One Week
I don't own Inuyasha
Chapter 8
Rin skipped ahead and bounced through the sliding doors of the mall as her brothers followed close behind. After his mother had helped them clean up and repair the house, Sesshoumaru was sure that the only way to maintain the house in its current form was to keep his brothers and sister out of the house today. Despite it being the end of the week, for a weekday afternoon, the mall was bustling with spring breakers enjoying the last few days before returning to school. The sweet aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafted in their direction and before he could move them past the temptation, Sesshoumaru could already hear Kohaku.
"Can we get a cinnamon bun?"
"Ooh! I like cinny buns."
Sesshoumaru sighed as Rin had already found the counter and currently had her face pressed up against the glass. One of the sweet treats was about the size of the little girl's head and he'd never be able to keep up with her if she got a hold of that much sugar this early. What was more surprising was that Inuyasha wasn't already in the line. Sesshoumaru looked around for his younger brother and realized why he wasn't in line for food. There was only one thing that could draw Inuyasha away from the king of cinnamon rolls and that was his desire to find out the secrets to getting past the next levels of Feudal Battle Gods. Sesshoumaru tried not to shake his head as Inuyasha stood just inside of the game store already having scooped the guide and attempting to find out whatever was possible before having to actually pay for it.
"Can we?!"
Sesshoumaru's attention was brought back to his two younger siblings.
"Wait until we get ready to leave."
"Awww."
"But you'll forget."
"No, I won't. Besides you two won't let me."
"Okay, well, you'll owe us five dollars each if you forget."
Sesshoumaru was mildly impressed by Kohaku's newfound ability to bargain but he was sure that it was coming from being around Inuyasha. Still, he shook Kohaku's hand sealing the deal as Rin bounced away from the counter singing about the five dollars she was sure that they were going to get.
"Inuyasha, are you staying here?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Meet us in an hour in the food court."
"Uh, huh."
"By the way, you can't get past the lands of Musashi and defeat Ryukotsusei unless you have obtained the Backlash wave."
"What?! How do you know that?"
"I passed that level three weeks ago. The game is too easy."
"And you've been withholding this information?!"
"You have to find your own way half-breed."
Inuyasha clenched his jaw, annoyed with Sesshoumaru as his older brother walked off with Kohaku and Rin. Looking back at the guide he frantically flipped through the pages to see if Sesshoumaru was telling the truth.
"I hate you!"
Sesshoumaru smirked as he heard Inuyasha yell after him in confirmation of the truth. Rin and Kohaku sprinted ahead finding the play space carved out in the center of the mall. Sesshoumaru watched the two of them dive into the large pool of plastic multicolored balls after throwing their shoes over into the large pile that had already built up on the side. The place was already noisy, filled other children and he could only guess that the irritating smell was the funk of kid feet and socks. He sat down on one of the curved green couches where the parents were struggling to stay comfortable. He'd looked down at his phone trying not to let the addiction of Shikon Crush Saga pull him under but level 55 had him hooked. His eyes were covered by a pair of hands. Sesshoumaru immediately smirked and sat back recognizing the voice.
"Guess who!"
"Sara."
"Nope. Guess again."
"Kaguya."
"Who the hell is Kaguya?"
"Easy, Kagura. I knew that would get you."
Kagura laughed and leaned over to kiss him before joining him on the couch.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Can't you tell? Rin and Kohaku are in there somewhere."
"Oh, that's right you're still stuck on babysitting duty. That sucks."
"It'll be worth it. What's in the bag?"
Kagura smiled, a noticeable blush spreading as she placed the little pink bag behind her. "Just a few little things."
"Can I see?"
Kagura placed her hand against Sesshoumaru's chest, keeping him from peeking around her. He settled for kissing her instead.
...
Kohaku sprinted up the steps to the slide as Rin followed attempting to beat him through the next tunnel and slide down to the pit faster. Entering the multicolored balls again Rin climbed over to edge and noticed the mall train stopping at the play space.
"Kohaku, let's get on the train."
"Rin, I'm pretty sure Sesshoumaru said to stay in here"
"He didn't say that. We always ride the choo-choo."
"Well, I'm sure he was thinking it."
"I want to ride."
"We should ask first."
"But we'll miss it."
"I..."
"We'll come back."
Kohaku looked back at Sesshoumaru who seemed to be engulfed in flirting with their neighbor. He was sure that the train would bring them back as it always did and maybe by the time Sesshoumaru even looked for them they'd be back already.
