InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Lost and The Found ❯ Dangerous Encounter...Maybe? ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Lady Sai
The boy’s eyes widened, Sesshoumaru noticed. He heard his heart beating quicker as he stepped back a little but not too quick to not alert the people around.

Sesshoumaru made note of these considerations but was careful enough not to let himself get distracted.

Sai swallowed nervously then pronouncing, as if to himself, “Youkai.”

Too many people! Too much noise, Sesshoumaru agonized. His migraine was not getting any better. Of all the places in the world, why did Jubei have to retire to a place as populated as this!

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 268 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter Four
“First snot, now salt! Kagome, I'm not getting any cleaner,” bellowed InuYasha, walking three steps behind her.
“You forgot the part about the dirt, InuYasha!” Kagome answered with her nose in the air.
“That was the monk's fault! If it weren't for him gettin' me so revved up about protectin' you girls, none of this would've happened. Not to mention, I'm still pullin' rocks outta my ass, as well as other places, thanks to your SIT.”
“Sorry to interrupt, Kagome-chan, but where are we headed,” Sango asked.
“There's a village up ahead.”
“Not another fishing village! I can't take smellin' like fish anymore as much as I can take smellin' like the inside of my own nose!”
“We're just going to restock on supplies and continue with the search. The signal is not far away so we'll be able to catch up in time before they move any further.”
“I hope not too soon,” prayed the monk, aloud.
An hour later, the gang stood at the summit of a rolling hill in gasping surprise as they looked to what seemed to be THE VILLAGE. “That's a village,” InuYasha was the first to yell out. “Looks more like a town, Kagome!”
“Correction, looks more like a city,” Miroku added, he, himself, felt astonished at the sight before him.
“The sea appears so stunning from way up here,” Sango clasped her hands together emphasizing her awe.
“If you would prefer, you and me can do some exploring on our own, what do you say, Sango,” Miroku asked, as his beadless hand made its way to her bottom. As usual, the daring stunt was short lived as Miroku found himself kissing dirt with the Exterminator's jumbo boomerang embedded in his back.
“If I wanted to be touched, I would have told you!” Sango stressed, a vein popping out in the middle of her forehead.
Shippou sighed, “Never a dull moment.”
Kagome smiled, shaking her head. Then, she turned her attention to InuYasha who wore seriousness on his face. Something disturbed him. He smelled the air, then got down on all fours to take a whiff at the dirt around him. Kagome went up to him. Bending slightly to be at ear's length of him, she inquired in her sweet little voice, “InuYasha, is there anything wrong?”
He continued sniffing around until he found the answer he wanted. He answered, “He's here.”
Kagome, blinking her eyes in question, “Who's here?”
“Sesshoumaru.”
Kagome straightened up with a start. “Where, where!” she looked around, “Oh, shit, when this day couldn't get worse it just did!”
“He's not alone, either.”
Sango came running with Miroku in tow, “You are not joking, right? Oh, no, not another confrontation,” she hoped in worry.
“I thought you preferred Sesshoumaru to the slime youkai,” Miroku stated, brushing dirt off his robe.
“Yes, yes! But not now! I am clean,” cried Sango, exasperated. “Just when I thought this day couldn't have gotten worse, it just did!”
Still on all fours, InuYasha looked at the city below connected to the sea and pointed, “He went down there.” His expression was grave with concern.
Kagome sighed, “Well, maybe we won't come across him,” wishfully thinking.
“Fat chance, Kagome!”
“Yeah, you're right.”
“Why would Sesshoumaru go in that direction? Doesn't he hate humans,” Miroku asked.
“Miroku has a point, InuYasha. And there are a lot of people down there. I would believe that your brother would avoid as much people as possible, is that not correct,” Sango observed.
InuYasha nodded and stood up at his full height.
“I don't know but he's up to something.”
“You think so, InuYasha,” Kagome said with concern.
“No doubt about it.”

