Best Wishes

Disclaimer

I do not own Inuyasha.

Part II

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"Kagome-san?" A smooth voice behind her caused her to stiffen. She whirled around to face purple robes and deep blue eyes.

"Miroku-sama?"

The houshi grinned and his eyes sparkled. He hadn't seen his friends since he had taken to wandering. The festival had dragged him back. He didn't know why exactly it was this one that was more important than the others but he knew he had to be there.

"It's been so long." Kagome couldn't admit that she wasn't happy to see him but it was an unfortunate time to arrive. Sango was just recovering, or so the miko felt, and she wouldn't be able to stand being around the man that had shattered her very first engagement.

"Indeed it has. I was wondering, is Inuyasha around? I have need to speak with him." Miroku hadn't changed a bit. He was still charming and every sentence seemed to contain some level of flirtation.

"Trying to find him on festival day is quite hard. Why don't you wait here while I go find him?" She didn't want him to mingle. He would run into Sango that way. He smiled and nodded distractedly. There were a lot of pretty girls. He could stay put for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, Rin was fighting her way through the crowd. She wanted a drink badly and had horrible luck with trying to get around the unfamiliar village. The little girl was about to give up and find Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru and ask for help. Jaken wasn't there to help her, either. Sesshoumaru had sent him away on business. She cried out quietly when she was shoved to the ground rather roughly. Rin was a tough girl but she was in an unfamiliar crowd and was feeling overwhelmed. Not to mention that being trampled on was a high possibility. Suddenly, a soft but firm grasp had her by the arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Why don't you watch where you're going next time!" The woman had a firm tone. She was immensely successful in scolding the person that shoved the girl. Rin's chestnut brown eyes curiously glimpsed long dark hair swept into a loose bun with chopsticks stuck through it and fierce mahogany eyes framed by a pretty face. A familiar face. It was Kohaku's sister. "Are you all right?" Rin was shocked speechless when concern flooded the hard voice. Warmth and softness brought out a foreign beauty in the woman's hard features.

"I-I'm fine!" She stuttered, blushing in embarrassment.

"Why don't you come with me? I can get you a cool drink and something to eat. Does that sound good to you?" The little girl responded with a grin and a vehement agreement. It was awarded with a hearty laugh from the nice woman. Rin didn't want to bring up Kohaku but she really couldn't remember her name. "My name is Sango." She lifted the little girl up onto a tall wooden stool. "What's yours?"

"Rin." The smile left Sango's face as instant recognition forced her into slight shock. She had been so preoccupied that she hadn't even gotten a good look at the little girl. Sango turned away and got the little girl the things she had promised, all the while imagining Sesshoumaru in a crowd of impatient, unruly humans. She swallowed her fear and let all of her worries out in a sigh. He wouldn't have come if he couldn't deal with it.

"Here you go, Rin." A smile slid onto her face when the small child grinned brightly at the sight of the food.

"Thank you, Sango-san." The taiji-ya laughed before waving her hand in a dismissing manner.

"Call me Sango. We don't need formalities between us."

"Okay, Sango-chan!" Rin was delighted to have made a friend of Kohaku's sister. She was a strong and admirable woman. Kohaku had been her friend and she missed him dearly. She couldn't imagine the pain the taiji-ya in front of her had gone through. Sango had always been trying to save her brother. It was like when Rin had lost her family. Sango had also lost everything. Her family, her brother, and her people. She remembered Kohaku talking about it the one time he had remembered. Then, when she had seen him again, he had forgotten. Naraku had been a terrible beast. She was glad that he wasn't around anymore.

"Hey! I'd like another!" That snapped Rin from her thoughts. The man was right next to her, waving his cup around like a buffoon. Sango frowned and placed her hands on her hips.

"You've had far too many already. If you get another, it won't be from me." Those mahogany eyes were hard as steel again. The man mumbled profanities but walked away. He still had enough sense not to piss her off. "Would you like another glass, Rin?"

"Yes!" She paused, a small gasp escaping her mouth. "Please." Sango grinned. So, Sesshoumaru was teaching her manners after all. The Lord of the West wasn't neglecting her need to be taught. She received a small thanks when she handed the full glass back to the girl.

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Inuyasha had practically stalked the little girl until she was taken in by Sango. He saw the instant bond they had formed. He was just going to find Sesshoumaru when Kagome bumped right into him. His little miko blushed and apologized before she realized who she was talking to.

