Deal With Danger

Ages: Sesshomaru-(very old, but we'll say)26 Rin-20 Shippo-5 Inuyasha- 24 Kagome22 Miroku-24Sango-23

Disclaimer: I just want to say that I own nothing but the plot. That is all…thank you.
Chapter 10

The next morning the group set out into the forest once more. Shippou & Kilala rode in the air. Kagome was in front, followed by Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Sango, Rin, and Miroku. Shippou seemed happier, knowing that things were almost back to normal, while Sango and Rin were quieter than usual.

Kagome seemed cheerful, having some idea of what had happened between her sisters. Sesshomaru, Miroku, and Inuyasha were all quiet. Not unusual for Sesshomaru, but Sango accidentally fell onto Miroku's lap before they left and he didn't even try to cop a feel.

"Could someone please tell me where we're going?" Inuyasha asked obviously annoyed. "I feel like we've riding in circles for hours."

"We have," Kagome called back to him innocently.

"WHAT?" Inuyasha shouted. Kagome smiled at him and he felt his anger ebb away.

"Trust me. I'll explain it all later." After Kagome said this, Rin leaned over to Sango and began whispering.

"I don't think there's any plan at all. I think she's just making it up as we go along," she whispered conspiratorially.

"Am not," Kagome shouted back to them in a sing song voice, not even looking back at them. Rin made a face at her. "That's not nice."

"How does she do that?" Sango asked.

"It's a gift," Kagome shouted again.

"Would you stop that?" Sango said. "It's freaking us out." Kagome turned and smiled back at her sisters. She turned back to the road and ahead and stopped so suddenly that Sesshomaru almost ran into her and caused a domino effect.

"Human!" he barked angrily. "Give some warning before you do that again." Kagome ignored him and he glared. "Did you hear me? Answer your superiors!" Kagome ignored him again and Sesshomaru found himself ready to tear her admittedly attractive head off of her shoulders.

Kagome stared at the road ahead. For the past three hours they had been traveling gjin a circle. She'd done this on purpose, hoping to find the path. It worked. There were three paths ahead of her and smiled inwardly, knowing what she had to do.

The first path was on the right. It mimicked the forest. It was lush and green and had many trees. It actually looked better than the dark green forest that surrounded the group at that moment.

The third path was on the left. It was covered in flowers. The scent drifted out to them and Kagome wished to go there, but knew she couldn't. It was bright and colorful and way more cheery than Kagome had expected. Almost sickening, really.

The second path was in the middle and it was the worst of the three. It was a creepy and sad all at once. The grass had long since died as had the trees. They stood hunched over with age, knarled, and twisted. There was nothing lush or cheery about this path and Kagome hated to enter it, but she knew she had to. She took a deep breath before putting her plan into action.

"Sango & Rin," she called her sisters to her. When their horses approached her she turned to them on hers. "Do you remember what I told you?" They nodded solemnly. "Good. Sango and Miroku you take the path on the right." The couple nodded before heading towards the road they'd been assigned.

"Sango," Kagome called suddenly. Sango stopped her horse and Miroku followed suit so that he would leave her. "I love you." Sango dropped her head.

"Ditto," she said softly. Kagome smiled as she watched her sister enter the road.

"Rin & Sesshomaru, you have the road on the left." Sesshomaru wanted to argue that he didn't take orders from mortals, but he knew Naraku was watching and he was ready to leave as soon as possible so as not to be followed.

"I love you," Rin told Kagome before entering her path.

"Ditto," Kagome whispered with a smile. She turned to Inuyasha who was staring at her. "That leaves us the middle."

Rin moved her horse steadily along Sesshomaru's through the overly bright forest. Sesshomaru had made no move to make conversation and the silence was driving Rin crazy. Her energetic nature was stifled in his presence and she was getting bored. At that instant Rin made up her mind to start conversation. She glanced over at Sesshomaru warily.

"So," she began slowly. "What's it like being the heir to your fathers' domain?" Stupid question, yes, but Rin was so bored she'd ask him about his underwear if it'd get him talking. Sesshomaru looked over to Rin, his eyes unguarded just long enough for Rin to see interest sparkle there.

"That is none of your concern, you weak mortal," Sesshomaru responded dully. Rin rolled her eyes.

"Look, if you're not going to put any feeling into that insult, then don't even try." At Rin's dry comment, Sesshomaru's head snapped towards her and it seemed that, for a moment, his eyes shone uncharacteristically with amusement.

"Monk, if your hand edges any closer towards my body, you will lose that hand," Sango snapped irritably. She and Miroku had been on the road for barely an hour and he had already worked her nerves.

Miroku smiled at Sango's threat. If she was speaking to him, then she noticed him. He knew it was rather pathetic, but annoying women was how he got them to notice him. Sango was strong and forceful as well as beautiful and smart. The exterminator was extremely attractive to Miroku. He didn't know her well, but hopefully, if they lived through this mission, he would get to.

"Whatever you say, my dear," Miroku responded barely holding back a pleased smile. The two rode on in silence for a while longer. Then, out of the blue, Sango gasped in surprise before looking over at Miroku angrily. A loud smack sounded throughout their lush forest.

"Pervert!"