Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha, but if anyone is interested in selling him for less than $21.78, please contact me!
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Prisoners
What I Must Do
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*This takes place just after Chiyo and Kenjishi left Tamiko.*
Master Kenjishi could only stammer as he was led through the house by Chiyo, finally coming to what was obviously the master bedroom. She helped him to sit on the bed gently, before taking a seat beside him. Finally, he collected himself.
"Now listen to me, young woman, I am more than willing to do my best to fulfill your needs, but please keep in mind that I am not as young-"
"Kenjishi," Chiyo gently cut in, "I have no interest in engaging in any physical intimacy with you tonight." The old man was crestfallen, "I'm sorry if my. . . kiss earlier misled you, I was simply. . . overcome."
Master Kenjishi nodded sagely, "I understand completely, I have that effect on women."
Chiyo smiled warmly, before her expression turned serious, "I want you to understand that this is all very hard for me. When I recall what my past life was like, with Miroku, I just feel so. . . different. Back then, when I was Sango, I felt comfortable. Loved. Secure," she sighed deeply, "It is a feeling I have yet to truly recapture in this life."
"Chiyo," Kenjishi breathed, "That's terrible..."
Chiyo swallowed hard, "...and now I feel as if I'll never have it again," she looked deep within the old man's eyes, "I feel something for you. I truly love you, Kenjishi, I need you to know that."
"But we can be together now," he cupped her hands gently in his, "I know you probably aren't as attracted to me now as you were when I was the dashing young Miroku," Chiyo blushed and smiled, "but as you said, our love cannot be denied. I probably don't have much time left on this earth, but I want to spend any I have left by your side."
Chiyo had tears in her eyes, "You don't understand," she said quietly.
Just than, a bark of anger came from the living room.
"Damn it, Bitch, what the hell was that for?!"
Both heads turned to look at the closed door, "Do you think we should see what's the matter?" Master Kenjishi asked.
"In a moment," Chiyo looked into his eyes, "First, there's something I must explain."
*****
Inu Yasha glared down at the bug currently cowering in his shirt.
"My Lord Inu Yasha, please forgive this Myoga for interrupting such a- um- a moment between yourself and your Lady, I only-"
"Feh," Inu Yasha used a clawed finger to flick the flea across the room. He sat up and turned on the lamp, sighing in frustration.
Kagome climbed off the couch (and Inu Yasha) to tend to the battered flea, "Inu Yasha," she scolded, "I'm sure that Myoga wouldn't have interrupted unless he had a very good reason." *At least, he damn well better have...* She knelt down, gently peeling the flattened flea off the carpet.
"My Lady is too kind." Myoga returned to his usual round self with a pop, "And may I add that I am gladdened to see that after all this time, you and my Lord have finally mated." Kagome turned bright pink, staring down at the slightly balder, slightly wider, but essentially the same Myoga.
"We're not mated," Inu Yasha informed him bluntly, "But we'd be a whole hell of a lot closer if you hadn't interrupted, you- !"
"Wow, miss a little miss a lot." Tamiko was in the doorway, taking in the situation with an amused expression.
Inu Yasha grimaced at the girl, "Great, this is the freakin' last thing I need..." he trailed off into inaudible mumbling.
Kagome tried to ignore him, saying loudly, "Anyway, Myoga, what was so important that you. . . were so insistent?"
Moyga clasped two sets of hands and looked down, "Actually, Lady, I have two things to tell you," he said quietly. "Two very important things."
Inu Yasha's ears perked up, "So? Spit it out, flea."
"My Lord..." here Myoga seemed hesitant, "At your home in Tokyo, where I first looked for you tonight...."
Inu Yasha was impatient, but trying not to show it in front of Kagome, "Yes?"
Myoga gulped, "I was surprised to find Jakken there-"
Kagome gasped, "Jakken?"
Inu Yasha scoffed, "That toad..." his face paled as a nasty realization hit him. "Sessho Maru must have put him up to that...."
"So you were not aware of his presence, Master Inu Yasha?"
"I had no clue... and now Jakken is guarding my house.... Damn! Now that's two favors I owe Sessho Maru."
"Two, my lord?"
Inu Yasha nodded once, "I went to him last night, for help in rescuing Kagome."
Kagome stood and moved to him, resting her hand on his arm, "You asked Sessho Maru for help? For me?"
