InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Waiting at a Coffee Shop ❯ Movie Night at Miroku and Sango's ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter: Movie Night at Miroku and Sango's

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns Inuyasha and Inuyasha the Final Act, Bulmathebabe and I dont. We make no money for the writing of this fanfiction, and the AU ideas belong to us.

Inuyasha made it to the top of the stairs and turned to wait for Kagome, who carried a few bags of what looked like junk food that she had brought along for the movie night. He lugged the heavier bags, the ones with the sodas. "Did you really have to bring the whole grocery store?" he grouched. "I'm sure they have food Kagome."  

“Well the question is do they have the food you like?" she answered.

"You make it sound like I'm picky or something," he grumbled. He sighed realizing he was trying to bait Kagome into an argument. That wasn't anything new, but after the day he'd had at the dojo he was not in the best of moods. He had still agreed to come along hoping that being around friends and girlfriend would improve his mood rather than sitting in his apartment alone. Kagome did not take the bait, for she was not in the mood to fight either. She said nothing and shrugged, carrying the bags in with her.

Inuyasha knocked on the door of Miroku and Sango's apartment, shifting all the bags to his one hand.

"What movie we watchin' anyway?" he asked Kagome, figuring that she and Sango had agreed on the movie beforehand.  

"She's got several of them to pick from. War of the Worlds, Star Trek..." said Kagome ticking off on her fingers.

The door opened revealing Sango behind it. "Hello!" she said, greeting them both.

"Hey Sango," Inuyasha greeted, stepping past her and kicking his shoes off. He turned back, taking the bags from Kagome so that she can take her jacket off. "Glad to see you got back safe and sound."  

"Thanks," she said, motioning for them to come in. "It was tough there for a while..."

"So I heard. Any more threats from the wolf youkai tribe?" he asked with interest.  

"I haven't heard much save that Ayame had been censured by the elders," mumbled Sango.

"That's a relief," Inuyasha said. He saw Miroku walking out from the living room and Miroku's face broke into a grin.

"Thought it would be you guys!" He passed Inuyasha and took Kagome's coat from her, "You are looking wonderful as always. Better actually. What is that glow around you Kagome, you seem different," he teased. Judging from the phone conversation he had with Inuyasha a few days before, he could guess that the two of them had become close and he cannot help but tease them about it.  

"Miroku..." Inuyasha growled in warning.

"Guys, relax will you?" Kagome asked. "I just want to have a nice evening. Is that too much to ask?"

"Kagome are you all right?" asked Sango.

Miroku was a little taken back by Kagome. Usually she would joke right back. She and Inuyasha both seemed tense. He held his hands up, glancing back at Sango. "I was just kidding..." Inuyasha snorts in response, untying the bandana from his head and stuffing it in his pocket before crossing his arms. Miroku notices Inuyasha's ears are flattened against his head, a sure sign that he was irritated and wonders if it was really his comment that irritated the hanyou.  

"This was a mistake," Kagome mumbled.

She seemed to be on the verge of tears for some strange reason. Sango looked at her worriedly and then said, "Maybe you'd like to help me in the kitchen with something?"

Kagome nodded in response, following her friend.  The temperature in the room seemed to dive a few degrees.

"Don't tell me you two are upset at each other," Miroku asked his best friend with a sigh. Inuyasha shook his head and made his way to the couch. Miroku sighed again and followed watching Sango and Kagome make their way to the kitchen. Maybe Sango would have better luck with Kagome because he could tell he would not be getting a word out of Inuyasha.  

Sango waited until the two of them walked into the kitchen. She set the bags that Inuyasha had carried in down on the counter with ease and turned to Kagome. "Ok. Out with it. Inuyasha is pissed and your about to cry. I know the both of you way too good to believe it’s nothing," she said.  

Kagome was not sure of where to begin. "I guess I just had a bad day at work," she mumbled.

Sango motioned for Kagome to have a seat at the table. She quickly poured the two of them some tea she had brewed a few minutes before they had arrived. She handed a cup to Kagome and sat down across from her. "What happened?"  

Tracking back in her mind, Kagome pulled out a chair and sat down. She cupped the tea between her hands, feeling its warmth. "Well, you know we've been adhering to a pretty tight performing schedule lately. I've been trying to carve out time for him and me... but the past few days things have been... tense..."

