The Other Side
Chapter 15
Something is Amiss
"I know we're guests and all but this is stupid. I hate all the looks I'm getting for just being here," Sango complained, sitting in her room on her bed with Miroku in a chair to the side of said bed.
"The West is known for their dislike of humans, Sango. You know this as well as I do and right now, I don't think that there's anything we can do, sadly," he replied back with his head bent to his chest.
"Still, it's quite rude."
Miroku chuckled. "Yes, it is but they are demons; royal demons for that matter. They are better status then us lowly humans."
"Miroku, are you listening to yourself?" Sango gave him a look. "Really now, just cause we're humans, doesn't mean anyone for that matter has to act this way to us. I thought being guests would lessen some of this."
He sighed as he waved a hand in a dismissive manner. "Honestly, we've had this happen on more than one occasion; why is this any different?"
"I don't know, it just bothers me a lot more than I thought," she said calmly before huffing and letting out an angry huff. "Like I said, stupid. At least it comes with pretty kimonos."
"My dear, relax; it's fine. It's nothing we can't handle." Sango blushed and looked out the windowed door. Miroku glanced up to her and smiled. Sango was adorable when she complained. "Have you heard from Lady Kagome lately?"
She looked down to her lap. "No. It seems like we don't exist anymore now that InuKimi has taken an interest in her. Hell, we've only been here for a couple days now and she is always away from us lowly humans."
Miroku flinched at her tone. "I'll go talk to her," he said, getting up and stretching. "I'll figure something out." Sango watched him go before sighing.
It took a good twenty minutes for Miroku to find Kagome. Every demon that he had asked in order to find her, led him in circles. Apparently they liked watching the human be given false information which led him nowhere. He practically growled at this.
He found Kagome sitting in the courtyard with young Rin and Shippo, resting on either side of her. From this distance, he noted that she was excellent with children. She also seemed at most peace with her surroundings. Miroku was a little jealous of that; he wished he could feel that amount of comfort around this manor. He did not unfortunately.
"Hi, Miroku," Kagome said before he even came anywhere near her. Inuyasha was just like that; always knowing who was around. It made sneaking up on them impossible. Kagome smiled when he sat down next to her. "Isn't it beautiful? I wish I could live here for forever." Oh wait, I can...
He held onto that piece for a later use, not that he would ever use it against Kagome but it was always good to know. "Yes, it is indeed a sight to behold." She giggled, probably at the way he phrased it. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Are you avoiding us? Sango and myself that is," he questioned as Kagome looked hurt. Miroku felt a little bad to ask her that since it caused that look. "Sango seems rather bitter of the fact that you are never around us anymore since we got here."
Kagome gasped. "I had no idea. I haven't been avoiding you two; I would never do that intentionally. You should know me better by now," she said, continuing to pat Shippo's head; he sighed in content to this.
He was quiet for a few moments, letting the air around him calm him down. Kagome's aura helped too; it would seem that she knew he was distress. "I meant no harm."
"I know," she said, looking down to the children. "I'm sorry." She sniffed. "I'm so confused right now. I don't really understand why this has to happen to me; what god did I offend?"
Miroku's eyes widened as he wrapped his left arm around Kagome's shoulder, pulling her close to him without waking up the kids. "I know you're confused. You have everyone confused." She chuckled sadly at this. "But it's not always bad. In fact, I think this has made you more beautiful than before." She lightly punched him in the ribs, causing him to laugh.
"Hush, but thanks for the compliment." She sighed. "What do I do now? Sango hates me."
"She doesn't hate you. I think she might have forgotten the stress you're under at the moment. It has only been a week since this started."
"A week too long if you ask me."
"Am I interrupting something?" They both turned to their right to see Inuyasha, smirking with Sesshomaru a little to the side. He looked a bit angry. "Hm, Miroku, going after Kagome now aren't ya?"
"Oh yes, I was just telling Kagome how much I love her beauty and would love nothing more than to be her man. You caught me," he said dramatically as Kagome held in her laughter.
"What do you have to say to this Kagome?" Inuyasha, himself was also trying to hold in his laughter. Glancing to Sesshomaru; he didn't look to happy at this. Inuyasha inwardly smirked; it was all going to plan.
"I say, he's very good with his words. Swept me right off my feet." The three of them then went into a fit of chuckles.
"Step aside Miroku and let me through!" Inuyasha said, his hand over his heart.
