STILL PRIMERO

Chapter 25

A drop of water joins a pond

Mid-day found the group in the middle of a game. Some were not 'playing', but Kagome was sure it was only a matter of time before the fell into it. After all, they all needed some kind of relaxation. It had been a few days since Berenice arrived with the storm behind her. Kagome was now 'Lord of the West' and the new Lord's celebration was going to be celebrated a week and a half from her arrival. It was so not fun.

"So, I'm going to bring to the party some…Kleenex." Instantly half of the party groaned in protest.

"This game is foolish. I don't even know what…Kle-nix are!" Jaken was not having it easy and wasn't trying to make it easier on anyone either. Still, Kagome learned something new at least: Jaken was a very sore loser, "You just want Inuyasha to win. He's the only one who can go home with you." The accusation was made wholeheartedly.

"I don't know what those are…its not like I go a lot."

"And he never pays attention to things like that," Kagome sighed again, "I've said countless times now that it is not important for you to know what the items are." The ex-miko shook her head, but continued leading the party.

"Um…can Rin bring her new kimono?" asked the young girl with a small frown. Her brown eyes were looking up at Kagome pleadingly, showing her new mother how much she wanted to go to the 'party', and it made Kagome's heart ache a little.

"No dear, a kimono is not the right thing for you to bring," Kagome said sadly, trying to help her ward to get the rules of the game, "but this Kagome can bring a kimono."

A few steps back Inuyasha grumbled, "Why the hell can you bring it and be allowed in, but the brat can't?" Inuyasha was glaring at Kagome's back as he walked lazily at the farthest end of the group with his hands behind his neck.

"Refrain from calling my ward names." threatened Sesshomaru with his usual dead-cold voice.

"Keh," grumbled Inuyasha with flattened ears, "Sorry Rin…meant nothing bad about it. No one likes how I express my feelings."

Rin turned back to her adoptive uncle and grinned, "It's all right."

"So, there's a trick behind the game," commented Berenice with her hand under her chin thoughtfully. The red haired inuyoukai child walked just next to Rin and behind Sesshomaru. The new girl was likeable enough, only a little terse from time to time.

"Yes," said Kagome brightly as she turned to grin at the girls, "You just have to find out what the game is. It's very easy, really."

Jaken and Inuyasha both made a noise of disbelief, but commented nothing more.

"Did you play this game with Shippo?" asked Rin changing the topic for a moment.

Kagome frowned, "I should have, but I had forgotten about this game. I'm sure he would like it though." Kagome kept her eyes to the front this time. They were venturing deeper in the forest and her beast, Meta, was getting a little agitated. It surveyed their surroundings cautiously.

"Can I bring my Two-Headed Staff?" asked the toad-like demon walking behind the girls.

"No, you may not," said Kagome and grinned internally, "You have to leave it outside for the party."

"I will do no such thing!" cried Jaken offended, "This was a gift from my Sesshomaru-sama."

"Shut it, toad! My turn," said Inuyasha to annoy Jaken further, "Can I bring my Subjugation Collar?"

"You have a subjugation collar?" Berenice cried in alarm and fascination as she turned to look at Inuyasha better. Her golden eyes fell on the bead around his neck quick enough, "Is it painful? Who put it on you?" The girl stopped walking and waited for Inuyasha to catch up with her to continue her questioning.

"Meh, your new Lord of the West," he commented with feigned hurt, "And it does hurt."

"I can show it to you Berenice," Kagome offered with an amused smile, "I only have to say—"

"Shut it!" cried Inuyasha, "You are overstepping your status." He grinned knowingly.

"You are incorrect, Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru as he glanced at Kagome. He had stopped referring to him as hanyou because it was 'improper' and he need not be a bad example to Rin. Besides, Kagome had been annoying him enough about that lately. Sesshomaru once again concentrated on the road ahead, "As lord of the West, Kagome has authority over her people. You are hers to command, both because of her status as Lord, and because she's your older brother's mate."

A flush colored Kagome sped up her pace, moving ahead of Sesshomaru while Rin giggled and quickened her steps as well. Berenice walked besides Inuyasha silently, wondering about the Lord's complicated relationship while Inuyasha snickered playfully at Kagome's antics.

"Oh, I know!" suddenly cried Jaken, "Can I bring a drink?"

Kagome slowed down enough to be able to glance back. She had a thoughtful expression, "Depends. What kind of drink?"

Jaken grinned, "Water…" but when he saw her usual denying expression he added, "Magical Water."

