Disclaimer: Does anybody on this site really own Inuyasha? I don't, you don't, we're all good. However, Nekoyasha, Lotus, and Shinta are mine.

Chapter 14: Food?

"I didn't mean to startle you but breakfast is ready." And as if to give Sango's words credibility, a delicious aroma filled the room.

Everyone in the room relaxed.

"Mmmmm, food," Inuyasha stated as he headed for the door. Nekoyasha stepped to the side to let him through. He looked back behind him at the three kids. "Well, are you hungry or not?"

Shippo and Shinta ran from their spots to the door. Shinta stopped and looked back at Rin. "Aren't you eating with us, Rin?"

Rin stood there for a moment. She really wanted to join her new friends for breakfast, but there was Sesshomaru-sama and she couldn't go running off without his permission. She looked at the floor for a moment and then to Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru-sama?"

There was a brief moment before Sesshomaru slightly inclined his head. Rin broke out into a full smile and ran to join the boys. Inuyasha looked at the flash that went before him and at his brother. Sesshomaru was just standing there. Inuyasha shrugged. Right now food was more important than worrying about his brother. He followed the kids into the next room.

Nekoyasha was turning to go. She felt Sesshomaru still standing in his spot. "Are you going to eat with us, Milord?"

"I don't eat human food. You know that Nekoyasha."

"But you should eat _something_."

"And what would I eat?"

"Actually I think Lotus was making something for you. She's kind of nervous about it though." Sango interjected.

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow.

Nekoyasha smiled. "I am a hanyou healer. Do you think the only things I heal are humans?" With that, she turned and walked out the door.

***** "I still cannot believe that they stayed in the same room together," Kagome whispered to Miroku.

"I don't blame you. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it either," the monk replied.

Their conversation was interrupted by the noise of three children and one dog hanyou trying to get seats at the table. Kagome was surprised to see Rin smiling happily with the two boys. Inuyasha looked like he always did in the morning... hungry. He didn't show any signs that he had taken care of the little kitsune the previous night.

Kagome felt Miroku tap her shoulder and she looked to the doorway. Sango had just come through followed by Nekoyasha and Sesshomaru. Kagome inhaled sharply, as did Miroku. There was no telling what was going to happen.

Inuyasha looked as if his brother being at arms reach was the most natural thing in the world. Sesshomaru remained standing, and for a moment Kagome was sure she saw an uncomfortable look flash across his face. Kagome had never seen Sesshomaru like he was standing before the group. He was beautiful standing there in pants only like all the rest of the guys in the house. He had his mane draped across his shoulder like always. Kagome had grown accustomed to seeing shirtless boys in the last few days, but there was something about the Western Lord that made him noteworthy. Even missing his left arm did nothing to dampen his appearance.

Sesshomaru stood there as Nekoyasha kneeled down beside Rin.

"Rin, my name is Nekoyasha. How are you feeling today?"

Rin looked at the woman. The woman before her had kitty ears. "Can I pet your ears?"

Nekoyasha heard Inuyasha groan. She smiled at the little girl. "Only if you answer my question and I can touch your head."

Rin thought about this for a moment, then nodded. "I feel better than I have in the last few days. Can I pet your ears, please?"

Nekoyasha thought for a minute over Rin's answer. *She should be able to eat today.* "First I need to feel your head."

Rin nodded. Nekoyasha placed her hand on the child's forehead. She wasn't running a fever, and she wasn't cold. Everything seemed to be alright with the little girl. Nekoyasha tilted her head forward a bit so Rin could pet her ears.

Rin reached up touched them. She giggled with delight. They were so soft. After petting them for a few minutes, Rin withdrew her hands. "Thank you."

Nekoyasha smiled. "You're welcome." She got up and went to where Lotus was standing. They had a whispered conversation. Nekoyasha pulled out a set of chopsticks and sampled something from a dish that Lotus held. Nekoyasha took a moment to taste it and decided that it was good.

"Not bad. You'll get better in time. Let's hope the Lord of the Western Lands is not a picky eater," she whispered. Nekoyasha took the dish and another pair of chopsticks to Sesshomaru who had now taken up a place at the table as far from Inuyasha as possible.

Nekoyasha placed the dish in front of Sesshomaru. He looked at it suspiciously, but took a bite of it. After a moment, "I have had better... but this will suffice."

All the humans kept shooting glances towards Sesshomaru through the rest of breakfast. Surprisingly, Inuyasha and Shippo paid no attention to him. Finally curiosity got the better of Rin.

"Sesshomaru-sama, why are you eating? You told Rin that you can't eat human food."

Sesshomaru put down his dish. Ordinarily he would answer Rin's questions even when they were asked out of turn, but due to the fact that his brother was here...

"Because it is not human food," Nekoyasha supplied. Miroku, Kagome and Sango looked confused. "It's called Ambrosia and only youkai eat it."

"But Shippo eats human food all the time! So why can't he?" Kagome exclaimed as she pointed in Sesshomaru's direction.

"It's not that he can't eat human food, he just chooses not to. Sesshomaru always was a picky eater," piped in Inuyasha. "Ambrosia is okay, but it is not something that I would eat all the time."

Kagome looked at Inuyasha like he had grown another head. "Nani?!"

"Even half demons can eat it for some reason. Why are we talking about my dietary choices again?" Sesshoamru said.

Kagome blushed and went back to her own breakfast. The rest of breakfast continued in silence.

***** A/N: Ok, so Ambrosia is the food of the Greek gods. I am not that well versed in Japanese mythology. If anyone has any suggestions about a change, I will take it into consideration. Actually I kinda do want to change it.

Random biology lesson for the day. Ambrosia is the scientific name of ragweed. (But in the story, he is not eating ragweed.)

I am actually up to 25 reviews!!! Yea! Can't you tell that reviews make me happy? Being number 25 goes to Henrika!

LilyFlower2 - I am so glad that you like my character. She's fun to work with. I guess that means she's believable?

Ravenshadow - I didn't think last chapter was that short, until I went back and checked the number of pages. This one is just a little longer. However, Chapter 11 is still the shortest I think. Don't worry, longer chapters to come.

This makes for a good question. Do all of you like longer chapters or is the length I have them at ok?

Henrika - I know. There are some days that I wish I could go back being a child. Plus think about how many different kinds of people Shinta has seen. Out of the three of them, Shippo is probably the only one to understand the rivalry.

Kagome: I need a bath.

Sango: I agree.

Nekoyasha: Yes, a bath would be quite nice. (Sango and Kagome stare at her.) What? You try cooking, cleaning, and bandaging (counts on her fingers) 4 teenagers, 2 children and a demon lord! I'm just glad that I don't have to deal with Jaken!

Catleana: Ok, ok. I get it! You want to go take a bath. Fine. Next chapter: Water fun. Ahh, the joys of hot springs.

The girls: Yea! Hot springs!

Kagome: Um, Catleana? When can I go home?

Catleana: Well, there is still the bath, the thing with Sesshomaru I have planned, then I think you can go home.

Nekoyasha: Hey, wait a minute! I'm the healer here. She goes when I say she can.

Catleana: Yes, but ... (whispers in Nekoyasha's ear about upcoming chapters)

Nekoyasha: (Evil Grin) Oh, you are evil! Evil, I say!

Catleana: See you later!