Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi, Viz, and Sunrise are the owners of Inuyasha. All rights are reserved to them. The only thing I claim is my bad grammar and the storyline, but nothing more.
Chapter 6: Agreements
With each pitch that went up a note from both bickering gentlemen Sesshomaru's temper was coming close to its forbearance until it snapped with Inuyasha's last outrageous retort.
Before his so-to-be ex mate said another puerile word, Sesshomaru seized his brother by the neck and hissed exasperatedly, "Enough! This puerile bickering of yours has not gotten us anywhere Inuyasha!
Now leave Miroku and myself to deal with this matter in peace. I can barely hear myself think and you are not making things any better then they are."
Inuyasha struggled against his brother's brutal hold around his nape and attempted to gouge Miroku's mocking eyes from his face. Miroku could only smirk at Inuyasha's vain attempts and went as far as to laugh at him.
Sesshomaru was not too keen to see such ridicule being committed against his responsibilities; however, Inuyasha's current lack of maturity was enough to make the demon lord rethink the muzzle he should have confiscated back in London.
Sesshomaru kept his hold on the fidgeting half demon as he turned to face Rin's beau to give him a task even he was capable of doing at his age.
With his pale clawed hand tightening around his irked beau's fine nape to keep him from lunging towards Miroku, Sesshomaru ordered sternly to the young man besides him, "Shippou, take my godforsaken half brother away from here so the monk and I can converse in peace."
Shippou was startled when Sesshomaru spoke to him. He slightly jumped from surprise, but soon recovered and nodded his head obeying the order from his father-in-law.
"Yes of course Sesshomaru sir." The youth with shimmering reddish orange locks replied timidly. Shippou was a bit…coy, (or perhaps it was fearful?) around the demon lord considering he was with Rin and he could recall witnessing Sesshomaru's protectiveness over the human girl.
It scared him yet not at the expense of his life. It was the mere thought of having to leave Rin that frightened him. Shippou had always felt a vague feeling within him telling him Rin was too good for him. That maybe she deserved someone better, but…
"Shippou!" Rin whispered to catch his attention. He quickly became aware that Sesshomaru was handing him Inuyasha who was…donning a straitjacket to his astonishment and amusement. Just where had he gotten it from?
"Sesshomaru! You good for nothing son of a bitch! Let me go now! I'm going to kill Miroku then I'm going to decapitate you for…hey wait just one damn minute! When the hell did you get this thing?! I asked you if I could get a straitjacket and all you did was say…no?" Inuyasha shouted, even he was confounded with the restraining jacket he was now donning. At least Sesshomaru was good to his word.
A smug smirk spread across Shippou's lips, he would more then gladly take charge of the enraged half demon from here. Wasn't pay back a bitch? With Inuyasha entwine within a straitjacket, he now found himself in the hands of a very vengeful kitsune how was dying to get his payback from all the times Inuyasha would hit him and call him names.
Sesshomaru handed Inuyasha over to Shippou and opened the door so he could have his obnoxious removed from his presences.
"I stole it while Sango and I were pick pocketing and when I saw it, I recalled your request for one so I stole it just for your own amusement. Don't you fancy it little brother? It suits you and your puerile behavior." Sesshomaru scoffed with a devilish twinkle in his golden eyes.
"How considerate of you to go through all that trouble to get me what I want brother. Perhaps I should repay you with a good kick in the as-grhd!" having heard enough of his foul terminology for the night, Sesshomaru gave Shippou a gag to stuff into Inuyasha's insolent mouth.
With the silk handkerchief securely clogging any vulgar terms the half demon cried behind it, Inuyasha's harsh language was muffled words. At last there was a small amount of serenity, even if it was vague.
Now that Inuyasha had been removed from the study room, Sesshomaru needed to remove only two more obstacles before he and the monk were able to engage in a heated conflict involving Naraku and this new threat.
