Chapter Eleven:
"You do not seem to understand, elf." Sesshoumaru snarled. "Rin stays by my side, until we know exactly what it is that brought us here." His eyes flashed angrily, hints of red filling the corners.
Erestor gasped as he took in the blood red orbs and the fangs that snarled the words at him. Never in his life had he seen anything move so quickly, and he nodded his head. The markings on Sesshoumaru's face became jagged with his fury, and Inuyasha raced forward gripping his brother's arm.
"Sesshoumaru let him go." Inuyasha whispered.
Releasing his grip, Sesshoumaru dropped his arm and glanced at Inuyasha quickly. Uttering the words once more so that the elf could let the information sink in, he spoke softly, but the words reached Erestor's ears with no problem. "Rin will remain by my side, there will be no further discussion on the matter." Turning away, Sesshoumaru walked down the hall sniffing out the Lord's scent quickly.
Inuyasha glanced down at the elf on the floor and sighed. "He's rather protective over her. Either Kagome stays with her, or Rin comes. Simple as that." Shrugging, he turned and followed his brother down the hall.
Kagome frowned, and looked at Rin. Reaching her hand down to aid the elf up, Erestor shook his head, rubbing his throat while gathering his feet under him. "Lord Elrond will not be pleased. Let's go."
It didn't take them long to reach the study, and Glorfindel glanced at Erestor curiously, who was still rubbing his throat. Both elves stopped in front of two large oak doors, and they knocked. Entering the study, Sesshoumaru took in the large hall. Shelves were filled with books and scrolls; candles were lit, making the room bright with the soft glow. Embedded in the far wall a fire roared, and in the back sat Elrond behind a desk which was scattered with a massive amount of papers, books and ink wells.
Elrond looked up and nodded once to Erestor, and Glorfindel who announced them, and Elrond stood up waving a hand to the three chairs in front of his desk. A frown marred his forehead when he caught sight of Rin who hid behind Sesshoumaru's legs.
Erestor bowed once and shook his head. "Forgive me, Lord Elrond, but he refused to come unless the girl accompanied him."
Sesshoumaru shot his eyes to the side and glared at the elf. "I should only have to say things once, in order for them to be understood. I do not like repeating myself."
Elrond glanced at the taller brother for a moment, and burst into laughter. "It's alright, Erestor." Shaking his head, Elrond waved at them again to take a seat. Once they were seated, Elrond began.
"I have searched through all my ancient scrolls to find any information regarding your race, and I'm at a loss. One of my advisors has informed me of overhearing you during one of your conversations, and I think this is why I can find nothing about you."
"I trust that it was the particular elf you had follow us, since we arrived here?" Sesshoumaru stated.
Elrond glanced up sharply.
"Not much get's by me, Elrond." Sesshoumaru smirked.
Elrond nodded. "I admit, I was uncertain as to the safety of Rivendell after the incident in the Halls of History."
Inuyasha scoffed. "Uncertain my ass. You had us followed the minute we arrived in this place."
Sesshoumaru glared at his brother then turned his eyes back to the elf. "Indeed. You have nothing to fear, elf. I have no intentions of harming your precious valley, or the occupants here." His hearing followed Rin as she inspected the room. "That is unless harm falls upon those in my company."
Kagome sighed. So far it was as if Elrond and Sesshoumaru were fighting in silent speculation as to who was superior. "You must forgive us, Elrond. This is all so strange to us, and we are still trying to figure out how we got here in the first place."
Elrond nodded, and looked away from the piercing eyes of the older brother. "Inuyasha spoke of a future. Another time."
Kagome glared at the former hanyou in anger. "You idiot! You and your big mouth!"
Inuyasha feigned innocence. "Keh!"
Rolling her eyes, Kagome glanced back at a curious elf lord. "I'm sorry, but we aren't even sure where in time we are. Everything around us is present in every era I have been to."
"Except you of course." Inuyasha scoffed looking pointedly at Elrond.
