Legacy of Loss

Note to Reviewers:
Princess Sin - the beads…good point, I’ve worked them into the next chapter

ajj7sunhawk - I find Jaken annoying, but, Sesshoumaru seemed to like having him around so I intend to keep up with him until I figure out just why that is :o) Plus he’s excellent as an info source. I’m trying my best to keep everyone in character. I actually find Rin hard to write, she’s very complex. She is a child but she takes care of herself and has been for a long time before Sesshoumaru. She’s also seen and experienced things most adults never do. I believe she has an innocent maturity.

C-Loke, vampress, dd, Demitria Miriam, Maria Sesshoumaru and ThinkPink thank you all for your comments *hugs*

Notes: This is the necessary but annoying information chapter. I hope this chapter makes the sense I wanted it to, I was having trouble putting in words the explanation.

A note on the last part, the episode that Sesshoumaru said ‘Do as you see fit. Though I warn you, I shall be the one to destroy Inuyasha.’ to Kikyo was in the first movie, affections touching across time.

And for those who haven’t seen…English captioned new season is staring to come out, let me know if you need a link. *big scary grin*

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Legacy of Loss
Chapter 4c
Fluffy vs. The Journey There


Jaken was muttering something toadish and Sango was beating the hell out of Miroku. The others of the group watched as everyone stood in front of the room the guys were staying in. The red clad hanyou took in a deep sniff of the morning air that filled the room from the open window as he woke up to the familiar sounds.

“I thought we were supposed to be quiet so Inuyasha could sleep?” Shippo was asking.

“How could you Miroku?!” The words were emphasized with a sound slap after each across the monk’s already bruised face.

“Sango, please, you misunderstood what they were saying!” The monk pleaded with open desperation, trying to block the abuse from his face.

This, he deserved.

“How can ‘The monk was the best lover I’ve ever had! Last night brought me closer to the Kami!’ be misinterpreted, Miroku?” She growled with more ferociousness than any demon could muster.

“Seems pretty straight forward to me, you lecher,” Kagome sated with her hands on her hips and one foot tapping the ground restlessly.

A massive yawn that caused his tongue to loll out and curl overtook Inuyasha’s face. He squatted and nailed an itch behind his ear with his foot then blinked a few times. He rose to his feet and rolled his shoulders that caused his spine to pop and stretch nicely. With a grunt of satisfaction he slipped his sword into its customary position at his hip. Then next he reached down and scooped the fluff into his arms. “Hey, kid, this is yours I think. You shouldn’t let Miroku borrow your stuff. No telling what he’ll do to it.” He stated sleepily as he dropped the Mokomoko into Rin’s eager hands.

“Mokomoko! Thank you Little Lord!” She exclaimed happily as she strangled the fluff in a hug.

“As much as I wish to take credit for such flattery to my skills - as any man would - there are many monks around here, my dear Sango.” Miroku was hurriedly attempting to shift the blame.

Sango was not buying it; her features were bright red and her fingers spasmed at her side, “Miroku…”

“You liar, I swear I’ve never met such a manipulative holy man!” Kagome shouted in disgust. “Why do we put up with you? Have some respect for Sango’s feelings you adulterous slug!”

Inuyasha just twitched his ears as he stood behind the kids and Jaken. “Humans! Such loud, offensive creatures!” the retainer was muttering.

“You should be right at home with them then.” Inuyasha sneered.

“…feelings?” Miroku looked almost hopeful for a moment before back-peddling at high speed. “I had better go and see if we can have some breakfast.” He darted away from the girls hastily.

“Miroku!” Sango bellowed as she launched her hiraikotsu and narrowly missed the monk as he booted around a corner. She growled savagely as she caught the weapon on its return arc and ran after him.

“Come back here and fess up monk!” Kagome yelled as she pursued the pair. She didn’t want them to kill each other after all. Relationships were so much more dangerous in the feudal era!

Inuyasha’s large eyes blinked sleepily as the ‘adults’ took off down the corridor. He reached up and scratched the back of his neck with a shrug before following after them. The kids babbling away happily and Jaken was plodding along beside him.

Had Miroku said something about breakfast?

