InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inutaisho Legacy ❯ Court Manipulations ( Chapter 14 )

Here we are, another chapter! As the plot finally begins to assert itself with a vengeance, there won't be as many limey parts until I deem the danger has past. Sorry! But I hope you enjoy what's down below. I greatly enjoy your input.

 

Many many MANY thanks of course extend solely to InuSkye, the Warrior to my Bard who inspires the events that happen in this fanfiction. You should all give her a hand, for without her conversation and ideas, nothing would be happening in this sequel!

Another thanks to my twin Ledefey, may she ever confide in me.

And to Silvery Rin with the Butterfly Wings for ever exchanging a kind word and firing this Inu's mind :P

 

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Fanfiction dot net:

 

Silvery Rin! Once more, thanks for the kind words. You keep up with this dribble of a story with the utmost of care. Thanks for cheering me up!

 

Inuyasha's only miko: I had to put in some funny stuff! Have to unruffled Sesshmo's fur sometime!

Simonkal of Inuy, I bow to your humble care of words, I'm thrilled you enjoy my story by far (blushes) I don't' think it's that good, but thanks for telling me otherwise! No, Jaken isn't too clever by half to scheme against his precious Sesshomaru-sama, but just read on ^_^

Sachichan16, Kill Inutaro??? My sweet quarter inu son of Inuyasha? Never!

Haley Y, I enjoyed your honesty. I feel my writing style IS abit off, and am trying to work on it.

Inubaby18, Gotta love the lemons!

Angeldreamer21, You are so great, as always! You life my spirits and tell me maybe this writing isn't all bad. I'm pleased to share this with people such as yourself. Thanks.

Cameo one and only, LOL. I had to put some sexual torture in there sometime, just for kicks.

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Sal! Good to see you! I'm flattered you posted….twice? Or is that the other one? (lol) This inu is absentminded. But really I'm running in circles, I'm so happy to see your words.

 

Chanda, I pride myself on hot lemons :P Hmmm warm lemonade….. nice to read, nasty to drink! (lol)

Hanyou Swimmer, YES! You know the Friends scene! I'm a Friends geek as well. And I don't want anything to harm a hair on lil Inutaro's head, but sometimes an author has to be mean for plot. But I believe in happy endings. And Jaken says he deserves a raise for that one scene :P But I paid him back in this chapter (read on!)

 

Inuyoukai Skye, once more, thanks! Lucky 13 meant a luckier lemon, and torture for all :P That one was all for you! You know the plot, and thanks for supplying the outline for it. Thanks eternally from your Inu Bard.

 

Nina-chan! Kagome SHOULD get pregnant for all the slipping on Yash's dick that she does…. (lol) We'll see how the story goes!

 

SAAAAaaaaaaal…. Saaal! This is fun to say :P Thanks once more :P The mattress mambo and other insane thoughts literally write themselves as my fingers move by themselves across the keyboard. A hint to how I think, scary huh? :P Hope you like this one!

 

Melissa, a newcomer here! Thank you for your kind words. I hope this update was soon enough! I try to do it within a week, or barely over a week ^_^;;

 

Syko! From a youkai court standpoint, a lot of people want to hurt Inutaro! And Inuyasha to boot. Being realistic is never easy.

 

Inugrrrl! (sniff) Where is my insane partner of crazy words? This inu is saddened to be without this shining girl's opinion! And whatta opinion it is ^_~ Hope to hear from you soon!

 

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is making any money off of this. Does claim to be Inu however.

 

“The Inutaisho Legacy” chapter fourteen

Court Manipulations

 

“This Sesshomaru must not repeat himself. Must you question us this way?” Sesshomaru's shoulders tightened as the delegations went on and on. He was rather irate at this dignitary meeting, but one wouldn't be able to tell otherwise by his perfectly sculpted expression of boredom.

His minor lords and dignitaries just seemed to be out of their way to upset his way of leadership. Today was a perfect example. They all wanted more time, more soldiers, more pleasures and half the work for it.

