InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dubious Relations ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Dubious Relations

 

Chapter 7

 

It was utterly miserable outside; the thunder made the earth shake and Shippo's teeth chatter, whilst the quick flashes of lightning illuminated their dreary beings, as the rain pounded against anything unlucky enough to be in its way. The wind had taken to stabbing through their damp clothes and skin and froze their bones. All in all, the drastic change in the weather was ticking Inuyasha off.

 

"Wow, it's really coming down out there." Shippo said as though in awe from where he was sitting safely in Kagome's lap. They were curled up in a brown blanket, shivering minutely as they cuddled. Miroku, Sango and a very large Kilala were sitting across from them, shoulder to shoulder as they attempted to warm themselves.

 

Inuyasha had sought refuge closer to the entrance to the murky cave, finding his stomach filled with guilt and his eyes unable to meet Kagome's. Perhaps the weather hated him now? It certainly seemed to think he needed to be taken on a wonderfully painful and embarrassing guilt trip by having his surroundings remind him far too much of his escapade with Sesshomaru. Even worse it seemed the wind sliding smoothly into the cave had taken to mimicking his older brother's hissed moans. Inuyasha's ears flicked, he almost couldn't stand it.

 

"We'll need to get moving as soon as the rain stops, if we're going to make up for lost time. Naraku's probably on the move again." The half-demon mumbled in the attempt to take his mind away from the images of Sesshomaru with his hair splayed around him.

 

He received a nod from Miroku, "Yes, he doesn't seem to be risking staying in one place for too long. It seems as though he's learnt from his past mistakes, which can only be taken as a negative for us."

 

"But he wouldn't move in the rain. He's still susceptible to illness, much like you are Inuyasha. He'll be in the same place as he was this afternoon." Sango went on, "We should take the time to rest fitfully."

 

They all nodded in agreement and shuffled about, attempting to find comfortable positions on the cold stone floor. A moment later, as Inuyasha stood to move to the darkest recesses of the cave, Inuyasha could have sworn he'd heard a little girl's cry, and a loud roaring, stomping sound coming from outside the cave. His eyes grew wide with disbelief as an undignified squawk following them and he spun around to make sure he'd heard correctly, his ears standing to attention.

 

Kagome blinked tiredly and raised her head from where it was pillowed against her arms, "What's wrong Inuyasha?" She mumbled.

 

She was answered by Jaken as he stumbled into their clearing outside the cave, "Hurry up Rin, to that cave!" Inuyasha heard the toad reply, he was sure at least Shippo had heard Jaken over the bone rattling thunder and splattering rain, "Lord Sesshomaru will have my head if you were to get sick!" Inuyasha stared openly, as a small, human girl scuttled in and ran - face first - into his thigh. He blinked as she groaned and grabbed for her petite nose immediately, landing bum first on the ground. There was a moment when Inuyasha held his breath, waiting for the little girl to cry, but found that he was getting an earful from Jaken and the girl was silent, "You! Half-breed! What is the meaning of this? Don't you know that this girl is my Master's charge? How dare you harm her!"

 

A warning growl, then another erupted from the entrance and Inuyasha immediately stepped back into a defensive stance as Ah Un, made himself known. The dragon eyed him whilst standing straight, before he bent down and nuzzled Rin's cheeks comfortingly. Inuyasha snorted; he mustn't have seen him as a threat and the half-demon didn't know whether to take that as an insult or to leave it as a positive. He sent Jaken an unworried stare, coupled with a scowl, "What the fuck are you three doing here?"

 

"We don't need to answer any questions from the likes of you hal-"

 

Rin cut him off with a worry-filled voice as she wrung her hands, "Lord Sesshomaru hasn't returned from his trip yet!"

 

Inuyasha eyed the girl suspiciously, "Doesn't he always leave you alone? Why are you so worried? It's not like he cares." He heard Kagome take in a breath only to be cut off by the little girl now standing in front of him.

 

"He said he'd be back by the time the sun rose at the latest, but it's been two days!" Inuyasha felt himself grow uneasy as the little girl clutched at his red hakama anxiously, "Rin needs help! Ah Un can't pick up his smell! And Master Jaken said he'd be feeling weak because of the puppy he's carrying!"