"Well, as long as we come right back, I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Rin jumped into one of the boxcars as Kohaku followed. The conductor sounded the horn as Rin looked out the window and seemed to enjoy waving at all of the people they passed by as if this was her train. Kohaku watched nervously as they passed by a few stores on their circular route. Just as Kohaku began to relax he felt the train coming to a stop.
"Why are we stopping?!
Rin shook her head, unsure as they reluctantly got off the train along with the other parents and children.
Kohaku noticed the conductor step off the train and stretch before placing a sign in front reading Out to Lunch: Little MokoMokoTrain Rides start again at 2:00.
"Oh no."
"What is it Kohaku? Why did we stop?"
"The conductor is taking his lunch break."
"How do we get back?"
"I don't know, I don't remember."
Kohaku grabbed Rin's hand to keep them together.
"We have to find Sesshy."
"Or Inuyasha. Hey, I know. Inuyasha was back at that place across from the cinnamon buns. I bet he's still there."
"But where is that?"
Kohaku's shoulders drooped as he shook his head.
...
"See you later." Kagura winked as she left Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru looked at his watch realizing they would need to get going to meet Inuyasha in the food court in a few minutes. Sesshoumaru scanned the play space expecting that Kohaku and Rin might be somewhere among the slides or balls. The space had cleared considerably of parents and children who were probably headed to grab lunch and only a few remained in the space. He stood up to get a better view, trying not to let panic set in at the thought of possibly having lost his brother and sister. Damn the car if they weren't with him and safe. He'd spotted their shoes still lying among the minuscule pile that was left. He tried not to think the worst, that maybe the two of them had been kidnapped. Grabbing their shoes he knew exactly where he was going first.
"Inuyasha put the book down."
"Wait, I just need one more minute. I almost know how to obtain dragon scale Tetsusaiga."
"That's useless! Put it down, there's an emergency."
"Where's Kohaku and Rin?"
"That's the emergency!"
"You lost them?!"
"Inuyasha..."
"How the hell did you lose them?!"
"Inuyasha! So help me if you don't shut up and listen, I will kill you!"
"Well that's great, you'll have three missing siblings."
"..."
"What do you want me to do?"
"You take one side of the mall and I'll take the other. Meet me back here in fifteen minutes even if you don't find them. We'll figure out something."
...
Kohaku tried to comfort Rin, taking her into one of the stores as the tears ran down her face. He'd figured someone at one of the checkouts would know what to do.
"I want Mommy and Daddy, and Sesshy and Inu. I want to go home."
"We'll find them."
Rin gripped Kohaku's hand tighter as he led her through the store. Rin blinked against the tears as she spotted a familiar face and immediately perked up beginning to run and pulling Kohaku with her.
"Nana Kaede!"
The old woman seemed to smile with her eyes as she spotted the little girl behind the voice as she picked up Rin and hugged Kohaku.
"What are ye two doing here?"
Kohaku was relieved to see one of their old babysitters.
"We're here with our brothers."
"Where are they?"
"We don't know. We got lost. I'm sure they're looking for us. Do you have Sesshoumaru's number?"
"No, but I do have your father's."
"He's on vacation with Mommy. I think I know Sesshy's, it's 555 KO Jaken."
"Rin, how do you know that?"
"He taught me numbers with a funny song."
Kohaku giggled as Rin started singing and Kaede pulled out her phone.
Kaede's expression flattened hearing Sesshoumaru's out of breath answer but smiled again as Rin whispered something in her ear.
"I have your brother and sister. Bring 5 cinnamon buns in ransom to Tokyo Style."
Rin and Kohaku giggled at Kaede's attempt to prank their brothers."
...
Sesshoumaru grabbed Inuyasha, nearly dragging him with him as they sprinted toward Tokyo Style.
"Would you let go of me and slow down! I'm going to drop these damn cinnamon rolls!"
Rin jumped off of Kaede's lap and into Sesshoumaru's arms to his relief as Kohaku poked Inuyasha who was laying on the floor exhausted from running. Sesshoumaru looked up to see Kaede on the phone.
"Ah, Mr. Takahashi, it's nice to hear your voice again. I just wanted to let you know..."
Sesshoumaru wasn't sure how Kaede was doing it, but she seemed to be standing still as he moved around her attempting to get the phone from her as she switched it from ear to ear.
"That I happened to see your kids in the mall. They're actually with me right now. They seem to be doing fine but don't hesitate to ask me to babysit again if ye need me."
Kaede hung up as she patted Sesshoumaru's head as he rested it on her shoulder in relief.
"I missed ye' too Sesshoumaru."
"Can we eat the cinny buns now?"
"Of course, Rin."
A/N: More to come soon! My appreciation for the feedback everyone :)