InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ To Catch Her Eye ( Chapter 5 )

A/N: Okay, kids, please play nice with me. I fell off of my horse and he kind of rolled over on me. We aren't sure yet but I may have a concussion. I'm going to post this, since I happened to have it written, but please pardon any major errors or sloppy story telling. Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Own nothing.

 

Oh yeah, and the `Mizuki now has another pet dragon to train' comment? Priceless!

 

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Turning his head from side to side, Shippou pulled himself up to his full height. `Not bad, not bad at all.' His reflection nodded back at him as he looked himself over.

 

The unruly red hair looked exactly the same as it had when he woke up, despite his best efforts, but changing into a sharp new outfit would hopefully take attention away from that little fact. He was dressed in blue now, and it seemed to work better then the red kimono he had just taken off. `I'd really like to wear green, but I know Katsuro usually wears that color and I don't want to match him. Maybe that grey kimono and the black hakama. I'd look very serious and grown up then.'

 

Yet another outfit was tossed aside as Shippou changed again. `Now I know why girls never seem to get ready on time for anything. This is harder then it looks.'

 

“Yo! Shippou! Breakfast!”

 

“Yeah, yeah, I'll be out in a minute.” Tying on his latest selection, Shippou tried to ignore Katsuro's impatient tapping.

 

“What are you doing in there? You can usually go from bed to breakfast in about five minutes.”

 

“I'm getting dressed, nosey!” There was a growl of frustration as Shippou started to untie the kimono. `That makes me look more like an old man then anything.

 

“Dressed for what? It's just breakfast! Throw on something and get out here!”

 

“If you're in such a hurry, go without me! Geez!”

 

“Do you two have to yell in the hallway?” Kagome's voice brought the argument to a stop. “Either open the door or wait!”

 

“Gomen, Mama. I'll see you down there, Shippou.”

 

`Thank goodness.' Pushing around his clothing yet again, the kitsune tried to make up his mind.

 

“Shippou-kun, are you all right in there?” Now it was Kagome's voice at his door.

 

`She could help with this.' Shippou slid the door open and yanked Kagome in. “Which one should I wear, Kagome-chan?”

 

“Shippou-kun, every piece of clothing you own is out! What are you doing?” Shocked eyes traveled over the disaster that was Shippou's room.

 

“Come on, Kagome-chan, which one? I kind of like the blue.”

 

“Blue's nice. Green would be nice, too.”

 

“Katsuro always wears green.”

 

The miko's eyes narrowed. “What are you up to Shippou? Who are you dressing up for?”

 

“No one, Kagome-chan!”

 

“It can't be Mizuki, you see her everyday. I bet its Cho. You've never seen her before, and she's very pretty. That's it, isn't it? You like Cho!”

 

Shippou clapped a hand over the increasingly noisy Kagome's mouth. “Keep it down, would ya?”

 

Muffled comments continued behind Shippou's hand until he gave up and pulled it away.

 

“It's just so cute!”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Now can you help me pick out something to wear?”

 

“Of course I can. Since you don't want to wear what Katsuro is wearing, and he is wearing green today, you should go with the dark blue. It looks very nice with your hair. Did you brush your hair at all today?”

 

“Hai, Kagome-chan. This is what it always looks like.” Shippou rummaged through the piles of clothing, looking for his hakama.

 

“Well, I think it makes you look ruggedly handsome.” Kagome gave Shippou a shove. “If you'll sit down for a minute I think I can fix it a bit, though.”

 

“Uh, sure, Kagome-chan.”

 

Experienced fingers set to work taming the mess of flame colored hair. “I'm so glad that Mizuki and Katsuro inherited their father's hair. It's almost impossible to get tangled, and it lays down perfectly every time.”

 

“We all know how perfect Katsuro's hair is.”

 

“Oh, stop it, Shippou-kun. I have always loved your hair, and your fluffy tail. You look completely different from Katsuro, so don't get all huffy.” `It still boggles my mind every time I turn around and see that Shippou's taller then me and all grown up. I shouldn't be surprised that he's after Cho. He's always been a ladies' man, even though I think he has grown past presenting them with a single daisy and an adorable smile. Even though that would probably still work.'