Elrond peered at the younger brother for a moment. "Well I have sent for Mithrandir. Perhaps he can help in this matter. All I can conclude is that you were brought here for a reason, although I'm uncertain as to what that reason would be."
Sesshoumaru listened quietly, but finally he spoke. "Tell us about the sword in your Halls."
"Narsil?" Elrond asked.
Both brothers nodded. Sesshoumaru's eyes turned away for a moment, as Rin was standing on her toes trying to reach for something. "Rin." He warned.
"Sorry, Lord Sesshoumaru." She whispered, turning away from the bookshelf.
Without turning his head to see if she listened, Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes back to meet the blue ones of Elrond's. The elf raised a single brow in amusement. "Narsil was forged many years ago. In the last alliance, it was broken by the dark lord Sauron. Many things happened back then, but the sword has been here in Rivendell since."
"That is the same sword my father possessed. Really different though. The hilt and the blade were really different." Inuyasha shot in. "Not to mention the aura."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "The sword indeed has given us cause for alarm, elf. This you must understand. Where we are from, the sword has been destroyed, which leaves us to conclude that its presence here could only mean that we have traveled back in time."
"What exactly made you destroy this sword?"
"Maybe the evil soul that possessed it?" Inuyasha mumbled. He warily gazed at his brother when he felt a heated glare aimed at him.
"Sou'unga was destroyed because of its desire to devour all the living souls in our time. It took everything Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha had to send it to the netherworld." Kagome explained, seeing the glares the brother's shot at each other. "Humans only wanted to possess it for world conquest. Only the strongest youkai could wield the sword."
Elrond frowned as he listened. His eyes roamed over to the little girl who kept glancing over her shoulder at the book she had tried to reach on her own before her caretaker had said something. Pushing away from the desk, Elrond approached her slowly. Reaching over her head, he took the book out and handed it to her, moving away quickly when he felt the older brother's eyes on him warily.
"I will not harm your little girl, Lord Sesshoumaru." Elrond said as he walked by the youkai.
Rin ran over to Sesshoumaru and climbed into his lap, holding the book against her chest. The youkai glanced down at her, and took the book gently, looking at the script etched in the bound leather. Frowning, he couldn't make out the words.
Elrond reseated himself in his chair and saw the frown. "It's written in elvish. The pictures will entertain the child."
Kagome glanced over looking at the writing and she shook her head. "It looks similar to Kanji. More elegant though."
Elrond smiled softly. A tap at the door caused him to lift his head and announced an entrance to the one who disturbed their meeting.
The twins walked in and bowed slightly. "Forgive our intrusion, father. The rangers have arrived, and you asked us to inform you as soon as they did."
Elrond raised a single brow and nodded. "They have yet to cross the Bruinen. Be sure that they cross safely."
"Aye father." The twins nodded to the four still seated, and Rin giggled when one brother winked at her. Elladan and Elrohir turned away and closed the door behind them.
"Forgive me. I had called a council months before you showed up, and I ask that you show all who arrive the proper courtesy." Elrond declared.
Inuyasha looked at him sharply. "Who are they?"
"Various races of Middle Earth. Dwarves, Elves, men, Rangers."
Kagome grinned. "Do all the mythological creatures live here?"
Elrond frowned at her question.
"In my time there are none. Just humans."
"Not even those two are present in your time?" Elrond asked curiously.
Kagome blinked. "I don't think so. I don't know actually." She whispered, thinking back on her time. In truth she had never once seen either youkai in her era and this made her a little sad.
Inuyasha shot her a look, but remained silent. Shaking his head he sighed. "This is stupid!"
"Everything is stupid to you, brother. Everything you don't understand that is." Sesshoumaru smirked.
Elrond chuckled. "It looks as though this meeting will have to be set aside until Mithrandir arrives. Please forgive my advisor, Lord Sesshoumaru. I had wished that you would have trusted my son's to watch over her, but it seems you do not trust anyone besides these two."