It was after a simple, but appreciated breakfast, that the group thanked their hosts and learned that there had been a snake attack in the early morning hours. A couple of the village men had been attacked and one killed but not eaten. The first victim had been crushed and the other was in the process of being smothered before one of the men’s wives interrupted. It had been too dark to see it clearly but she had screamed and the beast had slithered away which saved the second man. His ribs had been broken and he was disoriented regarding the whole event.

The group took a look to see if they could find a trail. But the path vanished into the underbrush and Inuyasha couldn’t get a good scent with all the human activity around. There was nothing they could do. The villagers thanked them for trying and waved them on their way with a few supplies. Walking back to their homes they talked quietly about what happened.

“Poor Damu, he was outspoken, but no one deserves to die like that.”

“May his soul be guided to the afterlife.”

“Indeed. It was good of the strangers to offer their help.”

“Yes, but what’s done is done and all that and the beastie got away. No point in having them hang around.”

The group left the village and continued on their uncertain journey south-west. The days passed fairly uneventfully as the odd company moved over the land. They, of course, stopped often to rest and discuss what they would face at the palace. They would also help anyone in need they crossed at Kagome’s insistence. Then once they went off course to pursue a jewel shard.

The hunters were also wondering why Naraku had been so quiet lately. They feared he was plotting something since that’s usually what happened when he was quiet. They also wondered if he had been involved with Sesshoumaru’s death. Just because his scent wasn’t there didn’t mean he wasn’t somehow involved. Except if he had been responsible, the bastard would have come and bragged by now.

They pestered Jaken often for information as they grew closer to their destination. The further they were entrenched in Sesshoumaru’s territory, the more nervous and agitated Inuyasha became. As it was now Jaken assured them that they would reach the home of Inuyasha’s ancestral rule the next day.

The exasperating green mouth-piece claimed that the ancestral palace had started off as a modest cave. At the time Inuyasha’s ancestor had owned only it and his territory encompassed the island on which it sat. Over the centuries each family had added a little more to the home and ventured their territory out a little farther. Until the Inu no Tashio had reached the height of his powers and became a daiyoukai. He was a Lord not only in title, but a Lord in strength as well.

A demon could be a daiyoukai both ways. It was his prowess which made him a daiyoukai more than the title he adopted. So in essence, the Lord of the West was the strongest demon and the territory was his to hunt and manage. The title of Lord came a little later. His territory was made by having each of the youkai leaders in the smaller territories swear allegiance to him. It would seem that the land and initial title would be passed to Inuyasha but it was up to him to keep the territory by gaining the respect of the smaller territory leaders. There were only three ways to lay claim to the title and land of his father. It could either be taken by defeating the Lord in combat, if it wasn’t wanted by the victor or if the Lord died of old age then it could be inherited by the next of kin. Often if the demon wasn’t strong enough after inheriting the title, another demon would kill them and take it. The only other way was if the next of kin had a dominant partner, then the title would fall to them instead. Shippo had wondered if that meant Kagome was now Lord of the West. The notion was promptly knocked from his head by Inuyasha’s fist.

Jaken took great pleasure in informing them at length of Sesshoumaru’s great endeavours in maintaining the realm his father had won and in its expansion. Sesshoumaru had dreamed of supreme conquest. To a human that would mean lands and wealth, but to a demon it was strength and power. To be the strongest there was. The ultimate alpha and dominant demon on earth. Because of his strength and the size of his territory though, wealth and possessions came to him in course. He had no desire or use for such trivial things. But it had to be managed. What was his could not be taken or misused in any manner as it would reflect badly upon his dominance. As such, the ancestral palace was run by a hierarchy of staff. He rarely visited his home, but it was still his.

The palace, along with much of the territories, had been partially destroyed in the battle against Ryukotsusei. Sesshoumaru had been thrust into power before the ashes had even cooled on his home. While his father’s body lay burning in a human settlement a world away he was left to deal with the utter chaos that followed the dragon’s imprisonment. Many of the strongest demons had been killed by Ryukotsusei in his quest for power by his army’s steel and flame. Many clans were left leaderless, as such; many internal battles amid the territory were wagging as different groups sought new leaders. There were many casualties after as leaders were replaced and new boarders of territories drawn.

