A Pup and a Cub

Disclaimer: Blah! Blah! Blaaaah! I do NOT own Rumiko Takahashi’s, “Inu Yasha”. Oh yeah, I also do NOT own Bette Midler’s sweet lullabye, “Baby Mine”.

A Pup and a Cub by FrustratedPhoenix

Chapter 6: Puppy Mine


As she neared the Bone Eater’s well, Kagome ticked off the rest of the supplies she needed to gather. “Aspirin, camera, Ramen, tea bags, chew toys, flea powder, doggy treats, soap…”

“Some more of that strawberry shampoo would be nice,” interrupted Sango. “Miroku…I mean…I really thought it smelled nice.”

Kagome smiled at her blushing friend. “Sure; since YOU really like it I’ll bring strawberry scented conditioner and body wash as well. Unless, you don’t want Miroku sniffing around?”

“Kagome!”

Laughing Kagome exclaimed, “Well, last time you used the strawberry shampoo Miroku did say you smelled sweet enough to eat!”

Sango huffily replied, “It would have been a nice compliment had he not tried to nibble my neck.”

“Then why use it again?,” slyly asked Kagome.

“Because I like it.”

“No, I think you like smacking Miroku.”

“He deserved that slap!”

“What about the bloody nose?”

“Well, he wasn’t able to sniff in places his nose didn’t belong for quite a few days now was he?”

“All right, all right Miroku is a lecher that deserves every beating he earns. I’d hit him more myself if I didn’t think he’d enjoy it.”

The snickering girls reached the well and Kagome hopped onto its edge. “Before I go, is there anything else I should bring back?”

“How about something for Azarni, a little something to show our appreciation for tending Kaede during her illness?”

“You mean a bribe to end the curse. It’s not a bad idea; I’ll see what I can find for the old sourpuss. Oh, I know! Do you think she’d like the mummified water imp’s hand my grandfather gave me for my 15th birthday?”

“Be serious.”

“I am. I keep burying the hideous relic in the garden but Pookie keeps unearthing it.” Giggling, Kagome said, “Last time, Pookie dragged it into the shrine and a group of elementary school children accused Grandfather of murdering bored tourists and hiding their body parts throughout the shrine.”

Sango was almost afraid to ask but being a brave taijiya she inquired, “What’s a Pookie?”

“Pookie is my neighbor’s dog and one of the biggest, dumbest, lovesick puppies that ever existed.”

“Lovesick?”

Kagome snorted. “Let’s just say Pookie is a little too friendly for Inu Yasha’s liking.” At Sango’s questioning look Kagome said, “In the canine world, Pookie is the bitch equivalent of Miroku and she thinks Inu Yasha is raw steak.”

Once Sango’s laughter subsided and she was able to breathe easily again, Kagome leapt into the Bone Eater’s well shouting, “I’ll be back by dinnertime.”

Still chuckling, Sango headed back towards Edo. As she passed the Goshinboku a flash of black and purple amongst the branches caught her eye. Sango stared in disbelief at the monk clinging to the trunk of the God’s Tree as if his very life depended upon it.

“Mi…Miroku?”

Miroku stared down upon the face of the bemused taijiya. With as much dignity as the embarrassed monk could muster, Miroku exclaimed, “Ah, Lady Sango! I did not see you down there. How do you fair?”

“Very well, thankyou…and you?”

“Absolutely wonderful. The view is breathtaking.”

“Miroku.”

“The gods have truly blessed us with a beautiful day and I intend to enjoy the glory of this miracle to it’s fullest.”

“Miroku.”

“At this moment I am one with nature.”

“Miroku.”

“It is amazing how communing with nature soothes one’s spirit.”

“You can’t climb down can you?”

“Sango, I am insulted. I try a new form of meditation and you immediately assume that I am…Sango, it is not amusing. Please stop laughing, Sango. Oh all right! I am stuck. Are you happy?”

“Actually, yes. How long have you been up there?”

Miroku suddenly found the bark of the Goshinboku extremely interesting as he turned his sheepish gaze away from Sango. “Not…too…long.”

Sango smugly asked, “What exactly happened? Wait! Where’s Inu Yasha?”

If his hands weren’t currently occupied clinging desperately to the tree trunk, Miroku would have rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Heh heh heh. It is really quite an amusing story really.”

“YOU LOST INU YASHA! YOU BAKA!”

“I did not lose Inu Yasha; he is merely misplaced. Wait! Where are you going? I need assistance getting down.”

