A Night With Sesshoumaru

by An Unwanted Soul

The Lord of the western territories -Sesshoumaru- reflects on a recent meeting with his brother -Inuyasha- which leads to a quest of his own.

2. The Trip To Return What Was Lost

INUYASHA... HIDDEN EMOTIONS / A NIGHT WITH SESSHOUMARU...

By, An Unwanted Soul

(( Hey! Looks like I made it. I checked out my old account. I had more reviews than I thought... Like eight or something. Doesn't take much, to make me happy. Any way I figured I might as well update if I am going to repost such and old story. All this time away has luckily given me a few ideas... So bear with me all right? Same rules apply, even though –since I do not want to neglect the all mighty copy and paste- I guess I'll post them again. So without further ado, here goes chapter two. ::hopes he won't get stoned:: Oh yeah, as far as when this takes place? Use your imagination... This is impulse right now, so we will deal with the other stuff in the next chapter all right? ))

Warning... this story is a work in progress so errors will be made and it may be raunchy later on or even in this one. Please be gentle except for those mentioned above. This came from daydreams, ideas, other works from people and my own twisted imagination so tread carefully. Now for the warnings.

flames are accepted but to flame you should really read the whole story. If you don't like it you should stop, and if you don't read the story all the way through you really have no right to flame. And if you do read the whole story you can flame but what kind of moron reads a story they don't like? Yeah I know mind tricks, they are so much fun aren't they my little victims?

Try and be nice with flames? This is my first time so I don't know all the terms to let people know I made it up. I think 'au' means alternate universe and I guess this story is kind of like that even though it isn't that big of a stretch to see it happen in one of the episodes if you think about it...

And the last warning... if I make any mistakes please tell me what mistakes that I made. we may or may not know each other but I want to become really good at this and for that I need support whether it puts me down or strokes my ego. And for all you nc-17 readers- not that kind of a stroke, you sickos! Hahaha. Just kidding.

About the sicko part that is.

Thank you all for reading that... Again.

INUYASHA... HIDDEN EMOTIONS / A NIGHT WITH SESSHOUMARU...

Chapter two: The trip to return what was lost...

::The events of the previous night and the morning had been concluded. The lord of the Western Territories, Sesshoumaru, had watched as Rin and Janken ate their morning meal -as he was still not inclined to eat anything if it could be helped. Once they were done, he instructed them both to get changed and ready for the days journey. Janken wandered away –still not liking the idea of the human girl with them. Rin stayed at the table a bit longer watching her lord. After a while, growing slightly impatient Sesshoumaru looked towards Rin. His golden eyes sparkled –she thought- in the morning light::

"Rin, I asked you to go get ready." He said gently looking at her slightly curious as to why she had not yet gotten up to do as he asked, when she was normally so obedient.

"My apologies Master Sesshoumaru!" Said Rin as she jumped up from her seat in haste to obey her lords request. She ran quickly down the halls to gather some clothing.

::Sesshoumaru regarded her for a while -watching as she ran away- and noticed a tinge of red across her cheeks. He felt the all to unfamiliar pang of warmness. No doubt he had concluded she had been daydreaming about something or other. Deciding there was little point to dwell on such trivial matters he stood looking over the table::

Flashback to that morning

"For breakfast... I will trust you to make something that is to my liking and to Rin's..." ::He said to Janken who lay on the ground -having been thrown out of a the equivalent to a window in Sesshoumaru's bed chamber- who was getting up::

::He stood looking over the table. Janken had done a good job. Rin has seemed to enjoy her meal as did Janken, though he once again dismissed this fact as trivial. Janken had also provided what Sesshoumaru had asked for, for while he chose not to eat, he saw little reason to be surrounded by the scents of the food 'they' needed. As a result of this -whenever as it was a rare occurrence he would be any where near the dining area- he had Janken arrange fresh flowers and softly scented candles, whenever he chose to sit with them for their meals. While they ate, the scents provided a calming atmosphere -one of comfort- and while he waited or watched he could let the same scents distract him from the aroma's of the meats and vegetables also present. One of his servants had quietly walked by and gathered the dishes. Sesshoumaru paid this very little attention as well as he stood and made his way to the main corridor of the palace. He looked down at his inheritance –the Tenseiga- as well as his blade –Tokijin- with idle interest. If all went as he hoped, they would both be playing very critical roles, as long as Janken did not let him down, in which case at least one of them might come to use::

(( Sorry... Do you guys ever wonder if Sesshoumaru could ever get so mad as to kill someone with Tokijin... Bring them back to life with Tenseiga and in rage... Kill them again? I guess he has to much dignity, but that could work very well in a more humor based type story right? ::smiles:: Sorry, back to business. ))