Too many people! Too much noise, Sesshoumaru agonized. His migraine was not getting any better. Of all the places in the world, why did Jubei have to retire to a place as populated as this!
Sesshoumaru looked up at the blue sky under the protection of his straw hat. His clothing reeked disgustingly of human despite of Jaken's efforts of washing it of its stench. This was in no way helping him feel any better. What had he been thinking when he decided to venture this place on his own! Alas, the sky did not provide him with the answer he wanted.
The smells were awful! It was as confusing as the noise around him. For sure, humans did not habit themselves in bathing. Disgusting! He shook his head confirming his disappointment. He was not feeling well and resorted to rest against the nearest wall he could find. The color in his face was drained. The last time he had been to a place like this, he was human. It had been hot that day and extremely eventful. He had been weak and devoid of his powers. Now, despite being in his full demonic glory, this felt like déjà vu. If there were days he cursed having sensitive hearing and an acute sense of smell, today was one of them.
Noise upon noise, he could hear women giggling to silliness, children singing about an acorn falling into a pond and being greeted by a catfish…yadda-yadda, men hollering obscenities, dogs barking, cats meowing, mice scampering, and old men breaking wind, which he easily smelled, much to his delight. Above all, he could hear the ebb and flow of the sea as it kissed the ships' hauls and the wooden docks. The way the water splashed against the rocks was like gongs to his ears. The sound the water made was pleasant, though. It was the only pleasant thing he heard. He was not as close as he should have been to the water but he could still hear its wonderful melody as it sang.
Sesshoumaru reached into his breast to pull out a piece of parchment, which Gin had given him. On it were directions on where to go ask for Master Jubei. He realized, or was too proud to admit, that he was certainly lost beyond belief and did not know exactly where to find this place. The youkai prince growled his frustration. He might actually have to ask one of these ningen for directions. Feh! He crushed the parchment in the ball of his fist.
He stood erect, away from the wall so not to appear weak. He looked around to see if he could find someone he could ask. There was nothing but food vendors and customers all around. This was humiliating! Asking ningen was far below him but he did not know his way through this labyrinth of a place. He should have brought the girl, he noted. Much to his chagrin, he decided he would ask one of these humans. But first, he would gather his senses—he took refuge against the wall.

