Soft morning light poured through the trees overhead as Kagome and Sango walked back to the spot they had last seen Sesshomaru's group. The two had been chatting the whole way, both agreeing that the inn was comfortable, and that they had a good night's rest. Nazoki ha even cooked them breakfast. Aside from Rin's gifts, the vixen had asked them to bring a cloth of biscuits, and a jar of honey to the riverside. She said to simply leave it, and not to worry about it. They did not understand why she would waste food like that, but agreed.
As they entered the clearing, the caught sight of Rin, eating a few berries, and plants. Walking to the girl's side, they grinned as she greeted them. Sesshomaru was resting in a nearby tree, and the girls offered a slight wave before shifting their attention to the child.
"We have some gifts for you." Sango informed, and confusion rippled throughout Rin's features. From his spot in the trees, the lord tilted his head. He smelled honey, and baked goods.
"Gifts? For me?" She echoed and they nodded.
"From Nazoki!" Kagome added, and the girl froze. It seemed as if Rin didn't' know whether to believe them or not, but she stood up.
"Really? You saw her? Where is she?"
Sango and Kagome glanced at one another, both seeming to agree to tell the girl.
"She's in the village, right over there. But she's leaving soon. Here, open it!" Kagome smiled, and handed the girl two cloth wrapped gifts. Sango still held the jar, and biscuits Nazoki instructed to leave by the river.
Rin eyed the fabric, before carefully untying, and unfolding it. The first cloth contained biscuits, already cut, and filled with honey. The second held a small kimono, big enough to fit Rin. The girl's eyebrows rose with what appeared to be worry, but she smiled none the less. Turning around she held the fabric up.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Nazoki didn't forget her promise!"
The lord studied the grey and while Kimono, and offered a slight nod. He turned his head, as if uninterested, yet still peeked from the corner of his golden eyes. Kagome and Sango were grinning, and telling Rin she would look beautiful in it. They did not know the story behind that kimono. That it looked like Nazoki's, and he had told her to leave when she was only going to ask his permission to get Rin fitted for it. Rin was thrilled but obviously grieved. The lord was growing tired of that tone. Why could she not be happy without the vixen?
"Mm, she said something about a fiancé this morning. I think she's going back to her old village. Something about her brother and his dad..."
"She said his dad is old... If her lover died twenty five years ago, and her mom was already married to the human, he's well into his golden years by now." Sango added, and Rin nodded.
The girl murmured something about Nazoki being happy, and Kagome tilted her head.
"It's okay. She misses you too. Maybe she'll visit soon, but for now she's working to pay for this pretty Kimono. She's always thinking of you, and talks about you all the time." The miko's words seemed to cheer the girl up, and Sango gazed down at the cloth bag in her hands.
"Oh, these are going to get cold... I'll run them over to the river."
"'Kay!" Kagome smiled, and the demon hunter quickly moved towards the sound of rushing water.
Once on the riverside, Sango placed the biscuits on a small stone, just out of reach of the moisture. The jar of honey was set on the ground beside the stone, and Sango turned away. Before she could return to the forest, multiple voices called out.
"Nazoki!" Various women cheered, and splashing could be heard. Turning around, Sango found several women, standing on the edge of the water. One grabbed the biscuits, and another the honey.
"Who are you?" A brunette asked, and Sango frowned.
"Eh?"
"You're not Nazoki!" Another added, and Sango shook her head.
"Oh. No, she is a friend. She asked me to deliver these."
The answer caused the women to exchange odd glances.
"The vixen will not visit today?" The only blonde asked, and Sango shifted her gaze.
"I... I don't know..." She did not know how to respond. This was an unexpected situation. How was she supposed to know that a group of nymphs would stumble out of the water to greet her? Or... Nazoki. Distracted by the food, the women started to slather their good with honey, and slowly eat them.
"Mmm, these are better than the last! How does she do this?"
"Pity we cannot return to the stream with them..."
"So delicious!"
Starting away, Sango glanced at the women over her shoulder.
"Wait! Can we not play with your hair?" One of the women asked, and Sango paused.
"My hair?"
"Yes!" Another answered.
