A New Leaf

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 4

Sasuke had only walked a short while behind Rin and Sesshomaru, before he came across something strangely wondrous. It almost looked like an enormous horse, but the creature was scaled like a dragon. "This is A-Un." Rin smiles at him as she pets A-Un's thick black mane affectionately and Sasuke eyes roam large scaly form curiously.

The scales were an earthy tone. A subdued green mixed with brown was the easiest way to describe it, he supposed. "They're wearing muzzles." It's yellow eyes had slits like a cat, but the strangest thing about the beast was the fact it had two heads.

Two heads that seemed to be twins, perhaps. Each one did appear to be working with each other, but a separate entity all its own despite sharing the same body.

"That is because this creature is under my command." Sesshomaru nods at him. "He can be ridden. Which I expect is what will happen before we get back to my castle." Sesshomaru thought that Sasuke couldn't walk the whole way then. That's what he was trying to say in a tactful way.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" A talking toad comes running towards the Demon Lord with a staff in his hands. "Lord Sesshomaru!" And apparently, he very much wanted to see the Lord of the West.

He was running so quickly, that his little black hat fell off him and his large circular eyes were open wide with anticipation. This imp was definitely a Summon or something similar. He had to be.

Sesshomaru raises an eyebrow. "Jaken, what are you doing here?" It was becoming increasingly obvious that the Inu Lord hadn't asked for Jaken to tag along this time.

Between Jaken and the two-headed dragon horse though, Sasuke was starting to realize something. Whatever happened to him, might have been nothing like the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique. There might be a very good reason why no one had heard of the Leaf.

There was a chance that he might have unwittingly stumbled into another time, dimension, or even world. "I was worried about your Lord Sesshomaru!" It would explain the dragon, the demons, and well everything else. Most especially the geography.

"Jaken, I do not require your protection." He shakes his head as though thoroughly irritated by the insinuation and for a moment, Sasuke thought that Sesshomaru would actually hit the poor creature his staff. "While you are here though, you can look after A-Un." Thankfully, that didn't actually happen.

To his amusement, the Dragon Horse snorts and the imp flails. "My Lord, you know that beast hates me!" Momentarily distracting Sasuke from his train of thought, but not for long.

He needed to figure out where he had landed. If it was another world, Sasuke wasn't sure if he could go home. His Rinnegan would allow him to transport himself back to the Leaf, but he would need to know where he was in order for that to happen. It also depended on how far away this dimension was from his own. If he had landed in the past or future though, Sasuke might be able to return to the Leaf as well.

"Quiet, Jaken!" Sesshomaru takes out his sword and the toad instantly grows silent.

Rin smiles at Sasuke as she pets A-Un. "Master Jaken can be very silly sometimes." Yes, he could see that.

Such things were irrelevant to Sasuke, but there was no need to be rude and to ignore the woman. She had patched up his injury and Rin was doing her best to get him home. He should at a minimum be polite to her.

The imp was beside himself at the reprimand. "I'm s-sorry, Lord Sesshomaru." He throws himself onto the ground and begins to grovel.

It was pathetic really. How did Sesshomaru tolerate such an annoying being? On second thought, it didn't matter. All that mattered was getting home.

"Jaken, stop your groveling." Yes, that would be preferable. "It's pathetic and you're wasting time." Sasuke was starting to like Sesshomaru more now. "Let's go." He gestures for the imp and Rin to get onto A-Un and they continue on their journey.

Only for the toad demon to get overly curious about his presence. "Lord Sesshomaru, who is this human?" Wonderful. Dealing with this annoying imp was going to make this one very long journey.

"My Lady, what are your orders?" An Inu smiles at the woman who was sitting upon a beautiful, golden throne.

Midori pauses as she considers the question. "Send spies over to Japan and see what they can find." It would be most unwise to attack otherwise, she muses as the sweet fragrance from the wildflowers adorning her throne soothes her and helps Midori to collect her thoughts.

She loved to surprise her opponents. It was one of her favorite things to do really, but Midori wasn't a fan of surprises for herself. Those almost never ended well.

The image of her family's death still burned brightly in her mind. It had all been so senseless. All because no one had seen fit to do anything about the impending human threat.

"Yes, My Lady." The other demon bows to her. "It shall be done at once." Good. He was such a well trained dog, she thinks to herself in amusement.

Her own cleverness often amazed her. Though now was not the time for jokes and to make merry. This was the time to act. They all had to act while there was still time.

"Good." She waves her hand at him, dismissing him. "Go and do not disappointment!" After that she runs her fingers through her long snowy white hair in irritation.

