An Unforeseen Complication

Hello everyone. I'm back. This is the official second chapter. Yay! *triumphant laughter is heard* Nah, just kidding. Anyways, thanks to everyone who read and liked the first chapter.

Read, enjoy and review at the end, okay?

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An Unforeseen Complication

Part 2

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Sesshomaru landed on the ground and glanced up to see his ward smiling at him with the grin he had become familiar with. Ah Uhn didn't spare him a single glance as the beast kept on sleeping and Jaken...well, the imp just kinda stood there gaping. Not gracing any of them with any sort of response, he dropped Juromaru unceremoniously on the ground with a muffled 'thud' before taking a seat beside the unconscious youkai and leaning against a tree.

The lavender haired youkai had passed out some time between Naraku's castle and here, Sesshomaru deciding it was best to guard him so he would have a few moments when the youkai awoke to explain some rules that he would be following. Sesshomaru was fair, but always blunt. If this youkai attempted to hurt or destroy anything, including his ward, he would die as soon as Tokijin was drawn.

Jaken walked up to him, risking his own safety. "My Lord, why do you bring that youkai? It's not like you to bring strays back- -"

Well, that was stupid.

Sesshomaru growled deeply before, with a single swipe of his arm, the annoying imp went flying into the forest. Honestly, the thing was more annoying than his runt of a brother and that was truly saying something in the Taiyoukai's eyes.

He glanced at his giggling ward. "Rin."

The little girl turned to him with a big grin. "Yes, my Lord?"

"You are not to go near this youkai until I say otherwise. Is that clear?"

"Understood, Lord Sesshomaru." Rin faked a salute to him before turning her attention back to some brightly colored flowers.

The Taiyoukai had to give the small human some credit. She was loyal to him beyond any doubts, never questioned him, never annoyed him regardless of how much she talked and never complained about the sometimes fast pace he would set for the others. She always stuck by his side without fail and Sesshomaru knew that Rin was an extraordinary child, somehow managing to find herself a place in his heart however cold it may be.

All in all...she proved to him that in all species, where they be youkai or human, there was one that was genuinely good-natured.

Molten amber irises glanced back to the youkai and he questioned himself for the umpteenth time...why had he done this?

Just then, the fearful imp decided to come back into the clearing. "Apologies, Sesshomaru-sama. I shall never question you again."

The voice went on deaf ears.

Rin just laughed.

The laugh broke through the Inu's thoughts and once more, he gazed at his ward. 'Perhaps she has managed to change me somehow.'

... ... ... ... ...

Juromaru clenched his eyes tighter in the attempt to rid himself of the ache in his head. 'Ugh...what happened?' Azure eyes slowly opened and he blinked at the sight of the two-headed dragon beside him. Confusion and panic seeped through him and he shot up from his position...although immediately regretting it as his wounds screamed from the quick movement. Hunching over, he put his hand to his abdomen and closed his eyes again. The pain was immense and dulled his senses considerably.

A hand suddenly closed around his throat and he coughed deeply when he was slammed into a nearby tree, the air leaving his lungs.

Reflexively, he grabbed the hand around his throat and opened his eyes only to see the now familiar Inu. He blinked in confusion before he was suddenly thrown across the small clearing in the surrounding forest. He landed on his side and tried to get up but his body's protests outweighed his will and he remained still on the ground for a few moments.

"Get up."

The voice was cold and commanding, Juromaru almost wishing the Taiyoukai had killed him.

With a grunt of pain, the youkai managed to get to a kneeling position before an impatient clawed hand was in his hair. Clenching his teeth, Juromaru was forced to look into the cold molten amber irises of his new master.

"Juromaru, that is your name is it not?"

The hand released him and Juromaru fell to his knees. 'What a way to wake up,' he thought to himself although he didn't show his thoughts at all in his face or body. With the barest of movements, he nodded at the Taiyoukai's question.

Sesshomaru growled, crossing his arms. "You will serve me, youkai. I know your intelligent is far above your former master's and I am going to exploit it." His sharp gaze caught the tensing of muscles at the mention of the disgusting hanyou. 'So...I was correct in my assumptions.' His eyes never left the lavender haired youkai as he continued. "For the time being, the shackles shall remain on you until I deem it fit to remove them. If you, for any reason whatsoever, attempt to injure myself or any others under me I shall not hesitate in ending your life. Understood?"