Sango nodded, "I saw the schedule. Miroku mentioned that there were a lot of shows coming up. What do you mean by tense?"  

"As in I feel like I'm walking on eggshells with him. We're a couple now, but I don't know what I'm doing wrong," Kagome sighed. "We're used to arguing a lot, but I just... I hate it being the only way we can resolve a dispute."

"What exactly are you guys arguing about? I mean, you guys would argue over what color the sky is, but usually you guys are kidding. You guys haven't argued for real in a year and a half. What changed?" Sango asked, trying to wrap her head around what was going on. She almost never saw Kagome this upset and it unnerved her.  

"I got the advertisement for my high school class reunion two days ago," she said softly.

"That's supposed to be a nice thing though, Kagome. Don't tell me that baka got you all upset over that?" Sango grumbled. She was starting to wonder if she was going to have to beat some sense into Inuyasha before the night was through.  

"I don't know how we got on the subject. I wanted him to come with me," Kagome continued, staring into her teacup. "At first I wasn't sure if I should ask him or not. I had the brochure and he asked me about it and asked me if I wanted him to go..."

"Did you tell him how much it meant to you? Or did he go on his stupid huff about not having to go impress people?" She asked arching an eyebrow.  

"His view of school is rather limited you know. He went to a regular high school for one year and Miroku was his best friend." Sango adds rolling her eyes. "What happened?"  

"I said that I'd really like him to go, and that it'd mean everything to me. Then he gave me that line about how I shouldn't have to feel as if I need to prove something to those idiots I knew. I think it didn't help that Hojo had called the apartment asking if I would be there," she trailed off.

Sango nodded as the pieces fell into place. "He's jealous and lashing out."  

"I wish I never said anything about the damn reunion," she sighed in disgust.

"Don't be mad at yourself about it. You should be able to want to go to your reunion. There isn't anything wrong with that," Sango reassured her friend. "Was that the whole argument or was there more?" she asked trying to see the whole picture.  

Sango wondered about something though she's not sure. "Kagome...I hate to pry...but have you and Inuyasha been intimate? If so, youkai pick up on that. Inuyasha's had to talk to Kouga a few times over the past few days. I wonder if Kouga ran his mouth?"

"Oh shit," Kagome cursed. "We have..."

"Kouga would recognize your scent. They're both hot heads so I wonder..." Sango said wide eyed.  

"This just sucks," Kagome sighed, shaking her head. "What do I do, Sango?"

At this point Kagome seemed very lost and confused, her heart aching badly. Sango shook her head slowly. "He's probably feeling just as confused right now. I can talk to him real quick. Try to get him calmed down enough to talk," she suggested.  

"I need some air, please excuse me," Kagome said as she suddenly got up. Grabbing her purse she marched out the back door before Sango can stop her.

Sango groaned and marched back into the living room. Miroku sat on the couch watching TV. Inuyasha is slouched on the opposite side, arms still crossed. "Baka, over here now," she damn near snarled at Inuyasha.  

The sound of a car engine rumbling to life indicated Kagome driving away in confusion. Sango snorted in anger and disgust that she let Kagome leave, but heard another car pulling up. However, she ignored it as she rested her hands on her hips, her dark eyes smoldering at him.

"Was that Kagome leaving?" Miroku asked in confusion. Inuyasha stood up slowly meeting Sango's eyes.

"Got a problem Sango? You want to bite my head off here or somewhere else?" he asked, knowing that the girl was angry with him. He was worried that Kagome had just driven off and wondered what exactly was going on.  

Just then, the door slammed open revealing a very ticked off Rin behind it.

"Mind telling me just WHY Kagome drove off?" she asked, anger on her face.

"Yes that WAS Kagome leaving," Sango sighed. "Rin, I think it's better if you and Sesshoumaru go elsewhere right now..."

"It's fine. They can stay. I'm stepping outside." Inuyasha snarled. He walked through the door, pushing past Sesshoumaru with a warning growl and walks to the opposite side of the second floor of the apartments. He knew Sango was going to follow him but at that point, the last thing he needed was two angry women and his brother around. He leaned against the landing and pulled a cigarette from the pack in his pocket. He lit it and inhaled a deep drag off it.  

