Dealings of the Heart

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~ % ~ IK ~ % ~

Dealings of the Heart
By: ChibiInuTai

~ % ~

Chapter 5: Goodbye and Hello!

The next morning Inuyasha awoke in his brothers' room. He looked around to see his brother and Ayame still sleeping peacefully. Inuyasha stood up and stretched, popping his back, 'umm, sleeping on the floor was not a good thing....' Inuyasha let out a long yawn and walked over to the window, which overlooked the forest on the eastern side of the castle. The sun was just coming over the peak of the eastern mountains and would soon bathe the land with it's light

"Today would be a good day for travelling," Ayame said sleepily from beside him

"Yeah, it would" Inuyasha mused

"But we can't just leave your brother here like this after that battle," Ayame leaned on the window sill with a frown on her face, "if the two that escaped come back then he wouldn't be able to defend the castle."

"It was Tokijin that cause that damage to him," Inuyasha sighed, "and now that Tokijin is gone we don't have to worry about that happening again. Besides, this could be the perfect opportunity for Rin and Sesshomaru to get together."

Ayame smiled, "I'm sure Sesshomaru wouldn't mind if Rin took care of his wounds," Ayame let out a soft giggle, "we could leave today and get there by tomorrow night." Ayame ran one of her claws along a white scar on her arm

"How are your wounds?" Inuyasha asked suddenly

"They weren't as bad as they looked," Ayame told him, "They healed pretty quick and they are only scars now, which should be gone by tomorrow." Ayame smiled brightly as the sun rose over the mountains, casting it's warm light over the castle, "so beautiful..."

"Yeah, it kind of makes you appreciate the small things in life," Inuyasha sighed in content as the warmth from the sun flooded his body

"It also makes you half blind in the morning," Sesshomaru's tired and groggy voice called from behind them. Inuyasha and Ayame turned around to see Sesshomaru propped up against the wall behind his bead, a look of annoyance on his face

"Well good morning to you too," Ayame laughed as she walked over to the bed where Sesshomaru sat, "so, how are you feeling this morning?" Ayame kneeled down beside the bed and rested her head on her arms

"Like shit," Sesshomaru replied as he closed his eyes

Ayame raised an eyebrow at him and gave a look to Inuyasha, who just shrugged. "Well," Ayame said turning back to Sesshomaru, "I got something to make you feel better so I will," Ayame stood up and made her way to the door, "be right back." Ayame exited the room and Inuyasha shook his head, knowing exactly what she was up to

Inuyasha walked over to the bed and sat himself on the opposite end of the bed as Sesshomaru. Neither of them spoke, just sitting in a comfortable silence. "You protected me, why?" Sesshomaru asked, breaking the silence

"Honestly...I don't really know" Inuyasha admitted

"I owe you one, little brother," Sesshomaru opened his eyes to meet Inuyasha's gaze, "if it weren't for you I would be dead. So I thank you." Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't care but inside he was glad that a bond, no matter how small, had been formed between him and Sesshomaru

"Well it's good to see you two getting along," Inuyasha and Sesshomaru looked up to see Rin standing in the doorway, a small smile on her face. Her neck had a bandage wrapped around it and a medical box in her hand. Ayame stood behind her and smirked when Sesshomaru turned a light shade of pink

"How is your neck?" Sesshomaru asked, his gaze softening

"Just a bruise and a few scratches, nothing time won't heal," Rin replied with a shrug of her shoulders. Rin walked over to the bed and sat herself next to Sesshomaru and placed the medical box down on the bed, "let's get your bandages changed."

"I think this is where I leave..." Inuyasha jumped off the bed and made his way over to the door

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru called and Inuyasha turned to look at him, "don't think that you can postpone your leaving on my account. You WILL be leaving today, whether you like it or not." Inuyasha scowled at him and he smirked in return, "your stuff is in the back of the study, behind fathers' old journals."