::He soon caught the scent of grass and wood -Janken- and knew it to be his vassal. He looked down in time to see the small toad Youkai gaze up at him::

"Master Sesshoumaru? I hope this is not out of line for me to say, how ever I still wonder why we do not simply leave the girl -Rin- here. All of your servants know better than to lay a finger or otherwise on her, and some -despite better judgment- even seem to like the girl." Said Janken, a little perplexed at his Master's choice in the matter

"Do you think this Sesshoumaru is making an error in judgment, Janken?" He said in the same calm voice he always used. Most associated that voice with what poisoned honey -as you could not quite tell if it was innocent or could lead to a very painful end.

::A little panicked Janken's mouth fell agape. He seriously hoped he had not said something he might not live to regret. His hold on his staff fumbled a bit before he wrapped his second hand around –as he usually did in situations like this- so as not to drop it, and also to use it as a brace for his weakening knees::

"OH! Oh-NO! No of COURSE not Master Sesshoumaru! I did not mean to imply that YOU, of all people would—"he was cut off by the slight raise in the corner of his masters lips.

"..." Sesshoumaru said nothing as a delicate silence fell over them.

::Janken's eyes grew wide, in puzzled fear. Sesshoumaru soon caught the scent of soft waters and flowers –Rin- and saw Rin running to greet them. She wore a soft blue kimono, with a darker blue sash::

"Hello Master Sesshoumaru! Lord Janken." She said smiling, apparently out of breath in her haste to not be left behind.

"Go and get Ah-Un for the travel, Janken. I will also need you to rest... You will have, much to do." He said calmly.

"Aye me Lord" he said wondering about the meaning behind those cryptic words.

::Sesshoumaru looked down at Rin for a moment before turning towards the door. She smiled brightly and ran towards it, then out into the mornings light, not needing to be told what she was to do. He walked out calmly after her wondering about what Janken had said::

[ He makes a good point. Rin is safer here perhaps, when I must usually leave her in his care. How ever I still do not like the idea of her being alone here. There will come a time when it will not be of such importance... Perhaps though, I should consider an alternate means for her safety. She is young enough now, that she could learn to become a Miko. If she was able to protect herself, I would not only have that much less to worry about, but she would be that much more useful to me... I shall entertain this idea. She is still a little to young –or naïve- to realize exactly who would and who would not be a threat, how ever if I keep her by my side as I have been... ]

::With that train of thought he broke off, barely noticing as he and Rin mounted Ah-Un –the dragon- with Janken holding on to the reigns just in front of them. Janken hit the dragon lightly and they tore up into the sky heading east –which would put them near Inuyasha and his friends as they could not travel as freely. He grew quiet as his right arm lay upon his seated left leg, the sleeve on his left shuddering strangely in the wind::

[ It was not long ago, when I would have never thought to have a human by my side, let alone consider preparing one to be a Miko. Have I changed so much? ... ]

::He broke off again as he looked down at Rin –who had turned around and into his stomach and the armor as comfortably as she could, considering she was sitting in the opposite direction upon a dragons back. No doubt the wind was a bit much for her. He knew humans could become to hot or to warm very easily::

"Janken... We will travel towards my fathers shrine." He said loud enough for Janken to hear.

(( The one that had been guarded by the wild dogs he killed in one of the first episodes that introduced him ))

"Aye me Lord!" he said, not understanding, but no less eager to obey the powerful Inu TaiYoukai.

::Ah-Un began to descend. Sesshoumaru saw Rin shudder lightly, obviously preferring the conditions they were approaching as opposed to the ones they were just in. She looked up at him. He watched as she smiled brightly. Slight tears in her eyes from the cold air. Absently he raised his right hand and stroked the tears away, before returning it to its position and looking forward. He thought nothing of it. She blushed overjoyed and huddled back into him, until there was no longer any reason –or excuse- to do so. Soon enough, Sesshoumaru began to let his mind wander back over to his brother, before Janken's cries alerted him::

"Me Lord? Why is it you want to go to your fathers shrine? I thought you had finished your business there." Said Janken. He soon blinked, his eyes widening in fear that he did not just make a mistake.

"There is business there I did not resolve. I was, unable to at the time. Now be silent, Janken." Said Sesshoumaru off hand. He had no desire to answer any questions at the moment. He was not even sure his plane would work.