Sesshoumaru however marched after him. He stood atop the roof of the apartments looking down, having moved there quickly with his abilities. "So, you've discovered something unsatisfactory that has angered you?" Sesshoumaru said with feigned disinterest.

"Back off." Inuyasha growled, raising his claws in front of him. "I'm not in the mood to listen to your crap right now."  

"Enough of the posturing and bullshit," Sesshoumaru said sharply.

Sango however marches towards them. "Sesshoumaru, leave him alone. Go back inside," she said angrily.

"Please Sesshoumaru," Rin said from the front entrance of the apartment complex.

"Get him out of my face Rin," Inuyasha told her in warning, the hand holding the cigarette was shaking. Sesshoumaru was the last person he needed trying to give him advice at the moment.  

"Sesshoumaru, leave him ALONE!" Rin said firmly.

Eyes wide Sesshoumaru saw her serious intent and quickly moved away so he stood beside her. He snorts and strides back into the house, with Rin after him. The door shut behind them.
Inuyasha sat down, his ears flattening. His hands were still shaking but he seemed to be less angry.

"How bad did I screw things up?" he asked quietly.  

Striding over to him Sango sat down on a nearby bench. Any hostility she had directed towards him softens somewhat seeing him so distressed. "Well, Kagome's upset. She thought it's her fault."
Sango began, "She thought for starters she never should have suggested you go to a high school reunion."

Inuyasha flicked the cigarette, sending up sparks before taking another drag. "I'm not surprised. I over reacted." He admitted.  

"Well she is also wondering if she's done anything in her past to make you angry at her, particularly if it refers to any men she may have dated?" Sango said as vaguely as possible.
Inuyasha looked up at Sango with narrowed eyes, as if wondering how much she knew, "You mean that Hojo idiot that called?”

“Yes, for starters," Sango said quietly. "He's married."

Inuyasha growled, stubbing out the cigarette. "Like that matters to humans," he muttered. "She sat there and talked to him like they were best friends or something."  

"You're acting according to your instincts aren't you? You're hurt and jealous that she may still have feelings for him?" Sango guesses. "What happens if you end up confronting anyone else she's ever dated? Will you have this argument AGAIN?"

"What the hell am I supposed to think?!" He demanded angrily. "She's talkin' to him on the phone, saying how she misses hanging out, misses the old days. How do I know she doesn't still have feeling for him..." he looked at the ground. "Throw that with what happened at the dojo and I lost it. I'm not a saint Sango."

"What happened... at the dojo?" Sango asked, worriedly. She moved closer, seeing how distressed he is.

"Kouga came by. He's come by every day this week but today was different," He said vaguely.  

"Kouga?" Sango asked, shaking her head. "How different?"

Inuyasha sighed. "He came in and said something about me smelling like Kagome. It got ugly from there." he shook his head. "I don't know how today would be any different from the rest of the week. We've spent the same amount of time around each other. I asked him how the hell he knew that and he just grinned at me. Bastard." He pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit another one, hoping the nicotine would at least distract him if not calm him.  

"Maybe this has something to do with the Ayame involvement with Rin?" Sango suggested.

Inuyasha shook his head. "He's been cooperative with that. He's been cooperative every day this week. Then today he decides to run his damn mouth. How the hell does he know Kagome anyway?"  
Sango sighed. She debates telling him when suddenly Kagome's car pulled up again, interrupting whatever she had to say.

Inuyasha didn't seem to notice. He was still trying to figure out what happened. "I don't get why he didn't say anything before. If he knows Kagome's scent, he would have picked up on it before right? Did he just sense I was in a shitty mood?"  

"Yes," Sango said. Slowly the door opened and Kagome walks towards the apartment. She enters again, arms wrapped around herself. The door shuts, interrupting Sango again with its slam.

Inuyasha flinched slightly at the sound of the door slamming. His ears flattened again. "She's never going to talk to me again." he muttered.  

"Don't be so sure. Kagome's a lot more forgiving then you give her credit for," said Sango with a sigh.

"You can stay out here if you want. I'm sure she'll find her way to you."

"Thanks. I'd rather not see Sesshomaru's condescending face right now," he agreed.  
He glanced at Sango, not sure if he should ask. "Can you...uh...ask her if she'll come out here?"

"Sure," Sango said quietly. "You've been through enough shit today."

Then she turned around and walked away. At the last minute, she wheeled around. "Oh and by the way Inuyasha, what in HELL do you think you were doing acting like a jealous ASS?"

