Chapter Four
Sesshomaru sighed as he sat on the front porch of the Higurashi residence. He'd just been allowed out of bed and now sat outside while Sango and Mrs. Higurashi changed Miroku's bandages.
"Aren't you cold?" Kagome asked, as she stepped out onto the porch, wrapping her coat tightly around her as she did so.
"Not really. It smells better out here, too." Sesshomaru said, as he motioned back at the room behind him with his thumb.
"Oh, you must be referring to all the alcohol and stuff they're using to treat Miroku-sama's wound. It is a little overpowering, isn't it?" Kagome asked, with a slight giggle.
"A little? Try putting yourself in my place! That smell would have been enough to knock my father out cold!" Sesshomaru muttered, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
"No kidding." Inu-Yasha agreed, as he and Shippou emerged from inside, both of them holding their noses until the door was closed.
"It stinks in there! Wugh!" Shippou said, as he jumped and landed in a pile of snow.
"The pup's got the right idea." Sesshomaru said, before a stray thought crossed his mind. With a sly grin, he grabbed some snow and tossed it over his shoulder at Inu-Yasha. It caught the unsuspecting hanyou right in the chest.
"You're gonna pay for that!" Inu-Yasha shouted, as Sesshomaru moved quickly to get out of his way. Within moments, Kagome and Shippou were treated to a rare sight; a youkai snowball fight. Kagome didn't know whether to laugh or 'sit' both of the youkai. Shippou, on the other hand, just found it funny. Before long Sango, Sota and Rin were outside as well, watching as the two brothers tore across, over, and around the yard, enjoying themselves despite some of the threats that were being exchanged.
"Now this was unexpected." Sango muttered, shaking her head as the quicker of the two brothers dropped a snowball onto Inu-Yasha's head from the branches of a tree. The 'fight' finally ended when both brothers collapsed, laughing and trying to catch their breaths.
"That's the most fun I've had in ages!" Sesshomaru said, grinning as he shook the snow from his hair and clothing.
"Same here!" Inu-Yasha agreed, then caught himself; again he couldn't believe what had just taken place. He hadn't heard Sesshomaru laugh since their brief time together in the Western Lands, all those years ago. Kagome could see that these new experiences were bringing the brothers closer than they ever had been before. Without hesitation, Rin ran over to Sesshomaru, arms outstretched to hug the youkai lord. He scooped her up without a thought, looking more like a proud father than the feared and revered Lord of the Western Lands.
"This is a whole other side to Sesshomaru that no one has ever seen before. While Inu-Yasha may have inherited his father's stubbornness, Sesshomaru inherited his father's patience and kindness, even though that kindness was buried under snow of a different kind before now." Myoga said, suddenly popping up from nowhere.
"And just where have you been, Myoga?" Kagome asked, her expression deadpan.
"Erm…………….uh……………..Well, I, uh………………gotta run! Bye now!" Myoga said, then abruptly hopped off. He didn't get very far before Inu-Yasha caught him and gave him a squishing he wouldn't likely forget. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru helped Rin begin a snowman, and smiled when Sota, not knowing Sesshomaru's past, jumped onto the youkai lord's back, wrapping his arms around his neck and trying to tackle him. Sesshomaru simply laughed and shook the boy off, then asked if he wanted to help with the snowman as well. Sota grinned and nodded.
"I wonder what the future will bring? How close will Inu-Yasha and Sesshomaru become as brothers?" Kagome wondered, as she remembered how close the Thunder Brothers had been to one another. Would Sesshomaru be just as protective of Inu-Yasha as Hiten had been of Manten? Only time would tell.
Sesshomaru watched as Mrs. Higurashi prepared some hot tea and some snacks. All that playing in the snow had worked up an appetite in the youkai brothers. Once inside, Inu-Yasha had curled up in front of the TV and was lazily watching some mundane talk show. Rin and Sota were in separate rooms, taking much-needed naps. Shippou was curled up on Kagome's lap, doing much the same thing. Miroku was on his pallet in the corner of the living room, sound asleep because of the painkillers he'd been given. Sango sat at one end of the couch, dangling a string over the side and bemusedly watching Kirara try to catch it. It was just a typical peaceful, post snowball war scene (but it didn't quite have the Norman Rockwell feel, though).
"Sesshomaru-sama." Mrs. Higurashi said, as she gently shook the youkai lord's shoulder.
"Hmm?" Sesshomaru asked, opening his eyes, then realizing that he didn't know he'd even closed his eyes till then.
"Are you tired?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, smiling gently when the youkai lord stubbornly shook his head in an effort to wake up.
"You are, I can tell by your eyes. Why don't you go and get some more sleep? I'll let you know when dinner is ready." Mrs. Higurashi said, wisely.
"How do you know so much, Higurashi-san?" Sesshomaru asked, meaning to sound challenging, but coming off sounding tired and just plain stubborn.
"It's because I have a son of my own. Now go on, Lord of the Western Lands, before you collapse with exhaustion." Mrs. Higurashi said, knowing she'd pushed the right buttons when she'd called him by his title and mentioned exhaustion. With a slight nod, Sesshomaru walked off, obviously heading for the guest room.
"Good move, Mom." Kagome commented, quietly, giggling when Inu-Yasha started snoring softly from his place on the floor. Mrs. Higurashi just smiled knowingly and placed the tray with the tea and snacks on the table, knowing that the smell would awaken the sleepy hanyou.
Author's Note!
Sorry about the short chapter, but I have no idea what I want to happen next! If anybody has any suggestions, please e-mail me! I don't want this fic to turn out like Moon Knight2! Arigato!
Gemini ^ ^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;