Chapter 37 - Wait

For a long moment Sesshomaru simply stood, glaring at the place where Toran had been standing. Clearly, it was some sort or ruse. She wanted him to follow her, hunt him down, bring him onto her own turf where she would have the advantage.

Reinforcements…

She said that deliberately to spite him, to renew the memories of his "reinforcements" who had turned their back on him amidst the battle with the panther tribe fifty years ago. The cowardice demons who'd run from battle, while he fought valiantly for their lives and freedom. The very thought made him tremble with rage. Everyone had abandoned him that day. His followers, his troops, even InuYasha betrayed him by falling in love with the damn human priestess and getting sealed to the tree. Everyone… but Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin's sweet joyful voice broke through the clouds of thundering anger in his mind. "Look at how many fish Jaken and I just caught!"

Tempering his anger, Sesshomaru turned, careful not to allow Rin to see the burning hatred he suppressed inside. She ran toward where he stood with a huge amount of fish swinging on a string in her hand. Far behind her, Jaken was squealing, crying not to be left behind.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" She called again as she finally reached him. "See!" She excitedly held up the fish for him to examine.

Sesshomaru couldn't find the inner peace to play their game of examination today, and admire what she brought. Instead he turned to Jaken, who stood behind her, panting and out of breath.

"Jaken. The panther demon tribe is back."

The imp cried out in terror, almost flipping over as he waved his hands dramatically. "What are they doing here again?!"

At least Jaken understood the seriousness of the situation. Taking a breath, Sesshomaru turned his focus to the girl, still smiling up at him. He couldn't bring her to battle. The danger was too much. Even if she wasn't in direct danger from the cat demons, the risk of her presence being known, and exploited by his enemies was too great.

"Rin, listen." His gold eyes met her brown ones, intensely focused, intending to communicate to her the seriousness of the situation without words.

"Yes?" Rin's eyes widened as he locked gazes with her.

"You are to wait here with A-un."

She nodded up at him, still grasping the fish. A blush he didn't understand or take the time to analyze, crept across her nose.

"Alright! I won't move from here."

Confident that she would stay, his eyes softened at her, for the briefest of moments. At least, she would be safe. A-un would protect her. Turning away, Sesshomaru refocused as he began to walk away. It was time to deal with this cat problem, once and for all.

"Waiiiit my Lord!" Jaken cried, bounding after him with exaggerated movements.

"Don't forget to come back and get us!" Rin cried after them. "We will be waiting!"

I could not possibly forget.

He thought briefly, before returning his focus to Toran. Anger rose to the surface again. He should have engaged her in battle when she first appeared. Ungentlemanly or not. Now he would be forced to fight, where she held the clear advantage. Not that it would matter. Toran had run from their last battle like the coward she was. There would be no victory for her, and certainly no honor. The duo walked along the river in silence, the cliffs rising higher and higher on either side of the path. Sesshomaru buried deep in his thoughts.

It was Jaken's voice that drew his attention.

"…No that would be too dangerous even for someone as strong as my master." It was followed by pathetic whimpering sounds. Whatever it was that Jaken was thinking, it was clearly centered around Jaken's perception that this Sesshomaru was not strong enough to handle the panther tribe alone. Sesshomaru felt the hair on his neck bristle.

You still doubt me, Jaken? I need help from no one.

The smell reached Sesshomaru's nose as they rounded a bend of the stream. There, waiting for them on the path was Royakan, the wolf guardian of the forest. One of the deserters from the battle with the panther tribe fifty years ago. Unable to hide the disgust from his face, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and continued walking as if he had not seen the guardian.

The overgrown wolf dared to show his face before Sesshomaru, after deserting him in battle? Unbelievable.

"Wait! I know him!!!" Jaken screed when he spotted the demon.

The bloated wolf-like demon bowed his massive head to the ground as Sesshomaru walked passed. "Lord Sesshomaru. I, Royakan would be honored to serve under you once again."

As if I would be tempted to take that offer again. Sesshomaru had to suppress a snort of derision. "Not necessary."

Royakan appeared to be devastated by the statement. "Please my Lord! I beg you to reconsider!"

Why would he reconsider? He'd already thoroughly thought it through to conclusion. One time a coward, Royakan would always be a coward. He would not tolerate cowardice in his subordinates.

"Don't leave without meeee!" Jaken sobbed as he leapt after his master with exaggerated jumps.

Sesshomaru stopped just beyond where the oversized excuse for a wolf demon sat, half bowing and half pleading to be included in the upcoming battle.

"Royakan."

"Yes!" The eager hope in the wolfs voice was almost palpable.

"Leave, before I lop off your head." The wolf demon was clearly not expecting that respone, and began bawling great tears that hit the stone path with audible splashing sounds. The sound of his sobs only served to irritate Sesshomaru further.

Standing between Royakan and Sesshomaru, Jaken waved his staff in the air, hoping to be seen. "Perhaps you should consider accepting his assistance. We need help!!!"

"Not necessary." Could this moment possibly get any worse? Sesshomaru wondered in silence as Jaken questioned him yet again.

"Then maybe we can get InuYasha's aid this time?" Jaken suggested. The air seemed suddenly colder, as if infused with ice.

Apparently, it can. How dare he suggest that we ask for InuYasha's help? He who deserted his only brother fifty years ago for the very same battle.

"Jaken." Sesshomaru's voice was dangerously cool, his eyebrows pulled together but eyes closed again, neither looking at Jaken or Royakan.

"Yes?"

"Only you need accompany me." Without speaking further, he walked away from them both. Leave the imp to do as he will. Perhaps he would die in this battle and Sesshomaru would be rid of his pestering. Also sobbing now, Jaken followed, running to keep up.

Aside from the mournful sounds coming from Jaken, they traveled in silence for some time. Turning neither to the left, or the right, as Sesshomaru followed the scent of the cats through the gorge.

The panther tribe will regret every battle they've inflicted upon the dog clan.