Chapter Thirteen-One More Night
"Oh Saraku! We're so glad you're safe!" Kagome swept the little girl into her arms, and hugged her tightly. "Did he hurt you?"
"No,Kagome. He didn't hurt me at all." She smiled, hugging her friend back. "Where's Shippou?"
"Over there, with Rin." Kagome set her on her feet, then looked at Sesshoumaru. "You can't take her away from us, Sesshoumaru. This is where she belongs."
"She is already mine. Inuyasha and I had a deal." Sesshoumaru replied.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. "Is that true?! What gives you the right to even think about it?!"
Inuyasha stared at her. "She is not safe with us, Kagome. Naraku will only go after the weakest. She's the only one who has nothing to protect her." He spoke gently. "If we truly care about her, the best thing to do is let my brother take her with him."
"What is he giving you in return?" Miroku knew better than to believe Inuyasha would just give up Saraku.
"This." Sesshoumaru held out the shard. "You need it, do you not?"
Kagome stared at the jewel, then sighed. "Yes." She turned away, to watch Shippou, Rin and Saraku play. "It's not right. Shippou really loves her."
"Kagome, I intend to arrange visitations." Sesshoumaru said quietly. "Do you think I haven't noticed how much she loves you and the others?"
"Well,it certainly seemed like you didn't care…" Sango replied for her friend coldly. "Lying to her, and telling her Inuyasha doesn't care."
"I admit it was wrong, and I apologize, but it was for her own good. I couldn't have her attached to my brother, when she's going to be living with me." Sesshoumaru said indifferently. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take my children now. Rin, Saraku. Let's go."
"Stay the night." Kagome said suddenly. "Just one night for Shippou's sake."
"I cannot linger here." Sesshoumaru replied, turning to see where his girls had gotten to. "Rin, Saraku! Come."
"Then let her stay. Please." Kagome pleaded. "You can take her away in the morning."
Sesshoumaru studied his brother's friend, seeming to consider it. "One night." He collected Rin, and Jakken, whom had been moping again, before turning to Saraku. He put a hand on her head. "I will be back for you in the morning."
"Yes, My Lord." Saraku said softly, staring after him as he left.
Shippou tugged on her wrist. "I made a new hiding place, Saraku. Wanna see?"
Saraku looked at her friend now. "Sure!" She was partially happy to be back with Shippou and everyone. Shippou especially. It wasn't that she didn't love Rin, but Shippou would always be her best friend. She followed after the Kitsune, happily.
"Wow! This place looks bigger!" She grinned, scrambling up a tree. "I'm sleeping in here."
"Good luck getting them to let you. Knowing Kagome and Sango, they'll want you really close by. " Shippou said. He looked up at her seriously. "You don't really want to live with Sesshoumaru, do you?"
"He is good to me, Shippou. He's not the cold-hearted demon you all seem to think he is. I love him." The girl replied. "But I love you all as well. I'm not old enough to decide what's best for me. Maybe in a few years,I can decide, but not now. Staying with Lord Sesshoumaru is what's right now. " She slid down from the tree.
Shippou nodded. "I understand. After everything Inuyasha did, how can you trust him to take care of you?" He looked back towards the camp. "He did tell off Kouga's messengers when they told him Kouga had you."
"He did?" Saraku was a little surprised. "He only came to rescue me because he wanted to fight with him. He didn't even ask if I was okay." She told Shippou bitterly.
Shippou sighed. "He did care. When you ran away, he was really hurt."
"Well, so was I. He had no right to insult Lord Sesshoumaru like that!"
The fox-demon child muttered, before turning his head at the sound of their names being called. "Come on, Sara. Dinner is ready." He took her hand, and led her towards the group again. "I hope you'll be happy with him, Sara." He let go of her, as they reached the camp.
Saraku stared after her friend as she settled down beside Miroku with a sad sigh. She wasn't sure what she wanted anymore. Maybe it was a good thing the adults were working it out for her.
"Is there something wrong, Sara?" The monk looked at the young girl worriedly.
"I'm just really confused right now, Miroku." She explained things to him the way she'd attempted to explain them to Shippou.
"Well, first of all, you can't blame Shippou for being upset, Sara. You're the first person his age he's been able to play with, and now you're going away. He's sad. Secondly, I think you're wise in knowing that you're not old enough to know what you need. You can't help the choices others have made for you. Shippou will understand that in time." He handed her a piece of fish. "Besides, I believe Sesshoumaru when he says he'll let you come visit."
Saraku nodded, slowly,eating her fish. She hoped Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't go back on his word to Kagome. Then again, she'd never known Sesshoumaru to go back on his word. She watched the rest of the group silently, not sure what else needed to be said before she left. She looked over to the largest tree, that served as Inuyasha's sleeping place. The hanyou was turning her shard over and over in his claws. She stood up, and walked to the base of the tree. "Inuyasha?"
"Huh? What do you want?" He looked down at the girl.
"Thank you for rescuing me from the wolf demons." She said softly.
"Keh….don't mention it." Inuyasha returned his gaze to the stars.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused….I didn't mean any harm."
"Don't worry about it. " He looked down at her again. "Your father trusted you with this, didn't he?
Sara nodded with a sigh. "It's yours now. I hope you can use it well."
Inuyasha threw it down to her. "Keep it."
"But…Inuyasha…" She put the chain around her neck slowly.
"Don't tell anyone, alright? It's between me and you." Inuyasha smiled at her sincerely.
"Okay." She tucked the jewel into her tunic. "I suppose…I suppose you'll be wanting your shirt back…"
"No. Keep that too. Besides, it'll all full of Kouga's scent." Inuyasha walked over to the camp now. "You should probably go to bed now, Little One. You will travel far tomorrow. "
"Yes, Inuyasha." She wandered over to her old pallet, with a sigh. Shippou was already fast asleep. When she laid down, Kilala came and curled up next to her. She smiled,petting her lightly. She would miss Kilala. She rolled over after a minute, and soon found herself in a restless sleep. Tomorrow, she would leave them all forever, and she hoped it came slowly.