::Looking into the distance he let his mind drift once again::

meanwhile with Inuyasha's group

::A small tuft of red fur could be seen inside of a large yellow bag. Little squeals came from inside as a clawed wrapped around the tuft –that was Shippou's tail- liberating him from the bag, along with what was no doubt a candy bar::

"Thanks Inuyasha! I was stuck!" said Shippou with a huge smile on his face, happy to have been freed and to have found his treat

"Yeah well serves ya right for jumpin' in places ya ain't supposed to jump in. Ya coulda asked Kagome to give that to ya you know." Said a slightly annoyed Inuyasha. He set the small Kitsune down and turned around.

"Your just jealous that I got a treat and you didn't..." he said sticking his tongue out at the hanyou's back.

::Three loud thumps were heard as Miroku walked by to see what the commotion was. He heard Shippou's comment and decided to remark::

"Ah yes... Some of us are quite fortunate, if destiny smiles down on us with a 'treat'." He said in a most righteous way.

::Inuyasha turned around, leaving a dazed Shippou –whose head, along with Inuyasha's fist had been the key to the thumping sounds- on the ground. He folded his arms up across his chest in side of his own sleeves as he glared a little at Shippou then Miroku::

"First of all I ain't jealous... And second, you really got yourself convinced about that don'tcha 'Monk'." He said with a bit emphasize on Miroku's title.

"Well of course! Treats are—"he said interrupted by Inuyasha again

"Not something that should be talked about in front of a kid!" he said slightly agitated.

::Shippou only groaned, still holding his head in one hand –paw- and 'his' treat in another. Inuyasha, Miroku, and the dazed Shippou all sat outside Kaede's hut, where Kagome was being taught more about herbs, as well as telling Kaede about other events that had happened recently involving Naraku. Sango was gathering water, on her way back, and Kirara had gone with her to keep her company::

"Oh of course. Forgive me. I forgot that we were in the presence of a child." Said Miroku with a kind smile. Shippou however, no longer dazed, jumped up at this remark and glared at both of them.

"I'll have you know that someday I will be a great demon! Besides, I am not a child!" he said pounding his paw like hand against his small chest.

::Inuyasha sat down, his arms still folded across his chest. He looked over to a slightly surprised Shippou –who had not been expecting him to sit down::

"That's funny... Cause ya look like a 'runt' ta me." He said casually. Shippou blinked then went off.

"I AM NOT-A-RUNT! Inuyasha ya big meanie! If ANYONE is a runt it is YOU! Other wise your big brother wouldn't—"Shippou had started, and was just as quickly stopped

::A large clawed fist dug into Shippou's skull, forcing his little body to fall down –hard- on the ground::

(( I like that song... ))

"You REALLY don't want to finish that sentence..." he said quietly. His voice was calm and gentle, considering he had just slammed Shippou into the ground.

::Miroku grimaced at the sight, but would take no sides. He sighed a little bit as he looked at his two friends, one of which looking as if he had run into a tree head first::

"What is going on out here?" asked Kagome kindly as she poked her head out of the hut. A sliver of tea steam floating out quietly into the air

"Inuyasha!" she cried as she saw Shippou

::Inuyasha, in a foul mood and not wanting to be 'sat' into the ground stood up and leapt off. Kagome sighed, not able –or wanting- to say the word while he was in the air, and so high for fear of really hurting him. She gathered Shippou up into her arms and looked to Miroku::

"What happened?" she asked concerned

"Shippou went a little to far, because of Inuyasha's teasing a brought up Sesshoumaru." He said simply, still not wanting to take sides. He could imagine how Inuyasha must feel at being compared to the brother he 'hated'.

::Kagome sighed a little to, and held Shippou whose eyes were down cast::

[ That was a really mean thing I said to Inuyasha... He just makes me so angry!! ...Even so, I shouldn't have said he was a runt... ESPECIALLY since I compared him to Sesshoumaru, and we all know how much they hate each other. He must hate 'me' more than ever... Oh man... Me and my big mouth. ]

"Shippou?" asked Kagome very sweetly as she looked at the little Kitsune, whose eyes were now focused in his thought. He barely realized he had been looking at her and the sky.

"Don't you think it would be a good idea to go talk to Inuyasha?" she asked him.

"He'll kill me!" he cried.

[ Even if he would LET me say sorry he wouldn't forgive me! ]

"Now now, Shippou. Inuyasha cares for you as much as we all do. He would never hurt you, more than he has..." said Miroku –hoping to be helpful and to lighten up the situation.

::Both Kagome and Shippou glared at him for his choice of words, as he laughed a little nervously::

"Fine... But will one of you come with me?" Shippou asked hopefully.

"Not this time Shippou... I think you have to do this for yourself." Said Kagome.

"Agreed." Said Miroku, nodding his head.