Knowing what Sesshomaru meant by his stern glare, Miroku walked to Sango and whispered into her ear telling her she needed to leave. Sesshomaru could tell the taijiya was a bit hesitate, but when she sought guidance from the gentleman she had shared a cordial dance with, he gave her a reassuring look informing her he would not decapitate her future husband…for now.
She looked away from him and nodded her head at Miroku's request. But quickly he whispered something else. With one more nod, Sango sighed and snatched Kagome's wrist before she had a chance to protest and dragged her out the door. The only ones left standing in the middle of the studious was Sesshomaru, Miroku, and Rin.
Sesshomaru placed his hand on his daughter's fragile shoulder and said calmly, yet with small hints of impatience, "Rin you can't stay here. You must go, what Miroku and I are about to converse is not suitable for a woman of your prestige."
Rin stared back into her father's piercing golden eyes and shivered from delight. It had been far too long since she had had a chance to look deeply into those all too familiar eyes of his. If only he would bestow her with minutely smile, then the moment would be complete.
But since they were in the presences of Miroku, the small smile she sought would be denied. Sesshomaru never made it a habit to smile when there was an audience around and especially if it was someone he distasted, he would not even allow the corners of his lips to quiver upwards when he felt irritation.
The smile she wanted would have to wait until she and her lord had a private chance to talk in depth without interruptions (meaning Inuyasha was going to have to wait). Maybe if Sesshomaru wasn't tired, she could invite him to her room and they could hopefully spend the entire night talking and then she could present to him the gift she wished to give him.
With a bright beam coming to her delicate face, Rin said, "Alright Lord Sesshomaru. I'll go, but if…" she trailed off knowing her next choice of words could be taken the wrong way…or at least Miroku would be getting the wrong assumption.
Sighing inwards, Sesshomaru pressed on, "If, what Rin?" from behind them he could feel Miroku's curiosity. Ignoring him for the moment, Sesshomaru gave Rin's shoulder a gentle squeeze telling her it was alright to continue, that he was there to protect her.
Rin took a deep breath and whispered into his ear so Miroku wouldn't hear, "I'll go if you promise to meet me in my bedroom Sesshomaru-sama tonight. I want to talk to you and if you would allow it, I wish to give you something."
Her words were unaccounted for. Sesshomaru blinked, but then answered her softly so only she could hear, "If it will make you happy Rin then I will go to your bedroom later tonight once Miroku and I are done. Until then, go see if Shippou needs your aid while he is taking care of that admonition I have a disgrace to call brother." Sesshomaru muttered the last part, but other then that, he promised the little girl…er maybe 'little' girl wasn't the best word to describe Rin anymore.
If it was even possible, Rin smiled even more, she gave her father a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before running out the door. With the door closing behind her, Miroku and Sesshomaru glared at each other.
The tension in the room relaxed at bit since it was now only the two of them in the spacious room furnished with countless rows of tomes giving the room a tranquil vibe.
Now that Rin and the others were taken care of, Sesshomaru and Miroku gingerly sat back down into their wine red velvet armchairs never looking away from one another.
They sat back down with their long legs crossed both resembling works of art. Sesshomaru's long silver locks tumbled over his broad shoulder, gently caressing his extremely pale handsome face and his golden orbs gleamed as fierce as ever.
Miroku sat there with his left hand upon the armrest as his right hand supported his chin in a very haughty matter. Sesshomaru smirked smugly, the monk was indeed arrogant, yet he was not aristocratic like he had both the honor and misfortune of being.
Two dreadfully eternal minutes passed them by until Miroku's deep grandiloquence voice put to rest the silence. With his hands now laced and underneath his chin in a mocking manner, Miroku spoke.
"I'm astonished to see the manner in which you express yourself towards your only remaining kin Sesshomaru. The others maybe ignorant to your rather eccentric relationship with each other; however that is not the case with me. I know there is something more that neither of you wish to show. I can only guess what it is." Miroku was ridiculing him.