"Oh, and you think you'll make her happy?"
"Of course! I was first!"
"What, are you a child?"
"Have you seen me? I am hardly a child." Kagome giggled; Inuyasha always acted childish around everyone, especially her.
"Have you seen me? I know my way around a woman."
"Oh, I know you do. Maybe I should tell Sango about this? Perhaps it'll put you in your place and off to the side."
"Of course, so you get Kagome."
"Exactly!"
"Boys!" Kagome yelled, loud enough that Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head and Miroku raised his arms in surrender. "Are you two seriously fighting over me?"
The two of them laughed; realizing that yes, they were just doing that, even if it was all playful. A throat cleared for them, three sets of eyes landing on Sesshomaru. "Oh, whoops! Don't mind us!" Miroku said, laughter subsiding.
"Oh right! There was a reason I brought Sesshomaru out here!" Inuyasha chimed in. He totally forgot why he was here until Sesshomaru let his presence be known. Kagome gave him a knowing look to which he purposely ignored. "So, um, Kagome... what do you know of dog demons?"
"Aside from you?"
"Aside from me," he confirmed as he watched her think it over.
"I know a lot about dogs. I'm not sure it applies to demons though." Sesshomaru for a split second, looked impressed. Pity that Inuyasha saw this; he knew Inuyasha was holding in a grin.
"Should... I leave for this?" Miroku asked, suddenly feeling like he should get out of here.
"Nah, you're good." Inuyasha smiled to him as Miroku got comfortable again. He turned back to Kagome. "Well, what do you know of dogs?"
"Well, which are you looking for? The mating of them? The physical traits to them? What they like to do for fun? What they can and cannot eat?"
Inuyasha was flushed; Sesshomaru smirked. Miroku coughed into his shoulder. "I saw that going differently," Inuyasha said, a blush on him permanently. "Um all of that?"
Kagome smiled, shaking her head. "A bitch can take more than one male at a time," she started as both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru looked appalled. "What, does that not happen with dog demons?"
"Hell no!" Inuyasha cringed at just knowing this tidbit. "Dog demons take a mate for life."
"Then why did InuTaisho take two?"
"Father, did not apply to our customs back then. He was the alpha to all," Sesshomaru said quietly as Kagome looked at him. He held his gaze with her, watching the emotions run through her eyes.
"If he was the alpha, he should have only taken one mate, not two. The alpha should only ever take a mate for life. Seeing as this did not happen though, since Inuyasha is alive and well, then why did he? InuKimi is alive; nothing bad happened to her."
"Mother was never mated to him. She only laid with him to give him an heir."
Kagome gasped in sorrow, her hand covering her mouth. "Oh, Sesshomaru, I'm so sorry." She felt sorry for him? This was new. He wasn't quite sure what to make of this.
"It matters not."
"Of course it matters!" This yell woke Rin and Shippo up. They blinked owlishly at the adults in question. Kagome grabbed Shippo, who squeaked, wrapping her arms around his small body. "Of course it matters," she repeated softer. Rin and Shippo were confused but stayed quiet.
Inuyasha's face softened at learning that. "What else, Kagome?" She didn't answer; she was sad suddenly.
"Mama?" Kagome and Inuyasha looked to the child fox demon, both knowing when he calls her that, then shared a look with each other in worry.
"What has you scared, Shippo?" Kagome asked gently; letting her aura run around him in a light breeze. Inuyasha was impressed, Sesshomaru was too-not that he'd say anything, even Miroku understood that gesture.
"I feel like something bad is about to happen. I'm scared," he told her as Kagome got on guard. Rin's eyes widened at this, snuggling further into Kagome for protection.
"I don't feel anything wrong in the area," Inuyasha said, sniffing around the place.
"That is correct; there is nothing out of place," Sesshomaru confirmed.
The three males watched as Kagome sharply turned to her left, eyeing something in the distance. They all glanced in that direction but saw nothing. What did she see that they didn't? It was something through; she waved her hand, a barrier around the children. She turned to them. "You two say put, I'll be right back." She vanished after that, causing Shippo to whine and Rin to hold him close.
"I don't get it, what does she feel that I don't?" Inuyasha was utterly confused. There was nothing there! He looked to Miroku; he had the same confusion on his face. He then noticed something else; Sesshomaru was gone. They stayed put though; in case anything happened here and to protect the children.
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