InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshoumaru, sit! ❯ A Decision and a Deal ( Chapter 9 )

A Decision and a Deal

 

Heloooo Delu! Hope you like this! As I hope the rest of the readers like, too! Thanx all!

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!

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Ningen: Human.

Taiyoukai: Demon lord.

Taijiya: Demon exterminator.

Hiraikotsu: Sango's giant boomerang.

Baka: Idiot.

Hanyou: Half demon.

Youkai: demon.

Miko: Priestess.

-San: Mr., Mrs., and Miss, Sir or madam.

-Sama: used for those better in status. (Like a lord)

-bachan: familiar term for elders.

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Recap from last chapter:

She cleared her throat. "Do you, by any chance, have underwear on?"

He stared at her blankly.

"My lord, my lord! I brought the healer!"

Amaya nearly put her hands up in thanks.

Sesshoumaru looked pretty relieved himself. The woman was touching him too much!

Jaken was bounding toward them, a wrinkly old woman behind him, and a huge spider at his side, obviously there to get his master into the castle.

Amaya didn't even try to be quiet about it; she spotted the overgrown bug and shrieked, nearly deafening the man beside her. Surging to her feet, she all but flew through the doors, arms flailing.

Outrageous woman…

That was his last conscious thought, before he let himself slip into dark oblivion.

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CHAPTER 9:

She waited until she was certain no spiders would be around and went out again. She called for Ah-Un and he came readily. She looked around for any more insects, taking Ah-Un to Kouga.

The wolf was wounded in several places, mainly his arms and face, but otherwise well. Amaya was almost angry that Sesshoumaru had gotten so severely injured when the wolf boy hadn't. She huffed and grunted, slowly lifting the man onto the unresisting dragon, blushing as she was forced to press against a few exposed places, pushing him up onto the demon's back. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and lead Ah-Un into the forest.

This is it. I can go if I want. He looked well enough to help her and the lord was preoccupied.

She stopped some distance into the forest, chewing on her lip uncertainly. I would have jumped at this opportunity just hours before. That baka has shown a teeny part of his good side with Yashi. He had healed her when he didn't have to...and she felt there was more goodiness hidden somewhere in there. Rin was living proof. Was that what held her back?

Maybe she was just bored with her way of life...and…if she went now they'd make her go home right away. But her family would worry if she didn't!

"Kouga. Kouga, wake up." She shook him softly after sliding him off the dragon and onto the ground. She put his head on her lap. "Kouga. Come on, you've got to get up before the guards come looking for us."

His eyes opened slowly and he groaned, sitting up. He inspected the slashes in his arms, grimacing.

"Are you alright?"

He looked back at her in surprise. "Better than I expected." He smiled. "I must have won if you're here, Kagome's friend." He chuckled smugly and she blinked at him. "When he struck me in the heart like that I thought I was done for." He laughed, standing up cautiously. "I was obviously better than I thought."

Amaya grimaced. He talks too much...Or maybe I'm used to that man talking too little. "You lost, actually." He paused. "He didn't even have to transform to beat you. He squished you like a bug." She was angry and she didn't know why. She felt that he had no right to be so full of himself.

Kouga stared at her. "Hey! Who's side are you on?"

"I'm just stating facts. Don't tell me you didn't notice that he hadn't changed too?"

He snorted. "I was too busy trying to save you."

She flinched and blushed. "Oh...thanks. I appreciate that." She smiled nervously. She felt like an ediot! "How's your arm?"

"It should be healed in a couple of days." He looked at her suspiciously before switching to charmer-mode. "Let me carry you to the village. I'm sure all this has upset you."

She hesitated. "Er...I..."

"You're not heavy enough to strain my arms, so don't worry."

"Actually...I won't be going with you."

"What? You can't go on your own!" he snapped.

"I'm Sorry. I'm not leaving just yet." She twiddled her thumbs awkwardly, walking over to Ah-Un. Kouga gawked at her.

"Why the hell not?!"

"I've decided to stay. I'm so sorry about the trouble you went through for me." She bowed to him, her regret genuine. "Thank you so much."

Kouga just stood there, trying to gauge her honesty. She didn't seem to be forced in any way. He snorted, glaring at her. "Why?"

