InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Ninja ❯ A New Friend and Everyone Together ( Chapter 9 )

Please see chapter 1 for ratings and disclaimer

 

CHAPTER 9: A New Friend And Everyone Together

 

The next morning dawned bright and warm. Kai woke up feeling refreshed and hungry. She headed out into the main area of the hut to search for her new friends, noticing that Sesshoumaru was not on the futon. Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Shippo were up getting food ready. Kirara sitting close to Sango as they all worked together. “Hungry?” asked Sango stirring something that smelt absolutely wonderful in the pot.

 

“Yes, very”, replied Kai sniffing the air. Looking around she asked “Where's Sesshoumaru?”

 

“He went to the hot springs to clean up”, Miroku answered.

 

“And Kaede?” she asked.

 

“Out doing her work as the miko for the village” Miroku again answered her question.

 

Kai realized that she probably needed to clean up as well. “Hey, do you girls think you could show me where the hot springs are when Lord Sesshoumaru gets back?”

 

“We can all go after breakfast”, Sango said.

 

“Me too”, said Shippo happily.

 

“Don't you dare come after us Hoshi-sama”, Sango threatened.

 

Miroku looked like an innocent choir boy, “I would never think to do such a thing, Lady Sango.” Kagome and Kai snickered at the exchange while Shippo just rolled his eyes.

 

As they finished their food Sesshoumaru walked up the well worn path towards the group who were now sitting outside in the sun. Kai, Kagome and Sango just stared. His pants were tied with his yellow and blue obi, his chest bare. His hair was hanging down straight and clean, water dripping gently off and down his bare skin. Miroku saw the three girls practically drooling and had to keep himself from staring with them.

 

“Yes”, said Sesshoumaru as he stopped before them.

 

“Nothing”, squeaked the girls, all blushing.

 

Sesshoumaru was not feeling as good as he had yesterday; he was starting to feel a pounding behind his eyes and didn't notice the effect he was having on the three females. He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes.

 

“Are you feeling ok”, asked Kagome timidly.

 

“Fine”, mumbled Sesshoumaru. “Where is my stupid half-breed of a brother?” he asked moodily. “Should he not be back by now?”

 

This got Kagome angry. “Sesshoumaru, he's off getting your friends and he helped save your life, you should be more grateful”, she ground out as everyone stood.

 

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and gave Kagome one of his famous glares, everyone, including Kagome, took a step back but she didn't lower her eyes. The silence was nerve wracking as Sesshoumaru tried to decide if he should kill her or not but then he said, “This Sesshoumaru has no friends” and walked by them into the hut. Kai thought he sounded sad but didn't voice her opinion in case he would hear her.

 

“Come on girls”, said Kagome huffily. “Let's go clean up, you too Shippo.”

 

Miroku followed Sesshoumaru into the hut after the girls and Shippo had left. He knew what was making Sesshoumaru so pissy. He recognized the look from being brought up by a certain drunken monk. He's got a hangover, he chuckled to himself. I know just the cure; I hope Kaede has some of that herb left. Even though sneaking off to the hot springs to check, correct that, “look out for” three lovely ladies sounded good, Miroku figured “looking out for” a half naked lovely demon lord wasn't such a bad trade off. Miroku mixed up his cure and went into the back room where Sesshoumaru was lying on the futon, his right arm stretched across his eyes trying to block out the sunlight coming in from the window. One leg was straight out on the bed, the other bent with his foot resting on the mat and his legs slightly apart. “Here, drink this, it will help.” Miroku passed Sesshoumaru the cup and then went to put a blanket up in front of the window. Kami, but he's a beauty thought Miroku letting his eyes rove over Sesshoumaru's body.

 

Miroku was interrupted from his hentai thoughts when Sesshoumaru asked him “Why do you help me? I have always been your enemy.”

 

“Well, you're Inuyasha's brother. He would want us to help you, even if he wouldn't say so. Besides you've never really tried to kill him or us, even when you've had the chance.” Miroku stole a glance at the now propped up Sesshoumaru. “I saw you once during Inuyasha's human time. You could have easily destroyed him and us, yet you didn't. You just sat in that tree all night. Now, why is that?” Miroku asked slyly.

 

Sesshoumaru said nothing, just sipped the drink in his cup looking straight ahead astonished that anyone had seen him; he thought he had hidden himself perfectly. He did not tell Miroku he had watched over Inuyasha during those times more than once.

 

“I think that you're not as bad as you make yourself out to be”, Miroku stated boldly, “and whether you want it or not, you do have at least one friend; me.” He smiled kindly at a completely floored Sesshoumaru as he started out the door. “Get some rest. You'll feel better soon and I'll come get you when Inuyasha returns.” With that he left Sesshoumaru to ponder his words.

 

That afternoon a very irritated hanyou walked back into the village with Rin and Jaken in tow. Ah-Un was left outside the village so as not too totally freak the villagers out; some were still pretty suspicious of Kirara in her larger form.

