Hello again. If you have made it this far then I am glad you are enjoying the story and I hope you continue to do so. If you are not enjoying it then I am sorry, but I would like you to explain what you are doing here if you really don't like it *looks at you funny*
As always, feel free to comment, and critique.
Revised Notes: I did not change much about this chapter, just redid some of the wording on parts that I thought sounded weird.
Soten groaned as the sunlight made the blood behind her eyelids turn an obnoxious orange color. She stretched and rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. She had dreams about her situation most of the night and she wasn't sure if she was prepared to take on this task. In all honesty she didn't really care what happened with the spoiled princess Miyu, but now that she was here she felt obliged to continue. She squeezed her palms and felt the shape of the small toy top between her fingers.
"Shippo" she whispered to herself as she held the colorful toy up to the stream of light flowing in from the adjacent window.
Sighing loudly to the specs on the ceiling she sat upright and tucked the spinning top into her bag. It wedged between her stack of blank paper and the box of colored wax sticks she used to draw. Shippo had given those to her too, he called them crayons, and over the years she had worn them to nubs. There was no way she would ever be able to let Shippo know she still had them, it would be much too embarrassing, yet she still brought them along for their sentimental value. She stared at her bag and chewed her lip, annoyed that she was once again focused on the bothersome fox.
Not wanting to think about him anymore, she jammed the flap of her bag closed and sprang to her feet. She once again had to deflate herself before she lost her composer for no real reason, other than she was angry at herself. She assumed that she had awoken early, because there was no movement beyond an occasional house servant walking pass. Knowing she would have to meet with Raizo and the others later in the morning, she could think of nothing better to pass the time than taking a bath.
After gathering her things she trudged to the bath house and slid through the door. She stepped through the steam and quickly reddened when she was met with a smiling Rin soaking peacefully in the water.
"Good morning Soten" Rin sang excited to see her.
"Morning" Soten shied away and turned her head in another direction. "Sorry I didn't mean to walk in on ya."
"Of course not, you came to take a bath right? So come on" Rin splashed the water beside her and Soten hesitantly obeyed.
She normally would never do anything so private with other people, but Rin's kindness would make her feel rude if she refused. She knew it was common for people to bathe together, yet she felt so awkward sitting across the tub naked with someone who was a virtual stranger to her only inches away. She hugged her knees to her bare chest and sank as low as she could without submerging her face.
It was quiet for a few moments, then Soten felt her hair separate and turned to see Rin examining the strands between her fingers.
"You have pretty hair Soten" Rin squeaked, making Soten flinch anxiously at her excitement.
"T-thank you" she stuttered a bit uncertain how to carry on with the friendly conversation.
"You don't have to be so nervous. I am sure we will get along well, and you already know Shippo"
Soten grunted slightly and sank further into the water. She was hoping to take her focus away from Shippo, but Rin's statement made her realize that the subject was almost unavoidable for her.
"How DO you know Shippo?" Rin asked curiously as she waited quietly for a response.
"Well, when we were kids...I might have...kinda...tried to...kill him and his friends" Soten avoided eye contact as she let the words stumble from her lips.
"That's funny" Rin chuckled, obviously thinking that Soten was not being serious. After several seconds of silence Rin glanced at her to see she was not laughing along with her. "You're serious? You really tried to kill them?"
Soten nodded.
"All of them?"
Another nod.
"Even Inuyasha?"
"I was a kid okay! I had crazy ideas, but my target was Shippo" Soten punched the water and Rin couldn't help but giggle again.
"Any particular reason why?" She spoke through a chuckle, still finding it hard to believe that the lone thunder demon would attempt to take on Inuyasha and his entire group.
"There were...family reasons…" Soten seemed to think carefully about her words. "It's not like it matters much, it's old news now…" She said the words but her expression showed that she was not completely confident that they were true.
"Well i've known Shippo and his friends for a while now and they're not ones to hold grudges" Rin smiled when she saw Soten perk up. "Besides I think Shippo is happy to see you"
"You-you do?"
"Well we could always just ask him" Rin's smile turned slightly devilish as she teased the frazzled demon beside her.
"NO!" Soten blurted panicked by Rin's remark.
"Relax, I was joking."
Soten melted into the water and glared at Rin, only making her grin more. She eventually sat up after the heat from her cheeks settled and eyed the woman curiously.