No response came.

The Taiyoukai growled deeply and grabbed Juromaru by the throat again, effortlessly lifting him. "Understood," he repeated.

Azure eyes locked onto his own gaze before Juromaru managed to incline his head ever so slightly.

He was dropped to the ground once more and didn't attempt to move from his position. His body screamed in pain and this youkai was much stronger than him, by getting up he would be showing defiance and truthfully...that was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. In an act of submission, he craned his head so his neck was visible and vulnerable for the Inu to attack if he so wished.

Sesshomaru mentally gave the youkai a bit of respect.

To understand one's place meant to accept it. Juromaru was obviously used to being beneath people and the Taiyoukai was almost fiercely determined to prove the difference between Naraku and himself. It unnerved the Taiyoukai but for the moment, he was fine with Juromaru thinking his fate would be to end up being shackled to a bed for the time being. In truth, Sesshomaru had plans for this youkai once he trained him. Juromaru would make an excellent ally to him and the West if all went according to plan.

A thought crossed his mind as he cast a glance at the bridle across the youkai's mouth. "Are you able to speak?"

Juromaru rose to his elbow before shaking his head slowly, keeping his eyes downcast. The Inu was already irritated enough.

When the Taiyoukai moved Juromaru almost ran but forced himself to stay, disregarding his instant instinct to flee. A claw slid up his cheek and in a swift movement, the heavy metal of the bridle fell to the ground with a muffled thump. He blinked and looked down at the item before raising his hand to cover his mouth to prove the thing was really on the ground. The skin beneath his hand was raw and sore but there. Sesshomaru was already different from Naraku and for once in his life...Juromaru had a bit of hope for a better life.

"What is your decision then, Juromaru?"

Again, blue eyes met the Taiyoukai's through lavender bangs.

After a long moment, Juromaru silently held his wrists out to the Taiyoukai, who in turn, took the chain in his hand as acceptance.

The agreement was settled, Juromaru would indeed obey him.

... ... ... ... ...

Rin looked up and smiled when she saw the Taiyoukai. "Good morning, Lord Sesshomaru."

Ah Uhn glance back as Sesshomaru came into the clearing, holding the chain almost lazily at his side and allowing Juromaru to walk behind him as an act of trust on his part. Ah cocked his head at this but made no move to do anything about and Uhn just stared ahead.

Jaken did his best not to stare, but failed miserably.

Sesshomaru growled at his vassal as he led Juromaru to the dragon. "You would do well to close your mouth, Jaken. One may be inclined to question your intentions."

Jaken balked. Was the cold demon actually teasing him?

It didn't seem possible.

Rin giggled, not seeing the pun of the joke but hearing the humor in her Lord's voice was enough to make her smile.

The Taiyoukai attached the heavy chain he held to Ah Uhn's saddle, giving the youkai a stern look. "Do not attempt to flee."

Juromaru hung his head in understanding, his arms held at his side. He silently watched as the human girl climbed on the two-headed dragon before Sesshomaru began leading them on.

The Taiyoukai would return to his to his castle and lands. Naraku was dead, at last, and now he could return and give his full attention to his lands...they were in desperate need of his council at the moment. For a moment, Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder at the silent youkai. 'I shall admit that he is indeed beautiful in both power and body.' Belittling himself for even thinking the thought, he turned back before anyone had time to see his gaze.

Rin smiled, looking at the shackled youkai walking beside her mount. Her Lord was a kind soul deep down, she knew that. He deserved more than anyone else to be happy. The idea of trying to get this person acquainted with her Lord was intriguing and she recalled a familiar term Kagome-chan had once taught her. Matchmaker. The girl grinned at the thought.

Her Lord would be happy if it was the last thing she ever did.

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End of Part 2

I hope you guys liked this chapter, I know it's kind of a filler but I need to kind of establish something for Sesshomaru and Juromaru to build on if I'm going to take this story anywhere.

Review for me!