Chapter 64 - Commotion

Sesshomaru flew over the treetops, the wind ruffling the fur of his mokomoko and rippling through his hankimono. InuYasha was somewhere close by, his half brother's scent was very distinctive. Gold eyes narrowed as his gaze swept the landscape below. Other familiar scents began to filter into his nostrils, that of Kagome and the other human companions. Slowing, the yokai moved into the dense tree canopy, and peered down into the clearing nearby.

There they were, gathered and sitting by a stream. It was very evident that they were not currently traveling. In fact, it looked almost like they intended to remain camped. The scent of grilled fish reached his delicate nose, making it wrinkle in distaste. Carefully, he focused on the group, trying to discern what they were saying. Though he was not close enough to hear every word, it was clear that something was amiss. It seemed that the pet of the demon slayer was missing. Thinking back, Sesshomaru remembered there being a demon which had seemed to accompany the human. A nekomata, if he wasn't mistaken. Humans were strange company for a demon cat.

The yokai huffed. A human shouldn't expect a wild creature like a nekomata to remain tame. They would do as they pleased, certainly. For several long moments he observed the group in silence. The slayer was most upset about the cat's departure. The others, particularly InuYasha seemed less excitable. However, it also seemed that they had no intention of traveling until the demon returned. Which was only good news. It provided Sesshomaru the opportunity to find Naraku first.

Satisfied, he turned and shot out of the forest, heading back toward where Rin and Jaken waited on the other side of the forest. He found the duo still waiting for him in the same place. They had dismounted, and Rin was apparently making braided chains of flowers. One of which was now perched on Jaken's head, the imp seemed irritated, but permitted the action anyway. A-un also had braided crowns of flowers on their respective heads.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You're back!" Rin leapt to her feet, scattering flowers everywhere. "Don't the flowers look pretty on Jaken?"

Sesshomaru glanced at the imp. His definition of "pretty" did not fit the ugly little imp, now crowned with pink flowers. But... Rin seemed to like it, so he remained quiet. "I think it would look much better in your hair." He said instead, reaching over he plucked the chain from Jaken, and placed the floral ring on Rin's dark hair. The pink flowers matched the pink flush on her cheeks, which had suddenly appeared. His gold eyes softened for a moment, before he turned away. "Let's get moving."

"Yes my Lord!" Behind Rin, Jaken sqwaked, scrambling back to his feet, screaming... again, not to be left behind.

They traveled the next several days without stop, taking full advantage of the full food sack for Rin, and the lead they had on InuYasha's group. Continually he adjusted their direction, ensuring they were heading toward the Ox Tiger. As of yet, Sesshomaru was positive that InuYasha was still lagging quite far behind, and was determined to keep it such. There was no scent or sign of Naraku anywhere. Nor of Kagura, or any of the lesser demons that Nararku seemed to put to his uses. Certainly he was recovered by now... if he was still in hiding, it likely meant that he was trying to become more powerful before his next battle. Something that did not bode well with Sesshomaru.

It was by the end of the fourth day, that Sesshomaru observed that Rin's bag of food was nearly expired, something he had worked diligently to be more attentive to. Turning, he directed them through the woods, toward the river that he knew lay just beyond. There she could fish, or collect mushrooms, or perhaps some other edible greens that grew by the banks. He didn't inform the others of his adjustment of direction, but it didn't take Rin long to notice the sound of rushing water through the trees.

"There's a river master Jaken! We can try to catch some fish!" Rin cried eagerly, without hesitation she slid off of A-un's back and raced through the trees toward the sound of the rushing water.

"Slow down Rin! Don't be too hasty!" Jaken cried, hopping after her. The imp almost seemed afraid to let the girl out of his sight nowadays. Perhaps he understood the level of punishment which would be inflicted should something unfortunate happen to her while in his care. Or perhaps he was more attached to her now, after she had saved his life. Either way, at least the imp was protective of her life.

Rin vanished through the trees, racing far ahead. Sesshomaru inhaled the lilac scent she left wafting through the air as she lilted off, like a butterfly through the foliage. He had expected to hear her laughter and splashing, when she found the river, but instead it was silent. Jaken used his staff to push aside the brush as he hurried and vanished closely in her wake. Leaving Sesshomaru to follow after them at his leisurely long-legged pace.

Initially he didn't realize anything was wrong, until he felt the all encompassing fear from Rin, it infiltrated his mind and senses through their bond. Chilling him to his very bones. Rin... what's wrong? Surely if there was some danger, Jaken would have called for his lord. Feeling a renewed sense of urgency, Sesshomaru walked forward. Distantly, he heard Jaken arguing with someone - some unknown male voices.

"-We've never heard of you or this Sesshomaru."

"How dare you insult my Lord!" That voice was Jaken, who's voice had become an angry sqawk.

"We will take you on if it's a fight you're looking for!" The other voices cried.

Sesshomaru stepped free from the shadows of the trees, and into the sun that highlighted the banks of the river. As he did so, the scent of wolves filled his nose, making him sneer in distaste. How did I not smell them before? He walked past Rin, who was crouched and hiding behind Jaken, the imp held his staff aloft as if prepared for battle. Two wolf demons, and a throng of wolves stood at the edge of the water, still dripping. Ah... because they were in the water, it dampened their scent. Gold eyes narrowed at the male demon duo, he paused his body half sheltering Jaken and Rin.

"Jaken, what's all this commotion?"