"So how do you know Shippo and Kohaku and everyone else?"
"Well I was traveling with Inuyasha's older brother, Lord Sesshomaru." Rin began and Soten's eyes widened.
"THE WESTERN DOG LORD!" The words came out a lot louder than she had intended, but she couldn't really help it. It was not every day you heard of a noble demon lord like Sesshomaru traveling with a human.
"Yep, that's the one" Rin wasn't shocked by her surprise. "He kinda took me in when I was a kid. I don't really have any family, so he was kinda like my family. Eventually though he decided that I should know what it was like to live with humans, so he left me in the care of Lady Kaede and Miss Kagome for training".
"Kagome" Soten shuddered remembering the bubbly woman and all her cheek pinching glory.
"Yeah, she has a thing for adorable children, so I am sure you had a time when you met her. But she IS very kind though, I promise".
"So what's Kohaku's story?" Soten pushed the conversation on, already wishing to forget the hugging incident with the priestess from years ago.
"Well he's Sango's younger brother. You know her right?"
"Yeah, the tough demon slayer woman who was always trying to keep that perv monk in line."
"Heh heh" Rin stifled her laughter. "Yeah that would be Miroku, they are married now."
"NO WAY!" Soten let another outburst slip. "You're telling me she actually tamed the guy?"
"I wouldn't say 'tame' but he has most certainly learned to control himself around women, lest he face the wrath of Sango".
Both Soten and Rin burst into laughter attracting the attention of a passing maid.
"Are you okay in their ladies?" She chimed from behind the door and the girls covered their mouths to stop their outburst.
"Yes we are fine Miss thank you" Rin responded through breaths and they continued to laugh quietly.
After soaking for a while the girls changed and retired to the waiting room they were in the day before. Shippo and Kohaku were already waiting with breakfast laid out for all of them.
"Good morning" Rin chirped as she plopped in front of a tray.
Soten followed slowly behind and sat next to her nodding to the boys. "Sup."
"Sup yourself," Shippo managed to choke out a response through mouthfuls of food.
"You ladies look relaxed" Kohaku studied their calm demeanor as he sipped his tea.
"Yep, the bath is amazing and me and Soten did some girl bonding."
"Oh yeah? what does that intel?" Shippo asked as he finally put his bowl down.
"You know, chit chat and joking...talking about the past"
"Did she tell you how she tried to kill me?" Shippo's smile made the question sound even more bizarre than it was.
"Hmph, lucky you I didn't succeed" Soten pouted.
"Aw come on you couldn't actually hurt a face like this" he twisted his fingers into his cheeks to make dimples as he sucked his lips into a kissy face.
"Lets test that theory" Soten balled her fist after throwing a chopstick and landing a hit directly in the middle of Shippo"s forehead.
Rin and Kohaku couldn't hide their amusement, and by the time Raizo opened the door they were nearly out of breath laughing.
"You all appear to be lively today" Raizo grinned as he let himself into the room. "I'm glad to see that yesterday's events didn't dampen anyone's spirits."
"Not at all, Miyu is going through a major change in her life. It's understandable that she might react...extremely" Rin elegantly described the young princess's outburst better than anyone else present.
"Still needs a smack in the face for that mouth of her's though…" Soten muttered under her breath, not failing to earn a chuckle from Shippo whose ears were sharp enough to pick up her mumbling.
"I would still offer an apology on behalf of Lord Fujiyama" Raizo bowed deep and rose with a serious expression. "I would also like to review the plan for your mission in more detail. As you know princess Miyu has been promised to the son of a demon lord. Since the announcement of the engagement our castle has received several threats from humans and demons alike who are opposed to the union. They were of no worry while Miyu remained here under her father's eye, but the time has come for her to pay a visit to her betrothed and his family before the wedding. Our master fears for her safety on the road and hired all of you to be her bodyguards..."
"Question," Soten interrupted. "You guys have, like an army of men from what I have seen yesterday. So why not protect her yourselves?"
"Well my lord thinks it is best to keep the traveling party small in hopes of using stealth to our advantage. After gaining a large amount of intel he felt you four would be best."
"Makes sense," Shippo agreed. "We ARE pretty awesome."
