"Journey Anew"

Chapter 01 :: Unwanted Companion

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Author's Note: Dun Dun dun, more Kouga-kun! Yay! I'm happy to write this, actually. Its fun. Kouga and Jaken are sort of going to substitute Inuyasha and Shippo-chan as the constant arguers of the group. But it's all in good fun, people, honestly.

Warnings: Cursing and a little bit of Jaken bashing. Not much though, really...

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Don't sue. Don't steal the story or plot please!

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Rin had ceased her babbling and was walking along side Sango in a happy manner. She was still holding the taijiya's hand. Jaken was explaining to Sango how she should conduct herself in the presence of Sesshomaru-sama, and Sango was ignoring the toad and thinking more about her situation in... well, life.

"Never, under any circumstance should you address him without respect. It is always, ALWAYS, Sesshomaru-sama, My Lord, or Lord Sesshomaru. Nothing else is tolerated. Also, do not speak to Sesshomaru-sama unless he speaks to you, which he most likely won't. Do not get too close to Sesshomaru-sama, and never, ever, touch him. He does not need to be dirtied by your humanity and –"

"That is enough, Jaken." Sesshomaru ordered. The toad went silent, but he cast a look in Sango's direction. At that moment, the taijiya just happened to be moving her head to look from the ground to the sky, and Jaken mistook this as Sango understanding all the rules. Jaken smiled, satisfied with himself.

Sango's mind was a million miles away. She still had yet to fully recover from the shock of losing so much, killing herself, being revived by Sesshomaru of all people, and then accepting little Rin's invitation to join them. She was in a daze.

Sesshomaru stopped walking, and so did everyone else. Rin squeezed Sango's hand and whispered, "Sesshomaru-sama must sense something. Or smell. Or hear. Could be all three. He has a lot better senses than we do, because he's not human." Rin informed Sango, though Sango already knew in great detail the many differences between youkai and humans, but she said nothing and only nodded.

"Protect Rin." Sesshomaru said without turning around. Sango had an idea he was speaking to her, so she pushed Rin behind her. Jaken readied his staff and tried to look intimidating.

A large dust cloud was heading straight for them. It looked vaguely familiar to Sango and had she been totally herself she would have known that the cloud of dust belonged to none other than Kouga, the wolf prince.

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Kouga had been running for a long time. And he had no intention of stopping. Not until he came to a decision about what to do. He knew he couldn't return to his home until he had put to rest the guilt and vengeance still burning inside of him. Seeing Naraku die had not quenched either much, and he figured that maybe the death of Kagura would. But where was that insufferable bitch?

Kouga only had enough time to swing his body to the left before hitting into the youkai lord Sesshomaru. Finding his ground, Kouga let out a growl. He was in no mood for this. "Outta the way buddy. Next time I won't stop."

"Don't." Sesshomaru said simply, but what he didn't say pissed Kouga off more.

"Listen, I'm not exactly having the best week of my life and your attitude is pissing me off." Kouga growled, stepping closer to Sesshomaru.

Jaken stepped forward as well, "How dare you speak to the great Sesshomaru-sama as if he were some low youkai like yourself!"

"Low youkai?" Kouga growled, his ego coming into play, "I'm a pack leader and a prince, you toad, and next time watch your mouth or I'll feed you to my wolves."

Rin let out a whimper and instantly Sesshomaru drew tokijin. "Leave or die."

Kouga growled. "Try it, pretty boy."

Sango shook her head. What was she doing! She had to stop this! "Wait!" Sango let go of Rin's hand and moved in between Kouga and Sesshomaru. She faced Kouga, figuring that even though he was unusually touchy, he would be much easier to calm down and reason with than Sesshomaru.

"Sango?" Kouga blinked. "What the hell are you doing with the likes of him?"

Sango let out a little sigh, "Long story, Kouga-kun, but you've got to calm down and not fight."

