Chapter Six: History

Kagome and Inuyasha groaned. "Why did you say that?" Inuyasha fumed.

Shrugging, he smiled. "It's what it means. Inu is dog, and yasha is forest spirit. Inuyoukai is dog demon."

The twins shook their heads confused. Elladan sighed. "We will need to find camp for the night."

Kagome lifted her hand. "I know a place!"

Inuyasha and the twins glanced at her stunned.

"How about some place where there is water?" She grinned, which made Rin excited.

Sesshomaru smirked. "There is a waterfall near by."

Elrohir struggled to his feet, gasping as his side stretched with the effort, and Elladan winced slightly.

Kagome noticed this and her mouth fell open. "You are injured too."

Elladan shook his head quickly. "No, I was not touched."

Sesshomaru looked at him hard, searching for signs of injury and found none. "Then why do you flinch as though in pain?"

Elrohir smiled. "He feels what I feel because we are twins."

Snorting, Sesshomaru shook his head. "Shall we go?"

Rin pranced about the small clearing excited. Her excitement was catchy to everyone, and even Sesshomaru found himself watching her in amusement. He was going to try what Kagome had suggested by not holding his feelings inside, but he would have to keep them in check when unsure of what they were. "Rin?"

She stopped and smiled brightly. Looking at him, she felt her forehead crease slightly, but seeing his look of amusement she grinned wider. "Yes!" Running over to them, she followed them quickly.

Elladan, holding his brother upright, looked at Sesshomaru. "That is some nose you have if you can smell water from a distance."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I also knew you and your brother were following us."

Elrohir grinned. "See, I told you he knew we were there."

Elladan scoffed. "Keep walking."

Elrohir felt his smile widen. "You just don't like being proven wrong."

Elladan rolled his eyes. "Will you stop rubbing it in?"

"Yes oh wise one." Elrohir chuckled. "You are older, so being wrong is hard for you."

Elladan snorted unelven like. "Hold your tongue runt."

Elrohir chuckled more, and then gasped when it stretched his wound.

Elladan winced again. "Stop it."

Nodding, Elrohir smiled now hearing the waterfall near. "I hear the water."

Elladan grinned. Rin beamed, and looked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru in question. He nodded his permission to race ahead. Spinning around, she darted off leaving the five all smiling. "She is a nice distraction." Elrohir muttered.

Sesshoumaru looked him. "Distraction?"

"Her innocence is refreshing. It is nice to see." He whispered.

Sesshoumaru lifted his head, his eyes trailing after 'his' Rin. Frowning, he wondered why he had used that particular term, 'his'. He growled lightly, and Elrohir got the hint.

"She reminds me of our sister." Elrohir smiled, trying to explain himself.

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Your sister is Rin's age?"

Elrohir chuckled shaking his head. Elladan glared at his twin. "Will you stop laughing? Keep it up and I'll drop you."

"Arwen is older, by many years."

Sesshoumaru nodded, and they broke through the trees coming across a large pool fed by a rumbling waterfall. Elrohir grinned, followed by Elladan. Both stopped and the older twin helped his brother to the ground. Kagome looked at Inuyasha grinning.

"What?" He grumbled.

"What a good boy." She laughed petting his head. Then quickly danced out of the way.

He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Stop that!"

Giggling, Kagome raced over to Rin who was splashing in the water. Sesshoumaru stood and watched. Elladan looked up at him and wondered if questioning this one further would be wise. Taking a breath he opened his mouth. "Sesshoumaru?"

The youkai looked down. "Why did Inuyasha cut off your arm?"

Snorting, he looked to his brother who was squatted by the pool. "Because I tried to kill him."

The twins gasped. "Why would you want to kill your own brother?"

Tilting his head, Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. "It is a long story that I will not get into."

Elladan nodded, and shared a look with his twin. "Inuyasha told us that the markings on your faces were inherited by your parents. What do they signify?"

Sesshoumaru remained silent for a moment. "Status and type of youkai we represent."