"I trust no one." Sesshoumaru snarled softly.
"That's for damn sure."
"Shut up, half breed."
Elrond raised his hands. "Please, try and keep your tempters in check. Imladris is a peaceful valley that is unaccustomed to violence."
Inuyasha 'Keh'd' at that news and bit his tongue.
Sesshoumaru smirked and glanced down at Rin once again, who was flipping through the pages of the book. The pictures were vibrant and clean, and showed various scenes of places he suspected were in this time.
The meeting was over, and everyone stood. Sesshoumaru held Rin protectively in his arm and he felt a sharp pain in his head, and he stumbled. Snarling low, he let out a warning to the one whose aura was trying to penetrate his mind. Inuyasha, Elrond and Kagome stared at him, before Elrond spun around and muttered a few words to the slight breeze that drifted into the room.
As suddenly as the pain came, it vanished.
Elrond turned around, anger evident on his face, and he stared at the youkai who straightened. "It seems as your presence here has caused a bit of curiosity. My son's told me about what happened at the hut. We will have to talk more on that later. Unfortunately that will have to wait until later. I must go greet my guests who will arrive in less then an hour."
Inuyasha stared at his brother for a moment before turning his golden eyes to Elrond's. "Whatever it was that stumbled across us at the hut, it held nothing but evil. Much darker then Naraku's."
Kagome gasped. "You can't be serious."
Both youkai brothers nodded.
Sesshoumaru shook his head, and adjusted his grip on Rin. He spared a glance at his brother who stared at him curiously.
"What happened?" Inuyasha asked walking over to him.
"Something wished to learn more about me, or us." Sesshoumaru shook his head again, but stilled when Rin touched his forehead.
"Does it still hurt, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Smiling softly, Sesshoumaru whispered back. "No."
They left the room quickly, and Sesshoumaru shot a glare at Erestor who still rubbed his neck, which glowed red from where he had held it. Smirking, Sesshoumaru turned away and proceeded down the hall, remembering where their room sat.
Rin played with a strand of his hair, and then looked up at him. "Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"What is it?"
"I don't want to stay with Lady Kagome." Rin whispered.
Looking down at the girl in his arms, Sesshoumaru frowned. "Do you not like her?"
Rin gasped. "No, no. I like Lady Kagome very much. It's only…I just want to be by your side. You are always there."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Rin, no harm shall come to you here. Kagome will make sure of that, and Inuyasha and I will be nearby."
Rin nodded.
Inuyasha smirked behind them, and patted Kagome's shoulder. "See, she doesn't hate you."
"I didn't say anything." Kagome hissed confused, shooting Inuyasha a look of irritation.
"You didn't have to." He whispered in her ear.
Kagome suddenly felt her throat go dry and she gave him a strange look.
Inuyasha seemed to pause for a moment, stopping in mid stride and stared at her curiously. His mouth dropped open, trying to say something but nothing came out. Blinking, Inuyasha swallowed and snorted through his nose, turning away. "Keh!"
Kagome sighed and shook her head. As always it was only her imagination playing tricks on her.
"Are you coming?" Inuyasha snapped, quite irritated with what had just happened.
Kagome nodded, quickly running to catch up with them. Sometimes, Inuyasha was a hard one to read. He showed his emotions through his eyes, but refused to admit anything. It was like his brother as well. Except Sesshoumaru rarely allowed any emotion to fill his golden orbs. If it concerned Rin his eyes would fill with a kind of soft pondering look, but then it would vanish. "Men!" She cried out suddenly causing Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru to stop and stare at her with frowns on their faces.
Kagome lifted her nose and stalked past them without a word. Inuyasha shared a look with his brother and then ran up to Kagome. "What's your problem?" He asked.
"Nothing! Leave me alone!" She snapped.
Inuyasha frowned and shook his head. "I won't. What is wrong with yo…"? He was cut off suddenly as she hissed under her breath.
"Sit."
