Chapter 36
Unsure of what else to do until dinner was announced Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and each of their respected company continued to observe the passing dragons as they resumed conversations in their species' dialect.
The attention shifted however, when the half-demon noticed his niece's fur had started to bristle. Following her stare Inuyasha found the cause to be a pair of female dragons talking in the distance. One of the two, a feisty looking lady with scarlet hair was leering suspiciously in their direction between her hissed syllables.
"I thought I smelled mongrel,"
"Looks like Inutaishou's whole family got invited""Unfortunately for us. Now we'll have to deal with their stench all night."
"Hush. What if they hear you.."
"Please. With there primitive minds, those mangy dogs couldn't possibly understand what we're saying."
Went the conversation, and although it was spoken in dragon the fire lady's tone was indication enough of her distaste of their presence, a fact that made Inuyasha tense reflexively. For Shura though things seemed to be different. Her tightly coiled posture was not solely branching from a defensive reflex, but instead, what looked to be a seething personal rage. And it was only after the two females sauntered past them that the other's realized why.
"I understood you." The she-dog's words came with a dragon's hiss and it made both females stop dead in their tracks.
"Demon spit!" Barked the redhead, astonished, "Who taught her our language!"
Her question never got an answer. Unbeknownst to the quarreling groups Matyeo had slipped within earshot of the commotion and upon discovering his friend on the verge of cursing out the fire realm's royal heiress he stepped forward to intervene.
"What's going on here," the dragon inquired sternly, catching everyone off guard. Although Matyeo's question was aimed specifically in the fire dragoness's direction it was Shura who braced at his warning.
Unable to answer for fear of causing a scene Shura made due with a fierce glare that spoke far louder then any verbal reply. The fire dragon meanwhile leered back at her before snobbishly turning up her nose.
"Why, nothing my King. Nothing at all," came her departing retort along with a deliberate shrug of her wild hair in Shura's face. Many sets of eyes followed as the redheaded dragon proudly strode away, and most of them were silently raging.
Only after the second she-dragon apologized and shyly took her leave in the opposite direction did Matyeo address his furious friend.
"I'm sorry for lady Phoenix's rude behavior. I'll talk with her. " He assured gently. But Shura just snorted unhappily and looked away.
Displeased, Matyeo nudged his friend playfully and in an effort to lighten her mood remarked in dragon, "I heard you speak. You're getting better." To that Shura offered a half-hearted glance in Matyeo's direction.
"You think so?" she questioned a bit coyly. Matyeo nodded and replied.
"Yes, you're speaking much more smoothly." Her temper easing Shura finally turned to look her dragon friend in the face. It surprised her at first, seeing her long time companion looking so regal and spotless, but the sight was not at all displeasing. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
Finally allowing a smile across her lips Shura pried her eyes from Matyeo just long enough to roll them impishly.
"Well I did have a good teacher," she teased. Matyeo smiled and, convinced that none of their present company could understand their encrypted conversation, chortled in Shura's ear.
"And he thinks you look really sexy in fur."
A blush crept across Shura's cheeks and seconds later gave way to an amused grin and a near fit of laughter.
"Alright now… Get out of here you! Go rule a kingdom or something!" the she-demon commanded jokingly giving Matyeo a friendly shove for encouragement. Snickering, Matyeo departed to do just that, leaving Shura flustered but noticeably pleased.
"You never told me you spoke dragon," Sesshomaru noted abruptly, catching his daughter's attention. Surprisingly his comment only made Shura laugh harder.
"If you could really call it that. My accent is awful!" the she-demon joked at her own expense.
"Here now, give yourself some credit. Dragon speech is a very difficult language to learn, especially for those without a forked tongue," came an unexpected dragon voice from nearby making everyone's gazes shift. Approaching calmly from the masses was the dragon who had announced Matyeo's arrival—the burly looking gentleman identified as an earth-realm ruler. "Ah but what am I babbling on for?" the dragon went on, suddenly turning his attention to Sesshomaru. "You know that yourself…Sesshomaru son of Inutaishou."
Hearing himself addressed the dog monarch looked over the dragon with suspicious golden eyes. When the beast's identity didn't register Sesshomaru took the interrogation into his own hands— and he did it in near perfect dragon tongue!
"To whom do I give this greeting?" Sesshomaru's elegant speech nearly made Shura's jaw hit the floor. The earth dragon meanwhile just chuckled loudly.
"Ah well it doesn't surprise me that you don't remember. It was many years ago after all." The beast tugged lightly at his moss green beard. "I believe you knew me as head of the royal guard." Sesshomaru's eyes suddenly widened making the earth dragon bellow with amusement. "Now you remember, don't you lad?"