Lord Sesshoumaru had spent the first fifty years of his reign as Lord of the Western Lands earning his title. He fought down those who wished to take his place and gained the fear and respect of those in his father’s old boarders. He even managed to expand his range a bit and settle the disputes of the demons under him in his territory.

So for fifty years he roamed and marked his territory setting it to his liking. He gathered a following much in the course of his own quest to strengthen himself. Eventually he grew tired of the crowd and returned to his ancestral home. He set those who claimed they wished to follow him to work cleaning and rebuilding it until it became the great establishment it was today. Sesshoumaru did not hesitate in killing any who chose to loot the remains or those who did not obey his wishes. The rebuilding of the structure took about sixty-three years to accomplish. As the fame of Houkou Tsuki Uta’s wealth and position to be under the protection of Lord Sesshoumaru grew, so did its population. Though, many did not even know what Lord Sesshoumaru looked like who lived there since he visited so rarely.

Inuyasha listened in mild awe to what Jaken claimed. It seemed his brother wasn’t as spoiled a brat as was sometimes thought. He’d had to fight and earn his title and power and respect as well. The hanyou mulled over these thoughts about how he’d been wrong to assume everything had just been handed to the bastard. His ears drooped slightly in realization. With a sigh he turned his attention back to the toad seated by the fire. “So…how does this whole thing work? I’m a Lord in title right? But not power yet…that’s gotta be earned. If I’m Lord of the Western Lands in title and there’s lords under me…do they gotta do what I say? How many are there and do I gotta get their allegiance too? How do I do that? And what about all the human Lords and crap around here. They’re in charge of the same area I’m supposed to be. Do they listen to me too? Won‘t our authority overlap an‘ stuff?” He asked incredulously.

The entire group sat around the campfire listening to the exchange. Shippo and Rin were even paying attention from where they sat engrossed in a game of checkers. Shippo had enchanted the pieces so that they moved on their own accord.

Jaken gave a long suffering sigh. Why him? He could leave and be done with these fools. But then who would take care of Rin? And he couldn’t stand idly by and see all of Lord Sesshoumaru’s hard work be destroyed! Never! Jaken would give all he had to see the legacy and legend of Lord Sesshoumaru alive. The first thing to do was to build a massive statue of his lord and start a small group who were devoted to - right, the hanyou filth needed him to explain the basics of demon politics. “Why you don’t know these basic principles you foolish cr- ow!”

Inuyasha punched his head lightly. “Look, no demon was ever interested in what I did except if it lead to me being an easy meal. No one told me notin’ why should I know? I never thought I’d be in this situation! Hell, no one else did either.”

They remained uncomfortably silent for a few minutes before Jaken sighed again. He flopped down with his staff propped beside him. “True, no one ever expected Lord Sesshoumaru to be…overpowered by some conniving wench! Hmph! I will do my best to answer your petty questions in a way you will understand half-breed.”

Inuyasha growled and flexed his claws.

“Starting right now!” Jaken hurried. “The demon tier system is rather similar to the human’s. They most likely stole it from us the ingrates. The human’s are ranked from greatest importance as: Emperor, Shogun, Samurai, farmer/peasant, artisan, merchant, then the rest such as Ainu, bard, slave and pleasure worker and other ‘unclean’ professions by human standards. Each ranked in their own tier by skill and accomplishment. Demons are a bit more complicated because we are all so different. Many demons are instinctual and animalist, some are created by the embodiment of strong human emotions or experience, while others still are intelligent, independent individuals. Some demons live alone, some in families, some in clans or packs and some in sophisticated communities. Some are nomads, some have territory, and some have villages, some…”

Inuyasha yawned, “Yeah, yeah, get on with it.”

“Hmph. Silence half-bread. Do you want my help or not?” Jaken snapped.

“I do. But, could ya make it quicker? I’m falling asleep here. Hey! Knock it off!” he growled at the small warrior from the checker game that was attacking his big toe.

“Sorry, Little Lord, return to formation please.” Rin asked and the checker marched back to its square and gave Rin a wobbly bow.