 

"Rin! You should not be telling the humans and this half-breed about Lord Sesshomaru's health! Enough!" The girl looked sorry, though Inuyasha could still see her chewing on her index finger.

 

"Puppy? Why would Sesshomaru carry a puppy?" Shippo spoke up sleepily, "That doesn't sound at all like the Sesshomaru we know at all."

 

Rin rubbed her eyes as her eyes travelled to all the occupants of the cave, "Rin doesn't understand it either. Not completely, but Master Jaken knows." She sniffled and pointed to her Lord's retainer, still rubbing her face and eyes.

 

Inuyasha watched as the girl shivered before he cast his gaze upon his brother's toad. Sango called softly to her from behind him, "Come on, while the others talk to Master Jaken, you can come change with me. Do you have a spare set of clothes?" She asked kindly as she stood.

 

Rin nodded and ran to the leather sacks tied to the dragon's hind legs. Inuyasha watched, waited, half expecting the dragon to take a nip at the little girl's fingers as they flew into the bag and withdrew a purple kimono; it was well known that dragons had little patience for other demons, let alone humans. As Rin held up the kimono, Inuyasha could have sworn he'd seen her scrunch up her nose at it, but let the event slip through and out of his mind smoothly; he needed to interrogate (and find cause to hit the toad as much as possible; it was very therapeutic and ought to take his mind off the weather and their surroundings) the toad.

 

Inuyasha sat down with his legs crossed beneath him. He felt the need to smirk as the toad swallowed thickly and clutched tightly to his staff. To Inuyasha's surprise the dragon made himself comfortable where he had been earlier.

 

Kagome started their questioning, “What pup?”

 

“I am of no obligation to tell you of Lord Sesshomaru.” Jaken responded stubbornly.

 

“You'll tell us willingly, or I'll beat it out of you.” Inuyasha returned.

 

Jaken swallowed again. Inuyasha could see and smell the toad beginning to sweat, but remained silent.

 

Inuyasha heard Miroku shift, and a moment later the monk was sitting beside him, his staff laying passively on the ground beside him. The monk spoke kindly and respectfully, “We know of your endless loyalty to Lord Sesshomaru, just as we know you are a reasonable demon.” Inuyasha resisted the urge to snort as Miroku's well practised con job continued with a small smile and soft eyes, “We only mean to help. Rin is obviously distressed and if knowing our Lord's health will help us, we must learn of it.”

 

Inuyasha watched with stern eyes and dark furrowed brows. The toad seemed to be contemplating Miroku's words. Inuyasha mentally snorted; it was more likely that Sesshomaru had abandoned them. If anyone knew how much of a bastard Sesshomaru was it was him and it wasn't like they weren't annoying. Children were brats, Jaken's voice was shrill enough to drive a deaf man to suicide and the dragon… Inuyasha hadn't ever stood within a foot of a dragon for more than a few moments. But he most likely had some weird idiosyncratic tendency that had annoyed Sesshomaru into abandoning him.

 

The toad cleared his throat, “Do you all promise to help my Lord? I do not appreciate liars.” Miroku nodded on behalf of all of them. Jaken inclined his head back. The small, green demon wiped his face of moisture and sat down near the dragon, and cleared his throat. “I do not know of the circumstances that lead to my Lord being so, but my Lord is pregnant.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes bulged, “What the fuck are you talking about? Sesshomaru's a-”

 

“Be quiet, half-breed! Let me finish! And you should know that some male demons can bear children, it is how they were born!” With a glare, Inuyasha sat back down his mind abuzz. Jaken took in a deep breath, then released it and shifted again, “He is also mated. However, no one that cares for my Lord knows who his mate and the pup's father are.” Jaken's left eye cracked open, “I am worried my Lord has fought and been wounded. He is weaker now that his body is holding a developing pup, he is far slower than he usually is, and his stamina has lessened considerably.” Jaken's voice seemed to grow more miserable with every new listing of Sesshomaru's lacking points.

 

An oppressive silence filled the cave, as the occupants digested the information given to them. Inuyasha felt his insides twist with rage; the bastard had had sex with someone other than him? Right after their time in the cave? Why the fuck had he had to sleep with him if he was going to get pregnant anyway? Inuyasha's head tilted of its own accord down so that his chin was pressed to his own chest, whilst his clawed hands clenched at his own knees. That bastard was mated and pregnant with someone else's baby! Right after he'd had sex with him!

