A/N: where we last left off, there was smut-hinting to be had and apologies made. no telling what this chap will hold so see for yourself and enjoy~ ;D

disclaimer: i don't own InuYasha; my OCs belong to me.

Chapter 15: Survival: Protect Me (From Myself)

"Oh Sesshomaru~"

He grimaced at the sing-song tone both sisters had in their voices, looking at them from preparing to leave again. "What is it now?"

"YOU JERK!"

THWACK.

THWACK.

"G-gah, milord, what have you done to him you disreputable wenches!?" The imp squawked angrily as his master sported two large bumps on his head that made him look like a panda.

"NOONE ASKED YOU!" The wolf sisters snarled angrily back in unison, making the imp shrink at the intensity in their angered eyes.

Ah-Un tilted his heads to one side in curiosity at the scene.

"Let's go, Ah-Un!" Korihime beamed at the dragon, hopping onto his back as Getsu joined her, snapping the reins gently; the dragon made a noise and flew high into the air.

"C'mon, the day's wastin', Sessh-kun!" Getsu hollered lightly from the dragon's place high over the treetops as Korihime laughed.

Sesshomaru rubbed his head gingerly, scowling up at the two females. "I should've killed her when I had the chance." He grumbled, lifting into the air with a flailing imp grabbing hold of his stole as he followed their lead.

::::::xXx:::::::

"Onee-chan?"

She looked up at her as she rode on the dragon's back, smoke rising up from the ground beneath their feet. "Mm?"

"Aren't your feet burning because of the ground? You're technically walking on lava… and bare-foot." She tilted her head to one side.

She shrugged, "it's not something I haven't felt before; I guess I must be used to the heat because of my wolf fire. You on the other hand would melt like wax if you set foot on the ground we're walking on." She said with a teasing smirk.

She pouted. "Shut up, don't act so friggin' pious! Geez, just because you gained Father's wolf fire you lord it over me like if I'm a cub again." She griped, turning away as she snickered.

"Whatever you say, little sister." She sighed.

He looked back at her and smirked. "Heckling your sister at this time of night… You really are devious." He scolded calmly.

She blushed and smirked back, kicking the back of his leg with a foot. "Shut up and keep walkin', dog breath." She teased, winking.

He chuckled quietly, looking forward and saying no more. She had been more playful after that night he'd apologized to her, reverting to her old habits that first intrigued and amused him so many years ago.

Of course her old habits got annoying sometimes, but he couldn't complain elsewise.

All three yokai sniffed the air as they smelled cooking toad.
Korihime's stomach grumbled. "Oi, Sesshomaru, can we eat him if he falls into the lava?" She asked innocently.

Sesshomaru sweatdropped as Getsu deadpanned and stuck her tongue out. "Not today, Korihime." He replied.

"Aww, fine! But if he gets cooked next time we come here, I'm putting him on a stick and eating fried toad." She huffed and folded her arms behind her head as she relaxed on the dragon's back again.

"And you think I'm bad," she nudged him with a chuckle, weaving around him with her arms folded behind her head leisurely as she noticed the imp had come to a halt and was calling into the gaping maw of an old demon's skeleton that looked to be a home of some sort.

He rolled his eyes and followed, leading the dragon after her. "Are you still upset that I ruined one of your arrows?" He wondered of the dragon's rider.

"Nope, not as much anymore, leastways; I can always find more arrows, I just was upset because I'd carried those all the way from the West." Only to have them ruined or discarded like yesterday's garbage, she thought with a sore look.

"You two really are sisters: noone other than Getsu can practically brain me into a coma like you." Sesshomaru added, perking her ears.

Korihime giggled and smirked up at the dark sky, closing her eyes serenely. "The way of the fist was one thing Father taught us when we were younger; knowing where to land the hit is just skill." She mused.

That doesn't surprise me, he thought.

"If he has long white hair, wears a fur and is looking for a sword stronger than Tetsusaiga…"

"He's my brother-in-law." She sighed.

The huddled group yelped in surprise at the wolf demon's appearance.

"K-Kori-chan!" The kitsune squeaked, being the first to break from the stunned ambience of his group to meet the blue-haired demon's blue eyes.

She smiled lightly and waved. "Yo."

"Oi, what the hell're you doin' around here, wolf? Shouldn't you be lickin' my brother's heels or something?" The hanyou barked indignantly, stomping up to her after being spooked.

THWACK.

"It's great to see you again as well, InuYasha; since we're technically related ya shouldn't be acting so callously towards a member of your pack." She deadpanned, slinging the blue long bow over her right shoulder leisurely after whacking him upside the head with it.

A large bump swelled on his head from the blow; the priestess, kitsune, and monk sweatdropped.

"Um, Korihime, what did you mean by 'technically related'? Did Sesshomaru and Getsu…?" The priestess began to ask, seeing her ears twitch as she looked up from the hanyou that grumbled curses at her for hitting him.

"They're not married by human standards, but in our kind, when two demons bond and mate they're considered married. So Sesshomaru is my brother-in-law and this dumbass," she nodded at the hanyou. "Is my brother-in-law's little brother. Sounds fair?" She explained calmly.

The monk and priestess nodded simultaneously.

"So that means InuYasha can't have you as a girlfriend," Shippo mused aloud, tapping his little chin.

Korihime blushed and then huffed as InuYasha also turned red before he stomped a foot onto the kitsune's head. "Not even close, kit." She managed, clearing her throat and looking away.

"Korihime, where's Getsu; shouldn't you be travelling with her?" Miroku asked, making her ears twitch again.

Korihime looked up as the kitsune scrambled away to hop onto her shoulder, tapping her chin. "She should be here any second now…" She began.

"He's here!" The withered form of Totosai the welder proclaimed gravely, making everyone gathered look at him before looking up at the sky to see the form of Sesshomaru riding Ah-Un with Getsu at his back coming into view.

"Sesshomaru!" InuYasha growled.

A/N: ahah another cliffhanger.. i'm starting to get good at these. xD /gets bricked
anywho, that's all for now so until next chap, see ya! and don't forget to review!