He slammed to the polished floor with a grunt. Sesshoumaru stared at his brother lying on the ground; face firmly planted to the floor and twitched in discomfort. "What did you say to her?" He asked.
Inuyasha struggled to sit up against the power of the rosary and snarled painfully. "Nothing! Oi, Kagome what was that for?" He shouted, but winced when the distinct sound of a slamming door penetrated his ears. Finally the beads released the spell and he jumped to his feet running down the hall, followed by Sesshoumaru and Rin.
"Lord Inuyasha looks so funny when he trips and falls."
Sesshoumaru blinked for a moment and realizing that she didn't understand the rosary and nodded with a smirk. "He has always been clumsy." He stated.
They rounded the corner and stared at Inuyasha who was banging on Kagome and Rin's door forcefully. "Open up, wench!" Inuyasha hollered.
"Go away." Her voice drifted out of the door.
"I want to know why you sat me!" Inuyasha growled still pounding on the door with his fist.
"Want me to do it again?" Came the threat.
His fist froze, and he 'Keh'd' "I didn't do anything!" He snarled.
"SIT! Go away! Leave me alone!" She shouted through the door.
Inuyasha slammed to the ground again, his head hitting the door first before it made contact with the polished tile. He whimpered.
Sesshoumaru stepped over his brother and knocked on the door. It flew open with a raged Kagome standing there huffing angrily. Sesshoumaru felt his eyes widen and suddenly he was glad that he didn't wear one of those beaded necklaces. Kagome's eyes softened as her eyes fell on the white clad Sesshoumaru and Rin. Her eyes trailed to Inuyasha and she nodded with a snort.
Rin giggled and slipped from Sesshoumaru's arms, and walked into the room. The elder brother turned once the door was closed and reached down trying to pick his brother up by the collar. The force of the beads refused to allow him to lift Inuyasha, and he grunted. Suddenly the rosary released and Inuyasha flew up in Sesshoumaru's grip, while the older brother gasped as he stumbled back against the door.
Inuyasha fell back to the ground once his brother released his collar, and he then got to his feet and glared at Sesshoumaru, who pushed himself upright from his slump against the door.
Both brothers shook their heads and Inuyasha smirked. "Want to try it?"
"Try what?" Sesshoumaru asked, turning and walking away from the girl's room.
"This!" Inuyasha snorted, lifting the beads.
"I don't think so, little brother." Sesshoumaru shot his brother a glare and then turned away heading back to their own room.
"Oh but it's so much fun." Inuyasha scoffed, sarcastically.
"Indeed." Sesshoumaru paused and glanced behind him as sounds reached his ears, and he tilted his head curiously as the smell of mortals besides the girls filled his senses.
Inuyasha also turned and sniffed the air tentively."They smell worse here then in our time." He gagged.
Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose nodding in agreement. "At least the girls don't smell like rotting mud and foliage."
Around the corner came several men and they were bellowing with laughter, their armor clanging against their thighs and chests.
"Louder too." Inuyasha snarled softly, placing his hands over his ears, however to his annoyance his hands went for his puppy ears which were no longer there. Snorting, he lowered his hands to cover the small pointed ones on the side of his head.
Sesshoumaru frowned as the men approached, one reeked of malicious contempt and he snarled softly. It was difficult to know which one for sure, due to there being so many of them and he glanced at his brother nodding once.
Inuyasha cocked a brow curiously. His brother's nose was indeed sharp having sensed it before he did. The men passed them with waves of their hands, and laughing loudly.
They passed down the hall vanishing around another corner, and Inuyasha gaped as they headed in the same direction of their own rooms. "Please tell me they are not sharing the same hall as we are."
Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose in agreement, but he turned his gaze back to where the men had come from in the first place. There was another scent approaching, one filled with the smells of iron and rock, along with stale sake. Inuyasha snorted and quickly turned away, also smelling it.
"I've had enough. Let's get out of here!" Inuyasha turned quickly walking down the hall. "Now I hate being a full youkai. My nose was never this sharp before."
