Title: Puppy 101
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: T
Summary: see chapter one
Warnings: see chapter one
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters. Any and all unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intention to entertain.
A/N: A reader pointed out something very interesting which I believe needs some explanation. 'Sesshomaru' is the English spelling while 'Sesshoumaru' is the original Japanese version of his name. Shippo/Shippou is another example. Likewise, Inuyasha's sword also has two spellings but they are based more off of pronunciation than spelling. The Japanese kanji for the sword is indeed Tetsusaiga however when pronounced the 'tsu' is left out. There are many words in Japanese with 'tsu' in them but they are never pronounced. So while Tetsusaiga is the correct spelling for the sword, Tesseiga is the practical word used Japanese as well as English.
"Kagome"
"Yes?" she asked, looking up from packing her knapsack at Sango.
"Are you sure you can handle this?"
"Sango, I won't be on my own on this one. My mom will be there to help me; she raised two kids on her own, and making sure grandpa doesn't get into too much trouble is her specialty."
"But I thought you said that your mother is working…two-time?"
"Double-time," Kagome corrected before the words really sank in. She sat back on her heals. "Oh…I forgot about that…"
"Lord Sesshoumaru will behave," Rin offered, sitting between the two older girls with a few bags of her own. "Lord Sesshoumaru always tells Rin that good manners are very important and that protocol is a necessity! And Lord Sesshoumaru knows everything!" she rounded off, throwing her arms above her for emphasis.
Kagome and Sango couldn't help but smile at the child's dedication. For one who travelled with the taiyoukai Rin was unnaturally cheerful and optimistic and Kagome wondered what life on the road with Sesshoumaru was like for her. She couldn't imagine the ruthless ruler and warrior as a compassionate teacher, but, and though she was a sweet-tempered child by nature, Rin was surprisingly polite and considerate, not to mention capable of reading and writing, which was rare in this age. Where she came from none of them knew, and how she came under Sesshoumaru's guidance was an even bigger mystery, but she seemed to have been living a very good life, despite being continuously on the move.
"Maybe Myoga should go with you," Sango said, returning to the matter at hand.
"No, you guys need him here to guide you. Toutousai isn't going to accompany you this time."
"You're right…Fine then," a determined look came over the pretty face, "we have to make sure you know what you are getting into. What do you know about Inuyasha that will be of use while taking care of him?"
"Hmm…" she thought for a while. "The Inuyasha I know eats everything as long as it isn't curry, he doesn't sleep on an empty stomach, he can be very stubborn and he hates being sat. But that's when he was an adult. What did you do while you were raising Kirara?"
"Feed her, play with her, teach her important commands," Sango counted them on her fingers, "Oh! Grooming! You know; bathing and maintenance. That's very important for young youkai and hanyou."
Kagome groaned. Grooming? Adult Inuyasha only took a bath once a week and hated combing his hair. Considering that he was now a pup…This was going to be tougher than any trig test she had ever taken.
"Lord Sesshoumaru loves bathing."
Both teens turned wide eyes to Rin on that.
"He does?" Kagome questioned at which the small girl nodded.
"Every night before bed time. He makes Rin take her bath first and then Rin stays with Jaken so that Lord Sesshoumaru can go bathe. And when Lord Sesshoumaru comes back from bathing he always combs his hair, and sometimes he lets Rin comb his hair for him!" She withdrew something from the bag, holding it out. A silver comb, simple but elegant all the same. "Lord Sesshoumaru usually uses his fingers but when Rin comb his hair he lets Rin use this."
"He really trusts her," Sango whispered to Kagome, who accepted the comb. Rin went on searching through the bag, which apparently belonged to the youkai lord. "Grooming under youkai is a bonding thing. However, I have never heard of a youkai, especially one with as high a ranking as Sesshoumaru, allowing a human to groom him."
Kagome nodded. This also brought to light something that they had foolishly overlooked.
"Rin?" she addressed the girl who looked up from her rummaging. "Can you tell me more about Sesshoumaru?"
"He's really nice."
She fought the urge to snort. Out of them all, Rin was the only one who dealt with the youkai lord on a daily basis so it was only fair to believe her on such matters, despite them being more than a bit...out there.
"Is he?"