Still no luck, Kagome shook her head in denial. "Sorry Jaken, keep trying."

Sesshomaru shook his head and sighed, "This Sesshomaru is going to bring his Sword."

Kagome brightened, "Then you are very welcome to come in, Sesshomaru." The young teenager was almost jumping up and down in her happiness. Not only Sesshomaru started to play, but he did it right. "Can you bring something else? I know someone of such riches can spare a few extra things." Kagome grinned; she wanted to know if he really got the game.

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow but nodded his head. He could smell the expectation from every member of the party—even Ah-Un's—and he nodded his head, "Indeed. This Sesshomaru will bring a few decorated Shoji doors."

Kagome awed, "You are so nice. You are very welcome indeed."

Everyone narrowed their eyes angrily at the pair. They seemed like the best friends while they spoke of the things they would bring to their imaginary party while the rest sulked. Kagome was going to bring a Kata scroll and a Kite while Sesshomaru would order soup to be brought as well as some colored sparrow-demons.

"This is not fair," grumbled Inuyasha making everyone look at him, "You two cheated."

Kagome and Sesshomaru both raised an eyebrow. "Pardon me?" asked Kagome with a smirk, "We did not."

Rin gasped and ran until she grabbed Sesshomaru's pant. "Rin knows, Rin knows! Rin is going to bring Rice!"

"Well done, Rin," praised Sesshomaru as he pet the girl's brunette head.

"Rin is very smart," the girl modestly praised her wits with a huge smile.

"Yes you are," conceded Kagome and they continued their trek forward.

"I still don't get it," Berenice confessed with a pout.

"Meh," said Inuyasha with a shrug of his shoulder, "We will try for the next party. If Sesshomaru is going to this one…I don't want to go anymore."

Berenice looked up with a confused expression, but her silent question was ignored.

"Besides, Kagome is turning to be just like Sesshomaru. I couldn't stand being with the two of them for a long time…they'll drive me crazy."

xxoOoxx

Sango sighed as she finally sunk under the warm spring. She had often enjoyed this little experience with Kagome, after all she was the one obsessed with baths, but now that her friend wasn't here it left a sour taste on her mouth. Things had become so difficult lately. Well, not difficult but she hadn't been able to cope with everything that had happened to her on her own. She had always been strong, her father had pointed it out proudly on numerous occasions, but now, she doubted it. She was not that strong.

A meow from her companion brought her back to reality. Sango turned chocolate eyes to Kirara when she came to the edge of the spring. It made her smile. The poor kitten wanted to be with her, to show her support, but she didn't touch the water either.

"It's all right, Kirara," soothed out Sango while she petted the fire-cat's head, "I'm fine."

The demon slayer slowly proceeded to wash. She was meticulous and careful. After a good twenty minutes she was done with her bath and had the time to soak lazily for a few moments as well. The girl moved to the ground again and dressed in a loose kimono. Her hands came to her belly, but as always, there were no noticeable changes yet. She returned to camp after a shrug of her shoulders.

"I'm done," she called upon entering with a big smile, "Do wolves bathe?" she asked jovially.

"Nee-san…eww," Hakkaku said, offended, and crossed his arms under his chest.

"There is no need," explained Ginta, "My grandmother got a skin illness because she bathed too much. Wolf need not bathe."

Sango widened her eyes in both amusement and disbelief. "If you say so," she then moved to the fire and turned the rabbit the wolves had caught for her earlier. It only needed a few minutes more.

"Nee-san," Ginta started but stopped, unsure. After Sango shot him a smile he found the will to go on, "We can smell it."

Sango froze. Her eyes shot to the pair and her breath hitched in her throat. She pondered this a few moments before relaxing. A few minutes passed and Sango only moved to turn her rabbit. It made everyone nervous.

"Nee-san," tried Hakkaku nervously, "Is not like we are upset."

"We love pups," barged in Ginta, "There are always a dozen pups all around our den."

"Yes, we do," said Hakkaku with a smile, "We are just concerned. Now that we know, we will take good care of you."

"I don't need help," Sango said stubbornly "I'm a demon slayer, I'm strong."

A smile appeared in the wolves' lips, "We know," they said in unison, and then Ginta continued, "However, we also know this is different. Sometimes our mates become lonely."

Sango's head turned rapidly. "Mates?"

Hakkaku grinned, "But of course! We have mates and pups!" Ginta merely nodded his head.