"Kayolin?" The dog lord asked, sounding more then a little beside himself. The dragon nodded.
"Aye. It's me."
"I didn't recognize you." Sesshomaru admitted. Although it was really not surprising, the Kayolin that had helped tutor him in the past after all, had been a warrior not a ruler. Even still, it was obvious Sesshomaru was still a bit embarrassed with himself for forgetting his old acquaintance so easily.
"Well I have changed quite a bit," Kayolin reminded Sesshomaru reassuringly. Then after a pause he added in a much more serious voice "And so have you." Though it was unclear from his tone weather his observation of Sesshomaru was approving or demeaning, the dragon moved from the topic with a genuine smile. "In any case, it is good to see you again."
Kayolin reached to pat Sesshomaru welcomingly on the shoulder and as he did his golden eyes fell to Inuyasha.
"Hmm… unless my eyes deceive me you are Inuyasha, Inutaishou's younger son are you not?" The dragon inquired of the half demon. Inuyasha meanwhile leered suspiciously, ready to defend should his heritage pose its usual problem.
"Yeah what of it?"
"Easy lad, I meant no threat," Kayolin assured, "I only wished to finally meet the younger boy of my departed ally."
"Oh," the half demon eased, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish. "So you knew my father…"
"Aye. He was a clever old hound. Stubborn as an ox though." Kayolin turned this time letting his stare drift to the she-dog standing next to Sesshomaru.
"And you, you must be…"
"She is my daughter, Shura." Sesshomaru informed before the dragon could go on.
"But of course," Kayolin replied pleasantly. "Kind Shuramaru, the fabled healer of lower province." The dragon turned to Shura. "Milady I must say I am impressed. The tales of your compassion and uncanny skill with herbs have spread even to my homeland."
Shura blushed, suddenly humbled to hear that kind of praise from a dragon whose clan specialized in handling plants and herbs.
"Wow…I…. had no idea I was so famous," she admitted shyly. Kayolin just chuckled.
"Aid a dragon, and your deeds will never be forgotten. Remember that." The dragon paused and his ever-friendly smile next fell on Rin who was peering nervously out from behind Sesshomaru. "Mmm, what have we here? What a tasty looking human you are!" Kayolin teased, a bit to well. With a squeak of alarm Rin shrank away concealing herself timidly behind her protector.
"Ewwwww! Grandpa!" two small voices rang out suddenly, making Kayolin perk up.
"Huh…what? Whad I say?" His befuddled question fell to a pair of young dragon girls who scampered eagerly to his side. Both kits appeared to be around Rin's age and were dressed in cute floral patterned kimonos.
"Dragon's don't eat humans anymore grandpa," one girl informed frankly.
"Yeah," added her twin, "That's ancient history."
Kayolin's face fell momentarily at the comment but was almost instantaneously replaced with a booming fit of laughter.
"Well you're certainly right about that!" Stifling the remaining few chuckles Kayolin directed everyone's attention to the twin girls. "My Grandkits, Fern and Ivy," he informed while gesturing to each girl. "Girls say hello to my good friend, Lord Sesshomaru."
Dutifully, both kits bowed. Then in what had to be the cutest of voices chimed out in unison.
"Good evening, Lord Sesshomaru." Try as he might, not even Sesshomaru could resist smirking at the twins' enthusiasm and infectious sweetness. Behind him, Rin poked her head cautiously into view again.
"Hi!" one of the girls greeted with a smile. "Sorry if our grandpa scared you. He didn't mean it."
"What's your name?" added her sister.
When Rin was slow to answer Jaken gave her a little nudge.
"Rin, don't be rude," the imp chided. Gulping, Rin stepped out from behind Sesshomaru and with a nervous stutter replied.
"Mm…mm…my name is Rin."
The two dragons exchanged glances with one another then beamed.
"Want to come play with us?" they asked simultaneously. Rin shied a cautious glance upward for her lord's approval.
"You may." Sesshomaru answered her silent question. The tension breaking, Rin followed the two young kits as they started to scamper off.
"Can my friend Shippo come to?" She asked innocently, making the twins smile even wider.
"Yeah!"
Hearing himself addressed Shippo eagerly leapt from his previous post on Kagome's shoulder to the floor.
"Guess I'll see you guys later," the fox cub informed. "Try not to get into any trouble."
"We won't," Kagome assured with a giggle.
"You two mind yourselves now," Kayolin called over his shoulder as his grandkits lead their two new companions in a mad dash for the door. "And be careful you don't hurt the mortals."
"Yesss Grandpa!" two tiny vices called back.