"Sango!" Kagome called from the forest. "Who are you talking to?"
Before the demon slayer knew it, Kagome had come to her side, and the women were toying with their locks.
"Uh, what's going on?" Kagome asked, and Sango turned to her. The nymphs were ushering them to sit on a small rock formation, still grasping their hair.
"Hey!" Kagome cried, and the girl helplessly gazed at the nymphs. They were friendly, so the pair couldn't attack.
"They're Nazoki's friends." Sango informed.
"Is this how her hair got so long?" Kagome asked and one of the nymphs answered for Sango.
"Yes! Do you wish to grow yours as well?"
Kagome politely declined, and the two were practically forced to have their hair fixed. Not like it was a bad thing, but it happened so suddenly.
Gazing down at the pair, Sesshomaru felt slight amusement flicker through him. Nevertheless, he was still irritated. Why didn't Nazoki visit the nymphs? It was not that the lord wanted to see her, per say. He just wanted to let Rin see her. That was all... That was the only reason he had allowed the group to stay so long. It had to be Kagome's fault. That girl had meddled in his affairs again. He just knew it. Rin had changed into her new Kimono, and obviously loved it. The girl was swaying it around, humming a tune. It looked as if she was replicating the mating ceremony, when Nazoki had joined the other kitsune. As long as another child did not try to take her hand, that was fine.
The miko had claimed Nazoki was in the nearest town. It was barely a few minutes away. Not that the lord would go. Minutes later, Kagome and Sango walked under the branch he was resting on. They both wore new hair styles, buns, to be exact. Their locks had been swept back, and a few stray strands fell to their neck. Flowers had been tucked into the dark masses of hair, and the two were cautiously looking at one another.
"It's pretty." Kagome stated, an Sango nodded.
"So is yours."
They wondered how the nymphs could accomplish that without any tools, and in under ten minutes, but continued back towards the village. The pair waved to Jaken and Rin, and Rin mirrored them.
Sighing, the lord dropped to the ground. Time to leave. He would not waste another second on this. Nazoki was obviously avoiding the river today.
As the man started away, there was a tug on the back of his Haori. Glancing over his shoulder, he found one of the Nymphs peering up at him. Her brown eyes locked to his, and she cautiously smiled. This was the one from the spring. Just thinking about it irritated him.
"Lord, bring Nazoki to us. Those girls did not have enough hair..."
Frowning, Sesshomaru turned back around. He did not have the patience for this. The persistent nymph did not release him. She tugged harder, and tried to force him back to her.
"Do not leave! Wait!"
Pulling away from the woman, Sesshomaru sighed. This was getting bothersome. Damn nymphs and their carefree attitudes. He had more important things to do... Like find another powerful artifact to hunt, or kill Naraku. Nazoki was of no importance to him. She could go mate that fox for all he cared. His beast scolded him for that thought. The nymph tried harder, and two joined her. Rin and Jaken were watching as if it was some sort of performance.
"Bring her here! You are her love, correct?"
"Lord, do not ignore us!
"Please, allow us to play with your hair instead!"
'You are a fool. She has accepted him now. Look at what you have caused...'
Thoroughly irritated, the lord wished that all would leave him alone. he had a right to do as he pleased. They, however, possessed no such thing.
"Silence!" Sesshomaru hissed. He grabbed his blade, and quickly turned to the nymphs. They shrieked, as he swiped at them, yet melted into puddles of water. Walking away, the lord was even further annoyed when they materialized once more; giggling and frolicking after him.
"Wait! Lord!" They cried out, and the man felt as though he would snap. Nevertheless, his beast did not want to come out. It wanted to sleep. How strange.
The ring on his finger pulsed as he attempted to slash the nymphs once more. Again, they melted, and reformed. Their jolly laughter angered the lord to no end. This was not a game.
A/N: Thank you all for your comments :)
I've gotta give credit for the nymphs pestering Sesshy, and turning to water to NonieBee (4352183)!
Check out her stories, she's an awesome writer!
Even though they aren't being too bad now in the meddling department, (Kagome has them beat) they might get worse, or even sneaky lol. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!