Sesshomaru flashed glazed eyes towards the mountain dog lordling. Today and the past few days, he was not trying to be first in his book. He constantly cut his Lordship off with meaningful conversation, that was irritating at best, but inspired the other lordlings at worst. Sesshomaru was not sure what to make of the lord Takaharu, a wild mountain dog with not one drop of the royal Inu in him, and from the Northern region to boot. But right now he knew he didn't like his sneery mouth opening.

 

“My lord Sesshomaru, surely you see the reason of this. Scour the mountainside clean of the small vestiges of humans clinging to it. These mountains belong to your palace and your shrine do they not? Why let the humans live?” Takaharu demanded.

Sesshomaru held out one hand and Jaken jumped to place a cup of tea into his outstretched palm. Sesshomaru rocked the bowl cup carefully in his palm and took an absent sip, all the while fixing a cool gaze at the scruffy mountain dog.

 

“We have discussed this already. Must this Sesshomaru repeat himself? Find new questions or pull your tongue out,” Sesshomaru exclaimed in ringing tones then sipped the scalding tea.

Takaharu did not back down. “Do you fear the humans?”

 

The other dignitaries gasped as Sesshomaru flicked frozen eyes towards the other inu once again, his gaze promising injury or death.

“This Sesshomaru finds those who must inquire to other's courage severely lack some for their own,” he bit out. Jaken gaped and cringed at his lord's side. His lordship Takaharu should be scraping low at that look and tone. He must be new to this game for he didn't seem to think anything was amiss.

 

Takaharu grinned pleasantly and shrugged. “You'll find, my lord, that I have as much courage as his lordship.” Perhaps more, his tone said. Sesshomaru watched him coolly and did not deign to answer.

One of the other dignitaries shuffled and politely inquired the meeting to be adjourned. “If it would please your lordship,” he asked. Sesshomaru blinked and rose to his impressive height, pelt and kimono swirling around him.

“You may take your leave.” He informed them. Youkai stood and bowed at the waist and shuffled past to exit the hall. Takaharu bowed as was necessary and was last to leave.

Inuyasha stood in the doorway, Inutaro cradled in his arms. The youkai did not make their dissatisfaction secret as they openly looked down snouts, or long noses at the partial Inu youkai. Inuyasha veiled his eyes with boredom and coolly regarded each with a snooty look of his own. When Takaharu walked past, Inutaro stiffened his legs and leaned over his papa's arms to screech angrily. Inuyasha looked down at his boy and juggled him carefully, humming under his breath.

 

He had to admit, his pup had a fine nose. He hadn't liked the smell of that wild mountain dog either. Inuyasha waited until only Jaken was present with his brother and came closer.

“Sesshomaru,” he hailed him. Inutaro waved one hand and crowed. Sesshomaru's eyes warmed ever so slightly. But perhaps only Rin could have seen seen the difference from his usual gaze.

 

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder, then tucked down at the low table, his boy at his shoulder. Inutaro tried to crawl over his papa to get at his uncle.

“What was that about? You have some strange friends,” Inuyasha said, thinking of Sango and Miroku and their hunters and children.

 

Sesshomaru handed Jaken his cup and tapped his claws on the tabletop. “The Lord of the Western Lands does not have friends. The Lord of the Western Lands has allies. There is a difference, Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha mumbled and patted Inutaro's back. “My boy didn't like that last one out. Was he giving you trouble?”

 

Sesshomaru smoothed his long sleeve and regarded his brother. “Only the usual trouble the Lord will receive. Takaharu must needs learn to keep his mouth shut and to mask his words.”

“Maybe he does...” Inuyasha mumbled. “I still don't like the smell of him. You should watch out maybe.”

 

“You're jumping at shadows, Inuyasha,” Sesshomaru said. “The lord Takaharu could not scheme his way past my attention.” He swept his pelt over his shoulder and turned to walk off, matter settled. Inuyasha only cradled Inutaro and watched him, frowning.