Elladan and Elrohir both nodded. "Does your mother have those same markings?"

Sesshoumaru looked down at the twins. "Me being the eldest, I have two stripes; the crescent moon was the only thing I inherited from my mother."

"Inuyasha being the youngest has only one, so your father was the youngest in his family?"

"I'm not sure." Sesshoumaru sighed. "I never met any of my father's siblings. If he had any I wouldn't know."

Lifting his head again, Sesshoumaru watched Rin, Kagome and Inuyasha by the water. Both girls were splashing in the water, having the time of their lives, while Inuyasha sat squatted like a dog at the edge. "You stink, Inuyasha, you should bathe." Sesshoumaru taunted.

The younger brother looked over his shoulder shooting his brother a glare. Snorting, Inuyasha looked away.

Smiling evilly, Sesshoumaru lowered his head slightly. Looking at a few lone rocks on the sandy shore, he bent down and scooped a few in his hands. Shifting his eyes to the twins who were watching amused, he stood tall and chucked one at his brother. It landed perfectly on the back of his head.

Snarling, Inuyasha inched to the side slightly.

Throwing another one, it hit Inuyasha in the same spot. The snarling grew louder, and Inuyasha inched more to his left. Holding his amusement inside, Sesshoumaru threw another one, this time, Inuyasha caught it in his hand and he looked at it. Tossing it over his shoulder, he ignored his brother.

Sesshoumaru was having the desired effect as he tossed another one. His brother was surely taking to his Inu blood acting very much dog like. This time, Inuyasha jumped to his feet dodging the rock. Throwing another one, Inuyasha caught it and threw it back. Narrowing his eyes, Sesshoumaru dropped the stones in his hands and raced to his brother's side with incredible speed, much faster then Inuyasha anticipated, and he yelped in surprise as his brother yanked him up by his shirt.

Smiling, Sesshoumaru sniffed. "You smell, have a bath!" Using his strength, he heaved Inuyasha into the water with a large splash. Turning away, Sesshoumaru smiled at Kagome and Rin, who were laughing. Shrugging, he listened as Inuyasha came up from the water sputtering. "That is far from fair!" He growled.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, hearing his brother scrambling out of the water. "Do I have to throw you in again?"

Inuyasha snarled, his anger growing. Sesshoumaru turned around, looking at Inuyasha. He stood dripping, his hands at his sides, and he was heaving. "Hackles up, huh?"

Unknown to Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru was quite amused. This was actually turning out to be fun. Another strange feeling he was going through. Shaking his head, he smiled. "What now, Inuyasha?"

Snarling, the younger youkai darted forward, hoping to catch his brother by surprise, but Sesshoumaru was prepared, jumping out of the way, he kicked his foot out and tripped Inuyasha. Surprised, he caught himself quickly and flipped over. His irritation was showing.

"Keep your emotions in check, learn from this." Sesshoumaru hissed, bringing his hand out and shoving his brother back.

Inuyasha stumbled backwards. Jumping forward again, he was caught by the shirt and tossed to the side. "Think before you act."

Inuyasha growled, jumping at his brother again. Sesshoumaru chuckled, catching his brother by the neck and shoving him backwards again. "Too slow."

Crying out in frustration, Inuyasha stopped and stood there his lungs heaving from the effort. "What are you doing? Training me?"

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Now he catches on, you're pretty slow, Inuyasha."

Snarling, he scoffed. "I'm just getting warmed up." Without another word, he jumped at his brother who anticipated his every move, knowing his brother was going to do the same this time, he leapt to the side hoping his brother would do the same, and he did. Grinning, Inuyasha swatted at his brother's head, but Sesshoumaru ducked, and twisted out of the way, in time to place his foot out again and knock his brother to the ground.

"Better." Sesshoumaru nodded. "Get up."

Inuyasha gathered his feet and stood up. "How did you know what I was going to do?"

"Father trained me." Sesshoumaru smiled. "Again!"

