Unknown Intent

Inuyasha is not mine. I can't begin to thank all of the reviewers that put up with me. I had almost thought to give up on this story and put it on hiatus but seeing the reviews after a few months gave me the initiative again. You all have my respect and thanks. Please excuse and grammar or spelling errors.

Enjoy

Ch.11

As the sky began to grow dark with the descending sun, some lone rays sought out a figure sitting amongst the undergrowth. No birds rested in the branches near the figure, nor any other woodland animals stray near the area for too long. Their animal instincts knew…they knew that this creature was more formidable than any beast or man. Any being with half a brain would undoubtedly realize that it was dangerous and should be left alone.

And yet…

Precisely on schedule, the dull crunches sounded underfoot of small feet and naught but five seconds later had a pale face peeped through the foliage. A relieved expression graced the round face, and the girl-woman came closer into the clearing. Smiling brightly at the still figure, she presented a water bottle and a small plate with two simple roasted fish. Kneeling within two feet of the man, she saw other previous offerings untouched and left for the insects to add to their spoils. Her smile wavered for an instant, yet she still placed the meager food down. Glancing up, she looked at him with obvious awe and without a single trace of fear. Eyes flickering to the side, her forehead scrunched slightly at the sight of a stump where an arm used to be. Even then there was no fear, but worry instead.

This will not do.

"I don't need your pity or unnecessary worry girl. It is none of your concern." Surprised brown eyes shot to his face, yet he continued to look in

the opposite direction. At least having the decency to look abashed for staring, she fiddled with the hem of the dull grey school skirt. Even her white blazer seemed to have a grey tint to it amidst the dirt splotches that smelt of sweat and flora. His senses continued to investigate; the faint smell of blood masked under large amounts of simple soap spoke of some external injuries and the slight fidgeting of her posture suggested something amiss with her back and/or shoulders. In all but a few seconds he had deduced what might have taken an hour to a simple human to realize. But he expected nothing less from a demon of his stature.

But what I don't understand is why she keeps coming. Even feeble, weak humans have an 'instinct' when it comes to sensing danger and power, yet this girl shows no fear for her life. Is she so stupid that she doesn't know any better…?

Indeed in the three days she had visited, the girl had seemed a little 'off' from what he could calculate. But then again, he wasn't an expert in human matter nor did he see himself becoming so. Still…the notion of a female (regardless of demon or human decent) not even acknowledging the threat of his power left him miffed to say the least. Finally glancing at her from his peripheral, the girl had amused herself with watching the setting sun and humming to herself like she had naught a care in the world.

It's dangerous to leave your neck open to an enemy woman…

Deciding to 'educate', he let out a blast of his recuperating youkai within a 10 meter radius of himself. The reaction was immediate. Her large brown eyes widened as the wave of pressure passed and her scent spiked with momentary surprise. Birds took to the twilight sky with loud squawks with the disturbance in the air and he could faintly hear nearby dogs start to howl and whine from their homes. Knowing that her attention was entirely focused on him once more eased his ego slightly.

Yet she still had no scent of fear about her person. If anything his youkai had made her aware and not fearful.

At any rate she is either extremely brave or extremely dim-witted.

Choosing to ignore her until she left, he began his mantra to help concentrate his healing abilities to work on expelling the foreign demonic energy out of his arm so it could heal properly. It was the only reason he still choose to remain in this putrid city so he could fully recuperate before hunting down that worm's head. Suddenly a low murmur derailed his train of thought and it took a moment to keep himself from scowling. The murmuring continued from the direction of the girl's stomach, growing louder by the minute. He caught her staring at the cooled fish and he felt a twinge of what could be described as exasperation.

"Eat the food then disappear from my sight. Your bowel movements annoy me, and this one cannot stand human food," he commanded. Despite the commands, she still faltered and looked uncertainly from the fish to him and back again.

"This one will not repeat himself."

Without further ado she grabbed the fish and began to eat it with the smallest bites she could muster. When the bones were finally picked dry, she gave him a thankful smile which for some bizarre reason gave him a jolt of satisfaction. Tossing aside the notion, he began to center himself once more knowing that she will leave soon and finally give him peace.

