A/N: For the 'Spank' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 400 words, no more no less. The next part of the serial "The Nightingale".
All due recognition to Hans Christian Anderson for the inspiration.
Originally posted on November 2, 2009.
Collide
Perhaps it was all the years he had spent in Sesshoumaru's employ, but when faced with Inuyasha's anger, Jaken snapped into action. "Get out of here, half-breed!" he yelled. "How dare you invade Lord Sesshoumaru's private camp!"
Inuyasha's familiar, golden eyes flickered over to the frozen girl. "I get the toad, but why are you here?" he growled. "My damn brother is using you for bait, isn't he? He knew I'd come if I smelled a human."
Jaken lifted his green, forked hand and spanked Ah-Un's haunches. "Protect the girl, you worthless beast!" he ordered. As the dragon lumbered towards Kagome, the toad said to Inuyasha, "And you! You face me and no one else!" He brandished his twin-faced staff in the taller male's direction.
Kagome stepped out from behind Ah-Un, placing a placating hand on one head's snout. "Please, don't try to fight him, Jaken," she murmured. She looked to the hanyou. "And you don't have to save me, Inuyasha-sama. I'm happy to be with Lord Sesshoumaru. I don't think he would use me to lure you out, because he only came to talk with you. He isn't here to fight."
"Who are you?" Inuyasha asked, narrowing his eyes.
"My name is Kagome," she answered.
"Congratulations for having a name," he muttered. "I meant, who are you to my jackass brother? He's never wanted anything to do with me before, and no one changes his mind."
She shook her head. "I couldn't change his mind either. I'm just a singer at his court."
He glanced around the bare campsite. "Yeah, I see that," he said.
Kagome took a breath. "I might have encouraged him to find you again," she admitted, "so please, don't fight when he comes back."
"That's up to the bastard," growled Inuyasha, drawing away from the fire again. His nose twitched. "And up to you, if you think you can stop him."
The words were barely out of his mouth before Sesshoumaru blew back into the clearing, his sword already drawn. Kagome's reflexes could not compare to the taiyoukai's - he had his brother pinned to a tree and his blade pressed against his throat in an instant.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!"
The dog demon paused, his red eyes turning to her.
She took a shuddering breath. "Please, don't. He didn't do anything, and you promised to try."
Sesshoumaru hesitated a moment. "Yes, I did," he ground out, releasing his brother.