"Well, other people and youkai are really afraid of him, and he doesn't talk a lot, but he helped Rin when Rin was hurt really bad and he takes care of Rin. Lord Sesshoumaru had new clothes made for Rin too." She held out her arms to show them the indeed pricy looking yukata she was wearing. "And Lord Sesshoumaru makes sure that Rin doesn't get hungry or too cold and…and when Rin has nightmares he holds Rin and makes them go away."
...Whoa. Kagome was beginning to wonder if the girl possessed some magical powers of her own. Or was this perhaps a side of Sesshoumaru no one else would ever see...? Nah, Rin must have bewitched him somehow.
"That sounds like you and Inuyasha."
"What!" she yelped, turning to Sango.
"Think about it, Kagome. Inuyasha can be very cold and distant towards others, but when he's around you he's more sociable. You yourself told me how uncaring he was when you two first met; now he's willing to risk his life for you."
How was it that the youkai exterminator always picked up on these things so quickly?
"Er, what else can you tell us, Rin?" she continued, not wanting to delve too deep into that. "I can't look after him if I don't know his customs."
"Customs?"
"His habits," Sango explained. "What does he like to do? When does he sleep? What does he eat? Things like that."
"Oh...um..." she placed a finger on her chin in thought. "Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't sleep a lot. He usually stays awake, even when Rin is sleeping beside him. He told Rin once that he did it because he was watching over us."
Kagome was beginning to grow a soft spot for the demon lord, despite herself. Cruel assassin and wannabe sibling slayer aside, it sounded like he'd make an excellent father.
"And Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't eat."
"Huh?"
"He lets Rin find food to eat for Rin but he never eats anything. Sometime she brings Rin and Jaken a deer or something big to eat. Rin tried cooking some for him but Lord Sesshoumaru doesn't eat human food."
"Why not?"
She shrugged.
"When Rin met Lord Sesshoumaru he was in a forest and really hurt and he couldn't move much. Rin tried to help him and brought him food but he didn't eat anything. He told Rin that he didn't eat human food. Rin was afraid that he'd get sick from not eating but he got better and when Rin went to look for him he was gone…"
A strange glaze appeared in the usually clear eyes as something seemed to be troubling her.
"Is something wrong?" Sango asked when she fell silent.
"Sometimes…Rin remembers things…The village attacked by wolves…"
"Wolves?" Kagome asked before gasping. Wolves...attacking a village...their group finding the mauled bodies of the villagers before they met...No, it couldn't be…
"Rin had just gotten back home from seeing Lord Sesshoumaru and she found a strange man in her hut. He was trying to escape from other youkai. They found him. There were a lot of wolves too. There was a leader…and all the wolves listened to him. He had black hair like so."
She gathered her own hair into a high ponytail.
"Kouga," Sango breathed to Kagome.
"He…He killed the strange youkai and told the wolves to eat everyone in the village…"
Both miko and exterminator recalled the carnage they had found that they when they first met Kouga. The bodies of terrified villagers strewn on the ground, blood and flesh everywhere.
"Do you remember what happened next?" Kagome asked the girl, who looked to be getting paler by the minute.
"Rin ran away…Rin was so scared…Everyone was screaming and dying…Rin was trying to get to Sesshoumaru-sama, but she couldn't find him anywhere...There was no one…Rin ran and ran…and the wolves were following her…"
Kagome felt her throat tighten.
"…And then…and then they jumped and started biting…It hurt so badly…Rin cried and cried and one of the wolves bit Rin-chan here," she touched her throat, "And then everything went black."
"By the gods," Sango said, absorbed in the story.
"It was cold. Rin remembers feeling very cold. And lonely…but then…" A smile broke through the haunted look. "But then Rin felt warm again. When Rin opened her eyes Lord Sesshoumaru was holding her and he was warm. He was feeling better. He made Rin feel better too. And he let Rin go with him, away from the village and the wolves. And he protects Rin from everything!"
Cheered considerably by the memory, she continued her search through the bag.
"Sango, do you think…" Kagome whispered.
"The wolves killed her, and Sesshoumaru brought her back to life using Tenseiga."
"But why did he? He's never shown any interest in using Tenseiga before."
"It has all to do with his upbringing."
