**********
Kindness of Strangers
**********
Shippo bounced on the balls of his feet anxiously as Inu Yasha knocked on the door. "Hey, Dog Boy, explain to me again why we've come to see your estranged big brother; you said that Kouga had taken Kagome; I know where Kouga's den is. Why bother bringing Fluffy into it at all?"
"Sessho Maru has dealt with Kouga recently. He'll be able to give us some insight... some ideas...." Inu Yasha's voice was quiet.
"Whoa, you're asking Sessho Maru for help?!"
"Hentai!" Tamiko yelled from behind them. A loud slap could be heard.
"Tamiko, please, I was merely expressing my appreciation for your-"
"STOP!!" Shippo cut off Master Kenjishi's excuse. He spun around to face them. "She's Kaede for Kami's sake! Just keep your hands OFF!! It's downright disturbing!" Shippo finished with a shudder.
"Hmpf. If that's all you see when you look at the young and lovely Tamiko, I'm afraid I can't help you." Master Kenjishi turned away from the fox as the door opened.
"Inu Yasha?" Rin glanced quickly to take in the crowd of faces, "Please, come in, though I admit that I am surprised to see you...." Rin moved aside and ushered them inside, "I expected you to be drinking champagne out of Kagome's navel by now, or composing sonnets to her eyebrows. I could give you some suggestions, if you'd like."
Inu Yasha glared at Rin through red-rimmed eyes, "Please, spare me the details of your sex life. It coincides with Fluffy's, otherwise I wouldn't mind hearing about it as much."
"Inu Yasha, always a pleasure," the hanyou turned to see his brother, still at the foot of the long marble staircase, a step taller than the rest of them. The look on Sessho Maru's face gave no indication that it was any sort of pleasure... per usual, it gave no indication of anything at all. "To what do we owe the honor of your pleasure, especially after your last visit's... unpleasantness."
The hanyou sighed, "I have no interest in discussing that now, Sessho Maru. I have more pressing matters at hand. I need to speak with you about Kouga."
"Is he why you look so terrible?" Rin looked genuinely concerned. The half brothers both shot her a look that clearly said this was not the time for her mothering impulses. "Fine!" she sighed, "I'll just go make our other guests more comfortable."
Inu Yasha barely found time to worry about what Shippo might say to them while he was out of earshot, as Rin led his companions into a large room with lots of white, plush furniture. Sessho Maru began walking toward a door at the opposite end of the hall.
"Are you coming or not?"
Inu Yasha followed his older brother into a room shockingly different from the whites of the entry hall. All of the walls were lined with books, interrupted only once for a tall floor to ceiling window overlooking the garden in the back yard. "The den," Sessho Maru said simply. "A fitting place to discuss our wolf friend."
Inu Yasha sank down into a soft leather couch, "He's taken Kagome," he said quietly and to the point.
Sessho Maru was still, digesting the information, before looking down on his brother. "You let him take your mate...."
Inu Yasha was on his feet, snarling, "I didn't let him take her! She was out on her own, I don't keep Kagome locked up like you did Rin when you first were first mated!"
Sessho Maru looked down his nose at Inu Yasha, "I did not keep her locked up, it was our honeymoon decade, but I digress. Now, please explain to me exactly how you expect me to help you recover your lost love from that wolf demon. How do I even know she was stolen away? She may have gone willingly."
Inu Yasha clenched his hands into fists, "She wouldn't have." Sessho Maru raised a questioning eyebrow, "...but even if she had, I would still want to make sure she was alright. Look, I don't want you to after her with me, I just want you to tell me about the wolf pack. It's been too long since I last fought them, I need you to help me find a way to get to Kagome."
"It shouldn't be any harder than the battle I fought with him to preserve my place as Great Demon of the West..."
Inu Yasha let out a rumble low in his throat, "If you're gonna throw that at me again...."
"All I am saying, Inu Yasha, is that I would have hoped that your family would have meant more to you in the end-"
"Family?!" the hanyou barked, "Oh, excuse me, I must have you confused with my other brother that spent the first hundred years of my lift trying to kill me!"
Sessho Maru stared into his eyes flatly, "Is this the way you speak to all those whose help you are trying to acquire?"
Inu Yasha met Sessho Maru's stare, "I know that you'll help me, because I know that though I keep out of your wars and feuds over land, I would risk my life to help you save Rin."