As she stomped away from the Goshinboku Sango yelled, “I can’t waste time helping you while a scared, defenseless child unable to remember anything beyond the age of four is roaming loose. If you want down I suggest you jump, preferably head first!”

For the first time in almost an hour, Miroku was briefly relieved he was trapped at the top of Goshinboku. “Thank Kami! I am too far out of reach for Sango to do any harm.”

Whap! “Or not.” Miroku groaned; he could feel the lump on his forehead swelling from the rock Sango had just chucked at him.

Sango easily discovered Inu Yasha’s trail and began tracking the young hanyou. Realizing he was headed toward the village she sighed in relief. “Had he gone deeper into the forest I doubt I would have found him by nightfall. Half-demon or not, he would not have survived to see daybreak.”

Inu Yasha had randomly crisscrossed his way through the village. “I don’t think I’m too far behind him. I just hope his curiosity continues to outweigh his fear and shyness. His trail grew cold when Sango found herself in the market district of Edo. “There are so many hiding places for a bashful hanyou. He could people watch all day without being spotted himself.”

Carefully scouring for clues, she slowly walked the length of the market road several times. Just as Sango was ready to admit defeat she spotted a tiny clawed hand emerge from beneath a fruit stand. Sango watched in amusement as Inu Yasha’s hand slowly inched toward a juicy pear. After a second’s hesitation Inu Yasha snatched the delicious treat and quickly withdrew his hand.

Sango casually walked over to the fruit stand and bought a bag of cherries. Spilling some near Inu Yasha’s hiding spot she pretended not to notice and slowly walked away from the fruit stand. As the taijiya strolled away from the market area she would periodically drop a few cherries.

She knew cherries were a particular favorite of Inu Yasha’s and hoped her ploy would successfully lure the hanyou out of hiding. Sango smiled. Although she never saw the sneaky little half-demon pick up the cherries, the fruit was gone whenever she glanced backwards.

Despite the hanyou’s normally brash behavior and hot temperament, the demon exterminator had frequently noticed shyness and uncertainty flicker across Inu Yasha’s features during unguarded moments. Sango had never confided this to the others but secretly Inu Yasha reminded her of her younger brother, Kohaku.

“It’s his eyes that remind me of my little brother the most. Kohaku gets the same haunted look of pain in his eyes whenever that manipulative bastard, Naraku allows his memories to return.” Her heart clenched. “Inu Yasha lost his family at an even younger age than Kohaku and I. Every time he seems to find a little joy it is ruthlessly taken from him; no wonder he’s so angry all the time.”

As she neared the temporary housing the village headman had provided Kaede, Sango called for the kitsune. “Shippo, come outside please.” Sango hoped that seeing a human interacting positively with a demon would encourage Inu Yasha to approach them. Becoming impatient Sango said loudly, “I have cherries.” A little red blur bounded out the hut and launched itself into Sango’s arms.

“My favorite! Besides pears and strawberries and persimmons and lemons and pomegranates and…” Shippo munched the delicious fruits as he chattered about his favorite subject, food. “…but my absolute favorite is Pockey. You don’t have any Pockey, do you? Oh, too bad. My other favorites are…”

Sango stopped listening to the excited kitsune when she caught sight of Inu Yasha peeking from behind a nearby bush. “Inu Yasha, join us. There are enough cherries left for both you and Shippo.”

Shippo would have argued over sharing with Inu Yasha but he saw Sango’s ‘you shall behave or else’ face. At moments like this, Shippo was sorely reminded of his mother. “Mama used to raise her eyebrow just like that when she wanted me to be especially good.” Sighing, Shippo leaned into Sango’s embrace and ate another cherry.

Inu Yasha slowly revealed himself. He took a tentative step towards Sango. “How do you know my name?”

Sango barely heard the quietly whispered question. “We know each other, Inu Yasha; we’re good friends.”

Inu Yasha quickly stepped back again. Raising his chin defiantly the hanyou glared at Sango and angrily said, “I don’t know you! Why should I believe you?”

Sango sat down while still holding Shippo and gently asked, “Do you remember this morning? How you came to this village?”

“All I remember are some crazy ladies pulling me and some old man afraid to climb a tree.”

Shippo had a confused look on his face but kept quiet. Sango chuckled. “Ah, yes. I forgot about Miroku; he’s still stuck in that tree by the way.”

Inu Yasha smiled slightly but stayed where he stood.

“I’m Sango and this is Shippo. You don’t remember us because you and another young demon were in an accident earlier this morning and have lost some of your memories.”

