FBG: WE'RE BACK!

Sess: Why do you always say that?

Kira: Yeah...it's getting kinda lame...

FBG: Meanies! Pfph...

Kira: Like you're not...I have to be NICE to HIM!

Sess: I deserve to be treated as such! (gets hit on the head)

FBG: Readers read on!

Chapter Five: Field Trip: Part I

A lazy summer afternoon, at the castle of the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands. The sun beat down strong hot beams but luckily there was a cool breeze blowing.

On the terrace of the western gardens, sat two youkai playing a serious game of chess. The white pieced player was a male tori-youkai with long blonde hair in a braid, his opponent; the black pieced player was a female inu-youkai, wearing a cerulean kimono.

"Oh, is Kira-chan going to beat Seiichi-chan badly?" said a little girl poking her head between the two concentrating youkai.

"Ne, Rin-chan!" smiled Kira patting the little girl's head, "I'm going to be Seiichi-sama really bad!"

"That's a bunch of kuso, as you can see, I am BEATING you," said Seiichi looking smug but the look was wiped clean off his face, when Kira, beat him in a well planned check-mate.

"NANI! KUSO! KUSO! KUSO!" yelled Seiichi totally outraged, "BUT I was winning!"

"Iie, you weren't I was. If you paid more attention!" said Kira laughing, she turned to Rin, "See? I told you I would beat him badly."

Rin smiled, her eyes glowing in adoration, "Rin-I'm going to grow up and be just like Kira-chan!"

"Iie, Rin-chan, you don't need to be like me! You're Rin-chan and everyone likes you for who you are, but I am flattered at the thought!" smiled Kira, hugging the little girl.

Seiichi smiled, "Hai, she's right. We don't want another Kira-chan, around, now do we Meiko-san?"

"IIE! Do you?" she said laughing; she was busy stitching a kimono for Rin.

Kira glared at them, "You're both so MEAN! You know that!" Seiichi and Meiko only laughed some more, though it was cut short by the unexpected entrance of Jakin.

"Lord Sesshomaru would like to see Rin-chan and Kira-san in his study," he said abruptly. Meiko raised an eyebrow in Kira's direction, the two of them held a silent gaze before Kira left with Rin to see Sesshomaru.

"What does Lord Sesshomaru want, Jakin-san?" asked Kira plainly.

"He wishes to speak to you, my lord does not conduct details with me," replied Jakin smoothly.

"Will Jaken-sama play with me later?" asked Rin, tugging on the toad demon's hoari.

"Maybe later," he said stopping in front of the study doors. He opened them and beckoned Kira and Rin inside before sliding them shut and leaving.

Kira stared at the room, bright sunlight fell throw from the east windows. Sesshomaru was seated at a large desk, his head bent over a scroll which he was writing on. Rin stood silently beside her sensei, waiting for instruction.

"You called, Sesshomaru-sama?" asked Kira, placing a clawed hand on Rin's shoulder.

"Hai, sit," he said. They sat down on the two cushions on the floor, he put his quill down and turned to them, "I realized that Rin's teaching is going quite well. In the few weeks you were hear she has improved greatly."

"And?"

"I think it would be beneficial for Rin-chan to be taken on a short trip outside the castle," he said smoothly, not really gazing at either one of them.

"Yay!" cried Rin, but was silenced by a look from Kira.

"Doshite?" she asked turning on Sesshomaru suspiciously.

He looked rather surprised, "Don't you think Rin-cha is deserving of a reward such as this?"

"Hai," said Kira, she turned to the window, "What do you plan for us to do?"

"I normally make rounds at this time of year to check on my lands. Usually I take Rin and Jakin, but since you are her teacher, I must take you instead. This will be a learning opportunity for Rin and it would be easier for me," he replied flatly.

Kira sighed, wonderful a vacation with Lord Stick-Up-My-Butt, how very wonderful.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, glaring at her.

"Nani ne," she replied looking completely innocent. She ran a hand through her dark hair, "When do we leave?"

Sesshomaru turned to the window, "Tomorrow at dawn. We'll be taking Ah-Un."

"YAY!" cried Rin, who could contain herself no longer, she ran to Sesshomaru and tossed her arms around him in a bear hug,

"Sesshomaru-sama is the greatest! We're going to have so much fun! You, me, Kira-chan and Ah-Un! Yay!" She gave him another tight squeeze before hugging Kira and running out the door to tell everyone the good news.

Kira smiled, watching her go, she stood up and said quite unexpectedly to Sesshomaru before leaving the room, "You're like a father to her. She's very lucky to have you and you her."

Kira was already up well before dawn, she went out into the garden where she started her early morning training exercises.

She slowly started her meditation after going through a series of jujitsu and ninja practice moves, feeling the warm early morning breeze on her face made her smile.
"You busy?" Seiichi stood behind the female inu-youaki; she looked quite beautiful in the morning sunlight. Her long black hair was tied back and she wore a light green hatori with light weight armor.

"Iie," she said smiling up at Seiichi, he handed her a hot cup of tea, "Arigato gozaimasu."

Seiichi sat down beside her, "You excited about your trip?"

