Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 14
Learning II
-What the FUCK?
-Inuyasha! Keep your voice down! Shippo is still sleeping!
-I don't give a rat's ass! What do ya mean he disappeared, Sango?
Sango sat down on the hard ground gracelessly and sighed. Of all the things that boy had to do he had to go after Rin.
Yes, Sango knew where Kohaku had disappeared to so she wasn't very worried. She had seen the longing in his eyes. Sometimes he would mutter his thoughts out loud and Sango, of course, would shamelessly hear them. She looked at Kagome who was glaring at Inuyasha and keeping an eye on the sleeping Shippo not too far. She pleaded her silently and the miko nodded, understanding perfectly.
Kagome nudged her mate's shoulder and he looked at her a bit angry but seeing the love in her perfect eyes he smiled, kissed her forehead and gave the two women their privacy.
The miko was instantly at Sango's side.
-What is it, Sango-chan? You looked so calm when you announced your brother's disappearance.
The demon slayer took a deep breath.
-I know where Kohaku is.
Kagome looked surprised but then she remembered what was obvious by now.
-He went to be with Rin.
Sango nodded and smiled.
-He is so determined to win her heart, Kagome-chan.
Kagome fidgeted nervously with her sleeves and nibbled her lip.
Should I tell her?
Even if Sango didn't seem affected by her brother's choice her eyes had this troubled glint in them.
Yes…she deserves to know.
-I fear he is already too late, Sango-chan.
The demon slayer's gaze suddenly shifted towards hers and made her uncomfortable. Sango's breath hitched in her throat.
-What do you mean?
Kagome looked away.
-Rin is in love with Sesshomaru.
Sango's eyes widened comically. She covered her face with her hands and sighed. Kagome struggled to hear her muffled response.
-How is that even possible?
Kagome smiled knowingly and wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulder.
-Actually, I was already predicting this to happen.
Sango narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Kagome rubbed her neck.
-I know, I know…it sounds crazy. But…didn't you notice how they looked at each other? Yes, "they". I'm sure Sesshomaru feels something for her too.
Sango just stared at her friend like she had grown a second head.
-How can you even suggest that? It's…it's just wrong! It's Sesshomaru!
-We both know very well that Sesshomaru is capable of feeling. Rin changed him.
Sango groaned.
-What about my brother? He'll be heartbroken Kagome-chan!
The miko sighed and tried to calm Sango but the only thing the demon slayer could see was the devastated face of her beloved baby brother. Her hands clenched into fists. It wasn't fair!
Lips thinned, she stood up.
-S-Sango?
She then woke up her husband and the rest of the group. They all groaned and complained about the early hour.
-All of you, pack your things. We're going to the western palace.
Kagome's eyes widened and she was at the demon slayer's side in a second.
-What are you going to do?
Sango glanced at her with a frown.
-I'm going to have a talk with Lord Sesshomaru.
He just acted by instinct, turned around and pointed his weapon at the demon lord behind him. His eyes widened realizing his mistake.
Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow and cocked his head wickedly to the side. With an amused smirk he lifted his dripping with poison claws.
-You turn your blade towards this Sesshomaru, slayer?
Kohaku wanted so bad to smirk with him. The feeling of déjà vu was a curious thing even if at that time he wasn't himself.
Before he knew what was happening, his weapon flew from his hands and he found himself face down in the ground with Sesshomaru's knee on his back.
-You will tell this Sesshomaru why you were spying Rin.
Kohaku managed to turn his head to the side.
-I wasn't spying on her! I was going to reveal myself until you showed up!
Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow.
Feisty.
-Hn, what are your intentions, slayer?
Kohaku felt like being insane at the moment so his response was only sticking his tongue out childishly at the demon lord.
-Sesshomaru, aren't you too old to be playing with humans?
His eyes narrowed at his mother. Rin was by her side staring at Kohaku in shock.
-This Sesshomaru doesn't play, mother.
Lady Mother only smirked.
-My lord, could you release him, please?
He stared at Rin's pleading eyes and relinquished…for now. Kohaku immediately stood up and dusted off the dirt from his outfit. He then grinned at his love and hugged her tightly.
-K-Kohaku-kun! What are you doing here?
Kohaku made sure to memorize every delicate line of her features before answering.
-I missed you. Besides, I couldn't let my best friend face this horrible situation alone.
He smiled sadly.
-My sister told me what happened at Kaede's village.
Kohaku could have sworn he heard the demon lord muttering something about Rin not being alone at all. Then his own beloved confirmed it. She smiled one of her smiles that melted him completely.
-That is very sweet of you Kohaku-kun! But I'm not alone I have Lord Sesshomaru with me!
The young demon slayer could almost feel the smug smirk Sesshomaru was giving him.
Something is not right and I'm going to find out.
He then managed to give Rin his best puppy look.
-May I stay with you?
Rin beamed and gave her lord her famous pleading look that he just couldn't deny.
He narrowed his eyes coldly at her but sighed inwardly.
This woman…
He scoffed when she persisted and he crossed his arms.
