InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sesshoumaru, sit! ❯ Not Too Expected ( Chapter 22 )

 

Hello everyone! I know I was very late but I had some important things to do. I had no time for the chapter. Did ya' miss me? Well, I missed you all too (even those who DIDN'T miss me -grin-) Readers, reviewers and all…and of course reviews. Bwahaha! This chapter is pretty long so I hope that somehow makes up for my lateness ^_^

 

This chapter is dedicated to Dash V. Firstly for the lovely fanart she made for my fic, and secondly for her great words in her last review.

 

Every chapter is dedicated to all reviewers, automatically. I just make special dedications to those who give me extra special reviews and make me extra happy (which is not usually possible. I love `em all!). Thanx Dash V!

 

Oh, one of the things that happen in this chapter is due to a suggestion by Sesshomaru's-gal. I wasn't really gonna' but, somehow…it happened. Thanx Sesshoumaru's-gal!

 

And OF COURSE, thanx a gazillion bunches to my wonderful beta-reader FluffyDemonSheepdog!

 

  

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Only the OC's…of course -.-;

 

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Bozu: An informal way to refer to a boy, similar to the English term “kid” or “squirt”.

   

Kazaana: Wind tunnel.

 

Taiyoukai: Demon lord.

 

Taijiya: Demon exterminator.

  

Hiraikotsu: Sango's giant boomerang.

 

Baka: Idiot.

 

Houshi: Monk.

 

Hanyou: Half demon.

 

Youkai: demon.

 

Miko: Priestess.

   

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

 

-Sama: Used to confer great respesct, like for those better in status. (Like a lord)

 

 

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Recap from last chapter:

 

“Miroku!” She jumped in surprise. “How long have you been listening?” she asked, glowering at him.

 

He smiled brightly at her, laying his staff next to him gently. “Long enough. Oh, don't look at me like that, Sango-san. How many times have we spied on those two together?”

 

Sango looked away, flushing prettily and folding her arms. “That's different.”

 

He edged closer. “So you say.”

 

Sango stiffened, eyes widening impossibly, face going completely red.

 

Miroku frowned after a few seconds passed. At this point, she would have either slapped him silly, or knocked him out.

 

“San- Gurk?!”

 

She groped him back.

 

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CHAPTER 22:

 

 

Kagome was kneeling at the small stream, washing her face slowly. After splashing a small amount of cool water on her heated skin she rocked back on her heels, taking a deep breath.

 

She was feeling more than a little embarrassed at her behavior just now. She overreacted over something that was not likely to happen. True, she didn't like to think about Inuyasha's `preferences' but it was no reason to explode. Boy, Sango must be really freaked out over me right now. She was pretty freaked out herself. Even she hadn't realized how sensitive she was about that particular subject.

 

I should stop being so stupidly jealous. It's a waste of my time and emotion, she thought with a frown. Inuyasha is just a friend. Inuyasha is just a friend. Just a friend, she chanted in her head, trying to get the idea to stick.

 

“Kagome!”

 

“Eek!” She shrieked and fell to her knees, hands sinking through the shallow water of the stream and into the muddy floor beneath.

 

The silver-haired hanyou stood just behind her, arms crossed and an angry frown on his face. “What's the matter with you, going off on your own like that?!”

 

“Inuyasha!” she snapped over her shoulder, tugging her hands out of the slime they were embedded in. “You idiot! You didn't have to scare me like that!”

 

“You wouldn't have been scared if you'd taken someone with you. Stupid wench,” he muttered. “Now get whatever you have to do over with so we can go back.”

 

Kagome trembled with the force of her anger. “You jerk! I'll take as much time as I want! You go back on your own!” She scooped up a ball of mud from the stream and flung it at his head.

 

He ducked, the small dirt ball missing him completely. He straightened, hands still crossed, amber eyes glaring angrily down at her. “What the fuck is the matter with you!”

 

She stood up quickly. “You mind not cursing at me!”

 

“Feh! I wasn't cursing at you.”

 

“Yes, you were! You used that word.”

 

“What word?” he asked irately.

 

“The `F' word!”

 

He stared at her in confusion for a moment. “You mean `fuck'?” He began to laugh.

 

“What's so funny?” She huffed. “It's nasty and I would like it if you stopped using it so much.”

 

He sobered. “Why?”

 

Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples. She had almost the exact same discussion with him a few months ago, and she really didn't want to have it again. At least he's trying to listen.

