Chapter Sixteen: The Inu Nature

Elladan gaped as he saw Kagome waver in her stance. The soft-spoken words drifted to his ears mere seconds before he saw her topple to the side. Sucking his breath in sharply, he darted forward and tried to catch her before she slammed into the ground. The momentum of his frantic dash, and trying to stop her descent caused them both to crash to the earth.

Elrohir shook himself out of his shock and he blinked once before he cried out in surprise. "Dan!" He ran towards his twin and knelt beside them.

Elladan gently pushed Kagome off him and sat up with a sigh. The twins looked down at the girl and saw the whites of her eyes and they glanced at each other before reaching out in unison.

"Kagome!" The cried out.

"By the Valar, what's happened to her?" Elrohir whispered.

Elladan shook his head and glanced around quickly, before he scooped Kagome into his arms and made a mad dash towards their home.

Elrohir scrambled to his feet and followed his twin, all the while calling for his father. "Adar! Elrond!"

They rounded the corner of the gardens, and came face to face with the group of people who had been in the gardens. Only Sesshoumaru and Rin were absent.

Inuyasha growled when he caught sight of Kagome's limp body, cradled in one of the twin's arms, and he ran forward, taking her forcefully from the elf's arms. "What the hell have you done to her?" He raged, placing Kagome onto the ground and kneeling down beside her.

Elrohir shook his head. "It wasn't us. Something happened in the gardens."

Elladan began to kneel beside the girl, but an enraged snarl from Inuyasha brought him to a halt. The elf backed off with his hands held out. Inuyasha leaned over the girl protectively, snarling and looking very much like an infuriated and uncontrollable force.

"Adar!" Elrohir called again, and quickly turned his head as his father raced from behind the building.

Elrond ran over to them and saw Kagome. "What happened?" He demanded.

Inuyasha rounded on him, growling and arching his back protectively.

Elrond frowned. "Inuyasha, relax, I only wish to aid her." He spoke softly, trying to ease the boy's worries.

Inuyasha's eyes flashed with anger, and he ground out between clenched teeth. "Mine! Back!"

The depth of Inuyasha's voice caused the elves to freeze in their movement. The once smooth and even voice was now raspy and grainy. The deep baritone of Inuyasha's voice alerted them to a much stronger force then what they had been dealing with prior.

Elrond stepped back holding his hands out in front of him, frowning deeply. "Inuyasha?" He whispered, trying to sooth the boy's worries.

"Back!" Inuyasha snarled, his claws digging into the ground for emphasis. "Mine!"

Elrohir and Elladan glanced at one another shaking their heads confused. "Father? In the gardens, Kagome said something. I really think, this needs to be addressed."

Elrond glared at his son's. "Later, Kagome is in need of attention. Inuyasha, listen. I only wish to help her. I don't intend to harm her in anyway. Please allow me to approach."

A smooth voice from behind them, made Elrond turn his head. "He will not allow you to approach. Not while his chosen is in such a state."

Elrohir and Elladan frowned at the older brother's approach. He was alone, which meant that Rin was elsewhere.

Inuyasha tensed up immediately and turned on his brother, snarling with more intensity. "Danger." The voice snapped.

"Ridiculous." Sesshoumaru growled.

Inuyasha backed up and his aura flared. "Back!" he warned.

"Preposterous request." Sesshoumaru snapped, walking casually up to his brother, regardless of the battle ready stance. "Stand down, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha gnashed his teeth towards his brother in warning.

Sesshoumaru sighed and waved his hand in Kagome's direction. "Injured."

Elrond sucked in his breath as Sesshoumaru's voice deepened and grew in strength. Glancing at the taller of the two silver haired brothers', Elrond remained back.

Inuyasha snapped at the air. "Mine!"

"Indeed!" Sesshoumaru countered. "Mate." He waved at Inuyasha and Kagome pointedly.

Inuyasha relaxed slightly. "Hurt!"

Sesshoumaru nodded, and stepped forward a bit. "Protect."

Alarms rang inside Inuyasha's head as the taller, and much stronger youkai approached. His whole being alerted him to danger. "Wicked!" Inuyasha snarled with more intensity.

