Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
Part 3
Old rivals meet. Beach. Higato returns. Friday.
-
Inuyasha's ear twitched, absently swatting away the fly that buzzed around it. Slowly, his senses resurfaced enough to be able to hear the light sounds of the day. There were birds and gulls calling to each other somewhere nearby. Just beneath that layer of noise was the more muted and distant sound of crashing waves on stone and sand. Closer in were the sounds of someone trying they're hardest not to make sounds on the creaking floorboards. He shifted side and groaned when the sunlight covered his face. His ears twitched again, hearing the faint sound of a floorboard creek. He opened his eyes slightly and saw a bundle of messy raven black hair.
The girl stepped on another floorboard and turned to Inuyasha to see if he was awake. She continued to walk into the kitchen.
"I'm still awake." The male in the room said.
"I'm so sorry Inuyasha." Kagome said as she moved faster towards him.
"It's okay." He said. He stopped realizing he said something nice and the look on Kagome's face. He took a deep breath. Kagome noticed this and looked down her black hair spilling over her shoulders.
"I need to stay awake." He said brushing her hair out of the way. Kagome looked up and smiled.
"Inuyasha why are you staying here with me? Why won't you go back with the others?" She asked, and then giggled.
His answer was lost in another low rumble as her fingers gently stroked his ear, his head lowering slightly to give her better access without reaching too much. It was stronger than him; he absolutely had to let her continue. Since Kikyo, Kagome had been the only female he had let touch him or his sensitive ears. And truth be known, he missed Kagome's touch. She had the most delicate and gentle fingers…
Again he heard her giggle.
"You're an overgrown puppy."
He snarled quietly, the frown returning to his face for an instant, but remained silent. He just wanted to sit there and let her play with his ear.
-
Sesshomaru sat in his room at the Sea-side Hotel. He sipped his coffee as he looked down at his Laptop. He moved the mouse with his finger on the pad and pressed a button. After that, he closed his laptop. His eyes turned to the condo a ways away from the hotel the moonlight shining over the rocks and waves making it look like a small Japanese hut near a river…like the castle. Almost. His…associate would be happy to hear about this. Yuki's parents were rich, her father Fushigi her father owns a competitive company. They both owned a large amount of land. Sesshomaru owned his land of the west, Fushigi the north. Sesshomaru stood up his long white hair behind him. He wore expensive clothes colors of red and white. He grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the corner table.
His brother's absence for five hundred years then all the sudden he was here with two other demons. He had watched two humans and a Kitsune leave the condo but that didn't concern him. Inuyasha was back. Maybe she was too. He was far more interested in the two other demons. He walked over to the balcony by his desk and opened the door a wave of intense smell washed over him but he dismissed it. His placed his hands on the cold railing his fingers moving slowly, watching the condo. He watched the door slide open and a girl with long white hair step forward. He watched her untie her hair- and then the wind took it. She stepped over the railing and sat there. Sesshomaru watched her with interested. The demon he sensed on the beach.
He walked back in the room taking one last look out side before roughly slamming the glass door. He moved the curtains over it the room going into almost complete darkness a small light glowed at the doorway. Sesshomaru walked towards it placing his sunglasses in his pocket.
"Jaken get Koga." Sesshomaru snapped to the small imp at the door. Sesshomaru walked into the hallway down towards the café.
-
San sat on the balcony, her legs rocking in the breeze. Her hair lay free to the merciless winds of the night. She took a deep breath then wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. The night breeze was a lot colder than in the day. Then smell of the sea hung in the air as San took a deep sniff. Her eyes were closed enjoying the purity and free world.
The demon blood that now raged in her veins had clamed her. She was now a demon. San felt like she had been a demon all her life, her movements were now sure, her attitude calm. She had been dropped into the well as an escape route when police had arrived at the Higurashi shrine- but it all seemed familiar. Like she had seen it before. She remembered why she was out here. She had sensed a demon near by. It was powerful, a leader, masterful in many ways, dangerous, silent, all the attributes or a fine warrior. When San made her presence known by concentrating on it- it softened. Gentle become an attribute before it completely disappeared. San placed her hands on the railing under her and jumped down. The fall didn't hurt her as she stood up and walked forwards her hands clasping each other behind her back. She walked along the beach line watching the water charge forward then retreat when it touched her now bare feet. She rubbed her fleece-covered arms. She shivered as a fresh sea breeze blew past her legs.