 

Said tail twitched as the kitsune watched Kagome in the mirror. “So you think I stand a chance?”

 

“Of course you do. You're so much fun, and we already said ruggedly handsome. There.” The once impossible mess was now neatly tied down so that it hung just past Shippou's shoulders. It was still trailing across his eyes, but to Kagome it just added to the mischievous look that had stayed with him even as an adult. “I'll see you at breakfast. Don't spend too long gawking in the mirror.” Still giggling, Kagome let herself out.

 

`Ruggedly handsome. I could see that.' After changing into the blue silk, Shippou posed in front of the mirror again. `Shippou, the great warrior, advisor to Merkamou-sama, and the breaker of hearts across Japan.'

 

----

 

“I don't like this.”

 

“Kagome-sama, I am certain that everyone is aware of that.”

 

“Oh, come on Kumo, you have to agree with me on this one.”

 

The ever patient youkai set her pen down. “You are upsetting yourself unnecessarily. You have not even met him.”

 

“But with this whole alliance thing riding on it Mizuki will never turn it down.”

 

“Then perhaps you should remove the alliance part of the problem.”

 

“Nani?” Kagome stopped pacing to drop down in front of Kumo's desk. “What do you mean?”

 

“If the alliance part is not dependent on this partnership, then Mizuki will feel free to make the choice for her own reasons.”

 

“Kumo, you're a genius!” Several papers fluttered to the floor as Kagome grabbed a pen and paper.

 

Akira-sama,

 

We are flattered by Seiji-san's offer for Mizuki-san. Would you consider having Seiji-san come to visit and meet my daughter to ensure that they are suited? I am certain that neither of us would like to have them in a situation in which they are poorly matched.

 

It has occurred to me, with the treaty ending, that we should meet and discuss future relations. There are many ways to form an alliance, as well as partnering my daughter with your son.

 

Peace,

Lady Kagome

 

“Well, what do you think?” The miko handed the note over to Kumo.

 

“It should put the correct idea into Akira-sama's mind. I can have it sent out today.”

 

“But what do you think, Kumo? Unofficially, what do you think about all of this?”

 

Kumo blinked at her lady for a moment. “Unofficially? I would certainly agree with your reservations to send her off to live with a dragon. As you have said, there are other ways to make an alliance. They may not be as strong or long lasting, but it can be done. I know that I have not had many opportunities to see a dragon as anything other then an enemy, but having seen them that I way I cannot trust them.”

 

“Are you worried that Seiji-san and Mizuki won't get along?”

 

“That would be the least of my worries when dealing with a dragon, Kagome-sama.”

 

“But he's only half dragon.”

 

“And that is why I think it is wise to meet him. He may be perfectly acceptable. Or he may be a heartless killer.”

 

“You know that is how almost everyone describes Sesshomaru.”

 

“But you know better, and I have known him most of his life. His heart is not missing, it is simply cold. He did bring my Kenshin back, and I do remember that it was a dragon that killed him to begin with.”

 

“So you agree with me, that we should go slow with this?”

 

“Absolutely, Kagome-sama.”

 

“How is the Captain, anyways? It seems like I hardly see him anymore now that Mizuki has taken over.”

 

“He is enjoying his retirement yet again. He actually dabbles in weapon design, and has been focusing some time on that. I shall have him bring some of his pieces by for you to see.”

 

There was a genuine smile at the offer. “Tell him to visit me anytime he wants to. And if he gets bored he can always come and yell at me for an hour or two. Its not hard work for him, but it always seems to make him happy.”

 

“I will pass the offer along. He may take you up on it, you realize.”

 

“Hai, but I can't think of a better reward for him then just standing there and letting him yell whatever new insults he has come up with. I know I'm not Rin-chan, but it may still be fun for him.”

 

“He still does not speak of her much. He has said that a teacher is lucky to have a student like her once in a lifetime, and to lose her in such a short amount of time . . . “

 

As always, talking about Rin made Kagome's heart contract. “Sesshomaru is the same way. It wasn't fair. Thank goodness Merkamou had Yuriko and Akane, or I don't know if he would've made it. I couldn't find a way to keep her alive like me. I can hardly remember that I'm a ningen some days, since I don't see anyone but youkai anymore. I visit the youkai exterminators sometimes, but since Sango, Mirokou, and their children passed on it's been more distant.”

