Sesshomaru sneered at the ground, "There are more beautiful things than flowers." He said, stepping onto the path.
"Lord Ses-shoh-maru" Jaken panted, dragging Ah-uh behind him. The demon looked extremely annoyed being pulled by something a quarter its own size. It was putting up a great fight, tugging back on its reins. Jaken strained forward, sweat starting to show on his brow. Sesshomaru watched in silent amusement. Rin had burst into fits of laughter, covering her mouth to stifle the sound. Jaken wasn't pleased.
"I'd like to see you try it!" he shouted, wrenching on the reins again. Rin stepped forward.
"Ah-uh…" she cooed, her voice catching the double-headed dragon's attention, "Ah-uh, won't you come over here with me and Lord Sesshomaru?" The demon seemed wooed by Rin's voice and took a step forward, sending Jaken tumbling head-over-heels into a bush of roses. The imp's yelps of pain could be heard as he landed on the thorny stems. Sesshomaru glanced toward the moon…full moon. Inu Yasha will be mortal tonight Sesshomaru thought.
Four mortals have tread upon this Sacred Ground tonight he thought in anger father would have never allowed this to happen. At the very least it wouldn't happen tonight… a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Rin you little devil! Why did you have to do that? You treat me like some kind of youngster! I am too old for these games!" Jaken fumed, storming out from the rose bush, brushing himself off and picking thorns out of his brown robes. Rin controlled herself, but smiled as she talked.
"I'm sorry master Jaken." She said, bending on one knee to meet his glance, "Are you alright?" The old imp seemed irritated.
"Of course I'm alright, I've been through much worse than roses I assu-"
"Silence." Sesshomaru commanded. Jaken fell silent. His lord's senses were sharp, and when quiet was called upon, it was given immediately. Rin, too, became quiet and huddled next to Ah-uh. Sesshomaru whiffed the air… the smell of delicate flowers reached his nose. Their perfume was too strong, it strangled his senses. He now relied on his eyes. He scanned around the area… nothing out of the ordinary. Then why do I have the feeling we're being watched? Sesshomaru thought. A rustle. Sesshomaru's ears picked up the sound. He turned his head and saw something quickly dodge out of sight.
"Jaken, watch over Rin." Sesshomaru said, leaping the field's length and letting his claws slide out from his hands. He landed on the forests edge, glancing around once more. The shadow had passed on, but there was a stench in the air. It's the smell of cat… Sesshomaru realized. Sesshomaru gazed about, trying to find the source of the smell. Sesshomaru felt uneasy. Cat demons, here! Sesshomaru thought. The smell was definite, yet… there didn't seem to be anything around here. A couple broken twigs and a scent was all there was left. Sesshomaru hung his head and walked back to his companions, bringing with him an uneasiness that could not be blocked out.
"What was it, my lord?" Jaken asked. Sesshomaru glared at the spot where he had seen the silhouette of the dark shape.
"Nothing." Sesshomaru lied, staring back at the forest.
Kirara had been curiously wandering around the edge of the forest when she had heard something that sounded vaguely familiar. Inside the demon's mind, it could match the similarity.
A voice, a gentle voice of a young girl…
Curious, Kirara had let herself fall gently onto the ground. A demon, a full-fledged demon with flaxen hair stood in a bed of flowers talking with a young woman. Kirara's head cocked, listening to the delicate chords of the girl's voice. An imp had fallen into the bushes and was now fuming as he walked towards the two. A step forward made a twig snap underneath Kirara's foot. The flaxen-haired demon heard the sound. He called for silence, glancing in the direction of Kirara. Instinctively, Kirara hid, quickly slinking behind a bush and transforming back into a small cat with two fluffy tufts for tails. Her demon scent nearly disappeared, just as the demon landed at the edge of the wood. Even as a cat, Kirara could hear the demon's nose dilate. Kirara remembered Sango's words before she left. If you get into danger, run. And Kirara did just that, taking one last glance at the demon, she pattered deeper into the forest.
"Oh, they're so beautiful!" Kagome cried, putting her hands up to her face, examining the flowers in the garden. Sango stood beside her, glancing at the tremendous Tiger Lilies that sat within the walls of the 'å‚«‚¢"N'·ŽÒ‚̉Æ.
"They are beautiful aren't they?" Sango said, bending over to better see the flowers. Bright orange and golden trumpets lay all around the wall of the garden.
"Do you think we'd be able to take a few?" Kagome asked.
"I don't think Inu Yasha would allow it." Sango replied, pointing out the fact that this was neither the time nor place to be picking flowers. Kagome hung her head.
"I suppose you're right." She said, staring longingly at the magnificent flowers. Sango giggled, placing her hand to her mouth, "But I suppose they wouldn't miss a few, would they?"