 

The half-demon felt cheated, “I should have known the bastard would pull shit like this. He just wanted to fuck with my head, the jackass.” He murmured near silently, to himself.

 

Inuyasha heard Miroku sigh from beside him, drawing dark, green, pin-point and golden eyes to his form. The monk stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Ah. That would explain our Lord's most feminine beauty.”

 

“What the fuck are you going on about Miroku?” Inuyasha growled. He felt funny, possessive almost. Inuyasha continued to clench his fists, “The bastard's not pretty!”

 

Miroku blinked and then smiled disarmingly, “As you know Inuyasha, I am a fan and most keen observer of great beauty. So much so I consider myself an expert. Even though your brother is male, he is very beautiful.” Miroku closed his eyes and continued to murmur, his right hand's fingers still stroking his chin, “Stunning.” He sighed wistfully as Sango suddenly appeared behind the monk, and mercilessly flung her fist into the back of his head, causing Miroku's eyes to bulge and water slightly.

 

“Don't you think anymore on the subject!” Inuyasha felt a large wave of gratefulness sweep at the act and Sango's anger.

 

Their attention was brought back to Jaken as the green demon cleared his throat again a moment later, “It is not essential that you all help us. We are able to find Lord Sesshomaru on our own, however, it is of the most importance that you do not share the information I've given you with anyone.” After a small pause, he added, “And I request you not to inform my Lord of the means you received such information.”

 

Jaken shifted as Rin wandered back to his side, her wet clothes carefully folded and in her hands. She placed them next to the dragon's stomach and sat down, her doe brown eyes large and moist. Inuyasha felt his heart quiver and stubborn ignored it as the girl continued to stare up at him, “Are you going to help Lord Sesshomaru?” She asked.

 

Inuyasha felt his insides twist. Sango answered for them all, “Yes. We'll help. But we all need to sleep, alright?”

 

Rin nodded. She looked pleased, “Alright.”

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Was the pup alive? Was it hurting? Sesshomaru rubbed his palm over his stomach, idly realising that it had become a habit of sorts, the human girl in the corner looking on with wide eyes. He ignored her watching, instead focussing his attention on feeling the pup's small energy pulse and shutter into a much weaker state, before bouncing back to life again. It was clear the pup was suffering inside him and Sesshomaru hoped for nothing more than to end its misery.

 

Sesshomaru heard the creak of the thick vines that trapped him inside the room part and barely moved - despite his regained mobility as the last of Naraku's poison found its way from his body - as Naraku stepped into the damp, moss-smelling room without a sound. The demon Lord's annoyance of having his thinking disturbed only grew when he spied a wooden bowl balanced carefully in Naraku's hand as he placed it in front of him with a small `tap'. He heard a second one and assumed that the half-breed child had given the human her food.

 

Just like he had the day before, Sesshomaru stared down at the bowl of food Naraku had handed to him. He examined the green bits and pieces with much scrutiny, before turning his nose up at it, “You continue to believe this Sesshomaru will eat human food, after he has told you he will not.” He stated blandly, “Your acting as a host is inadequate. Release me.”

 

Naraku frowned and with a sickeningly fake tone replied, “Mu apologies. We have nothing else, and I know not of the food you eat, my Lord.” The half-demon attempted to smirk, “Eat what we have, or I will allow you to starve.”

 

Sesshomaru blinked slowly, his hand scratching over the fabric covering his belly again and watched as Naraku's eyes fell to his only hand. His tone turned sour, “You cannot afford to do so. You want a strong heir, one that only I can provide.” He paused, “You will find me something edible, or you will not receive what you strive so desperately for.”

 

With a sneer Naraku spun around, his cool exterior gone as he hissed for Kanna to follow him. Sesshomaru blinked slowly after him. It seemed as though he had annoyed the half-breed, and felt a pleased feeling grow in his chest.

 

He heard a giggle erupt from the corner of the room and turned to the human girl, “What is it you find amusing human?”

 

The girl covered her mind, “I've never seen Naraku so annoyed! You really know how to push his buttons.”

 

“I was not aware Naraku possessed such things.”