For a moment Inu Yasha thought he saw Sessho Maru's eyes soften, but he blinked and the look was gone. "It should go simply, if your kitsune can find the current wolf den. By the way, do you know what he has been doing on his little excursions?" Inu Yasha shook his head, more interested to hear about Kagome. "A pity, it's quite interesting. My sources inform me that Kouga, too, is unaware of what is happening. I would like to be there when you find out..."
"Yeah, fine. What about Kagome?" Inu Yasha urged.
Sessho Maru nodded once, "Kouga agreed to call off his pack in their attacks against me if I would give them free reign over the West Lands, within reason. This means that they will be relatively new to wherever they've migrated to this month, and they will have some of it unguarded. If you go in at night over the tree tops, you will be able to avoid being seen."
"What about being smelled?"
"Even the deepest parts of the forest are saturated with the stench of humans. I therefore suggest attempting this on your human night."
Inu Yasha snorted, "Oh, that's good, how about I coat myself in steak sauce before I go?"
"Not all of Kouga's pack hold a hatred of humans," Sessho Maru allowed himself a small smile. "Find the wolf demon called Kanta, she will help you, I think."
"You think?!" Inu Yasha sputtered, "I can't act on assumptions, this is Kagome's life!"
The older demon shrugged, "If you come up with a better plan, use it. This one works well, however, since it seems that you are rather anxious to act tonight. It is the night of the new moon is it not?"
Inu Yasha muttered as Sessho Maru opened the door into the hall, "That is all the help I can give you on this matter. Was that the only topic you wished to discuss, or shall we now tackle your mother issues?"
*****
In the hall they met a very tearful Rin coming out of the study, "Inu Yasha," she embraced her brother in law gently, "Have you told Kagome's family?"
Inu Yasha shook his head, "She saw them just before Kouga took her, they won't know unless I say something." He looked down, "Kagome wouldn't want them to worry."
She nodded and turned to Sessho Maru, "You have a plan?"
Sessho Maru nodded, "If Inu Yasha can manage it...."
"Don't worry," a cheerful voice came from behind Rin, "We'll all be there to help!" Shippo was followed by Tamiko and Master Kenjishi.
Inu Yasha shook his head, "No way, not them...."
"Inu Yasha," Rin scolded, "You should be more grateful, Kaede and Miroku helped you often in their past lives, and you could use their support now."
Sessho Maru raised his eyebrows, "The priestess and that lecherous monk?" he glanced to Tamiko and Kenjishi.
"That hasn't been proven," Inu Yasha muttered.
Sessho Maru stepped closer to Tamiko, "They do bear the auras of their previous lives...."
Inu Yasha huffed angrily, "I don't believe this crap... Come on, we're leaving." He threw open the door and walked out the door, his company following close behind.
Good luck on that title, Inu Yasha!" Rin called after them.
"What title?" Inu Yasha asked Shippo after the door had closed.
Tamiko answered, "The World's Most Self-Involved Ass, of course. Rin agrees that you're a shoe-in."
*****
Rin shut the door and looked to her husband. "Sessho Maru, did you really sense the auras of Kaede and Miroku?"
Sessho Maru looked at his wife of over four centuries, "No, but Inu Yasha obviously does not believe that they are who they claim to be, and I was looking for something to anger him about...." Rin shook her head in disgust and began walking away. Sessho Maru finished quietly, "Anger will give him something to hold onto, to keep him from retreating into depression over Kagome."
Sessho Maru followed after his wife.
*****
Kagome and Kanta had been talking for hours. Her conversation with the wolf demon reminded Kagome greatly of the talks she used to have with Sango. The thought made her feel a pang of longing for the company of the demon exterminator.
"So then what happened?" Kanta was asking, reclining on her side, her head cupped in her hand.
Kagome shook her head to clear it. "Well, there we were, and she was asking me to make peace after so much hatred and so many misunderstandings."
Kanta was enthralled, "What did you do?"
Kagome shrugged, "It was really hard at first, I mean, we'd spent so much time fighting over the same guy, and the same soul for that matter, but eventually I came to realize that it wasn't her fault, just another of many unfortunate circumstances. She was a piece of my soul, and I couldn't just turn my back on her. Since we've been reunited I feel much more... complete."
Kanta shook her head in disbelief. "It must have been strange, meeting your own reincarnation."
Kagome nodded, "It was, but I had such great support from my friends...."
Kanta closed her eyes, "They must have been very loyal."
Kagome smiled, "Always. Though they were all a little... quirky."
Kanta put a finger to her lips, "Kouga?!" she called.
Kagome whipped her head around angrily, looking at her abductor. "Where have you been?! Couldn't face me after you stole me, huh?!"