Snarling, Inuyasha jumped and swatted, kicked and punched trying desperately to hit his brother, but by the time he ran out of breath, he still had yet to lay a hand on Sesshoumaru. Leaning over, he gasped trying to catch his breath.

"That's enough for now. Go back into the water." Sesshoumaru turned away, and Inuyasha grinned. Without warning, he darted to his brother and almost got him, but Sesshoumaru twisted around and caught his brother by the throat. "Now, now. You need a bath." Walking his brother to the pool, he unceremoniously dropped Inuyasha into the water.

Elladan and Elrohir had watched the whole thing, astounded by how fast Sesshoumaru was. They were amazed that the younger brother was unable to even catch the elder off guard. Sesshoumaru was definitely faster then any elf they had come across, actually both brothers were. "Impressive." Elrohir whispered.

Elladan nodded.

Inuyasha sat in the shallow water, glaring up at Sesshoumaru. "You are evil."

Grinning, Sesshoumaru nodded. "So I've been told."

Rin squeaked and slipped below the water, as her foot missed a foot hold, and Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes quickly. Kagome was at the other end, and no one was close enough to Rin to lift her out. Not knowing if she could swim, never seeing her do so before, he growled. Barring his teeth, shedding his pelt, he jumped into the water, diving below the surface where she had been. Seeing her easily, Sesshoumaru grabbed her tightly as she frantically tried to get up to the surface. They came out of the water quickly, and Rin wrapped her arms around him tightly, coughing out the water that had entered her lungs in her fear.

Sesshoumaru walked to the edge of the pool, holding her against him as his sodden clothing slowed him down. On dry land now, she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and sobbed in fear. The small desperate hug, made him frown slightly. "It's alright now." He whispered. She nodded, and whispered sorry to him.

"For what?" He asked confused.

"You're all wet now."

"Yes, I am." He wasn't sure what to say, but hugged her back briefly before placing her on her feet. His hair stuck to his clothing and face and he sighed. Usually when he bathed, he didn't have his clothes on. Now he was soaked, and he looked up. At least the sun was out. Brushing his hair from his face, he pushed it back over his shoulder. Grunting, he walked away from the pool and shook his head. Lifting his hand to his hair, he wrung it out and suggested they start a fire. The air was changing slightly, as a small breeze lifted.

"It will rain tonight." Sesshoumaru mused. "On a new moon yet."

Inuyasha froze. "New moon?" He exclaimed.

Nodding, Sesshoumaru frowned. "Is there something wrong?"

"Slight problem, because I'm not sure what will happen." Leaning over he whispered into his brother's ear.

"Back home, the new moon makes me loose my youkai blood."

Snorting, Sesshoumaru frowned. "Are you saying you become human on the new moon?"

Nodding, Inuyasha planted himself down beside him.

"Interesting. I doubt that will happen here, Inuyasha." He put that bit of information into the back of his head.

"You were born on a lunar eclipse. Makes sense, actually."

Inuyasha gasped. "Really? You were there?"

Snorting, Sesshoumaru shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous. I was talking with father that night, which was before he raced off to Izayoi's side."

Snapping his fingers, Inuyasha nodded. "You told me this before. The night you asked him for Sou'unga and Tessaiga."

Sesshoumaru nodded. He looked at Inuyasha smirking. "You look like a wet dog."

"Look who's talking." Inuyasha grinned.

Rin walked up to them, rubbing her little arms. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" She whispered.

He looked at her quickly.

"I'm cold." Rin's teeth were chattering against the breeze that had started.

Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder, and saw his pelt by the pool where he had dropped it. Getting to his feet, he retrieved it, and made his way back to the group who were now sitting in a circle. Elladan got to his feet informing them that he was off to get wood, and he disappeared quickly. Sesshoumaru sat down again and motioned Rin to come over, and she did, but climbed into his lap instead of sitting next to him like she always did. Surprised, he looked up and saw Kagome wink and he frowned. So she was behind some of this.