Sesshomaru's smirk grew in an unusual way that wasn't really like him. With his head cocked to the side and his right index finger pressed to his right cheek, he said bluntly to the other, "It would seem I underestimated you monk, but my personal affairs with my remaining kin are my own concerns not yours or anyone else's for that matter. Now tell me what you know of Naraku's current intentions."
"Wishing to get back to business are we now? By your sudden anticipation to avoid the current topic, you prove that there is something grave occurring between you and Inuyasha. But do tell why are you hiding it? Does Kagome have something to do with this?" Miroku inquired.
The monk's curiosity was not appreciated in the least. Why couldn't he mind his own business and simply answer his questions instead of butting into things that did not concern him? But what irritated Sesshomaru was Kagome's name.
Her mere disdainful name was enough to make Sesshomaru growl. She was the one who was threatening his and Inuyasha's relationship and if she didn't disappear from the picture soon, then he and Inuyasha would be no more.
It was a morose thought to think yet if Inuyasha was happy with that distasting worthless excuse for a woman, then he would not stand in the way of his brother's happiness. Sesshomaru was just waiting for the day to come when Inuyasha would utter the words that he wished to end their meaningless bound and release him.
And…Sesshomaru would comply without saying anything in the defense of what had been a vague assumption of happiness they had created. He would leave to ever return to Inuyasha's side.
It was all for the best, that was how he reassured himself that Inuyasha's happiness had to be his first priority, followed by Rin's wellbeing, then lastly his sentiments, but his feelings had to be put to the side if he wanted to care for the love of his life and his daughter.
"Your compelling curiosity to know the lives of others may cost you a grave price monk. I would advise you to reel back before it's too late. Shall we cut the crap and just tell me what you know of Naraku…now." Sesshomaru said slightly impatient.
Miroku smirked and replied darkly making Sesshomaru rise a brow in amusement, "Yes let us cut the crap and I'll interrogate you later when things are not so heated. Moving on to our current concern of Naraku, to put it explicit he resigns in the country of Romania in the city of Transylvania. He oddly is the new lord of the affairs of what is now known as the underworld and has been conducting fairly eccentric experiments regarding the extinction of the demon blood. This of course is the part where you come in Sesshomaru. You are the only remaining pure blooded demon so if Naraku gets a hold of you, you should know now that you won't be returning alive. He will first poison you, dissect you, drain you of your pure blood, poison you once more for his own amusement then finally kill you. Beautiful is it not my prestige?"
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and continued to grin smugly. He leaned back further into his armchair and said impassively, "Yes that is beautiful, yet that is not how I choose to die monk. Naraku will not be the one to kill me, that right is reserved to another and maybe he won't even be the one to end it. What more is he planning Miroku?"
Both gentlemen knew who the right of claiming Sesshomaru's life belonged to. Instead of hectoring the irked demon lord any further, Miroku saved his smartass comment for a more suitable time. Leaning forward, Miroku laughed.
"How about I make a little proposal with you Sesshomaru? What do you say?" Miroku asked, he uncrossed his legs and stood up. Restraining himself from sighing, Sesshomaru minutely raised a fine brow and answered coldly, "I do not have the time to spare to your insolent proposals Miroku. What I need is information to obtain the secret of bringing back the demon blood to this world."
Sesshomaru remained seated with his legs crossed and his chin resting comfortably in the palm of his hand. A few locks of silver brushed against his nose making him look nearly angelic, however the only thing proving Sesshomaru was anything but angelic were his demonic markings, his mysterious posture and his piercing all-seeing golden eyes.
"Before you decline my offer, at least hear me out. It won't be but a second of your time I assure you." Miroku pleaded, even though there was no genuine sincerity evident in his voice, but Sesshomaru was a bit curious as to what the monk wished to propose.
Making sure his curiosity was well hidden, Sesshomaru said monotonically, "What is it that you are so keen to propose to me Miroku?" Miroku's eyes came to life when Sesshomaru finally gave in.
