Shippou on His Life and Friends
When his parents were killed, he thought that his life was over. He was an orphan…a young youkai in a world of cruel and merciless youkai that were far stronger than he was. How could he hope to survive when there were creatures out there that would love to eat him for breakfast? Not to mention the fact that the Thunder Brothers had been out for his blood as well.
He hadn't expected to find friends in a hanyou and a girl from the future, of all unlikely candidates. Nevertheless, they accepted him and allowed him to join them. They even helped him avenge his father's death. It was more than he could have hoped for.
After that, more new people entered his life…Miroku, Sango and Kirara. He considered them all to be his friends and better still, they saw him as a friend as well. He felt like he had a new family. As odd and mixed as it was, he was grateful to belong somewhere again.
He thought about these things during times when they had a break from fighting. He spent a great deal more time reflecting than anyone would have guessed of him considering his age. His favorite time to think was when they all sat around a warm fire on a peaceful evening, just before bedtime.
In one such instance, he sat beside Kagome and watched the flames of the fire as they flicked and twisted their hypnotic dance. Watching the fire always put him in a sentimental state of mind. He began to think of his parents, of their deaths and how he felt every time he saw his father's battered pelt around the waist of that murderer Manten. Then he thought of his meeting Kagome and Inuyasha and how they helped him, putting his father at peace and easing his own aching heart.
It was actually Kagome who had eased his heart the most. She had been the first to reach out to him when he was orphaned and it was she who had become like a mother to him. Now, she was easily the most important person in his life. She loved him and protected him, prevented Inuyasha from bullying him, and showed him the affection that any child would want from time to time.
Her shoulder was often his perch of choice and he adored riding in the basket on her bike. He always wanted to sleep next to her and she never seemed to mind if he ended up sprawling out on top of her or getting wrapped up in her blanket. She always brought him delicious sweet things from her era, and sometimes she would watch him affectionately when his eyes lit up as he tasted something for the first time. And on occasion she would cuddle him, particularly after she'd been gone for a while. Upon her return, he would run at her and leap happily into her arms, reveling in the motherly cuddle that followed.
He always missed her terribly when she went back home. He knew that she couldn't stay with him all of the time but every time she left, he felt her absence to the point of becoming restless and unhappy until she returned. He often resorted to mischief to take his mind off of it, which could result in unpleasant consequences…especially from Inuyasha, who didn't have Kagome there to temper his wrath at such times.
Even when Shippou didn't instigate anything, he always felt more picked on when Kagome wasn't there. She was the buffer for everyone, but especially for him. Even if there weren't any troubles, however, things just seemed to be better when she was there.
He looked up at her, at the subtle smile that graced her lips as she enjoyed the rare calm that they were experiencing. Her face was so gentle, softened even further by the glow of the firelight. She blinked once and then glanced down at him, her smile growing. He grinned back at her cutely. They often shared smiles. It was their way of expressing the unspoken bond between them.
When both of them returned their gazes to the fire, Shippou smiled to himself. He was glad that Kagome was with them tonight. Her feelings of contentment augmented his own. In fact, everyone seemed at ease tonight. There was an atmosphere of peace about them.
Shippou glanced at the faces of his friends, their skin illuminated with the warm hues of the fire so that they looked serene and pleasant…even Inuyasha, whose face was usually harsh with battle-ready vigilance and the ever present burden of his life experiences. At the moment, he looked so tranquil, perhaps even kind.
Shippou began to consider Inuyasha. The hanyou could be so mean-spirited and violent sometimes, and he seemed to have a partiality toward picking on Shippou. He even got downright violent with him when he was in particular distemper. Yet…Shippou knew better than to take things at surface value.
Inuyasha was complicated. He had some of the facets of a demon's disposition, yet the heart and feelings of a human. Because of what he was, he'd been through hell his entire life. Even Shippou didn't have those kinds of problems. He might be small, but he was a full demon in the very least. He knew his place in the world. Inuyasha never had that sense of belonging and his heart was always in conflict.
Looking at Inuyasha's almost melancholy expression, Shippou could see the care-worn quality in his usually guarded eyes. He suddenly looked older. It made Shippou think of all of the times he'd seen Inuyasha with a softer expression, like when he was sad or being uncharacteristically kind. Shippou then thought of the times when that kindness had been directed at him. In particular, he remembered an instance when Inuyasha had actually commended him for a well fought battle, which was a compliment that he never dreamed he'd hear from a being so powerful.
He had been fighting a lizard demon who intended harm to a little human girl that he had befriended. He felt like he was once again too weak to do anything useful and when Inuyasha had come to his aid, he had despaired over how pathetic he was. But Inuyasha had said that the demon was on its last legs, and that Shippou had fought well and exhausted the demon's energy. He would never forget the kind expression in Inuyasha's eyes and the encouraging tone of his voice. The hanyou had been supportive…and sincere.
Inuyasha would never know how much his supportive words had meant to Shippou. The little kitsune also never forgot that Inuyasha had always been there any time he'd ever needed him, to save his life or to stand by him in the face of adversity. Shippou found himself looking at Inuyasha differently in that moment. He was like a big brother, reserving the right to torment Shippou, but always there for him when the situation got serious.