It was a habit that she had developed as a pup and something that she had never really outgrown. Midori supposed that everyone had at least one such quirk and really, she was quite lucky that hers was relatively harmless. That didn't make it any less vexing though!

"My Lady, I do not mean to upset you." Famous last words. "Are you quite certain that this is wise? There is Lord Sesshomaru to consider."

Oh yes. The Lord of the West. That was true. He would be a formidable opponent, but Midori was rather confident that she could win him over with logic or other gain his compliance through other measures as she smooths out her baby blue kimono.

She shakes her head at her advisor. "Leave him to me." Her green eyes narrow with determination. "I can handle him or anyone else who dares to defy me." They would be made to see reason one way or another.

Midori touches the demonic marking on her cheek at the thought. It was a blue flower with a green stem and leaves. "Of course, My Lady." A symbol of her power. Just as surely as Sesshomaru's crescent moon was a symbol of his.

Much like a flower, she was blooming. Her power would only grow stronger in the foreseeable future. That meant now was the time to strike.

How could anyone stand against someone who could control the Earth itself? Every tree, every blade of grass, every flower, every root, herb, and the like were all hers to command. So was the ground itself. She could make the Earth move, if she willed it. If only she had been able to do all as a pup, things would have been much better.

"Die, demon scum!" A human was firing off a weapon at her known as a gun.

It was strange magic to Midori. She was only a child and didn't fully understand what was happening, but she understood the most important thing. These humans were trying to kill her!

Her mother saved her though. "Get away from my daughter!" She threw herself between Midori and the 'gun.'

"DIE, DEMON BITCH!" The human fired it and a loud boom was heard.

Before Midori even knew what was really happening, her mother fell over. There was so much blood and she wasn't moving. Her mother was dead and she had to run, if she didn't want to join her in the afterlife.

So that's precisely what she did. Midori ran and she ran. She was fortunate that her powers were related to the Earth. More than once, she had roots trip over humans who tried to attack her or vines restrain them as she tried to escape.

Midori didn't know how long she ran, but eventually she came to the shore and transformed into her smallest demon form. At that age, she had been able to pass as a regular puppy and eventually, the boat landed on the shore of China.

The rest was history…

"If I may be so bold, My Lady?" Her advisor looks at her with mischievous, silver eyes. "I believe I have a suggestion."

She shakes her head as she smiles at the Inu. "I will indulge your boldness." It was hard not to indulge the flirtatious demon. "You may speak freely."

Tenji's hair came to the small of his back and was black as night. "One look at your eyes and I think that no one will need to lift so much as a single blade to change Lord Sesshomaru's mind." He also had a pleasing sleek frame and stormy silver eyes that were the envy of many a demon and demonesses. "You do have such beautiful green eyes."

He really was such a flirt, but Midori wasn't foolish enough to fall for his flattery. He had charmed the kimonos off of half the women at her Court and she would not be next.

"You're a flatterer." She laughs softly. "The thought has occurred to me and I might still resort to it, but I have heard that he is a rather stoic sort." He wouldn't be the type to fall so easily or even indulge in natural desires such as lust without thinking about the consequences.

Though he was right about her eyes. That was why she was named Midori. It meant green. Her parents had given her the name Midori because her vibrant green eyes were by far her most distinguishing feature.

"He clearly just hasn't met the right demoness yet." Tenji smirks.

Rin smiles as she rides on A-Un and glances at Sasuke, a few hours later. He was still keeping pace with them as they continued on their way. It was impressive really.

She knew that most people weren't used to walking this far at once. Unfortunately, the young woman also knew that it would be of little help at the Court. Demons and humans for the most part still hated each other. That was only slowly beginning to change.

"Stop." Sesshomaru suddenly stops moving and so does A-Un.

That wasn't a good sign. Her Lord would never suddenly stop moving like that without a good reason. They were likely under attack or about to be.

The Demon Lord's nose was twitching as he tries to locate the source of whatever was causing him to grow so concerned.

A loud growl was the only other warning they received before it happened. A massive bear demon had just come charging at them. He was coming straight towards them!

The demon's fur was dark brown and it's eyes were red with rage while its jaws were snapping menacingly as it barrels towards them. "Lord Sesshomaru!" He would protect her. He always did.

That's when three things happened in rapid succession. First, Rin could swear she heard the sound of many birds chirping. There must have been hundreds of them. Maybe even a thousand. Though she couldn't see any of them.

That's when she notices the second thing. A flash of blue light had stabbed the bear demon in the chest. Finally, a green energy whip severed the poor beast's head. With that, it was dead. The bear demon would never trouble them again.

"Rin, are you alright?" Sesshomaru looks at her with subtle concern showing in his golden eyes.