Sesshoumaru growled deeply. "Pack!"

Inuyasha stilled. Pack? That meant this was someone he could trust? He tilted his head to the side for a moment, lowering his aura and trying to sort through the feelings filling him. "Pack?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. Elrond took a step forward and Inuyasha rounded on the elf, hackles rising dangerously. "Stay back!" The older youkai snapped, not tearing his eyes from his brother. "Baka!" He raged towards the elf. "Everyone stay back."

Inuyasha sensed another approaching and he snarled fiercely crouching his body, ready to attack.

"Inuyasha!" Sesshoumaru snarled, catching the attention of the youkai who was his brother. He had sensed earlier that his brother's inner beast had surfaced; however with all his kind, it was a difficult thing to reason with. It counter balanced with the true form and humanoid forms they lived with. This was purely instinctual. The use of words was practically useless, leaving the inner beast with only a rough vocabulary of limited words. "Alpha!"

Inuyasha trembled. "Mine!"

Sesshoumaru sighed, locking his eyes with his younger brother. "Mate." He whispered, waving once again to Kagome and his brother.

Inuyasha blinked and looked at the girl lying on the ground, practically under his legs, which were bent over her protectively. "Hurt." He whined, moving slowly so he crouched beside her, and licked her cheek.

"Protect." Sesshoumaru whispered.

A long strangled whine escaped Inuyasha's mouth, and Sesshoumaru finally knelt beside his younger sibling. He placed his hand on his brother's back and felt it tense once, before it submitted helplessly. Finally, Sesshoumaru lowered his aura, and watched as his brother tended to his chosen mate, his human mate, tenderly. It was as if Inuyasha wanted to heal all her wounds with the ministrations of his inner beasts instincts of licking and nipping.

"Now approach." Sesshoumaru said turning his gaze to the elves. "Slowly. Don't aggravate him."

"What's wrong with him?" Elrond asked softly, moving slowly towards the girl.

"Nothing, it's instinct. He is a dog demon, so his inner instincts took over." Sesshoumaru explained.

Elrond knelt down slowly, and froze when a warning growl erupted from Inuyasha. "Is it safe to touch her?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "He is only warning you. Nothing more."

Elrond glanced at the elder brother hesitantly. "Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better."

Sesshoumaru almost snorted in response, but he bit it back. "All Inuyoukai are the same. More so if a member of their pack is in danger or injured."

As Elrond began searching the girl for injuries, minding the area Inuyasha's teeth were bared, he asked confused. "You keep saying dog demon, and then another word I don't understand. This Inuyokiah."

"Inuyoukai, it is one and the same, your language of the common tongue as your son's explained it, has it as dog demon to you elves. I find it surprising that you understand most of our language and identified it as common tongue, yet there are words we speak that you do not understand." Sesshoumaru pondered aloud.

"There are several, aye." Elrond nodded, feeling the girls pulse and then snatching his hand back quickly when Inuyasha's mouth moved to the pulse point faster then the blink of an eye.

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "He senses your nervousness and your fear, elf. Relax. He might take it as a threat."

Elrond grunted in response. "I cannot work like this. I have to be able to treat her fully and his snapping teeth are not easing my nerves. She appears to be fine, however I would like to take her inside and look over her more fully."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Ridiculous. Inuyasha will not leave her side either until his inner beast withdraws or she wakes."

Elrond frowned. "Then this is all I can do for now. Her pulse is strong, she only appears to be unconscious, nothing more."

Sesshoumaru nodded and glanced at his brother who licked Kagome's pulse point thoroughly. He watched amused as Inuyasha tended his future mate in amusement. He was certain that one the inner beast subsided, Inuyasha would feel immense embarrassment over the whole ordeal, but Inuyasha would seek answers as to where his reasoning had gone. The younger youkai would want answers as to his reactions and over protective nature.

Sesshoumaru nudged his brother with his hand, and the golden eyes lifted confused. "Come."

Inuyasha furrowed his brows and glanced down at the girl once more. Even if Inuyasha didn't realize now that he had chosen Kagome as his future mate, he would have to grow accustomed to it, as his inner beast had already accepted her as his.