 

“I don't think so, brother…..” Inuyasha mumbled. He followed him down the hall. Inutaro babbled happily as they went.

 

* * * *

 

“Are you sure it's alright, Jaken?” Kagome asked as she swept her hair up and pinned it at the nape. The goblin held Inutaro against his shoulder and patted his back.

 

“You don't have to ask this faithful servant! This Jaken will watch over Sesshomaru-sama's …nephew with the most diligent care!” Jaken winced and smiled painfully as Inutaro pulled on his lip and stretched it down.

Kagome smoothed out the leotard and t-shirt she had put on to better stretch with Rin. While she knew the overall answer did not lie in positioning or herb potions, it still couldn't hurt to stretch out all of the muscles.

 

Kagome kissed her boy goodbye and waved to poor Jaken as she made her way out. Kohaku had come in another dream to speak of riddles once more. Slowly but surely, Kagome knew what must be done. These visits and time for them were some of the only ways she knew to achieve their goal. Rin would bear a hanyou child before the next year was out, she was sure of it.

As Kagome walked along to the gardens to meet Rin, she was suddenly aware of a large youkai signature wandering close by. While that in itself was not unique considering where they were, it was more jagged than most and that was what drew her attention. Kagome clasped her palms together, feeling the warm soothing touch of purity spark between her hands. She turned as she smelled a wild scent of mountain herb and stone.

 

The Youkai lordling appeared to be Inu, or as she could tell in his humanized form. He had the long white hair familiar to her family's inu, but the lord's topknot was streaked with pepper. His eyes were more slanted and as silver as his hair, and where Sesshomaru and Inuyasha remained hairless, he sported a neat beard on his chin. The triangle was brighter than the hair on his head and glimmered in the torchlight. He wore bits of armor over his haori and hakama, breastplate with arm guards and shin plates. His feet were encased in sandals, a wicked katana thrust through his sash. Kagome couldn't tell if it was the design on the scabbard, but the feel of the blade was very….dark. And wrong.

The inu youkai smiled congenially to Kagome, his eyes smiling with a hidden joke. Kagome waited, her spine stiffening slightly. Suddenly she felt under dressed in that thin t-shirt and that clinging leotard. She had no qualms about walking past youkai guards and servants wearing that, but this one was heading right for her! Suddenly, Kagome wished for Inuyasha to be at her side with all her might.

 

“You are the wife of Inuyasha, are you not?” he murmured pleasantly. Kagome nodded, rubbing the inside of her elbow nervously.

“Yes… I am. My name is Kagome,” she offered. The wild looking youth raised an eyebrow and continued grinning at her like a fool. Was he insipid or did he have an agenda? Either way, it didn't make Kagome feel too welcome. Feeling rather like prey than a guest, she began to edge her way towards the gardens.

 

“Oh, don't go so soon, Lady Kagome! I didn't mean to startle you. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Lord Takaharu. His lordship Sesshomaru has asked all of us here to hear our voices,” the Inu Takaharu smiled. He rested one large hand on the hilt of his wicked katana. “Well, perhaps he should respect all of our voices…”

Kagome half-nodded. Conflict with lords seemed to be the meat of this youkai court and she was not interested. Why did she feel so uneasy?…

 

“Well that's all well and good, Takaharu-san but….” Electricity shot through Kagome's being and she whirled away from the grinning mountain Inu and back the way she had come. Inutaro…. something was happening to him, she could feel it. As Kagome flew down the hall, hopping around servants and maids, she could only pray her husband felt that too.

Takaharu smirked and walked away.

 

Kagome felt rather than heard Inutaro's wails as she followed the source of terror. She came around the corner, out of breath and staring in disbelief at the sight before her. Jaken stood as tall as he could, Inutaro pressed close in one arm, the other brandishing the Staff of Heads. Smoke floated from the old man's mouth, and the charred remains of two twisted bodies confirmed that a fire blast had indeed been used.