"Ok then," Inuyasha and Ayame walked out of the room and closed the door. He led her down the halls and to the study, "you think anything will happen between those two?" Inuyasha asked with a mischievous glint in his eye

"I don't know but I hope that something does happen," Ayame giggled lightly as the two of them walked into the study. Inuyasha walked towards the back as Ayame looked at some of the books on the shelves. 'Forgotten Legends...The Legend of Kaguya Hime...Sex and Demons...Dark...' Ayame moved back, "Sex and Demons?" she picked up the book and raised an eyebrow curiously

Ayame opened the book to be met with elegant writing, but she could tell a human wrote it. She started reading the page she was on,

'Yuki lay on top of him, her silken skin heating up at the mere touch of the man she loved. She ran a hand down his bare, well-muscled chest and across his tight stomach. "I love you so much, and I need you now, Kai." Yuki whispered in Kai's ear. Her hand slipped down past his waist and her hand wrapped around his...'

"Whoa!" Ayame quickly closed the book and stared at it

"What?" Inuyasha asked as he returned from the back, with a small bag in hand. Ayame looked at the small bag doubtfully but then shrugged

"Let's just say your brother has a perverted side to him," Ayame smirked as she handed him the book, "take a look."

"Ok," Inuyasha set down his bag and opened the book. His eyes intently scanned the book and then he suddenly paled and slammed the book shut. Inuyasha handed the book back to Ayame and sat down in one of the chairs in the study. "That was...interesting..." Inuyasha suddenly smirked, "now I have something to torture my brother with."

"Oh, he is going to kill us," Ayame giggled as she set the book back down in it's place, "I wonder what else wonderful readings he has hidden away." Ayame smirked evilly, "nothing like a good book!" Inuyasha nodded and they set out trying to find what other secrets of Sesshomaru were hidden in the study

~ % ~ With Sesshomaru and Rin ~ % ~

Rin finished re-bandaging Sesshomaru's wound and put the soiled ones in a pile by the door. "All done," Rin said happily as she sat back down on the bed

"Thank you Rin," Sesshomaru's blush deepened when she put a hand on his shoulder. "Rin, there's something...I want to tell you," Sesshomaru pulled Rin into a hug, pinning her against his chest

"Sesshomaru..." Rin whispered

"Rin, I...I care for you, a lot and I have wanted to tell you how much you mean to me," Sesshomaru looked down into Rin's eyes and smiled, "if I would have lost you, I don't know what I would have done. When he was hurting you, all I could think about was you. I've always felt something for you ever since I first laid eyes on you but I never had a chance to tell you how I feel. Rin, will you allow me to court you?"

Sesshomaru, I..." Rin's eyes filled with tears and she leaned her head against Sesshomaru's chest. "Yes," She whispered as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks, "I've wanted you to ask me for so long...I didn't think you liked me like how I like you..."

Sesshomaru pulled Rin tighter to his chest, and smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you Rin, you have no idea how much this means..."

~ % ~ Meanwhile... ~ % ~

Kagome walk through the forest, the morning light playing on her face through the treetops. Kagome took the shard of the jewel out of her kimono as she approached the castle where her love resided. She walked up to the castle gates and kicked the door a couple times, "open up you little bastard!" Kagome yelled up at the window next to the gates

A large demon's head popped out of the window and scowled down at her. "What's the magic word?" the demon asked

"Goshinki, don't be an asshole and open the gates now!" Kagome yelled up, "I have to see Naraku, so unless you want to die then you'll do as I say!" Goshinki's head disappeared from the window and a loud clanking sound was heard from behind the gates. The giant doors swung open to reveal a very ugly, large, purple demon standing by the lever that opens the gate

"Happy now?" Goshinki asked sarcastically

"Very," Kagome replied as she walked purposefully past him. She made her way across the barren courtyard towards the double doors that led inside the castle. Before she reached the doors, the door was flung open to reveal Naraku and Kanna

"Kagome," Naraku smiled as he walked down the stone steps towards Kagome, "I was expecting you." Naraku wrapped his arms around Kagome and placed a kiss on her lips, "I knew you would be here, so I decided to meet you."