Sango ate a cherry. “Mmm. Delicious. Want one?”

Inu Yasha inched toward Sango and Shippo. He slowly took the cherry from Sango’s outstretched hand. The suspicious hanyou stared at them while he thoughtfully chewed this rare treat. “Strange, the kit isn’t afraid of the human. She seems nice enough but if she isn’t then I’ll escape like I always do.” Sango held out the bag offering him more of the sweet cherries.

“Hey! I’m still hungry; what about me?” Shippo tried not to whine but food was at stake! He stopped complaining when Sango raised her eyebrow again.

For some unknown reason Inu Yasha felt compelled to irritate the kitsune. Ignoring his fear, he reached into the bag and grabbed a fistful of cherries. He sat down near Sango but out of her arm’s reach. Looking directly into Shippo’s pouting face, Inu Yasha ate each cherry with deliberate slowness.

Shippo was starting to get angry. “It’s bad enough I have to share Kagome with Inu Yasha but now Sango! They’re my mammas not his!” Wiggling out of Sango’s arms, the jealous kitsune marched over to Inu Yasha. Shippo stood directly in front of Inu Yasha and stared down at him. Speaking in growls and yips so Sango wouldn’t understand Shippo said, “Sango is mine, so get lost Puppy!”

Even as a puppy Inu Yasha never turned down a challenge so he stood up and stared Shippo directly in the eyes. He growled, “Pretty tough words coming from a fluffy rat.”
The two canines were nose to nose. “I think I’ll stay.”

Sango wasn’t stupid. She may not have understood their yips and barks but the demon exterminator knew a challenge when she saw one. If she weren’t afraid of scaring Inu Yasha away she’d grab Shippo by his tale and shake some sense into him. Dogs and wolves are biologically larger canines than foxes, so even though Inu Yasha was now half Shippo’s age, as half Inu he was still slightly larger than the kit. Inu Yasha was also feral and Sango knew the pampered kit wouldn’t stand a chance in a real fight.

Acting quickly, Sango scooped up the angry kit settling him into the crook of her arm then held her free hand out to Inu Yasha. “I don’t know about you two but I’m still hungry. Let’s go inside and I’ll make some lunch.” Startled, Inu Yasha shyly accepted Sango’s hand.

Entering the dwelling with the two demon children, Sango greeted the two older women sipping tea. “Lady Kaede, look who Shippo and I found.”

“Hello, Inu Yasha. Where have ye been and where is Miroku?”

Inu Yasha walked over to the elderly mikos. He scratched his ear as he asked, “You know me, too?”

“Aye, ye just do not remember me yet.” Patting her lap Kaede said, “Sit down and tell me what ye have done this morning.”

Inu Yasha immediately liked the grandmotherly miko. The young hanyou settled himself comfortably on Kaede’s lap. “She’s soft and cushy like a giant pillow, not like that bony stick lady.” Inu Yasha peeked at the disapproving Azarni and couldn’t help but wonder if her thin lips were going to disappear completely if she didn’t stop scowling.

While Inu Yasha recounted how he tricked the odd man in the robes into climbing the Goshinboku, Sango stepped aside with Shippo for a quiet chat. She knelt on the floor and asked, “What were you thinking, Shippo?”

Shippo suddenly found his feet immensely interesting and could not bring himself to look at Sango.

“Inu Yasha has no memory of us. He doesn’t know his friends from his enemies. In his mind, his parents have only been dead for a short while and no one, not even his family, wants him.”

Sango cupped Shippo’s chin with her fingers and tilted his head upwards so she could look into the kit’s eyes. “You and I both know how painful it is to lose parents, how scared and lonely it feels. But at least we know we’re no longer alone. As crazy as it sounds, we’re a family. Inu Yasha doesn’t remember that he has us to care for him now.”

Shippo wiped his eyes with his paws. “I’m sorry, Sango. I promise to be good. Please don’t hate me.”

Sango held Shippo close to her heart. “I could never hate you Shippo; I love you, you silly kit.” Shippo snuggled into Sango’s embrace. “Just try to be patient with Inu Yasha. Kami knows, it won’t be easy.” The demon exterminator and the fox demon smiled at each other.

Sango gently picked Shippo up and walked toward Azarni. “Lady Kaede looks much better. Do you think she could handle something other than broth?”

Seeing Kaede’s hopeful look, Azarni sighed. “I think it’s too soon but I suppose we could try a stew and see what happens.”

“Thank ye. I’ve drunk so much broth over the past few weeks that in my dreams I’m drowning in it.”

