Return of the Jewel

By: Lady Tiger LiLy

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha. I own what I own.

Chapter 9: How I Feel

"Does this remind you of anything?"

Miroku smiled. "Indeed it does."

Sango and Miroku came to Junko's room and found her sleeping peacefully in her bed. On the other side of the room, they saw Shippo also asleep as he sat against the wall with his chin resting on his chest and Tetsusaiga in his arms.

"You were alone with Miroku's son and he didn't try anything inappropriate! Are you sure he's Miroku's son?"

Rin laughed. "Yes, he was very gentleman like." She smiled for a moment before it faded but Junko didn't notice.

Junko and Rin were helping with the gardening while Sango did work around the house with Miroku's help. Mamoru and Kohana were busy training while the little cat youkai, Kirara, watched from the porch. Also sitting on the porch was Shippo with Tetsusaiga. Junko watched him for a moment.

"Hey, Shippo!" Kohana shouted as she hurried up to him. "Want to help me with my training?" She asked as she batted her blue eyes at him.

"Um, I don't think- AH!" He jumped when Kohana's hand had once again become acquainted with his rear. "Kohana! Don't do that!"

She laughed and flipped her dark brown hair playfully. Before he knew it, Kohana had him on the run.

Junko watched Kohana and wrinkled up her nose. "She is unbelievable! They're practically siblings and she still gropes and harasses him!"

"But remember that they are not blood related." Rin spoke. "You don't have to worry, Junko, Shippo does not return her playful affections."

Junko turned to Rin. "Why would I be worried? I just think she's being childish and ridiculous."

Rin said nothing more as she returned to her work.

Junko thought about what Rin said. 'When she said not to worry, was she implying I was jealous? I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous? Wait, why did Rin say what she said? Was she implying that maybe-'

"Hey Jun Bug!"

Junko was shaken out of her thoughts when she looked up to see the fox boy standing in front of her, laughing.

"I kept calling to you but you weren't listening!"

"Well, maybe it's because my name isn't Jun Bug!" She replied angrily.

Shippo laughed again. "I think it is! I kept calling you by 'Junko' but you didn't respond so I called you 'Jun Bug' and now I have your attention!"

Junko growled but quickly calmed down. "Fine. Have it your way…"

Shippo blinked.

"It would seem that Tetsusaiga has been put into different hands now." Myoga said from his perch on Sango's shoulder.

"Do you think Shippo will be able to wield Tetsusaiga?" She asked while cutting vegetables.

"Though Shippo is a full demon, he still possesses human compassion, which I believe he gained from Kagome. He also has the desire to use it in protecting the human girl, Junko." Myoga nodded.

Sango smiled to herself.

"I am somewhat surprised to see how human she is considering she is part demon…" Myoga noted aloud.

"Yes." Sango agreed.

"AAAH!"

Sango and Myoga looked up and looked outside. The two saw Shippo being chased by Junko.

"I am Jun Bug; Insect Youkai! I will devour you, fluffy tail and all!" Junko growled as she chased after Shippo.

"I didn't mean it! Please don't eat me! I just came to tell you that Sango said for you and Rin to come eat lunch!"

"I'll have you for lunch!" She laughed evilly.

Sango smiled and laughed while Myoga sweatdropped.

Mamoru smiled at Rin as he watched her help Sango and Junko clean up after lunch. Rin saw the black haired boy and ignored him. He continued his trance, following her movements with his blue eyes, until his mother's voice broke his gaze.

"Mamoru, shouldn't you be getting back to your training?" She reminded him.

"Yes, mother." He nodded his head respectfully to Sango before heading back outside.

Soon, Rin went back to the garden with Junko behind her.

"Hey, fox boy! Why don't you get off your lazy butt and help us pull weeds!" Junko shouted from outside to Shippo.

Shippo went outside and sat Tetsusaiga now next to Kirara. He went out to the garden and knelt in the dirt next to Junko. "Promise not to go youkai on me?"

"For now." She grinned.

He shook his head and laughed. "Then promise not to eat me?"

