Sesshoumaru and Fortune shared a conspiratory grin at one another over the row of bushes. Hidden in the bushes, a man and woman were coupling.
"One for you, and one for me," Fortune said, laughing a little at his own joke. "Oh, I forgot, you don't drink blood. That'll be two for me." Fortune quickly jumped over the row of bushes and Sesshoumaru heard signs of struggle and muffled protests. Surprisingly quickly, Fortune leapt back out of the bushes and was standing beside Sesshoumaru again.
"Do your bed partners not complain of your brevity?"
"And here I thought I was the funny one," Fortune parried back. "I think I am definitely rubbing off on you. As for these two, this was your idea—that I try and make my meals more of a challenge. What did you think?"
"I think you are absolutely correct. Taking on two drunken humans distracted by their lovemaking was probably quite challenging for you. Next time, perhaps you should attack the old ladies you mentioned last night—they are sure to be quite a challenge for you as well." Sesshoumaru delivered his sarcasm with his usual air of superiority.
"Your attempts at humor as so juvenile, Sesshoumaru," Fortune said, mimicking Sesshoumaru's flat tone from the previous night.
Sesshoumaru considered replying. There were so many ways to outwit that last jab. Look who is rubbing off on whom now…or, imitating me won't make you as witty as…no, that would not do at all. This war of words was quickly spiraling into the realm of the undignified. Realizing this, he turned and began walking forward.
Fortune soon followed, pleased to have had the last word. Feeling energized from the new blood, Fortune went airborne/took to the air, landing on a sturdy branch near the top of a large oak. Sesshoumaru joined Fortune on the branch—who was now staring down at the street far below. After many years of keeping to himself, how nice it was loosen up and indulge in a little light conversation.
"I found a nice, quiet tree in which to enjoy this fine evening, and now those humans down there look like their planning to noise it up." Fortune's irritated voice startled Sesshoumaru out of his thoughts.
Sesshoumaru followed Fortune's gaze to a group of human males who appeared to like the spot as well, albeit below the oak's branches. Sure enough, Sesshoumaru could hear the skipping of the music CD as one of the humans searched for a song. "Perhaps it will be tasteful music," he offered.
Fortune stopped scowling at the humans below and tilted his head skyward, eyes closed. "Hm. You may be right. I like this song."
Sesshoumaru listened.
I don't argue. I don't fight. I just hit that chic with a bottle…
"You like this music," Sesshoumaru chided, watching Fortune suspiciously from the corner of his eye.
"Sure. I enjoy most modern music. As for this song, I have always enjoyed a good catfight. You can't tell me even your cold blood doesn't stir a little watching a woman fight?"
Sesshoumaru considered this. Thinking back, he did seem to remember feeling a thrill of excitement at watching one tightly clad demon slayer fight with her hiraikotsu. What was her name? "Sango," he remembered aloud.
"What?"
"I was thinking of a female slayer who fought with my half-brother many years ago. She did look quite alluring fighting youkai with her blood stained hiraikotsu and a rather…tight-fitting uniform."
"Female slayer?"
"She was a human trained in the extermination of youkai."
"You have a self-destructive streak, don't you?"
Taking a moment to enjoy a few more visions of Sango doing somersaults and kicks in her form-fitting outfit, Sesshoumaru then explained, "Sango was her name, and you have to admit that a dangerous woman can be quite enticing. Perhaps it is more about wanting what you cannot have."
"Unfortunately, yes, the whole 'forbidden woman' thing has not escaped me," Fortune sighed, recalling the beautiful fiance of his ex-best friend back in his human days. "The grass is always greener." He had been a teenager at the time, full of high ideals, and hormones.
Sesshoumaru did not reply. Like Fortune, he was remembering. Sango…her eyes flashing and hair tossing in the wind as she viciously attacked Naraku with her hiraikotsu, trying desperately to aid her group of friends. That lecherous monk could hardly keep his hands off of her, as he could well understand. Sesshoumaru had been hard pressed to keep his eyes off of her during battle, while Sango put on a show with her nimble battle moves.
Sesshoumaru shifted his position on the tree branch. He felt something tickling his ear.
