smiling as he waved goodbye.

Choukichi frowned as they got in the carriage.

“What was that all about? You can’t tell me he suddenly is a nice guy just because he is showing some affection. It is probably just something that he is doing to show off to Inuyasha.”

Shippo frowned.

“You are probably right Choukichi, but a promise is a promise. I promised him I wouldn’t tell Inuyasha anything. Uncle Hideharu deserves a chance……….he said our Grandfather used to beat him and stuff.”

Choukichi rolled his eyes at his gullible cousin.

“So……my Father suffered the same and do you see him making excuses? He didn’t beat me or my siblings. You need to start standing up for yourself Shippo or people are going to walk all over you. What do you think will happen if you decide all of a sudden you don’t want to mate Fuu or be a part of the Tashios Hmmmmm? What will he do then?’
“I’ll tell you what he will do. He will kick you out and then I will have to come save you after you have been beaten half to death.”

Shippo frowned. Choukichi was right, but fact was he made a promise. It was a damn hard thing to break it and in some ways Shippo really did want to give his Uncle a chance.

“If that happens he will wish I had said something because the Tashios will kill him.”

Choukichi shook his head.

“You really should tell my Dad Shippo. It should be kept in the family and worked out there. We can make room for ya. I swear it, I would find a way if you would just let me have a chance.”

Shippo smiled at his cousin.

“I know you would Choukichi.”

Choukichi put an arm around Shippo and leaned back.

“No problem Shippo. That is what I am here for.”

Shippo blushed a bit and tried to ignore the close proximity of his cousin as they rode the rest of the way to the Tashio castle.