"Inuyasha, I've been looking for you." He saw anxiety on her face. Instantly, his mind went to his brother. Was he causing some sort of riot? He didn't sense anyth- Wait... "Miroku-sama is back! I'm afraid he'll find Sango and bump into her. She's just getting over their break-up. He wants to talk to you." She gave him a pleading face. She was worried about the taiji-ya.

"I'll go see him." And keep him occupied most of the night... She smiled and led him back to where she had asked the houshi to wait. He also wanted to keep Sesshoumaru out of trouble. Though, if the Daiyoukai found Rin with Sango, he doubted that even his brother would be able to start something. The taiji-ya would keep him in line, even if it meant a fight.

"Inuyasha! It has been a long while." The houshi excused himself from a few girls that smelled so aroused that the hanyou almost gagged. No doubt he was still pushing that child line on them.

"Yeah. What brought you to this festival and none of the others?" Straight to the point. Kagome smiled and left them alone to go prepare herself for her dance in a few hours.

"I do not quite know the answer to that yet, my good friend." The houshi's eyes were curious. "Why is Sesshoumaru here? Aren't you two fighting?"

"When don't we fight? He's here for the festival. I guess maybe Rin wanted to come." He scuffed the ground with his foot. Miroku smirked. "What were you thinking of doing tonight?"

"I wish to see Kagome-san's performance, of course. I have heard things around. A lot of rumors pass by these ears about the two of you!" The hanyou's cheeks gained color as his friend laughed jovially. "You are both quite famous. A lot of people think it is a scandal, others believe she has you under a spell, and some believe that you talked your way into her bed." Around the second option, the houshi's fingers traced his friend's beaded necklace. It no longer held any power but Inuyasha found that he couldn't let go of it completely.

"Feh. The lot of them talk shit! Talked my way into her bed... Hell, I couldn't talk my way out of a wet fucking bag." He had heard that phrase in the future. He figured that he more or less knew the meaning.

"I am certain if they heard you speak, they wouldn't believe it for long." The houshi said smoothly as he shifted his shakujo. He still wore his prayer beads on his hand. Like Inuyasha, he couldn't just let go of them. He had grown accustomed to them. "Why don't we catch up over a drink, eh?" Before the hanyou could protest, he was grabbed by the haori and dragged to the nearest stand.

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Sango took Rin with her when she needed to change. She had glimpsed Sesshoumaru watching over his ward as they went to the house. She changed into the red kimono, admiring the dragon pattern that was drawn in gold across the entire thing. The tail began at the bottom and it wrapped all the way up, coming to an end on the left side of her chest. The obi was orange and gold. Before she was supposed to wonder how she was to put her hair, Kagome burst through the door.

"I knew the colors would be perfect! Let me do your hair and then we can go." The miko grinned at Rin as she began her friend's hair. She twisted two elegant ribbons in the taiji-ya's hair. One was red and the other was orange. They swept her hair back from the front and she left the rest alone, merely combining the two pieces into a small elegant bun. Her long hair cascaded down her back, ending below the bottom of the obi. "Great! Grab your flute and then we can go. We're on next." Sango gripped her flute before offering her free hand to Rin. The little girl smiled and took it before they hurried out of the house. The taiji-ya wondered where Kirara had gotten to briefly but then figured that she had found some children to play with. Probably with Shippou and some of the others from the village.

"Good luck up there, Kagome. I know you'll do just fine." Sango's seat was right in front of the stage. She would be on the small rise just in front of the actual stage. They had gotten into their positions just in time. Rin joined Sesshoumaru right in the front and grinned excitedly.

"Sango-chan is wonderful! She's going to play the flute for Kagome-san!" The Daiyoukai was silent, assessing the calm taiji-ya as she held the instrument to her lips. Her eyes met his before she closed them and began a haunting melody. His eyes never strayed from her the entire three dances that she played. Her fingers were quick and sure, her talent raw and unique. She had felt him watching her and tried her hardest not to let blood stain her cheeks red. She was unsuccessful when she met his gaze again after she finished her last song. Kagome's performance rendered the audience speechless before they cheered and clapped and whistled. Sango had also felt another gaze, this one much more chilling and familiar. Miroku. She noticed him standing with Inuyasha. There was a conversation she wouldn't mind avoiding. Rin rushed up to her as soon as she was down from the rise. "You were amazing!"

"Thank you, Rin. I can play for you any time." The little girl gasped excitedly and she cheered. Sango looked away from her when her guardian stepped up beside her.