Toutousai had entered the hut, shuffling over to the three girls, his sharp hearing picking up on the string of their soft conversation. Sitting down cross-legged, he laid his long hammer on his lap.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshoumaru. He is exactly what he was raised to be. Inutaisho-sama raised his son just as he had been. Inu-youkai are infamous for their strict upbringing. Being the heir to his father's lands meant that Sesshoumaru was expected to represent the inu-youkai in all their strength and haughtiness, and he does. To humans, and even other youkai, Sesshoumaru may seem cold and even cruel, but to the inu-youkai he is the epitome of perfection. Inu-youkai are by nature ruthless and indifferent to others, but very loyal and protective to those they care for."
"Is that so..." Kagome muttered, thinking it through. When looked upon in that light, Sesshoumaru was indeed a prime member of the species. "Do you mean that his father was just like him?"
"And then some. However, Lord Inutaisho, bless him, had one weakness: he cared for humans. He loved Inuyasha's mother dearly and protected humans within his domain. However, this was considered degrading by other inu-youkai. Inutaisho acknowledged his failure as their lord and so, in order to prevent future fights, he raised Sesshoumaru to hate humans. For his love of his son, he didn't want Sesshoumaru to be subjected to the same problems as he was. Izayoi wasn't even allowed anywhere near his palace as he didn't want Sesshoumaru to have any contact with humans. Nonetheless, caring for humans has proven to be something hereditary and if you ask me such dedication is a strength, not a weakness."
"Eh!"
In tumbled a white-haired ball of energy, hopping around a much more collected pup, who eyed the interior of the hut curiously before a light push from Kaede urged him further in to allow the rest to enter. Inuyasha stayed close to his brother, crouching in mock attacks, trying to gauge the older youkai to play with him though for now Sesshoumaru seemed too intent on his surroundings to notice the excited hanyou.
"That's so unlike him," Miroku noted, taking a seat with the rest though keeping an eye on the silent pup. "Why is he so wary?"
"Instincts," Myoga spoke up from where he was sitting on top of Shippo's head. "Young youkai have a natural inkling to always be on the look-out for dangers. Many pups don't survive their first century; predators and rival species hunt them to either eat them or kill them to weaken their clan. I recall Sesshoumaru having more than his share of close encounters with death at the fangs and claws of other youkai despite Inutaisho's diligent protection."
"Are you done packing, child?" Kaede asked, pushing away Inuyasha as he tried to pull her ponytail. "It is for the best if you return to your time as soon as possible."
"Yeah, I think I've got everything."
"Here," Rin said, holding out a burlap bag. "These are Lord Sesshoumaru's favourite things. He'll like having them with him, even if he doesn't really remember them."
"Okay," Kagome nodded, accepting the offered bag and placing it in her own larger one. Standing, she sighed before looking over the assembled group. "Well, I guess it's time we got going."
Everyone nodded, rising to their feet too before filing out of the small hut, making their way to the Bone Eaters well located just outside the village. At least, they tried to but Inuyasha was having other ideas.
"Nh-nh!" he protested when Kagome tried to pick him up to prevent him from scampering off.
"Inuyasha, behave!" she pleaded to no avail.
"Perhaps it would be best if we kept him here," Miroku whispered to Sango, who nodded.
"Come on Inuyasha! Please?"
"Nh-nh-nh-nh-nh-NH!"
Flattening his snowy-white ears, he bared his teeth and before she could even react he snapped, fangs clicking together loudly, just missing her arm though startling her enough to drop him. Victorious, he ran off on all fours, heading for the trees.
"Inuyasha! No! Come back here!" Before she could even think it through she did the first thing that came to mind: "Inuyasha, sit!"
WHAM
"...Oh no!" she cried, covering her mouth as the dust settled.
"Kagome…" Sango sighed, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry! It slipped!"
Running to where the small pup lay in the dirt, she felt her eyes start to sting. Did she hurt him? How much could his little body take? Adult Inuyasha could easily survive being sat from off the ledge of a cliff; but now he was just a baby!
To her relief the hanyou sat up, sneezing out clots of dirt. Apart from his fire-rat coat being covered in sand he was unharmed though he looked up at her advancing form with wide eyes, lower lip quivering.
"Oh no, please don't-"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"-cry."