 

Realizing how dirty her hands still were she jerked them away from her head with a grunt. Great! I need to wash my face again! “Because I don't like hearing it,” she said absently, crouching again to wash off the mud.

 

“So? You're always annoyed or angry about something. What difference does it make if you were angry about that, too?” he said peevishly.

 

She snapped her head back to glower at him “Is that so? Well why don't you si-i-”

 

“Gah! No!” Inuyasha jumped back and covered his ears, eyes panicked.

 

As if that will save you, you…

 

She paused, blinking. After a few seconds of that she looked up at the sky thoughtfully, nodding to herself.

 

Inuyasha stared at her tensely, waiting for her to finish the abhorred command. He took another fearful step back when she turned to him with a smile. “K-Kagome?” he asked, trying to sound fierce and failing miserably when his voice squeaked at the end.

 

“Why don't I make you a deal?”

 

His eyes widened before narrowing suspiciously. “What deal?”

 

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Yashi walked silently toward the Lord. She knew if he were a demon she would never have been able to sneak up on him. Not that she was trying to. He looked extremely tense even though his eyes were closed lightly, even though his posture seemed relaxed. But as a demon she knew very well he was far from it; his muscles were tense, as if he were expecting to be attacked at any moment. Even his eyelids were flickering. Whatever he was thinking about, he was thinking about it hard. And he was clutching that fluffy thing on his shoulder more tightly than necessary.

 

She wanted very much to stay close and watch over him in case of any danger. She knew he would never admit to his vulnerability, as he would never let her protect him willingly. So she was going to do so without his knowledge, until he turned back into his fearsome old self.

 

She leapt up into a nearby tree deftly, settling on one of the thicker branches. She looked around, straining her ears for any and all movements. Once she was certain nothing was out of the ordinary she looked back towards the Lord. He had opened his eyes, and was staring at a place on his shoulder.

 

She sighed. Being human must really get to him. She was certain Amaya must have really gotten to him, too. The way he reacted when her name was mentioned was evidence enough. But she was also sure he got to her, too.

 

She stifled a giggle when she remembered just how easy the human girl was to tease. She would thoroughly enjoy doing more of that.

 

She sighed and looked about, noting the positions of each of the other humans. The monk and the exterminator were sitting together not too far away, and the miko was on a tree close to hers. She found no trace of the other human girl or the dirty hanyou, and decided that it really didn't matter. They could take care of themselves.

 

She looked down at the lord. He looked angry. Really angry…What's that about? Maybe she should take him back to his castle, where he was safe -from himself more than from anything else. But she knew he would never stand for it. What if I force him? I'm stronger than he is now…Nah. He'd kill me and wipe out my village when he turned back.

 

That only left her with one obvious choice…beside just going home and forgetting about all this: stay, protect the lord for as long as is necessary, get Amaya back, then go home. Didn't seem too complicated…

 

What a mess. If only I wasn't so softhearted. She sighed dramatically.

 

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`Just do what I'm telling you.'

 

“I do not trust you, woman,” Sesshoumaru said coldly. “I will not be a part of your harebrained scheme. What you are suggesting is insulting to both my honor and my station.”

 

`But it's the best way to go! She'll die if you don't! I know what I'm talking about.'

 

He paused in the process of snarling. “How do you know of such things? What is it that you know?” he asked, both angry and distrustful. He was relieved to have his suspicions about Amaya's death dispelled, but that did not mean what the fairy suggested was effective. That woman was hiding something.

 

`I'm not hiding anything, bunny cakes. It's a need-to-know thing. And for your information, I'm far more powerful than you'll ever be in your life-time.' She fluttered in front of his nose and tapped it with a small, pudgy finger. `You'll be fine, I give you my word.' -She puffed her chest, fisted hands going to her waist- `The fairy's Supreme Oath.'

 

His teeth clenched. He had been planning on using his youkai powers in the morning to save the woman, miko and company be damned. He was more than capable of destroying the filthy demon with his bare hands. It was his new, temporary body that was powerless.

 

Just thinking that word made his teeth clench. He was far too used to being powerful to be able to cope with what he was now: a useless, pathetic, weak human. He had earned the power he was renowned for, and he had no intention of staying the way he was. He was certain he wouldn't. The morning would bring back his strength, and Naraku's demise.

 

`Waiting, bad. Hurrying, good. Come on! It's not like I don't have a plan. And you won't be using their help right now anyway. I know you don't want to. Just go along with me.' She folded her arms and pouted.

 

Why did you not speak of this plan before? If you are so powerful, why did you not try to save the woman? He was giving her a dirty look.