Sai wondered from one store to another. Nothing suited his appetite. He was hungry but all he saw were different varieties of fish dishes. He had enough fish to last him a lifetime! The Chinamen, on the other hand, were close by purchasing souvenirs to take back to their families. It pleased the young scholar to see them smiling and exciting over their purchases that it brought a little smile onto his own young face.
Close-by, children played and sang a song, which he have not heard in such a long time. As he stood there in the midst of the crowd, he heard the little ones sing the tale of an acorn that fell from a tree into the very bottom of a pond. When then, a little catfish comes to greet it and asks the little acorn to play…Don kuri koro koro, don kuri ko….That was how the song went. Sai's smile widened, remembering playing that game with his older brothers and younger sister. They would play that near the same river they caught fireflies. In fact, they played that game the night before Sai's departure.
Li Ping watched the young boy in his contemplation. Sai reminded him of his own son back home. Tonight would be the last time they would be together, he mused. The boy had been a comfort for him and everybody else on the ship. He would tell them stories of his adventures throughout the land and the fact that he did most of his schooling with monks. For his young age, Li Ping could tell the boy had it all together. There was vibrancy in him as well as an ageless maturity. The gods knew this man-child was more of an adult than most children exactly his same age. To see him smile at the playing children was a reward beyond rewards. His father must be extremely proud of him!
Every woman that passed by giggled in admiration towards the boy. It was true; the boy was one of those pretty ones. Ping did not understand what they were saying but he could imagine what they could be saying. It was always the same words…oh, how beautiful, oh, how adorable, oh, he'd look good displayed on a pedestal!...to all this and more, it would either cause the youth to blush or get irritated. Yes, he was a pretty one, not handsome, but pretty.
“Sai," Li Ping startled the boy out of his reverie.
“Yes?”
“The boys here are in need of your interpreting skills.”
Sai took a look at the other two trying to negotiate with the Japanese vendors with what seemed like a strangled version of very bad Japanese. Sai tried stifling his laughter. They definitely needed major help. He walked to where they were. It was a ramen shop, which specialized in many varieties of ramen. They were having a heck of a time telling the vendor what they wanted and understanding what the vendor was telling them.
“I'm coming!” As he headed towards the little group, a man backed up from one of the stands bumping into him. Sai almost lost balance but quickly regained footing. At the same time, a piece of folded up parchment fell to the ground. Without much thought, Sai pronounced a silent oops and quickly bended to gather the fallen object. However, the moment he was about to grab the parchment, another hand grabbed it. Sai, instantly turned to the figure hunched over next to him, it was the man he bumped into, who smoothly placed the paper back in his breast pocket. The man stood up readjusting his travel clothes and then, his hat.
From where he knelt on the ground, Sai could now clearly see the stranger's face. What Sai could see was a mature man with- white hair? Sai tilted his own hat a little bit up to have a better look of his face, he was young and sported strange markings, a warrior, perhaps? The man stopped fidgeting on himself once he noticed this foreign boy staring at him. Sai was delivered an annoyed, cold stare of a haughty nature.
As if drawn, the boy slowly met this man's challenge by standing up and staring back in return. To Sai's amazement, he could see his own reflection in this stranger's eyes, despite the shadow partly concealing them. They were cold yet, soft. Both of these contrasting emotions existed together in an ocean of torment.
Sesshoumaru thought this child, indeed, was in want of a death wish. How dare he stand up to He, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, and expect to survive this staring contest! Yet, he could see himself in this boy's brown pools. They were warm and innocent yet they held a blazing fire to them. They were honest yet; there was something about them that hinted falsehood.
A contrasting ocean of torment was what Sai could see and somehow feel. They were extremely captivating, his orbs, which were heavily emphasized with rich crimson, the color of blood. But, what made his eyes the most captivating of all was the gold color they possessed. Sai, then realized with a startle, they were gold! His eyes were gold in color, like honey!
The boy's eyes widened, Sesshoumaru noticed. He heard his heart beating quicker as he stepped back a little but not too quick to not alert the people around. Sesshoumaru made note of these considerations but was careful enough not to let himself get distracted. Sai swallowed nervously then pronouncing, as if to himself, “Youkai.”
Although, the word was said in a whisper, it was audible enough for the Youkai Prince of the West to hear. Now, it was Sesshoumaru's turn to be on the nervous end. There were too many people to make a quick break for it by air. He broke away from the boy's stare to look up; people were staring at the two as they passed by. Others paid no heed. Then, as if by chance, Sesshoumaru immediately noticed the child's compatriots making their way to where they were.
“Hey, boy,” they yelled in Chinese.
Sai snapped his head around to see the guys coming. Sesshoumaru saw this as his chance to get away. When Sai turned back, the stranger was gone. The only thing he saw was a straw-hat cutting through the crowd like a hot knife.
“Was he bothering you,” asked Li Ping in concern.
“No, he just dropped something and I helped pick it up,” he answered rapidly.
“Well, just in case, you stay close to us,” Ping said.
Sai nodded with a smile.
“All right, with that settled, maybe it's best we search for a place to stay for the night,” the Chinaman suggested.
They all nodded. Sai stared down at his beaded bracelet; tugging on the beads, he went over what just had happened. Why would a youkai be here in plain sight? And why did he not detect him? This was strange. Sai did not like it one bit. He would have to investigate and make sure as hell that this youkai did not come here to make trouble.
However, those eyes and their golden color were left engraved in his mind. They were beautiful, and the one that owned them was even more beautiful beyond compare. To stare in such eyes, to feel captivated by orbs that could express both softness and cold, was mesmerizing.
“Sai,” Ping called way ahead of him.
Sai took once quick look at the direction the stranger left before answering to Ping's call. Seeing that the youkai completely disappeared, he proceeded to join up with the group.