Sesshoumaru stood up. "Come." He repeated.

Inuyasha whimpered and lowered his nose to Kagome's cheek giving her a slight nudge.

Rolling his eyes skyward, Sesshoumaru sniffed annoyed. "Inuyasha." He said slowly, trying to measure his voice in even tones.

A strangled whine reached his ears and Sesshoumaru almost sighed in defeat, ready to leave his brother on the ground with the girl, when he saw Inuyasha gather her into his arms and turn to follow him.

Raising a brow in curiosity, Sesshoumaru grit his teeth together in annoyance. He cursed his own lack of knowledge on the situation. Inuyasha fully intended to follow him around, seeing him as the alpha. Rolling his eyes, Sesshoumaru about faced and lead the way to where he had left Rin.

Elrond and the twins stood there watching the two brothers' leave the area silently. Elrohir shook his head slowly. "Do I even want to know what happened there? Is Kagome going to be alright, Adar?"

Elrond nodded. "She will be fine. Now will you two please tell me what happened?"

Before either brother could utter a word, a clearing of a voice behind them made them blink and stare at the new comers.

"Legolas!" Elladan shouted racing to his friend's side.

Elrond sighed in relief. Right beside the Mirkwood elf was Mithrandir. "You could not have come at a better time, old friend."

Gandalf grunted. "You have some explaining to do, Lord Elrond."

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Inuyasha groaned opening his eyes slowly. His head pounded fiercely, and he was not quite sure as to why.

"I see you have returned, little brother." Sesshoumaru snorted.

"What the hell happened to me?" Inuyasha grunted, placing his aching head into his hands.

Kagome stirred awake and cuddled more firmly beside Inuyasha, causing the younger youkai to still instantly.

"Huh?" Inuyasha's eyes widened drastically. "Wha-?"

Sesshoumaru chuckled, causing the younger brother's eyes to narrow and land on him.

Rin poked her head out from behind Sesshoumaru, grinning from ear to ear. "Hi master Inuyasha."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and glanced around him. They were seated in their chambers, alone, except for Rin and Kagome. Suddenly, everything that he had done in the courtyard came rushing back like a waves crashing against a mountain cliff. Blanching, Inuyasha gulped loudly.

Sesshoumaru snorted and turned his head to stare out the window. "I see you have remembered your actions, little brother."

Inuyasha scowled. "What the hell brought that ridiculous reaction out of me?"

"Perhaps it was due to your human girl being injured, or threatened?" Sesshoumaru turned a raised brow to him.

Inuyasha carefully slipped out from beneath Kagome, and glanced down at her with a frown. He reached his hand out and touched her forehead and brushed her bangs off her brow. "What happened to her?"

"She woke awhile ago and mentioned something regarding the jewel shards." Sesshoumaru said calmly. "I retrieved the shards and they are inside that cloth there." He pointed to the white handkerchief sitting on the vanity.

Inuyasha glanced at his brother, and then over to the vanity, and once again at Kagome who slept peacefully. Completely dumbfounded, he blinked.

"Kagome said she had an ache of the head." Rin said, hopping over to the bed and climbing up onto it.

Inuyasha nodded. "I remember growling at the elf. He's okay?"

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "He still has all his fingers."

Inuyasha snorted. "So what now? Kami knows we have to find out what happened to her."

Kagome shifted and uttered softly. "Shush. I'm sleeping."

"Oie!" Inuyasha glared down at the dark head. "How long have you been awake?"

"Sleeping." She muttered again and shifted.

Sesshomaru stood up and walked to the patio staring out at the amazing sight that lay outside. The waterfalls against the mountain ridges identified the peaceful valley of Rivendell and Sesshoumaru sighed with a smile. "I must say this place is calming." He whispered.

Inuyasha frowned and turned his eyes over to his brother. "Don't get too comfortable there, Sesshoumaru. We still have to figure out what the hell is going on. I mean, first we are drawn here through the well, and then we find the broken remains of Sou'unga, then Tessaiga pops out of thin air with the scent of Naraku heavy in the area, and then this whole thing with the shards."

