The Fox & The Hanyou

Scene 9 ------------------------------------------- Early The Next Morning

* Loudly chirping birds, that are greeting the sunrise outside the protected cave entrance, are Kouga's wakeup call. Inuyasha looks to watch him sit up grumbling and rubbing his back. When Kouga glances around and his memory returns he looks toward Inuyasha. Neither are aware that Shippo has woke up several minutes before. He's just staying still, curled up on his side, trying to gather himself and sort through the memories.

Kouga - Stupid birds wake you up, too?
Inuyasha - No... I stayed awake.
Kouga - All night?

* Inuyasha nods.

Inuyasha - Yes... I soothed him through some fitful nightmares.

* Kouga sighs and stands to stretch out his back.

Kouga - Hungry, mutt?
Inuyasha - (Quietly) I'm not eatting until he does.

* Kouga studies the determined hanyou a moment, then goes over closer to him.

Kouga - He's not even accepted you as his mate, yet... There's no use in torturing yourself.

* When Inuyasha snaps a snarl up at Kouga the ookami steps back respectfully. The sudden snarl also causes the kitsune to flinch and curl up tighter. Inuyasha hears Shippo's whimper and quickly leans to check him. Feeling his closeness makes Shippo look at him nervously.

Inuyasha - Easy... It's just me...

* After a moment Shippo settles then lays his head back down again. Kouga decides to go take his morning bath and give them some privacy.

Inuyasha - Are you okay, Shippo?

* Shippo refuses to answer for a few moments, then he remembers Inuyasha's words. He grimaces slightly as he sits up and inches away from the hanyou some.

Inuyasha - I'm not going to hurt you, kit... You know that, don't you?

* Shippo hears the genuine concern in Inuyasha's voice. He lowers his head and nods, but refuses to meet the Inu's eyes.

Shippo - I... I'm just... hungry.

* Inuyasha remembers the two mikans he'd put in his pockets the night before last. He quickly takes them out and places them beside the kitsune. When Shippo sees them he looks up at Inuyasha briefly.

Shippo - B-But those are...
Inuyasha - I'm giving them to you... You can nibble on them while I go gather us up something more.

* Shippo feels his instincts nagging at him so he obeys. When he timidly hands one of the mikans back to the dog demon, Inuyasha hesitates, then seems to understand the meaning, and accepts the offer. When Shippo looks back up at Inuyasha he nods once then stands.

Inuyasha - I'll be right back. There's a barrier on the entrance so you'll be safe in here... Don't leave.
Shippo - (Quietly) Yes, sir.

* Inuyasha hesitates, then turns and leaves. As Shippo peels the small tangerine he slowly becomes aware that the citrusy scent is the only one he can detect besides Inuyasha's and Kouga's. Curiously Shippo glances over his shoulder as he bushes his tail out. 'I smell... normal... again', he realizes. He then concentrates inwardly until he notices that the burning, that prevailed in his body for the past few days, has subsided. This alarms Shippo for a not-completely-understood reason. As he nibbles at the tangerine his mind replays as much of the incidents of yesterday that he can gather. When he comes to the memory of feeling that strange demon release deep and long inside him he freezes. Inuyasha returns quietly just as Shippo lets the uneatten portion of the mikan roll out of his hands. The hanyou's ears pitch forward when they hear the boy's quiet sob. Shippo looks up when Inuyasha sighs. When Inuyasha goes over to unload his arms of the fruits and squash he's brought Shippo scoots away. Inuyasha watches him turn to face the cave wall shamefully as he sits cross-legged in front of him.

Inuyasha - Shippo,...

* Shippo quickly shakes his head and hugs the wall closer when Inuyasha reaches out to touch his arm.

Inuyasha - Hey, it's okay...
Shippo - No!! It's not...

* The kit glances at the hanyou quickly.

Shippo - And you know why!

* Shippo sobs.

Shippo - You know I'm... ruined now... Spoiled...
Inuyasha - I know none of this is your fault... Shippo,...

* Inuyasha tries to touch him again, but the kitsune dodges him to go to the back of the cave.

Shippo - You can't want me now... I'm...

* All the abusive words Koyuto used crash into his mind until he collapses into a trembling, sobbing ball. Kouga enters quietly as he cries out.

Shippo - He was... right...! I'm nothing but... trash...! Worthless, pathetic...
Inuyasha - That baka was a liar, Shippo!!
Shippo - It-It makes no... d-difference now...

* Instincts once more kick in. His two friends watch him start to make his way toward the entrance.

Shippo - I have to go... I have to-to find him...

* Kouga steps over to head the nervous kitsune off and Shippo presses himself back against the cavewall.

Shippo - Please... I have to go to him...
Kouga - You can't...
Shippo - I have to... I-I m-might be... carrying his... his...

* The weight of the situation becomes too much for the upset, young fox. When Shippo passes out Inuyasha flies over to him. Kouga moves closer, also concerned.

Inuyasha - Shippo!?
Kouga - Is he okay??

* Inuyasha gathers him up and carries him back over to Kouga's bed.

Kouga - How could he want to go back to that...?

* Inuyasha looks up at Kouga.

Inuyasha - Could it be a... fox thing?
Kouga - How should I know??
Inuyasha - Well, I know this much... I need to get him back home...
Kouga - I'll go along in case you need help...
Inuyasha - Do whatever you want to do, wolf.

* Inuyasha gathers Shippo up again. Kouga just sighs and goes to remove the barrier. As Inuyasha moves past him to the outside Kouga takes in a deep breath of the hanyou's scent. Inuyasha glances at the ookami as he closes his eyes in quiet pleasure. Inuyasha realizes his own situation when the simple gesture sends a shiver up his spine. Kouga meets Inuyasha's eyes when he barely stifles a whine.

Inuyasha - Kouga,...
Kouga - I'm not leaving you... Do I have to make you put the kit down so we can settle this?

* Something inside desires to reach out to the full demon's authority, but it clashes with his concern for Shippo. The dog demon just lowers his eyes to look down at Shippo in his arms and shakes his head.

Kouga - Okay, then. Follow me.
Inuyasha - Back to my village...

* Kouga decides to give a little, himself, and nods with a low growl.

Kouga - Okay... Back to your village.
Inuyasha - Kaede will know how to help him, I hope.
Kouga - Let's make the trip quick.

* Inuyasha yelps with a start when Kouga suddenly gathers him up in his arms. Before the hanyou can protest they are already leading the tornado toward Inuyasha's village.