One Week

Chapter 4

I don't own Inuyasha

Opening the door Sesshoumaru smirked seeing Kagura in her favorite crop top and shorts.

"Hey, I got your text."

"Where's Hakudoshi and Kanna?"

"They're at home."

"By themselves?"

"They're used to it. You know my dad stays gone all of the time. They entertain themselves and know not to leave the house. I'm surprised your parents left you in charge."

"Why?"

"We both know that you and Inuyasha don't get along."

"As long as he does what I say, then we'll be fine."

Kagura smirked as she followed him into the house. Sesshoumaru tried to ignore the fact that in a matter of two days the house looked more like a zoo of sorts but as long as it was clean before his dad and Izaiyoi returned, he wouldn't worry about it. It wasn't unusual for toys to be on the floor anyway. Kagura made herself comfortable on the couch, ignoring the pink tutu, karate sash and candy wrappers that never made it to the trash can.

"How did you convince your dad to buy you a new car?"

"I didn't have to convince him. He knew I deserved it."

"So, when are you going to get it?"

"As soon as he's back from vacation. The car is mine already."

"I'm so jealous."

"Why? You'll be the first one to ride with me."

Kagura leaned into him smiling triumphantly as Sesshoumaru put his arm around her and kissed her.

"Umm..."

Sesshoumaru shot an annoyed glance at Kohaku. He was sure that the younger brother had a knack for interrupting every good situation.

"What Kohaku?"

"Inuyasha wanted me to ask you what we were going to have for dinner since mom and dad said you're responsible for cooking tonight."

"Hotdogs."

"No hotdogs!"

Sesshoumaru sighed hearing Rin's protest from upstairs after overhearing that hotdogs were on the menu. He'd forgotten that she hated them. It had nothing to do with the flavor and everything to do with the name and a lack of understanding as to what a hotdog was made from. Sesshoumaru was sure Rin's chosen profession would be an animal rights activist. No dogs would come to harm in the production of hotdogs.

"Fish sticks."

"Fish sticks? But I don't even like fish sticks."

"Kohaku, man up."

"Why does Rin always get her way?"

"You eat fish. You just don't like the shape."

"They're not meant to look like sticks. Fish don't swim in a straight line."

Kagura giggled as Kohaku demonstrated the way in which fish move.

"You weren't even asking for yourself, you were asking for Inuyasha."

"Well, I don't want fish sticks. Why can't you cook real food like pasta?"

"Yay, chicken parmy!"

"Rin, I never said..."

"Kohaku what is taking so long?" Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw hearing Inuyasha. Inuyasha came downstairs to Kohaku and Rin chanting chicken parmesan. Inuyasha grinned toothily as Sesshoumaru looked at him and dared him to join in as Kagura witnessed this unified protest of siblings. Inuyasha was well aware that he was about to poke the bear but he would take his chances anyway as he joined in on the chant and marching Rin and Kohaku around the living room in a circle.

Sesshoumaru tried to keep his cool as he mentally counted to ten. He now regretted that he'd invited Kagura over. Sesshoumaru was well aware that Inuyasha had a habit of scheming any way in which he could make him look bad. And if Kagura hadn't been there and Inuyasha had done the same, their father would have come back to a missing child.

"We're having chicken parmesan. Now get out of my face!"

Rin raised her hands as Kohaku and Inuyasha high fived.

"So, you're going to start on that now right? Because we all know you can't cook and it's going to take five hours."

"Inuyasha, say one more thing. I want you to say one more thing."

"Thing."

Kagura grabbed Sesshoumaru's arm as he lunged at Inuyasha. The younger brother backed out of reach attempting to appear calmer than he felt trying to find his heartbeat again.

"Hey, you remember what dad said. If he comes back to me in the ICU, there's no car."

"I'm starting to think it might be worth it!"

"You mean all that begging will be for nothing?

"Inuyasha!"

"Inuyasha, I think you might want to put some distance between you two. I don't have much of a grip left."

Inuyasha heeded Kagura's warning as he retreated upstairs.

"He really gets under your skin doesn't he?"

"Let's just say Inuyasha would be less annoying if he wasn't here."

Kagura laughed before kissing him.

"Sesshy and Kagi sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-E-N-G. First comes love and then comes a wedding..."

"Rin, that's not how that goes and there's an I in Kissing not an e."

"What comes next?"

"I'll tell you when you're older."

"Okay."

Kagura placed her head against Sesshoumaru's chest, trying to hide her laughter again.

"I guess I should go."

"You just got here."

"I gotta make sure my brother and sister don't starve either. You know my dad. He doesn't care where I am but if he thinks I'm with you he'll go cray."

"Alright." Sesshoumaru pulled the falling bra strap back onto her shoulder.