Tears streaming, Inuyasha bawled loud for all to hear, hiccupping through sniffs and sobs.
"You poor thing; I'm so sorry!" she swore, dropping to her knees and pulling him into a hug though it didn't help much. Finally he looked up though something behind her brought a smile to his tear-stained face.
"Eh-ou!"
Sure enough, Sesshoumaru was peeking over her shoulder to see what was ailing the hanyou. Startled at first to meet those usually cold eyes so close, Kagome released Inuyasha and he happily crawled off her lap to wrap his arms around his brother's legs. For a while it seemed that the youkai was going to leave him there but then he picked up the smaller pup. Inuyasha crowed with delight, settling for hugging his brother's neck.
"Eh-ou!" he told Kagome happily, nuzzling the silent pup's unmarked cheek.
"Yes, that's Sesshoumaru," she smiled. Bringing Sesshoumaru along was indeed the best thing to do. If he could pass through the well, that is.
"Learn to control you habits, Kagome," Kaede said as they walked on.
"I'll be more careful from now on. I promise," she said, feeling disappointed.
They were silent for a few yards before Miroku, who was carrying her bike, offered her a broad smile.
"I guess you redefined 'baby-sitting' with that, huh?"
They broke out in small giggles though the brunt of the joke didn't even notice, happily chattering to his brother, who was still carrying him. Every bird and insect drew Inuyasha's wide eyes and he pointed excitedly in every direction though not once did he struggle to go down, very content with being with his big brother. Sesshoumaru looked in the directions his kin pointed but didn't seem as intrigued by such simple things.
"Rin?" Shippo called back, looking behind him to where the girl was walking with Ah Un, the dragon-beast's reigns in her hands.
"Yes?"
"Why is Sesshoumaru wearing one of your yukata?"
"Um…" A deep blush crept onto her cheeks. "Lord Sesshoumaru's clothes didn't fit him anymore so…um…Rin had to dress him in one of hers."
For the girl's sake they curbed their giggles. Indeed, a naked Sesshoumaru, even as a pup, must have been quite a shock for her.
"There it is!" Shippo said suddenly, drawing all their attention off the blushing girl. Sure enough, the old well was right before them, looking as neglected and ramshackle as ever.
The first thing in was her bike, followed by her knapsack. Content, she turned to the others, smiling nervously.
"I really hope you find that mononoke," she said, watching out of the corner of her eyes as both inu-pups leaned over the side of the well to peer inside. "Hopefully it won't be too hard."
"Yes, and I think I speak for us all when I say that the same goes for you," Miroku replied, watching her make a sudden lunge to prevent Inuyasha from toppling headfirst into the well, catching him just in time. "We'll do our best and move as fast as possible."
"So should I come back within one week? Just to check up?"
"I'll be in the village," Kaede nodded, Myoga jumping on her shoulder.
"And I'll travel back and forth to bring her the latest news!"
"Thank you, Myoga. And you too, Toutousai," she said to the ancient sword-maker.
"Look after them well, Kagome. If anything happens to either of them it could be disaster for these lands."
"Wow, that's encouraging."
"I'm serious. Without Inuyasha and Tesseiga Naraku stands a greater chance of winning and without Sesshoumaru's leadership the Western lands could fall into tribal war. Both brothers are vital to this day and age."
She nodded.
"I'll do my best, because I care for Inuyasha. And because I made a promise to Rin."
The girl smiled brightly at that. Walking over to the silent pup, she smiled at him, which made him tilt his head to one side. Wrapping her arms around her guardian, Rin sniffed.
"Be good, Lord Sesshoumaru. Rin will be waiting right here for you when you come back. And maybe Jaken too. Then we can go on travelling, alright? I'll miss you very, very, very, very much."
"Rin…" Sango consoled, kneeling beside her. "He will be just fine in Kagome's world."
Nodding, she released the pup, who watched her back away with a confused look and was about to follow her when Kagome's voice got his attention.
"Sesshoumaru," she called softly, sitting on the ledge of the well, one arm wrapped around Inuyasha, who was actually still, big eyes watching the well in anticipation. Perhaps he remembered going through it before? Holding out her hand, she beckoned the mini-lord over.
Sesshoumaru looked at her hand, then Rin, then her hand again.
"It's okay," she said. "Come with me and Inuyasha."