"Why didn't I wear pants?" She giggled to herself. She continued to walk, her footprints left in the wet sand.
-
Koga sat in the plastic chair looking around at the empty room. The chairs were all on the tables the legs sticking into the air. He lifted his feet onto the tabled lighting the candle he had blown out. The chair across from him was empty soon to be filled with a unique identity. He lifted his blue eyes from the silver lighter he had been playing with to the silver haired demon walking into the room from the hallway.
"Welcome all." Koga said spreading his arms, placing his feet on the floor. His eyes watched the demon as he sat in the chair left for him.
Sesshomaru looked at the wolf demon as he settled himself. "Comfortable? Good. I feel you have sensed them?" he asked a questioning look on his face.
"Of course our powers are not that different. Wolves are stronger cousins of dogs." Koga said flipping his lighter lid. The flame jumped lighting up Koga's face.
"Then may I ask who works for who?" Sesshomaru said his stony face never changing.
"Look. I may work for you but I'm not some sleaze Kitsune you dug up. We had a deal." He said flipping the lighter closed.
"True. You were to find the demon you helped bring up, and you'd be free to get that pathetic- that human you so desire. She is not under my control." Sesshomaru said slightly turning in the chair.
"She's anything but pathetic." Koga said his open palms pressed on the table his body almost raised. He calmed down and picked up the discarded lighter. "You never told me what you wanted with the girl. Just that you wanted her alive."
"That is none of your concern." Sesshomaru's voice was tinted with anger. Koga got the message he was stepping onto dangerous territory.
"Fine. Fine. Don't get your tail in a knot. You'll have her by the dance."
"Which one. The modern…or the traditional one?" Sesshomaru moved back in his seat his face hidden in the shadows only his nose and down were seen.
"You pick…boss." Koga smirked.
"I much prefer the modern one. I'll tip her off that I'm here at the traditional one if she doesn't know already."
"Be careful. You don't want a particular mutt on your tail as well."
"Don't worry. He already knows were here. Just get me the girl. Speaking of which…" Sesshomaru's eyes flashed in the dark. He sensed her walking calmly back to the condo. Her aura of blue around her- Sensitive, caring, dangerous, gentle… and experienced.
Sesshomaru was getting tired of this game.
"Modern dance she's yours. Or the other one if you tip too much off. I better get Kagome."
"Oh yes, we have another spy." Sesshomaru brought his hand up and motioned for some one to come. A boy with baggy pants and a badass shirt walked in his blonde spike hair and many chains clinking. He wore spikes and studs on leather around his wrist, a normal punk.
"What's so good about him?
"He's…special."
-
In the morning Kagome got up to see San and Inuyasha talking quietly as Yuki made food. Kagome walked in her pajama's folding over her feet. She fell onto the couch beside San, startling her.
"Hey Kagome!" she giggled. "How as your guys sleep?" She asked almost crying at the face that Inuyasha made. She pointed the best she could at her ears while laughing. Inuyasha grabbed San's shoulder and pushed her off the couch. San landed on the gaijin carpet giggling. Kagome was to tired to act; she lay on the couch belly down her eyes half closed.
San got up and sat on the other couch. "Meanie." She said grabbing the remote from him. She flipped the channels.
"Soap. Soap. Soap. Talk show. Soap. Anime. Soap. Naruto! I love this show." San placed the remote on her lap close to her lower body where she knew Inuyasha wouldn't go for it.
Inuyasha grumbled then stalked to the kitchen where Yuki was fixing food. There was a crash of pots the noise getting every bodies attention. A plate soared out of the kitchen the surface flat before Kagome caught it.
"A flying saucer…" San joked. Inuyasha stamped out of the kitchen. He still wore his kimono the red around his neck slightly darker that the rest of his body. Inuyasha stopped before the girls.