::Shippou sighed and –holding his candy bar as if it was a shield of some sort- he trudged on towards Inuyasha's scent. Once he was far enough away for Kagome and Miroku to talk privately they spoke::

"Do you think they will be able to make amends?" Miroku asked curiously, wondering if it was smart to let the little fox go all by himself.

"Of course. Inuyasha will forgive him. I know it." Kagome said cheerfully.

"Oh, here comes Sango!" she cried out happily

::Sure enough Sango and Kirara were walking back towards them. For once the demon slayer did not have her weapon –the large bone boomerang Hiraikotsu- with her. She smiled and waved as Kirara –in her little kitten form- mewed happily. Kagome smiled and waved back as Miroku gave a curt nod::

"Kagome child, are ye going to let an old woman wait for the rest of ye story 'and' let your tea get cold?" old Kaede's voice could be heard inside the hut. She was teasing as kindly as she always did.

"Oh! Sorry!" said Kagome drawing back in to finish recounting the last few events.

::Miroku sat there watching Sango –who regarded him as one might regard a rose with thorns, nice enough unless you got to close to it. He smiled thinking this would be a grand opportunity to speak with her, even if it was not alone::

Meanwhile, as Shippou is walking

"How could I have gotten into this situation? I am so dead!!" said the little fox demon quietly.

::Inuyasha's scent was getting stronger, and so Shippou started looking up in the tree's figuring Inuyasha would prefer branches to soil, as he usually did. Not being able to see him he did the only other thing that came to mind. He unwrapped his candy bar and started eating. He nibbled a bit as he walked around in circles near the tree's where Inuyasha's scent was the strongest. He wasn't fully aware that he was being watched. Eating the last bit, and licking his paws he decided finding Inuyasha, would take something else than a candy bar. Inuyasha leapt down quietly behind Shippou, folding his legs, and crossing his arms over his chest::

"INUYASHA?! WHERE ARE YOU?" he cried out.

"Right here..." he said almost at once from behind Shippou

::The little fox demon yelled and ran straight forward into a tree. He fell back, feeling as if everything was out to get him. Inuyasha snickered::

"Yeah... GREAT demon." He said with a slight sneer.

[ And I came here to apologize to HIM?! ] thought Shippou agitated.

::Inuyasha hopped over, quickly inspecting Shippou for injuries. Satisfied he picked the little fox up by his tail for the second time that day. Shippou immediately started struggling before remembering why he came. He stopped moving. Inuyasha blinked, having been expecting more of a fight::

[ Does he have to hold me in such an embarrassing way? ] thought Shippou again.

"What's with you? Ya got something on your mind?" Asked Inuyasha. It was the only reason he could come up with as to why Shippou was not struggling.

::Inuyasha looked at the little fox demon inquisitively. Shippou kept his head down, but his voice was clear::

"Inuyasha? I'm sorry for what I said back there. It was really mean, and I hope you will forgive me. I didn't mean it." Said Shippou. He was still worried the hanyou was going to beat him over the head again.

[ He is probably be like "Yeah, ya better be." Or "Look at the great demon now!" or he might just hit me. ]

::Inuyasha stared at him carefully for a while, wondering if it was a trick. Then, he set Shippou down gently and looked up a bit::

"It ain't a big deal. Is that all that was on your mind?" he asked calmly.

::Shippou was dumbstruck. He could not believe he wasn't insulted or beat. He just stared at Inuyasha for a while –who was beginning to get confused, and thus annoyed::

"Are ya just gonna stare at m—"he had started to say as Shippou sat down quietly. Inuyasha blinked again as Shippou spoke.

"You mean... Your not mad at me? You don't hate me?" he said quietly

"Hate you?! What, are you an idiot?! Course I don't hate you. You pissed me off, that's for sure, but I ain't never hated you." He said as if it was as obvious as the day.

[ He doesn't... Hate me? ] thought Shippou

::Shippou sat there a -still a little dumbstruck- at this turn of events. Inuyasha sat there wondering if the little fox had really thought that he hated him. Quietly he picked Shippou up. Shippou blinked again, as Inuyasha set him on his shoulders::

"Come on. We gotta get back to the others..." he smiled a little at Shippou, who sat there still confused.

"Besides, I got better things to do than sittin', here an looking at you all day." He said, knowing it would snap Shippou out of his little reverie.

[ He doesn't hate me... ] thought Shippou

"Like what? You should be 'honored' that I even let you sit by me..." he said proudly.

"Watch it you little brat." Said Inuyasha still grinning as they walked back towards the others.