“Insolent Children, ningen and a half-breed. How I have fallen….Oh…my beloved and perfect Lord Sesshoumaru! I will erect a temple in your honour! I will devote my life to fulfilling your every command in life! I will be your humble servant even in your demise! I will kill that unworthy, treacherous wench who dared believe that Lord Sesshoumaru was remotely in the same league as her snivelling self! My most - ack! Must you do that?” Jaken whined as he rubbed another large welt on his head.

Miroku lowered his staff serenely. “I was merely wishing to redirect you back to the topic at hand before you became too impassioned. Please, continue with our teachings Master Jaken.”

“Indeed.” The green kappa put on his best stoic expression. Unfortunately, it made him look more constipated than anything else. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. Demons have a more complicated hierarchy.”

“So you’ve said. What is this hierarchy?” Kagome asked genuinely curious.

“I’m getting to that! Now stop interrupting me!” Jaken flailed in frustration.

“Alright. Geeze. I was just asking.” Kagome huffed.

“Demons have a complicated, many layered system that you can basically summarize into five tiers. But before you can understand the tiers you need to understand how the society works. Power and strength dictates how far a youkai will rise. Those who are intelligent, powerful and can often walk among humans in their retained form are considered the highest of demons. Those who are animalistic and function on instinct alone are the lowest of our kinds. Pay attention you mongrel!” Jaken snapped.

“Keh,” Inuyasha finished yawing.

“I don’t know why I’m bothering…” For Sesshoumaru, Jaken reminded himself. “The bottom tier is that of the Nomads. These are demons that have no territory to call their own and who are alone. The roam from place to place and survive the best they are able. They are of no interest to a Lord in most cases.”

“The next tier up is the Small Territory Demons. Most of these have a small area they call home and live on their own or with their immediate family. A good example would be, Jinenji, even if he is a hanyou. Another would be that pair of centipede demons we defeated on our way here. Most demons in this tier have little power.”

“We?” asked Sango. “I believe Miroku rescued you after you fainted, while I finished off the mates.”

“A trivial detail ningen,” Jaken waved her off. “I was preparing for my attack.”

“By cowering behind Kagome first?” Inuyasha demanded.

“Moving on.” Jaken changed the topic back quickly. “The third tier is the Middle Territory Demons. Often these are demons that live in large families like the kitsune here, or are skilled craftsmen like Totosai. Now Inuyasha, pay attention to this. There can be several small territory youkai living in a middle territory youkai’s range. They simply overlay. Often because they share resources. Let me see, an example, perhaps the old Thunder Brothers. Their territory was over and all around the Kitsune’s family, correct? Though, they were considered Large Territory Youkai before their deaths. You, Inuyasha will have to keep an eye on the middle territory youkai. Often your reputation will be enough for them. There is little need for contact with that tier.”

“The Large Territory leaders you will need to gain the respect of either by fear or friendship as the case may demand. These are youkai which are powerful. They often have large packs or clans and large tracks of area in which they hunt, gather and dwell. Sometimes even towns. The hierarchy of each demon clan is not important for you to know. Many are different depending on their needs and species. What is important is that the leaders of these territories acknowledge your dominance. A large territory leader like that ridiculous wolf, Kouga, can have several middle territory demons and many small territory demons living in his.”

“As Lord of the Western Lands, you Lord” Cough. “Inuyasha, are the most powerful youkai in the West. Your territory now overlays all these lesser youkai’s because your strength and stature means that you require a large territory to roam. All you inherit is the title and the palace. You must win the range of your brother’s by having all those who live in it submit to your dominance and recognize you are the strongest demon in the area. Understand?” Jaken snarked.

“Keh.” Inuyasha understood just fine.

“So…the Lord of the Western Lands is about personal strength and dominance. It has nothing to do with ruling a kingdom like humans do,” Sango mused. “We had often wondered exactly what being a daiyoukai meant.” She added thinking of her lost village.

“In essence, the Lord of the West in demons rules everything, yet has nothing. Intriguing.” Miroku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is the lesser demons with the politics and possessions. The Lord is simply the strongest and roams over them, most of them not even knowing.”