"I ahh…" He looked at Kagome. He motioned his hands around in the air expecting him to know what he meant. "Um…Ihavetogotothebathroom." He said blushing as he averted their gaze.
"Huh?" Kagome asked as she stood up. "What do you mean Inuyasha?" Kagome said placing a soft hand on his forearm. A low rumble came from his chest. Kagome was one of the very few women he allowed near him. San was one she was a new friend. Getting there. He still didn't forgive her for playing with the untransformed Tetsusiga. He didn't even know how she did it! Stupid woman.
"I have to go to the bathroom…" He said roughly moving away from Kagome. She looked at him startled then covered her mouth to hide a giggle. He growled. She stopped thinking she had hurt his feelings.
"I'm sorry Inuyasha. Here I'll help." She took his hand and pulled him to the bathroom in the hallway. Inuyasha looked at the toilet with interest. It was a sort of hole in the ground…
Kagome giggled. "This is a toilet. When you have to…um…relieve yourself, you squat here" she pointed at the white shape"do your thing, wipe with this" she pointed at a stack of filmy white paper on a shelf within reach of the toilet"then push this button to flush it away." She pointed to the small handle, and then suddenly cleared her throat. "Well, since you're male, I guess you wouldn't have to squat to..." she mimicked the male posture for peeing, getting an amused look from the demon. San poked her head in the door.
"Oh am I interrupting?" She asked. "…My I'm feeling bubbly today…"
"No Inuyasha was…um… I was… I was demonstrating!" Kagome said her cheeks a flustered red. Kagome's brown eyes darted to Inuyasha then the wolf demon. "Oh! I wasn't you know." Kagome opened the door and walked out.
"Oh anyway hurry up with 'reliving yourself.' Breakfast is ready." San closed the door behind Kagome. Inuyasha turned to the trough.
"What's this?" He pressed the flush lever and jumped back in surprise. The thing roared! He opened its 'mouth'. The water drained down the hole. Inuyasha sat down on it as Kagome had instructed, following the steps.
"Take This!" Inuyasha grinned evilly.
-
Sango walked down the path beside Miroku. They had unfortunately succeeded in finding Shippo's father's pack. It had been tearful Sango and Shippo cried. Sango looked at the small top and string he had given to her to give Kagome. He had wished she and Inuyasha were there.
Miroku watched the saddened expression on the female's face, his eyes softened.
"So are we going back to the future?" He asked quietly unhappy about breaking the picture of Sango's face he had etched in his mind.
"Yes. Kagome wished us to be there and I will be there to make sure that happens." She held the top firmly in her hand.
"The village is beyond the hill. We can talk to Keade." Miroku said somberly as he walked his staff pressed in the dirt every second step he made. Kilala walked behind them in her larger form her eyes downcast at the shortage of people in the group. "You don't trust San yet do you?"
"No! She is a demon!" Sango said looking at Miroku for the first time since Shippo. He smiled at the color of her eyes.
"So is Inuyasha."
"He is half."
"You stayed with him even when you saw his demon side." Miroku watched her expression change.
"Yes… but he also saved Hohaku's life."
"San fought against Sesshomaru and not many do that. She issued the challenge."
"She didn't know about him then. She wouldn't have done that if she knew."
"By the look in her eyes I believe she would have."
"Do you always look into women's eyes?"
"Ahh…" he looked up towards the huts that came into view. "Look Keade's village!" he didn't like where that conversation was going. Those usually ended up with him clobbered.
-
San looked at the many kimonos that Yuki's mother had in the closet. They were all exquisite, beautiful. Some had flowers like peonies, cherry blossoms, and roses. Some had patterns some were a solid color. Kagome sat on the bed in her undergarments a bunch of kimonos beside her. San picked another one.
"Look at this one!" It was pink and white. Designs of sun moon stars and other shapes were artistically placed on it. San picked a white bow. Kagome sighed and tried it on making sure her hair wasn't in the way, flipping it over her shoulder. This one felt right it was her size; Yuki's mother was a small person. Kagome waited for San to place the bow then twirled before the mirror. It felt right.