He wasn't the only one though. Sasuke was watching her anxiously. "I'm fine." Finally, she processed what the blue light had been. It certainly hadn't been birds that made that noise. It had been the light. "You both saved me." Lord Sesshomaru and Sasuke had come to her aid!

Though no one would be able to rescue her kimono. It was now drenched in the demon's blood. That was alright though. She could always get a new kimono, but she couldn't help but feel pity for the bear.

"What did you do?!" Jaken flails. "Lord Sesshomaru had it handled!" To which Rin rubs the back of her head sheepishly. "He will always protect his subjects! Your help was not needed!" He was being incredibly rude to Sasuke!

Lord Sesshomaru at least had better manners. "What was that attack you used? I've really seen humans use magic." Thank goodness for that. "And how were you able to extend your weapon that far? It was not a whip."

He was right about that. The blue light that Sasuke was now retracting was definitely not a whip. Whips didn't sound like birds! It looked more like a spear?

"I call it the Chidori." Sasuke pauses as though considering what more he should say on the matter. "The form I used was a modification known as the Chidori Sharp Spear." Whether he was being modest or cautious, Rin wasn't entirely sure. "It can be extended up to five meters in length."

Jaken suddenly darts over to Sasuke and jumps up and down, trying ot get a better look at his face. "My Lord! He has a demon eye!" No. it wasn't a demon eye and Sesshomaru knew that, but it looked like they were going to have to explain that to Jaken.

"He's not a demon." Sesshomaru sighs. "Sasuke's family has some quirk that gives them unusually colored eyes for humans." The Demon Lord tilts his head as if considering something. "And perhaps, some unusual abilities as well. Are your family monks and priestesses?"

Rin knew exactly what Sesshomaru was thinking. He was wondering if Sasuke was like Kagome or Miroku. If he had holy powers of some kind.

Sasuke shakes his head and was obviously trying not to laugh at the question. "No, but that is flattering of you to ask. Our powers aren't divine or demonic in nature." Hmm. Interesting.

"In any case, you moved to save Rin." The young woman could tell her lord was torn between gratitude and pride. "I would have saved her without your help, but I shall remember that you came to her aid when you did not have to."

Men could be so sensitive about this sort of thing. It seemed to be a trait that was universal amongst them, no matter the species. Well at least that had been the case in Rin's experience.

"She's lucky to have you, but you don't owe me anything for helping her." Sasuke looks at her. "She did help me first with my arm."

Sesshomaru seems to accept that and sighs as he looks at Rin. "Rin, you should get out of that bloody kimono." That was true. "A-Un go with her to ensure her safety and we'll wait here." No sooner had the words left his mouth than the dragon quickly departs with Rin on his back.

"He's very well trained." Sasuke blinks.

Sesshomaru nods at that. "Indeed. I've had A-Un for many years." His golden eyes flicker towards Jaken. "I'm still in the process of teaching some of my other servants to behave nearly as well as he does." This prompts the toad demon to sputter and topple over in embarrassment and indignation.

Sasuke almost felt sorry for the creature. Well almost. He wasn't a saint. The imp did seem to bring a lot of his woes onto himself.

"I don't know what to make of him." Sango looks at the others back in the village.

Miroku smiles as he pulls the Demon Slayer into his lap and the others gather around the fire. "He seems like a polite young man." Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kagome were with them and the children were all taking a nap. "Perhaps, a bit on the shy side though."

"Well considering it's you saying that, he's probably not actually shy." Inuyasha rolls his eyes. "That probably just means he's not a complete lecher like you."

"INUYASHA!" Kagome gives him a withering look.

It was rather amazing what a few years could do. Kagome didn't even have to 'sit' Inuyasha anymore. Just calling out his name and giving him that look was usually enough to gain his compliance.

"Lord Sesshomaru really took him with them?" Shippo looks stunned at that revelation. "That doesn't sound like him." That was true.

Sango had been shocked by that as well. Then again, Sasuke had conducted himself 'properly' around the Demon Lord. So that might have something to do with it.

"I think he did it because Rin seems fond of him." Miroku smiles cheerfully.

Kagome blinks at that and bites her lower lip thoughtfully. "How old was this stranger again?" Her friend was likely intent on playing matchmaker now.

"If I had to guess, I'd say around Rin's age." Maybe a little older. "That or older. Surely, no more than a few years though." That sounded about right.

Inuyasha shakes his head. It was obvious that he knew where this was going and the half demon had surprisingly decided to be sensible about all of this.

He bites into his meal and swallows quickly before making his opinion known. "There's no point." Inuyasha shrugs as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. "The guy is just trying to get home anyway."