"…M-My name is Rin, can I ask what y-your name is sir?" The atmosphere grew still as Rin watched the mysterious demon's face anxiously. Every night since he had regained consciousness Rin had given her name and asked for his, yet every time he wouldn't answer. Minutes passed, and just when she was about to leave hard gold finally connected with chocolate brown since the first time he spoke to her three days ago. Struck under the solemnness of his gaze, he turned away once more.

"This one is called Sesshomaru."

…...

Inuyasha snarled angrily as he felled the second Demonic Wasp that morning, making a total of four since his encounter with the first one. Watching as it's remains turned to dust like the kin before it, Inuyasha fumbled with the beads of his necklace. "This is getting to be no fluke… these pests are up to something here and I don't like it one bit." Glancing around the area one last time, Inuyasha leapt back towards to complex.

Telling Kagome about this is out of the question, don't need the wench poking her nose into unnecessary problems and causing troubles for herself. But Sango should know if anything to keep Kagome under watch. Firm with his decision, Inuyasha was barely within two feet of the front door when muffled screams reached his canine ears. Momentary panic erupted down his spine until his nose told him just who was inside. Scowling heavily (yet huffing a slight sigh in relief) Inuyasha opened the door.

Only to dodge before a fork could be imbedded into his forehead.

"-can't believe it! This is the LAST STRAW you pervert! I'm going to save this country's women from that 'cursed' hand of yours!"

"Now Sango-san there is no need to be so hasty-WHOA! Did I mention you have a wonderful throwing arm? Do you work out?" Feeling his left eyebrow starting to twitch, Inuyasha watched as an infuriated Sango tried to play darts with random utensils using a certain delivery man as the board. Seeing Kagome hovering by one of the corners, (looking torn between laughing and stopping Sango) even Inuyasha needed to gather some courage to come between a furious Sango with sharp objects.

"Now Sango-san it really was an accident-right Kagome-san?"

"Don't you bring Kagome-chan into this you stupid, perverted, silver-tonged—" Before Sango could launch another poor utensil at the very nervous Miroku, Inuyasha stomped into the fray.

".Alone.Now." With that statement, the inu-hanyou had the red-faced ex-exterminator by the arm and out of the room before the other occupants could blink. Miroku peeked out from behind the slightly torn cushion used a shield and peered quizzedly towards Kagome. Kagome looked back at the blue-eyed handy-man and shrugged.

It's a little unusual for Inuyasha to want to talk to Sango privately. I wonder what he wants to say…

…...

"…If what you're implying is true Inuyasha then this is a problem. I think there might be something about these insects in one of my books. Let me check to make sure that this area might not be near one of their migratory spots." Inuyasha scoffed under his breath as Sango hurried to her bookshelf for the tome in question.

Why does everyone have to second guess what I say? …Even Kikyou didn't believe me.

A sudden glint of light derailed Inuyasha's train of thought, and he saw a collection of photo frames on a shelf. Ears twitching, he walked over and examined them. Most were of Sango and Kagome, at outings or galas and even one from a photo booth. They both look so happy, he thought. Tracing Kagome's face with the tip of a claw, his golden eyes focused on her cheery smile.

"Inuyasha I think I found it!"

Startled at Sango's exclamation, Inuyasha pulled himself out of his wayward thoughts and demanded, "So whatcha got?"

"According to your descriptions, the demons you have been killing sound like they are Demonic Insects but there is only one problem: my files say that their species was more or less wiped out 65 years ago." Eyes narrowing, Inuyasha walked over and grabbed the book from her hands and scanned the text. Growling angrily, he mumbled "Are you sure your information is right?" Sango stared him in the eye and stated, "Positive. My family holds one of the most reliable records on different demon species in Japan." Inuyasha swore under his breath and pushed the book back into the woman's hands before starting to pace.

Sango sighed quietly at the prowling hanyou before continuing, "Look Inuyasha I want to believe you, but whenever I make my rounds I haven't sensed at single thing."

