Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this playful misadventure... especially for the reassuring one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.


Chapter 7: Somewhere Safe

As the monk and miko hauled him inside one of the human huts, Jaken managed to trip over his own hair again. It rivaled Sesshoumaru's for length, and the imp scowled irritably at the ridiculous mass, wondering why he'd ever admired the pesky stuff.

"Here, let me help," the miko said, gathering up an armful of green tresses.

Jaken was annoyed by her presumption, but the monk distracted him by inquiring, "How long have you been dealing with this unique alteration?"

"Since this morning," he replied, his voice feeling as distorted as the rest of him.

"He has a shard, Miroku-sama!" the young woman exclaimed.

"Ah. Is it truly the last?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "But... maybe!"

They helped him to some mats, and Jaken slid to the floor, unsure what to do with such awkward limbs. The monk sat by his side, unobtrusively demonstrating a comfortable manner in which to cross his legs. "Still adjusting to your new form?" he asked conversationally.

Jaken merely grunted, his gaze fixed on a hand that was his, yet wasn't; it twitched, and he flexed the long fingers, scratching unhappily at the floor.

"So, where is the shard?" Miroku asked curiously.

"Erm... can't you tell?"

The monk looked the imp up and down, then cleared his throat. "It seems to be..."

"Somewhere safe," Jaken snapped, curling his lip.

"Indeed. Do you plan to relinquish the shard to Kagome-sama?" the man asked casually.

Pale yellow eyes blinked, and he sulkily announced, "I don't know how."

"Hmm. Well, perhaps there is no hurry." Placing a friendly hand on the imp's arm, Miroku added, "Take it easy, Jaken-sama. It cannot be easy to become a taiyoukai overnight."

Astonishment drifted into understanding as the truth of the man's words stirred burgeoning instincts. I am a taiyoukai.


End Note: This chapter was written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for March 2011—Distort. Posted on March 15, 2011. 300 words.