"How sweet of you," Kagome smiled at him as she places the shard of the sacred jewel in his hand, "and how did you know I would be here?"

"I would like you to meet my newest creation, Kanna." Naraku gestured to the white haired girl behind him, "With her mirror I can see things over a great distance and with this..." Naraku pulled a mirror out of his kimono, "I can keep in contact with you, my love."

Kagura took the mirror from him and looked at it carefully, "a magical mirror, I like, I like." Kagome put the mirror in her Kimono and wrapped her arms around Naraku's neck; "I take it I still have to play spy for a while more?"

"Yes, but don't worry if everything goes according to my plan then you wont have to anymore." Naraku nuzzled Kagome's neck and hugged her even tighter, "mmmm, you smell as good as always." Naraku licked Kagome's neck and picked her up bridle style. "You do this to me every time," Naraku smirked as he carried Kagome into the castle, "I need you right now, love."

"Your insatiable," Kagome giggled

"I know..." Naraku chuckled

~ % ~ Several hours later... ~ % ~

It was around midday and Rin and Sesshomaru stood in the castle gates saying their goodbyes to Inuyasha and Ayame. Ayame had tried to convince Sesshomaru that they should stay until his wounds are fully healed but Sesshomaru finally got them to agree to leave. Sesshomaru said that he could take care of himself, but Inuyasha and Ayame knew it was because he wanted time alone with Rin. (AN - wink, wink)

"Bye, Ayame I was really nice meeting you!" Rin gave Ayame a hug

"Some, here Rin. Hopefully we meet again." Ayame returned the hug

"I'll miss having you around Inuyasha." Rin smiled as she gives Inuyasha a hug as well

"Aw, Rin! You have Sesshomaru now!" Inuyasha joked but he returned her hug. Inuyasha turned to Sesshomaru, "you better treat her right or I'll come back and kick your ass."

"Like you could," Sesshomaru smirked at his brother, "we will meet again I'm sure. Goodbye Ayame, Inuyasha." Inuyasha and Ayame waved to Sesshomaru and Rin as they walked off towards the north

'This may be the last time we meet, little brother,' Sesshomaru thought, 'be safe, Inuyasha. Be safe and be happy.' Sesshomaru put an arm around Rin's shoulders and they watched until Ayame and Inuyasha were out of site before making their way back into the castle

"So, how far away is this place anyway?" Inuyasha asked

"About a day and a half if we run," Ayame informed him

"Then, let's run," Inuyasha smirked and started running in the direction that they were traveling. Ayame caught up with him easily so he put on another burst of speed to get ahead of her

"Are you challenging me to a race?" Ayame asked as she caught up with him again

"Damn right I am!" Inuyasha grinned at Ayame, "and I wont lose either!"

"You're going down!" Ayame laughed as she began to run at full speed

'Damn she's fast,' Inuyasha thought as he too started running at full speed, 'but I think I can beat her.' The two of them raced off towards the place they were going. Inuyasha didn't know much about the place they were going to but he knew he would find out as soon as he got there. Inuyasha was still a bit reluctant to go but went despite himself

~ % ~ IK ~ % ~

The sun was just setting in the west when they reached the borders of the northern lands. Inuyasha and Ayame had run for quite awhile and when they entered the northern territory they slowed to a walk. Ayame led the way, as Inuyasha was unfamiliar with the lay of the land. Ayame stopped suddenly and sniffed the air

"I thought you said the northern lands weren't too dangerous?" Inuyasha whispered from beside her. He to sniffed the air and the smell of wolves reached his sensitive nose. He raised an eyebrow at Ayame who smirked in return

"Stat quiet, follow me and watch the show," Ayame stifles a laugh with her hand as they snuck through the forest. Ayame came to the edge of a clearing and stopped, pointing Inuyasha to look. Inuyasha gave her a questioning look before looking over to where she was pointing

Two wolf demons sat on a hill, leaning against each other, sleeping. One had a big white Mohawk while the other had white hair with a black streak going down the middle. Inuyasha chuckled lightly, "I take it they should be on duty," a smirk made it's way across his face, "should I give them a good scare?"

