Chapter 8
A/N: ...
Disclaimer: I am not in possession of anything even remotely related to InuYasha, excluding an episode I bought on iTunes and an anime toy from another show, so therefore you can (correctly) infer I do not own the characters. Except Utira, Suran, and Eran. Which I forgot to mention in the last chapter. Oh well. Can't really use them in another story, can you?
End A/N.
"But first, I wish for a robe so when Jaken or any other servants enter, I will not have to worry about them gawking at my body," Inukimi told Sesshomaru. Her son let out a sigh before calling for Eran, at which Lady Mother said, "She is otherwise occupied, for I have sent her on a short errand." Sesshomaru shot her a questioning glance before summoning Utira.
Within a few seconds, the frog entered Rin's bedchambers, with Eran on her heels. The two servants quickly bowed to the dog demons before standing attentively in the doorway. Before Sesshomaru could give a command to Utira, his mother was already asking Eran, "Have you completed my task for you so quickly?"
After a moment, Eran nervously stepped forward and hesistantly answered. "No m'lady. I was looking for Suran when I heard Lord Sesshomaru calling for me."
Lady Mother said, "Well, if you see Jaken, tell him that Ah-Un better be ready to leave soon. And also inform him that-Suran, was it?-will be the one taking the dragon out." She let out a sigh and waved a hand at Eran. "That is all." Eran darted out of the room without even checking with Sesshomaru for a dismissal.
Sesshomaru noted that, but kept it to himself. He would address it when he and his mother were alone again.
"Utira, bring my mother something to cover herself," he commanded the frog youkai. Sesshomaru turned his gaze to his dead mate and found he couldn't help but notice the smell emanting from her body.
When Utira was properly dismissed by Sesshomaru, he asked Inukimi, "Mother, what are you going to do about Rin's decomposition?"
"Oh yes. How could I have forgotten that? I suppose I am becoming accustomed to the stench of a rotting human..." Lady Mother mumbled to herself, turning to stare at the doorway. Abruptly, she turned back to her son and said in a clear voice, "Have no fear, my son. Your human will not be a half-rotten corpse after I am done. I know of a way to take care of it."
Sesshomaru gave her a slightly disbelieving glance, but decided that if she could bring Rin back, who knew what else his mother could do? Ah yes, that reminds me.
"Mother, I would prefer you to refrain from attempting to overtake my household."
"Why, whatever do you mean, child?"
"The servants should not be looking to you for dismissal. I am their master. You are not the mistress of this manor. Rin is. You are simply a guest."
"Rin was the mistress. And before you throw a tantrum because I used the past tense, I would also like to point out that I am the one who is bringing her back from the dead, so perhaps I am due some respect?" Her statement caused Inukimi to remember a mental note she had made a few chapters-I mean, a day-ago. "While we are on this subject: Do not order me around as though I am one of your lowly servants."
A coughing sound from the doorway caught their attention. Turning, Lady Mother recognized the waiting servant to be Jaken.
"Frog, is Ah-Un ready to leave?" Inukimi asked.
Sweat drop. "M'lady, I am a toad demon. And yes, Lady Mother, Ah-Un is ready for flight," Jaken answered. He turned, walked out of the room, and began going making the laborious journey down the stairs.
...
Jaken poked his head back into the room upon realizing Inukimi had not followed him. "Um, m'lady?"
"What, frog?"
Oh, forget it! Let her call me a frog if she is so determined, Jaken thought. "Aren't you going to follow me?"
"I do not see why I need to," Lady Mother answered. She let her gaze wander around the room, wondering what was taking the servant Utira so long to bring her a robe to cover herself with.
"I thought you needed to travel somewhere," Jaken said with a slight question in his tone.
"No, I need you to go get my ritural clothes."
"Oh yes! I apologize, Lady Mother. I for-."
Inukimi cut him a glance that caused him to immediately close his mouth. "Also, on your way, you need to drop Suran off at a village that is well stocked with herbs. I expect the three of you to leave within the next ten minutes or so. And on your way back, pick him up."
"M'lady, how am I to know if a village I pass possesses all of the herbs that you will need?" questioned Jaken.