That was true. There was also one little problem that none of them had discussed yet. Sesshomaru.

The Demon Lord wouldn't let anyone near Rin easily. Sango knew that he hoped Rin would one day find love in this village, but he'd likely scare off any suitors that were brave enough to look her way.

"I guess you're right." Kagome sighs.

Miroku smiles as he pours them each a glass of sake. "Well if nothing else, he did help in the fields quite a bit." Sango rarely indulged in such things, but it was a beautiful night out. A beautiful night that they were spending with their dear friends. "Besides, I have a feeling he'll be back." It was alright to 'let their hair down' every once in awhile. (That's what Kagome would say, anyway).

Inuyasha nods at that. "Of course, I'm right." He smirks smugly. "Things would be a lot easier, if you just assumed that from the beginning!"

Oh boy. Kagome might not 'sit' Inuyasha anymore, but Sango was well aware of how boisterous their 'play fights' could get. Things were about to get loud and very quickly. In other words, it was going to be an extremely long night.

Kagura paces back in the Western Castle. It was more likely than not that she was being ridiculous. Sesshomaru was probably be back relatively soon. There were fair odds that he'd be back before he'd even been gone for one full day and yet, she couldn't quite quell her nerves.

If he was really this worried about Lady Midori, there had to be a good reason. So far, what Sesshomaru had told her about the other woman wasn't good. Her intentions might have been, but her methods left quite a bit to be desired.

"If we defeated Naraku, we can surely handle some lost pup." She waves her fan slightly. "It can't be that difficult." There was just one problem.

Naraku hadn't had an official army. He'd just had a bunch of mostly mindless demons working for him with some exceptions. The man had been gifted at recruiting talent, when he saw it.

"Maybe is a good idea." There was little she could actually do about the fact Sesshomaru wasn't here.

She didn't know where he was or precisely what he was doing at the moment. What if Midori had already arrived in Japan and they just hadn't realized it? What if he had been ambushed?

No. She needed to stop this. Kagura was driving herself crazy. Besides, this was Lord Fluffy.

If anyone could take care of themselves, it was him. "Yes, a bath is a good idea." So she really needed to stop worrying.

Sesshomaru had left her in charge because he trusted her. He wouldn't trust her, if he knew that she would fall to pieces in his absence. She could handle this and who knows, maybe an idea would come to her as she was enjoying her bath.

Ideas often came to her when she was bathing or flying on her enormous feather. She wasn't really sure why. Well actually, Kagura knew why they came to her while she was flying. Wind was her element. That was only to be expected to a degree.

"Well at least the servants keep the water warm at all times." She smiles at the thought as she enters the bathing chambers.

Sesshomaru could be icy at times, but he was rarely cruel just for the sake of being cruel. He kept his distance from the servants, but she had never seen him strike them. Though he wasn't afraid to flash his red eyes when he was angry or flare his demonic aura to 'encourage' them into doing whatever he wanted them to do.

Kagura had seen many Lords treat their servants far worse than Sesshomaru did and unlike many, he actually did pay them. Which many would have considered unusual to say the least.

After all, the logic of the Noble Classes was that the servants had a home and they had food. They had access to medical care to some degree. That was far more than most people did. They should be happy with their lot in life.

"Some probably are." Though Kagura couldn't fathom such a thing.

She valued her freedom above all else. Perhaps, something had gone wrong when Naraku made her. She wasn't sure, but Kagura knew that the deceased demon had never wanted her to be as independent as she turned out being. He had most certainly never wanted her to love Sesshomaru.

Kagura did though. She supposed that it had something to do with her associating him with freedom. Naraku had seen him as a threat very early on and Kagura knew what that meant. He could help her escape his clutches, she thinks to herself as she disrobes and gets into the warm water.

"Of course, he was stubborn." Sesshomaru wasn't the sort who would go out of his way for a stranger.

No. It had taken quite awhile, but in the end…he had saved her. Why she wasn't entirely sure, but here she was. Kagura now lived in the West and helped him where she could.

Most had either forgotten or were willing to overlook that she was Naraku's incarnation. "And then there are those like Lady Juna." The mere thought of the other demoness was enough to make her blood practically boil.

The woman did her best to turn Sesshomaru against her. It wasn't that the Wind Demoness thought that the Demon Lord was ever going to love her romantically (or anyone really), but she didn't appreciate the snake trying to tear them apart before they even had a chance to start. A chance to start being together.

"Oh well." She didn't matter.

No. It was this Midori woman who was the real threat and one way or another, Kagura was sure things were going to come to a threat. The battle between that woman's very strange idealism and Sesshomaru's more pragmatic approach. It had only just begun.