The Next Stage:
Hot Springs 2

By Danyealle

(Fan Fiction/Inuyasha)

Chapter 5
The Western Lord

After Kouga Sango and Miroku thought they couldn’t be shocked anymore by the new and ‘evolved’ Inuyasha.  They were wrong…

Over time Inuyasha and his brother’s relationship had changed gradually.  They no longer tried to kill each other on sight.  While they sill had their moments and would never be close a truce of sorts was in place.  Both of the powerful brothers wanted Naraku gone and they realized sharing information and occasionally assisting each other would help them attain that goal.

Each brother had also come to the conclusion, independently, that there was something the other had that was helpful.

From Inuyasha’s end he had finally come to the conclusion that no matter how powerful he and his ‘pack’ were he would need the powerful Lord Sesshomaru’s help to wipe out Naraku and all those that helped him.  Neither he nor ‘The Killing Perfection’ could do it alone.  The battle with the panther demons had taught both of them the value of working together.  His brother had skills and contacts that he didn’t and they were valuable.

On the Western Lords end he admitted the same thing.  While he had no interest in the jewel fragments his brothers packs’ quest to find them had turned up many useful leads and much information.  But he also had another reason for needing some assistance from his brother and his pack; Rin.

He was big enough to admit that in the future he was going to need some help with the human child.  There were changes she would go through and information she would need that neither he nor Jaken could provide.  Nor would he be comfortable doing so.  Kagome and Sango would be perfect for that kind of thing.  When approached, the two young women were more than happy to assist when it would be needed.

There was also the fact that he knew she did need to spend time with other children.  In the times he had traveled with his brothers pack for short periods of time Rin and the fox kit had gotten along well and enjoyed playing together.  He decided that it was a worthwhile venture to meet up with the hanyou’s pack when they were close to allow the children some time to play.  It was obvious to all that he would deny Rin very little and if playing with the fox kit brought her pleasure than he would allow it.

It was Rin and a message that Kagome had sent him about some things for the child that prodded him to seek out his brother pack when they were close, not knowing the changes that had gone on.

One of the best known things about Lord Sesshomaru was his stoic mannerisms and unshockable nature.  His placid and blank expression was always in place except in battle when his eyes would bleed red.  But that changed when he stepped into his brothers’ camp.  He knew his brother would smell him before he showed himself but as he stepped forward he saw the hanyou yank the miko behind him and draw his sword, an obvious challenge.    A look of stunned shock slid across his face when he realized that Inuyasha was protecting Kagome from him!  Unlike Kouga, he registered the scent change quickly and understood what it was.  His eyes flicked to the miko who was looking at him over his brothers shoulder.  His expressionless mask slid back into place as she mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to him.  That was all he needed to fully understand the whole situation.  The little miko, who was as powerful as his brother in her own fashion, was letting Inuyasha have his head to learn to deal with his insecurities.  Yes, to the powerful Western Lord it was funny as hell but he also had enough understanding of his brothers’ life to know where it came from so he made a quick decision.

Stepping directly in front of his brother and lowering his voice so that only Kagome and Inuyasha could hear him, he said, “She’s yours Inuyasha.  I lay no claim to her nor will I try to take her from you.”  He had to fight to keep from chuckling.  As if he, the great Lord of the West, would have any interest in a human miko?  That was laughable.

But what he had done received the desired effect.  Inuyasha sheathed his sword and nodded to his brother.

Within an hour of the Youkai’s arrival and finding out what the miko had for his pack Rin and Jaken had joined them.  He had requested a tent and sleeping bag for Rin, like those she had for his brothers’ pack.  As usual, the miko had brought some other presents for the child like she always did for Shippo.

Later that night, while the females were bathing in a nearby hot springs, Sesshomaru was able to get his brother alone to talk to him.  Even though Inuyasha was only a half-demon there was still protocol in place saying the Western Lord had to approve of any mate his brother wanted to take.  In the case of Kagome that was just a formality he would observe.  He already approved of the miko.  While he, as a rule, didn’t think much of humans, the miko and the slayer he had respect for.  Both had a power and toughness he could respect.  They were loyal to the hanyou and the rest of the pack as well as being an asset to it.

As usual, Sesshomaru got down to the brass tacks of the situation right away, “Inuyasha, you have my permission to take the miko as you mate.  I will add that I think you have made a fine choice as well.  She is quite well suited to you.”

Inuyasha knew what Sesshomaru was doing and why he had to but answered with his usual style.  “I don’t need your permission asshole.”  He paused for a moment before adding, in a quiet voice, “But thanks.”