Inutaro was sobbing and screaming, his shrill cries damaging to the ears. Jaken's ears twitched mightily, but he did not relinquish hold of Sesshomaru-sama's heir until Kagome reached for him. Jaken rubbed the back of his bald scalp beneath his hat as Kagome squeezed her baby close, tears sliding fearfully from her eyes. Inutaro nestled close and babbled as he sobbed, his eyes as wet as his mothers.

 

Kagome tried to shush him, then just let him cry against her. “What happened here??” she demanded, her eyes anxious. Jaken went to one knee, and bowed low.

 

“I do not know where they came from, Kagome-sama! They came for little Inuyasha, they said they couldn't kill him but needed him alive….. well they didn't count on ME stopping them!” Jaken stood straight, his face stretched with a fierce grin. Kagome patted her son's back and reached down to touch the top of Jaken's head.

 

“Thank you…. thank you!” she whispered fervently. Charred youkai never smelt so good as her son felt, safe in her arms. Jaken squawked, flustered, then straightened.

 

“It is my duty to watch over all of Sesshomaru-sama's livelihood and little Inuyasha there…..”

 

“INUTARO!!” Inuyasha crashed into the room hard on his knees. His golden eyes darted around wildly, and when they landed on the sobbing bundle in his mate's arms, he sprang forward and pulled both of them into his strong arms.

“Peh! Peh!” Inutaro sniffled, his face wet. A line of snot dribbled from his nose. He clenched a fistful of the fire rat robe, little fingers as tight as the death scattered black and burned on the mats. Inuyasha squeezed his son and wife close, biting back sobs of his own.

 

Sesshomaru's calm voice brought him back from any self-induced grieving. Jaken kowtowed low to his lord, the Staff of Heads pressed down on the mats with him. Kagome used the edge of her husband's wide sleeves to dry her eyes as best she could with her handful of Inutaro. Inuyasha did not relinquish his hold on either one of them and regarded his brother with sad wary eyes.

 

“This Sesshomaru should have realized there could be a danger….. or naming Inutaro such as he has,” Sesshomaru intoned. Rin darted in, brought close by the commotion, and gaped at the charred bodies flaking on the floor.

“What has happened??” she exclaimed. Jaken rose to his feet and smiled up to his Lady, none the worse for wear.

 

“It was I who stopped the would-be kidnappers, Rin-sama! They came for little Inuyasha, but faced me instead!” Jaken drew himself up proudly. Rin turned to her lord for confirmation. Sesshomaru nodded.

“It seems my peers are not without an opinion and it has been made here with this vile act,” Sesshomaru murmured. His eyes glowed dangerously. Inuyasha did not lash out at his brother as he might have once, but matched his look, resolute and firm yet sad all at once.

 

“What shall we do about this insult to my family?” Inuyasha growled. Kagome shivered to hear his words. Inutaro clung to Inuyasha's shoulders and tugged himself fully to his father's arms, crying out softly for his attention. Inuyasha picked his son up and held him above his head with gentle hands.

“They would take my son, my precious gift away? I will kill any who was behind this. These youkai,” Inuyasha turned his nose down at the charcoal dirtying the pristine tatami mats. “These youkai would dare take my life's goal away from my mate and I. Be it said that I will take their life's goal from them. This, I vow, Inuyasha son of Lord Inutaisho, and father of Inutaro, my brother's…. special nephew,” Inuyasha finished lamely, lest any of their enemies be listening.

The speech had the desired result as Kagome hugged his side, her heart thudding strongly between their link. Inutaro squealed down at his father, until he was brought close to be cradled against his heart.

 

Sesshomaru nodded, his mind working sharply as he weeded out possibility of his fellow lords. There were a few suspects he already thought on, and decided to pay them the special attention they so demanded of him as of late. Sesshomaru took Rin's chin in his claws and regarded her with the warmest eyes she could recall. He did not kiss her in the presence of others, even her in-laws, but she knew he burned brightly between their link and that his passion would run high this night, after his `interrogations.'

