Chapter 2: Fragile Bonds
For the following days after Kagome's arrival back at the main house of the Western lands, three of the males of the house were put through, in short terms, hell. They had no rest and they definitely had no peace. All that they knew at that moment was pain and more about the variation of the color blue that could give an interior designer a run for their money.
"No," Kagome sighed once more. "I said to the left. Now it's higher on your end Kouga. Souta try to make it even on the bottom."
With her forefinger and her thumb Kagome tried to relive the headache that was beginning to arise. There was no way that more than 500 hundred years made Inuyasha and Koga inept on the proper way to hang a frame on the wall but the fact of the matter was that indeed they were not well versed on home improvement and unwilling to take the time to learn.
Luckily for her she had learned how to fix things up through her extensive time, and they would learn if it was the last thing she did. Or at the very least until she saw it fit that they had complied with her term of punishment.
The groans of all three males brought her attention to Souta's trembling figure and the beginnings of an epic Inuyasha rant.
"Well," she said in mock cheerfulness. "I think that it will be if we focus on something else. For the moment at least. There are plenty of things around the house that need to be fixed up and I thinkā¦"
Who said that she couldn't she couldn't deal out fair punishment and gain something from it too.
"Miko."
Turning away from the window plane facing the backyard-forest really with so many youkai around it was impossible to have a quaint and normal yard-and the busy bodies outside she looked at the slightly amused eyes of the Daiyoukai before he donned his mask once more.
"Hai?"
"How much longer will you torture your brother and the two imbeciles."
"Hm," she hummed contemplatively. "It has only been a week. Last time Inuyasha and Kouga lasted half a century and apparently they learned nothing if we are doing this again."
"Hn."
"But since I can't prolong this time around I think I'll let them sweat it out for a few more months."
Silence greeted her, not even his usual 'Hn,' was accompanied.
Sighing she let out, "Fine, a few more weeks."
Nothing.
"Oh come on Sessh! You're not being fair."
Once more deafening silence.
Pouting she turned away from the indifferent-yet how indifferent could they truly be if he was arguing with her silently she knew not- looked in to her cerulean eyes, only raising a brow. "A couple of weeks, and that's final."
"Hn."
"Jerk. They were fixing the house you know; it was in your best interest too."
"That may be so, but you forget that this Sesshomaru hates having the hanyou in this house more than is strictly necessary."
"Sesshomaru," catching the Daiyoukai attention she continued. "It's only us two, there's no need to fake the animosity I know that deep (deep, deep, to the bottom of that small cold stone you call a heart,) you enjoy being with your little brother."
Citrine eyes glared at her before an acidic green whip snapped next to her ear resounding in harsh crack and echoing loudly in the room.
Unfazed she simply smiled at the 'Killing Perfection,' before he turned and left in an abrupt manner. More likely than not to take out his frustrations out on the one he (was forced to) call(ed) little brother.
"I swear there is nothing more satisfying that one upping him."
A chuckle escaped her when a harsh 'Hey!' came from outside.
Men. They can be so predictable sometimes.
"Hey do you Ship do you think Nee-chan is going to keep this much longer?"
"Ah," Emerald eyes looked contemplatively at the fighting duo in front of them. "I think not much longer. Why?"
"Well I wanted to go back to school, but with how things are I don't think Nee-chan will let me out of her sight for a while."
His silence spoke for itself. It was definite that his Okaa-san would be more protective than the usual.
"I just don't understand, all of you taught me how to defend myself and you're all demons. Are you telling me that I wouldn't be able to defend myself against some ordinary humans?"
Grey-blue eyes looked at the red head, his eyes defiant.
"Mah, mah," Shippo patted the youth. "We might have to get you away from Inuyasha if you're getting this conceited so fast. Maybe being with Sesshomaru for a while might be in your best interest ne?"
"Ah," the youngest Higurashi looked everywhere for an exit. Seeing that the Ookami rooting for daiyoukai he decided it would only be fair for him to root for his childhood (and still to this day) hero/idol. "I think that I will go cheer for Inu-nii-san."
Quickly making his way to the other side of the yard, he ignored the probing gaze of the kitsune.
It seemed the kitsune had learned much about torturing the younger Higurashi.
'Hai, Souta-ji-chan,' Shippo thought, a frown visible in his young face. 'Against humans you would more than be able to defend yourself even the lower level youkai, with your increasing ki, but against those higher level, there is always the chance we might never see you again. With the monsters making mayhem in Seattle are too much for even my Okaa-san.'
The only thing that could possibly but convince Kagome to even allow Souta back would be for them to finally do something.
Question remained on when they would deem it worthy of their attention. Something which was angering Sesshomaru as only his younger half-brother could.
"The Seattle Police department have stated that the rising deaths are more likely the results of a serial killer. They have contacted the FBI to appear in-"
"If this continues much longer we will be forced to appear in Seattle to settle things and will then have to hold a conclave with the others in the community who will demand to know why we have allowed this travesty to continue for so long Aro," the sibilant tone of Caius broke through the anchor woman's droning voice.
A black haired male steeped his hands together while pacing, a small smirk on his chalky features, lent him a malicious gleam in his blood red eyes, turning them inhuman. Something of which he was.
Not human. But a blood thirsty creature of legends and myths.
Another figure sat in perpetual indifference and boredom in a chair like throne, high on a dais, looking on at the two men whom he had been with for more than a millennium. It was not the first, second or hundredth time, he contemplated his choice in being with them even when he preferred for his weary soul to leave this place once and for all. But for all that he preferred to not live this stagnant and hollow life, he knew that there were other things that were much worse, and that was being thrown in to the very depths of hell for all the misdeeds he had committed in his long unnatural life.
"Yes," the one named Aro sighed out. "It is true that if things don't improve, we will have to meet up with all those Others, but I truly wish to know how Carlisle and his coven handle this threat against their own."
"It is that curiosity that will make us fall Aro," Marcus breathed out in his usual passive tone. "Is it truly your desire to make us fall for another of your whims?"
Caius who had sat throughout their discussion stood in sudden agitation at the truth of his companion's words. There those in the community who hated any type of publicity and would not hesitate to cut them down if they could not control those under their 'rule.'
He had not been thinking in those terms. Usually there were only ever called in to check on one another, to hold up their end of maintaining control and if they had any suspicions of them not having sufficient control they would eliminate them with no thought if there were enough supporters.
"Aro!"
The shrill tone of his pale blonde companion caused an infinitesimal wince, before he covered it with a jovial smile.
"Dear Caius," he murmured soothingly. "You know I would never do anything that would prove to be harmful to us. There is still a chance to 'redeem' ourselves in the eyes of our peers if they call upon us. I simply wish to know how truly powerful Carlisle clan is against this enemy and if they will ever prove to be a threat to us."
"Aro," Marcus sighed once more. His voice though held a tinge of exasperation mixed with an unhealthy amount of threat.
"Yes, yes. We will send Jane and the rest of them to 'investigate' this matter."
"And if things don't go-" Caius breathed out, following Aro's thought.
"The blame will fall on them."
A satisfied smirk made its way on to two of the high ranking Volturi.
"Hm," Marcus sighed out unimpressed.
Things would never change.
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews on the first chapter.
It made my day seeing that there were people who read my story and enjoyed it so!
I know it is a bit slow, but I think in about three more chapters or so the Cullens and the Inu cast may meet.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will (try to) update the upcoming week.
Ja-ne!~
