As they approached the demon slayer village Nen halted in his tracks. The air around them felt heavy with electricity forcing the air from his lungs as he couldn't take another step forward bound to the spot.
Taking a few back he saw Jin was still going on ahead oblivious to his sudden position. Rolling his eyes Nen took a moment to compose himself.
"Jin." He called. Jin looked back at him and stopped before jogging over to him.
"What is it?" He asked curiously.
"There is a barrier preventing me from going further." Nen replied. Watching as the humans eyes went wide he nodded.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you about that." Jin stated looking to Rentarou. Bound in rope with his hands tied behind his back Nen had been keeping him from possibly running away over the course of their journey.
Jin had felt terribly awkward and embarrassed when he found out what his compatriot had done worried that he too would be told to leave as well.
However the demon lord Sesshomaru had only said for them to deliver the accused back, Jin could return if he wanted and Nagi had been allowed to stay being sent on perimeter duty.
Nen was not a very talkative person, not that Jin minded, he could talk for hours without the other saying a single word granted he hadn't during the trip given the reason as to why they were making it.
"Right." Nen replied seemingly annoyed. "You will have to return him yourself." Reaching into his kimono pocket he brought out the folded, sealed parchment that Kohaku had given him to deliver. "Make sure to give this to your leader."
"Alright, where will you be?" Jin questioned. "Because I am coming back, so don't go far." Taking the rope lead from Nen he smirked at the odd look the demon gave him.
Taking the letter he placed it in his own pocket and yanked on the lead his expression turning down. "Come on Rentarou, you did this to yourself."
Watching as Jin went closer towards the village Nen wondered why Kohaku had not told him about the barrier. Furrowing his brow he figured it was due to his mental state.
Nen didn't mind taking orders from the human, he was knowledgeable and had considerable combat experience at an incredibly young age but he also had a fragile mind. Thinking back to when he had to physically carry Kohaku in to the main house at Izumis request he began to worry.
Nen knew that Sesshomaru was more than capable of handling any threats on his own given his daiyoukai status but with a weak beta male it would put strain on the alpha.
Why the nearly omnipotent demon lord of the west had chosen a human male, that had trained to be a demon slayer no less, into his pack as his beta was beyond his comprehension.
"I think to much." He said aloud frowning. "If I keep it up, I will be as crazy as Kohaku gets." Smirking at the idea he shook his head and sighed.
Jin walked into his former village with Rentarou in tow. The others stared and murmured as he brought him to his fathers home forcing him to kneel down.
"Jin." Masaru came out staring at them. Taking in his sons appearance he furrowed his brow. "What in the hell is going on?"
Handing him the paper from Kohaku he threw the rope down on the ground.
"Your son attempted to rape a human girl and seriously injured a demon female within the household that he pledged allegiance to." Jin said. "It as at the behest of Lord Sesshomaru of the west and Lord Kohaku of the east that Rentarou be returned, banished from their lands."
"Father…I…" Rentarou began.
"Shut up!" Masaru snapped. "Is this true?"
"The woman is a servant, she should have been grateful I was willing to take her." Rentarou nearly spat back. "As for the demon, that annoying bird…who cares? She's a demon. I went there to serve the chief and I did just that. I don't see what the issue is with what I did."
"While I may not agree with what Kohaku has chosen to make of his life, we owe him more than any of us could ever repay. Barely a man and he united our broken clans to become one solid community again." Masaru said.
"He came to you personally when you requested to serve under him. He trusted in you, along with Jin and Nagi, you represented all of us as a whole. You have broken that trust and may have put us in a vulnerable position if the demons decide to attack."
"Sir, Lord Sesshomaru and the others will not attack. They just want to be left in peace to live their lives." Jin said. "They are worried and have the same fears that you just expressed as well."
"Jin, will you be returning to them then?" Masaru asked.
"Yes sir. I am." He replied with a nod.
"Did you bring Rentarou here by yourself?"
"No sir. One of the demon guards accompanied me however he was not able to come in due to the barrier."
"What is this, on his forehead?" Masaru questioned as he stared at his son.
"It is a form of punishment that the Lady Izumi instructed our captain to enact. The symbol means rapist in the east. The captain is by all regards the human woman's adoptive father." Jin explained.
"Humans and demons, living together as such." Masaru thought out. "How very odd. No matter, take Rentarou to the holding hut. I will deal with him later. Jin, if you would wait so that way I may pen a response to Kohaku."
"Yes sir." Jin replied watching as Rentarou was lifted under his arms by two other men and taken away. Standing nervously he stood outside of the hut glancing around at his former home.
The villagers had more or less dispersed despite their curiosity but still stared over at him behind hands covering their mouths. Taking a breath he couldn't wait to get out of there and back to the compound.
"Extend my apologies to the demon lord as well." Masaru said coming out of his hut. "Let both he snd Kohaku know that Rentarou will be punished as seen fit and we will not seek retribution for the action taken against him." Handing him the folded parchment Jin gave a nod.
"Thank you sir. I will." Turning quickly he pocketed the letter and practically ran from the place grateful he may never have to set foot within it again.
Nen scented Jin as he approached and began walking back in the direction they had come from. "Nen, wait."
"I did." He replied without glancing back.
"Don't you want to know how it went?" Jin questioned.
"If my captain is informed by Lord Sesshomaru or Kohaku then he will decide what information to share with me as I am needed." Nen said.
"Well, I will tell you anyways; Masaru is maintaining peace between all of us. Rentarou will be punished and the compound will be left alone." Jin retorted.
Receiving silence he placed his hands behind his head as they walked interlocking his fingers. "You didn't miss much by not going in to the village. It is not a bad place but the others, I never really got along with most of them other than Kohaku."
Nen glanced at Jin, the human prattled, but his own curiosity took over.
"Why is that?" He asked.
"It is because they see me as being 'other'." He said.
"I thought you were a human."
"I am. That is not what that means." Glancing at Jin he waited as the other simply walked on.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" Jin asked back.
"Nothing." Nen replied losing his patience.
"Oh, you mean what it is to be 'other'." Jin stated as if he been struck with an epiphany. "I am not attracted to women."
"Females." Nen said for confirmation.
"Yeah. I don't know how demons view others who are interested in their own gender but humans, well…it is not seen as a good thing."
"It does not matter. If two females wish to be together or two males, well among dog demons it doesn't." Nen said. "I cannot speak for other types of demons since I don't know how they conduct their societies."
"Really?" Jin asked in thought. "Does Kohaku know about it?"
"Can't say." Nen shrugged.
"Maybe that is why he told me to come along then, because he knew that I wouldn't be judged for my preference." Jin said. "Who is your mate Nen? Does she live at the compound?"
"I am unmated." He said. "And when I do take a mate he will not be a female."
"Oh?" Jin sounded amused. "Interesting." Smirking it soon faltered as Nen turned on him suddenly.
"No. Just because we both are attracted to males does not mean that I would ever mate you." Nen said sharply. "Humans are not appealing to me."
"Okay, first off you have the personality of a stick. Secondly, I do not slay demons in that way. So you are the one making presumptions." Jin narrowed his eyes and set his jaw.
Seemingly placated by his response Nen began walking again with Jin slightly behind him. Sticking out his tongue at him he rolled his eyes.
"Do you know what else I don't like about you Nen…" He began. Growling softly he knew it would be a long journey back to the estate.