 

* * * *

 

Kagome and Inuyasha waved goodbye to Sesshomaru. A double-column of youkai guards stood in formation behind the stoic lord. Sesshomaru had deemed it necessary to bring an armed escort for his brother's family back to the Bone Eater's Well.

The appearance of so many youkai and the Lord of the Western Lands himself proved to be too much of a headache for the village outside of Inuyasha's Forest. Kagome had not seen anyone she knew as she and Inuyasha marched back to the Well, son safely in hand and demons at their back.

 

Kagome and Inuyasha arranged their bags and son, and hopped into the well. Falling through the void between timelines, they drifted as if dreamlessly and came down to a thud at the dirt bottom of the well once more. Inuyasha looked up through the dark, certain that a roof was over the Well. Inuyasha sighed a deep inhale of dusty air and grasped his mate and child, leaping out with one swift movement.

 

Kaede and Jii-chan sweeping the shrine courtyard was the first sight the couple saw as they slid open the Well House's doors. Inutaro blinked at the sudden sunlight and squealed, waving his hands at the dust motes before his eyes. Inuyasha only let go of his family, certain of their safety in this time as he called out to the elderly couple.

“Oi! We're back!” Inuyasha waved. Kaede waved and moved toward them, her lined face stretched in a kind smile. Inutaro babbled and held his hands up. Kagome gently handed her son to the old priestess.

 

“How was your visit this time?” Kaede asked kindly, her good eye twinkling down at the quarter youkai. Inutaro kicked his feet and laughed up at her. Inuyasha sighed and he and Kagome looked to each other.

 

“Kaede obaa-chan…. Someone came for our son.”

Across the courtyard, Jii-chan leaned on his broom and watched the conversation between Kaede and his granddaughter. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew Kaede's movements well and she radiated surprise and anger while she cradled his great-grandson.

 

Kaede cradled Inutaro to her shoulder and patted his back, her face solemn. “That is ill news, Kagome. Perhaps I should go back with you next time. I must needs secure a priestess for the village, and perhaps we shall see what we shall see.”

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha and Kagome didn't go back to the feudal past for another two weeks. Kagome had schoolwork to catch up on and continue with. Inuyasha was suddenly the center of most of Jii-chan's attention again. He was put back to work retiling, sweeping, storing, dusting and keeping his son with him while he busted his ass when Kagome was away at school.

Kaede must have told Jii-chan she was returning with them next time. It may not be indefinitely, but still Jii-chan was a sour old crab about the news. He alternated between bossing Inuyasha around, cooing over his great-grandson, and performing priestly duties with his lover. Inuyasha could only think that the tenacious old bastard was trying to win SoreAss of the Year Award. But take today for example. Jii-chan wanted him to scrub the tiles in the corners of the storerooms. A few mushrooms were sprouting, the molding was so bad. He had been on his hands and knees for hours, scrubbing with a pad and cloth. Maybe he could compete for SoreAss as well. He had been crouched on his knees so long he couldn't even FEEL his own ass!

 

Inutaro kicked his feet to his chest and sucked on his stockings while regarding his papa with a serious expression. Inuyasha fell on his back, knees to his chest, crying out as he tried to work his stiff muscles. Inutaro rocked back and forth in his carrier and cried out in response, his response shrill to his father's groan.

Inuyasha opened one eye and snickered at his son. “Yeah, laugh it up, fuzz ball.”

 

“Inuyasha!” Souta called from outside and stuck his head in. “Hey, Nii-chan. Is the baby with you?”

Inutaro rocked back and forth, jostling his carrier wildly as he squirmed to get his uncle's attention. “Uhm uhm uhm…” he grunted, his face darkening with the effort. Inuyasha laughed and rocked his carrier a bit more.

