Firakotsu was helping Suikotsu learn the same meditation trick she had taught Jakotsu just a few days prior. He seemed to struggle more with the clearing of focus in his mind to start with. He gave a relaxed stance as he completed his portion of the camp clean up before the group decided to move. He couldn't help but notice how her hair had a seemingly blue highlight when the sun hit it a certain way and her sapphire eyes glinted with unedited joy as the others bonded with her.
"She's beautiful isn't she brother?" Renkotsu's voice reached to him as he joined in watching her instruct the dual personality man. Bankotsu nodded, "You wanna go for her?" Renkotsu laughed, "No she suits the position of little sister more for me. She is intelligent and we can talk about a lot of things you guys normally can't keep up with." He actually bumped Bankotsu on the back, "She's more your type Bankotsu. She remains a ray of light in even the darkest of times."
Bankotsu just watched her, "I'm too much of an ass I think…she wouldn't want someone who would over power her like me." Renkotsu nodded in agreement causing Bankotsu to give him a curious glance, "Over power her certainly not but, she would want a man strong enough to value her individual power while walking beside her as an equal. She's already proven herself in combat by saving our tails several times. It's not always the strongest that wins the battle…many times it takes the smartest generals to overcome the most powerful adversaries."
Bankotsu began to hum thoughtfully as the group headed out now that Suikotsu had caught on to the meditation technique Firakotsu taught him. "Firakotsu Satori…sure has a nice ring to it." He muttered quietly to himself causing Renkotsu smirk in victory at convincing him he had a shot. Now the group just had to wait to see what he would do about it.
~Back with the Inutachi~
Inuyasha carried all of the bags to the hut of Kaede and handed out their individual bentos. Sango and Miroku read over Sora's letter to them with a grin. Sango smiled and grabbed the other bags, "Looks like Kirara and I have a couple of deliveries to make." She ran out with the three remaining bags filled with bentos adding hers and Kirara's into one of the Band of Seven's bags. "I'll be back before sundown. See you later Miroku, Inuyasha, Kaede. Let's go Kirara!"
Miroku gave a grin as he watched Sango take off to make the deliveries for everyone. "She looks happy to send greetings to everyone." Inuyasha just pouted into the night ignoring the snickers of Kaede and Miroku before storming off after some of Kikyo's soul stealers. Kaede noting where Inuyasha had gone handed a sutra to Miroku. "Please place this on the bone eaters well so my sister's golem can't tamper with Kagome's way home." Miroku took the sutra and eagerly left to complete his task before sitting down to eat his own bento as Kaede enjoyed hers.
~With Sesshomaru and Rin~
Sango continued to fly to the west as she looked for the demon lord's normal traveling group. She finally caught sight of them and called out to get his attention. "Sesshomaru-sama!" The demon lord stopped causing his group to pause in their travels. He turned and looked to the taijya who just landed.
"You wished to speak with me slayer?" His deep voice stated calmly. Sango shook her head with a smile, "Even better I have bentos to deliver from Mom or Sora…Kagome's mother" Sango honestly hadn't known how Sesshomaru referred to her. The demon lord nodded, "Very well Rin unpack Ah-Un and rest as the slayer gives out the gifts from the Miko's mother.
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru," The young and happy girl replied excited as they sometimes received these gifts even her lord liked them. She unloaded the seating blankets and her lord's tea set before moving to sit in her usual corner as Sesshomaru joined her on the blanket Sango came to the corner and began to gift each of them their bentos.
"Sora says hello to everyone, I think she is waiting for a reply to her last letter to you Sesshomaru-sama but," She pulled out the stationary and pen for Sesshomaru designed with a crescent moon and wisp patterns. "She got this for you so you could write back to her anytime. If you begin to run low you can just let her know and she will grab more for you." He nodded and accepted the stationary with a content and thoughtful look. After she placed Ah-Un's and Jaken's bentos by them as well she stood and bowed.
"I hope you all enjoy your bentos if you are traveling you can either return them to our group or drop them off with Kaede." Sango gave a last smile and grabbed the final two bags before flying with Kirara while the food was still fresh. She then returned towards the East heading slightly further north where she found the Shichinintai last time.
~With the Band of Seven~
As she flew she saw a slight flare before Kirara heard a familiar voice and flew towards the location. She came upon Shippou training with Renkotsu using his Foxfire against the mercenary's fire. "Hello Nee-san how can we help you?" Jakotsu asked with a bright smile.
Sango laughed as she pulled the bags up, "I come bearing a return letter for Renkotsu and some gift bentos from Mom." The guys all turned looking excited, "Gift bentos…you mean Kagome's mom made us her famous bento boxes?" Suikotsu asked as he perked up. Sango gave a friendly nod as she set the bags down.
She pulled out the red and black box first with the stationary and return letter, "Here Ren, these are for you!" Sango had no problem treating the mercenaries like family since Kagome accepted them…so could she. Blue and white was next, "Ban this one's for you!" Her new brother-in-law accepted the box with a big smile on his face.
"Awesome thanks! This will give us a little more time to hunt and plan for dinner tonight!" His blue eyes sparkled in gratitude. Shippou jumped up and down excited for his green and orange bento while Sango handed off the others to each of the designated brothers. Kirara and Sango each having their own bentos to join the brothers for a meal to check up on Shippou who chattered excitedly much to everyone's surprise.
As the day began to go by Sango had helped clean the boxes and pack them so they could be returned to Sora when she went back. Renkotsu had decided to read the letter out among the brothers so they all could hear the letter.
Jakotsu seemed to dance happily in his place, "Firakotsu was right…her mom really is amazing and that's where she gets her open mindedness from!" Mukotsu seemed to sulk in the corner again to contemplate the words he heard in the letter, "I don't think mother would approve of some of our behavior."
Sango nodded thoughtfully, "She certainly wouldn't like to hear about you poisoning or raping women but, she is aware that this is the warring states era and that combat and mercenaries are necessary things in this day and age. I wouldn't stress about it at this point." The others of the band glared at the poison master, "We all know Firakotsu will kick your butt if she catches you doing that to women." Suikotsu stated plainly as he began mixing poultices for more severe injuries to prevent infections.
Shippou nodded, "That's Momma alright and Grandma too…neither of them like women being treated like property instead of people they find it offensive." He looked at the darkening sky, "Sango I think you and Kirara should stay here tonight. It's late and it's too dangerous for you to be traveling by yourself.
Sango looked to the brothers who nodded and Jakotsu jumped out excited, "Onee-san, I can braid your hair for while you sleep. I've done it for Imouto a million times!" Sango gave a small laugh, "Sure but remember my hair is longer than Kagome's" Jakotsu just shrugged not even caring about the difference, "Challenge accepted, you'll love my braiding skills so much you won't want to leave for long."
As the camp quieted down for the night Sango placed a few sutras by the cave entrance, "This should allow us all to sleep peacefully for the night. Kagome and Miroku made these so if we were ever separated that we would be protected while we slept even in enemy territory." The men all thankful not to need to be awake all night promptly laid out their bedrolls to sleep.
Kirara remained vigilant over the group before finally allowing herself to sleep into the early hours of the morning where she woke to another's footsteps. Opening her eyes she noted Bankotsu was awake and mewed softly before returning to slumber. She purred when he pet her gently as he passed, "Sleep well Kirara."
