"Sesshoumaru-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama!"
A small imp scurried from the distance, a disproportionately large wooden staff bobbing up and down as it ran. Its shrill, echoing voice announced its approach to a duo who were currently enjoying a peaceful afternoon by a river. A young human girl and her inu youkai guardian turned their attention towards the sound of the calls.
"Oh, Jaken-sama is back!" The girl, Rin, stood up from the riverbank, brushing flower petals from her lap.
"Jaken-sama!" Rin called back to the small imp, waving impatiently in her usual carefree manner.
The addressed inu youkai, Sesshoumaru, discreetly removed a flower garland from his head – the pastime creation of his small ward. He allowed her this small indulgence privately but didn't want his underlings to witness the extent to which the great dog demon lord permitted such liberties to his ward.
As the imp, Jaken, neared them, Sesshoumaru deftly hid the wildflower garland behind his back.
"Sess-Sesshoumaru-sama." Jaken huffed, leaning his exhausted upper body against his trusty staff.
The lord gave his underling but the mildest, most unnoticeable twitch of an eyebrow to express his impatience to the news.
Jaken swallowed down his out-of-breathness and wiped beads of perspiration off his forehead to his sleeve.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, your brother, has awoken. That was the last news I heard from the village before I departed."
Sesshoumaru appeared as indifferent to this news as if Jaken had merely reported the number of fingers he had, but their young companion squealed with joy.
"Oh, Jaken-sama! That's wonderful news! I knew he wouldn't die!" Rin exclaimed, relief filling her voice. "Kagome-sama must be so happy!" She clapped her hands together, hugging her arms against her chest in delight.
"Ahem." Jaken interrupted Rin's joyous outburst, just in time to prevent it from testing the patience of their lord. "As for the other matter of business you sent me on, my liege..." Jaken continued, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"I could not locate Totosai. I-I'm sorry, milord!" He blurted out, bowing his head deeply.
A faint tightening of Sesshoumaru's jawline suggested that Jaken was on the precipice of some sort of punishment. Sweat trickled down the nervous imp's face.
"B-but I did, h-however, gather information about the Tenseiga."
Jaken knew he was in for a beating for his next piece of news, but the consequences of withholding this information would be far worse.
"It can't be repaired. The damage done by Naraku's youki has irrevocably harmed the integrity of your father's fang. Even if reforged, it will never regain its previous powers." Jaken closed his eyes, still bowing deeply, bracing himself for the inevitable punishment.
"No! Sesshoumaru-sama! Bad Sesshoumaru-sama!" An angelic voice, so innocent and pure, rang out and halted Sesshoumaru's hand mid-strike.
"It's not Jaken-sama's fault that your sword can't be fixed. Don't act like a child!"
When the immediate threat of violence subsided, Jaken had to try his hardest to bite down to his lip and contain his urge to snort. Sesshoumaru, the most powerful youkai in all known realms, a lord unrivaled in strength, strategy, grace, and beauty, was being scolded like a pup by a little human girl.
"I can hear your suppressed gaiety, Jaken." Sesshoumaru warned his green minion, causing Jaken to reflexively tense up his buttocks.
"Now, take Ah-Un for your next errand, and try to complete it more efficiently. Find Totosai, without fail." Sesshoumaru gave the final part of his instructions in a grave and pompous tone only he could master. "He is to forge me a new weapon - one that is unrivaled and inimitable. This task is of utmost importance. Do not return until it is complete."
Jaken's heart swelled in his chest, tears glistened in his eyes for the honor bestowed upon him. He was to bring his master his new sword, one that would be mightier than either the Tenseiga or the Tessaiga.
"I'll leave right away, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken declared, hurrying off towards where Ah-Un was currently resting. "You can count on me! I will not fail you, milord!" The imp swore and ran off.
"Be safe, Jaken-samaaa!" Rin called after the retreating figure of the small, green demon.
When Jaken was out of demonic earshot, already soaring through the sky, Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to his human ward.
"Rin." He began with a reprimanding tone. "Never forget that you do not govern this Sesshoumaru." He was about to launch into a longer admonition, but the girl had already run further along the bank to a new patch of wild flowers.
"Oh, how pretty!" She chirped happily at the bed of violets growing in dense clusters.
"These will look even prettier in your hair!" The little girl sang and began picking them into a big bouquet.
The demon lord watched his busy little human protégé, a smile of defeat tugging at the corner of his mouth.