Chapter 14: Of Demons and Children
Kagome's jaw dropped at the sight that greeted her. Shippou, bandaged head and all, kept staggering up to a blue energy bubble and throwing Foxfire at it. She smothered a smile. He's dead tired, but won't give up… That's my little boy… Rin's mouth opened in a silent scream and pounded on the walls surrounding her. She looked around, saw Kagome, then motioned to Shippou. He turned and staggered a few feet before collapsing. Kagome jumped off Hoonomei and ran towards the small fox. She picked up his body. "Oh, Shippou…" Kagome ran to Kaede's and went in. She handed the kit to the old woman.
"Thank Kami Hoonomei found you, child."
"Lady Kaede, what happened to Shippou?"
"The children were together when that energy bubble formed around Rin. Shippou tried to grab her before it closed, but it shocked him and he landed a few feet away. Hoonomei brought him to me, and after I bandaged his wounds he insisted on going outside to save her." The old woman heaved a tired sigh. "That prison is unbreakable. Can you help her?"
"I caused it, Lady Kaede. There was a fight, and—" She paused. "Hold on. Be right back."
She went outside and found Sesshoumaru about to use his light whip on the bubble. Rin clapped her hands and grinned happily. Kagome leaned casually on the doorframe. "Use that whip and you're screwed."
Sesshoumaru ignored her and snapped the whip at the energy bubble. There was a huge flash, and Sesshoumaru found himself on the ground, smoking slightly. He wore a stunned expression. Rin laughed and clapped her hands delightedly.
Kagome rolled her eyes and walked up to the bubble. She placed her palm on the side and waited. The bubble lowered to the ground and vanished. Rin stood there amazed, then rushed to Sesshoumaru. "Rin loved that! Do that again, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"Rin, can you please check on Shippou? He's not feeling well." Rin nodded. "Yes, Kagome-neechan!" The little girl sped towards Kaede's. Kagome's smile was replaced by a dark scowl. "Didn't I tell you to watch the idiot?"
Sesshoumaru's stoic mask was back. "Rin was in danger. I came to save her." He stood, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and faced Kagome. "How did you manage to create such a powerful shield?"
She waved his words off. "Eh, I've been practicing for such an occasion."
"Such an—"
Kagome glanced at her wrist and turned to leave. "I'll explain later. I'm already late. I'll probably flunk my test. But I still have to go and take it." She walked down the road.
He blushed when he heard her mutter, "and maybe next time you'll listen to reason, you moron." She chuckled. "Rin did love that, though… Hmmm… That could be a new game: drop Sesshie-sama on his tail…" Kagome was now too far from him to hear any more. He walked up to Kaede's and knocked. Kaede stuck her head outside. "Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Is Rin all right?"
Kaede gazed at him. She opened her door wide. He walked inside. "…And Sesshie-sama used his light rope and there was a flash and Sesshie-sama was on the ground! Rin think Sesshie-sama is funny!" Shippou and Rin giggled. Hoonomei tugged on the little girl's sleeve. She leaned towards him, and he whispered something in her ear. She turned to the demon lord and waved. She turned back to the kitsune. "Kagome-neechan then say—"
Sesshoumaru turned to the older woman and bowed. She returned the bow, and invited him to sit. He shook his head and moved towards the door. Kaede followed him outside. "We do not care about who she is. We only care for her well-being." The demon lord nodded once and floated up on his cloud.
*****
"So Rin's not really your half sister."
Miroku nodded miserably. He and Sango sat under a tree far from the hole Inuyasha was sentenced to be in for a few hours. Sesshoumaru had vanished last night after Kagome left. I've failed. Kagome already hates me. Now Sango probably hates me for lying. Hopefully the boomerang kills me quickly… The monk waited for the feel of hardened demon bone upside his head.
Sango shook. Miroku's head dropped lower. I've made her cry… Oh, Kami… "Lady Sango, I—"
Sango burst out laughing. "Oh, I'm so relieved!"