 

“It is easy for everyone to forget, Kagome-sama. You have a youkai's lifespan now, and the scent of Sesshomaru-sama is always around you.”

 

“Now if only I could have the youkai hearing I'd be all set. Or the sense of smell. I'd love to be able to tell when Katsuro was trying to get something past me.”

 

“You seem to manage your children just fine using your own instincts.”

 

“The barrier trick is great, too. I don't know how anyone could raise children without it.”

 

----

 

“Why are you up there, Cho?”

 

“I was trying to practice.”

 

“On the roof?”

 

Cho gave Mizuki a look of distilled frustration. “I have been trying to find a quiet place to practice ever since I found a koto in the library, but everywhere I go those two idiots seem to be right there.”

 

There was no sound as Mizuki landed next to Cho on the roof. “So you are on the roof to avoid my brother and his companion.”

 

“Hai. I cannot even practice up here, the roof is too slanted and they are still too loud! What are they doing, anyways?”

 

On the grass Shippou and Katsuro seemed to be practicing. With closer inspection, Mizuki came to a conclusion. “I believe they are being fools, Cho.”

 

“Well, they should do that somewhere away from me, or be quiet when they do it!” The leopard crossed her arms and glared at the males.

 

Katsuro was moving in a most peculiar fashion, at least to Mizuki's eyes. His usually subtle and graceful style had been replaced by grandiose swings and posturing. Shippou was not being quick and tricky, but was instead using flashy magic to try and get past his opponent. In short, they were showing off. Even as she studied her brother's movements one of his grand swings got caught in the branches of a tree and his hands were suddenly empty. He stood under the tree, looking around as he tried to figure out how that had happened.

 

The opportunity was ruined for Shippou when his complicated, eye catching attack completely missed his unarmed adversary.

 

“I thought you said your brother was a talented fighter.” Cho was not impressed by the performance in front of her.

 

“Usually he is. I am not sure what he is doing now.”

 

“Right now I think I could defeat him.”

 

The sword fell from the branches and hit its owner on the top of the head, much to the females' delight. Katsuro rubbed his head and looked up at the giggling spectators. `I don't think this is working out quite the way I wanted it to.'

 

“Cho, can I ask for your opinion on something?”

 

“Of course. It seems that I won't be able to do much until they are tired, so I am glad for the company and the distraction.” Leaning back to rest on the roof, Cho kept an eye on the show in front of her while listening to her friend.

 

“There has been an offer from your nephew, Seiji.”

 

“Really? I never would have seen that coming. We all know Isamu-kun's opinion of hanyou's, and Seiji has never acted like he thought any different.”

 

“I was afraid of that.” Mizuki's eyes slid shut. “It is difficult to refuse such an offer.”

 

“You want to be Lady of the East, don't you?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Well, I guess the choice is up to Sesshomaru-sama. No need for you to worry about it.”

 

“That is not how my family works, actually. The choice may very well lay with me.” Uneasy fingers pulled the long white braid over Mizuki's shoulder and toyed with the ends. “Mother is insisting on a courtship.”

 

The most recent magical attack from Shippou had hit its target, and sent Katsuro flying in one direction with his sword flying in the other.

 

“Down!” The hanyou flattened her friend, getting them both out of the way of the weapon. “Baka! The next one to endanger us will be trying to fight with their throat ripped out!”

 

“Gomen, Mizuki! Gomen, Cho-san!” “Gomen, Ki-chan! Gomen, Cho-san!”

 

A quick check assured Cho that she had not been injured, so she simply dismissed the incident. “I have not seen Seiji in ages, but he rather reminded me of Akira-sama. You might get along with him, actually. He's very calm and collected. And quite the fighter, according to Isamu-kun.”

 

“Promising.” Rebellious thoughts echoed in the back of Mizuki's mind, but she shut them out as was her habit. “He will be coming here to visit.”

 

“It would be nice if that happened while I was still here. It would be interesting to see him again.”