Sesshoumaru smirked amused. "Breath through your mouth and it won't be so bad."
"What and have myself taste it rather then smell it? I don't think so." Inuyasha rounded the corner and saw the men standing in the hall laughing again and talking loudly. The younger raced past quickly, finding his room and he shoved the door open, slamming it behind him roughly. He then barreled for the patio and breathed in the fresh air.
Sesshoumaru shook his head chuckling as he rounded the corner his brother had gone, and he stopped staring at the men crowding the hall mindless of who they were interrupting. He past them casually, his steps slow and careful. The youkai sniffed, as he past them, trying to pick out the one who had risen his senses and he frowned not able to pick the one out.
The men spared him a glance, some raising their brows at the unusually tall 'elf' with strange markings, but they didn't stop their loud raucous laughter. Snorting, Sesshoumaru opened the door to his room and slipped in casually. His golden eyes found Inuyasha who was on the patio sucking in deep breaths of air. Shaking his head, he shut the door behind him and walked over to the bed silently.
Lifting his hand he unlatched his armor, laying the ties on the small table beside the bed, and then lowering the heavy stone armor on the ground. Shrugging his fur off his shoulder, he arranged it on the bed and laid down allowing his head to rest on the pelt. Closing his eyes, he sighed.
Inuyasha walked into the room and blinked at his brother whose back was to him. "What are you doing?"
"Sleeping." Came the reply.
Inuyasha glanced around the room curiously. There was only one bed. "There is no way in hell that I'm crawling into bed with you in it."
"So wait until I wake, and then you can sleep." Came the muffled answer.
"What am I suppose to do in the mean time?" Inuyasha snarled.
"Not my problem."
Inuyasha took a deep breath and watched as his brother drifted into sleep. Tilting his head, he had never once seen his brother so relaxed to the point of slumber and he grinned. Perhaps his brother had changed more then he thought. Shrugging, Inuyasha lifted his fingers and pinched his nose, opening the door, glancing out quickly to see if the men were still around. To his annoyance they were.
Bolting from the door, shutting the door behind him, he ran with great speed towards the girl's rooms, and past the men. The men's conversation stopped for a moment, seeing red flash by them, and followed his progress down the hall before he turned the corner, and they glanced at each other for a moment before they began their conversation again.
Inuyasha bolted to the girl's door and banged on it. "Kagome! Let me in, please let me in." He practically begged.
The door opened, and Inuyasha shoved inside, shutting the door behind him, releasing his breath he was holding. Lifting his head, he grinned at Kagome and snatched her into his arms happily. "Oh thank you, thank you."
Kagome's eyes bulged. "What is wrong with you?" She asked, pushing away from Inuyasha whose arms held her in a death grip.
"Nothing." Inuyasha released her and grinned. His eyes trailed to the bed where Rin was curled up sleeping, and he snorted. "Seems like Sesshoumaru and Rin have the same idea."
Kagome glanced over her shoulder and smiled. "Why are you here?"
"We only have one bed in our rooms, and Sesshoumaru has taken up the whole thing. I mean seriously, that fur takes up more then half, and he just sprawled himself over it." Inuyasha began rambling.
"So, if he hadn't taken up the whole bed, you would have crawled into bed with him?" Kagome snickered, her eyes flashing mischievously.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort, but paused and blinked at her stupidly. "What? Hell, no!" He snarled.
"Shush." Kagome giggled. "You'll wake Rin."
Inuyasha snapped his mouth shut, and peered at her smiling softly, nodding he stole a glance at Kagome and sucked in his breath quickly. She was beautiful in the light that shimmered in through the windows. Tilting his head, he took a step forward, and whispered. "Kagome?"
She glanced up and swallowed, seeing how close he was, and she took a step back. "What? What are you doing?" She stammered.
"Nothing." He whispered. Inuyasha reached out and gripped her arms, and pulled her into his arms. Lowering his face to her hair, he took a deep breath and sighed.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked softly. She lifted her head, and blinked.