Inu Yasha could feel his expression soften at the look of gratitude and happiness on her face, he quickly looked out the window to hide it, "Feh."
Myoga ignored their exchange, "It seems that Sessho Maru is still trying to enlist you to help him in the preservation of your family's honor."
Kagome shook her head, "He must have changed a lot since the last time I saw him."
Myoga nodded, "He has been trying to make Inu Yasha take his place as advisor and general to the Great Demon of the West Lands for over half a century, and he now seems to be collecting favors, trying to use Master Inu Yasha's honor to force him into it."
Kagome blinked, "But Inu Yasha didn't ask Sessho Maru to protect the house."
Inu Yasha rolled his eyes, "I also didn't ask for that house, but I still feel that I owe Rin for giving it to me."
Kagome looked at the floor, "...and yet you knowingly indebted yourself to Sessho Maru to help me?"
Inu Yasha's demeanor did not change, "Of course I did," he said angrily. "I may be the better fighter, but for all that planning crap I knew I had to get a better strategist.." His gaze became distant, "I couldn't afford to screw it up."
Kagome's eyes began to water, "Oh, Inu Yasha. . ."
"Anyway," Tamiko said loudly, causing Inu Yasha to growl at her.
*Damn! I'd forgotten that bitch was still here.*
Tamiko was speaking again, "What else did ye want to tell us, Myoga? You said there were two important items. . ."
In Kagome's hand, the flea gulped, "I'm afraid that I have something much more worrisome to tell you..."
Kagome's brow furrowed in concern, "Something worse?"
Shippo chose this moment to enter the room, hand in hand with Kanta. The fox demon looked perplexed, "Worse than what?"
"Jakken is guarding the house in Tokyo from Kouga, which means I now owe Sessho Maru two favors," Inu Yasha muttered.
Kanta looked sympathetic, while Shippo rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Doesn't that guy ever let up?"
Kanta looked to Myoga in interest, "You said that there was something else. . ."
The old flea nodded, "Yes. . . um, I fear I do not know a good way to break this to you-"
"Aw, for cripe's sake, just spit it out," Inu Yasha was almost yelling, but his impatience was immediately quelled by one look from Kagome.
"Yes, well," Myoga took a moment to orient himself, before hurrying on, "Lady Kagome, I find it only fair to inform you that, if he does not find you at Lord Inu Yasha's home, Kouga has another, and more devious plan."
The color drained from Kagome's face, "What is it?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"The wolf pack intends to wait for you at your family home, the Sunset Shrine."
Inu Yasha was enraged, "What the hell does that wimpy wolf think he's doing?! He can't pull Kagome's family into this!"
"That's unthinkable," Kanta stepped forward, with Shippo's hand on her shoulder in support, "there is no honor in it! Lord Kouga would not-"
"'Lord Kouga'." Inu Yasha scoffed.
Shippo shot him an angry look, "Anyway, don't worry, Kagome. I'll go to your mom's house and protect them. Hell, I might even enlist Jakken, since he's so keen to help us."
Kagome's eyes were wide, and she was trembling, but her voice was strong and determined, "I refuse to include you, Shippo. This is my fight," she said simply, "I have to go back to Tokyo."
"You can't!!" Inu Yasha snarled.
"I can and I will! I refuse to keep on playing the damsel in distress! I'm going to Tokyo!!" Kagome stood angrily to face the hanyou, letting Myoga drop to the floor.
"And I am going with you," came a voice from the doorway. Six heads turned to see Chiyo, followed by Master Kenjishi. "I have just been explaining my situation to Kenjishi-"
"And I still do not understand," the old master shook his head sadly, "You would rather return to your pack and forget me then admit to loving a human."
Chiyo looked as though he'd slapped her, "Of course not! I simply refuse to run from my responsibilities. The wolf pack is my family and I cannot just turn my back on them. We have held tight to each other as our numbers have slowly decreased. They were there for me when my own kin, my den, was slaughtered. They stood by me when I was ill," she looked around the room, her eyes begging for understanding, "Kanta understands, don't you Kanta?" her question ended in a trembling and unsure tone.
Kanta chewed her lower lip before closing her eyes and nodding. Shippo's hand tightened on her shoulder. She turned to face the kitsune, "I understand," she told him quietly, "and that is why I must go too."