"I am well aware of that, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru muttered. "There have been a few others who have arrived in Rivendell."

Inuyasha walked over and followed his brother's line of sight. "Really? Who?"

"This Mithrandir that the twins spoke of, and a few other elves. I believe I heard they are from Mirkwood." Sesshoumaru turned away from the window and stared at the door to their room.

Inuyasha tilted his head but stopped the comment from his mouth as the sounds of footsteps signaled someone arriving. The two youkai glanced at one another first and then motioned for Rin to hop onto the bed with Kagome before they walked to the door and opened it, waiting for whoever was arriving.

Inuyasha leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, with a small smirk on his face, while Sesshoumaru took a seat on one of the benches against the wall. Soon enough an old man walked around the corner, using a cane made out of a hardwood material, and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the knarled item.

Inuyasha stiffened and felt the power emanating from the man, who was clearly human. The once hanyou stole a glance at his brother out of the corner of his eye and wrinkled his nose in response to Sesshoumaru's stiffened posture. Smirking, Inuyasha turned his gaze to the old man and the three of them stared at one another for a long moment, gauging each other's reactions.

"You two must be the lords Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru I have heard so much about." The man spoke first, stopping a few paces from them. His hand rose and stroked his long gray beard thoughtfully.

Inuyasha twitched and turned his head away. "Keh!"

The old man smiled calmly and nodded. "Lord Inuyasha."

"I ain't no lord." Inuyasha scoffed.

The old man nodded. "Very well. I hear you are distant travelers."

Sesshoumaru raised a single brow in the man's direction. "Distant, hmph."

The old man nodded. "My name is Gandalf, or Mithrandir as the elves have so kindly called me." He gave a slight bow and then straightened himself to peer at the two elven like males before him. "Why is it you have taken on the appearance of elves, rather then that of a man?"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow even higher but remained silent.

Inuyasha frowned and peered at the old man. "Huh? We didn't choose these forms, did we?" He glanced at his brother curiously.

Sesshoumaru shook his head and sighed. Standing up, Sesshoumaru walked up to the old man and stared down at the much smaller male. "Iie, this is what our forms are, we did not choose this appearance. We are not elves."

The old man nodded. "Of this I am aware. Lord Elrond told me what you are. However I am doubtful. Most demons do not converse with anyone, not even themselves. They do not think in the manner that elves or men do. They rather just kill and be done with it."

Inuyasha raised his own brow and scoffed. "We are what we are."

Gandalf nodded. "Indeed. But somehow I think you are more then just demons." He waved his hand down the hall. "Take a walk with me?"

Inuyasha shook his head firmly. "Keh, no way in seven hells am I leaving the girls alone."

Sesshoumaru smirked, throwing his brother a brief look, before he turned in a flurry of white robes and lead the way down the hall. Gandalf stood there for a moment, before he shook his head and followed the strange white clad demon lord in front of him.

For a long while, Gandalf walked behind the elf looking man and pondered him. He was tall, far too tall for any elf, so he had instantly ruled any hidden agenda in that aspect. Besides, elves were not known for their deceit. The strange markings on the face of the pale white male were shocking, just as Elrond had mentioned. The sharp contrast of color on the demons pale face, made him seem almost exotic. The demon named Sesshoumaru was far too pale to be an elf, and yet held the dignity and pride an elf did.

The blue silver hair was definitely not an elven trait. Elves had white, or colored hair, not shimmering bluish silver. The golden eyes had certainly left him breathless. Golden orbs that were so full of emotion, and ice were something to get used to.

Gandalf sighed softly, remembering the chilling smirk that had crossed the demons face. It had left his blood cold, and caused the hair on his arms to rise in anticipation of something bad to happen. Perhaps they were demons as they called themselves, but they were certainly more then just demons.

The wizard remembered his conversation with the elven lord regarding the strange beings that the twin's sons had stumbled across. He had been told they were brothers, and yet even though there were similarities between them, there were also vast differences.