Sango frowned, "But Koga…"

Hakkaku smiled, "He's but a child," he said mockingly, "He has no mate yet."

Ginta nodded his head, "I had my second litter last year. That's four puppies for you," the wolf demon with black-and-white hair said proudly, "I don't know why humans complain so much! You only have one."

Sango chuckled at the demons antics. So much she hadn't known before. Sometimes she still had her prejudices and her egocentric views too high, "Our kids don't eat raw meat and they don't walk when they reach six months old."

"My only girl walked when she was five," Hakkaku added lightly.

Sango rolled her eyes, "You still miss the point."

"No, you miss the point Nee-san," Ginta said with a serious expression, "We know what being pupped is like—"

"And we will help you until you find the pup's father."

Sango nodded her head and smiled. Somehow she felt much better know. The loneliness and the weight of her secret was off her shoulders; she felt as if she could breathe again. She felt as if she were back with Inuyasha and their group if only for a moment. She felt at peace.

"I think I know who the father is," grinned Ginta.

"I think so too," Hakkaku snickered joyfully.

Sango narrowed her eyes in her best attempt at intimidation, "That's far too personal." She couldn't keep the smile from her lips.

Both demons snickered playfully, "It's Inuyasha…of course."

Sango remained silent while they went fetch her rabbit and cut it in pieces for her to eat. If they truly believed Inuyasha was the father or they were bluffing about it, she didn't know, but she didn't want to correct them. Let them suffer for a while.

xxoOoxx

"We have to find at least one shard," complained Inuyasha as he sat at the top of a tree, "You will lose too much time in that place."

Kagome rolled her eyes at her friend's usual demands. "The shard will appear when it wants to appear. Maybe it will be somewhere around and maybe it will be waiting for me in that Castle."

Everyone remained silent as they pondered the logic for a few moments. Then Berenice stood and walked towards Kagome. "Why are you collecting shards?" There was not usual friendliness in her voice. Instead it was replaced by a very business-like voice.

Kagome stopped unpacking her things and stared straight at the young inuyoukai. "I broke it," she said simply and added a shrug, "And I am one of the two being who can see the fragments. It's my duty to restore it and destroy it."

Berenice furrowed her brown thoughtfully, "It cannot be destroyed," she said after a moment, "No one has been able to destroy it."

Kagome smiled gently, "Well, I hope I can. I know the Jewel will be destroyed," assured Kagome and went to unroll her sleeping bag.

Berenice watched as if entranced. She had been feeling like that a lot around Kagome. She was so different, her aura so alluring and powerful and the items which surrounded her were mostly strange to her. It was not that she was young or had been caged; she was free to go as she pleased and yet she had missed a lot in life it appeared. "Are you from the Continent?" asked Berenice as it was the only place she could think was different, "Is that why you are sure the Jewel disappears?"

Kagome smiled and nodded. Then she petted the girl's bright red hair and went to start a fire. She used a match instead of the usual sticks and it once again left Berenice at a loss for words. She was starting to get used to it since it happen so often now. She had been raised as a demon but she never had the grudge against humans that many had. Still, it was a little bit upsetting to see a human knew so much while she remained ignorant.

"Meh, believe what she says brat," said Inuyasha roughly, "I've been to her home and there is no Jewel shard or anything. Nothing but peaceful and ignorant fellows."

Berenice smiled and then crossed her arms under her chest, "I am sure this is going to get ugly," she said resignedly, "I'm sure Mamma and Pappa are going to fight to get her."

"She's human," said Inuyasha with a hint of concern.

"She's Meta," said Berenice proudly at knowing something he didn't know.

"So?" asked Inuyasha starting to get angry at the girl.

"Meta is the beast that submitted the Inu no Taisho," said Berenice with a wave of her hands, "And it's the third oldest beast living. She's been ruler of the Castle of the Sky and Pappa's castle at least twice!"

Inuyasha rose his eyebrow in his usual 'So what?' expression and Meta rolled her eyes at him and shushed him with a wave of her hand, "Don't be so upset," said Berenice with a smile, "After all, you are not without gifts."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes angrily and then watched as Kagome started to gather her bathing supplies. He rolled his eyes at her hot-spring obsession but decided that now it was Sesshomaru's turn to make guard. He was tired of having to strain his ears to pick up trouble from afar because she cared too much about modesty and baths. Serves him right.

"I don't care about beasts," Inuyasha said suddenly and clashed golden eyes to similar ones, "The beast I have only causes trouble."