She marched off, having yelled at him at least. Inuyasha blinked at her outburst, realizing what she is doing. "I ain't jealous! Get back here and say it to my face," he shouted back, just as loud. He has to admit he felt a little better after talking to her.  

"You're JEALOUS," she shouted back. "Admit it! You're acting out of INSTINCT!!!"

"Admit that your screeching is makin' my ears bleed!" he shouted, deliberately avoiding her comments.
The door opened and Miroku peeked out. "You two sound like you’re in kindergarten. Quiet down will you?"  

"ENOUGH!" Kagome yells as she pokes her head out. "Can't you two SHUT UP? We're trying to watch a MOVIE!"

She pushed past Miroku marching up to Inuyasha, her eyes gleaming. Time to have this out and let him know she was not going to take things lying down. Sango said, "Pardon me while I leave the sandbox..."

Inuyasha stared down at Kagome. He could still smell her tears. Her anger however overpowered that.
"Something on your mind?" he asked carefully, not wanting her to blow up. He glanced to the door to see Sango say something to Miroku before the door closed.  

“Yes," she said, breathing hard. She struggled to calm down, and then grabbed his cigarette. Taking a quick drag on it, she then pushed it back in his hand.

"Inuyasha if you have issues with what I've done in the past just say so. I'm sorry if I screwed things up okay?"

"I don't have issues with it as long as it in the past," he stated carefully, trying not to lose his temper all over again. "I flipped out cause you were sittin' there talkin about how much you missed that jerk on the phone. That and Kouga brought something to my attention. Just how do you know him anyway?"  

"I screwed up," she said turning around, starting to cry. "Now I've ruined everything by some stupid fucking mistake I made in the past!"

Any anger Inuyasha was feeling at all dissolved at her tears. He put a hand on her shoulder, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. He was not sure how she would react to that at the moment. "Just stop crying Kagome. We can talk... just no crying okay, will ya."  

She inhaled deeply, drying her eyes on her shirt. Softly he said, "You're the only one who's ever taken me as I am. You're the only one who's ever cared. I can't lose that. I'm not perfect. I'm gonna blow up from time to time. I'm not human Kagome. I'm operating on another set of rules here. I don't know what the hell to do about some guy saying he knows you or misses you, or that he recognizes your scent. I just want to keep them away..."

"You don't want to lose me," Kagome realized, breath rasping in and out, as if she's close to hyperventilating.  Unable to continue without some comfort she moved forward and buried her head into his chest, gripping his shirt.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her. "I don't want to lose you," he agreed. "I don't want to fight with you, not like this. I hate seeing you cry because I can't control my damn temper."

He breathed in her scent, feeling it calm him.  Kagome took more deep breaths, feeling his energy surrounding her like a blanket. Her pounding heart slowed at the feeling of his body warmth and his reassuring presence against her. "I thought it was my fault. Because I associated with the wrong people or did something that would make you hate me..."

Inuyasha snorted at this, muttering, "Like I could hate you."

Kagome relaxed considerably as he explained, "I honestly just wanted to talk to you about what Kouga said earlier, then you brought up the reunion and Hobo or whatever his name is called. I snapped."

"Hojo was a guy I dated in high school for six months. He followed me around like a lost... cat...”
Kagome informed him, catching herself. “He woudn't leave me alone. I just got tired of him always patronizing me and giving me crap to nurse me back to health. He was nice, but wasn't my type. Treated me like a broken bird."

"Lost cat huh?" Inuyasha chuckled, noticing her almost slip up. "I trust you. I don't expect you to sit there and tell me every little thing about your past all at once. I understand. I just got blindsided twice in one day."  

"Thank you," Kagome said with relief. "And I trust you too, Inuyasha. You don't have to tell me every detail of your past at once either. So why don't we go in and watch War of the Worlds instead of having a War of the Words?"

Inuyasha tightened his embrace for a moment before nodding. "Let's go then wench." He glanced towards the door and then winced, remembering his argument with Sesshoumaru earlier.  

"All right Dog boy," she giggled, kissing him on the lips. She then walked with him, opening the door
for them both. As she peered in, she notices that Sesshoumaru and Rin were sitting nestled together on the love seat, while Sango and Miroku sat on the sofa.