"You look amazing!" San said out of breath. "So what's the deal with this dance anyway?" San asked as she pulled the brush though Kagome's hair.
"Yuki said that every one came in kimono's and chose a date."
"Why don't you just ask some then go?"
She ignored the question."I think the Sea-Side Hotel used to be a building long ago made for a prince who loved dances and any form of entertainment."
"Oh really? Cool. But I still don't see why." San asked again placing a small pink ribbon in Kagome's hair.
"Its like a tradition. Besides right after is a festival for summer!" Kagome jumped holding the brush in her hands. The sleeves came over her hands making her have that childish spark. " If you are with in a radius of the hotel you don't have to pay- but if you live outside you have to get a ticket."
San chuckled. Kagome was a pretty girl. She could do a lot and was lucky to have a man like Inuyasha with her. Some one who protects her, who will always love her for who she is- not what she can do. She knew Inuyasha loved her, she could tell by observing the way he acted around her and to her. Then compared it with how he treated her, Sango, and Yuki
"Who are you going to ask Kagome?" San asked looking at her work. She wore the red and white kimono Kagome had given her, her hair worn as it was then. Her golden eyes were concealed by the blue contacts she wore. She would like very much to go as herself with out hiding her tail and ears. But she would start a riot with the humans.
"I was going to ask Inuyasha." Kagome placed a hand on her cheek. "Do you think I should? Maybe I should stay here at the condo. He wouldn't go with me anyways." Kagome looked down at the brush she held before placing it on the table.
"Go for it. I don't even have a guy in mind." San laughed. "I doubt one would go with me anyways." She spread her arms out somewhat her tail swinging back and forth her ears in the open. San smiled and interrupted before Kagome could speak.
"I'm just goin to make sure you an Inuyasha behave."
-
Miroku and Sango slowly crawled out of the well. Kilala rested on Sango's shoulder both of her tails moving as she looked around the dark room. A small piece of the Shikon jewel rested in her forehead. They climbed the steps aware of the people outside. Sango stepped out first. She held Kilala as a cat making sure only one of the tails was in view. Kagome had told her that cats in her time only had one tail not two. Miroku came after her his priestly staff making slight sounds as they walked.
"Can't you stop that noise?" Sango asked as she stopped in front of the shrine door.
"Sorry, can't." Miroku knocked on the door with the top of his staff getting a 'I'll be right there!' from who ever was in side. The door opened and a woman of 39 or so opened the door.
"Hello. You must be Kagome's friends. She phoned me about you. I'll drive you over in a minute just let be fill two eager mouths… would you like something to eat?" She asked.
Sango calmly walked in talking her shoes off. "We haven't eaten in a while that would be highly appreciated." Sango bowed. She looked at Miroku. He was looking around the room at all the ancient -mixed- with- technology things. She elbowed hem in the gut.
"Ahh thank you milady." He bowed his hands pressed together as he stood up. Grandpa walked around the corner.
"And who might you youngsters be?"
"I am Sango demon-" he elbowed her.
"Its better not to tell them you kill for a living." He whispered in her ear. "My apologies. I am Miroku traveling monk." Grandpa looked up.
"Traveling monk eh? Kagome brings the strangest of friends…. you'll have to stay her for a while I have a job for you!"
"Oh grandpa, just leave them be!
"Nononononono! I have a job for him!"
-
Sesshomaru fixed the shoulder guard on his kimono.
"Sire, you look as you did 500 years ago." Jaken said his kimono on the green colors matching his complexion.
"Yes." The red and white kimono suited him. The crescent moon on his forehead that was as ever present as the purple reddish lines on his face. 500 years ago indeed. He stood in front of the mirror. "Jaken do you remember the girl?"
"Rin milord?"
"No the other one."
"There was a lot of girls before that…that… white haired one."
"Yes San."
"I indeed remember her the first demon to ahh…"
"Hug you Jaken." Jaken saw Sesshomaru's reflection smirk as it watched him. "She is here with Inuyasha and…him."