Inuyasha turned his face and smiled at her, a real smile that took her breath away. Slowly, his lips met hers and he gave her a soft feather like kiss and then pulled back. "Sorry." He murmured.
Kagome lifted her hands to her lips and then raised her eyes to meet his. "What was that for?"
Inuyasha's face was slightly pink. "Peace offering?" He shrugged, turning away. "I want to go exploring."
Kagome shook her head. Inuyasha still confused her, as he changed the subject. "Do you think we should inform Sesshoumaru that we are going exploring?"
"Huh? Why would we do that?" Inuyasha asked, looking at the wall.
"Rin will be alone." Kagome waved to the bed, where the little girl was sleeping.
"Oh. Uhh. Maybe we should just take her to him. We can't leave her alone that's for sure." Inuyasha glanced at the sleeping girl and smirked to himself. He wondered what Sesshoumaru would do upon finding Rin in the same bed as him. Walking forward, he gently scooped up the tiny girl and nodded to Kagome as he turned around. "After you." He whispered.
Kagome smiled and opened the door, slipping through it, and waiting for Inuyasha.
They walked down the hall and turned the corner, where the human's still laughed raucously. Wrinkling his nose, Inuyasha scowled. "They had better not wake her." He growled under his breath.
Kagome nodded and frowned. Back in the feudal era the human's were never this loud in fear of attracting unwanted attention. In her era, they were loud but not as careless. Shaking her head, Kagome lead the way past the men, who stopped and stared at the girl, and then their eyes fell on Inuyasha who scowled at them as he past. Several eyes fell on the little girl in his arms, and they seemed to understand his anger, taking a step away and allowing him to pass. They even paused in speech, and their eyes followed their every move.
Kagome cast a glance at the now silent men, and pushed open the door slowly, peeking her head inside it to see if Sesshoumaru was awake. He was still on the bed, with his fur curled around him, and she smiled broadly, nodding to Inuyasha who stopped behind her waiting.
Inuyasha shook his head, and quickly walked into the room, and placed Rin onto the fur, and she snuggled up against the fur and gripped it tightly in her hands, rolling over to face Sesshoumaru.
Kagome and Inuyasha shot one another a quick smile and then left the room shutting the door behind them. A man walked up to Kagome and bowed slightly. "I apologize for our inconsideration. We were not aware that you had a little girl with you. If you wish, we will move to the halls of fire so not to disturb the girl."
Kagome blinked and smiled. "Halls of Fire?" She asked, while Inuyasha hovered over her protectively.
"It's down the hall, and to the far end of the house. We were going to be heading there for a night filled with song and dance." The man grinned. "The stories told in the Halls are ones not to be missed. Lord Elrond knows how to entertain his guests."
Kagome nodded and looked at Inuyasha. "Oh stop that." She whispered to him.
"Keh!" Inuyasha growled, turning his nose away and wrinkling it in distaste.
"My name is Arden. I travel with this rowdy bunch." He introduced himself. "I'm from the horse lands, of Rohan."
Kagome nodded, she loved horses. "My name is Kagome Higurashi, this is Inuyasha."
The man frowned at the names but shook it off and smiled warmly. "If you follow us, we are headed to the Halls of Fire."
Several of the men had already past down the hall, leaving a select few behind waiting for the man. Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's hand and pulled him along as they started walking.
"Do we have to?" Inuyasha whispered, wrinkling his nose. "They smell bad."
"Oh, Inuyasha, stop being such a baby. Is it really that bad? It can't be any worse then the smells you are bombarded with in my home."
Inuyasha snorted, and nodded. "True, the scent of smoke and iron from your home is rather unsettling."
It didn't take them long to travel the halls, when they finally came across a set of large oak doors, leading into a enormous room. Several chairs were seated against the walks; while in the center of the room lay a large fire pit. There were many elves present, some tuning various instruments, others were softly speaking in corners, and some were seated beside the fireplace. In the room were elves, men, and dwarfs, who to Kagome's surprise were short, and hairy.