"Holding hands. That's a good sign," Miroku said brightly motioning to the empty section of the couch. Inuyasha sat down, pulling Kagome to sit on his lap.  

Gladly Kagome leaned into him, reaching for the diet coke that Sango hands her. She cracked it open, and then took a long sip to refresh her parched throat. A large bowl of popcorn sat on the coffee table along with opened bags of chips, and other foods.

Sesshoumaru sipped at his own diet coke, frowning at the screen. "What idiot in his right mind fends off an invasion like that?" he asked.

"It's called suspension of disbelief, Sesshoumaru," Rin scolded him, moving so she sat in the V of his outstretched legs.

Inuyasha chuckled shaking his head at his brother's comment. He sniffed Kagome's drink, considering taking a drink, but made a face at the smell of the artificial sweetener. He leaned forward to grab one of the regular sodas off the table as well as the open bag of chips. Miroku raised an eyebrow. "You going to share those chips?" Inuyasha shook his head, crunching a chip loudly. "Nope."  

"Don't hog the popcorn, Sesshoumaru!" Kagome yelped seeing his one hand snake out and grab the bowl. Sango sighed.

"Share everyone," she said in a tone reserved for three year olds. She then ignores her own command as she elbowed Miroku for trying to take one of her pretzels.  

Inuyasha opened his soda, setting the potato chip back down on Kagome's lap for just a second, while he took a drink. She snatched the bag and pulled out a handful showering his jeans with crumbs. Sesshoumaru placed the popcorn bowl back, reaching for a regular soda as well.

"Oi!" Inuyasha protested brushing the crumbs off his lap and reaching for Kagome’s hand.

Miroku burst out laughing, "Watch out Kagome, you might lose a finger trying to get his chips." he jokes right as Inuyasha nipped Kagome's wrist, trying to distract her so he can get the chips back.  

Kagome giggled, feeling his fangs nip but not pierce the skin. She marveled at his control. Meanwhile Sesshoumaru's gold eyes stared at the screen intently during an action scene. While he was aware of the flirting going on around him, he felt quite uncomfortable participating in it. He was certain Rin knew this, and was grateful that she stuck so closely to him. It surprised him how faithful she was, even more so then most Inu youkai. Such traits he cherished.

Inuyasha grabbed one of the chips out of his girlfriend’s hand, barely missing her finger, and laughed triumphantly as her other hand loosens on the bag. Miroku shook his head, amused at their antics and tightened his grip on Sango. He was thrilled that everyone seemed to be getting along. Almost everybody anyway. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had not even looked at each other.

"What did you say to him?" Rin whispered to Sesshoumaru. He frowned.

"Never you mind," he answered. She tensed at his sharp reprimand. While Sesshoumaru could be a jerk, Rin had grown accustomed to his nature, accepting it as part of who he was. Yet sometimes she did question his behavior and called him on it. Just when everyone was relaxing, he had to stiffen up.
Inuyasha's ear twitches as he picks up the quiet conversation across the room. "You need to start carrying around a rolled up newspaper Rin. Smack him on the nose when he talks to you like that." he quips.  

Caught up in the moment Rin grabbed a rolled up magazine and swatted Sesshoumaru with it. He growled lightly but did nothing even when she said, "Bad dog.”
His gold eyes regarded her with frustration, reminding her that he was only enduring this humiliation for her sake. Sango shook her head. "Wow. What's next? Fetch and rollover?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Yeah right."  

"Playing dead," Sesshoumaru deadpanned.

"Nice suggestion. Feel free any time," Inuyasha shot back, still not looking at Sesshoumaru. Rin fell silent, still noticing how neither brother seemed to visually acknowledge the other.

Sango too noticed. "Go ahead and kill each other you two. No blood on my carpet though." Miroku choked on his drink looking at Sango shocked.  

"Why in hell can't you even TRY to get along?" Rin suddenly said as she stood up. Disgusted she stormed of the room. Sesshoumaru huffed, crossing his arms over his chest indignantly.

Inuyasha blinked at her sudden outburst and looked at Kagome. "What was that all about?"  

"I don't know, maybe she doesn't understand your family dynamics yet?" she asked. Sesshoumaru sat there tight-lipped, continuing to watch the film alone. Kagome sighed.  