"The new assassin?" Jaken offered as he walked towards the mirror. Two demons had come with Inuyasha. The girl San and a demon he had just pledged into work. Inuyasha seemed not to even sense him! The ideal assassin. With training, he would be a deadly demon killing demon. (A/N- O.o oh my….) Sesshomaru had certain demons that bothered him and needed disposing. After he had made the anti-demon guns things went easier. Now they were catching on.
"Jaken I am going to make my presence known to the girl. I need you to make sure Koga or anybody else doesn't interfere. I am trusting you can handle this…mission?"
"Mission? Really my lord? I am the demon for this job I shall show you!" Jaken brought out his staff from a black case. The old man head upon it cackled.
-
"The one day I want to wear something different I have to wear my kimono?" Inuyasha asked of Kagome.
"Yes…don't make me say the 's' word…."
"…You wouldn't!" Inuyasha sat on all fours a purring sound coming from his chest as he looked up at Kagome.
"Inuyasha since when do you have puppy eyes…. awe… Inuyasha!" Kagome stomped her foot. "Okay I won't say it!" She jumped in surprise as Inuyasha hugged her.
"When are you going to take this thing off Kagome?" he asked, as he walked away not looking at her. She knuckled him in the gut – not enough to hurt him. He growled crushing her close.
"Awe…." San leaned against the door. She wore her kimono of red and white. "Inuyasha! You wreaked her hair!" San darted in front of him and fixed her hair Inuyasha looked over her shoulder. He didn't see her wink at Kagome. Kagome giggled. San grabbed her hands, as they twirled in circles. "This will be so fun! I can't wait! Too bad Yuki had to go to her dad's for the night…" San said stopping the spinning and helping Kagome stand strait. She looked at the clock. They were supposed to be there at 8:00 it was 7:53. "Omigod! We should boogie!" San pushed Inuyasha and Kagome out the door Myouga on her shoulder. San stopped at the door and looked in. something didn't feel right.
"Milady… I must go I will watch the house for intruders." He said as he hopped from Kagome's shoulder to San's.
"No you're coming with us. And If I don't see you on any of our shoulders, then I will lock you away and throw you in the sea!" She said proudly locking the door with the key Yuki had given her and Kagome.
They walked along the beach. Kagome hand her head down her hands holding up her kimono as she walked towards the decorated entrance of the hotel. The festival wasn't far off- but it wasn't opening till the festivities were over inside. She replayed the past few minute in her head. Inuyasha had hugged her –not because he was worried or frightened as usual. He hugged her on his own. She felt blessed. Her thoughts went deeper to the final castle of Naraku the battle was bad. But they had killed him- gaining his pieces. Unfortunately- there was still more out there demon with enhanced powers frolicking around. Kagome sighed… when would the madness end? True good things had come from it she gained five good friends that she would care for life. San was the sixth but she was a new blossom. Kagome liked her and was sure she would turn out just as valuable as Sango or Miroku. She smiled. Every thing would be all right.
They walked together in the room. Inuyasha's senses blared to life. People all round him- he almost missed the youkai. He sniffed the air. Sesshomaru…and Koga? So he was right before. Inuyasha growled low and moved closer to Kagome.
Kagome looked up. "Don't worry Inuyasha just ignore them- every body here to pick a person to go to the festival with." Inuyasha did a double take. A person? To go to the festival? He blushed at the thought of asking Kagome.
-
Sesshomaru watched the trio enter. He watched Inuyasha sniff the air, the human girl comforting him then the hanyou blush. He was disgusted. But not entirely. He watched San talk to a boy the human didn't even realize she had ears and a tail. Of course, he couldn't see them. His golden eyes glared as the boy shrugged and offered her a drink.
-
"Uh…okay." San said quietly she as never good with boys. He gave her a drink of punch from the food stand beside them.
"So ahh… I was wondering-oaf!" the boy was pushed away.
-
Sesshomaru watched as Koga moved and intercepted the boy before he could say too much. San recognized him even with the haircut. She followed him-leaving the boy. Koga moved towards him. San stopped as she saw Sesshomaru exactly how she remembered him. Her mouth was open as Koga whispered something in his ear then left.