Hidden away from the business of the streets, Sesshoumaru rested in the comfort of an alley. He removed his hat, setting it aside. He rested his back against a stonewall, trying to catch his breath and return his heart rate to normal. That was really a close call, he thought. He was this close to being discovered. Good thing he was not or this nice city would have to do repairs on the fine architecture he found to be in abundance. That was the least of his worries.
Now, there was something strange about that Chinese boy. He was the only one who found him out. It was like the boy sensed him. This was no ordinary boy, Sesshoumaru drove to that conclusion. He decided he would have to steer clear of this human. First, however, he had to regain his lost composure before heading out into the light again.
This was going to be a VERY long day.
“What more could happen,” he asked himself, but before answering that question, he quickly replied, “Don't answer that.”

“Excuse me, maam! Did a large man with white hair and a huge thick stick up his ass pass by your humble store,” asked Miroku with delight coloring his purple eyes.
“If you buy something, I will tell you.”
“Nevermind, but thank you all the same,” he cheerfully waved.
“There's alotta salt in the air. It's makin' me sick to my stomach,” InuYasha grumbled in protest.
“Are you sure you smelled your brother coming this way,” Kagome inquired the hanyou, already losing her patience.
“Yup, sure as the nose on my face.”
“That worries me,” Kagome replied, cupping her chin.
“What's that supposed to mean, Kagome?”
“Nothing really.”
Sango voiced in, “I'll tell Miroku to find us a place to stay for tonight. I assume you are all hungry and exhausted from our ordeal, yes?”
“We oughta save money, anyway. Why not, tell the pervert to find us a place with free room and board and plenty of food to go around,” InuYasha nodded, giving Sango the go ahead. She walked off, nodding all the same. “ I can still taste that demon in my mouth.”
“What are you complaining about,” Shippou attacked, a scowl on his little fox face, “At least you didn't have to drown in one.”
“Your still alive, aren't cha,” InuYasha eyed the kitsune, who was sitting high on Kagome's head. Shippou's eyes went beady, glaring fiercely at InuYasha. The hanyou glared back, electricity was exchanged between them.
“Cut it out, you two!” Kagome impared. “We've got to find Sesshoumaru! Who knows what he's up to!”
“Kagome's right.”
“Excuse me, but I'm right here,” Kagome reminded the half-wit half demon.
“Sorry…Anyway, Sesshoumaru ain't afraid of humans but it's not like him to be dumb enough to get where humans are by the numbers. Where there are humans he'll, likely, avoid it.”
“True,” Kagome sighed. “So, what will we do once we find him?”
“We? You mean, Me…You'll do nothing. You're better off hiding. You let me deal with Sesshoumaru.”
“Well, wise-guy, what if by some strange and dumb luck, he finds me first? What should I do, then, shoot him with my spirit arrows and hope for the best or wait for you to come to my rescue?”
“It's me he wants to fight so he won't risk killing off the bait.”
“What! Now, I'm bait!”
“Well, to Sesshoumaru's thinking…yeah.”
“Oh, I see,” Kagome bowed her head in what seemed like disappointment.
“Kagome, if you want to save somebody, save somebody worth savin'. I know it's in your nature to be the Good Samaritan and shit like that but creeps like my brother don't understand compassion and should be left strictly alone. `Cause honestly, if he knew what it even was he would've learned to use that toothpick he calls that sword of his by now. But he hasn't. So, don't waste yer time tryin',” his words and his face were serious. “Do as I say. If you find him face to face, get out of his way.”
Kagome nodded.
“You know I'm right.”
Then, Sango, who wore a large smile on her face, interrupted them. “Miroku said there is an inn up ahead.”
InuYasha and Kagome looked at each other, then at Sango. Shippou just blinked his eyes in confusion, trying, at the same time, to balance himself on top Kagome's head.

The Horrors! Sai thinks Sesshoumaru's beautiful! And Sesshie-poo is nervous around him! Who would have thought any human could ever do something to overwhelm him!
Sesshoumaru was human in The Gold Manacles.
Gin: also mentioned in The Gold Manacles, is Sesshoumaru's eldest sister.