Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha, or any of the other characters.
Chapter Four
Of Siblings and Rivalries
Kagome awoke to the gentle shaking of her shoulder. Slowly she opened her eyes, temporarily forgetting where she was. A sleepy smile came across her face, but it quickly faded as she saw the disposition of the girl who had stirred her from sleep. Sitting up quickly and shaking the sleep from her mind, Kagome looked around to see Sesshomaru gone. As if Rin's worried expression wasn't enough, she knew something was wrong.
"Rin, where is Sesshomaru?" Rin's face faltered and she looked as though she would start crying hysterically any minute.
"Lady Kagome, Lord Sesshomaru left over an hour ago." Tears formed at the small child eyes as she fought to continue speaking. "He said for me to wait here with you, because his… Oh, what did he call him…? His "Fool of a half-demon brother was around." Kagome's eyes widened. Oh no, he went to talk to Inu Yasha alone! Surely they will fight, especially if Inu Yasha thinks Sesshomaru has done something to me.
"It's alright Rin, just tell me which way he went and we will find him ok?" Kagome quickly got to her feet, as Rin nodded. The small girl grabbed the young woman's hand and began running in the direction in which she last saw her Lord leaving.
Kagome allowed herself to be dragged off with Rin. Oh Kami, please don't let them be killing one another! Kagome thought. Sesshomaru had saved her, whether it is returning a favor or not, no matter how she tried to deny it, she would be concerned if he was hurt. Not to mention the damage he could do to Inu Yasha.
The girls were well out of breath by the time they found the two brothers. Kagome couldn't see Sango, Miroku, Shippo, or even Kirara around. She did however see Kaede's village off in the distance, she could only figure that Inu Yasha had caught the scent and came out here alone.
"What have you done with her ya' bastard?! I can smell her scent on you!" Inu Yasha yelled as he lunged towards Sesshomaru with Tetsusaiga. Sesshomaru made no move to draw his sword and simply kept dodging his brother's attacks.
"The girl is fine. I merely came to return her to you." Sesshomaru said as he dodged Tetsusaiga's wind scar.
"Don't lie to me you son of bi…"
"Inu Yasha! Sit!" Inu Yasha was cut short in the middle of his sentence as Kagome came running out of the woods with Rin. She didn't really want to do that, but even if she returned to his side, he would have kept attacking Sesshomaru.
Growling in pain, Inu Yasha clawed his way out of the ditch Kagome had put him in.
"Hey, wench! What did you do that for? I'm trying to save you!" Inu Yasha yelled to her.
"But I don't need…" Inu Yasha cut Kagome off with another rant.
"What did he do to you? Huh? Did you hit your head? Why didn't you run away from him? Are ya' stupid or something?" Kagome had had it by now.
"I don't need to be saved!" Kagome hollered, finally getting irritated. "For your information, Sesshomaru saved me! Is that alright with you!?"
"No! As a matter of fact, it's not! He must have put some kind of mind trick on you! You weren't this loony when you left!" Inu Yasha was just asking for it now. Kagome twitched in anger, and Inu Yasha quickly realized his mistake, but wouldn't stoop to begging for forgiveness in front of his brother.
"Inu Yasha! SIT BOY! SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT BOY!" Kagome screamed. Even Sesshomaru had to flinch at the shrill sound of her voice as her commands repeatedly imbedded his half-brother further and further into the ground. Huffing, Kagome turned on her heel and began stalking away from him. Now that is the temper I remember… Sesshomaru thought, finding slight amusement at his brother's embarrassing defeat by a mortal woman with the power of two simple words.
Rin was clinging to her lords pant leg, watching in fright as Kagome stomped back in their direction.
"Lady K… Kagome is very scary when she's angry." Rin said quietly. Sesshomaru said nothing as he watched Kagome fuming.
"Do you not wish to return to your friends…?" Sesshomaru asked calmly as the enraged miko finally made her way back to them.
"No! I…" Kagome took a deep breath to calm herself. "I forgot how irritating Inu Yasha can be…. He never listens to me." She then looked to the frightened little girl hiding behind her lord, and her cheeks flushed red at having frightened the girl. "I'm sorry Rin; I didn't mean to get so upset." Rin smiled before coming out of hiding.
"That's alright Lady Kagome!" Rin smiled cheerfully, now seemingly un-phased by the scene that had just taken place. A low moan emanated from the crater Inu Yasha was face planted into.
"It appears the girl does not wish to return to you, Inu Yasha." Sesshomaru turned slowly, saying nothing more as he headed back into the woods. Rin looked to Kagome, wondering if she would follow, before she ran after her lord. Kagome looked towards the crater, she did miss everyone else, but maybe being Inu Yasha free for awhile would do her some good.
With a gentle sigh, Kagome too turned away.
"Good bye guys, but only for now." She whispered before running off after Sesshomaru and Rin. If she was lucky, perhaps the cold demon lord would tolerate her presence for awhile longer, maybe even defend her if need be. She could only hope so, as just the thought of Inu Yasha became irritating to her. She could always just go home, but seeing as she had just been there two days ago, she didn't feel the need to visit her family again.
It didn't take long before Kagome had caught up to Sesshomaru and Rin. The small child turned to look over her shoulder, an excited smile on her face as she saw that Kagome had decided to come with them.
"Lady Kagome!" Rin chimed, running to the older girl. Kagome smiled as Rin hurdled herself into Kagome's arms. "Rin was afraid that we wouldn't get to play anymore!" Giving the girl a gentle hug, Kagome set her back on her feet.
Looking ahead, Kagome could see that Sesshomaru had stopped to wait for them. Should I ask if I can travel with him for awhile longer? What are the chances of that? I suppose he did let me come in the first place, maybe he won't mind… Sesshomaru had stopped and turned around to see what was holding the two girls up. The tiniest traces of a smirk played across his lips, it was becoming very amusing to be able to read the young miko's emotions just by watching the changes in her expression.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Is it alright if Kagome stays with us for a bit longer! Please! Rin likes Lady Kagome!" Kagome couldn't help but smile as Rin pleaded with Sesshomaru. After being around him, he didn't seem to be as cold and cruel as Kagome remembered. Perhaps Rin had changed him, even at the slightest. She never would have noticed it had she randomly run into him with Inu Yasha, but the change when seeing him as he appeared now was evident.
Sesshomaru said nothing as he looked from his young ward to Kagome. "If she so wishes, then so be it…" He replied calmly. His voice held no real enthusiasm, but there was no disgust in his tone either. Did he really just say I could come? Honestly? He still seems a bit arrogant, but at least he's not a complete icicle. Kagome smiled as Rin squealed with joy. "Come…" Sesshomaru beckoned. The overly excited Rin tugged on Kagome's hand and made her run up past Sesshomaru.
An over whelming sense of peace came over Kagome as she allowed the girl to pull her ahead. Sesshomaru walked silently behind them, watching the two girls. Though he could not say he now loved the human race, but perhaps not all of them were so terrible. He was immensely confused at the small affection he was beginning to harbor for the miko, but it would be a cold, cold day in hell before he would ever let that feeling be known.
Authors Note:
Thank you everyone for your reviews! I know there are a few errors I need to fix. Once I get the fifth chapter out, I plan to go back and fix some things. Also, I will work on putting more content into my chapters. I held back a little at first because I wasn't sure how the readers would react to my story. Thank you everyone for being so kind, especially with corrections, It is greatly appreciated.