After a moment, Inuyasha eyes shifted to meet Shippou's gaze and he might have made a sarcastic comment if he hadn't caught the look of admiration that accompanied the stare. Instead of hardening his expression, he smiled ever so slightly at the tiny demon.
Shippou's eyes widened when he realized that he'd been caught but his shock was quickly replaced with a small smile of his own when he saw that Inuyasha's kind expression hadn't faded. If anything, he now felt that benevolence directed at him and his concept of Inuyasha as a big brother grew even stronger. However, he returned his gaze to the fire so as not to exhaust Inuyasha's patience. He didn't want to lose the warmth of feeling he had achieved by pushing more out of it than Inuyasha was willing to give.
Just then, Miroku stretched, sighing contentedly before relaxing again. This drew Shippou's attention and he watched the monk silently for a moment. Miroku could be so frustrating sometimes. Of all of his friends, Shippou felt that he understood Miroku the least. After all, he was just a child and Miroku was driven by the more adult facets of the world that he just didn't quite comprehend. Even if he grasped the concepts, Miroku's motivations often made no sense to him. Still, as confounding as the monk could be, Shippou still liked him.
Despite the fact that he was an incorrigible letch, Miroku actually did like children and was very good at relating to them. He exercised a great deal of patience for Shippou's pranks and he always treated the young kitsune like he was on equal standing with any adult. Miroku never made Shippou feel unwanted or in the way and he never seemed to mind Shippou perching on his shoulder.
Miroku even took in stride all of Shippou's sarcasm about his escapades. Most people would be angry if a child made cynical comments admonishing their behavior, but Miroku allowed Shippou his repartee. Often, it appeared as if such banter amused Miroku, as if he were interested to hear a child's perceptions of his behavior. Sometimes they seemed to amuse one another.
In addition to all of that, Shippou also admired Miroku's intelligence. The monk was a fount of knowledge and despite his lifestyle, he was also wise. He was certainly a vast contrast to Inuyasha, who thought more often with his sword or mouth than with his brain. Shippou appreciated Miroku's ingenuity and cleverness. When his eyes weren't clouded by lust or mischief, there was a knowing and venerable look about them. Coupled with a jovial and approachable manner, these qualities made him extremely likable despite his idiosyncrasies.
In considering Miroku, Shippou was surprised that the monk hadn't once tried to make a pass at Sango the entire evening. Shippou glanced back and forth between them. They both seemed so calm and relaxed that he figured Miroku either didn't want to ruin it or wasn't thinking about it at the moment.
When his eyes finally came to rest on Sango, he noticed that she, too, seemed to be deep in thought. Her expression was a little melancholy, but not altogether unhappy. He supposed that she might be thinking about Kohaku…perhaps during happier times.
Shippou understood Sango's pain. He'd lost his family too. Granted, the circumstances were different, but he knew what it was like to feel all alone in the world. However, Sango faced a complication that he didn't have to. Kohaku was still alive, in a manner of speaking, but so far away in every sense. Sango might have more easily been able to cope with his death, but losing him to Naraku…it tortured her every day.
There was still a vague hope that they might yet save Kohaku and there were times when Shippou thought that this was the only thing that gave Sango the will to keep fighting. He certainly hoped that they would be able to save her brother. He hated to see Sango suffer so much. Despite a strong exterior, she was fragile on the inside. Every time Naraku sent Kohaku into their path, Shippou could see how much it wore on Sango's emotions.
He was glad to see her at peace tonight. She needed time to refresh her emotional state of being. That's why he was also glad that Miroku was leaving her alone. Maybe Miroku sensed that she needed this break as well. In any case, Shippou hoped that she drew comfort from the presence of her friends. He hoped that even if the situation with Kohaku didn't end as they desired, that Sango would find enough purpose and meaning in her relationships with them to want to go on living. He didn't want to lose her as a friend.
After a moment, Shippou's eyes traveled down to Kirara sleeping in Sango's lap. Kirara was his playmate. It was nice to have a friend as small as he was. Well, she was small most of the time. He actually loved the way she could become a fierce creature to be reckoned with. He always felt safe around her. He only wished that he could make himself grow like that. Sure, he could emulate the appearance of a tall person, but it wasn't the same. He couldn't actually fight like that.
Shippou sighed to himself. It wasn't as if he could offer much in a fight anyway. Sure, he could hold his own against a weak opponent, but in the battles that really mattered, the ones where his friends put their lives on the line for the greater cause, he felt useless. They always had to protect him. Someday, he would repay them. When he got older and more powerful, he would do something for all of them. Until then, all he could give was the gift of friendship. But that was all they seemed to wish of him.
They didn't keep him with them for the sake of having an extra fighter or because he offered some skill that was invaluable. They wanted him with them because he was their friend and they liked him. That made him feel special. It made him feel loved. Shippou dozed off with the warmth of that thought filling his heart.
Additional notes: While we're on the subject of Shippou, I have a short story about him entitled, "A Trickster's Nature." If you want, you can check it out through my profile. It's short but funny and it involves Miroku getting a bit of what's coming to him!