"He's the one getting in people's way and then acting like a complete ass about it." Kouga pointed at Sesshomaru, who turned his head to the side and ignored him. This angered Kouga even more, "What a pomp-"

Sango placed her hands over Kouga's mouth, "Kouga... shut up. Do you even realize what you just said? I was a bystander to the whole thing and you know I'm not going to give a biased opinion... you were the one being an ass first."

Kouga blinked, began to say something, and then closed his mouth. "Alright. Okay. You got me. So, why exactly are you traveling with them?"

"Rin asked me too."

"Well how did you run into each other?"

"They were traveling by and stopped at the village." Sango glanced over her shoulder and gave Sesshomaru a slightly pleading look. She was not prepared to tell Kouga the complete truth. The youkai lord nodded with a quick snap of his head, and then continued to ignore her and Kouga altogether.

"Where are Ginta and Hakkaku?" Sango asked suddenly, realizing that Kouga was down two companions.

"I left them. I'm traveling on my own for now."

"Really? I was too at first... but being alone never made me feel very good..." Sango said quietly.

"Then travel with me." Kouga offered, grinning. He pointed at himself with his thumb, "I'm strong, single, handsome, and alone. Where's the problem?" He winked at her in a joking manner.

"Kouga-kun, I appreciate the offer..." Sango started, but Rin grabbed her hand.

"You could... travel with us..." Rin said softly, her usual cheerful voice a little timid. Jaken looked at Rin in surprise, and Sesshomaru turned his head back towards them. Things had caught his attention.

Kouga blinked. "With you? And them?" Kouga leaned down, placing one hand on his knees and the other in the direction of Sesshomaru and Jaken.

Rin placed her hand around his thumb and smiled, "With me and with them. With Sango too."

Kouga grinned, "The offer is sweet kid, but I doubt the high and mighty mongrel over there would even contemplate it."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. He didn't like being insulted, but his disliked people saying what he would and wouldn't do even more. So he growled out, "If Rin truly wants this, then I do not care."

Rin jumped in the air and gave a cheer of victory. Sango raised one eye brow and smiled good naturedly at Kouga. "Are you really going to break her heart, Kouga-kun?" Sango asked, indicating to the smiling Rin.

Kouga's shoulders sagged, "Well... since I am going the same way..." Kouga blinked and turned himself around, his back facing everyone. "Come on, let's go!"

Rin giggled and Sango smiled at her. Rin reached for Sango's hand and began to follow Kouga's long strides. Sesshomaru silently picked up walking, and Jaken crossed his arms in irritation. Two, new, UNWANTED companions. What else could possibly go wrong?

Well, Jaken had no clue that they would get another, new, UNWANTED companion in a short time.

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Kouga lit the fire after the third attempt, having a lighter that Kagome had given to him as a gift once. Sango was sitting beside Rin, and Jaken was across the fire, glaring at everyone.

Sesshomaru was away from them, staring at the sky. Sango was briefly reminded of Inuyasha, but then the youkai lord turned around and stared directly at her, as if feeling her eyes on his back. Sango blinked and looked away, turning to Kouga who had taken a seat next to her.

"Well, travel's a bit slow, but I think I'm starting to like you guys." Kouga grinned, "All except the toad."

Jaken squeaked, "Excuse me you mutt! You had better start referring to me as MR. Jaken, or Sesshomaru-sama will certainly-"Jaken's speech was cut off as a rock landed on his head. It had come from Sesshomaru's direction. Rin and Sango both giggled, while Kouga laughed out right.

"You guys are alright." Kouga managed to get out, "Even the toad. He may be as annoying as hell, but he's rather funny."

Jaken's entire face turned red and steam came out of his ears. "HOW DARE—"

Rin bounced over to him and kissed his cheek. Jaken was dumbfounded. He fell over.

"Hehe." Rin giggled, "I had to surprise you Jaken-sama!"

"R.. Rin, never, ever... do that again." Jaken commanded, but he sounded very half-hearted when he spoke.

"Okay!" Rin grinned. Sango looked down at her hands for a moment, longing to see Kilala snuggled securely on her lap. But she saw nothing. Tears came to her eyes but she held them back, making sure no one noticed.

