his intoxication

13

Damon had approximately 0 seconds to brace himself as a blur of red collided with him and wrapped itself around him. He stumbled back, catching the boy, who was nearly as tall as he was, he wasn't sure he'd ever understand youkai aging patterns, and returned the embrace of the trembling fox, stunned that he was on the receiving end in such a display of affection.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you." He heard Shippo chanting quietly, and he felt his heart ache at the worry he must have felt when he'd heard his mother being attacked through their phone call. Shippo drew back and looked him in his eyes. He could read everything the boy wanted to say, but couldn't get out. He placed a firm, reassuring hand on his shoulder, and then tilted his head in the direction of the beloved woman who belonged to both of them. Shippo pounced, crouching down to nuzzle under her chin like he was a kit again, and Kagome stroked his fiery hair and looked over to Damon, her face scrunched in confusion, looking for an explanation.

"He heard. Your phone call wasn't disconnected. I texted him to let him know you were safe."

She gasped, her eyes wide with hurt and concern.

"Oh Shippo, I'm so so sorry. I didn't even think... please forgive me for overlooking-"

"It's fine mom, I'm just glad your okay!" She cuddled him close and and gave Damon a grateful, watery smile as tears pooled in her eyes. He gave her a soft smile in return, the brushed away the tear that trailed down her cheek.

"As touching as this all is," Koga piped up from where he was sprawled out in the couch, "you're about to be interrupted by hanyou fury in 3...2...1..."

"WENCH! What the hell were you thinking?!"

Damon rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

"And it had been such a good day so far."

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Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose and attempted with all of her strength to keep her temper in check. It was times like this she regretted taking those damn beads off of Inuyasha, and she wondered how hard it would be to make a new set for the duration of his little visit.

"Why didn't you tell me you were gonna be gone all night with this... this... whatever the hell he is?!"

"And why on earth would I need to tell you that, Inuyasha?"

"Because we just sit here and worry otherwise, wench!"

"Shippo knew where I was! Did you even bother to ask him? I don't need to clear anything with you, Baka, so just calm the hell down! We've got important things to discuss!"

She led them to the kitchen table, waiting for all of them to take a seat before she cleared her throat and began.

"I was attacked last night for-"

"WHAT?!" Inuyasha's incensed yell was not unexpected, Kagome had simply held on to a foolish hope that he'd let her finish before he went off on another tirade. Inuyasha turned his irate glare on Damon, who merely cocked a brow, looking thoroughly unimpressed and slightly irritated.

"You let her get attacked!? I knew you were no good for her! I knew you were too weak to-"

"INUYASHA! That is enough!" The sound of Kagome right on the edge of her patience made Inuyasha sit back with wide eyes, ears snapping back to lay flat on his head.

"Damon did not let me get attacked, INUYASHA. I stepped away for just a moment, and he showed up a moment later and killed my attacker. Now, sit down, shut up, and let me finish." Inuyasha slumped in his seat and grumbled under his breath. Koga chuckled quietly, never getting over the site of Kagome delivering the aggravating hanyou a verbal ass-whipping. Shippo leaned over toward Damon and mock whispered, bringing his hand up to cover his mouth.