First Meetings
Chapter 2: Villages & Bandits
Even from two miles away Inuyasha could smell the blood, and then shortly after, the smoke became visible.
"Something's on fire," Sango gasped in surprise.
"Yeah and lots of people are dead," Inuyasha added grimly before picking up his pace, Kagome clinging tighter to his back.
Ten minutes later they arrived in what remained of the once thriving village. Bandits roamed the streets, poking through smoldering ashes and taking what they wanted. One man, presumably the leader, sat on his horse laughing in triumph as his men killed four of the remaining villagers.
"You sick bastard!" Inuyasha yelled angrily, setting Kagome down and unsheathing the Tetsusaiga.
The chief turned to face Inuyasha, a dark eyebrow rising in surprise. "Look what we have here, men. Seems we just found ourselves some more people to kill."
Before Inuyasha could respond a voice called out, "Hey, chief, look what I found hiding in the tailor shop." The bandit emerged from one of the few buildings that remained standing, dragging a young girl behind him. She wasn't very tall and her orange and white checkered kimono was stained with blood and dirt. She sobbed hysterically as she was dumped in front of the chief's horse.
"Hmm should I kill the girl?" the chief wondered out loud.
"Touch her and you die," Inuyasha threatened.
"Oh, really?" the chief raised his other eyebrow then raised his pistol, aiming it at the girl's forehead. "And just how are you going to stop me?"
Inuyasha froze. He couldn't use the Wind Scar; the chance of hitting the girl was too great. Apparently Miroku and Sango seemed to be experiencing the same dilemma and Kagome's purification arrows were of no use against a human.
"Thought not," the chief laughed cruelly and began pulling back the trigger. He never got the chance to fire.
There was a flash of light and then Sesshomaru stood there, blood dripping off of his sword as the chief's head rolled from his shoulders, landing on the ground.
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha breathed in shock, lowering his sword.
The full-demon ignored his younger brother and turned to the young girl. He reached down and picked her up, cradling her close to his chest. He began to whisper low, soothing words in her ear as she continued sobbing.
Inuyasha's mouth dropped open and Tetsusaiga fell from his hands, hitting the ground with a clang. The noise startled the bandit who had brought the girl out from hiding and he turned to run. But before he could get far Sesshomaru's dragon landed in front of him, the muzzles missing from its twin mouths. Jaken stood on its back, laughing manically. "Feel the wrath of the Staff of Two Heads and Ah-Un!" Fire shot from Jaken's staff, incinerating the bandit alive. The dragon let out a mighty roar, along with a mouthful of blue demonic energy which enveloped the remaining bandits and they too burned.
"Jaken," Sesshomaru spoke.
"Yes, milord?" Jaken asked eagerly, ready to be of some assistance to his lord and master.
"See if there is anything useful that we can salvage from this wreck. Rin has need of new clothes and a bath."
Jaken blinked then nodded. "Right away, milord!" he hopped down from Ah-Un's back and immediately began searching the remains of the village.
"It's all right, Rin," Sesshomaru muttered soothingly to the terrified child still clutched in his arm. "You are safe now; you need not fear the pathetic humans any longer."
For a long moment Rin didn't speak but at least she did, her voice trembling as she asked, "Are all the bandits dead?"
"Yes," Sesshomaru said. "They were dispatched to the Netherworld in a great deal of pain."
"That's not very nice to say to a child," Sango said disapprovingly.
"Thank you," Rin whispered, wrapping her arms more tightly around Lord Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru didn't reply; choosing instead to shift her so that she was now balanced on his hip and turned away from the carnage as he began to walk off.
"Hey, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha yelled after his brother, having finally regained his senses.
"What do you want?" Sesshomaru asked, not bothering to turn around although he did stop walking.
"What're you doing with that kid?" Inuyasha demanded, feeling it his duty to inquire after the well-being of any children that Sesshomaru saw fit to take.
"That is none of your business," Sesshomaru replied coldly before he began walking again. "She is mine; that is all you need to know. Jaken!"
"C-coming, milord," the toad like retainer stammered as he emerged, carrying a huge armload of clothes and food supplies. He somehow managed to climb aboard Ah-Un and the two-headed dragon immediately began following Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha watched in silence as Sesshomaru's little party disappeared into the distance.
"What just happened?" Shippo finally broke the silence.
"I think Sesshomaru has adopted," MIroku said slowly. "But other than that I'm just as clueless as the rest of you."
"Well he does seem to care about her," Kagome said hesitantly.
"Who cares," Inuyasha grumbled as he sheathed his sword. "I just want to find some more Shikon shards."
"Sit, boy."
Even though he was now several miles away Sesshomaru could still hear the sound of his half-brother's pained yelps and his mouth twitched slightly. Served that idiot right for daring to presume that Sesshomaru was harming his child.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long since my last update but my computer's messed-up and I just got my laptop working again yesterday. Hopefully I can update soon. Would appreciate anymore ideas and thanks to whoever gave me this one.