 

“Eh. First -again- a need-to-know thing. Secondly: I can only interfere with people's lives so much. It's not like you tried to save her.' She giggled good-naturedly. `Glad you stopped raving long enough to remember I'm telepathic.' She cocked her head. `So what do you say?'

 

I do not rave, he drawled mentally.

 

`Oh, for heaven's sake!'

 

The thought of offering his services to Naraku was disgusting. How could she expect him to agree? It went against his values, his principles. It stripped him of his pride. The very thought of being under anyone's power…

 

`You handled things pretty well with Amaya. You can do it again. Just be yourself…only with a little more submissiveness.' Her thumb and forefinger were almost touching as she indicated just how small the difference in his character will have to be. `The others don't know what I know. It's up to you, Lord Sesshoumaru.'

 

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Inuyasha was watching the girl before him cynically. He was completely silent, sitting on the grassy ground, just staring at Kagome intensely. “Are you serious?”

 

Kagome sighed with relief when he finally spoke. His probing look was beginning to make her nervous. “Of course. All you have to do is stop cussing.”

 

“Really. And what if you get mad?”

 

Kagome frowned. “No matter how mad I get, if you stop cursing, I won't use the `S' word.”

 

He didn't look convinced.

 

“What? You don't believe m-?”

 

“I need a guarantee.”

 

“A guarantee?” She blinked.

 

“Yeah.” He turned away with his nose in the air, looking at her from the corner of his eye. “A guarantee. In case you break the deal.”

 

“I won't break it!”

 

“If you're so sure you shouldn't mind.” He smirked.

 

She harrumphed. “Fine. What do you want?”

 

His smirk widened into a grin. He leaned in closer to her and she backed up nervously.

 

“What?” She blushed.

 

“If you break your promise you get my bead necklace off.”

 

“What!”

 

He sat back at her shocked look, folding his arms. “Hey, if you're so sure you'll keep your part of the bargain it won't matter what the warranties are.”

 

Kagome frowned. She didn't know how to get the necklace off. Not that I need to. It's not like I'll break my word. “That's big. You'll have to do something else to make it fair.”

 

He shrugged, arms folded. “What I want is just for insurance, but sure. What is it?”

 

It was her turn to lean close, on her hands and knees. “If we defeat Naraku you don't go to hell even if Kikyou says-umph!”

 

Inuyasha stared into her eyes stonily, his hand on her mouth. “Pick something else.”

 

He felt her stiffen and readied himself for an argument. But she just sighed against his palm, reached out and removed his hand.

 

“Fine,” she said evenly. “I tried my best.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, ignoring his troubled look.

 

“Kagome, you know I would if I could. But still, I'll…I'll…” Shit. This isn't easy to say. “Kagome, you know I won't forget you no matter where I am.”

 

Her eyes popped open in surprise.

 

He wasn't looking at her. His gaze was directed toward the sky, arms folded and legs crossed. He didn't look comfortable at all.

 

Her lips quirked in the beginning of a smile. She wasn't any happier about his decision but it was good to know he cared. “Thanks. I won't forget you either. No matter where I am.”

 

He turned to her, and they shared a look of affection before he turned away, his grumpy mask back on. “So what are your terms already?!”

 

She chuckled and stood up. He looked at her warily when she smiled a little too cheerfully. “Simple. Get along with Kouga and protect lord Sesshoumaru.”

 

“…Are you fucking nuts!”

 

“Sit!”

 

“Agh!”

 

After he got up from his painful, bundled up position in the dirt, he managed to groan out a squeaky `deal.' She understood of course, that part of the unspoken terms was that if she broke the agreement he wouldn't have to do any of the things she asked. And it was a given that the Sesshoumaru bit was temporary.

 

“Great! Thank you Inuyasha! You just made me very happy!”

 

He rubbed his stomach, giving her a halfhearted glare.

 

She stretched her arms languidly, giving a jaw popping yawn. When she looked back at the hanyou she saw him staring worriedly over his shoulder.

 

It was a soul snatcher, hovering around a nearby tree trunk for a few seconds before returning in the direction of the camp. Kagome's cheerful posture disintegrated immediately, replaced by a tight smile. She turned to the stream silently and crouched down, washing her dirty hands.

 

“She's calling you, Inuyasha.”

 

The hanyou's gaze shifted back and forth between Kagome and where the creature disappeared. “Maybe it's about her plan.”

 

“Maybe. Go. I'll be right behind you. I just want to wash up,” she said blandly, waving him away over her shoulder.