"Of course they wouldn't!" Kagome smiled, walking up and down the rows of flowers, trying to distinguish the best and fullest flower. Kagome found it, near the corner of the garden. It was a lone purple Iris. The petals of royal purple drifted lazily in a small breeze. A symphony of smells arose from the garden, engulfing Kagome in a dream of fragrant wind. She slowly reached her hand out, but was caught by a hand, a strong hand. Kagome turned into the face of an ebony-haired man. His red kimono blew in the gentle breeze and his dark brown eyes narrowed.
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome cried, her arm shrinking back toward her body. Inu Yasha stepped forward menacingly.
"What do you think you were doing?" Inu Yasha shouted. Kagome became instantly irritated. After all she thought it was only a little flower.
"I only wanted one!" Kagome cried. Sango turned from the flowers she was hovering over and listened to the two fighting.
"Listen to those two…" came a voice from Sango's left. Her head turned and stared into the face of Miroku. Sango sighed.
"It's like they never stop." Sango said, letting her hands drop to her sides.
Miroku laughed, taking a seat beside Sango. He reached out and let the flowers petals slide through his fingers. His fingers itched, finally getting the better of him.
"You know Sango," he started, peering into her eyes, "these flowers have nothing on you at all." Sango felt herself blush, but was immediately engulfed in rage. Miroku's had had 'magically' began to stroke her rear. Miroku, however, was not fazed in the least. Sango wound her entire arm back and brought her hand square across Miroku's left cheek. Miroku was knocked off balance, sending him clear onto the ground. Miroku sat stunned and disoriented, spread-eagle on the grass. Sango turned her back on him, her nose in the air.
"Serves you right, monk." She said acidly.
"I told you not to touch anything!" Inu Yasha bellowed his fist clenched.
"I only wanted one, it's not like it would kill anything!" Kagome shot back.
"It's not that, it's just that this isn't the Wilderness! You can't just pick any flowers you see here in this garden!" Inu Yasha hollered.
"And why not?" Kagome said, folding her arms and giving Inu Yasha a stern look. Inu Yasha fell silent. Of course Kagome thought there isn't one.
"See?" Kagome shot back, "you can't even give me a reason not to pick every last one of these flowers in this garden."
Inu Yasha fumed, but turned on his heel and sat down, folding his legs underneath him. Kagome pouted and crossed her arms, turning her nose up at him.
"It's just that… we're stretching the rules as it is." Inu Yasha pointed out. Miroku sat up, a red mark appearing on his face.
"Inu Yasha's right Kagome," Miroku said, "I don't think we'll even be allowed inside while the meeting is in session."
"What is this meeting all about anyway?" Sango asked curiously. Inu Yasha huffed.
"Like it's any of your business." He said, sitting down and crossing his arms.
"Aren't you supposed to be going soon Inu Yasha?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah, I'll go once it's High Moon." Inu Yasha replied, reclining on the soft grass. There was a sudden rustle in the bushes to their right. Shippo came tearing out, panting and out of breath.
"Shippo!" Kagome cried, letting the fox demon jump into her arms. Shippo leapt into Kagome's arms and grabbed her collar. He had gotten much bigger, and barely fit in Kagome's arms at all anymore.
"Ka-go-me! In-Inu Yash-a!" he panted, "Something's chasing me!"
"Is it a demon?" Kagome asked urgently.
"I kept it at bay with my Fox Magic and then I got away." Shippo replied, showing Kagome his palms, which were scraped and bloody, "I'm sure it's a demon."
"Let's get it!" Inu Yasha cried. Miroku held him back.
"It's been ten years since I've joined your company Inu Yasha," Miroku said, "and not once have you learned that when you are mortal, you cannot fight demons." Inu Yasha growled.
"Damnit!" Inu Yasha hollered.
"Sango, you and I will deal with this demon. Inu Yasha, you, Kagome, and Shippo stay here." Miroku ordered, barreling forward and sprinting into the woods.
"Wait!" Shippo called, "you don't know the way!" Shippo jumped from Kagome's arms and onto the grass. He had gotten significantly faster, and much more agile. He flew past Sango and Miroku, taking the lead. Miroku and Sango followed in close pursuit. Inu Yasha looked vivid. Kagome sat near him, arching her legs and grabbing them by her knee.
Kagome had grown in the last few years. Her school girl days were long over. Her dark ebony hair blew in the gentle breeze that seemed to always be in the garden. Her kimono, which Inu Yasha had given to her as an eighteenth birthday gift, was a deep satin blue. Her thronged sandals sunk gently into the soft earth. She held Inu Yasha's hand. For the first time in a while, Inu Yasha smiled.
"I'm..." Inu Yasha started.
"I know." Kagome smiled, dipping her head onto his shoulder. Inu Yasha relaxed, his shoulder sinking to match her head.
"I'm just nervous a-"
"About tonight?" Kagome finished. Inu Yasha sighed.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry." Kagome said, "You'll be fine… I know it."