Sesshoumaru, he had recognized immediately, due to the words of him being cold and emotionless. Not a single twitch on the face had passed, and Gandalf had figured him to be a highly respected lord. He had obviously been schooled long and hard to maintain the emotionless façade he had placed upon his person. The markings on his cheeks were two stripes of crimson, and the cobalt blue crescent moon on the forehead left Gandalf believing it to be a mark of his house.

The other brother, he had been told had far too much emotion running through him. Inuyasha had immediately taken a protective stance beside the door where the two human girls were apparently hidden inside the room. This younger brother had a single cobalt blue stripe per cheek, and it left Gandalf wondering if those marks were a significant trait. They meant something, he concurred.

A deep voice brought him out of his musings and he lifted his head to stare at the tall demon that had stopped walking and turned slightly to stare at him. He almost sucked his breath in sharply at the power that erupted from beneath this males skin. Whether or not Gandalf wanted to admit it or not, this one standing with him in the hall was more powerful than he could have possibly thought possible.

"Lord Sesshoumaru, from what I understand, you and your companions have traveled through some kind of time portal to be in this world?" Gandalf began, though somewhat skeptically.

Sesshoumaru glanced at the wizard and inclined his head once, signaling the affirmative.

"How did you manage to travel through the portal of time?"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow. "You are aware of the situation."

"Yes, I have heard various stories. However, I have not had the opportunity to hear yours." Gandalf walked over to a stone balcony leading to another area of the house. The wind blew in through the trees and shrubs, signaling the aura of peace and tranquility.

Sesshoumaru lifted his nose and took a deep breath. "This is none of your concern, human. This Sesshomaru will handle the affairs of his pack. Interference on your part is unnecessary."

Gandalf noticed the demons words were carefully structured and placed. This was one who rarely voiced his opinions, and when he did, he used as few words as possible to make his point clear. Sighing, knowing that getting any type of information out of this one would be near impossible; Gandalf regarded the lord standing in the hall casually. He noticed how the demon sniffed the air, as though trying to sift through the scents that drifted in on the air.

"Lord Elrond informs me that you call yourselves dog demons?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at the wizard and stared at Gandalf for a moment before turning his gaze away.

Gandalf waited for several minutes to see if Sesshoumaru would say anything confirming the story, but the tall silver haired man remained silent. Shaking his head, the wizard glanced out over the falls the stone balcony sat high above, and he pondered what he had been told by Elrond. The elven lord had informed him that Sesshoumaru was a controlled army of power, waiting for the right moment to strike, and that when angered he was a force that nothing could stop.

Seeing the lord now, the words definitely fit into play with the demon. He was calm now, but how far could Gandalf press him before he angered the lord to the point of no return? According to Elrond this elder demon was protective to the point of ridiculous, over the human girls that traveled with him, but if the little girl was as adorable as Elrond had said, then he could see why anyone would be over cautious, especially if these two males were indeed demons.

According to the ancient texts, demons were either over zealous, or extremely dangerous. In either case, they were left alone to tend to themselves unless they concerned themselves over human affairs.

Elrond had informed him that the younger brother was an old frayed rope on the verge of snapping. The youngest was a catapult waiting to strike at any given chance. The rope taunt and ready to be cut, and release its fury upon any unsuspecting prey.

Gandalf shook his head, and glanced over his shoulder at the calm demon lord still standing in the hall. Were they really from another world? Furrowing his thick brows, Gandalf took in Sesshoumaru's garb. It was certainly not from anywhere he had been, and he was sure he had traveled every space of middle earth. The thin pants the demon wore were not any material he had ever come across, not even the elves seemed to be able to make such fine material such as that. The simple markings on the tunic were another thing that marked them from somewhere else.

The red honeycomb pattern on the sleeves were so finely stitched, that it looked to be a part of the material itself. Even the flowers inside the comb were perfect, without any bleeding signaling the pattern as being anything but a stitch in the material. The heavy looking armor that the demon lord wore was something else entirely.

To Gandalf the armor looked like stone. But surely if they were from the future as Elrond had mentioned, then stone would have been useless? Shaking his head, Gandalf allowed his eyes to travel further over the elder brother. Elrond had mentioned something regarding Sesshoumaru missing a limb, but the wizard couldn't find where exactly, the impossible billowing sleeves of his tunic preventing his eyes from seeing his arms. The demon stood on both legs so it had to have been one of his arms that were missing.

