The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive
Chapter 116: Out of the frying pan
Title: Out of the frying pan
Author: Hairann
Prompt and Word Count: Scores-669
Characters: Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Bankotsu, Jakotsu, Renkotsu
Warnings: None
Summary: Part 116 of The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive.
Prompt Summary: The guys learn their problems are just getting started.
A while later when the men began returning to camp, supper and coffee had already been dished up and was waiting for them; the steam still rising from the tops of the plates assuring them it had not been waiting long. Even as he took his seat next to Bankotsu and began digging into his own meal, Jakotsu could not help but feel something ominous hanging in the air. Though he could not quite put his finger on what was wrong, it was easy to see Inuyasha fidgeting in his seat while Sesshoumaru looked almost sad as he watched his wife handing out the plates.
He did not have long to wait to find out exactly what was going on as Sesshoumaru began speaking as soon as everyone was seated. “The stampede was not as bad as it could have been. We only lost half a dozen or so heads of cattle instead of the scores we could have lost. But now we have bigger problems. There is a storm coming our way in a few days and it is still at least a half of a week's ride back to the ranch. We can not possibly out run the storm with the herd.”
“Is there anywhere nearby we can take shelter and wait out the storm? Herd included, of course,” Jakotsu questioned even as some of the other men began to fidget in their seats as well; apparently not looking forward to dealing with a herd of cattle startled by a storm.
“Yeah, there is a valley nearby that is blocked off by a mountain on all sides but one, the only problem is that there is a great risk of flooding if the rain gets too bad. Waiting out the storm is going to be very dangerous out in the open even before you add in the herd. So we are offering the chance for anyone to leave now if you do not want to risk it. There is a town about a half a day's ride North of here and without the cattle, you men will have no problems reaching it before the storm hits or finding shelter there.”
“If you do decide to leave,” Sesshoumaru cut in, turning everyone's attention to him, “Simply let me know and I will pay you for services rendered. You will not get your full pay naturally, but you will be paid for all work done up until tonight.” It did not take long for five of the men to decide they did not want to take the chance of riding out the storm in a flood-able valley for the sake of someone else's cattle. Just as he said he would, Sesshoumaru paid them as soon as they finished eating; suggesting they head out first thing in the morning to make sure they would have plenty of time to reach the town before the storm hit.
Once all of those that were leaving had made their way over to their blankets, those who were planning to continue glanced around at the much smaller group. Other than Sesshoumaru and his family, only Bankotsu, Jakotsu and Renkotsu had opted to stay. “With such a small group, will we still have enough to handle all of the cattle?” Bankotsu inquired as he glanced over at the large herd grazing not too far from where they had made camp.
“It will be hard, but as long as we can make it through the storm the hard part will be over. We will have to be down in the valley will the cattle to wrangle them back in if they try to escape. If there is a stampede again...,” Inuyasha paused as he let the warning hang in the air, not having to actually voice it for the others to know exactly how dangerous their jobs had just gotten. “Are you sure you want to stay on the drive?” As all three nodded their heads, Inuyasha shot them an appreciative smile.