“Yeah he's right here, kid,” Inuyasha offered. Inutaro grinned, showing off one scraggly tooth.

 

Souta sprang in and leaned down to pick up the carrier by the handle. “Well, I better bring him, and Kagome said to come in and look nice too,” He ordered.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. “Why, what's going on?” He scrambled to get off his back and smacked dust from his hakama. Lithe muscles moved beneath his tank top and he flung his hair over one bare shoulder.

 

“Big sis's friends came by! And that Hojo guy too. They came to see you and Inutaro-chan!” Souta informed. He clasped the handle with both hands to better handle the weight of wriggly nephew. Inuyasha made sure his bandana was secure over his ears and sighed.

 

“Guess this'll have to do…. come on, kid, let's get this over with.” A steady twitch throbbed over Inuyasha's brow, but if he had to put up with a headache for his family's safety, so be it. Inutaro cheered and Souta juggled the carrier manfully.

“Well, come on, those noisy girls are already squealing to see you and Inutaro,” Souta sighed and the two men made their way back to the Higurashi home.

 

Inuyasha's ears laid flat beneath the bandana as an onslaught of feminine giggles met his ears. Mama luckily was softer-spoken and took some of his unease away. She took the carrier from Souta, patted both and sent them to their doom.

 

When Inuyasha came in, with Souta, Mama and Inutaro in tow, the three girls who went to school with Kagome jumped up and bombarded them. Ayumi hugged Inuyasha's arm, making the hanyou's brain backfire. Wasn't she supposed to be the shy one?

Eri and Yuka clustered around Mama, cooing over Inutaro. As an afterthought, Mama had snatched up a cap as they gathered in the kitchen. Inutaro looked up at his grandmother with a slightly dazed look in his eyes. Inuyasha knew his ears were laying flat beneath the cap.

A warm male laugh caught Inuyasha's sharp ears and he turned to regard Hojo. He had been sitting opposite Kagome, and stood now to shake his hand. Inuyasha's claws itched, and he forced himself to smile. Easy there. You've won. This boy can't take Kagome's attentions away anymore.

 

He still felt a rock the size of a boulder in his belly when Mama held Inutaro up to see Hojo face-to-face. Hojo smiled politely and tickled his boy's feet, but there was a severe sadness underlining his careful features. Kagome saw it too, and her heart burned through their link. Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss any doubts away.

 

“So how are you guys doing, we never see you, Inuyasha!” Eri exclaimed. Yuka and Ayumi backed her up, pressing questions on the unfortunate hanyou. Kagome giggled and sidled up to her mother to exchange a quiet word. When Inuyasha turned to see her kiss their baby's forehead, his heart skipped a beat at the contentment the view brought as it always did.

“Well you know, it's this and that…..work and Kagome's got learning….” Inuyasha made out. Hojo pressed in with his own question. `Great now even he's getting in on this.'

 

“So, how's married life, Inuyasha-san? Higurashi always looks so tired,” Hojo confessed. Inuyasha smirked. Maybe the guy wasn't so bad. Were he inu that admonition would mean he was groveling on his back and showing Inuyasha had the superiority. Maybe this Hobo guy wasn't so bad.

 

Inutaro choosing Hobo's uniform jacket as a perfect spot to vomit doubled his opinion.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome certainly agreed with Inuyasha's careful dealing with her friends and Hojo. They had made careful tender love that night, affirming their physical link with soft hands, warm caresses and soft nips. Kagome's quiet sighs filled Inuyasha's world and his deep moans echoed in her ears.

After they lay tangled around each other in the sheets, they drifted to easy dreamless rest. Inuyasha was surprised to find Kagome left the circle of his arms to check on Inutaro twice during the night. He had had the same instinct, to check on their pup.

 

The next day after school and work, Kaede approached the two youths and confirmed their anxious feelings.

“It's time to go back, children. My village needs me and it's time to secure my succession.”