"It's just something I have to and want to do. Apologize to Kagome for me." She straightened. "Ask her to try to cover up for my absence; my parents are big worrywarts. Thanks again. It was nice to meet you. Maybe I'll see you again." She smiled brightly. "You were amazing back there. I even told Sesshoumaru so." Ah-Un followed her when she started going back, waving at the prince in goodbye.

Sesshoumaru? The woman was a little too familiar with the lord. Well, he'd better find Kagome and tell her about this shocking turn of events. I have a very bad feeling about this. There's something about her that's…not quite human.

He shot off, his speed unhindered by the recent fight. Kagome needed to know what happened here.

It was several hours before the old woman had finished tending to him. He had fallen unconscious almost as soon as Amaya ran off in fright, and didn't resist her treatments.

When the young human first went to check on him -after deciding to stay- she heard a whole lot of noise being made. By a wailing Jaken, as it turned out. The human hadn't taken two steps inside the chamber before the frog began spitting accusations and curses at her, ordering her to leave and banging his staff on the ground angrily.

She had no patience at the moment, and snatched his staff from him. She whacked him nicely with it, and gave it back gingerly -placing it next to his knocked out body.

Yashi stood next to the bed, wringing her hands nervously. Amaya went to her, patting her shoulder. The crow youkai smiled and said something obnoxious, patting her hand in return. Amaya ignored it and looked at the inuyoukai.

"He's very hurt. The healer said that even with his youkai strength, it will take almost a week for him to heal completely. He's sleeping now."

Amaya nodded, feeling tears of regret burning at the back of her eyes. Despite everything he'd done, she couldn't help feeling guilty. "But he will be alright?"

"Yes. But I'm afraid I won't be here to help. I can't stay away from my village any longer; evil demons are always heading our way."

"Of course. I admire you for that." She smiled.

"Of course you do! Maybe I'll visit when he's healed. And steal him from you!" She ducked the angry swat and ran out of the room, laughing.

"Gah! She never stops with that nonesense!" She fumed silently. She sat on the stool next to the lord, noticing the bandages covering his upper body, and no doubt, his lower as well. He looked a little like a mummy. She sighed, reaching out to adjust the covers over him.

His hair was fanned out around him, his face turned slightly to her. She leaned closer to study the stripes that enthralled her so much. She removed a lock of silver hair from his eyes, marveling at the silkiness of it

"I wish my hair were like that." His hands rested over his stomach. She bent even closer to inspect them...they had stripes, too. She swallowed once. Bloody hell, even his hands were beautiful. Strong and masculine.

She glanced up and gasped, moving back when she saw that his eyes were open and fixated upon her...in something like confusion.

He caught her hand in his before she could retreat any further, pulling her up to his face. She breathed deeply, blushing at the close proximity.

"W-wha-?"

"You smell of the wolf." He looked up at her. "Why didn't you escape when you helped him?" She saw a look of puzzlement flash in his eyes before he resumed his aloof stare. "You do not act logically, woman." His voice had dropped to a whisper and he stared into her eyes. She had the distinct impression that he was trying to look into her soul.

She cleared her throat, pulling back. His hand slipped away, and she looked away from his intense, golden gaze. "Everything isn't always about logic." She shook her head, realizing how what made her sound. “I mean…I stayed because...I didn't want to leave. Simple as that."

"Why?” His eyes were narrowed at her.

She turned to look straight at him. "I changed my mind...Besides, whenever I stayed -now or before- I did because I wanted to. This time is no different." Her nose was in the air.

She stared when she heard him chuckle deeply. He was smirking, head bowed. "What of my forcing you to come here?" he turned to her again, looking smug. "Twice."

She flushed angrily and his smirk widened into the beginning of a genuine smile.

Hellcat, he thought in amusement.

The short, spindly old woman came in, breaking the beginning of a very loud argument Amaya was about to jump into. The latter crossed her arms and stared off into space irritably, crossing her legs as well.

The lord sat up slowly, gazing at the approaching healer, aloof as ever.

"Jaken."

The frog awakened, as if by magic, and rushed to his lord's side.

"You brought me a ningen healer."

"I-I am sorry, master. I could not find anyone else." He was bowing and scraping on the floor. The girl pitied him. She couldn't imagine herself acting all pathetic just to please one person.