His eyes trailed to the large fur that wrapped around the demon's right shoulder, blocking the back of the demon from view, not to mention the length of Sesshoumaru's hair. Frowning, Gandalf wondered how anyone would be able to wear such a heavy fur in the heat this time of year. Elrond had made the comment of the fur actually being a tail, but Gandalf saw no sign of the fur coming out from the base of the demon's spine, so that thought was immediately gone from his mind. What sort of demons were these two males?

Turning around, Gandalf leaned his staff against the stone balcony and leaned back on his elbows. "I would like to hear more on you and your kind, if you would be so inclined to do so."

Sesshoumaru moved his head slightly. "Indeed."

Gandalf almost snorted at the response. This Sesshoumaru was going to be a difficult one to converse with. "Will you not indulge me with what you know?"

"This Sesshoumaru does not indulge humans." He replied with a glance and then proceeded down the halls without another word, leaving Gandalf standing there shaking his head.

Thinking more on things, perhaps the wizard should have spoken with the younger brother first. Sighing, he took up his staff and wandered in the opposite direction the lord had taken. Things were going to be far more difficult then he first thought.

According to the elven lord, the girl Kagome was more reasonable with her knowledge. Perhaps he would speak with her next. Elrond had mentioned her to have great power over the younger demon, somehow able to subdue him if he went into one of his tantrums.

Sighing audibly, Gandalf continued down the hall without a care in the world, he would get his answers, one way or another. It was just a matter of time.

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Inuyasha grumbled softly to himself as he followed Kagome and Rin outside for some fresh air. As soon as Kagome had woken from her snooze, she had said she was hungry. He had wordlessly gotten her some food, not leaving her side for long, but after she had eaten, Kagome had said she wanted to enjoy the sunshine outside.

So after some long and drawn out arguments and several sits later, Inuyasha had finally complied and told her to get out of bed so they could go outside. They had just exited the house, when Rin had run down the steps happily, immediately heading to a patch of flowers signing a tune, and Kagome had grabbed his hand.

Glancing down at their clasped hands, Inuyasha snorted and caught the voices of the twins. Kagome released his hand, much to his disappointment, and followed her as she rounded a corner and joined the twins and a new elf.

Rin finally raced over happily clutching several flowers in her hands, and now stood beside him staring at the elves in surprise and wonder.

"Oh look, Lord Inuyasha, it's another elfs with pretty hair." The girl beamed, running up to a startled blond haired elf.

Elladan burst into laughter and Elrohir hid his smile behind his hand at the glare from their friend. "Hello Rin. This is our good friend, Legolas from Mirkwood." Elrohir introduced.

Rin grinned happily and waved. She quickly took a pink flower from her bundle and gave it to Legolas. "Here, it would look so pretty in your hair."

Legolas smiled at the offer and almost rolled his eyes at the twins who he could hear trying to stifle their laughter. The snorts were a dead give away to their plight. "My thanks, Rin."

Legolas glanced up and stared at the new elf that had made himself known with the girls, but immediately remembered the words from the twins regarding their race. He blanched and turned his eyes away.

Inuyasha smirked.

Elladan cleared his throat and waved over at Kagome. "This is Kagome, Rin, and Inuyasha. This here is Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, and our old friend."

Kagome gasped. "Prince?" Her mouth dropped open.

Legolas rolled his eyes that time. "Do you mind? I tend to prefer my title forgotten while I travel. I have enough from home with father on the matter of my formality."

Elladan snorted. "Forgot, truly we did, Legolas."

Legolas shook his head and smiled at the two human girls beside them. Inuyasha seemed to hang back slightly, watching everything with his eyes.

Elrohir looked over at Inuyasha. "How are you feeling? Better now?"

Inuyasha frowned. "I wasn't feeling ill or anything, so how can I feel better then before?"

Elladan shook his head. "He means when we brought Kagome to you. You went all animalistic on us."

Inuyasha snorted and scoffed. "Keh, that? That was nothing."