-Fine. He better be useful around here though.
Kohaku's eyes glinted in devilish determination.
-Worry not, my lord. I'll protect Rin with my life.
Sesshomaru silenced his mother with a deadly glare who has been giggling silently through the whole argument.
Pathetic human.
Isamu stared at the bloodied body of Naomi and he sighed guiltily.
This is all my fault.
His breath hitched in his throat as the beautiful demoness began to stir back to consciousness. She groaned and after checking her surroundings she cursed.
Her eyes then landed on his form and she backed away in fear since the only thing she could see in this darkness was his intimidating silhouette and his glowing red eyes.
-M-my l-lord?
Isamu sighed and lighted one of the torches hanging in the damp walls. Her eyes widened but her shoulders slumped in relief when she now stared at the councilman's hazel eyes. Her lip curved in warning.
-What i-is it that y-you want?
He kneeled until he was eye level with her.
-I want to make a deal with you.
She arched her eyebrow but said nothing. He took a deep breath while he hated himself for what he was about to propose.
-I can set you free…but you must capture the lord's ward for me in return.
There was a moment of silence before she snorted and burst into a crazed fit of laughter. She managed to calm down and coughed more blood when the force she exercised on her damaged torso was too much. She glared at Isamu.
-S-so you're t-the spy b-bastard, huh?
She snorted.
-F-funny. When I looked at y-you I deemed you as a g-good person. G-guess I can't trust my judgment.
She then spited in his face earning a deadly growl from him.
-Listen well, mutt. I p-prefer to rot in here t-than deliver R-Rin into your despicable claws.
Isamu growled and grabbed her throat tightly. He was desperate in the inside though.
This is not what I am…
He gulped and hoped that the demoness just did what he needed already. He had to lean forward to catch what she said.
-If you kill me…you're only doing me a favor…
She looked at him in the eyes and saw the regret, the anger and sadness but most of all the disgust with himself. She smiled, understanding.
-You h-have to f-find another way…
Isamu frowned. What was she saying? He just wanted to save his family.
Before he could say a single word she fell limp in his arms. He sighed and tried to get her on a more comfortable position so when she woke up she wouldn't be in much pain.
He pondered on her words as he exited the dungeons.
-You must straighten your spine. Like this!
Rin watched as Lady Mother made a perfect bow and still managed to look as graceful as a kami. She tried to imitate her but she just couldn't keep her human spine like Lady Mother's.
The lady smiled at the near perfect bow. There was only much a human could do.
-They're called demon costumes for a reason. Just bow like that, don't worry much. Their eyes will be on your face not your spine.
Rin nodded and rubbed her back. Who would have thought that a greeting could be so complicated?
She glanced at Kohaku who was watching her and gave her a silly smile and a thumbs up. She giggled. It was so good to have her best friend here with her. Even with Lord Sesshomaru she sometimes felt a bit lonely being the only human. Kohaku made things much better with his cheery character.
The lady cleared her throat and proceeded to explain demonic behavior while eating.
To tell you the truth, Rin has been rather uncomfortable the first time she ate in the palace. She now knew why her lord never ate in front of her. He preferred to eat his meat raw and bloody. She even now felt shivers in her entire body while remembering Sesshomaru's fangs dripping with blood.
She once more struggled to sit just the perfect angle Lady Mother desired. Rin was frustrated.
I don't remember seeing the demons Lord Sesshomaru battled bothered with their posture EVER. But then again…I don't think the first thing you bother yourself with when in battle is your posture.
Rin then remembered how her lord fought. So elegant and…
She nearly face palmed.
Except Lord Sesshomaru.
She sighed and surrendered to the fact that posture was indeed important…in some way.
Kohaku sighed as he watched his Rin struggling to get things right. She was so fiery.
He licked his lips. He couldn't wait to be alone with her. He would do anything to have her.
He glared at the demon lord watching on the other side of the room. He breathed deeply.
If I ever get alone with her…
Sesshomaru caught the glare of the demon slayer and raised his eyebrow at him. This Kohaku was different than the boy who followed him years ago.
Kohaku narrowed his eyes at Sesshomaru. He couldn't help it. He always respected and feared him but right now this mysterious anger and rivalry dominated. He felt like he should be weary of the demon lord at all times and watch his every move. And he sure as hell felt like the feelings were mutual.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes in return.
He is challenging us.
This Sesshomaru is aware of that. The question is: why?
There was a moment of awkward silence in his mind and Sesshomaru had to admit that he felt kind of freaked out by it. How could there be silence in a mind?
You are an idiot, other self.
Sesshomaru growled lowly.
Coming from a simple minded beast like you this Sesshomaru feels flattered.
There was a growl but no response.
He continued to watch his mother and Rin. He had to admit he was impressed with how quick she learned.
Author's Note: Yush, Sesshomaru and Kohaku officially declared war with each other. *whispers* They just don't know it yet. Hope you liked it! And thanks for all the wonderful reviews you guys don't know how happy and silly I get when I read them! xD