"Fortune," Sesshoumaru warned sharply.
"What is it?"
"Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"No," Sesshoumaru whispered, sounding a little anxious.
Sesshoumaru suddenly went completely rigid. His expression was just as calm as ever, Fortune noted, but his stare had a glassy look to it, as if he were somewhere else. Perhaps he was having a seizure?
Sesshoumaru relaxed his shoulders. He then slowly and carefully lifted his hand up to touch the hair behind his left ear. Before his hand made contact with his hair, Sesshoumaru stiffened again, and immediately dropped to the ground below the tree. Fortune was baffled—what the hell was wrong with the normally unflappable youkai. You can bet it has something to do with that damn hair of his, Fortune thought. He tried to peer downward and discover the reason behind these strange antics.
As soon as Sesshoumaru landed, he flipped his hair forward and began frantically running his claws through his long, silver hair. Several severed strands floated lazily to the ground. He made bizarre sight, shaking his hair and now rapidly picking at individual strands. He had attracted the attention of the small group who were listening to the music.
Something small and black fell finally out of Sesshoumaru's hair and landed a few feet away. Sesshoumaru made a few more swipes at his hair and then flipped it back, standing erect once again. He kept his gaze downward, however, and began to edge backwards. Fortune's exceptional vampiric eyes could see the small, black form was moving ever so slowly in Sesshoumaru's direction. It would crawl forward, and Sesshoumaru would take another step backwards, as if he involved in some peculiar dance.
The small crowd of humans standing to Sesshoumaru's right must have obviously thought he was edging away from them. "Whatcha heart beatin' for. You scared," one of the tough looking humans drawled, causing an eruption of laughter from the tree above and the group of humans. Sesshoumaru snapped out of his daze, realizing he was the one being addressed. These humans had just witnessed the mighty Sesshoumaru backing away in fear of…a cockroach. They should certainly be slaughtered to cover up the incident. Menacingly, he turned towards the group.
Before Sesshoumaru had time to act on the thought, out of the corner of his eye he saw the cockroach moved towards him again. Sesshoumaru leapt away quickly. From above, he heard peals of laughter. Perhaps it is not the humans he should be worrying about, he thought angrily. Sesshoumaru leapt back up onto the branch beside Fortune. The humans down below were startled and made a quick departure, staring fearfully at the tree over their shoulders. Every resident of New Orleans had heard their fill of stories about supernatural beings haunting the streets—ghosts, voodoo zombies, vampires…
"What exactly was that," Fortune wanted to know.
Sesshoumaru's answer was a quick swipe at Fortune's head. Fortune was just fast enough to avoid the blow, which slashed off a part of the tree branch. Leaves and a branch the size of a horse fell below with a resounding "thump".
Sesshoumaru heard a snicker from the ground below and swiftly he had Fortune's throat tight is his grip against a light pole.
"To have seen what I have seen tonight, even death would be worth it," Fortune rasped, eyes bright with amusement. And, with that statement, he was gone.
How did he…? Sesshoumaru did not even have time to finish this thought before his instincts took over and he whipped around to attack Fortune again. He had appeared just behind him, grinning. His claws struck flesh and bone and he heard a satisfying ripping sound as he tore into Fortune's side. Just as quickly, Fortune disappeared again.
Fortune reappeared on the branch above the youkai. He was no longer smiling. He had been planning to take another taste of Sesshoumaru's blood, but the youkai somehow managed to get the better of him. His vampiric nature's yearning for Sesshoumaru's blood was not sated by the small sip he had taken earlier. Damn, he is fast, Fortune thought. But, he had a few tricks as well.
"Am I going to have to chase you down and force you to fight, coward" Sesshoumaru glared at Fortune from the ground.
"Isn't that a little like the kettle calling the pot black?"
Sesshoumaru appeared puzzled.
"Never mind. I'm not going anywhere, youkai." Sesshoumaru joined Fortune on the oak branch. Thinking that his trip would be much less interesting without the vampire around, he decided to spare him.
He raised his hand to eye level, revealing blood soaked claws. He proceeded to lick them clean, reminding Fortune of a cat.