Kouga ignored her, looking to Kanta, "She has made no progress, then."
Kanta looked serious, "I wish to discuss her condition with you alone, Kouga," the leader of the wolf pack nodded solemnly and motioned for Kanta to follow him. Kanta rose, looking once over her shoulder to Kagome to wink.
Kagome watched as Kanta and Kouga disappeared into the darkness of the cave, confused. *Perhaps I shouldn't tell her so much... after all, she is sort of my guard.* She let out a long sigh, *I hope Inu Yasha has noticed I'm gone... I hope he'll rescue me soon,* before the thought was even fully formed, Kagome stepped on it. *Wait! I'm a powerful almost- miko! I'm not just gonna sit around here waiting for someone to come in here and grab me out of harm's way! First chance I get, I'm outta here!!!* she nodded to herself once.
Kagome heard footsteps, and she hurried to lean back, pretending to be dozing. Kanta came into view alone, smiling slightly. "So," she said, sitting down, "Planning to escape, are you?"
Kagome's eyes snapped open, "What makes you think that?!" she tried to sound insulted.
Kanta rolled her eyes, "Your body language, as well as good old logical deduction," she smiled happily, "Kouga wanted to know how your de-programming is coming, and I told him that you still believed that you were in love with Inu Yasha-"
"I do not!"
Kanta glared, shushing her. "You're really not helping, you know. Anyway, I asked him to give me tonight to talk alone with you. Chiyo will be guarding the mouth of the cave, but if we can get past her, I can help you escape."
Kagome eyed the wolf suspiciously, "Why?"
Kanta shrugged, "I'm just a romantic, I guess. Especially since I've just fallen in love myself." Kagome blinked in surprise. "You'll meet him tonight, I'm going to rendevous with him at midnight, and he'll lead you out of here."
Kagome picked up the leather canteen, "...and why does he want to help me?" She asked skeptically, taking a long drink of water.
Kanta waved the question away, "Oh, Shippo is very selfless when it comes to things like this."
Kagome almost extinguished the fire as she spat out the water in shock.
**********
TBC! Some of you figured out about Shippo's little love interest earlier, I know, but there are more surprises coming up!! Heck, there are some I don't even know about yet! ^_^"
Kindness of Strangers
**********
Shippo bounced on the balls of his feet anxiously as Inu Yasha knocked on the door. "Hey, Dog Boy, explain to me again why we've come to see your estranged big brother; you said that Kouga had taken Kagome; I know where Kouga's den is. Why bother bringing Fluffy into it at all?"
"Sessho Maru has dealt with Kouga recently. He'll be able to give us some insight... some ideas...." Inu Yasha's voice was quiet.
"Whoa, you're asking Sessho Maru for help?!"
"Hentai!" Tamiko yelled from behind them. A loud slap could be heard.
"Tamiko, please, I was merely expressing my appreciation for your-"
"STOP!!" Shippo cut off Master Kenjishi's excuse. He spun around to face them. "She's Kaede for Kami's sake! Just keep your hands OFF!! It's downright disturbing!" Shippo finished with a shudder.
"Hmpf. If that's all you see when you look at the young and lovely Tamiko, I'm afraid I can't help you." Master Kenjishi turned away from the fox as the door opened.
"Inu Yasha?" Rin glanced quickly to take in the crowd of faces, "Please, come in, though I admit that I am surprised to see you...." Rin moved aside and ushered them inside, "I expected you to be drinking champagne out of Kagome's navel by now, or composing sonnets to her eyebrows. I could give you some suggestions, if you'd like."
Inu Yasha glared at Rin through red-rimmed eyes, "Please, spare me the details of your sex life. It coincides with Fluffy's, otherwise I wouldn't mind hearing about it as much."
"Inu Yasha, always a pleasure," the hanyou turned to see his brother, still at the foot of the long marble staircase, a step taller than the rest of them. The look on Sessho Maru's face gave no indication that it was any sort of pleasure... per usual, it gave no indication of anything at all. "To what do we owe the honor of your pleasure, especially after your last visit's... unpleasantness."
The hanyou sighed, "I have no interest in discussing that now, Sessho Maru. I have more pressing matters at hand. I need to speak with you about Kouga."
"Is he why you look so terrible?" Rin looked genuinely concerned. The half brothers both shot her a look that clearly said this was not the time for her mothering impulses. "Fine!" she sighed, "I'll just go make our other guests more comfortable."