Shaking his head annoyed, he wrapped the pelt around Rin's tiny frame, and put his right arm around her protectively. It actually felt right. Grunting, Sesshoumaru felt Rin curl up against his warmer body, but still shivering because they were both wet. Growling, he tightened his hold on her. Normally she would take his pelt over to Ah'Un and curl up next to it if she was cold, but Ah'Un wasn't here.

Inuyasha and Kagome shared a look and both smiled. Perhaps Rin was having a positive effect on Sesshoumaru without him even realizing it. Kagome noticed his growls weren't ones of anger or discomfort, but ones of satisfaction and contentment. Smiling, she nodded.

Elladan came out of the woods, carrying branches and knelt down, and began making a fire. He then got up again and glanced at his injured twin and then at the others who were dripping wet. Inuyasha was shaking the water off him, annoying Kagome who told him to cut it out, as she was scooting closer to the fire. Sesshoumaru held Rin in his arm, with his pelt tightly around her, glaring at his brother in annoyance. Shrugging, he disappeared again into the woods, in search of food.

Rin shifted her position a little, feeling the heat from the fire now, and she put her hands on Sesshoumaru's arm holding onto it. Sesshoumaru looked down, her hands felt like ice. "You are still cold?"

She nodded, shivering. She turned her head and placed her ear against his chest, whimpering. Rin could hear his heart beat, and she snuggled closer.

Taken completely by surprise, he raised his head and stared at Kagome. She smiled and nodded. "Keep her warm, so she doesn't get a chill."

"She is already chilled." He hissed.

Inuyasha knelt down and leaned closer to the fire. "Elrohir, right?" He asked looking at the twin who was leaning against the tree still. A confirmed nod was his answer. "What can you tell us about this place?"

Frowning, Elrohir shifted his position. "What do you mean?"

"Those things earlier. Orcs and wargs you called them. I sensed evil emanating from them. What are they?"

The elf took a deep breath. "They are evil." He hissed. "They care about nothing, but torture and killing. Wargs are their beasts. Their pets I guess you would say. They have been coming out more frequently now, since Mordor has been awakened."

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru looked at each other for a brief second. "Mordor?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"They are known as the black lands. In the last alliance, between elves and men, Sauron was defeated and his fortress in ruins. Now something different is happening, and evil has reawakened in Mordor. Sauron has returned." Elrohir shivered. "His plans are to take over Arda."

Inuyasha frowned. "What is Arda?"

"This world." Elrohir frowned.

"Why do those orcs smell so bad?" Inuyasha shook his head, wrinkling his nose remembering the foul stench.

"I don't know. When we get to Rivendell, ask my father. He is knowledgeable in that kind of stuff. I believe it is because of their lack of bathing, as well as their open wounds that don't seem to bother them."

Inuyasha frowned. "I thought you said we were going to Imladris."

Elrohir chuckled weakly. "Rivendell is Imladris. Imladris is the elvish of Rivendell."

"Ah." Inuyasha nodded. "What other evil is here that we need to know about?"

"There are many things. Orcs and wargs I have told you a little about. But there are trolls, wraiths which seem to have emerged from Mordor. There are tales of a Balrog still around. Dragons. Many things."

Inuyasha nodded. "What about you and your brother, why are you away from home at such a young age?"

Elrohir snorted. "Young? How old do you think we are?"

"Maybe twenty." Inuyasha muttered.

Shaking his head, Elrohir chuckled again. "Nay, Elladan and myself are far older then that. Elves are immortal."

Kagome gasped. "Immortal, just like a youkai."

Elrohir nodded. "We can be killed, but we don't die of old age. Elladan and I are twenty five hundred years old, give or take a few years here and there."

Inuyasha gasped. "They're older then you are Sesshoumaru." He exclaimed.

"How would you know how old I am?" Sesshoumaru grunted.

"Well, I'm only two hundred I think." Inuyasha sighed.

"If you include being sealed to that tree for fifty years sure. Your maturity is far from that." Sesshoumaru shook his head.