"What I propose to you is very simplistic: give me one entire day and I will have well sought out information of Naraku for you and by tomorrow night, we will all be boarding a train heading towards Transylvania. The only thing I ask of you is that you remain patient for one more day. Do we have a deal?" Miroku's suggestion was indeed to Sesshomaru's liking.
He could forebear one more day before heading towards Transylvania, he saw nothing wrong with the monk's well thought out suggestion. In fact, Miroku's suggestion was a bit too well thought out…what were his genuine intentions?
Sesshomaru rose from his position in the armchair and walked towards a well polished oak table resting against the wall. He retrieved two glasses specially made for housing exquisite wine and poured a deep enriching red liquid into both glasses and offered one to Miroku.
Miroku was staggered to be offered red wine from someone as arrogant as Sesshomaru and nevertheless it was his own red wine that was being offered to him! Miroku gingerly walked towards Sesshomaru and accepted the glass the other youthful looking man offered to him. Both alluring gentlemen clanked their glasses softly against each other in a sign of respect (false respect from Miroku's side as well as Sesshomaru's) before drinking signifying their agreement.
Taking a mere sip, Sesshomaru placed his glass back on the table before facing Miroku deciding it best to take a small sip not wishing to become tipsy. Miroku finished devouring his glass of wine before placing the glass back to its original location.
"I accept your offer Miroku, however there is to be but a small condition you are hopefully capbale of conducting for me." Sesshomaru said, his gilded eyes becoming dark and dangerous. He slightly lifted his chin in the air awaiting Miroku's response.
"A condition? What sort of condition Sesshomaru? Surely my proposal is to somewhat to your standards of perfection? What possibly more could you ask for? I can guarantee you what I promise with no trickery." Miroku persuaded the silver haired gentleman feeling a bit intimated by Sesshomaru's sudden hostile and pedantic mood.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes revealing his magenta colored eyelids. He looked away to face to open scenery the immense glass window displayed. His eyes became turgid as he continued to stare out.
Miroku didn't like the tense atmosphere that descended upon them that moment one bit; however Sesshomaru's sudden choice to speak startled the monk.
"I have no problems with what you guaranteed me Miroku, my only condition before you move anything is that…you keep Inuyasha away from me. He and I have nothing more to talk about and I don't want him hectoring me any longer. Can you guarantee me he will no longer beleaguer me?" Sesshomaru said virulently causing Miroku to gasp.
Miroku was aghast to hear Sesshomaru's request. It was so queer, yet seeing it futile to press the subject any further; Miroku composed himself and nodded his head agreeing to the other's set terms.
"As much as your request baffles me, I will not protest. I guarantee you Sesshomaru Inuyasha will not beleaguer you for whatever your reasons may be for his removal from your presences, but if that is what you wish, then I will comply." Miroku reassured the demon lord before they walked out of the study room heading towards their own destinations.
Miroku went in search for Sango and the others whilst Sesshomaru gradually climbed the stairs to reach Rin's room. He came to a stop in front of the room where his daughter resigned in. He stood there lost, not knowing what to do or say next.
Should he even remain in the same house where Inuyasha was, or should he fled into the night confronting Naraku on his own with not having to concern himself over Inuyasha's over Rin's welfare. Yet if he left now, he had to admit to himself, he was a bit ignorant to the new world flourishing about him and he really didn't know how or where to locate Naraku. So if he were to leave now, it would be a mistake. Sighing, Sesshomaru mused over the one seemingly small condition he had placed. Now that he mused over it, the condition he had made had staggered him a great deal, but it had to be said. Inuyasha could no longer be around him no matter how much Sesshomaru desired to have his only remaining kin be his own.
Pushing asides his confounded thoughts about his brother and their decaying relationship, Sesshomaru gently knocked on Rin's door. From within he could hear Rin's dress ruffle as she shouted warmly to her visitor, "Come in."
He opened the door and walked in not expecting to see what he saw.
-End Chapter-
A/N: Hoped you guys liked it. Thanks so much for the reviews and for reading. Sorry this chapter was so short, but I was in a rush. Please review.