"And stealth is what you are good at young fox. I am sure we will not regret employing your help. The rest of you also have skills that are needed. The journey north is not going to be easy. We've mapped out a route that should get you to your destination without drawing much attention" Raizo pulled a map from his sleeve and spread it on the floor so they could all see clearly. "There is a back road that will take you through several small villages to restock supplies. Once you make it to the mountain pass you won't run into another town until you get across. The other side of the pass might get a bit more difficult to maneuver because there are certain clans we would prefer you to avoid."
"Me and Shippo know that area well" Rin pointed her finger over the map.
"Mm Hmm, we come from a village near there, and Kohaku has passes through all the time" Shippo agreed immediately recognizing they would pass about a half day's walk from Kaede's village.
"That's good to know. It should be easy for you to navigate then" Raizo seemed relieved to hear that that they had knowledge of the area. "Once you make it from there you'll have to climb one more mountain. The clan is located at its peak." As he finished talking Raizo rolled up the map and handed it to Kohaku who tucked it away to be used for future reference if needed. "We have prepared some previsions for you and Lady Miyu will be ready within the next couple of hours. Please gather your things and meet in the courtyard. I'll be there to see you off." Raizo stood and moved to the door." Good luck friends, and thank you again" he smiled as he excused himself from the room.
"Hopefully this will all go smoothly" Kohaku stretched twisting his back after leaning forward for so long to view the map.
"It should...if SOMEONE would stop arguing with the person we're supposed to protect," Shippo mumbled the last part loud enough for Soten to hear.
"SHUT IT FURBALL!" Soten pouted crossing her arms and turning her nose up. "She started it anyway, and if you hadn't shown up trying to act like the hero she might have learned something."
"What? Like how to pout like a child?" Shippo teased copying Soten's stance with an exaggerated motion.
"Eh!?" Soten's face turned red from a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Not able to come up with a fitting rebuttal, she immediately resorted to a battle shriek followed by a clumsy chase around the room trying to exact revenge on the taunting fox.
Rin and Kohaku stood lost in the center of the chaos, trying not to laugh as they attempted to disperse the situation.
Soten grabbed Shippo's tail and lunged forward with a balled fist, but he dodged her easily ducking just out of reach. It wouldn't have been so bad if Raizo hadn't reappeared in the doorway to check in on all the commotion. Instead of hitting her target or the door, Soten's knuckles planted square into Raizo's nose, knocking him backwards and over the railing and into the courtyard.
"Oh my gosh" Rin ran to the man's side as Soten stood shocked.
"Oh…"Raizo groaned gripping Rin`s arm to pull himself back to his feet. He held his nose as blood began to stream steadily from his nostrils falling to his shirt, dotting it in bright red droplets.
"I-I…" Soten stuttered flustered for words after the embarrassing mishap.
"She didn't mean it. Right Soten?" Rin helped her snap from her trance.
"Yes…" Soten bowed. "I am SO sorry" she apologized all the while scolding herself for letting the fox rattle her so much that she could make such a stupid mistake. Here she was trying NOT to act like a kid, then something like this happens and she looked like an even bigger fool.
"Please forgive us," to Soten's surprise Shippo bowed right alongside her as he pleaded with the man to accept their apology. "It was in part my fault as well so, please don't be angry at Soten."
She couldn't believe that he was sticking up for her like he was, though she did agree, it was partially his fault.
"Not at all, this face has taken worse beatings," Raizo leaned his head back, as Rin instructed and managed to break a smile. "You sure do pack a punch though" He joked even though it was obvious he was in some pain.
"Don't you think BOTH of you should escort Raizo to the medica?" Kohaku spoke with a tone that could only be described as a father scolding his children.
"I think that would be best," Shippo agreed, and he and Soten wasted no time guiding the man to the healer.
"What are we going to do with those two?" Kohaku shook his head as he and Rin watched them turn the corner.
"They are lively that's for sure" Rin smiled. "Raizo will be fine though, sore, but I don't think anything is broken".
"That's good," Kohaku let out a sigh of relief. "I suppose we should go and prepare then?" He gestured for Rin to walk with him and she happily complied, stepping beside him as they headed back to their rooms.
They walked down the hall side by side still digesting all the excitement that just unfolded.
"Is it just me, or do those two get along too well?" Kohaku spoke through a smile nudging Rin as they strolled.
