Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its character do not belong to me. Masuyo, however, is a creation of my odd mind.

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Chapter Four

Three hours later, the humans (and Shippou) were still unable to accept that they were not going to accompany the two brothers on their journey. For once, amazingly, the two were of one accord on an issue, though for completely different reasons. Sesshoumaru had no desire to put up with the kitsune cub; bad enough that he spent most of his time with a youkai who acted like a child and a human female who actually was a child. Well, at least Rin and Jaken were obedient and respectful. The youkai lord has serious doubts as to whether any of those that Inuyasha surrounded himself with had the slightest idea of what 'obedience' was.

Inuyasha's reasons were, of course, more affectionate and mostly centered around Kagome. To put it bluntly, he didn't want her traveling with Sesshoumaru. Part of it was that he was quite aware of his brother's perfection in looks. Even worse was the fact that Sesshoumaru could never be called immature, which Kagome accused Inuyasha of being constantly. Not that he really thought the girl would be attracted to his brother. Certainly not, but Sesshoumaru was the bad guy and the others seemed so quick to praise him earlier just because he was 'responsible'.

Feh! I'm responsible!

It all came down to that Inuyasha did not want to be compared to his brother because he was wary of it being unfavorable. It had all his life, and he certainly wasn't going to let it happen again with his friends. Kagome was too trusting to risk it. She'd probably come up later saying, "Inuyasha, your brother isn't so bad. I think he has a soft part!" Inuyasha didn't want to hear it. Besides, they'd slow the two down, and time was of the essence. So, this was the reasoning he presented to the rest. Oddly enough, Sesshoumaru presented the same reason. It was a union of the masters of half-truths.

Kagome was not taking the news as well as Inuyasha may have hoped, "Give me one good reason why we can't come with you? You might need our help!"

"I already told you! You'll slow us down and I don't wanna spend more time in his presence…" At this point he jerked a clawed finger towards his brother, as if to make sure that they all completely understood who 'his' was, "…than I haveta!"

"The feeling is reciprocated," Sesshoumaru returned coolly, not bothering to even glance over as he said it. This 'lover's spat' was beginning to give him the slight twinges that warned of an oncoming headache.

"Fine then. I'm leaving." Kagome turned on her heel and began to stalk off.

"Keh! See if I care!" Inuyasha snorted derisively, turning away and folding his arms in front of him. It was only a few seconds before he glanced over his shoulder at the retreating girl, "Hey. Where are you going?"

"Home!" came the indignant answer.

Silence hung in the air for a moment as all absorbed her answer before Sango interrupted it by calling out tentatively, "Ah... Kagome-chan?"

Halting, Kagome looked back at Sango, "Yes?"

"The well is other way."

Her grandiose exit officially ruined, Kagome looked rather embarrassed, "Oh."

Embarrassment should have been a warning sign to Inuyasha not to laugh. It is never wise to laugh at a female when they are embarrassed. Yet, he did, and loudly, even going so far as to add a snickered, "Stupid girl." As for Miroku, he tried valiantly not to look amused lest Sango thwap him with Hiraikotsu.

It was official. Sesshoumaru had a headache. The tendrils of pain had coalesced into an outright pounding drum in his brain. He was almost inexperienced with headaches, rare as they were for him. The fact that these imbeciles could so easily give him one firmed his resolve to make sure that he spend as little time as possible with them. Not to mention, his moron brother was still laughing.

Does he never cease?

The youkai lord finally looked over at the young female that Inuyasha was currently provoking. He had little experience in females except for Rin, and she had such a sweet disposition he supposed she was not quite the norm. Yet, even he was aware that the dark look coming over the one called Kagome's face did not bode well.

"Inuyasha..." She began in a mock imitation of sweet tones. Sesshoumaru could tell they were mere imitation, for Rin used genuine sweet tones and he was accustomed to them.

Inuyasha could apparently tell too. He cut off in mid laugh, freezing like a statue, "Kagome...Don't!" Before he could even finish the last word, he had slammed into the ground with the girl's command of "Sit!". Sesshoumaru just stared in an intriguing mix of horror and fascination. Not that anyone could really tell that those two emotions were what he was feeling. His expression was largely blank.

The hanyou did not want to raise his head. He could just imagine the look he would see in his brother's eyes and he was certain it would be a prick to the pride. He heard the others leave, Kagome to the well -going the correct way this time- and Sango, Miroku, and Shippou back towards the village. Yet, he was quite aware that he did not hear his brother's step walk away, so obviously, he had to be still standing there. He finally lifted himself off the ground, and without looking at his brother began to dust himself off.

"That was pathetic." It truly was. Fortunately, however, the act had distracted Sesshoumaru from his headache.

"Shut up," Inuyasha replied crossly, beginning to wonder if he could claw his brother before Sesshoumaru could react. He wisely decided against the act.

Surprisingly, Sesshoumaru fell silent and simply gestured for Inuyasha to lead the way. The hanyou, in turn, stared blankly back at his brother, "Which way are we heading?"

"You mean to say that you do not know? Odd, since I thought you made the claim that you did not need me, little brother." There was a mocking tone to Sesshoumaru's reply, but he turned and began walking off anyway. The whole was effective to his point. He did not need to smirk or rub it in more, for it was a subtle comment to put Inuyasha into his place.

Unfortunately, it didn't work as planned

"Don't act so high and mighty! If I had that miserable traitor of a flea on my shoulder telling me where to go, I'd know the way too." Inuyasha followed along behind at a sulking pace.

Inuyasha's arrow was more of a direct hit than Sesshoumaru's. It was another reminder that Sesshoumaru was now sporting a flea. The youkai lord tried to come to a conclusion on which was worse for his reputation-having a human child around him …or a flea. He finally decided that both caused irrevocable damage and he had finally hit a low point in his public appearance.

What's really bad is you -like- having the girl around.

Sesshoumaru let out a soundless sigh, mentally echoing the earlier sentiments of his brother:

Shut up.

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First of all, I must offer apologies for not getting this chapter out sooner. I've had a cold lately (which always interferes with my creativity) and real-life has kept me too busy to work on the story very much lately. Darn real life, how –dare- it interfere with my Inuyasha obsession!

Second of all, thank you to those who have been reviewing and please continue to! Suggestions, comments, even helpful criticisms are always welcomed and they do make a rather large impact on what happens in the story. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some time to write more in the next few days and I'll get the next chapter out faster than this one. ^_^*