She giggled and glanced at Inuyasha who frowned at the small child like people and blinked. "I don't even want to know." He grumbled under his breath.
"Ahh, Lord Inuyasha, Lady Kagome. It is a pleasure to see you here." Elladan grinned walking into the room behind them.
"Hi." Kagome smiled.
Elrohir walked in behind his twin and bowed. "Come sit with us near the fire while we wait for our father."
They followed the twins and seated themselves on the chairs, and watched the flurry of activity in the room.
Elrohir leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Where are the other two?" He asked.
Inuyasha snorted. "Taking a nap."
Elrohir smiled and nodded, pulling away from Kagome's ear, and leaned back casually in his seat. Elladan came over and handed him what looked to be a set of different length flutes tied together in a flat row. Elrohir grinned at his brother and lifted it to his mouth and blew into the holes, making a soft delicious sound that made Kagome clap her hands in excitement.
Elladan sat down and placed a harp in his lap and fingered the strings, and tuned them with his other hand, listening intently, and frowning upon discovering one that sounded horrible. Elrohir placed the instrument in his lap and closed his eyes sighing.
Kagome leaned over and whispered into Inuyasha's ear. "Rin would love this."
Inuyasha frowned and glanced at her. Lifting his nose to the air, he smirked upon a scent arriving. "Don't worry, she will be here."
Kagome frowned and looked at him, before her eyes traveled to the door and she grinned. There stood Sesshoumaru, tall and proud in his white attire, and his pelt hung over his rightful shoulder. Holding his hand stood Rin, who was slightly flushed from sleep. The smile that spread across her face was one of utter joy.
Elladan and Elrohir both glanced up and looked out the door and they shared a look at the girl's excitement. Several other's looked at the door upon Sesshoumaru's appearance, and all conversation seemed to stop as he practically glided into the room silently.
Elrohir leaned over again. "He sure knows how to make an appearance."
Kagome grinned, and Inuyasha snorted. "I would think he would rather not have any attention drawn to him."
The only things missing from Sesshoumaru's attire were the stone armor, and chest plates. Sesshoumaru walked over to them and released Rin's hand as she bounded over to Kagome and grinned excitedly.
Rin spun in place and caused several elves to laugh softly at her joy. Elrohir leaned over and whispered. "Would you like to try an instrument, Rin?"
Rin's mouth fell open and she nodded. "Rin would love that."
Elrohir handed her his pipes and instructed her to blow into the end, and she did, which caused her to grin even more. Sesshoumaru seated himself next to Inuyasha and watched the exchange of Rin and Elrohir carefully. His eyes twitched as the sound escaped from the pipes, and it sounded harsh.
All commotion came to a halt, and Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to the door and saw, Lord Elrond and his golden haired advisor walk in. All the elves bowed, and most of the men did as well. Elladan and Elrohir both stood up and inclined their heads, and waved to the chairs on their right.
Elrond nodded at his son's and smiled in greeting to the members sitting beside his children. Rin carefully handed the pipes back to Elrohir as he sat down, and she quickly climbed up into Sesshoumaru's lap, almost jumping with excitement waiting for what was going to happen to happen. Sesshoumaru placed his hand on her shoulder and almost chuckled. "Relax. I am certain they will begin soon, Rin." He whispered.
"Yes." Rin beamed, stopping her small bounces on his lap to flush happily and impatiently.
Elladan leaned over and whispered. "Tonight is a greeting to all who have come. There will be music, stories, dancing, and later a lot of drink. All children should be asleep by that time, and then the real party begins."
Kagome had never been to a party, and she allowed her face to show her excitement, causing Inuyasha to frown and peer at his brother.
"Oie, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha smirked.
"What is it?"
"When father was Ruler of the Western Lands, did you ever get to go to something like this?"
Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to his brother and he smirked. "Yes, Inuyasha. Father did have meetings, and he entertained his guests."
"Wow." Inuyasha leaned back a spark of jealousy filling his chest.
"I found most to be over done, and rather dull. As I grew older, they increased in enjoyment, I figured it was due to me being too young before."
Inuyasha peered at his brother for a long moment, before soothing sounds filled the air. Turning his head, he glanced around the room until his eyes fell on a group of elves in the corner, fingering several different instruments, and his eyes widened. He had never heard anything quite so soothing before, and he felt his brow furrow in confusion.
Sitting back in his chair, he felt calm and relaxed, and a small smile drifted across his mouth at the melodious tunes the elves were creating. Kagome gripped his hand tightly, and he looked down at their clasped hands and then up to her face, and saw a broad smile on her face. Looking over at his brother again, even Sesshoumaru's face looked at peace, and Rin's was flushed from excitement and happiness. It was then that Inuyasha saw Sesshoumaru's arm stroking her hair with his claws, and his own smile grew. His brother did care for the girl. Even though the sign of affection was small, it was still there.
Inuyasha's eyes trailed around the room taking in the relaxed poses of all present, and glanced at an elven woman who stood off to the side beside the golden haired elf, whose name had slipped his mind for the current moment. She grinned and nodded once, and then turned to the other elves playing their musical instruments. They seemed to nod in agreement, and the tunes softened greatly, and slow considerably. The sandy colored haired woman turned and closed her eyes, before she opened her mouth allowing for the words to pick up beat with the music, and Inuyasha's eyes almost popped out of his head at the gorgeous sound that came from her tiny frame.
Even though it was in another language, the words seemed to fill every tensed vein and muscle in his body, and he found himself swallowing at how calmed he felt. Kagome's hand tightened in his, and she laid her head on his shoulder, completely entranced with the song.
Rin leaned back in Sesshoumaru's arm, and laid her head on his chest, and sighed happily. The youkai looked down at the girl and smiled softly. The song was entrancing. He was grateful that the sound wasn't harsh to his delicate ears. It was peaceful, and remarkably calming, even to him. Somehow the song weaved around them, touching everything that was stressed, and angry, and washed over them like a comforting blanket.
He almost snarled when the song ended. Blinking, Sesshoumaru was disappointed that the song ended, but taking a deep breath, he looked down at Rin who smiled with even more happiness then before.
A movement to his side drew his attention, and he noticed the twins rise to their feet and walk over to the musicians. The others placed their instruments down, and Elrohir nodded placing the pipes to his lips, as Elladan took his stance beside the woman, and the younger twin began playing. The woman grinned at Elladan and waited while the pipes flooded the room in soft waves, and then she began singing again. Elladan never missed a beat as her words faded, and his filled the empty void in a stunning duet filled with love and anguish that brought tears to Kagome's eyes, and Rin snuggled closer to Sesshoumaru at the sadness that filled the words, even though they couldn't understand what was being sung.
The golden haired elf slipped beside them and sat down, watching Kagome's tears and he smiled softly. "This is a song of loss and loneliness. It is the one of an elven lady loosing her love to a tragic event, and lives her life alone."
Kagome nodded and sniffled. "I don't understand the words, but I feel the sadness. It is very pretty." She whispered.
Inuyasha remained silent, but wrapped his arm around Kagome in a soothing manner, and she laid her head back on his shoulder. This scent of tears filling his senses was something he didn't like. He never liked it when Kagome cried, but this one was slightly different, it smelled of happiness and sadness, and he grew confused.
The song ended, and Elrohir lowered the pipes and grinned, nodding to his brother and the elven woman. The musicians raised their instruments and more song filled the air in a more up beat tune, and smiles returned to the faces filling the room.
Kagome wiped her tears, and smiled.
The golden haired elf leaned over again. "Once the music has finished, then the stories will begin." He stood up and grinned. "Enjoy your night." Nodding once, he moved back over to Elrond's side and seated himself in a chair.