"Nope, I noticed it too. Shippo's normally super nice and smooth, so i've never seen him act like THAT unless he's messing with Inuyasha."
"You think he's holding a grudge toward her?"
"Grudge?" Rin was puzzled by the thought.
"I mean for trying to kill him."
"I don't think so, but Shippo can be a hard guy to read"
Why did she try to kill him anyway?" Kohaku furrowed his brow as he pondered the question in his mind.
"She didn't really say, but she must have had a reason, right?" Rin smiled easing Kohaku's expression." She's a good person, I can tell. We have nothing to worry about."
"I will always trust your judgement Rin" Kohaku blushed slightly forcing Rin to look away and hide her own rose flushed cheeks.
"Well i'm not always right" she stared at her feet, not sure how to just accept the unexpected praise.
"You're one of the smartest people I know, and the kindest. That's why I wanted to come on this mission. Not just for Miyu, but because I wanted to look out for you...you know...make sure you were safe" Kohaku hadn't noticed he was still talking, but when he started he couldn't stop himself.
"Kohaku," Rin spoke softly and finally looked up at his freckle spotted face.
There was a brief period of awkward silence, then for a moment their eyes met and they stared, unable to break away. Kohaku took a step closer and unconsciously gripped her shoulders leaning in but hesitating, and never diverting his stare. Rin could feel her heart racing and she chewed her bottom lip waiting for him to do what she knew he wanted to. He inched closer stopping only a couple inches from her face. He moved for her lips when a yelping squeal pierced the silence and completely ruined the mood.
Turning toward the noise, they saw Shippo and Soten looking away in random directions, trying hard to appear oblivious to what they had walked in on. Though their own red faces were plastered with the evidence that they had seen more than they needed to. Rin and Kohaku pushed away and stood at attention, trying not to look as flustered as they were.
"Yeah...we were gonna tell you guys to speed things along, but...we see you're busy" Shippo scratched his head and retreated around the corner, leaving Soten to talk her way out of the awkward situation alone.
"I-wa-eh" She swallowed hard choking on her words and failing to think of anything to say. Without actually making even one coherent sentence she turned on her heel and fled after Shippo.
Rin and Kohaku scooched away, not able to look at each other. A few moments of silence followed before Kohaku straightened up and sighed.
"Well...see you at the courtyard?"
"Yep" Rin responded as fast as she could and they took off to their rooms to pack.
Heading to the courtyard Shippo and Soten were already waiting with Raizo who had a bandage covering the knot on his nose. They both had a pack swung around their backs, talking casually amongst each other as Rin and Kohaku approached.
"Good, you're all ready I suppose?" Raizo greeted them, smiling as best he could with his sore nose.
"Oh they're more than ready," Shippo teased as Soten nodded in agreement.
Rin and Kohaku blushed averting their gaze and prayed for a distraction to change the subject. Their prayers were answered when Miyu flew past them and clung to Shippo's arm like she was reuniting with an old friend.
"Mr. Fox," she squeaked nestling her face in his sleeve. "I never got to properly thank you for helping me."
"No need, I really didn't do anything" Shippo's smile made Soten bite her lip to hold back the urge to make a smart remark.
"That doesn't really matter, I'm still happy you were there" She squeezed tighter and Soten grumbled to herself as she walked past the pair and up to the gate, pretending not to care.
"Now Miyu I want you to behave yourself" Raizo scolded her almost like an older brother, before turning to the group and bowing. "I'm sorry my master could not be here to wish you farewell, he was called away on business, but please take care of Miyu. She is important to all of us here."
"We will" Kohaku reassured as he and the others began to head to the gate were Soten waited.
She had backed away to clear her breathing air of the spoiled girl's annoying mindless chatter, but she made sure she could at least still hear the conversation. She found it hard to imagine that Miyu's father didn't care enough to see her off, but her mind was quickly clouded by the girl fawning over Shippo. He didn't really reject her either which made the situation even more annoying. How could she manage to prove herself if Shippo was busy playing flirt.
She huffed as the others headed her direction and stepped out of the gate in front of them, not bothering to wait. Things should start to get interesting from here and she was sure she was ready for anything the world had in store.
Another one bites the dust. Hope you enjoyed the read.
See you next chapter!
-ErynBenae