“Not entirely. Every demon knew Lord Sesshoumaru in his territory.” Jaken sniffed. “And the ridiculous creatures would demand that he decide this and kill that for them. At least the ones silly enough to approach did.”

“But, how does this relate to the human rule? And why did Sesshoumaru wander around so much when he had this amazing castle on his own island?” Kagome asked as she flicked one of the wandering checkers away from her short skirt hem.

“Because, ignorant miko, Lord Sesshoumaru was building an empire. His desire was for supreme conquest and not a meagre castle on a rock and petty trinkets of metal. He was perfecting and increasing his strength by defeating all strong forces. He had no point in sitting in a castle when he was cultivating his own powers and reputation in the world. He desired to be the best. He did not require anything but to perfect and master his own abilities. Since he had claimed full dominion over the Western region, he had been planning to challenge and hone his skills in other regions too. Once my Lord had proven himself to be the most powerful his ambitions were able to make him, he would have settled down and begun to form a more unified civilization, I am certain. For now, those who wished to devote themselves to him and serve him, lived at his castle, Houkou Tsuki Uta. Those who are loyal to him from fear or respect vowed their resources and labour to him should he desire it. His range is massive and he inspects it constantly.”

“The humans have no meaning to us other than being ignorant pests. They divide and conquer land that is over our territories claiming it to be theirs. They created many of the demon ancestors and then try to kill us. When these humans ravage the land and take away the food sources we demons depend on…the humans fill that niche.”

“Master Jaken, why would you and Rin travel with Lord Sesshoumaru when you could have remained safe in his estate?” Miroku inquired curiously.

“Lord Sesshoumaru doesn’t like company, true. He wished to become greater than his father on his own…which he was! I am but his most loyal servant! I would follow him anywhere! Rin remains with us for her own protection. I don’t know why my Lord decided to keep her, but she would not be safe alone in the castle.”

“He didn’t trust those loyal to him?” Kagome asked.

Inuyasha grunted in response. His hands buried in the sleeves of his fire-rat robes as he basked in the warmth radiating from their camp fire. “They’re demons Kagome. A human kid’s an easy meal.”

“Impudent half-breed. Most would not dare to touch the girl, but not all are trustworthy in his lands and many would try to use the child to manipulate him in some way. Such loss of control in his den would be unseemly, but not unexpected. Plus, Lord Sesshoumaru liked to keep his most worthy possession and responsibilities close and Rin was his. Thus, he would want the child under his eye.” Jaken stifled a yawn.

“So, he did care about her, and you too Master Jaken,” Sango said softly.

“Keh.”

“Hmph. My Lord is not affected by such human weakness…” His beak wavered slightly as his eyes grew round with hope. “…Do you think he did care? About me?”

“Of course, Jaken, I can’t see him keeping you around him for so long otherwise. Perhaps he was lonely and enjoyed your company…for some reason?” Sango offered.

Jaken burst into tears. “Oh! Lord Sesshoumaru!”

Inuyasha slunk back from the warm fire and his ears flattened against his skull at the sound. “Not again. Would you cut that out?” He was feeling uncomfortable about all this talk about Sesshoumaru caring again. The bastard didn’t. He didn’t want Inuyasha near him except to beat his ass, he didn’t care. It wasn’t fair. Then again, nothing ever was in this shitty life was it? It pissed him off. What did the toad and the kid have that he didn’t?

“Yes, again.” Miroku sighed rubbing his temple.

Inuyasha turned to find Kirara curled up in the fluff while Ah and Uh used it as a pillow. They were all drooling on it. “Hey!” He barked out in agitation and sprang to his feet. He grabbed it and yanked it out from under them. “This ain’t a pillow!”

Kirara blinked up at him in confusion. The Two-headed dragon looked blankly at the hanyou with mild annoyance in its twin features. The hanyou glared at them both as he discretely hugged the fluff to his chest protectively and gave it a subtle sniff. The thing stank. Horribly. His sensitive nose hairs were curling with distaste. It was also soggy, waxy, oiled, dirtied and Mirokued. Yet, past all that, there was still a bit of Sesshoumaru’s sharp and dominant scent woven into the thing.