 

Kagome laughed and hugged her old friend carefully. “What about Jii-chan? Is he okay with this?”

 

Kaede laughed brightly, her good eye twinkling. “Ryosuke-san understands! This isn't forever. I want to come back and see him.”

Inuyasha shrugged with one arm, the other cradling Inutaro. “Whatever you want, obaa-chan.”

 

Kaede held an old backpack of Souta's, stuffed with spare clothing, and wrapped herbs, plus a few treats from the modern era. As she gave Ryosuke a tearful farewell, and joined Kagome and Inuyasha at the Well House, Kaede thought of how quiet her old home was in comparison. It would do her well to have a peace of mind in Inuyasha's Forest, even if her home did not mean she would have Ryosuke's bed to share.

 

`I have strayed from my duty long enough for the sake of love…I don't want it to end though.' Kaede wondered if her static thoughts were immature in their desire to want what a priestess should not have. But times had changed, and Ryosuke had had a wife, years before, and was still able to perform his priestly duties for the family shrine.

 

The adults jumped carefully down the well, Inuyasha securing both women for an easier leap as they fell between the years. Kaede was received well by her villagers, and the younger men were sent as an honor guard of sorts to see Inuyasha's family safely back towards the Western Inu palace. Kagome took time to change from her school uniform into a formal kimono, the better to be fully dressed before roving youkai eyes at court. Inuyasha of course wore his fire rat robe and hakama, red on pale skin. Tetsusaiga was slung through his sash as usual.

 

The young men bowed politely to Kagome, but she could feel their shaking fear when they saw the legions of youkai guards drilling outside of Sesshomaru's palace. Inuyasha bid them leave, and they took off at a fast run, weapons in hand. Kagome marveled at their getting along with Inuyasha and her son, but of course this was hostile territory for a human. Even herself, Kagome thought as she remembered Takaharu's mocking smile.

 

Jaken and Rin met the family inside and Rin bowed her head formally. Inuyasha paid his formality for the murmuring staring dignitaries and followed them at Jaken's request to sit with Sesshomaru-sama.

Out of the sight of others, Kagome relaxed and tucked her kimono around her legs to kneel comfortably. She wound up leaning sideways, right against Inuyasha. Inuyasha rooted his position and let his family use him for a chair. Rin smiled prettily and cooed at Inutaro. Jaken scrambled to serve tea and Sesshomaru remained still as if chiseled from ice.

 

Inuyasha cleared his throat and looked up across the table after everyone was settled and safe. “How are things?” he said simply. Rin's smile faded and she looked to her lord.

 

Sesshomaru's lip curled in a slight smile. “This Sesshomaru has begun the appropriate…. interrogations. Mitaka lacks courage, Takaharu claims ignorance, the others are all afraid of what has happened.”

 

“Or they appear to be,” Jaken mumbled, puffing his chest out proudly to the notion of high and mighty demon lords being afraid of his fire blast.

Kagome nodded, her hands full with her son. “One of us should be with Inutaro at all times. And….”

 

“I would prefer me or Sesshomaru with either of you women, then,” Inuyasha drawled suddenly, interrupting his wife. Kagome glared at him but he shook his head resolutely.

 

“You two have more courage than most any one, but where strength matters, those lords won't care one bit,” Inuyasha said. Kagome sighed and leaned against his shoulder, Inutaro crawling over her legs to Inuyasha's lap. This mess just seemed so needless, and so unnecessary as it came up before she could find the solution to heal Rin.

 

Lady Rin did not look too disappointed, but fearful for Inutaro's safety. As they all were.

 

“This one just wants to know who is doing this…..” Sesshomaru murmured.

They all knew the reason why.

 

End for now

Takaharu is becoming more Petyr Baelish-ish as I write him. Read A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin, you'll know who I'm talking about.

Like it, hate it? Leave a review! We authors need fodder! And chocolate (munch).

 

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 1/24/06