 

“And you could help with this decision. If we are truly incompatible I may have to refuse.”

 

“It would have to be pretty bad to refuse that offer, but better that then getting a message that my family won't let me see you anymore because you killed my nephew.” Cho smiled as Shippou's latest attack knocked a branch off of the innocent tree instead of hitting Katsuro. “They truly are amusing, aren't they?”

 

“I doubt that is their intention.

 

“Are you going to give up, Katsuro? Since you can't even handle a sword, I mean.” Shippou was quite convinced that he had the upper hand now. Sure, he had missed a few times, but at least he had not hit himself with his own weapon and he had disarmed Katsuro.

 

“Oh, you want to see me with a different weapon? Hey Ki-chan! Can I borrow your naginata?”

 

Mizuki's eyes narrowed. Katusuro had never even picked up a naginata before, as far as she knew. “If you think that is wise, shetai.”

 

“Just let me borrow it.”

 

“Hn.” Mizuki jumped down from the building and disappeared inside.

 

“You're just going to get yourself hurt, Katsuro. Quit trying to show off.” Shippou had a smug expression as he tried to not look at Cho.

 

“I can handle more then a sword.” Trying to feel as confident as he was acting, Katsuro paced while waiting for his sister.

 

“If you are injured, do not blame me.” Mizuki offered her weapon to her brother with some trepidation.

 

“Don't worry about it, Ki-chan.”

 

Mizuki rejoined Cho as Katsuro made some swings to warm up. “You're in trouble now, Shippou.”

 

“Mizuki, has your brother ever worked with a naginata before?” Cho watched as Katsuro misjudged the distance and actually cut a lock of Shippou's hair off.

 

“Watch it, would ya?”

 

“I do not believe so.” There was a combination of concern and amusement in Mizuki's eyes as she watched her brother fumble.

 

“Then why would you ever let him borrow it now?”

 

“I simply had to see this for myself.”

 

“What is it about males that they must insist on showing off whenever they have an audience?”

 

`Actually, I have never seen either of them act this way. It must be Cho's influence. Unbelievable.'

 

Shippou was less then eager to come near Katsuro with the deadly blade in untrained hands. “Okay, Katsuro, you've had your fun. Now put that thing down before you hurt yourself.”

 

“I thought you wanted to fight, Shippou.” Katsuro spun the blade, making it whistle in the air.

 

“Sure, but I wasn't planning on dying today.” After a few moments of hesitation, Shippou threw caution to the wind and dove in. He certainly would not be retreating with the audience watching him so closely.

 

It was not as bad as Mizuki had feared. After a few mistakes her brother seemed to have the idea and was able to hold his friend off for a time. When his grip wobbled, Shippou went for the opening. The inu-hanyou fell back, swinging the naginata up sharply to fend him off. There was a hard blow as Shippou blocked, and Katsuro lost control. He was so desperate to avoid hurting his friend that he let the shaft pivot in his hands, and the weighted end cracked him in the chin with enough force to drop him to the ground.

 

“Katsuro!”

 

Mizuki was not even aware that she had called out until she saw Cho looking at her. Her brother was blinking with a dazed expression as Shippou shook him by the shoulders. She forced herself to resettle on the roof. “Baka.”

 

“It's too bad. He was doing rather well up until that point.” Cho gave a long stretch. “Since they seem to be done practicing, perhaps I can finally have some peace.”

 

“It would seem so. Katsuro is still down.”

 

“Go check on him before you worry yourself to death.”

 

Mizuki's cold glare was answered with a giggle.

 

“I promise I will tell no one that you were worried. Now just go.” Cho dropped off of the roof and retrieved the koto.

 

“Katsuro? Can you hear me?” Shippou gave his friend another shake. “Say something!”

 

“How about quit shaking me?” Blinking slowly, Katsuro looked around. “What happened?”

 

“A beginner's mistake.” Mizuki came up next to Shippou, watching her brother with her weapon back in her own hand. “You were hit in the head with your own weapon. Again.”

 

“That thing hurts.”

 

“Hai.”

