Chapter 9 - Lazy Day part 2

Sesshomaru paced the main hall of his childhood home waiting for Mikoto to return. He could have tried to track her, but he knew that if she returned while he was gone, he'd be even more frustrated. His current level of frustration was already through the roof, though not showing anywhere except the incessant pacing he was doing now. And it was all because Inuyasha wasn't cultured enough to know how to keep important documents neat and organised. Though, that really wasn't his brother's fault; it was his. He was the one who had shunned and disowned Inuyasha. He was the one who ignored the man for most of his life, save for the times they crossed paths, and that generally led to a battle, with Sesshomaru trying to take the Tetsuaiga. He was responsible for Inuyasha's heathen lack of etiquette; political or otherwise. Yes. Sesshomaru had a lot to answer for, in regards to his brother. And, with the new, more brotherly relationship being something new to both men, it was long, slow process. But they'd be better for it, if they could survive each other long enough to get through it.

Sesshomaru sighed as he stopped pacing and turned towards the back of the castle. He wandered out into his father's garden and felt all of his troubles, almost all at once, disappear from his mind. He quickly found his favourite tree, and sat beneath it, relaxed for the most part. He closed his eyes to meditate; a technique his father had taught him, that helped him to keep his cool, calm persona. And that was how Mikoto had found him, not twenty minutes later, only he had fallen asleep. She decided not to disturb him, walking back inside, in search for her laptop to make the modifications to Sesshomaru's new arm.

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"Maru." He knew that voice. She was the only one to call him that. He cracked his eyes open enough to see her feet at the end of his own long legs. Slowly, he raised his eyes. She had her hand behind her back and head cocked cutely to the side. Not that he'd ever say that out loud.

"It's getting late. Shouldn't you come in?"

"What time is it?"

"Anout 1:30pm. Feeling better? Do you want me to get you some lunch?"

"Have you eaten, Mikoto?"

"Hm," she nodded.

"Then do not trouble yourself," he told her, standing up and discretely stretching. He was stiff, and hadn't realised he'd fallen asleep where he'd been sitting.

"Okay. Are you still going to see that woman?"

"Kagura. Yes. We shall go now."

"Do you want me to call Inushago?" Sesshomaru shook his head slowly.

"Let's not trouble him. Like he said at breakfast, he doesn't get to see his friends much. We shall leave him be, for now," he told Mikoto, striding past her and into the castle. "This woman. She has the potientil to be very dangerous, is she sees fit to make herself our enemy."

"Why tell me this? Shouldn't you be telling your nephew?"

"He already knows this. Inuyasha and Kagome made a point to tell Inushago an the others of Naraku, and our trouble with him and his various cast-offs. I'm telling you, because you will be working very closely with her."

"Great," Mikoto replied sardonically, narrowing her eyes. She was not liking this.

"Caution is your ally with this woman. She is one cast-off of Naraku. On top of that, she has the ability to control the wind, and possess dead bodies. She is cold and calculating. So, do not take her lightly. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Mikoto answered obediently, following closely behind the demon.

Good. Fetch the car," Sesshomaru commanded. "I will be down shortly. I must change." Mikoto nodded her acknowledgement as they parted ways

Sesshomaru arrived at the car not fifteen minutes later, dressed as if he'd been at the office. Mikoto glanced down at he own clothes, wondering briefly if she should've changed. She wondered if the slim line black pants, and light floral tee shirt were too casual for this meeting. As she started the car and pulled away from her temporary home, she realised that Sesshomaru would have asked her to change, if she was not appropriately dressed. Smiling to herself, she glance in the rear view mirror to address Sesshomaru.

"Where exactly are we headed, Sesshomaru?"

"Do you know the location of Sunset Shrine?"

"Yes. It's near there?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. I've had sources watching this particular woman for the last forty years. I know where she's living. It's an old shrine, out in the countryside, east of Sunset Shrine. While no one lives there, there are still various wards in places. Demons such as ourselves may gain access through areas where such wards have fallen. However, once inside, our presence cannot be detected from outside the barrier. Kagura uses this to hide from Naraku's many enemies. Unless they know she'd there, and how to get in, they cannot touch her."

"And why should she hide from Naraku's enemies?"

"Kagura was one of his main minions, for lack of a better word. She was his eyes and ears for a long time, and many knew this. However, she was very defiant of the hold he had on her. She told me once that Naraku held her heart in his hand and could kill her without a moment's notice. She wanted me to steal her heart back for her; to defeat the kumohanyou so she may regain her freedom."

"Did you?" Sesshomaru sent Mikoto an icy glare through the mirror, making her flinch.

"I did not," he replied indignantly. "I had nothing to gain from such a venture."

"Of course, my Lord," the bitch apologised.

"Hnn." Sesshomaru paused a moment before he continued. "This shrine is very much in the middle of nowhere. Ensure we can arrive there and return without having to use our abilities.

"Yes, sir," Mikoto answered dutifully, duly noting the fuel gauge reading quarter full, and pulling into the nearest station to fill up.

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'So, she's returned has she, my Sesshomaru? You are mine. Don't you know that?' Kagura asked silently s she floated on her feather above the demon lord's limousine. She'd taken one of the wards off of the shrine and placed it on her enlarged feather, shielding her from Sesshomaru and Mikoto's senses. Touching the piece of paper for short amounts of time was no problem, as time had taken away most of the talisman's sting. However, to place it on her body to fly around stalking Sesshomaru undetected, hurt. The burning sensation would start off dull, then begin to get hotter until she had to remove the scorching paper to reveal an angry red burn. She only knew, because she had tried it once, and wasn't about to try it again.

Kagura glared as she watched the vehicle make its way towards her home.

"I'll have to kill her, Sesshomaru. I have no choice. You will be mine," the wind witch vowed, as she floated higher on an air current, and sped towards her shrine. She had to be there when they arrived.

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A/N: Another short chapter, but it's an update, none the less. I hope everyone is enjoying the story.

Please review! Even if it's just to tell me to keep going...

TBS Juri