"I know what I saw Sango. I killed those things with my own two hands, and I know that it's no coincidence that those bugs keep showing up here!" Sango stared at the hanyou for a moment longer before looking down at the book in her hands.

"…There is a very slim chance that a few Demonic Insects survived or they might have interbred with another and made a hybrid close to the original. But to make sure, we would need to capture one alive." Inuyasha glanced back to Sango and felt something akin to relief.

Maybe I am believable after all…

"So how do we do that? Those bastards have a nasty looking stinger on their asses and probably have even nastier poison." Sango cupped her chin thoughtfully before giving Inuyasha a confident smirk.

"I think I have just the thing…but I'm gonna need your help Inuyasha to keep Kagome away from the apartment grounds for a while." Suddenly her smirk seemed more devilish than confident, and Inuyasha felt a chill run down his spine.

Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna not like this plan?

…...

"So it seems that Inuyasha is adjusting nicely. Must be the company of such beauties he had the pleasure of being around all the time." Kagome sweat-dropped slightly as she continued to sew the small rips in the cushion Miroku had used as a shield against Sango's 'attack'. You think after the many times he had been here since we got settled I'd be used to his corny remarks. Nonetheless a light blush dusted her cheekbones at the notion of Inuyasha finding her 'beautiful'.

"I don't know what you are implying Miroku-san. Inuyasha was hired as a bodyguard, nothing more." Miroku's eyes twinkled at Kagome's statement from his position by the sliding glass door; a cloth in his hand as he oiled the tracks.

"You know, it's awfully nice of Miroku-san to make the 20 minute drive all the way over here just to make sure the door didn't squeak."

"What can I say Kagome-chan, it is part of my duties as a handy-man to make sure every customer is completely satisfied with every product. I would hate to let my manager Mushin down."

"That line may have been believable the first checkup Miroku-san, but the third in a week? Even Inuyasha knows you're pushing your luck, and he barely notices anything!" Miroku stopped his polishing and looked to see Kagome staring at him from the table. Sighing slightly, Miroku gave a small smile before going to join her. Fiddling with the rag after he sat down Kagome continued sewing silently; waiting.

"…Does she hate me?"

Pausing, Kagome looked Miroku in the eyes and saw the seriousness and slight fear residing in his indigo orbs; his face completely serious. Goodness…he does have it bad. Putting aside the pillow, Kagome folded her hands atop the table.

"No. She doesn't hate you…"

"…There's a huge BUT at the end isn't there?"

Smiling despite herself, Kagome continued, "You mean the one you don't molest every time you stop by? Miroku-san, I know you care deeply for Sango-chan but to be perfectly honest…you are abit of a pervert. I don't know who taught you that rubbing a woman's bottom is a great ice-breaker but if you continue doing this Sango-chan will come to really resent you."

Silence descended as Miroku continued to fumble with the rag, resulting with his fingers look shiny and smelling slightly of pine. "Do you have any advice Kagome-chan?" Miroku finally asked, staring at the grains of the wood.

"Are you serious about her Miroku-san? Because if you're only looking for a good time for a while, I will have to cut this visit and friendship short."

A beat of silence.

"…I honestly don't know Kagome-san. All I know is that Sango-san is unlike any woman I have ever met before, and I just want to make her happy. How serious it gets is up to Sango-san, but I'm willing to give it my all."

The two held eye contact for about seven seconds before Kagome smiled slightly, causing Miroku to smile back.

"Good answer Miroku-san. But I warn you, break her heart and I'll have Inuyasha break your legs."

Miroku winced slightly at her bright smile but chuckled anyway before asking, "So no tips to win fair lady's heart?"

"…Just keep your hands to yourself and not go looking for an easy date. You'll find Sango-chan warming up to you a lot faster that way."

With that Kagome grabbed the cushion and sauntered out of the room; leaving the handyman with his thoughts.

Next chapter: Sango puts her plans to action and leaves it to the stubborn hanyou to keep Kagome out of the apartment, but what's a guy to do when she seems to be a bad-luck charm and an annoying kitsune is thrown into the mix? Meanwhile, a dark shadow appears on the Yakamura doorstep and blood is shed…

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NokaNinja