Shippo shook his head, begging, "No, Kanta, they won't forgive you for leaving with me! Your father-!"
"My father will worry if he doesn't know that I'm safe," she told him gently. Kanta pulled him into a tight embrace, "I will always come back to you, Shippo, you know that."
Kagome watched the two with mixed feelings. She turned to look at Inu Yasha, and was not too surprised to find that his eyes were on her as well. He cleared his throat.
"Feh! Anyway, do you really think that all the men are just gonna sit here while all you women go careening headlong into the most dangerous situation you can find?!"
"Not *all* the women," Tamiko muttered.
Shippo grabbed Kanta's hand, "Inu Yasha is right! I'm going with you."
Kanta's eyes widened, "You can't, they really would kill *you*."
Shippo smirked, "Only if they can catch me," he glanced to Inu Yasha, "Besides that, we'll have lots of reinforcements."
Inu Yasha rolled his eyes, "Oh, right, two wolf demons, a kitsune, and three useless humans will have no problem stopping a wolf pack at all."
Chiyo folded her arms across her chest, "What about *you*, Inu Yasha?"
Inu Yasha sputtered, "Bah! I'll be able to stop them, but not while I'm constantly having to pull you guys out of trouble!"
Shippo shrugged, "Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of asking the Great Demon of the West Lands and all the youkai in his command," Inu Yasha glowered at him, but Shippo went on, "After all, Kouga threatened to go to Kagome's house, thereby putting humans in danger, making it a matter for the demon in charge of the territory, otherwise known as big bro Sessho Maru."
A low rumbling was coming from Inu Yasha's throat, "I will not," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Ask that fluffy-assed bastard for help again."
Myoga hopped to his shoulder, "Not even for Kagome, Lord Inu Yasha?"
Inu Yasha stilled, and he desperately hoped that no one else had heard what the flea had said. "Damn it! Where the hell is Kirara?! We'll reach Sessho Maru faster if we ride her."
Kagome smiled, "Thank you, Inu Yasha."
**********
*Whew!* There, I've gotten the crew to a good spot to set them up for another exciting adventure. Please stay tuned to find out what happens!
Gimme a T "T!!" Gimme a B "B!!" Gimme a C "C!!" What does it mean?!
"To Be Continued!"
**********
Prisoners
What I Must Do
**********
*This takes place just after Chiyo and Kenjishi left Tamiko.*
Master Kenjishi could only stammer as he was led through the house by Chiyo, finally coming to what was obviously the master bedroom. She helped him to sit on the bed gently, before taking a seat beside him. Finally, he collected himself.
"Now listen to me, young woman, I am more than willing to do my best to fulfill your needs, but please keep in mind that I am not as young-"
"Kenjishi," Chiyo gently cut in, "I have no interest in engaging in any physical intimacy with you tonight." The old man was crestfallen, "I'm sorry if my. . . kiss earlier misled you, I was simply. . . overcome."
Master Kenjishi nodded sagely, "I understand completely, I have that effect on women."
Chiyo smiled warmly, before her expression turned serious, "I want you to understand that this is all very hard for me. When I recall what my past life was like, with Miroku, I just feel so. . . different. Back then, when I was Sango, I felt comfortable. Loved. Secure," she sighed deeply, "It is a feeling I have yet to truly recapture in this life."
"Chiyo," Kenjishi breathed, "That's terrible..."
Chiyo swallowed hard, "...and now I feel as if I'll never have it again," she looked deep within the old man's eyes, "I feel something for you. I truly love you, Kenjishi, I need you to know that."
"But we can be together now," he cupped her hands gently in his, "I know you probably aren't as attracted to me now as you were when I was the dashing young Miroku," Chiyo blushed and smiled, "but as you said, our love cannot be denied. I probably don't have much time left on this earth, but I want to spend any I have left by your side."
Chiyo had tears in her eyes, "You don't understand," she said quietly.
Just than, a bark of anger came from the living room.
"Damn it, Bitch, what the hell was that for?!"
Both heads turned to look at the closed door, "Do you think we should see what's the matter?" Master Kenjishi asked.
"In a moment," Chiyo looked into his eyes, "First, there's something I must explain."
*****
Inu Yasha glared down at the bug currently cowering in his shirt.
"My Lord Inu Yasha, please forgive this Myoga for interrupting such a- um- a moment between yourself and your Lady, I only-"
"Feh," Inu Yasha used a clawed finger to flick the flea across the room. He sat up and turned on the lamp, sighing in frustration.