Kagome sighed and sat on her heels. "I wish there was a hot springs around here."

Rin looked up from arranging her flowers and giggled. "Lord Sesshoumaru had a bath. His hair was all wet when Rin woke up."

Kagome and Inuyasha glanced at the little girl. "When did he have a bath?"

Rin placed her finger to her chin. "I forget now, but he did have a bath. He smelt all flowery and pretty after and even let Rin comb his hair."

"Why that sneaky bastard." Inuyasha snorted.

Kagome giggled. "Oh come on Inuyasha, I am sure with that nose of yours you can find out where the baths are."

Elrohir grinned. "The baths are below the house. In the lower chambers. If you like I can give you a tour of them later."

"Like hell you will!" Inuyasha snarled.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome glared at him. "He didn't say anything about bathing with me. He's not like Miroku, you know."

Snorting, Inuyasha lifted his nose in the air. "How do you know?"

Kagome got to her feet and placed her hands on her hips. "Maybe because none of them has tried to grab my butt yet?"

Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas all glanced at one another for a few long moments in surprise. Rin giggled. "Maybe Lord Inuyasha can sniff out the water, just like Lord Sesshoumaru does whenever Rin needs a bath."

Legolas raised his brows at the girls and shook his head. "Do I even want to know?" He whispered.

Elrohir leaned over to whisper in his friend's ear. "It's safer not to know."

Legolas nodded and shared a look with Elladan who grinned wickedly. Knowing his friend all too well, Legolas sighed and shook his head, the twins were up to something and he wasn't sure he wanted to be involved with what it was that they had planned.

If anything, the two mischievous elves had something planned that involved him. Shuddering from that particular thought, Legolas glared at the twins. "Whatever you two have planned, it's not going to work. I know all your tricks and pranks, and I don't want to be sent home by your father and deal with my own, thank you."

Elladan and Elrohir shared a look and then turned their grins to Legolas, in a mock innocence that rose Legolas' brows. "Whatever do you mean, my dear Legolas?" Elrohir smiled broadly.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes skyward, and turned away, catching his brother's scent on the air. Smirking in the direction of Rin, Inuyasha leaned over slightly. "Hey kid, Sesshoumaru is coming. Why don't you gather a bunch of really colorful flowers for him? I'm sure that if you ask him sweetly, he will let you put them in his hair."

Rin's face went from one of surprise, to one of happiness, to one of pure excitement. She clapped her hands together and gave a stunning smile that left the three elves completely breathless. "Oh, do you really think so, Lord Inuyasha?" She asked in barely a whisper.

Inuyasha snickered softly and nodded. "Oh, I am almost certain of it, Rin. All you have to do is give him one of your smiles and he will be completely ecstatic at the very thought."

Rin grinned even wider if that were possible, and she gathered all the flowers at her feet in her hands and quickly hid them behind her back, standing up beside Inuyasha excitedly.

Kagome glared at Inuyasha's back, and planned on giving him a nice sit after everyone had left. But in truth, she really wanted to see what Rin's smile would do to Sesshoumaru. She had seen so many confusing things with the youkai lord that she couldn't even fathom what kind of response it would drive out of him. Plus being able to see Sesshoumaru with his hair donned in a bunch of colorful flowers would be priceless to say the least.

Gasping softly, she remembered an item that she had placed in her backpack when she had last visited her era, before she had returned to Inuyasha's side in the feudal times. Snapping her fingers, she got to her feet and ran to Inuyasha, and whispered in his small tapered ear.

The grin that spread across Inuyasha's face was one of pure joy. It seemed he liked that idea even more then Kagome did, and he quickly raced off towards the direction of the girl's room, for her said item.

Shrugging her shoulders, Kagome stood beside Rin and placed her hand on her head, winking at the small girl who looked up happily.

The three elves looked at each other curiously and then shrugged their shoulders.

"I think they are almost as bad as you two are." Legolas commented absently.

The twins gasped. "What? How can you say such a thing? We are completely innocent of all charges."

Legolas shook his head and rolled his eyes to the sky. "Aye, keep telling yourselves that, you just might convince someone of it, if you try hard enough."