Inu Yasha barely found time to worry about what Shippo might say to them while he was out of earshot, as Rin led his companions into a large room with lots of white, plush furniture. Sessho Maru began walking toward a door at the opposite end of the hall.
"Are you coming or not?"
Inu Yasha followed his older brother into a room shockingly different from the whites of the entry hall. All of the walls were lined with books, interrupted only once for a tall floor to ceiling window overlooking the garden in the back yard. "The den," Sessho Maru said simply. "A fitting place to discuss our wolf friend."
Inu Yasha sank down into a soft leather couch, "He's taken Kagome," he said quietly and to the point.
Sessho Maru was still, digesting the information, before looking down on his brother. "You let him take your mate...."
Inu Yasha was on his feet, snarling, "I didn't let him take her! She was out on her own, I don't keep Kagome locked up like you did Rin when you first were first mated!"
Sessho Maru looked down his nose at Inu Yasha, "I did not keep her locked up, it was our honeymoon decade, but I digress. Now, please explain to me exactly how you expect me to help you recover your lost love from that wolf demon. How do I even know she was stolen away? She may have gone willingly."
Inu Yasha clenched his hands into fists, "She wouldn't have." Sessho Maru raised a questioning eyebrow, "...but even if she had, I would still want to make sure she was alright. Look, I don't want you to after her with me, I just want you to tell me about the wolf pack. It's been too long since I last fought them, I need you to help me find a way to get to Kagome."
"It shouldn't be any harder than the battle I fought with him to preserve my place as Great Demon of the West..."
Inu Yasha let out a rumble low in his throat, "If you're gonna throw that at me again...."
"All I am saying, Inu Yasha, is that I would have hoped that your family would have meant more to you in the end-"
"Family?!" the hanyou barked, "Oh, excuse me, I must have you confused with my other brother that spent the first hundred years of my lift trying to kill me!"
Sessho Maru stared into his eyes flatly, "Is this the way you speak to all those whose help you are trying to acquire?"
Inu Yasha met Sessho Maru's stare, "I know that you'll help me, because I know that though I keep out of your wars and feuds over land, I would risk my life to help you save Rin."
For a moment Inu Yasha thought he saw Sessho Maru's eyes soften, but he blinked and the look was gone. "It should go simply, if your kitsune can find the current wolf den. By the way, do you know what he has been doing on his little excursions?" Inu Yasha shook his head, more interested to hear about Kagome. "A pity, it's quite interesting. My sources inform me that Kouga, too, is unaware of what is happening. I would like to be there when you find out..."
"Yeah, fine. What about Kagome?" Inu Yasha urged.
Sessho Maru nodded once, "Kouga agreed to call off his pack in their attacks against me if I would give them free reign over the West Lands, within reason. This means that they will be relatively new to wherever they've migrated to this month, and they will have some of it unguarded. If you go in at night over the tree tops, you will be able to avoid being seen."
"What about being smelled?"
"Even the deepest parts of the forest are saturated with the stench of humans. I therefore suggest attempting this on your human night."
Inu Yasha snorted, "Oh, that's good, how about I coat myself in steak sauce before I go?"
"Not all of Kouga's pack hold a hatred of humans," Sessho Maru allowed himself a small smile. "Find the wolf demon called Kanta, she will help you, I think."
"You think?!" Inu Yasha sputtered, "I can't act on assumptions, this is Kagome's life!"
The older demon shrugged, "If you come up with a better plan, use it. This one works well, however, since it seems that you are rather anxious to act tonight. It is the night of the new moon is it not?"
Inu Yasha muttered as Sessho Maru opened the door into the hall, "That is all the help I can give you on this matter. Was that the only topic you wished to discuss, or shall we now tackle your mother issues?"
*****
In the hall they met a very tearful Rin coming out of the study, "Inu Yasha," she embraced her brother in law gently, "Have you told Kagome's family?"
Inu Yasha shook his head, "She saw them just before Kouga took her, they won't know unless I say something." He looked down, "Kagome wouldn't want them to worry."
She nodded and turned to Sessho Maru, "You have a plan?"
Sessho Maru nodded, "If Inu Yasha can manage it...."
"Don't worry," a cheerful voice came from behind Rin, "We'll all be there to help!" Shippo was followed by Tamiko and Master Kenjishi.
Inu Yasha shook his head, "No way, not them...."
"Inu Yasha," Rin scolded, "You should be more grateful, Kaede and Miroku helped you often in their past lives, and you could use their support now."