 

Inuyasha liked Rin, she had chatted happily about this and that as they made their way back to Kaede's keeping his mind occupied. She completely adored his brother which Inuyasha could not fathom at all. He was hoping Sesshoumaru would still be in his mellow talkative mood so he could ask what the deal was with him and her. Jaken was another matter all together though. Inuyasha had come to the conclusion that Sesshoumaru must have the patience of a saint to put up with him. He had done nothing but whine and complain the whole time. Pretty well telling Inuyasha he was a liar when he had tried to explain what had happened with his master. Inuyasha would have loved to have ripped his claws through the toad's throat and then dismember him, but instead had opted to thump him on the head a few times when he became to annoying. Jaken was still sporting a couple of egg sized lumps as he scurried behind Inuyasha with a scowl on his face.

 

“Hey, Inuyasha”, waved Miroku as he saw the small group approaching.

 

“Where is Lord Sesshoumaru?” Jaken squawked rudely, stepping forward, which earned him yet another thump by Inuyasha. Rin giggled, her brown eyes sparkling.

 

“He's in the—”, before he could say more a very excited Rin let out a high pitched squeal causing Inuyasha to flatten his ears to his head. She took off, dashing into said demon lord's legs.

 

Sesshoumaru, now fully dressed including the nefarious armour, had come out of the hut upon hearing his retainer's voice. It was then that Sesshoumaru did a very unusual (for him) thing. He reached down with his right arm and picked the child up, nuzzling his nose into her neck and giving her two quick licks on the cheek. Even Jaken had never seen his lord do such a thing before.

 

Rin was overjoyed and threw her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck and licked his cheek in return.

 

Miroku and Jaken stood staring open jawed.

 

Inuyasha was quite confused too he recognized it as the instinctual act of a demon parent greeting their child. Is that how he sees her? As his daughter?! Inuyasha thought, he really had to have a chat with his brother.

 

Sesshoumaru's emotionless face was back as he held the small child at his hip daring them with his eyes to say anything about it. No one decided to take that dare.

 

The three girls and Shippo then arrived. They had spent the morning cleaning themselves, their clothes and then just relaxing on the rocks by the spring becoming fast friends as their clothing dried.

 

Sesshoumaru gently placed Rin on the ground saying “Rin, go play.” She smiled and giving a polite bow to the others, grabbed Shippo's hand and dragged him off to find something to do.

 

“Not shy, is she”, said Kagome also wondering what the relationship was between Sesshoumaru and Rin.

 

“We should speak of Naraku”, said Sesshoumaru bluntly, not being one for pleasantries.

 

“It would be a lot easier if we could find the bastard”, growled Inuyasha as the group moved over to a large tree and sat down under its shade.

 

“Well, we know he's trying to complete the Shikon Jewel”, said Miroku.

 

“He has most of it now”, agreed Kagome.

 

“Except for your four shards, Kouga's two and the one that's in Kohaku's back”, stated Miroku giving Sango a quick glance.

 

“Perhaps we should gather those other two people to us”, said Kai. “Make him come to us.”

 

“Not that damn wimpy wolf”, groused Inuyasha.

 

“Inuyasha…” warned Kagome.

 

“That actually makes a lot of sense”, Miroku cut in, not wishing to see Inuyasha sat in front of his royal brother. “Kouga is strong and would be a great asset in a fight against Naraku.”

 

“I'm sure Kagome could convince him to join us”, teased Sango watching Inuyasha's face darken dangerously while Kagome's blushed.

 

“The only problem is finding Kohaku”, Miroku mused.

 

Sango's face fell. “My brother is with Naraku under his control. I'm not sure how we could get to him.”

 

“We'll find a way”, said Kai gently. “Let's go talk to this Kouga first”, she said not realizing the history between Kouga, Kagome and Inuyasha.

 

“He better not try anything”, growled Inuyasha sulkily.

 

Sesshoumaru thought the plan seemed sound and saw no reason not to go find the wolf demon. “If he won't join us I can always just cut the shards from him.”

 

“No, that won't be necessary”, said Kagome quickly looking nervously to Sesshoumaru. “I'm sure Kouga will want to help us, he wants Naraku defeated as well.”

 

“Feh” huffed Inuyasha still not quite ready to concede that Kouga should join them. Bad enough I have to put up with his lord and majesty, now I've got to put up with a horny wolf too, thought Inuyasha sourly. Allowing Sesshoumaru to cut out the shards and leave the wolf behind sounded just fine to him.

 

“Then it's decided”, said Miroku. “Let's get ready and go.”

 

No one mentioned anything further about Kohaku, not wishing to upset Sango. They also decided to leave Jaken to care for the kids.

 

“My Lord, must I?” Jaken whined forgetting his status in his displeasure to be a baby sitter.

 

“Yes”, stated Sesshoumaru. “You will also give everyone here respect.” He had noticed the glaring looks Jaken had been throwing around.

 

“Yes, yes my Lord” grovelled Jaken. He watched with large teary eyes as his lord walked off with the others towards Kouga's territory.