Kagome climbed off the couch (and Inu Yasha) to tend to the battered flea, "Inu Yasha," she scolded, "I'm sure that Myoga wouldn't have interrupted unless he had a very good reason." *At least, he damn well better have...* She knelt down, gently peeling the flattened flea off the carpet.
"My Lady is too kind." Myoga returned to his usual round self with a pop, "And may I add that I am gladdened to see that after all this time, you and my Lord have finally mated." Kagome turned bright pink, staring down at the slightly balder, slightly wider, but essentially the same Myoga.
"We're not mated," Inu Yasha informed him bluntly, "But we'd be a whole hell of a lot closer if you hadn't interrupted, you- !"
"Wow, miss a little miss a lot." Tamiko was in the doorway, taking in the situation with an amused expression.
Inu Yasha grimaced at the girl, "Great, this is the freakin' last thing I need..." he trailed off into inaudible mumbling.
Kagome tried to ignore him, saying loudly, "Anyway, Myoga, what was so important that you. . . were so insistent?"
Moyga clasped two sets of hands and looked down, "Actually, Lady, I have two things to tell you," he said quietly. "Two very important things."
Inu Yasha's ears perked up, "So? Spit it out, flea."
"My Lord..." here Myoga seemed hesitant, "At your home in Tokyo, where I first looked for you tonight...."
Inu Yasha was impatient, but trying not to show it in front of Kagome, "Yes?"
Myoga gulped, "I was surprised to find Jakken there-"
Kagome gasped, "Jakken?"
Inu Yasha scoffed, "That toad..." his face paled as a nasty realization hit him. "Sessho Maru must have put him up to that...."
"So you were not aware of his presence, Master Inu Yasha?"
"I had no clue... and now Jakken is guarding my house.... Damn! Now that's two favors I owe Sessho Maru."
"Two, my lord?"
Inu Yasha nodded once, "I went to him last night, for help in rescuing Kagome."
Kagome stood and moved to him, resting her hand on his arm, "You asked Sessho Maru for help? For me?"
Inu Yasha could feel his expression soften at the look of gratitude and happiness on her face, he quickly looked out the window to hide it, "Feh."
Myoga ignored their exchange, "It seems that Sessho Maru is still trying to enlist you to help him in the preservation of your family's honor."
Kagome shook her head, "He must have changed a lot since the last time I saw him."
Myoga nodded, "He has been trying to make Inu Yasha take his place as advisor and general to the Great Demon of the West Lands for over half a century, and he now seems to be collecting favors, trying to use Master Inu Yasha's honor to force him into it."
Kagome blinked, "But Inu Yasha didn't ask Sessho Maru to protect the house."
Inu Yasha rolled his eyes, "I also didn't ask for that house, but I still feel that I owe Rin for giving it to me."
Kagome looked at the floor, "...and yet you knowingly indebted yourself to Sessho Maru to help me?"
Inu Yasha's demeanor did not change, "Of course I did," he said angrily. "I may be the better fighter, but for all that planning crap I knew I had to get a better strategist.." His gaze became distant, "I couldn't afford to screw it up."
Kagome's eyes began to water, "Oh, Inu Yasha. . ."
"Anyway," Tamiko said loudly, causing Inu Yasha to growl at her.
*Damn! I'd forgotten that bitch was still here.*
Tamiko was speaking again, "What else did ye want to tell us, Myoga? You said there were two important items. . ."
In Kagome's hand, the flea gulped, "I'm afraid that I have something much more worrisome to tell you..."
Kagome's brow furrowed in concern, "Something worse?"
Shippo chose this moment to enter the room, hand in hand with Kanta. The fox demon looked perplexed, "Worse than what?"
"Jakken is guarding the house in Tokyo from Kouga, which means I now owe Sessho Maru two favors," Inu Yasha muttered.
Kanta looked sympathetic, while Shippo rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Doesn't that guy ever let up?"
Kanta looked to Myoga in interest, "You said that there was something else. . ."
The old flea nodded, "Yes. . . um, I fear I do not know a good way to break this to you-"
"Aw, for cripe's sake, just spit it out," Inu Yasha was almost yelling, but his impatience was immediately quelled by one look from Kagome.