"You did indeed perform well." His stoic expression showed no hint of the compliment he had just spoken but she took him as sincere. How often would he lie? What would he have to lie to her about?

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama." She bowed slightly, anxiety welling up inside of her. He nodded and turned to see his brother approaching.

"Glad she picked you to be her musician. You kept her from faltering. It was almost like you were there to keep her from messing up." His words were honest, as well. "Maybe you should dance one for us. There is still a slot open since everything went so well."

"I-I had no time to practice with the construction going on. I couldn't possibly-"

"You'd be amazing, Sango-chan!" Both Rin and Kagome gave her the begging face. The miko had just gotten there and heard the idea spoken.

"Fine! But you'll not get another favor for the night! If I make a fool of myself in front of everyone, you'll be the one cleaning up my mess." Of course she meant the blood that would be spilt should anyone say anything bad. Her dance was simple and shorter than Kagome's, accompanied by her own flute for a few parts. Though her grace was learned from the battlefield, it was erotic to see her dancing with such a fiery spirit. The sun was beginning to set and it cast elegant rays of fierce color across her face and body. When she finished, she was tired of performing. "I guess I'll get back to serving the guests." She turned to go change after her friends rewarded her with praise.

"Sango, they don't need help anymore." Kagome attempted to protest.

"Yes, Sango-san. I would like to speak with you if you don't mind." They all noticed the pained expression that flickered momentarily across her face when she heard the houshi speak. Then she put up her mask. Inuyasha thought it was freaky how much she resembled his brother when she looked like that. It was the most unfeeling expression.

"We have nothing to discuss, Houshi-sama. Now, if you'll excuse me..." She left quickly. Everyone stood there before they wandered away to go about their plans for the evening. Kagome and Inuyasha went to get something to eat and Miroku went towards a sake stand. Rin followed Inuyasha and Kagome, knowing that Sango didn't want to be bothered. The hanyou glanced over his shoulder and noticed his brother still standing there. He met the Daiyoukai's gaze and mouthed 'what are you doing? Follow her, asshole!' Then he turned around and continued on his way to the stands that had prepared a lot of food for the festival. Sesshoumaru hesitated only a moment before going after the taiji-ya.

Rin likes her. She treats her well, as a mother would treat her child. She is a taiji-ya and one of the last. She is strong... Inuyasha mentioned once that she was the Headmaster's daughter. She has rank.

She was inside the house she had changed in earlier. He restrained himself from walking right inside and knocked once. The scent of tears was faint but it was there. Her scent was stronger. It was the scent of autumn leaves and fresh soil.

"What do you want?" She opened the door then blinked up at him in surprise. He said nothing but she allowed him inside. She hadn't changed yet but he did see the outfit she had been in earlier. It had allowed him a glimpse of her toned legs and slim physique. He had noticed several men admiring her but they weren't willing to touch her. Apparently they were afraid of the consequences. "Did you need something, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Honestly, he had nothing.

"Why are you not with Rin and my brother?" Maybe if he just asked questions, he would get somewhere. He wasn't entirely interested in her because she didn't seem like the kind of woman he wanted. Actually, he wasn't sure what kind of woman he wanted. She gave him a curious stare.

"Why are you concerned?" He had not expected that. She was a woman. Should she not give him her life's story from one simple question? "I don't believe that is the reason you're here."

"What other reason would I have, taiji-ya?" She was a skeptic. Her arms crossed at her chest, bringing his attention once again to her body. She was toned for a woman and just rightly so. Nothing special but certainly not as delicate as the miko that his brother had chosen. Her stance was stiff and unrelaxed; a fighter's way of standing.

"Forgive me if I'm wrong but you don't seem like the concerned type. You're more of the kind that prefers action to words and you don't do feelings." He didn't do feelings. She was waiting for him to say something. If he didn't say anything, she would know s0mething was up. Time to come clean... Partially. Perhaps something could come of it.

"As a taiji-ya, you must know what season it is." Her eyes darkened considerably. Of course she knew.

"Mating season." Her voice grew cold. Her stance grew even less relaxed, if that were possible. "Is that why you're here? To find someone at the festival?" He didn't answer. Suddenly, she whirled away from him with death in her eyes. Inuyasha was going to die.

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Uh oh! Somebody is in trouble!

I worked around a few different directions to swing this in and this was the best one in my mind. Let me know what you think. I am always happy to hear from you, my faithful readers.

Stay tuned for the newest installment...coming soon!

-Angel