He looked back at Rin one final time, then at the sky for some reason, but finally he took the necessary step that brought him within arms' reach. Leaning down, Kagome lifted him by the waist, pulling him onto her lap. It really felt strange, holding such a feared youkai like this despite the innocent eyes looking about anxiously.
"I'll be back within a week," she called back to the others. "Good luck!"
"Sayonara, Kagome!" Sango called, waving with one hand while the other held Rin's. Behind them stood Kirara and Ah Un, the large beast nuzzling Rin's face to comfort her. She too waved, eyes teary.
"Be very careful with them. Keep them out of trouble, especially Inuyasha!" Shippo shouted from atop Miroku's head. "And bring back some candy next time!"
"I will!" she swore and with a final glance she slid herself off into the well, carrying both pups with her. Already the blue aura that was the time barrier was beginning to envelop them.
Just then she heard Toutousai's voice.
"Argh! Kagome, I forgot to tell you something about Sesshoumaru! At this age he…"
The voice was lost as she fell back into her time. She frowned, trying to make out his warning but dual grips on her uniform reminded her of her new charges, who held on tightly, burying their face in her chest as the strange lights and feelings overwhelmed them. Holding them closer, she closed her eyes and waited until the transaction was complete.
Would Sesshoumaru be there when she opened them again? Or would he had been left behind in the past, at the bottom of the well, alone and confused?
Solid ground met her feet and all motion stop, the world behind her closed eyelids darkening as the blue lights faded. Soon a familiar scent of stuffy mould and wood assailed her nose and she knew she was back in the old well house, in her time. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes.
"Eh?" Inuyasha exclaimed, popping his head up to take in the new sight and smell.
Kagome sighed when a second head rose from where it had been buried in her blouse. Golden eyes blinked disoriented before they focused onto her.
"Welcome to the future, Sesshoumaru," she announced cheerfully.
"Oh! Kagome! Is that you?" Grandpa's voice called out, his head peeking down from above. "Ha! I knew these beads worked! I've been here for two days using them to summon you back!"
"Uh, that is amazing, grandpa, but can you help me out of here?"
"Sure, I'll get a ladder," he said, not yet noticing her companions.
"Keh! Da!" Inuyasha shouted, pointing up to what he knew was the way out.
"Yes, we're going there," she assured.
"Nh! Da aba ne!"
"You sure have a lot to say, don't you?"
"Eh-ou! Da! Keh!"
Rolling her eyes fondly, she looked down at Sesshoumaru, who was still watching her, eyes bright but strangely solemn.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Do you want to tell me something?"
After a long pause the pup shook his head, much to her surprise. While he had shown signs of listening to others the youkai pup hadn't responded like this before. Perhaps, with enough time, she could coach him out a bit.
"Everything's going to be just fine. This is my home. You're safe here."
He looked around the dingy well sceptically, proving that he understood her...Kinda.
"No, this is not my house. When my grandpa gets us out of here I'll take you there."
"Keh!"
"And you too, Inuyasha."
"Kagome, who are you talking too down there?"
A ladder was lowered, quickly touching down on the floor.
"You'll see!" she shouted back up. Eyeing both pups in her arms she weighed her dilemma: how was she going to get up?
"Can you climb, Sesshoumaru?" she asked him, pointing with her chin up the ladder. He studied the contraption before shifting slightly in her grip. Taking this as a sign, she lowered him. He touched the iron rung experimentally, looking back at her.
"Yes, go up. I'll be right behind you with Inuyasha."
Debating it, he released the ladder, clearly not trusting it.
"Sesshoumaru, how else are you going to get out of here?"
His response was silent yet clear. Crouching down onto his haunches, he focused on the ledge high above them and leapt up with a tall bound, startling her and delighting Inuyasha.
"GAH!" grandpa shouted from above when Sesshoumaru landed perfectly on the wooden ledge. "Demon! Be gone!"
"Calm down, jii-chan!" she shouted, climbing up with one hand. "Don't touch him!"
"I shall eliminate this youkai with my holy powers!"
"Great Buddha, give me strength," she muttered, reaching the top just in time to see her grandfather fling sticky o-fuda at the startled youkai.
Yeah, this was going to be a piece of cake.
Tbc…
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