The Fox & The Hanyou

I don't, in any form condone pedophilia. Let's remember that this is FANTASY, not REALITY. Besides that, Shippo is a DEMON, not a human child. Demons mature and act differently. :o0

###########################

Scene 4 ------------------------------------------- The Next Morning

* The sun is just rising when Inuyasha wakes up. He finds Shippo still in his lap and quickly deposits him over onto the branch, waking the kit, as he stands.

Shippo - Inuyasha?

* Inuyasha just hmmphs and leaps down to the ground as a strange man hurries into the village yelling for help. In no time, all of Inuyasha's 'pack' are gathered around the man, hearing his pleas for help against a demon attacking his village a couple days journey to the North. Shippo makes his way up onto inuyasha's shoulder. Sango is standing close enough that she overhears his worried whisper to his perch.

Shippo - (Whisper) I can't go anywhere right now...

* Inuyasha holds up a hand to Shippo, but before he can speak Sango solves the problem.

Sango - This sounds like a simple enough demon. I think we can handle it without Inuyasha and Shippo...
Kagome - Yes... You two stay here and protect the village and Keade.

* Inuyasha smirks at Sango. Shippo grins slightly when he catches her slight nod. But then she moves up to face Inuyasha.

Sango - And I mean you protect Shippo... You got that, hanyou?? JUST protect him... Nothing more...

* The Monk and Kagome exchange glances as Sango glares at Inuyasha who hmmphs and crosses his arms, but says nothing more. Shippo blushes.

Kagome - Umm... We should get going now, Sango...
Sango - Yes... Kilala!!!

* The small cat demon hurries over, transforms, and does her own sniffing around as the group manages to crawl onto her back with the visitor. Kilala's nose leads her over to Inuyasha and Shippo. She meets Shippo's eyes until Sango taps her head.

Sango - Enough, Kilala... Let's go so we can get back quick.

* Reluctantly Kilala turns north and takes off. When they disappear from view Inuyasha closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then turns and heads toward the small hot springs.

Shippo - Where are you going, Inuyasha?
Inuyasha - To the hot springs... You need a bath... You stink...
Shippo - But you know why I...

* Inuyasha just hmmphs.

Shippo - But I can't help it, Inu...
Inuyasha - I know that... But we have to mask your scent somehow. Every demon from here to eternity will be...
Shippo - Mask it?

* Shippo reflexively bushes out his tail. The sudden assault of his scent on Inuyasha's nose nearly makes him stumble to his knees when he stops to regain some control. Shippo hears him moan and looks at him when he continues walking a little faster.

Shippo - Inuyasha,... How old do you think I am?

* They reach the hot springs and Inuyasha unceremoniously lifts Shippo by his collar and drops him into the water. Shippo comes up sputtering and turns to watch the hanyou put a few feet between them, then turn and squat to watch the kit. Shippo sighs, lowers his eyes, and begins to bathe. When he begins to shed some quiet tears Inuyasha catches the smell and begins to feel a little guilty for being so gruff with him, knowing himself how rough these periods in life are.

Inuyasha - I know that you are only sixteen seasons old, boy... I am very much older... Don't you see the problem here?

* He pitches his ears forward when Shippo nods to hear his quiet reply.

Shippo - (Quietly) I'll just do as I did last time... I'll go find a hole somewhere...
Inuyasha - When was your last time??
Shippo - (Quietly) Just after... my family was wiped out... Just before I ran into all of you....

* Inuyasha sighs and sits back on the ground. They stay silent until Shippo steals a last glance toward Inuyasha before paddling over to the other side of the pool of warm water. Inuyasha looks up when he hears Shippo exit the pool and begin sneaking off toward the woods on the other side.

Inuyasha - Hey!! Where are you going??

* In a couple bounds the hanyou cuts off Shippo's retreat. Shippo keeps his eyes low in the manner of all demons that receive rejection during their mating periods.

Shippo - I'm going to go find a den to...
Inuyasha - I can't let you go out there by yourself... Not like...
Shippo - I know what I'm doing... I can't stay in the village around all those females, especially not... her... And you don't want me...
Inuyasha - HER will sit ME to death if I just let you go off... Not to mention what Sango would do... They love you, kit.

* Now Shippo glares up at Inuyasha suddenly.

Shippo - I'm not a child, Hanyou!!

* When the kit attempts to go around Inuyasha he shakes his head and snatches the kitsune up by his collar. Shippo squirms to get free.

Shippo - Put me down, you stupid dog!!
Inuyasha - First, you need to show me where the mikan tree is, shorty.

* Shippo stares at Inuyasha as he settles the kit on his shoulder.

Shippo - What??
Inuyasha - You found some mikans yesterday... Show me the tree.

* Shippo hesitates a moment, then sighs and motions.

Shippo - It was in that direction.

* Inuyasha nods and dashes off in the direction he points.