Inuyasha let his golden eyes close briefly as he soaked in the odour of the bastard he loved to hate and who had been bringing him so much confusion. He gently pet the Mokomoko before lightly setting it next to Rin. Before wiping his now sticky hand on the grass with distaste. “I’m gonna sleep now. The kappa’s ramblings have knocked me out. Would you lot try an’ keep out of trouble for a bit?”

“Hmph!”

“Have a good sleep Inuyasha. I believe I will go to bed as well, Kirara?”

“Mew.”

“May your dreams be blessed and peaceful, my friend. Try not to snore too loudly and ruin my meditations.”

“Keh.”

“Thank you for rescuing Mokomoko Little Lord. Ah and Un, time for bed!”

One head yawned while the other was already snoring quietly.

“Yeah, bed sounds like a plan. C’mon Shippo.”

“Aww, but Kagome, I’m not tired yet! I’m a full demon ya know! I don’t need to sleep as much as you guys.” Shippo sulked around a massive pink yawn as Rin put the board and checkers away.

“Now Shippo. We all need to rest, tomorrow will be a long and dangerous day. We need to be alert and ready for anything.” Kagome explained patiently as she prepared he sleeping bag.

“But…I’m a powerful demon.” Shippo boasted. They all knew he needed to get to bed, on the nights he was really tired he tended to be even more difficult than usual until he passed out.

“I know you are Shippo.” Kagome slid into her padded and warm bag.

“Shippo, we want you to stay close to Kagome and keep watch over her. The rest of us are too tired to be alert tonight. This is the true reason we want you to go to bed.” Miroku whispered in a conspiratorial tone to the kitsune. The little demon’s large green eyes lit up in understanding and he nodded to the monk.

“Hmph. Powerful? That kitsune? Stop filling his head with lies he’s no more than a puny child!” Jaken huffed.

“I may be a child but I’ve had a lot more experience than you and I’m definitely stronger than you are!” Shippo scowled at the kappa.

“More powerful than me? I think not! You have no skills!” Jaken sputtered in annoyance. The two were now standing toe to toe and eyeing one another.

“Geeze. I thought Jaken was supposed to be old and wise.” Kagome deadpanned.

“Oh, he is,” Rin assured the miko loyally as she stretched and finished packing away the checkers in Kagome‘s bag. The Mokomoko was sitting by the fire where she would retrieve it in a moment. “He just gets over-excited sometimes.”

“Sometimes?” Sango asked quietly from her blanket roll.

“It is hard to be a small youkai. They get picked on a lot so he needs to be on guard. Plus, Master Jaken says that Lord Sesshoumaru and I don’t worry enough sometimes so he worries for us.”

“That does make sense, Lady Rin, it just seems that poor Master Jaken is more worried than is healthy for one his size.” Miroku smiled as he sat across from the Sango and Kagome out of groping distance.

“I’m a mighty fox demon, I have lots of skills.” Shippo announced proudly holding his head up high.

“Skills like what you foolish child? You have nothing that can compare to the Staff of Two Heads that my Lord lovingly bestowed on me!” Jaken countered boldly.

“Yeah? Well I have…FOX FIRE!” Shippo shouted throwing a bolt of blue flame from his hand.

“That’s nothing, see this, THE STAFF OF TWO HEADS!” Jaken screamed and the staff belted out a bolt of flame in the same direction.

Rin screamed.

“What is it now Rin?” Jaken snapped irritably.

Rin flailed and pointed to the writhing Mokomoko “You put it on fire Master Jaken and Shippo!!”

The two diminutive males began running in circles. “Water! We need water!” Shippo screamed.

“I know that you fool! Where is the water!” Jaken screamed back.

Rin screamed and ran around in a circle with them. While Kagome, Miroku and Sango all starred at the scene in shock.

“Gah! Oh crap!” Inuyasha cried out and bolted from the tree he had just settled into, tore off his haori and smothered it over the burning pelt and desperately began patting it until he had extinguished the flames. Rocking back to sit on his heels he lifted the red fire-rat cloth and peered at the Mokomoko worriedly. Gently he lifted the poor thing and checked to see the damage. Thankfully, only the fur on the one end was singed off. He sighed. “You ok?” he asked barely above a whisper as he gently stroked the fluffy thing.