"They should be on duty but as usual they fell asleep," Ayame shook her head, "go ahead and wake them up. I don't even know why Kouga makes them go on duty when all they do is sleep!"

"There's a reason for everything," Inuyasha said with a wink before he started walking purposefully towards the two sleeping wolf demons. Inuyasha stood over the wolf demons with an evil smirk on his face. Inuyasha bent down near their heads, drew in a breath and scream at the top of his lungs, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"AH!" They both jumped up and smack their heads together accidentally. Once they got a hold of themselves they spotted Inuyasha, who was laughing his head off. The two wolf demons yelled in unison, "DEMON!" The two wolf demons pounced on Inuyasha, pinning him to the ground and growled loudly

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" the one with the Mohawk asked

"I'm a big bad demon who likes to eat wolves for dinner," Inuyasha said jokingly, "you two look mighty tasty." Inuyasha licked his lips in a mock threatening manner. Suddenly loud laughter was heard from the trees and the three of them looked up to see Ayame leaning against a tree

"Oh, haha, wolves for dinner! Hehe, that's a good one!" Ayame only started laughing harder as she walked over to where the two wolf demons had Inuyasha pinned

"Stay away Ayame! This demon is dangerous!" the demon with the Mohawk warned

"Ginta, Hakkaku, meet Inuyasha. Inuyasha meet Ginta and Hakkaku." Ayame introduced them, "and don't worry he wont harm you at all. He's like a little puppy."

"I am not a puppy!" Inuyasha said indignantly as Ginta and Hakkaku reluctantly got off of him. Inuyasha sat up and looked at Ginta and Hakkaku who were looking at him doubtfully. "God, don't be so afraid. I wont actually hurt you, unless you piss me off."

"Ayame, how do you know this guy?" Hakkaku asked

"Yeah and why are you traveling with him?" Ginta asked

"Remember the deal Kouga was making with Lord Sesshomaru?" Ayame asked and they both nodded. Ayame rolled her eyes at their stupidity, "this is him, morons." Ginta and Hakkaku's eyes widened in shock and their mouths hung open, totally speechless. "You guys, don't gawk and take us to Kouga."

"Sure thing Ayame," Ginta shook his head and he and Hakkaku started walking off to the north and slightly east

The four of them walked for what seemed like an hour before they finally reached their destination. Inuyasha stood there, a stunned look on his face as he observed his surroundings. They stood in a great valley with many cliffs, waterfalls and springs. Wolves sat and lay about the valley either playing or watching others with smiles on their faces

"You like?" Ayame asked slyly as she nudged him in the side

"Better then being in a stuffy old castle!" Inuyasha chuckled, "much better."

"Ginta, Hakkaku, I'm taking him to meet Kouga, we'll see you later." Ayame grabbed Inuyasha wrist and began leading him through the valley. Inuyasha looked towards a wolf that just made a catcall

"Hey Ayame who's the man? Your new mate?" the wolf demon called

"No! And no you can't have him either!" Ayame called back as she continued leading Inuyasha through the valley. Ayame stopped at one of the many waterfalls and an evil grin came across her features. 'Oh Inuyasha's in for it,' Ayame turned to Inuyasha with an evil glint in her eyes

"Ayame?" Inuyasha asked doubtfully as he stared at the waterfall. Suddenly Inuyasha was pulled off his feet with significant force and sent crashing into the waterfall. Inuyasha raised his hands in front of him, expecting to his rocks behind the waterfall. Inuyasha was surprised when he passed through the waterfall and into a vast cave with many huts lining the sides

"Heya!" Ayame jumped through the waterfall and right onto his back. Inuyasha stumbled forward and landed on the ground with a soft 'oomph!' Ayame patted him on the back as she got off of him, "welcome to one of our many dens. This is the main den."