The lord snorted. "Get me a youkai healer at once."

"Y-yes, master."

"Hey!" Amaya exclaimed, uncrossing her legs and fisting her arms at her sides. "A human doct- healer, is just as good as any demon healer!" she declared angrily. "The only difference is that a youkai healer can kick your butt harder!"

Jaken was aghast. "How dare you speak to the master like that, filthy human!" He jumped up and raised the staff threateningly. Amaya didn't even look at him. She grabbed the top of the large stick with both hands and swung it out the door, the shrieking frog still hanging onto it.

"You are an insolent woman." He sat up too quickly and several wounds reopened. He grunted and slumped back against the headboard.

Amaya forgot her anger and stood up, skimming his body. Red spots were beginning to appear and widen on many parts of his bandaged form. "Oh! You opened the wounds!"

The healer was at his side. He snarled at her and she backed away.

"Sesshoumaru, stop being so chauvinistic. Let her help you!"

He snarled at her too. "A youkai lord does not need humans."

She gritted her teeth...and then relaxed. "If you let her...and me, I promise not to say the S word for a whole week. No matter what you do." She fluttered her eyelashes at him exaggeratedly, smiling.

He stared at her in disbelief...

His eye twitched.

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It was nearly sunset. Kouga reached Kagome's camp before his two men did. The old miko woman told him the direction mutt-face and the gang had gone in -to gather another shard. If his calculations were correct, that should be the last one, aside from the two he had, and the large piece with Naraku.

The young miko was sitting under the tree Inuyasha was perched upon, Shippo playing in her lap. The hanyou sensed the newcomer and leapt down in front of her, growling. "Kouga!"

"Kouga-kun!" Kagome stood, placing Shippo on the ground and moving in front of him, running to the wolf.

"Happy to see me, Kagome?" He smiled sweetly, catching her hands in his the moment she was near enough.

"Uh, yes, of course. Where is Amaya? Did you leave her in the village?"

"Kagome...She wanted to stay," he said, his tone regretful.

"Oh, that's alright. I'll meet her when we go back-"

"She didn't want to leave with me. She's still with the Inuyoukai."

Kagome pulled her hands away and stared at him. "She's still there?! I don't...I don't understand."

"She told me so herself. I didn't sense any hesitation in the decision." He shrugged.

Inuyasha jumped in between them, growling at the prince. "Coward! I'll bet you were too scared to take her back. Did you run away like the girl you are?" he jeered.

Kouga bristled. "What was that, dog-shit?!"

"Inuyasha. Sit."

"Agh!"

"I did fight him. And I almost won." He crossed his arms, smirking down at the prostrate hanyou.

Miroku and Sango were by their side, staring at the wolf. "You almost beat him?!" The monk sounded shocked.

"With all due respect, Kouga-kun, you wouldn't have stood a chance in the usual circumstances. What happened?"

"What do you mean by that, Taijiya?! He may be powerful, but so am I!"

"Don't be upset, Kouga-kun. As strong as you are, you know Sesshoumaru has far more power than that," Miroku said matter-of-factly.

He hated to admit it, but the monk had a point. He was too focused on winning to notice anything at the time, but now that he thought of it, he couldn't help remembering certain things. He didn't transform like I did, and he made no real effort to kill me...In fact, it was almost like he was trying not to. He didn't point out any of that to the gang of course. It made too little sense to be mentioned.

Kagome sighed. "Thank you, kouga. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble." She smiled up at him warmly. "I appreciate that you came to tell me right away-"

A second later, her hands were in his again and he looked into her eyes lovingly. "Anything for you, Kagome."

She laughed nervously, thanking him again. Inuyasha pushed himself between them, snarling. Kouga snorted as he was disentangled from her.

"Why would Amaya-san want to stay?" Miroku mused.

Sango shrugged. "Maybe she...liked him?" Everyone stared at her.

"Amaya doesn't act that way for no reason. Just liking someone isn't enough for her to do that kind of thing. She knows how her parents worry," Kagome said forcefully.

"That reminds me. She asked me to apologize to you for her." Kouga interrupted. "And she asked that you make an excuse for her absence." He nodded once. "I think your friend is insane."