Inuyasha finally glanced over at Sesshoumaru. "You're not gonna go talk to her at least?" he asked.
"Guess you like sleepin on the couch."  

Sesshoumaru glanced back at him, with a confused look on his face. Sighing he rose and walked out in the direction Rin stormed off. Inuyasha shook his head. "Guess I'm not the only clueless one," he muttered.

"Nope. Must run in the family," Sango agreed.  

"Inuyasha isn't the one having to learn from his younger brother," said Kagome.

"True." Miroku agrees. Inuyasha raises an eyebrow at Sango. "Why don't you just punch me or something and get it over with Sango? Or am I gonna have to dodge barbs all night?" Miroku tightens his hold on Sango, just to make sure she is not tempted to comply. "Now children..." he laughed.  

"I thought the fighting was only in the movie. Should you two take this into the ring or should I turn on a tape of WWE now?" asked Kagome, whistling sharply. She put the movie on pause.

"I could take him," Sango stated confidently.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Maybe if I was sleepin' or something."  

"Do you find it a form of entertainment to throw verbal pot shots at each other or can anyone join in?" asked Sesshoumaru as he poked his head around the corner. Rin stood next to him, appearing still irritated though his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Feel free Sesshoumaru. I could take both of you. Piece of cake," Miroku sighed, letting Sango go. "Go easy on them."

"Um what's going on?" Rin asked.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Traitor," Inuyasha muttered at Miroku.

"Search me," Kagome said with a giggle.

"Don't tell me I have to tote you home if you get your butt kicked," Rin said looking at Sesshoumaru.

"You're on my side at least right?" Inuyasha asked Kagome.  

"Always," Kagome said with a grin.

"Is this usually how things transpire?" Sesshoumaru asked Rin.

"Sometimes they're much livelier," she answered. He rolled his eyes.

"Usually it Inuyasha and me involved in the wrestling match. Tables have turned this time," Miroku said settling back on the couch as Sango gets to her feet.

"Keep talkin monk and your next," Inuyasha joked.  

Sesshoumaru leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. Kagome however didn't move from where she's sitting. As Sesshoumaru moved forwards, Rin suddenly grabbed his wrist and they trip over one another. Both of them landed clumsily across the floor, tangled up.
Sango jumped towards Inuyasha and he barely manages to get Kagome off his lap in time to jump up. Sango uses her momentum to flip Inuyasha to the floor, knowing she won't hurt him. "Take that!" she yells triumphantly.  

Rin manages to untangle herself from Sesshoumaru though the daiyokai is sitting up his arm around her waist, watching Sango and Inuyasha.

"Take what?" Inuyasha asked, grabbing Sango's leg and pulling her feet out from under her. She yelped and aims a kick at his chest.

Miroku shook his head. "This looked so wrong," he muttered. "Hands off my wife Inuyasha." he jokes.  

Suddenly Rin tackled Kagome and the two of them rolled over on the floor wrestling. Sesshoumaru rose to his feet and watched the spectacle as the two girls mock hit each other. Mental images of how he would wrestle with Inuyasha came to mind, and it amused him to see that his brother’s wench was making a fool of herself for a change. Miroku leaned forward with renewed interest. Inuyasha stopped for a moment to stare at the two girls. He felt Sango's arm go around his neck and he stood, lifting her as if she is nothing. He carried her over to where the other girls were wrestling and dropped her right in the middle.

"Now what Sango?" he laughed.

"Get him!" Sango yelled at the other two. Kagome launched herself on him yet Rin hesitated. She instead hung back. Inuyasha laughed trying to fend off the two girls.

"Come on Rin! We need your help." Sango pleads, twisting Inuyasha's arm behind his back, trying to force him down to pin him.  

"I'm sorry I cannot," Rin said quietly. She hugged herself and backed away. Immediately a low growl came from Sesshoumaru’s lips as familiar memories surfaced. The idiotic fools had no idea what the girl had endured, yet he did. As far as he was concerned, they never would.

"What is wrong?" Sesshoumaru asked her suddenly.

"Can't, even though it's playing," she mumbled, shivering.

He frowned, resting a hand on her shoulder as she turned away. "Do you wish to tell me why?"

Rin sighed. Inuyasha started to say something but it turned to a muffled yelp as Miroku's foot pressed down on the small of his back, letting Sango and Kagome pin him. "That's enough you guys. Your scaring Rin."