"These straps never work."

"I would want to work that hard either."

Kagura smirked and shoved him, "Bye!"

Sesshoumaru tried to concentrate on finding a recipe for Chicken Parmesan. So far he'd managed to pull out a pan and a pot of water to put pasta in. Sesshoumaru sighed at the thought of trying to dethaw chicken. He refused to let Inuyasha be right about how long it would take to make this dinner. Sure it would take longer to cook putting it straight in the pan but it would still cook and as long as it wasn't pink they'd all survive. He promptly threw the oil and chicken in the pan as the blue flame flickered on high heat underneath. He'd wait to season it until the frost melted. Aun hovered underneath him, nearly glued to his side. He could only assume the dog was waiting for him to drop something on the floor. Sesshoumaru shook his head. He was sure that everything was under control and they'd have dinner in no time until he heard what sounded like a train wrecking upstairs and then Kohaku cry out. His heart dropped as he ran upstairs to Kohaku's room. He wasn't sure what to say about the scene. Kohaku was on the floor holding his leg to him, holding back tears as Inuyasha hovered unsure of touching Kohaku and trying to keep him quiet and behind the two of them there was a gaping hole in the wall.

"What the hell! Inuyasha, what did you do?!"

"Nothing!"

Sesshoumaru didn't know why he was shocked at that response. It wasn't unusual for any of them to say the same thing to their parents when they clearly knew what they did but didn't want to get in trouble.

"We were practicing what I learned in karate. Inuyasha dared me to do a flying kick. He said he wouldn't move but he got scared and he did and I hit the wall."

"I didn't get scared! You missed."

"I don't care! I can't fix this wall! Dad is going to...I don't even know! My car!"

"My knee hurts!"

"Kohaku, walk it off. I cannot call Dad and tell him we're at urgent care"

"Here's the phone."

"Rin, I don't need the phone right now. I'm trying to figure out how to fix this."

"Mommy and daddy called and said to give the phone to you."

"...!"

Sesshoumaru reluctantly took the phone and tried to keep calm.

"Dad, how's the vacay?"

"It's just fine. Izaiyoi and I are enjoying the rest. Did I overhear you say you're trying to fix something?"

"Yeah, you caught me I guess. I was going to try to work on the old car while you were away. You know, maybe score a few extra points toward the new car."

"Oh, good. I was worried something was wrong."

"Everything is fine."

Rin pulled at Sesshoumaru's arm pointing to the door as he tried to move her away, "The house is on fire."

"Did Rin say the house was on fire?"

"No, Dad. She's playing. You know she watches Puppy Police and they had an episode on firehouse...fire safety. I'm going to let you talk to Inuyasha for a minute."

"Alright, well..."

Sesshoumaru promptly threw the phone at Inuyasha's head hitting him square the face before the phone dropped into his hands. Sesshoumaru could immediately smell burning and over seared chicken with flames rising from the pan.

"Shit!"

Rin watched in amazement as Sesshoumaru found a lid and smothered the flame before turning off the heat. As he thought better of it, the chicken was definitely done on the outside and raw as hell on the inside. Sesshoumaru turned around only to catch the phone as Inuyasha tossed it back to him and headed for the garage.

"Did you help Rin?"

"Of course. The puppies are safe and about to eat spaghetti. This Sesshoumaru is great."

Rin gave him a low five as he placed his hand behind his back in thanks.

"Well, I'm glad you're all doing okay. I'll talk to you again tomorrow. Call us if you need anything."

"Will do. Talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy the trip. Bye."

Sesshoumaru coolly hit the end button before sliding to the floor. He wasn't sure whether it was the flames in the kitchen or his own internal heat causing him to sweat bullets. Whatever it was, he needed a minute. It was only 30 seconds before he watched Inuyasha come back into the house from the garage carrying a large board and hammer.

"What now?"

"I'm just boarding up the wall until we can figure out what to do."

"Tell Kohaku dinner is ready."

With everyone finally at the table and Inuyasha letting Kohaku piggyback down the stairs to make it there, Inuyasha looked down at the plate which seemed underwhelming. There was spaghetti and heated canned sauce.

"Where's the chicken and the cheese?"

Sesshoumaru found himself too tired to fight about it and instead did something he would never do. Admit defeat.

"Let us all pass our condolences to the chicken as it could not be hear to join us this evening. It fought with great honor but it could not stand the heat."

...

"Taisho you talked to Sesshoumaru?" Izaiyoi smiled as she finished her massage.

"Yes."

"The kids are okay?"

Taisho nodded. Over the next hour, he glanced at his phone waiting for the fire department to call and tell him that their children made it out of the burning house alive.

A/N: I couldn't help myself :) Thanks for reading/following/reviewing!