Chapter 2: In debt
A/n: Obligatory disclaimer that I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters. I'm just playin' with them.
Sesshomaru watched painfully patiently for half an hour as the miko worked to heal his ward. In the beginning time felt like it stood still as he saw little happen. Though as the minutes drew on he started to notice some progress and his growling subsided. He watched as Inuyasha's wench reached for the bag the slayer had carried over. His worry started to elevate again as she pulled out a container, removed the lid, and scooped a substance in her fingers. His hand stretched toward her wrist but her reiki sent him a warning shock before he could reach her.
"It won't hurt her." She spoke softly. "It's just medicine to make sure she doesn't get an infection." The miko placed the medicine on the irritated flesh where the burns had been. The 'medicine' smelt more sterile than any of the other herbal remedies he'd smelt before. Peculiar girl. He thought but decided to trust her; why would she use so much reiki just to harm her again. He watched as she rubbed the substance in until it completely absorbed. Shortly after, Rin awoke looking like nothing had happened to her.
Frustrated. That's what he was. He was disappointed in himself. He started listing off the reasons; This Sesshomaru lost focus in battle. Inuyasha's wench had to spare me. Rin got hurt. This Sesshomaru was rendered useless while Inuyasha's wench healed Rin. His face made the briefest scrunch of displeasure. This Sesshomaru owes the miko. Tenseiga would not have been able to heal Rin as the miko did.
"Miko." Sesshomaru said coolly before turning and walking away expecting the girl to follow. Kagome glanced at inuyasha before getting up and following Sesshomaru. She had lost track of how far they had walked while thinking to herself what he could want. 'Oof' the small sound escaped her as she ran into the back of Sesshomaru's metal chest plate. His top lip pinched in annoyance. "Miko, why do you wish in return?" Kagome's brow furrowed.
"In return for what?"
"In return for conserving my life and healing my ward." He snapped.
"Oh," she spoke softly, "Really, I don't expect anything in return." Sesshomaru turned to loom over her; trying to intimidate her into submission and finish the conversation.
"This Sesshomaru does not wish to be in debt. What do you wish in return?" He spoke using the last of his patience.
"Uh, okay…" Kagome hesitated. He doesn't want to be in debt? I don't see it as such and I don't think there's anything he could really give me… She thought. Kagome looked over her shoulder as she heard, then saw, Rin and Shippo playing in a circle around Jaken. Shippo looks so happy. It'd be nice for him to have a play mate. Oh, I know! She thought excitedly. "Um, how about you join us to defeat Naraku?" She glanced at Sesshomaru's face. He didn't look to pleased. He's probably wishing I would have asked for something easy like a meal. She pouted. I need to think… we can use all the help we can get.
"Please, that's what I'd like in return. Once we're done you can leave and never have to deal with us again. And look at Rin, look how happy she is. It'd be nice for her to have a playmate. She could spend some time with Shippo and at villages learning and being around people and-"
"Enough." Sesshomaru cut her off, her babbling annoying him. "This Sesshomaru will join you until Naraku's defeat." He said before walking back toward Inuyasha and the others. Kagome clapped her hands together excitedly and skipped along behind him. Inuyasha looked cautious as they approached.
"Oi wench, let's go. We got shards to find." Sesshomaru watched as Inuyasha eyed Kagome, then himself.
"Actually Inuyasha, I think we should set up camp for the night. It's getting late and us humans could use a little break." The miko said. Odd. Sesshomaru thought. Usually pack members don't question the alpha.
"Keh. Then let's start looking for a spot." Inuyasha said warily eyeing Sesshomaru's person. Kagome noticed and followed his gaze.
"Uh, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru is going to join us until Naraku's defeat." Kagome said standing her ground.
"No way! That bastard probably tricked you! He just wants to steal my sword!"
"Language! And actually I asked him. We could really use the help and Shippo could use a playmate."
"Wench, why would he agree to that without another motive?" Sesshomaru grew tired of their arguing.
"This Sesshomaru agreed as I am indebted to the miko."
"I have a name! Ka-go-me!" Sesshomaru watched as she grumbled under her breath and stalked off toward the trees. The kit, slayer, monk, and fire cat demon turned to follow her, and eventually Inuyasha followed suit. Hm. Maybe I misjudged the alpha of this pack. Sesshomaru thought as he too followed.