Sessho Maru raised his eyebrows, "The priestess and that lecherous monk?" he glanced to Tamiko and Kenjishi.
"That hasn't been proven," Inu Yasha muttered.
Sessho Maru stepped closer to Tamiko, "They do bear the auras of their previous lives...."
Inu Yasha huffed angrily, "I don't believe this crap... Come on, we're leaving." He threw open the door and walked out the door, his company following close behind.
Good luck on that title, Inu Yasha!" Rin called after them.
"What title?" Inu Yasha asked Shippo after the door had closed.
Tamiko answered, "The World's Most Self-Involved Ass, of course. Rin agrees that you're a shoe-in."
*****
Rin shut the door and looked to her husband. "Sessho Maru, did you really sense the auras of Kaede and Miroku?"
Sessho Maru looked at his wife of over four centuries, "No, but Inu Yasha obviously does not believe that they are who they claim to be, and I was looking for something to anger him about...." Rin shook her head in disgust and began walking away. Sessho Maru finished quietly, "Anger will give him something to hold onto, to keep him from retreating into depression over Kagome."
Sessho Maru followed after his wife.
*****
Kagome and Kanta had been talking for hours. Her conversation with the wolf demon reminded Kagome greatly of the talks she used to have with Sango. The thought made her feel a pang of longing for the company of the demon exterminator.
"So then what happened?" Kanta was asking, reclining on her side, her head cupped in her hand.
Kagome shook her head to clear it. "Well, there we were, and she was asking me to make peace after so much hatred and so many misunderstandings."
Kanta was enthralled, "What did you do?"
Kagome shrugged, "It was really hard at first, I mean, we'd spent so much time fighting over the same guy, and the same soul for that matter, but eventually I came to realize that it wasn't her fault, just another of many unfortunate circumstances. She was a piece of my soul, and I couldn't just turn my back on her. Since we've been reunited I feel much more... complete."
Kanta shook her head in disbelief. "It must have been strange, meeting your own reincarnation."
Kagome nodded, "It was, but I had such great support from my friends...."
Kanta closed her eyes, "They must have been very loyal."
Kagome smiled, "Always. Though they were all a little... quirky."
Kanta put a finger to her lips, "Kouga?!" she called.
Kagome whipped her head around angrily, looking at her abductor. "Where have you been?! Couldn't face me after you stole me, huh?!"
Kouga ignored her, looking to Kanta, "She has made no progress, then."
Kanta looked serious, "I wish to discuss her condition with you alone, Kouga," the leader of the wolf pack nodded solemnly and motioned for Kanta to follow him. Kanta rose, looking once over her shoulder to Kagome to wink.
Kagome watched as Kanta and Kouga disappeared into the darkness of the cave, confused. *Perhaps I shouldn't tell her so much... after all, she is sort of my guard.* She let out a long sigh, *I hope Inu Yasha has noticed I'm gone... I hope he'll rescue me soon,* before the thought was even fully formed, Kagome stepped on it. *Wait! I'm a powerful almost- miko! I'm not just gonna sit around here waiting for someone to come in here and grab me out of harm's way! First chance I get, I'm outta here!!!* she nodded to herself once.
Kagome heard footsteps, and she hurried to lean back, pretending to be dozing. Kanta came into view alone, smiling slightly. "So," she said, sitting down, "Planning to escape, are you?"
Kagome's eyes snapped open, "What makes you think that?!" she tried to sound insulted.
Kanta rolled her eyes, "Your body language, as well as good old logical deduction," she smiled happily, "Kouga wanted to know how your de-programming is coming, and I told him that you still believed that you were in love with Inu Yasha-"
"I do not!"
Kanta glared, shushing her. "You're really not helping, you know. Anyway, I asked him to give me tonight to talk alone with you. Chiyo will be guarding the mouth of the cave, but if we can get past her, I can help you escape."
Kagome eyed the wolf suspiciously, "Why?"
Kanta shrugged, "I'm just a romantic, I guess. Especially since I've just fallen in love myself." Kagome blinked in surprise. "You'll meet him tonight, I'm going to rendevous with him at midnight, and he'll lead you out of here."
Kagome picked up the leather canteen, "...and why does he want to help me?" She asked skeptically, taking a long drink of water.
Kanta waved the question away, "Oh, Shippo is very selfless when it comes to things like this."
Kagome almost extinguished the fire as she spat out the water in shock.
**********
TBC! Some of you figured out about Shippo's little love interest earlier, I know, but there are more surprises coming up!! Heck, there are some I don't even know about yet! ^_^"