The Mokomoko twitched. It was not amused and would see to the proper discipline of these children. It did find the petting disturbingly soothing though.

Inuyasha twitched in turn. “Would you guys please try to not destroy this thing?!”

“Everyone, just calm down!” Kagome ordered before things got out of hand. “We all need to rest, morning isn’t that far away. Rin, Shippo, come to bed.”

“Yes, Lady Kagome,” Rin said sadly as she walked over and held her hands out to Inuyasha. “Is it alright?”

“Yeah…I think,” Inuyasha grudgingly handed the fluff to the kid. He was seriously worried about handing it over again. Why couldn’t they leave the Mokomoko alone? Why couldn’t they understand what it meant to him?

“Thank you.” Rin chirped happily and hugged the fluff before retreating to Kagome’s sleeping bag. After a great deal of shuffling around everyone settled into a restless night. The children kept wiggling and waking up Kagome who would glance worriedly into the tree branches at Inuyasha. Miroku sat in deep meditation but his mind would not focus. Sango would stir in her sleep and soothe Kirara who kept twitching her black paws in a nightmare. All the disturbances kept making Ah and Un wake up and glance around uncertainly, in search of his master. While Jaken muttered away and seemed to be running a marathon on the spot.

Inuyasha desperately tried to get some sleep. Instead he ended up staring blankly at the moon. Fretting over his friends and the task that lay before them. Would he be able to keep the territory his brother had roamed? Would he be able to keep the demons here under him? He had no real desire to do it. He didn’t want to attract more attention then he already did on a daily basis. He just wanted to live…with his friends…no battles because of his blood. No politics or stupid manipulations or battles for dominance.

But, he had to, He would not let the title or his brother’s hard won territory fall into disgrace. Sesshoumaru would never forgive him if he did. Oh, hell, he might expect him to fail or run, but he would not! He would show all of ‘em that the hanyou son of the Inu no Tashio was the strongest demon or human around. He would prove it once and for all. He would gain his brother’s respect at last from the after-life. Or he’d just piss him off for eternity…hard to know with that temperamental bastard. No matter, it would be for all Sesshoumaru had worked for.

He would not fail.

As the rest of the members of the group drifted in uneasy sleep, Sango rose before the sun snuck up past the horizon to caress the tree-tops and a certain sleeping hanyou with its warm tickling fingers. She moved with a purpose. She glanced around to ensure her sleeping companions remained so before moving with the same stealth her nekomata could employ. Swiftly the slayer untangled the mokomoko from the sleeping girl and gathered it into her hands. Her features determined as she left camp and darted toward the river.

She looked at it critically as she reached the bank before she held the mokomoko out from her with distaste. It was stained, slightly burnt, missing fur, and coloured with crayons. It stank as well.

Frankly, the thing needed a thorough scrubbing if it was to remain in camp. The little girl had told her that the Lord Sesshoumaru had never washed it to her knowledge. Sango was also certain that Lord Sesshoumaru had never put the fluffy thing through as much as Rin had in the last few days.

Sango was aware that Inuyasha had become rather protective and attached to the mokomoko. She supposed it was his way of dealing with the grief of losing his brother. He associated the boa with Sesshoumaru’s scent and presence. She sighed deeply, she could relate to that grief and need to cling to something to remember.

The least she could do for her friend was to clean the fluffy thing before they reached the palace.

With determination Sango tossed the entire length of the once white fur into the cold river and began to scrub viscously and without mercy. She used her nails and hands as well as a significant amount of Kagome’s intensely strawberry scented soap. She did not relent until the fluffy article was back to its previous white glory. Yes, a bunch of the fur had come out; she had to use her dagger to lop off some because it had gotten matted. But, it was clean and smelled wonderful.

Roughly she wrung out the distressed garment with her hands before returning to camp and tossing it to flop limply over a tree branch to dry. Just before Miroku stirred from his sleep to regard her return with questioning eyes.

The abused Mokomoko lay sodden and limp across its branch. Trembles of furry quivering its length. It had never undergone such humiliation. It was going to kill them all. Slowly. Agonisingly. With pleasure.