By: Lady Tiger LiLy
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha. I own what I own.
Chapter 5: Road Trip
"Burr! The water is really cold!"
"Yes, it is best to be quick when bathing."
Junko and Rin went to bathe in the river outside the village. Since the water was so cold, they only splashed the cold water on their bodies and hair rather than completely submerging themselves.
"Would you please help me brush my hair?" Rin asked after they had dressed.
"Sure." She replied as she took a brush and tried to carefully brush Rin's hair so not to hurt her head. "Your hair's very nice, Rin. I like it."
"Thank you, Junko. Your hair is nice too." Rin replied.
"Thanks, but I'm afraid I don't take very good care of my hair. Because of that, my mom had kept it cut short when I was a little kid. I had refused to let her though. I wanted my hair to be as long and beautiful as my father's. I liked my father's silver hair a lot when I was younger. I wanted to be just like him, I guess. I always bugged my mom to let me grow it long like dad. She finally caved in saying that if I take care of my hair I can grow it out. But I was a 'wild child' and my hair got tangled all the time and I never brushed it or washed it properly so my mom went back to making me get my hair cut until I became a teenager. Now she can't make me get my hair cut anymore. But I'm afraid I still don't take very good hair of it, though better than when I was younger." Junko smiled nervously.
"Ever since my days with Sesshomaru-sama, I've always liked long hair."
"Oh?"
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama has long silver hair. I always thought it was gorgeous."
Junko was silent for a moment. "Rin? Are you upset that Sesshomaru left you?"
"… No."
"But he just left you!"
"He has his reasons…""I can't believe you! Don't you at least want to know why! You deserve to know!"
"Thank you for your concern, Junko, but do not worry. I am happy living in the village. I have learned so much. I'm needed there, and now, I think we should be getting back." Rin stood up and began to head back.
Junko watched Rin leave and sighed. "My uncle is such a jerk!" She growled as she gathered her things and went to catch up with Rin.
"No, I'm afraid Junko is still sick with a terrible cold and won't be making it to school today. Thank you." Kagome sighed as she hung up the phone. "Now I know what my family went through every time I left for Feudal Japan…" She sighed.
"Did you call the school?" Inu-Yasha asked as he came into the room.
"Yes, but I don't know for how long they'll believe she has a cold. Hopefully she'll be home soon…"
"Don't worry, Kagome, she will. It's only been a few days." He tried to reassure her.
"It seems so much longer…" She sighed. "How can you be so calm?"
"Because I know her and I know she's a tough girl. She is my daughter after all! She can handle whatever comes her way!"
"Oh really? And what happens if Miroku or someone like him comes her way?" Kagome folded her arms across her chest as she waited for his reply.
Inu-Yasha hadn't thought about Miroku until now. "IF HE EVEN THINKS OF LAYING ONE LECHEROUS FINGER ON MY DAUGHTER, I'LL RIP HIS ARMS OFF!"
Kagome hugged him as if to comfort him. "Don't worry, Inu-Yasha, she's a tough girl, She is my daughter after all! She can handle any lecher that comes her way!" She mock-quoted him.
Inu-Yasha sighed. Kagome was worried about Junko's safety, and he was worried about Junko's innocence.
"You're what! Does Shippo know!" Rin asked Junko.
"Does Shippo know what?" He said as he entered the hut.
"I'm leaving." Junko said.
"Oh, you mean you're going back home?"
"No." She replied as she packed a bag of food.
Shippo looked confused. "Then what are you-?"
"I'm leaving to go find my uncle." She replied.
"What! Sesshomaru! Are you crazy!" Shippo shouted.
"Please, Shippo." Rin tried to calm him down. She then turned to Junko. "Why do you want to find Sesshomaru-sama?" She asked.
"Well, to start, he is my uncle which makes him a part of my family. Oh, and by the way, you're coming with me, Rin."
"Huh? Me?" She blinked.
"Because when I find him, you're going to ask him why he left you." She stated.
"I am?"
"No one is going anywhere! It's too dangerous for a couple of girls to go out by themselves! Let alone by themselves looking for Sesshomaru!" Shippo continued to shout.
"That's why you're coming with us." Junko said simply.
"What? I'm not going because YOU'RE not going!"
"I'm going whether you come or not!" Junko shouted back at him.
"Junko, I don't think you should do this. Sesshomaru-sama wanted to kill his own brother. What's stopping him from killing you? You are the kin of Inu-Yasha." Rin reasoned.
"I don't care! I'm not going home until I find him!"
"Please, Junko, think about this before-"
"I have thought about this! I've thought about it ever since I found out about my dad having a brother!"
"But Sesshomaru is dangerous! He's the toughest demon there is!" Shippo continued to shout while waving his arms in a vain attempt to stress his point.
"Even more tough then you, fox boy?" Junko raised her brow at him.
"Well, I… uh… err-um… uh-" Shippo stuttered, not sure how to respond.
Junko stood up with her hands on her hips. "Well, are we all ready to go? Hey, where did Rin go?"
"Lady Kaede?"
"Aye, Rin."
Rin entered the hut and sat next to Kaede. "Lady Kaede, Junko is-"
"I know. I talked to her and there's nothing I can do to stop her. But I think all will be well if Shippo goes with her."
"She wants me to go too." Rin sighed.
"I see."
"Should I go, Lady Kaede?"
"If ye feel ye must, then go."
"Yes, Lady Kaede." Rin bowed as she got up and left.
"Take care, Rin." Kaede called after her.
Rin stood still for a moment with her back to Kaede. "Thank you, Lady Kaede." She spoke before leaving the hut.
"No you're not!"
"Yes I am!"
"YOU ARE NOT GOING!"
"YES-I-AM!"
"Not without me."
Junko and Shippo stopped arguing to see Rin entering the hut.
"Do you mean it, Rin? You'll come?" Junko asked.
Rin nodded.
"Thanks, Rin!" Junko said as she ran up to her and hugged her.
Shippo groaned. He was now outnumbered. "I guess this means I'll have to tag along to make sure you two don't get killed!"
"Indeed."
Shippo turned to see the old woman at the hut entrance. "Kaede?"
"If young Junko and Rin are leaving, ye must go with them."
Shippo tried to suppress his groan but didn't do so well. "Alright! I'll go!"
"Thank you, Shippo." Rin said as she slightly bowed her head.
"Ok, but I have one condition!"
"Ok, what is it?" Junko sighed as she crossed her arms.
"You said that you are not going home until you find Sesshomaru. So if we find him, and IF we survive and make it back ALIVE, you have to promise you'll go through the well and return to your home." Shippo said as he stared her straight in the eyes.
Junko sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine! Now let's get going while it's still daylight!"
Shippo sighed mentally. 'I'm going to get killed!'
Not much in this chapter but more to come! See you next chapter! Lady Tiger LiLy