“Stew it is. Shippo and I will go gather some vegetables. We’ll be right back.”

Shippo hopped down from Sango’s arms. He walked over to Inu Yasha and held out his paw. “Would you like to help, Inu Yasha?”

“I suppose.” He grabbed Shippo’s paw and Shippo helped Inu Yasha up from Kaede’s lap.

The trio received quite a few stunned looks from the villagers as they walked to Kaede’s vegetable patch. It wasn’t every day they saw a demon exterminator strolling through a human village holding hands with a fox demon and a naked half-demon.

While Shippo and Inu Yasha played a quick game of catch using a large green tomato, Sango rummaged through the damaged hut’s rubble. With a triumphant shout, she spotted Shippo’s belongings. Pulling a spare outfit from Shippo’s battered pouch she said, “I promise something special for letting Inu Yasha borrow some clothes.”

It took some convincing but Sango finally talked Inu Yasha into wearing the outfit. It was snug but adequate. Once Shippo stopped giggling at the vision of Inu Yasha in kitsune clothing they quickly dug up vegetables then raced each other back to the hut.

They returned to discover Azarni and Kaede had fallen asleep. Not wanting to wake the elderly mikos Sango challenged the two young demons to a contest of silence. She whispered, “If you two can stay quiet enough not to wake them until lunch is ready, I’ll give you each a special treat from Kagome’s bag.”

Inu Yasha looked at Shippo and whispered, “Who’s Gome and what kind of treat?”

In a very loud whisper Shippo said, “You’ll meet Kagome tonight.” The kit rubbed his belly. “It doesn’t matter which treat from her bag we get, they’re all good.”

The two giggling demons tiptoed around the hut trying to be quiet. Whenever Azarni or Kaede would shift in their sleep, Shippo and Inu Yasha would freeze their movements and hold their breaths. Knowing the quiet wouldn’t last long, Sango worked quickly. Periodically she would stop chopping to toss a piece of raw vegetable into a young demon’s open mouth. Once the stew was simmering over the fire Sango turned to her young companions and whispered, “Let’s go outside. The stew won’t be ready for an hour.”

They walked to a nearby field to pick flowers for Kaede. While Inu Yasha was debating with Shippo over which flowers were prettiest, the hanyou discovered Kirara dozing in a patch of sunlight. Instinctually, the dog demon barked at the neko demon but Kirara merely yawned. After slowly stretching, Kirara sauntered over to Inu Yasha and rubbed herself against his leg. Inu Yasha was fascinated with the fire cat. Sango showed him how to gently hold Kirara and Inu Yasha spent the rest of the hour petting the purring cat demon.

The four companions returned to Kaede’s and shared a hearty lunch with the two mikos. With their bellies filled, the two demon children grew sleepy. Shippo’s head bobbed a few times before finally resting on top of his empty bowl. Sango smiled as she gently wiped stew from the kit’s face. She carried him over to a sleeping mat in the corner and laid him down.

Sango sat down next to the sleeping kitsune leaning her back against the hut’s wall. She held out her hand and beckoned Inu Yasha. “Come, Inu Yasha. Let’s take a little nap.”

Inu Yasha stood in front of her. Trying not to yawn he said, “I’m not sleepy.”

“Then sit down for a moment and keep me company while Shippo sleeps.”

He sat down beside Sango opposite the mat. Blinking his tired eyes Inu Yasha stubbornly thought, “I won’t fall asleep.”

Smiling at the sleepy puppy, Sango started humming.

“What are you humming?”

“Oh, just a lullaby my mother used to sing to me. She died a long time ago; but the song helps me feel better when I miss her.”

Inu Yasha sighed. “My mamma used to sing to me too, but I was so little I don’t remember any of the songs.”

Sango placed her arm around Inu Yasha drawing him closer. “Would you like me to sing my mama’s song for you?”

Inu Yasha nodded. “If you want to.”

Sango cleared her throat then began to sing.

“Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine”

Inu Yasha curled into Sango’s embrace laying his head upon her chest.

“Little one when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let your eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine”

Inu Yasha’s eyelids grew heavy and he blinked a few times before finally closing them.

“If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you”

Inu Yasha yawned as he placed his tiny clawed hand on Sango’s belly.

“From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine”

Sango stared down at the sleeping hanyou in her arms as she listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing. As she ran her fingers through the young demon’s silvery hair Sango laughed to herself at the irony of a demon exterminator tucking young demons into bed. “Maybe I’m ready to accept Miroku’s offer.”