"Is that supposed to intimidate me, youkai?"
When no answer was forthcoming, he continued, "And I thought you didn't drink blood. You realize you look like very feline cleaning your claws like that."
Sesshoumaru paused and closed his mouth quickly. "Don't push your luck, vampire. Your insults will be…"
"I only said you looked like a cat."
"I am a dog youkai."
"Oh," Fortune repressed another snicker. "What is with the roaches?"
"They are…creepy. And, these are…oversized."
"What, Cockroaches?"
"Yes," Sesshoumaru answered, crossing his hands over his chest. He said nothing else. He was not about to further humiliate himself for the amusement of the vampire.
"I assure you, Sesshoumaru, you are far creepier than any cockroach," Fortune continued, enjoying this new weakness he could use against the youkai.
Fortune thought a moment.
"Buzzzzz," he whispered near Sesshoumaru's ear. He wiggled his fingers in an imitation of a wriggling insect. There was no reaction.
"Oh my god, what is that!" Fortune yelled in mock horror, batting at Sesshoumaru's hair, causing it to fly in all directions.
"Stop that," Sesshoumaru commanded, appearing calm despite the teasing. But, he could not resist brushing through his hair a few times, just in case.
"You've got it bad, don't you, my friend," Fortune said with a false look of concern, snorting loudly in attempt to suppress a chortle.
Sesshoumaru glowered. He was quickly reconsidering his decision not to kill the vampire.
Fortune stealthily lifted his hand up and flicked softly at Sesshoumaru's ear. "Cockroach!" He squealed girlishly.
"It wasn't funny the first time, vampire."
"Truly, Sesshoumaru, you never cease to amaze me. And, now, with this…phobia of yours. Are you certain some type of mental instability does not run in your family? I thought I was watching one of those cartoons where the elephant is hopping around on one foot in fear of a mouse. Your bug phobia is particularly hilarious."
Sesshoumaru either did not understand, or chose to ignore this comparison, "not bugs, cockroaches. And, I am not afraid of them. They are simply disgusting. I do not wish to touch them, or be touched by them, that is all." He forcefully emphasized the word "all", hoping Fortune would get the hint and shut the fuck up.
"They seem to like you an awful lot," Fortune said, pointing out the shiny back of a cockroach scurrying across the branch towards Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru experimented with flaring his youki in attempt to ward off the creature. It continued its scurrying approach. "These foul creatures are unaffected by a warning spike in my youki."
Fortune sent the cockroach spiraling to the ground with a flick of his thumb and forefinger.
"Am I your hero now?"
"No, certainly not," Sesshoumaru hissed through gritted teeth. But, it seemed to Fortune that he could see thinly disguised relief in his features. You could never tell with the stoic youkai, however.
"Alright, you can thank me later." He decided he would drop the topic of cockroach phobia, at least until later when Sesshoumaru was not expecting it.
"You said you were a dog youkai. What does that mean?"
"It means exactly that, I am a dog youkai."
Fortune sighed in exasperation. "Would you prefer the topic of cockroaches again?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes darted back and forth across the branch. "I will explain later. I feel like walking." He landed below, but not without giving a sly peek at the grassy spot the cockroach had previously occupied.
"I saw that."
"One more laugh out of you and I'll…." He gave up trying to decide on one definitive type of torture. His mind was filled with a delightful barrage of images of the vampire in various types of agony. "Or, you'll truly regret it."
Fortune's eyes watered in attempt to constrain his laughter again. He clamped his fist firmly over his mouth and dropped to the ground. Youkai and vampire quickly disappeared into the gloom.
AN: "Oops" to anyone who read my previous Author's note. It was a leftover from when I posted on AFF. So…I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will expose all of Sesshoumaru's eccentricities to the world! Will try to update quickly. About three people have mentioned they want the girl to show up again. I hadn't planned on it, but I may have to write her into chapter 7. Sounds fun. Chapter 7 has not been completed as of yet, but I have started on it. A big "thank you" to Sesshoumarubride, my first reviewer with a FF account. She liked my story enough to give two reviews—yeah! Reviews make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, have discovered. Read and review, and feel free to make suggestions on writing or plot.