As the four young figures vanished from sight Kayolin just shook his head and chuckled quietly. Before conversations had a chance to resume, however, another dragon was seen approaching from the distance and out of habit all eyes quickly darted to the newcomer. A handsome young man, the new dragon had crimson colored garments embroidered with gold and orange fabrics. His friendly face had a welcoming smile, and wisps of his slightly unkempt orange hair bounced playfully about his cheeks with each step.
"Uh-oh," everyone heard Kayolin mutter under his breath. "Watch out for this one." No sooner had his words died they were replaced by the elated greeting of the newcomer.
"Kayolin, it's been so long!" the young man exclaimed almost euphorically as he reached out a clawed hand in welcome to the older dragon. As the earth ruler greeted him, the young dragon was quick to observe with whom Kayolin had been talking. "And noble lord Sesshomaru! Well this is indeed an honor!" Now it was Sesshomaru who greeted the young man while everyone else watched with caution. Despite Kayolin's discrete warning, the dragon seemed harmless enough. At least he did, until he caught a glimpse of the elegantly dressed she-dog standing nearby.
"Hello…." The dragon cooed, his amber eyes widening with interest. "And who is this charming vixen?" Not wanting to be rude Shura offered a small smile but made it a point to shift a little closer to her father. Sesshomaru meanwhile cleared his throat and in a distinctly elevated voice responded.
"My daughter. If you must know."
Smiling even wider, the dragon ignored Sesshomaru's intimidation tactic and gracefully eased closer to Shura.
" Is that a fact? Please tell me, my esteemed lady," he requested with a gentlemanly bow of the head, "what is your name?"
"Its Shura," the she-dog replied, her voice gaining confidence. True the young dragon may have been an ogling twit, but his manner wasn't hostile. On some level, his playful attention was almost amusing, and in fact the young dragon's next move almost made Shura burst out laughing. With a melodramatic sweep of his arms the dragon grasped the she-dog's hands in his and looked her steadily in the eyes.
"Dearest Shura, will you bear my hatchlings?"
Stunned, and torn between rage and laughter, Shura incoherently managed something to the extent of, "I beg your pardon…" Sesshomaru, not nearly as amused as his child, expressed himself with a piercing glare of disapproval. And finally, in the background Inuyasha and companions all looked on and shook their heads hopelessly.
"Geeze this guy must be the dragon equivalent of Miroku," Inuyasha went on to observe. His remark met with a chorus of nods, except of course from the monk who turned and gave a "humph, how rude," kind of look.
"I don't mean to interrupt," Kayolin at last broke the tension and practically pried the young dragon away from Shura, "But I do believe an introduction is in order."
"My apologies," the young man replied, finally making the appropriate submissive gestures to both Sesshomaru and Shura. "I am Falcon, son of Firestorm, and twin brother to the lady Phoenix." The last name made Shura wrinkle her nose with disgust.
"We've met," she grumbled, remembering the uppity redhead from earlier and seething. The young dragon identified as Falcon noticed Shura's anger and tried his best to offer a reassuring smile.
"Yes I can see that. My sister tends to have that effect on people." Next it was Sesshomaru who spoke.
"Don't you have other business to attend to?" the dog lord inquired, his tolerance of Falcon's presence obviously wearing thin. Once again though, Falcon ignored the dog monarch's warning. And this time it was not only in his answer but in his action as well.
"A wise observation noble lord of the west. I should be mingling," the dragon youth proclaimed while practically yanking Shura into his arms. "And who better then the lovely Shura to join me!"
"What! Hay…" was all Shura managed to utter before Falcon whisked her off into the crowds. Sesshomaru meanwhile just watched with growing restlessness as his child disappeared from view.
"Ah to be young again," Kayolin joked playfully, despite the dog monarch's obvious parental distress. "If this keeps up you'll be having grandchildren in no time, eh Sesshomaru." To that the dog lord gave a distinctly not amused, "harrumph" and turned up his nose.
"Don't worry about Shura, she can handle herself." " Miroku offered in an effort to be polite, Unfortunately, as most topics did when centered on women, this one was quick to blow up in the monk's face with a little help from his friends.
"Yeah I'm sure you would know," reminded Sango sternly, "Especially considering you tried to sneak into her room the night we first met." Miroku turned scarlet.
"That was before I realized who she was…" he snapped back, only to realize seconds later how badly his retort had just sounded. Turning timidly, Miroku ignored the snickers of his companions and let his eyes fall on Sesshomaru. A seething glare was enough to send Miroku jumping backwards to hide nervously behind Inuyasha.
"Wah…" the monk yipped in alarm, "I feel sorry for whoever Shura decides to date."
Inuyasha just shook his head and laughed to himself.
"I wouldn't worry to much," he replied knowingly.