It happened much too quickly.
One minute he was standing there making his request, the next his back was to a tree and his face was inches from poisonous claws.
He tried not to sigh out loud and kept his mask of indifference.
"You shall not touch her—"
"That was not what I asked." His behavior had been surprising, to say the least.
"No matter. The answer is still no." The hand around his neck squeezed. Poison drifted closer to his face.
He struggled to breathe and keep his emotions under control. Maybe he could finish explaining… "Let me…finish… The hanyou—"
Claws stopped. Poison slowly dissipated. Hand stopped squeezing. Head cocked to the side. He looked curious.
He waited for a response from him that deep down he was not really expecting but hoped for nonetheless.
As expected, his captor made no move. He sighed. "The hanyou," he began again, "is becoming a problem. I merely required your assistance in the matter."
"That was not what you asked for, human." His hand glowed green once more.
This is difficult. How to explain? "Very well. I shall rephrase my question. I need your help."
"Why would I, Lord Sesshoumaru, want to help a human?"
He did not want to point out his current choice of companionship and risk poison or strangulation—or both—again, so he kept that thought to himself. He said instead, "Because it would be mutually beneficial. The child—"
Oops… Hand squeezed again, poison coming closer… He had to think… "The young lady would not be hurt… The miko would not allow it…"
Aha. He stopped again. "She is nothing more than a lowly human."
"Who has adopted a young kitsune as her cub." Among other things, he thought as he glanced at where his arm should be…
One of the youkai lord's eyebrows cocked. Incredible, he thought, he can show emotions… "Explain."
"From what I understand, he's an orphan. Inu—erm, the hanyou and Lady Kagome saved him from the Thunder Brothers, and he tagged along with them. He acts like she's his mother, and she takes care of him and protects him in battle." And from Inuyasha… "All I want from you is to borrow the young lady for a few days. She will be essential to the plan."
The youkai lord stared at him. Time to pull out all the stops… "The young lady IS human, Lord Sesshoumaru. Lady Kagome is also human. And educated. She could help you—"
"I, Lord Sesshoumaru, do not need the help of a human."
Missing the point, just like Inuyasha… "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama, you do. Your young lady is growing up quickly, and not even the Great Lord of the Western Lands can teach her all that she needs to learn." Time to go for the kill… "Lady Kagome could teach her how to be a lady. She can educate her. That would be one less worry for you. Unless you would rather have Jaken-sama teaching her…" He let the question hang. It was a gamble, but from what Rin had mentioned, Jaken would rather see her dead before teaching her anything useful.
Sesshoumaru stared at him for a long time. "Tomorrow night. Midnight. By the river." He fell to the ground. Sesshoumaru turned and walked off.
He rubbed his sore neck and breathed a sigh of relief. He left the clearing quickly… And missed the youkai lord's last words…
"If something happens to her, monk, that air rip will be the least of your problems."
*****
Kagome woke to find Inuyasha staring at her. She stifled a scream and crawled away from him as fast as she could. "What do YOU want?"
"About time you woke up, wench…"
Her eyes narrowed. A muscle twitched. I refuse to give you the satisfaction… She stretched as she turned from him to rummage through her red and black backpack. She smiled and shook her head. Her yellow one had been a casualty of a fight last month, and her mother was still mending it. In the meantime, this was the best she could do. Lots of pockets to put stuff in, roomy enough for schoolbooks, and light enough for short distances. Yep, this would have to do for now. She grabbed her towel, soap and shampoo and stood. Miroku looked asleep. Sango was not inside the hut. Shippou snuggled deeper into her sleeping bag.
"I'm hungry. Cook. Now."
Kagome ignored him and stepped outside Kaede's. "I need a bath. You," she pointed, "are going to have to wait." With that, she stepped outside and wandered over to the river.
Inuyasha growled and bounded off after her. Miroku opened his eyes, watched him leave and sighed. Here we go again…Must stop the massacre… He stood and went outside. Shippou slept on, blissfully unaware of the morning ritual engaged by his companions.
© 6/4/03, M.A.R.
A/N: *sweatdrops…* Ehehe… First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don't know where this is coming from, to be honest. It started as a Miroku-Rin—Eek! *dodges missiles* Wait! Not THAT kind of pairing! And she's too little in my story anyways! Even I'm not THAT demented! *giggles nervously* Um, yes… Miroku-Rin story, which sounded simple in my head but turned into this. Basic premise—which worked well in my head—Miroku needs Rin to get the girl. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)