"Yes, well," Myoga took a moment to orient himself, before hurrying on, "Lady Kagome, I find it only fair to inform you that, if he does not find you at Lord Inu Yasha's home, Kouga has another, and more devious plan."
The color drained from Kagome's face, "What is it?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"The wolf pack intends to wait for you at your family home, the Sunset Shrine."
Inu Yasha was enraged, "What the hell does that wimpy wolf think he's doing?! He can't pull Kagome's family into this!"
"That's unthinkable," Kanta stepped forward, with Shippo's hand on her shoulder in support, "there is no honor in it! Lord Kouga would not-"
"'Lord Kouga'." Inu Yasha scoffed.
Shippo shot him an angry look, "Anyway, don't worry, Kagome. I'll go to your mom's house and protect them. Hell, I might even enlist Jakken, since he's so keen to help us."
Kagome's eyes were wide, and she was trembling, but her voice was strong and determined, "I refuse to include you, Shippo. This is my fight," she said simply, "I have to go back to Tokyo."
"You can't!!" Inu Yasha snarled.
"I can and I will! I refuse to keep on playing the damsel in distress! I'm going to Tokyo!!" Kagome stood angrily to face the hanyou, letting Myoga drop to the floor.
"And I am going with you," came a voice from the doorway. Six heads turned to see Chiyo, followed by Master Kenjishi. "I have just been explaining my situation to Kenjishi-"
"And I still do not understand," the old master shook his head sadly, "You would rather return to your pack and forget me then admit to loving a human."
Chiyo looked as though he'd slapped her, "Of course not! I simply refuse to run from my responsibilities. The wolf pack is my family and I cannot just turn my back on them. We have held tight to each other as our numbers have slowly decreased. They were there for me when my own kin, my den, was slaughtered. They stood by me when I was ill," she looked around the room, her eyes begging for understanding, "Kanta understands, don't you Kanta?" her question ended in a trembling and unsure tone.
Kanta chewed her lower lip before closing her eyes and nodding. Shippo's hand tightened on her shoulder. She turned to face the kitsune, "I understand," she told him quietly, "and that is why I must go too."
Shippo shook his head, begging, "No, Kanta, they won't forgive you for leaving with me! Your father-!"
"My father will worry if he doesn't know that I'm safe," she told him gently. Kanta pulled him into a tight embrace, "I will always come back to you, Shippo, you know that."
Kagome watched the two with mixed feelings. She turned to look at Inu Yasha, and was not too surprised to find that his eyes were on her as well. He cleared his throat.
"Feh! Anyway, do you really think that all the men are just gonna sit here while all you women go careening headlong into the most dangerous situation you can find?!"
"Not *all* the women," Tamiko muttered.
Shippo grabbed Kanta's hand, "Inu Yasha is right! I'm going with you."
Kanta's eyes widened, "You can't, they really would kill *you*."
Shippo smirked, "Only if they can catch me," he glanced to Inu Yasha, "Besides that, we'll have lots of reinforcements."
Inu Yasha rolled his eyes, "Oh, right, two wolf demons, a kitsune, and three useless humans will have no problem stopping a wolf pack at all."
Chiyo folded her arms across her chest, "What about *you*, Inu Yasha?"
Inu Yasha sputtered, "Bah! I'll be able to stop them, but not while I'm constantly having to pull you guys out of trouble!"
Shippo shrugged, "Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of asking the Great Demon of the West Lands and all the youkai in his command," Inu Yasha glowered at him, but Shippo went on, "After all, Kouga threatened to go to Kagome's house, thereby putting humans in danger, making it a matter for the demon in charge of the territory, otherwise known as big bro Sessho Maru."
A low rumbling was coming from Inu Yasha's throat, "I will not," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Ask that fluffy-assed bastard for help again."
Myoga hopped to his shoulder, "Not even for Kagome, Lord Inu Yasha?"
Inu Yasha stilled, and he desperately hoped that no one else had heard what the flea had said. "Damn it! Where the hell is Kirara?! We'll reach Sessho Maru faster if we ride her."
Kagome smiled, "Thank you, Inu Yasha."
**********
*Whew!* There, I've gotten the crew to a good spot to set them up for another exciting adventure. Please stay tuned to find out what happens!
Gimme a T "T!!" Gimme a B "B!!" Gimme a C "C!!" What does it mean?!
"To Be Continued!"