Lady Mother let out a haughty chuckle before telling him, "Why, I suppose you should ascertain the knowledge some how. And you better hurry. You shall be leaving soon." She reclined fully in the futon and caught Jaken's slack-jawed expression. At seeing his face, Inukimi threw her head back and laughed.
Sesshomaru growled, "Jaken, you heard my mother. Hurry. And send Suran up here."
"B-b-but-!" Jaken spluttered.
Utira ran into the room with a blue robe over her arm and hurried towards Inukimi. The servant bowed and held the clothing out. Lady Mother stood and slipped her arms into the sleeves before tying the sash tightly around her waist. "Ah, much better," the inu youkai declared. "Jaken, you better not be in the room when I turn around in five...four...three...tw-" She did not even finish the countdown before she heard the toad quickly padding down the stairs.
Inukimi turned to Utira. "Toad, you may leave now." The servant knew better than to correct her master's mother on the fact that she was a frog demon. She had heard and seen Jaken attempt on several occasions to do so, and all that resulted was Lady Mother's anger or playfulness. Utira simply bowed and left the room quietly.
Sesshomaru's mother sat on the futon by the bed again, sprawling on the piece of furniture. Sesshomaru simply sighed at her appearance's lack of dignity. He thought of reminding her that maybe they should hurry, but knew she would only become annoyed.
Lady Mother was dozing when a hulking lion demon entered the room. Lazily sitting up, she murmered, "Sesshomaru, why do you have a cat youkai living in your manor?"
Sesshomaru made a gesture to Suran, who correctly interpreted the move. He stepped forward, bent to one knee before Inukimi, and answered her. "I heard of Sesshomaru-sama when I was a cub, and nearly a century ago embarked upon a journey from the south to come here and serve Lord Sesshomaru. After several decades, I finally proved my loyalty to him, and was allowed to live nearby."
"Hmm..." was Inukimi's only comment.
"Eran came to me in the forest and informed me that you needed my assistance with something?"
"Yes, I do. I need you to run an errand for me. And what were you doing in the forest? I would think you lived in the castle."
"No, m'lady. I guard the outer ring of Lord Sesshomaru's manor and live in the forest surrounding the area. I was following Sesshomaru-sama the night Lady Rin died, while he was wandering through the woods. I wanted to make sure he was not attacked. But obviously, I failed, since you two were nearly attacked by that demon." Fearful of what Sesshomaru might assume from his actions, Suran continued, "I am sorry m'lord. I do not mean to insinuate that you could not have handled yourself."
"It is fine, Suran. You may stand now," Sesshomaru told him.
"Suran, you will go with Jaken in a few minutes to a human village. Do not fear, it shan't be a long journey. You will be flying on Ah-Un, my son's dragon. Jaken will let you off and go do the errand I have assigned him. You will find the village's healer and demand all the herbs they have. Threaten them, kill people; I do not care. You just better have what I need when Jaken returns two hours later to retrieve you and come back. Understand?" Inukimi asked.
Suran hesistated, wondering if he should point out that perhaps it would be better if he requested the herbs. But eventually he just nodded his understanding and decided that he better follow Lady Mother's instructions to the T. (*)
Jaken rushed into the room, panting, and exclaimed, "I met the deadline! And I know what village we can go to Suran! Come, let us go." Suran bowed to the two dog youkai before he exited the room behind Jaken.
Inukimi turned to her son and told him, "See, a little motivation, such as impending death, is a good thing."
"Mother, you never threatened Jaken's life," Sesshomaru pointed out.
She grinned wickedly before saying, "Ah, but it was implied."
Jaken heard Suran say something, but couldn't make out what the other demon said over his own labored breathing as he managed to climb onto Ah-Un's sadle. Firmly seated, he turned to the lion youkai and asked, "What did you say, Suran?"
The feline demon climbed with ease onto Ah-Un. "I asked what village we are traveling to."
"Oh, I found one that is on the way to Lady Mother's castle. It's quite near what the humans refer to as the Bone Eater's Well," Jaken answered before flicking Ah-Un's reins.
A/N:
*It means exactly; I didn't want to say that and be normal though.
Um, I don't think I have any typos, but I can't be sure. So, if you find any, please let me know.
Review please!
End A/N.