"Iie," she replied, "Should I be?"

"I'm not sure."

"What will you be doing while we're gone?" she asked, it was a question that was subtly waiting in the back of her mind now.

Seiichi awkwardly ran his fingers through his gold hair, "Well, I uh, actually I haven't really thought about that…"

"Nani! Are you serious?" cried Kira, nearly dropping her cup.

He chuckled, "Well yeah I suppose I should've planned something eh? I mean Meiko-san and Ryoko-san are going to be in the village…"

"Hai, she's selling some of the clothes that she made and some of her herbal remedies," said Kira quietly, "I'm glad she likes it here, it'll be easier for her when I leave."

It was now Seiichi's turn to be surprised, "NANI! WHEN DID YOU PLAN THIS!"

"A few days now," sighed Kira, she scratched her head, "I know Rin-chan's teaching went well, I don't have much left to teach her and Meiko-chan was always better then I was."

"Kira-chan, isn't that a little baka? Don't you think your better of here?" he said rather sternly.

Kira smiled, "I wasn't planning on leaving now, maybe in a month or so. When fall starts, I'll probably leave. I can make it back to Hoja-sama's village by the winter."

"Hoja? Are you talking about Masakazu Hoja, that ninja master?" asked Seiichi.

"Hai," replied Kira, looking puzzled, "Doshite?"

"His village is on the borders of my father's region. He's quite famous in the southern parts, even if he's a ningen and all," replied Seiichi, "I wouldn't have thought you knew him."

"Yeah, Meiko and I trained with him for nearly two years. He was a very good friend, it's been awhile since I last saw him, I wouldn't mind going back there," said Kira, after a few moments she stood up, "But, right now my priority is with Rin-chan."

Seiichi nodded and stood up as well, "I think nii-chan is awake and preparing now."

They both headed inside and down the halls to the castle's courtyard. There a multitude of servants were running around getting everything set for their lord's departure. Ah-Un was out amusing himself by flicking his tail at servants who would flee in terror, hoping he would not attack, Kira laughed.

"Ah-Un's enjoying himself," she said smiling, Seiichi grinned in agreement. After a moment, Jaken came out followed by Meiko who was carrying a large bundle, which turned out to be a sleeping Rin.

"She fell asleep right after she got changed, she must be tired," said Meiko quietly handing over Rin to Kira. Kira gently lifted the girl up onto Ah-Un's back, "Don't wake her." She whispered to the two-headed dragon, who gently nudged Rin affectionately.

"Where's Sesshomaru?" said Kira to Meiko. The neko-youkai shook her head, her green eyes catching the sunlight at all angles, "I don't know."

As soon as she said this, Sesshomaru walked in, all the servants immediately bowed in respect and quickly went to continue their work and Sesshomaru grunted in acknowledgement. He was wearing his full armor and both Tokijin and Tenseiga were hanging at his side.

"Finally you made it," said Kira smugly, "It's well past dawn if you didn't realize, did you sleep in your majesty?"

Sesshomaru growled, "This Sesshomaru doesn't like to be mocked, I had important business to take care of."

"That's what you always say," retorted Kira, she stood with her arms crossed.

Sesshomaru glared at her again and then asked, "Where is Rin?"

"She's asleep on Ah-Un," replied Kira quietly, "She was up late last night, in excitement, she's tired."

Sesshomaru looked at the sleeping little girl, he almost seemed to smile when his cold hard mask appeared again, "Everything is packed and ready. Get on."

He nudged Kira towards Ah-Un, Kira gracefully lept up onto the dragon's back gently placing Rin in her lap. Sesshomaru in turned jumped but behind her, placing one arm around her waist, and then other grasped Ah-Un's reins. Immediately they were off, soaring into the early morning sky.

In a dark castle, deep in the heart of the Northern Lands, a demon lord sat alone in his anti-chamber. He was a shape-shifter, the most feared demon in all the lands and today he was not pleased.

He summoned his servant to him, "Bring me Kagura."

"You called," the wind demon stood at the door, the shape shifter turned around, she stared at him coldly.

"I'm giving you a very easy task Kagura," said Naraku quietly, "I want you to go and spy on that irritating Taiyoukai, Sesshomaru."

"Since when has he been…"

"Do you not like the idea Kagura? Hmm, oh you're silent now good. It's a good idea not to question me, and I'd rather not hear your stupid voice," he said quietly, "Now go. I want to hear a detailed report when you come back and this time, don't screw up!"

Kagura said nothing, merely bowing and walking out of the room, Naraku turned around again and continued his brooding.

FBG: Uh oh...something bad is going to happen...

Sess: Nothing 'bad' can happen to this Sesshomaru!

Kira: Liar! (punches his shoulder)

Sess: OH! Fine then, name me THREE 'bad' things that happened to me!

Kira: Phft! That's easy! 1) I came into your life. 2) You fell into a pond because I came into your life. 3) You've been secretly been made fun of ever since you fell into the pond because I came into your life. There done!

Sess: (grumbles) Why you little smart...

FBG: (nudges him) She's right you know.

Sess: YOU SHUT UP!

FBG: NEVER! (runs away with story)