An Encounter with Sesshomaru
It was later in the day when Kagome sensed a jewel shard. Inuyasha became very tense and grabbed the hilt of his sword, ready for action.
Miroku noticed Inuyasha looked more intent than usual; maybe it was a horde of demons or Naraku. "What is it Inuyasha? Is it Naraku?" Moving to place himself at Inuyasha's back, he tightened his hand around his staff.
"No, Sesshomaru." Already wary, they all began wondering what his brother wanted this time.
Calm as you please, Sesshomaru walked out of the trees followed by Jaken and Rin who was riding Ah-Un.
Putting himself in front of the others, Inuyasha demanded, "What do you want Sesshomaru?"
A small smile appeared, "Inuyasha, don't worry little brother, I'm not here to kill you, at least not this time."
"Hey!" Rin was closer now and she waved at Kagome.
She returned the wave and smiled at the little girl. "Hey, are you doing okay?"
"Oh yes, my lord takes great care of me." She smiled as Sesshomaru turned to the girl and held out his hand. Quickly she pulled out the jewel shard and placed it in his hand. Sesshomaru turned and walked over to Inuyasha and Kagome.
"I believe you are collecting these?" He tossed it and Inuyasha caught it then handed it to Kagome.
"Where'd you get it? Did you come across Naraku?" Inuyasha was anxious for news.
Sesshomaru looked away from Inuyasha, "No, I have yet to find Naraku, though I know he gave this shard to the demon I took it from." Sesshomaru looked back at Inuyasha, his hair lifted by the breeze. "Inuyasha, hear me, when I find Naraku, I will be the one to kill him." Sesshomaru stared at his brother then turned away and started walking back to the forest.
"Wait, did it come from one of his incarnations?" Inuyasha wanted to find out Naraku's strength.
"My lord took it from a lowly demon who was trying to take something that didn't belong to him and since Lord Sesshomaru is so strong, he doesn't need the power of a jewel shard, so he gave it to you. Being a half-breed you probably need it." Jaken took a few blows to the head as he finished speaking.
Rin giggled at Jaken then looked up when Sesshomaru, who was already entering the forest spoke, "Come Rin."
She smiled happily, "Yes my lord. Bye Kagome, everyone. Let's go Ah-Un." The dragon followed his master with a groggy Jaken on its heels.
"Bye Rin and thank Sesshomaru for the shard."
"Okay, bye. You'd better hurry Master Jaken or you'll get left behind."
Hurrying to catch up Jaken cried, "Oh, don't leave me, my lord!"
"Well, that certainly was strange." Stated Miroku as they watched them leave.
"Yes indeed. Kagome, that girl, she looked genuinely happy to be with Sesshomaru. I thought he hated humans."
Kagome looked at Sango, "He may have but that seems to have changed and he seems…" She broke off.
Inuyasha turned to Kagome, "He seemed what? Finish it."
"Well, less intense than usual. I mean he's still formidable but this time, I wasn't really afraid of him." She shrugged.
"Hmph, he may be taking care of that girl but he's still the same bastard. Come on, we've wasted enough time here."
"I agree with Inuyasha, Sesshomaru may have changed somewhat but if we get in his way, we'll feel his fury. We shouldn't take it for granted that he won't hurt us." Miroku checked to be sure the girls understood his words.
Sango shook her head, "I don't know, right now we're all after the same thing – Naraku. I think we're all right. He's only interested in killing Naraku so we won't have to worry about him attacking us, at least until Naraku is dead."
Getting frustrated by the conversation Inuyasha interrupted, "Whatever, at least we got a jewel shard before Naraku could get his hands on it again."