"I'll be back. I'm going to get some water." Sango smiled at everyone and stood up.

"Don't wander too far away Sango, evil youkai could be lurking!" Kouga joked, "But you can take em, right taijiya?"

"Right." Sango said hurriedly. She walked back the way they had came. She got just over the hill before falling to the ground in tears. Everything, in that moment, hit her at once and she felt her head get dizzy. She slumped over, supporting herself by placing her hands on the ground. What was she doing? Why had Tenseiga revived her? Why must she suffer more? Sango choked on her tears and began to cough.

"Sango!?" Sango glanced up, her sight swerving dizzyingly. She could barely make out the form of someone standing on the hill. They looked familiar. "Sango!" They called again, beginning to run towards her. She thought she heard chimes and a good natured chuckle.

"Miro..ku?" She whispered and promptly passed out.

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"...going to be okay?"

"...think so..."

".... Such an inconvenience..."

"...silence... Jaken..."

Sango opened her eyes. Kouga was holding her in his arms, and Rin and Jaken were peering at her curiously and a little worriedly. Sesshomaru stood away and wasn't looking at her.

"How did... you guys know..." Sango asked sluggishly.

"Well, I figured you wanted to be alone the way you rushed off like that... but, "Kouga said, "It was Sesshomaru who told us to go after you."

Sango blinked. She looked at the back of the youkai lord and slightly smiled, "Tell him... I said thank you..." She whispered before closing her eyes again.

"Sango-chan!" Rin cried, jumping forward.

"She's alright Rin." Kouga comforted, "Just tired. Let her sleep."

Rin nodded and watched silently as Kouga slowly placed Sango comfortably on the ground. The child snuggled up close and shut her eyes as well. Kouga looked at Jaken for a moment, then grinned, "Would you look at that! The picture would be perfect if a certain toad curled up beside Rin, wouldn't it?"

"Hmph. Never." Jaken growled out. Kouga laughed and moved back to his place beside the fire.

"She said thanks, by the way." He spoke casually after a moment or two of silence.

Sesshomaru came towards the fire in silence and ignored the comment. But Kouga wasn't one to be deterred when he wanted something.

"So, how did you know something was wrong? No offense but you don't strike me as the intuitive type." Kouga continued.

Sesshomaru said nothing.

"Well, you really don't. But you don't have to get all offended and silent on me." Kouga pressed.

"Seeing that you aren't going to shut up, I'll answer your question. I could smell the fever all over her all afternoon. It was just a guess that she'd actually need assistance when she walked away." Sesshomaru replied, "Does that answer everything?"

"Not quite. Why are you letting us travel with you?"

Sesshomaru went quiet and looked away. Kouga crossed his arms, "Well, come on now, we were actually getting somewhere a second ago."

"I do not have to explain my actions. Lets just leave it at this—I wanted a change in company." Sesshomaru then shut his eyes and ended the conversation.

"Hope your enjoying your new company," Kouga sneered and laid down, placing his hands behind his head and shutting his eyes.

Jaken had fallen asleep shockingly close to Rin and Sango awhile back.

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Yep. Sango's reaction was passing out. I think I would have too. Eh. Hehe.

Kouga's a bit of a jokester. Hehe. I guess I can't get the idea out of my head that since his NA voice actor also voices Duo Maxwell from Gundam Wing that he's a little goofy too. I don't believe he's OOC, but maybe a little nicer... This is, actually, the first time I've ever written very much on Kouga and Sesshomaru, so I'm trying my best to keep them in character. Please tell me if I'm not succeeding...

Yeah, Sesshomaru doesn't like to be told what to do. I just recently watched the subbed version where Rin was captured and Naraku tried to absorb Sesshomaru, and that's where I got that from.

Aw, everyone picks on Jaken! But they love him! Well, to an extent anyway. He likes them too, I think. Especially Rin, as much as he denies it.

Well tell me what you think!

-Taijiya