"Good to see you again San." He said calmly. She sat in the seat offered to her completely unbelieving. She looked at him, her eyes studying his features. She looked behind her and saw Koga.
"What?" She gasped as she saw his new haircut. It was short, like Souta's. She looked at his attire. He wasn't wearing a kimono; he was wearing a tux the kind a bodyguard wears. She looked at Sesshomaru, then Koga. She shrank in her chair.
"I didn't do it." She said quietly. She watched Sesshomaru. She had only known him for minutes, during the fight. Does he still have a grudge after…around five hundred years? She thought as she waited for him to talk. She looked up as a staff member placed a coke and glass in front of her. She was about to reply when Koga brushed him away.
"San do you know why you're here?" He asked calmly as Koga disappeared through the crowd of Japanese and Chinese kimonos.
"All I know is that I felt your aura and Koga's. So I followed them." She said looked at the coke. She watched the water drops slide down the tin can, watched as it made a spot on the table cloth-
"No. I hope you remember our...encounter 500 years ago?" He said moving his chair in.
"Yes. I remember that fight." She said wincing at her own voice.
"Fight…. if Inuyasha hadn't taken over I would have won."
"Hey you wanna go again?" She growled. Don't do that…you know he can win…do you really want to get cut to pieces? She watched his hand grab his drink, remembering the dangerous weapon that had sprout forth…and the poison.
"Mmm… no I don't." San looked up. The ever so dangerous, fighting deadly lord of the west said no to a challenge? She looked at the purple aura around him. Again… gentle was there. She looked at him. He had noticed her looking. She blushed and turned away. "So you have seen it?"
San nodded silently.
"I know how Inuyasha…feels…about humans."
She looked up at him. Miroku had told her that Sesshomaru cared for no one. So why humans? A small picture of a small girl with black hair splashed in her mind.
"Rin…" She gasped.
"Yes. She had become almost like a daughter to me. Isn't it true that you were a human before?" He asked quietly.
"Y-yes." She answered meekly, wondering what he was getting to.
"Mmm… Won't you join me on the balcony?" Sesshomaru questioned. It struck San as more of an order than a question. She got up.
"I really got to get back to Kagome and-" She said her hands on the table.
He looked at her. He moved towards her his body a head bigger than her. She looked up at him, her eyes locked with his powerful golden ones. "You wear contacts? And try to your ears and your tail…are you ashamed to be a demon?" he asked as he walked beside her.
"No. I just don't think human-people are ready for people with ears and tails." She said as she walked past the open doors into the breeze of out side. Even with her kimono, her skin was dotted with goose bumps. She shivered in the cold ocean breeze. Her knee's buckled in surprise as she felt some thing heavy land on her shoulders. She looked at her arm and saw a white kimono with red designs. She looked at the male dog demon beside her. He wore his white shirt that was under his outer coat, his arms resting on the railing as he looked at the sea. She leaned beside him. She smiled as she looked out. They were on the second floor, high enough that trees were beneath them and you couldn't see the beach in front of you, but the sea was ever so apparent. The moon laid patterns on the waves.
"Wow." She brought the demons kimono closer around her as a breeze blew over her. She smelt the sent of autumn and leaves from the shirt that was placed over her. She looked at him. Where did his shoulder guard go? She looked around for little imps.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing…" She said as she turned back to the sea.
"About you being worried… don't you think it's weird that the…boy… you were talking to didn't notice your ears, or any other person?" he reached over and pulled her ears free of her hair with surprisingly gentle fingers.
"W-well ya…I d-did." She pulled the kimono closer.
"Humans can't see your extra parts."
"Hey…"
"What?"
"Your talking likes a normal teenager!" She asked. Wasn't he supposed to be all-elegant?
"After hanging around Rin for a couple years, you pick it up." He smiled one of his rare smiles. Not the, I'm gunna kill you ha. Ha. Ha. They're nothing you can do about it smiles. She found her self-smiling back.