The top branches of the oak swayed under his weight, but Risu jumped with ease and landed in the next tree. The newly sprouting leaves did little to shadow his gray pelt, but he was fast at the top and weaved through the forest with ease. The thin branches would have crumbled under any other creature, but not for one as light as he. Demonic powers aside, he was still a squirrel. Acrobatics were a part of the species.
Maybe the only thing I'm good at, the rodent lamented.
When Ronuku had left, he'd told him to look after Sango. Risu was never really sure why. Kagome, Inuyasha, and Miroku were thousands of times more powerful than he and they'd risk their lives for the slayer. Not to mention Sesshomaru was tailing about; not doubt that he'd see anything attacking Sango as a threat too close to Futeki and Rin and slaughter them before they got the chance. Hell, even Sango, as huge and slow as she was now, could probably kick something's ass to hell and back compared to him.
Unless he absorbed souls to activate his power, Risu was virtually useless to this group. Nothing but a regular talking squirrel.
At least it's safe with them, he thought, right? As Naraku gained power more and more demons grew unruly throughout Japan and attacked anything at random. Even though this group was a huge target, they were the most powerful fighting force to stand against Naraku and probably stood the best shot at surviving his attack.
Not that Risu was attacked much. Most of their enemies didn't even notice the little squirrel hiding in the back. In fact, the only one who came after him at all was Kirara when she was looking for something to toy with!
The squirrel snorted in anger as he leapt to the next tree. He glanced down on the group as they trekked through the thick forest beneath him. Their expressions were tight, he could tell they were agitated and worried, each and every day they seemed more and more grim.
No surprise there. Just a few days ago they ran into the wolf demon Koga. While he began with his usual antics of hitting on Kagome, (Inuyasha, for once, didn't actually make a huge fuss about it. Probably still shaken up by Kikyo, though he still growled at the intruder) the wolf eventually revealed his true purpose for showing up: the shards in his legs had been taken by Naraku and he'd barely escaped with his life.
Koga didn't stay long, but the damage of his announcement was enough. If Naraku had Koga's shards, then that meant the only one left was in Kohaku's back. If they didn't find the boy soon, then Naraku would not only kill him, but he'd have the entire jewel. If that happened…
If that happened it was likely that none of them would survive.
I could…go home, Risu thought. He glanced away from the frightened group, out from the forest and towards the green mountains beyond. Somewhere out there was his mate and their twenty kits. Long ago she'd sent him out to fetch souls so that their babies could be strong, and he'd yet to return with a single one. He'd been afraid, afraid of what his mate would do if he returned in failure but…
It's been a while, surely she misses me? He glanced back at the group. These guys are headed towards death. There's nothing I can do to help them, I'd probably only be in the way. Yeah, of course. They won't miss me, I could slip away right now and none of them would notice. I can go home, be far away from all this, from Naraku and the jewel and-
"Risu!" A voice called, breaking the squirrel from his thoughts. He blinked and saw Sango, atop Kirara, staring up at him.
"Risu," Sango called again, "Why don't you come down here?" She gestured to her shoulder.
Risu's tail twitched. He briefly considered bolting, but instead he scrambled down the tree bounded a few paces and leapt atop the pregnant slayer's shoulder. His little heart was pounding at being so near Kirara, remembering the countless times her claws had batted him, but for the moment the giant cat didn't seem too interested in his presence. Instead, she seemed to be walking softly, more concerned with making sure her mistress had a gentle ride.
"Is something the matter?" Risu asked.
"You've been running through the trees a lot lately," Sango said, "I know you used to ride on Ronuku's shoulder all the time, so I thought you might like a break."
"I…" Risu blinked, taken aback, "Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want you strain yourself." His tail gestured towards her belly. Sango's hand came up to gently rest on her stomach.
"Well, no offense," the slayer said, "But I doubt your weight would do any harm to me. And I'm sure Kirara doesn't mind the extra passenger." The cat flicked her ears in a gesture of consent. "Besides," Sango lowered her voice, "I noticed you've been distancing yourself from the group lately. With everything that's happening I thought maybe you should stay close…I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, and I know Ronuku wouldn't either."
She's worried about me? Risu's tail fluffed up, and he instantly felt guilty. Just a few moments ago he had been thinking about running away, and here was Sango. With a baby on the way and her little brother's life in mortal danger, she'd still managed to spare thought for his well-being and was looking after for him.
Ronuku asked me to take care of her. The squirrel thought of the loud and rash bushi. Ronuku was an idiot, but an idiot that had saved his life on more than one occasion. The time that he devoured too many souls and nearly went mad, whenever some predator saw him as a snack, all the times he'd gotten scared and tried to flee only to be met with worse danger…Ronuku had always been the first to come to Risu's aide, even though half the time the squirrel gave into his own cowardice and never helped in battle.
I owe Ronuku my life…even if I'm of no use, this is the most important thing he's ever asked of me.
"Thank you," Risu said and curled up on Sango's shoulder. The slayer gave him a gentle pat and looked forward into the wilderness. Her expression grew taught, and the squirrel sensed her anxiety return. Worry for her brother? Her husband? The baby? He didn't know, but most likely all three.
I don't know what I can do, but I can't run away this time. Somehow, I'll look after you Sango.
Hurry back Ronuku…