Relieved? He dared to look at her. To his astonishment, she grinned. "And here I thought someday we'd have a female Miroku running around!"
He sat cross-legged, hands in his sleeves. "I am feeling insulted, Lady Sango."
She elbowed him. "You should've told us, houshi-sama. Or is it that you didn't want anyone else involved?" She threw her head towards the hole. Two red spots appeared on Miroku's cheeks. Sango sneaked a glance at his face. Aha! There's more to this… She asked casually, "Did Kagome know about any of this?" Miroku turned crimson.
Sango grinned and elbowed him again. "Ah, I see."
"I do not know what you are referring to, Lady Sango."
Uh-huh. And I'm a demon. Sango made a face. "You think Sesshoumaru's coming back?" Both ignored the growl coming from the hole.
"I hope so. Fighting Inuyasha's tiring." Another growl came from the hole.
Sesshoumaru floated down and landed in front of the two. Jaken came down beside him and slid off of Ryu Hishou. "Here, Master?" A snarl came from the hole.
Sesshoumaru nodded. Jaken grabbed the reins of the flying demon and tied them to a low branch. He came over to the group and sat next to Sango. He offered her a half-hearted shake of his staff. She smiled slightly and shook her boomerang at him.
"Do you believe Kagome will fulfill her commitment to me?" Another growl.
Sango had enough. She got up and walked to the hole. "You either shut up or I'll make you shut up."
Miroku absently nodded. "She shall return this evening. Unless something went wrong with her test." Sango came back and sat down.
Sesshoumaru stared into space. Jaken fidgeted. "Jaken."
"Yes, Master?"
"Go."
Jaken jumped up and raced off towards the town. "Have you two eaten?" Both humans shook their heads. "Go. I'll deal with him."
Miroku got up. Sango fidgeted. "Are you sure? I mean, Kagome ordered me to help you…" Her comment trailed off when he raised an eyebrow at her. "Okay, fine. But you're taking the blame." She got up and walked off with Miroku.
Sesshoumaru sauntered over to the hole. "I know you can hear me. Stand up. I refuse to talk into empty space."
Inuyasha's bruised head popped out, then warily glanced around. "Do not leave the hole. Even you know what Kagome will do if she finds out about it." Inuyasha crossed his arms and pouted.
Sesshoumaru plopped down on the ground. His face was suddenly tired. Inuyasha's jaw dropped. What the hell?
"Do not interrupt me." Inuyasha nodded. "Rin is—important to me. To both of us. We will do whatever it takes to protect her." He stared hard at his younger brother. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably. I'm a threat to a little girl?
"The monk came to me about a month ago to ask me a favor. What he offered me—Never mind. The details are not important." The demon lord looked up to the sky. "After reassuring myself that I was doing the right thing, I accepted both his terms and Kagome's terms. I see now it was a mistake." He stood. "I shall explain everything to Kagome when she returns. We shall leave in the morning." He went back to the tree and leaned against it, staring off into space.
No, thought Inuyasha, staring towards the village.
Inuyasha stood rooted to the spot. Miroku wanted to help Sesshoumaru?
But why? He peeked at his brother. He seems… older. Inuyasha
plopped down on the floor. I've been a fool…
© 9/8/03, M.A.R.
Aphiopsyduck: *bows* Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! *deep frown* Sorry?
I know, I know... I've been gone for so long that you guys might have given up on me. Well, it's easy to explain. Remember the Inuyasha-Harry Potter crossover I mentioned? Well, after moving this story along to chapter 21, I stopped again to give it a rest. And wrote a prologue and 6 chapters--which is longer than THIS story is--for the crossover. I also wrote another one-shot, but I don't think either of those will see your choosy tastes.
Unless someone actually WANTS to see that drivel. *grin*
Anyhoo. The action switchs over to Kagome's time after this chapter. I'll probably wait at least a week before posting the next one to give some time to any of my wandering readers to drop by and catch up. :o)
(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…* Ehehe… First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)