 

The girl blinked, then collapsed into a fit of giggles again, “It's a saying!” She gasped after a moment, “It means you know how to annoy him with little effort.” She smiled brightly up at him. It seemed, much to Sesshomaru's displeasure, she was no longer afraid of him.

 

“It is one of your human proverbs?” The demon Lord questioned, attempting to clarify such a strange saying in his mind.

 

“Yes.”

 

Sesshomaru stored this information at the back of his mind, careful to remember it just in case Rin were to use such a term. She has used many before, ones he does not understand or perhaps cannot because he knows little of the human culture. Sesshomaru's attention is brought back to the human girl in front of him once again, as she points to the bowl by his crossed legs.

 

“It's good for you,” She said as she stood and scuttled to kneel in front of him, “You see this green stuff? That's leek, and this white stuff is potato. They're both good for the baby.”

 

“The pup is fine living off my own energy. It does not need your human food.”

 

The girl arches a brow and replied in a defensive voice, “We're not bad you know! We don't kill others off for no reason!”

 

Sesshomaru eyed the girl momentarily, taking in her stubbornly set features and frowning nose, “The band of seven, they enjoyed the decimating of other humans for no other reason than for their own entertainment. They were human, were they not?”

 

“You know about them?” The girl asked as though astonished as she stared with large, wide eyes up at him.

 

The demon Lord wondered idly if the girl had ever realised what his position in the social hierarchy of Japan was, “I am Lord of the Western Plains. I am required to know of those that cause uproar in my lands. They killed many of my villagers.”

 

“Why didn't you stop them?” She asked incredulously, her hands now planted on her hips, “If you knew about them, then how could you allow them to continue killing as you called them, your villagers?”

 

“The band of seven allowed did me a great many favours by assassinating the human Lords that govern my lands. They were growing too cocky of their own power. If the humans had not killed them, I would have.”

 

“That's terrible.” The girl replied immediately, breathlessly, much to Sesshomaru's amusement.

 

Sesshomaru sent her a level stare, “I do not care for the humans that live on my lands, however, I do not wish to exterminate them. It is useless for me to do so; they aid my rule.”

 

The sound of bared feet shuffling about on the wooden floor and ruffling fabric filled the room as the girl shifted and made herself comfortable. Her dark brows were furrowed when she spoke again, “They help you?” She asked quietly.

 

The demon Lord did not reply.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“What leads you to the decision that my Lord is this way, half-breed?” Jaken squawked indignantly from beside the dragon lumbering behind Inuyasha and his usual group, “We were heading north!”

 

Inuyasha had had enough! He had put up with the stupid toad's whining for the worst part of an hour, and he was sick of him! His ears were ringing, his head was pounding and he didn't want to hear another word from the toad's mouth! He growled threateningly, his teeth and claws beared as he glared down on the much smaller demon, “Listen, you little-”

 

“Inuyasha, be nice,” Kagome admonished soothingly, “He is only worried about Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

The half breed continued to growl, “Fuck that! They asked for our help, not the other way `round!”

 

“You really shouldn't let his banter get to you,” Shippo said haughtily from inside Kagome's bike's basket, “He is beneath us after all; he's a servant.” The fox demon finished with a grin. The comment pulled another shrieking cry from Jaken's throat as he spluttered and waddled to Kagome's side, all the while peering up at Shippo.

 

“I'll have you know I was selected personally by Lord Sesshomaru to be the bearer of the legendary, Staff of Two Heads!” He said as he motioned with his staff.

 

Shippo yawned, “That thing has a name? I thought it was just some stick you decorated and carried around.”

 

“What!?”

 

Kagome smiled and chuckled, “The Staff of Two Heads is sacred to the Western Lands. Our Lord must have put a lot of trust in you to have allowed you to be its master for a time.”

 

Inuyasha watched the exchange closely, with furrowed brows and a scowl. Kagome really was acting strangely, and he was finding it hard to ignore. At first, when he'd first returned from his short holiday away from the group, he'd thought Kagome was attempting to fulfil a resolution she'd set herself to in order to lessen the large amount of sit commands she forced upon him. But now… Inuyasha was worried; Kagome wasn't herself.