No. She has her reasons, Kagome thought anxiously. I just wish I had a clue to what they were.

She startled when Kouga whirled around. "Where the hell have you been?! You were supposed to get here first!"

Hakkaku and Ginta stood ten feet away, fidgeting nervously.

"We're sorry, Kouga. We were...sidetracked." Ginta nodded slowly in agreement.

The prince approached them angrily, having every intention of bruising their skulls. He stopped a small distance away, eyes widening. He sniffed the air in front of him. He moved closer and sniffed at each of his men, straightening, his jaw slack.

"What the hell...?" He looked over their shoulders disbelievingly. "Show yourselves!"

Two petite females stepped out from behind the tree confidently, bowing to him.

He blinked at them, turning to the males. "I can't believe it..."

The two men looked flustered. "We couldn't help it." Ginta supplied.

They cried at once: "She was perfect!"

"We found them," the blonde snapped. "And you can't stop us from staying with them." Tenshi nodded once in agreement.

Kouga was gawking, as everyone else was. He burst out laughing. The two were beautiful, and anything but meek. He would never deny his men such a catch!

"How desperate were you?!" he choked out, holding his middle.

The demon girls thought he was talking to the guys, so naturally, Ran and Tenshi gave him a double punch, right in the face.

The prince let out a 'Gah!' plunking on his behind, and holding his nose.

Inuyasha stood next to the miko, laughing heartily after his shock wore off, and cheered the female wolves on. Kagome was too shocked to sit him, Sango in pretty much the same condition. Miroku just stared at the lovely women, impressed by ther strength and loveliness.

Hakkaku hastily explained the misunderstanding, and the girls quieted with an 'Ooh!'

"Well, he deserved that both ways," the brunette declared. She leaned against Ginta's chest, looking back at him with a shy smile. "I'm fortunate, not desperate."

Ran snuggled against Hakkaku contentedly as she nodded, smiling similarly at her mate.

The men looked adorably moronic with the ecstatic look on their face. Miroku observed the happenings with a defeated sigh. Those ladies were definitely off limits.

Kouga stood, clutching his nose and muttering angrily. He glared at the still-laughing hanyou before spotting the affectionate scene and snorting. He supposed that he shouldn't have said what he had. Females were always sensitive about their mates. I'm letting you go easy this time, ladies. But you will learn to respect your prince.

Kagome and Sango walked over to greet the newcomers and congratulate them enthusiastically, the monk right there with them. Hakkaku and Ginta snarled at him and he nearly jumped back a mile. It seemed his reputation was well known to them.

"You look just like Amaya-sama!" Ran nodded. "I never thought I would see another kimono like that."

"You know her?! You know Amaya?!" Kagome jumped at the blonde, grasping her shoulders. "How is she? Is she alright?"

"Yes, yes, she's fine!"

Kagome stepped back. "Sorry. I haven't seen her in a while, and I'm very worried."

"Whatever this is about, I assure you, from what we know, she is treated very well," Tensi said comfortingly.

"I guess I have to take your word for it. But how do you know her?"

"We used to work in the maste- the Inuyoukai's castle," Tenshi answered.

"We had to leave today. Right now, we're glad we did."

Ginta and Hakkaku grinned. They were glad they had, too.

"Why did you leave?" Sango asked, smiling when Kirara jumped on her shoulder and nuzzled her neck.

The two demon females peeked at one another. They might not be under the lord's power anymore, but they still felt loyal to him. They knew he would never want what happened to him mentioned. "It's a long story." Ran smiled. "Maybe we'll tell you about it one day."

The humans smiled back and nodded in understanding. Kagome was still standing with the wolf demon couples- asking some more about Amaya- when a female shriek sounded behind her. "You stupid hentai!"

Three loud whacks later Sango was storming past them.

Miroku was out cold on the ground, three large lumps on his lolling head.

Kagome leaned into the demon females' direction. "Stay clear of the monk...For his sake."

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To Be Continued…

 

I wasn't too happy with this chapter, though I liked it in general. I didn't like that the Sessy part was short compared to the other parts. Sorry about that everyone. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy writing this. I did, I did!!! (There are many parts I adore) I hope you like it! It's not too horrible a place to stop at, I think.

R&R!!!! Read and review!!!