Berenice smiled knowingly, "Mine does to. It happens mostly to the second child," explained the thin and small inuyoukai with a forced smile. Her hand came to her hair nervously and she shifted were she stood. After some thought she raised her eyes again towards Inuyasha, "You carry Inu no Taisho's beast. He was most uncontrollable until Meta submitted him. Inu no Taisho's beast, and now yours, is one of the strongest but too young yet. It makes him rash and dangerous."

Inuyasha looked down at Berenice with a frown, "I carry the Old Man's beast?" asked Inuyasha with surprise. "How can that be?"

Berenice merely smiles, "Your mother had no beast to offer." It was an easy and logical explanation, "That's why most male Daiyoukai only have one son or daughter. If they try for a second they have to let go of the Dai status and only keep their youkai power."

Inuyasha reclined back against the tree as he pondered the recent information. He had never been educated in matters of Daiyoukai, since he was a hanyou, but he was surprised about how much he had missed. "Why didn't he kill me or my mother?"

"He loved you both, I guess. Or at least that's the rumor," the inuyoukai said kindly.

"Meh, perhaps he didn't want to live as an ordinary youkai," said Inuyasha with a sour expression.

"Nah," Berenice corrected, "It takes time, but a Daiyoukai is meant to be one for eternity. Another beast will grow from his blood. It's not easy, but Pappa of Pappa's side has a new beast. It's young, but he's teaching it real well. I'm sure it's going to be a great beast someday."

Inuyasha jumped down from the tree and crossed his arms, hiding his hand in the opposite sleeve of his fire-rat haori. "So, that means Sesshomaru is getting another beast someday."

Berenice nodded her head slowly, "Yes, these are like vacations, I guess. Later it will be lots of work." The young inuyoukai sighed and turned to the fire again, "Are you hunting tonight? I'm hungry."

"You sure you are not an only child?" grumbled Inuyasha with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Obnoxious lil girl, aren't ya? Lazy too."

xxoOoxx

Shippo walked around a clearing stubbornly. The sun was starting to set in the horizon but he was not planning on stopping any time soon. Behind him, a tall black-haired inuyoukai followed. He was his trainer and one of the minor generals of Sesshomaru's army, and so far, Shippo was pleased with the company. While Haru was strong, he was very silent and offered no complaints about his childish escapee. When Shippo told him he was leaving the general merely nodded his head and followed silently.

That was a few hours ago. He was planning to join Sesshomaru and Kagome. The Western Castle was making him very stressed. He was only a child! Now he understood why Sesshomaru was so cold and easily angered. If he remained in that place taking care of the paperwork, as was his duty as Prince, he was going to die of boredom. That was no way to raise a kit and he was sure his adoptive mother, Kagome, wouldn't approve of the methods either.

Shippo glanced back to the clearing they were passing with a frown. He had felt like someone was following him for a while but so far Haru had said nothing. The young orange-haired fox demon raised his eyes and met the bored look in Haru's face. It was Haru's duty to protect him. If there was someone following him he would have taken action, right?

Shippo sighed and pushed forward for another hour. He paused at a small space inside of the forest and glanced around. He felt as if there was a lot to cover before going out of this place and he was getting sleepy. Never before he walked this much or for so long. Besides, his nights had been very busy lately and he didn't sleep as much. His body was pleading him to let it rest and he was too tired to argue.

"We will rest here tonight, all right?" Shippo said and asked Haru as he turned to await the response.

Haru only nodded his head and headed to a tree and sat at the bottom, his back reclined against the bark of it. A few moments later the inuyoukai closed his eyes and rested.

Shippo went to another tree with big roots and settled in between two of them. He felt safer when surrounded by something other than air. After all, he didn't want to feel those eyes following him anymore. Tired and feeling safe under Haru's watch the kit quickly fell asleep.

Haru watched out for danger. So, when two small kitsune arrived in the middle of the night and tucked themselves next to Shippo, he did nothing. There was no need.

xxoOoxx

To be continued…

xxoOoxx

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Beta-Reader: KEdakumi, MissKatt

Beta Note: Forgive this lowly Beta...I have taken too much of your valuable patience in getting this story back to our wonderful author. I should remove myself from this fanfiction world! I'm Sorry! I am so unworthy! (*Please note: I have been rewatching Fruits Basket and the woman that runs the Hot Spring is my idol :P)

AN: I love Fruits Basket too! Specially that Lady! If you haven't had the chance to see it, please, do! And please, review!