"I'm full now from lunch. Maybe later." She grinned evilly as she went back to pulling weeds. She smiled to herself. 'I'd rather he call me 'Jun Bug' than Kohana…'

Rin smiled. She was happy that the two were getting along much better now than before.

Shippo pulled some weeds before he looked back over at Junko. He watched her hair fall over her shoulder as it created a curtain around her face. Such pretty hair… The previous day's incident with Junko began to replay in his mind again. His gazed traveled ever so slightly southward and he felt his blood rush through his body and his face grow warm by his thoughts. He took a gulp and quickly turned back to the task at hand.

That evening when everyone was off to bed, Rin stepped out of her room for a moment and went outside away from the house to one of the other older homes and sat outside it as she listened to the wonders of night. She looked up at the silver moon as it reminded her of-

"Lady Rin?"

She turned to the voice that interrupted her thoughts. "Mamoru?"

"Yeah, it's me. Are you well? What are you doing up and about at this hour?" He said as he sat down next to her.

Rin sighed to herself. She wasn't sure if she wanted company but didn't see as if she had much of a choice now. Maybe she just didn't want his company. "I am fine. I just wanted to come out for a moment."

He blinked. "Are you sure?"

"Mamoru, why are you out?" She asked instead.

He leaned back onto his hands, looked up at the night sky and smiled. "I was thinking of someone too."

Rin was a little surprised by his reply. She blushed lightly knowing she was caught. "What makes you think I'm thinking of someone?"

"When people are thinking of someone, they usually come outside at night to think of them. My mother comes outside at night when she is thinking of her family that passed away many years ago." He then turned to her. "But it's dangerous to be out at night. A demon could be out and come for you." Mamoru spoke.

"I am not afraid of demons." Rin replied.

"With me around you need not be!" He smiled. "My mother has taught me well over the years and I have become very skilled for someone of my age."

Rin was solemn and said nothing. Mamoru saw this. "Lady Rin? If I may ask, who are you thinking of?"

She was silent for a moment before replying. "My father."

"Oh?"

"Yes. My father lives but I do not know where. He left me long ago."

"I am sorry."

Rin turned to Mamoru. "Please don't talk about killing demons anymore."

"Fear not of any demons, Lady Rin." He smiled.

"I said I do not fear them." She replied sternly. "I wish you not to talk about exterminating demons in my presents anymore. I do not agree with all of it."

He looked at her with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Rin's dark brown eyes looked into his blue ones. "I hope that in the future we will not need demon exterminators to rid of terrible demons. I pray that in the future, demons and humans alike will live together peacefully."

"Demons and humans living peacefully? That is a nice dream, Lady Rin, but I'm afraid it will stay but a dream. It is impossible. I do not believe all demons are bad; just look at Shippo and Kirara. But truth of the matter is most demons are just monsters that cannot be reasoned with and must be stopped. Look at the past, demons have cause much destruction for humans as well as pain."

"Well, I look to the future." Rin said retorted sternly.

"I am just saying-"

"I know what you are saying is how you feel. And this is how I feel." Rin stood up and turned her back to him. "I am going to sleep now." She said as she began to walk away.

"Lady Rin?"

Rin stopped without facing him. "He saved my life when I was young and watched over me as my guardian, being I was all alone. My parents were killed when I was very young."

Now Mamoru was confused. "But, I thought-?"

"He is the only father I can remember. My father is a demon. I loved him very much and miss him still." Rin interrupted once more. She then started to walk off again.

Mamoru said nothing as he watched her leave.

'I will not be able to stay in a village that has people like him that would kill any demons with such discrimination…' Rin thought as she went back to her room.

Yay! Another chapter! There seems to be some conflict between Rin and Mamoru instead of sparks! Poor Mamoru is obviously infatuated with Rin. Junko is warming up to Shippo! Is Shippo becoming more mature? Well, maybe not completely. LOL! He knows he is responsible for Junko's safety but we see he still wants to have fun! Oh boy, I think Kohana is almost worst than her lecherous father, Miroku! How on earth did she become the lecherous one and not Mamoru? Because I thought it would be funnier, that's why! Mamoru does seem to have some of his father's charm though. I hope this chapter was ok! See you next chapter! Please review!

Lady Tiger LiLy