"It's...nice," Inuyasha smiled as he looked around. 'This place...' Inuyasha thought, 'why does it feel so...peaceful and homely...' Inuyasha watched as a young pup ran out of one of the huts giggling happily followed by a laughing wolf demoness, probably his mother

As they walked through the cave Inuyasha observed the wolf demons and the wolves. Everyone seemed happy, friendly and always smiling at one thing or another, no matter how small. Inuyasha felt a smile coming up on his face as he watched some of the pups playing around nearby

"Kind of makes you appreciate the small things in life," Ayame said as she watched Inuyasha smile at the pups

"Yeah, it does," Inuyasha looked over at Ayame, "is it always like this?"

"Yeah, most of the time," Ayame replied as she turned her attention back to where she was walking.

'I could get used to this,' Inuyasha smiled at the thought of living here for the rest of his life, 'I could defiantly get used to this. Makes me forget about this Kouga guy.' Inuyasha stopped as a pup ran up to him and looked up at him with curious eyes

"Who you mister?" the pup asked with a cute tilting of her head

"My names Inuyasha, what's yours?" Inuyasha asked as he knelt down to the little girls level, a sign of equality

"My names Riana," she told him

"Well, Riana, it's very nice to meet you," Inuyasha patted the pup on the head, "now you go run along and play, me and Ayame have to go see Kouga."

"Okay!" Riana gave Inuyasha a hug around the neck before running off to join the other pups in their game

Inuyasha stood up, slightly shocked that the little girl had just hugged him. He walked forward again with Ayame who was smiling brightly at him. "The pups will absolutely love you," Ayame patted him on the shoulder, "you treat them as equals and not like they are below you and they will love you for it."

Inuyasha couldn't help but smile. Someday he would have pups of his own. 'Someday...' Inuyasha thought happily as they approached the end of the cave where a larger hut stood. Ayame walked up and pulled the flap aside allowing him entrance and she began to show him around

The place turned out to be a four-room hut, each room having a specific purpose. The first room she showed him was a kitchen, complete with fire pit, counters, and shelves. The second room she showed him was a 'common room' where the owner of the house would sit with whatever guests he had. The third room she showed him was the bathing area, which, much to Inuyasha's surprise, contained it's own little hot spring. She finally stopped at the entrance to the fourth room

"This is the bedroom where you will sleep," Ayame slid open the sliding door and Inuyasha gasped. The room was huge by normal standards; it held two clothes chests, a few fine chairs, a fire pit, a large looking closet and a very huge bed. Inuyasha was slightly confused when he saw a large wolf sleeping in the middle of the large bed. The wolf was covered in brown fur and had a black streak going down it's back

Ayame noticed his gaze on the bed and turned to see a wolf lying there. She let out a sigh and walked over to the bed and poked the wolf in the side, "wake up sleepy head." The wolf opened its eyes to reveal two coral blue eyes. The wolf barked in annoyance at Ayame from being woken up from its nap. "Don't bark at me like that! Your guest is here so get your ass back in your normal form!"

The wolf looked up, coral eyes meeting golden, and it's tail wagged slightly. The wolf sat up on its haunches and closed its coral blue eyes. Fur turned to skin and paws turned to hands and feet as the wolf transformed into a humanoid form. Where once was the large wolf now sat a very nude wolf demon

He had long black hair that cascaded down his back and the coral blue eyes once again met Inuyasha's golden ones. He was well muscled on every part of his body and flawless skin. Inuyasha averted his eyes before they traveled to low and he heard the wolf demon chuckle

"You must be Inuyasha," the wolf demon said, "my name is Kouga."

~ % ~ IK ~ % ~

AN - Aww, brotherly bonding! How cute! XD

Inuyasha has a soft side for pups! ^_^

Notice how the chapters keep getting longer and longs? I do and if they get any longer my hands will fall off from typing so much!

Reviews are welcome! Reviews make me happy!