The next few days dragged on in much the same fashion. Sesshoumaru went about his business. Rin was wildly happy all the time. Juuroumaru went ignored. He fell into a sulking mood, appearing at dinner only when necessary and remaining in the forest for long periods of time. The hanyou and his friends had left, leaving Kyo in an ill mood as well. Sesshoumaru didn't bug either of them much about it; occasionally commenting offhandedly on how Juuroumaru's bad mood frightened the servants, or how Kyo's brooding was starting to get annoying.
Rin and much of the staff soon learned to avoid Juuroumaru, and seemed relieved when he'd slip out of the manor into the forest. For hours on end, he would aimlessly wander, sometimes returning to the beach, other times taking out his frustration on the forest. So recklessly did he move and so easily his emotions showed, that he didn't even notice that he was constantly being watched by a pair of dull yellow eyes.
It wasn't until the creature made itself known that Juuroumaru stopped tearing about, and ripping up the large bed of orange flowers. Suddenly, his senses rushed back to him as the sirens in his mind went off.
Juuroumaru glared intently at the toad, his purple eyes flashing. Jaken grinned a sickly sweet grin, without the fear from their last meeting.
"Sesshoumaru's changed hasn't he," commented Jaken nonchalantly; though glee dripped from every word as he waddled beside the remaining flowers that wreathed the small clearing Juuroumaru had created. Juuroumaru threw a sloppy punch at him which Jaken avoided with ease, his staff clunking down on Juuroumaru's head. Juuroumaru hissed in pain, snapping his teeth to reveal small pointy fangs.
When he threw a second punch he missed Jaken entirely.
"Haha... you've been around that hanyou far too much. But hear me out, there is a way…" said Jaken with a manic glee in his eye as he danced about avoiding Juuroumaru's half-hearted attacks.
Jaken finally gave Juuroumaru a sound thump on the head with his staff, subduing Juuroumaru long enough for Jaken to speak.
"So foolish, when I am simply trying to help you. I believe our opinion is one and the same where the girl is concerned. If we join together…"
Juuroumaru only growled, his world spinning slightly from the blow to the head. He glared at the slightly fuzzy looking, ugly toad- a violent contrast to the creamy orange flowers that made for the background.
His hand twitching on impulse to strike out again. Why should he trust this pathetic creature? The toad couldn't want to help him. Besides, he dearly wanted revenge for his aching head.
"Rin, I have come to find has a passion for flowers. Now, while there are beautiful flowers within Sesshoumaru-sama's garden, I think she'd very much enjoy the wild ones from this very forest... perhaps, she'd enjoy a few hours away from Sesshoumaru-sama's watchful eyes."
Juuroumaru twitched at the mention of the girl's name. If she were out in this forest- even if it were only for a few minutes… and then he understood. He threw Jaken a quick glance who was rubbing his hands together with a barely concealed look of malice.
In his mind's eye, Juuroumaru saw the girl curled up in Sesshoumaru's pelt. His eyes narrowed. He looked at Jaken with a calculating look.
"At sunset." Was Juuroumaru's hoarse whisper before he sprung up into the trees disappearing almost instantaneously.
When Jaken was sure Juuroumaru was out of earshot, he began to laugh. He cackled wildly, his large ugly green head thrown back.
"Ah, I am a genius! Two birds with one stone… two birds with one stone…"
He cackled on, dancing about in the small trampled bed of flowers. From a by-standers point of view, he would've looked very much like a wild man dancing through a livid fire, only rather than flames, he was stomping on pale, orange flowers…
A/N- short chapter I know, but I think it was appropriately so. Next one will be up pretty soon, thanks for the reviews, you guys keep me going! … well, you and Weird Al Yankovic, he's very cool too. And ice cream. I like that too.