 

“It's not safe-”

 

“I'll be fine, just go!” she urged, scooping up more water.

 

He looked about hesitantly, not sensing any danger. “Ok. Just hurry up! It's relatively safe here but you never know.”

 

She waited until she was certain he was far enough before letting out a small sob. She hurriedly stood up, rubbing off the mud on her legs. I hate this! As soon as he caught wind that the undead miko was nearby, Kagome became invisible.

 

The worst of it was that Kagome was ashamed of her feelings. Every time he left to see her Kagome felt deeply hurt, then angry, and after that she would feel guilty.

 

She had no right to be upset! She had a family that loved her and a life beyond the well she could go back to at any time. Kikyou didn't. The miko wasn't even alive.

 

So wanting Inuyasha for herself seemed terribly selfish. It was natural that Kagome wouldn't want Kikyou to have him, since it meant he would go to hell. But hating her for hogging his affections was unforgivable. Even Kikyou deserved a little happiness, especially after what she'd been through.

 

She didn't want to hate her. She didn't want to hate anyone, but…she couldn't seem to help the way she felt. And she knew Inuyasha couldn't help the way he felt either. She had to accept that Inuyasha's heart lay elsewhere, despite what Sango said. No one puts in that much effort to help someone they didn't love. Inuyasha loved Kikyou. Kikyou loved Inuyasha, in her own odd way. And Kagome accepted that.

 

Looking up, Kagome gasped and fell back on her rump.

 

The slim, smirking figure descended with her white feather to the school girl's eye level. “Hello, Kagome-chan,” Kagura whispered. “Don't make a fuss, please. Naraku wants to see you, and I have somewhere else I have to be very soon,” she added in a discreet tone.

 

Snapping out of her shock, Kagome reached for her bow and arrows, but she wasn't quick enough.

 

Flicking her fan lightly, Kagura produced a small gust of wind that sent the young girl crashing into the tree behind her. Kagome passed out without a sound, just as Kagura had planned.

 

She'd have to thank Kikyou for making things so easy.

 

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Inuyasha was almost at the camp when he caught the scent. He stiffened in horror and whirled around. “Kagome!”

 

He shot off the way he came, panting in panic.

 

A group of soul snatchers materialized in front of him. He attempted to leap over them but they lunged at him, tangling themselves around his bare feet and legs. As a result of his speed he pitched forward and slammed face-first into the ground, sliding forward a few inches.

 

Growling furiously, he flipped on his back and sat up, quickly slicing them away from him. He jumped to a stand, but before he could begin to run again more of the white snake-like creatures looped around his feet.

 

“Don't go, Inuyasha,” ordered the miko coolly, stepping out of the bushes beside him.

 

“Kikyou! What are you doing? Kagome's in trouble. Kagura's here!”

 

More and more of her little minions were gathering around his legs, making movement difficult. “Let me go, damn it!” he roared, leaping into the air and slicing at the living bonds. But there were too many. “Kikyou!”

 

“No, Inuyasha. I was waiting for this. We all were.”

 

He froze, a clawed hand poised in the air. “What do you mean?”

 

She gave him a dead smile that looked almost regretful. “The first step, which I did not illustrate, was for Kagome to get caught.”

 

The shock of her words wore off quickly, and the hanyou's face twisted into a mask of agony. “No!”

 

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To Be continued…

 

 

I'd say the length of the chapter was very good. I think that should take away from how annoying that little cliffie was (Though I doubt it).

 

Ha. So, whose side is Kikyou really on? What will Naraku do with Kagome? What's Inuyasha gonna do about Kikyou's little `stunt'? Sesshoumaru gonna' act as Naraku's lackey? What good would that do? And many more questions answered in later chapters.

 

I tried to make the cliffie as nice as possible. (honestly, I wasn't expecting it to end with one.) and this chap was extra fluffy, wasn't it? -frown-

 

You thought I'd leave you hanging on that fairy's plan, didn't you? Heheh. Well, I was sick of leaving so many things hanging mysteriously, I thought you'd either murder me if I added another, or I'd kill myself. Sure it's not detailed but at least you know what's going on.

  

I really enjoyed writing this chapter, but most important is that you enjoy reading it. I hope it wasn't too bad. Please review! Tell me the many ways you'd like to skin and barbeque me for my evil ways. Or you can be nice and tell me you like it. (Personally I prefer the latter ^.^ ) A little bit of both isn't too bad either. So…R & R!!!! Thank you for reading this chapter through. I bow to your patience and attentiveness, whoeverisreadingthis!