"Brat?!" Shippou's voice trailing into the forest around him.

::Still arguing a little bit, they made their way back to the others –who were all relieved to see them talking, without some one –Inuyasha- hitting someone else. Kagome might have been the only one who noticed, that Shippou was sitting on Inuyasha's shoulder, as if it was the only place to be, that is until he saw Kagome and leaped into her arms::

at the shrine of Sesshoumaru –and Inuyasha's- Father.

::Ah-Un touched down at last. Rin hopped off quickly and ran around a bit to release her energy and to stretch her legs out. She was a little sad that there were no flowers she could play with, but was content to look at the stone alter. She had never seen something so simple, that looked so very important. Janken jumped down off of Ah-Un as well, letting his staff rest on the dark soil. Sesshoumaru leapt off of the dragon's back lightly, looking around. He could feel the pulse of energy, where the portal to his fathers shrine lay sealed. Ah-Un wandered happily over to Rin, who immediately got it something to eat and began petting each of the dragon's two heads. Sesshoumaru looked towards the simple shrine as Janken scurried up to him::

"Milord? You said I was going to have the honor of being of service to you?" he asked and stated carefully, though still eagerly.

::Sesshoumaru walked away from his vassal, searching for what seemed to be the most concentrated pulse of energy in the air around them. Rin watched them, interested while Janken looked a little disappointed he had been ignored until he was called by his master::

"Janken. Come. Now." He said as the little toad Youkai leapt to obey.

"Of course my lord!" running to the spot Sesshoumaru had told him to stand upon::

"Anything you ask!" he hoped those words would not be his last.

::He looked down towards both Tokijin and Tenseiga. He hoped he had not made this trip in vain::

"Janken. There is a pulse of demonic aura here. I want you to rip it open. It will allow me to return to my father tomb. While I am there, should you not fail me, you will take care of Rin. Do you understand?" he said quietly.

::Rin had looked up. She figured –as was usually the case- that her master would not let them come. He rarely did. She sighed a little but smiled and went back to playing with Ah-Un. She would behave and mind Janken until her lord Sesshoumaru returned to them. Janken nodded, still not sure why Sesshoumaru wanted to go back to that tomb. The last time, he feared he had lost his lord, and it was –if memory served- at this very spot, he was able to breach the seals that kept Sesshoumaru entombed. The old man on the staff began to laugh, then the woman shrieked. Rin flinched at both. Ah-Un paid no mind. Sesshoumaru watched as a black and purple vortex opened. With no other word he leapt through the portal::

[ I shall now see, if this plan of mine will bear any fruit. ]

::Janken watched as his lord Sesshoumaru leapt through, Ah-Un looked up slightly and Rin gasped::

"Is Master Sesshoumaru going to be all right?" she asked worriedly.

"Of course! You foolish girl. Such a task as this is no problem at all for Lord Sesshoumaru." He said confidently, not even knowing what was about to happen.

::Rin and Ah-Un, watched the portal hopefully. Ah-Un went back to eating as she sat at the dragon's legs. She would not move or speak until her Master Sesshoumaru came back to her. Janken did not seem to notice her as she spoke::

"Be careful..." she said softly.

[ At last... ]

::Sesshoumaru landed on one of the large skeletal bird demons, that carried him over a twisted land and shrine. Soon, his fathers head came into view::

"Now we shall see, if what is mine could possibly be... Returned to me."

::He thought back to the battle with Inuyasha inside their fathers stomach. He remembered the pain from his brothers inheritance –Tetsusaiga- when he touched it, and that of when his arm was cut off. His answer to a question that had by all means eluded him, both then and now was within his grasp::

"I'll just have to take it." He said as if making up his mind.

(( or reading what I just wrote. ::smiles:: That is it! Cliff hangers are cool neh? Any way, if you want to know what Sesshoumaru is looking for, you'll have to wait for the next chapter. That is... If I ever write it. I mean it would only take one day of serious writing and editing, but... I am SO lazy... uu so there aren't any guarantees. In any case. I hoped you liked it, and whether I get feed back or not, there will be one more chapter after this one. It might come tomorrow, or in a month, but I will post it eventually. This could become a continuous thing... I wanted to have serious moments between every one... Sesshoumaru and Rin and Inuyasha and Shippou then Inuyasha and Kagome at some point. Sango and Miroku... Even Kirara would have had her own page! Any way... ::smiles:: There is one more character I wanted to END this story with. If you guys can guess who it is, and like the idea, then we might just take this as far as we can go. If not? Thanks so much for reading this story! Okay... I'm done... I need to go torture some muses or something. See you all later, or not. Your choice after all... ))