 

She had called Sesshomaru `Lord', she'd called Miroku `monk', she had yet to cease her newest habit of flicking her hand up towards her face whenever she was annoyed. She didn't sit him, at all and Inuyasha was starting to worry. The thing that worried the half-demon most was the short but many times she'd disappeared and reappeared as though she'd just morphed into her position from thin air.

 

Inuyasha frowned. This needed to be sorted now; they hadn't had a proper argument (one that had ended with a sit command) in what felt like years and he was beginning to think that to be sat was the only way to lessen the worry lining the pit of his stomach, “Oi, Kagome! Give the stupid bike to Miroku, we need to talk!”

 

The human turned around with a surprised expression decorating her face, but handed the bike over with little small talk. She blinked curiously as Inuyasha continued to yell instruction to keep moving and to camp near the river he could smell nearby. He then roughly grabbed Kagome by the hand and dragged her into some thicker foliage.

 

The girl cocked her head and smiled weakly, “What's wrong, Inuyasha? Is there something upsetting you?”

 

Inuyasha dropped himself down on a fallen log and stuck each of his hands inside the opposite sleeve of his haori. He snorted to himself before replying gruffly, “I was fine without the sit commands but you've started to call my jackass of a half-brother `Lord'. What the fuck's up with you?”

 

“I don't know what you mean. I'm fine, I don't feel unwell-“

 

Inuyasha cut her off, “And that's another thing! You've been talking like the bastard does too, with all your snobbish talk. You sound like a noble bitch.”

 

The girl winced with every one of his words, and then frowned slightly with his last remark, “I'm fine.” She attempted to reassure him, “Really.” She smiled, but, Inuyasha realised with some slight surprise, there seemed to be no sincerity in it.

 

When had her smiles become so fake? Inuyasha cast a suspicious glance at her, with one of his eyebrows quirked as he attempted to figure out when Kagome's smile had changed, but mostly drew a blank. All he could remember was the few times Shippo had made some smartass comment about Sesshomaru or how Miroku had set himself to mumbling about Sesshomaru and his feminine looks. Such mumblings had left Inuyasha pink in the face and quivering with rage; he knew all to well how Sesshomaru looked like naked. Had the monk no shame at all?

 

Suddenly Inuyasha took to staring at the sky, “Whatever, I don't care. If you don't want to tell me, fine. Just don't come whining to me when you do want to talk; you already had your chance.”

 

Surprisingly, all Kagome did was smile again, though bigger this time. Then, with soft eyes she walked closer to him and brought their faces together, her hands framing his face. Inuyasha immediately felt his cheeks set themselves ablaze and sat frigid in his place as he watched her lips draw closer to his own.

 

“You know, I feel very happy that you care, Inuyasha.” She whispered, causing Inuyasha's cheeks to glow brighter still, until he was sure his face was of a brighter red than his haori, “I care for you too.” Inuyasha felt his heart pounding and heard it slam against his rib cage, “But,” Soft-skin covered hands (though not as soft as Sesshomaru's skin, Inuyasha realised inappropriately) slid up into his hair soothingly, “Do not speak to me so rudely!”

 

Inuyasha winced, and yowled loudly, as Kagome mercilessly clamped her fingers around his ears, squeezing them with strength he didn't know she possessed. He fought to keep still as tears sprang to his golden, wide eyes involunatarily, “Do you understand?” The human asked angrily, her own face tinged red.

 

“Yes! Now let the fuck go! Do you know how much that kills! Let go! I'd prefer a sit command to this!” Inuyasha whimpered, as his hands closed over the girls in the bid to have her let go. He rubbed his ears frantically when she did.

 

“Good.” Kagome said snippily, “Now let's hurry up and catch up to the others, I need a bath.” She then headed the direction they'd come from, leaving Inuyasha to rub his ears and think on his own.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Woffy: Er… All things considered. I could have probably put this up earlier. But, I wasn't happy with it. Now I am! Sorta. I've still got a bone to pick with Jaken and Inuyasha, and the beginning of this chapter sucks, but I'll work it out.

 

Lamingtons for asialisik because you reviewed. Lovely, you are for doing so. Thank you for your comments. It won't be another chapter or so before someone begins to connect the dots.

 

Would people like to review please? My next update should come in two-three weeks. I have two important assignments due and I need to concentrate on them. Though… Should I get a lot of people telling me to get a move on, I may put up a short side story. I have quite a few forming in my head.