 

`And Cho saw the whole thing. Not once, but twice I got hit with my own weapon. I don't know if there is any recovery from that.' The world still seemed rather mobile, so Katsuro sat up very slowly. “I take back everything I have ever said about that thing being all show.”

 

“Hn.” Mizuki lifted Katsuro's chin. He had split the skin open, but it was already healing. “There is no serious damage.”

 

“Maybe you knocked some sense into yourself. What were you thinking?” Shippou was still kneeling next to his friend, but had stopped shaking him.

 

“He was not.”

 

“Knock it off, Ki-chan. My aching head is already telling me loud and clear that it was not a good idea. I'll keep my hands off of that thing until I know how to use it.”

 

“And now you should go and change before mother asks about the blood on your clothing.”

 

“Hai. Shippou, can you help me up? I just know I've rattled some things loose this time.”

 

Shippou hauled his friend to his feet. “Oh, like that's something you needed.”

 

----

 

`Nobody would recognize her like this. With her hair down and dressed for sleep, she seems so much softer.' “Ki-chan? Can I talk to you?”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki was sprawled out on her futon, dressed in a dark blue yukata with reports and documents scattered all around her. She set her work aside and shook her hair back, looking up to her rather upset brother. “How is your head?”

 

“Better. It's pretty much healed already.” Pushing a pile of papers over, he dropped down to join her. “I made a real idiot of myself today.”

 

“Hai.”

 

“I wanted to show what kind of a fighter I am.”

 

“You were showing off.”

 

“Hai.” Katsuro rubbed his chin. “It didn't work.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“And are you going to tell me why it didn't work?”

 

“Because you were not fighting. I am not sure what it was, but it was very foolish.” Mizuki sighed and rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “You were showing off for Cho.”

 

“No! Of course not!”

 

“Katsuro.”

 

“Okay, I was. A little bit, anyways. It doesn't matter, now she thinks I'm a complete idiot and won't ever want to talk to me again. At least I gave her a good laugh.”

 

“And you would like to know what you should do now.”

 

Katsuro dropped onto his back so he could glare at the ceiling. “I don't seem to be doing so well on my own, and I always figure that when I'm doing something really stupid I should ask you what to do.”

 

“Stop showing off, baka.”

 

“Hey! No need for name calling.”

 

“You are behaving as a baka, I will call you a baka.”

 

“Fine. So I quit showing off. Then what? I just let her ignore me?”

 

“Have you considered talking to her?”

 

“About what?”

 

“I will leave that to you to figure out.”

 

A sharp poke was aimed at Mizuki. “Gee, thanks.”

 

“I cannot do everything for you.”

 

“So I just talk to her? And that's it? Is that really going to work?”

 

“It cannot be worse then what you have already tried.”

 

“True.” The emerald eyes turned from the ceiling to Mizuki. “Why doesn't my mind seem to work around her? Everywhere else I'm pretty clever, and usually I can manage a fight without hitting myself in the head. She's the only one that I'm trying to impress, but nothing seems to go right around her.”

 

“You are crossing into mother's territory.” Mizuki looked out the window, watching the stars. “I cannot advise strategy in this area.”

 

“What are you talking about? I just don't want to look like an idiot.”

 

“You have feelings for Cho.”

 

“You can still help me not be an idiot.”

 

There was a soft growl. “That is always a difficult task.”

 

There was another sharp poke in the aloof female's side.

 

“Desist. I do not know why your mind does not work correctly around her. Perhaps it is because you are trying so hard.”

 

“Huh. Maybe. So, maybe I should pretend that it's just Cho?”

 

The blue eyes slanted over to glance at her brother. “Shetai? It is Cho.”

 

“I mean the old Cho that used to pick on me, instead of this new Cho-san.”

 

“An excellent idea, since that is who she is.”

 

“Okay, so now I have a plan. I can do that. Arigato, Ki-chan!”

 

`That constitutes a plan?' Long after her brother had run out the door again, Mizuki gazed out the window. She finally shook herself and pushed her work aside so she could sleep. Her little brother had a crush on Cho, and from the looks of things, so did Shippou. Not that Cho had noticed either of them as anything more then entertainment. `This cannot possibly end well. Foolish creatures.'