Fair Trade

Disclaimer: I got so much crap for Christmas! (not literally ‘crap’)
Outsider

Shippou, Sango, and Miroku all headed out of Kaede’s hut shortly after noon to get a much needed break from Inuyasha, who still had not healed from Kikyou’s arrow. Kaede, also needing a break, followed them. She had to pay closest attention to Inuyasha, so she had to put up with much more than they did.

After walking a ways from the village they all settled down on a hill to relax. The silence was peaceful. Once they became accustom to their new environment they began to think freely. Most of the group thought about Kagome and wondered how she was and if she was okay. Sango had more on her mind, however. She had worried about Kagome ever since she heard Kikyou and Inuyasha screaming at each other, so though Kagome never really left her mind, she was thinking about something else.

“Kaede, I know you lied to us about Inuyasha’s wound. I understand you probably have a good reason for it, but we have been here five days and he still isn’t fully healed. What is really wrong with him?”

The sound of her voice shocked even herself; they were all so accustomed to the silence. Shippou and Miroku turned to face Kaede at Sango’s question. She was right, and since Shippou was a demon himself he knew that Inuyasha should have healed by now. Something wasn’t right.

Kaede sighed before answering them. She knew it would have to be told to them, but she didn’t want to say it in front of Inuyasha so soon after Kikyou shot him. She simply said that the arrow was poisoned and empowered with her miko energy, causing the wound to heal slower. Kaede wanted to wait for the right time to tell them, so she held it off until she had actually forgotten.

“Alright, I’d been meaning to tell you, it’s just been so hectic I’d forgotten.”

“So there really is something else, then,” Miroku inquired.

“Yes. Kikyou is dying on this plane. She has been her too long, and Hell wants to reclaim her. The souls she has been stealing will no longer keep her alive, so she will either attempt to steal her soul back or she doesn’t know and will simply die. Either way, her time is limited.”

“So how does this connect to Inuyasha,” Shippou asked, puzzled.

“You see, that is where the problem comes in. The same reason she is dying is the same reason Inuyasha’s wound won’t close. Some essence of Hell, a form of soul stealer if you will, has intruded her body. This includes her miko energy, and since she shot Inuyasha with that energy he now has some of that essence within him. This is very dangerous, especially since there is no known cure or prayer. She will have to be laid to rest, and soon.”

“Wow,” Sango whispered. “So, they can actually do that? I mean recall someone who has already been laid to rest?”

“Yes,” Miroku answered. “Both Heaven and Hell have the right to recall any soul, by any means necessary, that has resided on the middle plane (us, of course) for too long.”

“So what’s going to happen to Inuyasha?” Shippou might not like Inuyasha too much, but he was a part of their pack.

“Unless we can finally put Kikyou to peace, he will be called to Hell.”

‘Okay,’ Sango thought. So if there is no way for Inuyasha to get better without destroying Kikyou, then how are we supposed to get out of here to save Kagome? We cant just leave...’

“Is there anything at we can do to stall it? Or anything? We have been here five days and I’m really worried about Kagome.”

Kaede shook her head, so she turned her attention to Miroku, who at the moment was deep in thought.

“Yes!” He turned to Kaede quickly to explain his sudden out burst. “Yes, there is. There used to be some kind of spell or prayer that would temporarily relieve the recipient of his/her wound. We could try it-“

“Miroku, that prayer was banned,” Kaede cut in. “Every time it was used the human would either be worse off after the prayer lifted or would go into over drive and die. I don’t know if it will, or even can, help.”

Miroku sighed and retreated back into his thoughts.

“Wait...that spell has never been used on a demon.”

“Well of course not, but why-“

“Inuyasha is half demon, so it might not affect him.”

“Yeah, Miroku has a point. We should at least talk to Inuyasha about it before we just brush it off. Kagome could be in a lot of trouble and we need to do something about Kikyou.”

“Very well,” Kaede said. “You have a good point. But we’ll not bring this up until after we eat.”

Kaede stood and walked back to the hut to start dinner. They knew she was skeptical about using the prayer on Inuyasha but they had to do something, and so far this was their only hope.

* * * *

For the past five days Sesshoumaru had done nothing but patrol and think. Patrol for anything as duty requires, and think about the mess he was inevitably brought into. Think and patrol, patrol and think, think while on patrol. His life seemed to be temporarily consumed by patrolling and thinking. Although it was too redundant for his taste, it was necessary.

He still hadn’t figured out what he was going to do with the girl. He didn’t want to take her with him, but if anything happened to her the Jewel might never be complete. Then again, that might not even matter. ‘I have the jewel and Naraku has the miko. Our positions have switched,’ he smirked at the irony. This fortunate, or else unfortunate, switch in position only meant that Naraku wouldn’t give the girl to him even if he’d wanted her.

One less problem to deal with, one more added.

He would be stuck protecting the jewel, and she would still have to remain safe so it could be complete again.

Damn it, this is annoying.

However his dilemma about the Shikon and the girl went, he never questioned why he was actually going to meet Naraku. There was no need to question such a decision. It was necessary that he go. And it became all the more important for him to attend to Naraku’s “request” as his plan became more solid.
As he came closer to his palace, his plan became more solid. By the time he reached his study, his mind was made up. He took Kagome’s necklace off and stared into the jewel yet again. ‘How did Naraku get to be such a nuisance?’

When Naraku first appeared, he was of no concern at all. He was merely a tangle in his younger brother’s pathetic life. ‘But he moved up a level by offering me the damn arm.’ The arm was more of an insult than anything, but it was not enough to actually obsess over. Now, on the other hand, Naraku made it a point to threaten Sesshoumaru. Naraku, after all, wanted the same thing: power. The only difference was that Naraku wanted the aid from an outside object to get it. Pathetic.

Often times he wondered why he had ignored the threat when he first met Naraku. He was weaker then, and would have been easier to kill, saving him from this inconvenient escapade. But that no longer mattered, and since everything was on the brink of unfolding there was no use in dwelling who should have died and why they didn’t.

So instead he began to think about what changes he would have to make to prepare his lands. Naraku would stop at nothing to get the jewel, so he was sure to visit from time to time. He could probably handle most of it himself, but in case of his absence something would have to be done. He would have to tell Jaken. He may be annoying, but he would know what to do should anything arise.

A knock on the door interrupted his silence and he hid the jewel in the palm of his hand. The door opened a few seconds later and Rin stepped in halfway.

“I just wanted to say good night, Lord Sesshoumaru.”

He didn’t answer her, just watched. Her presence brought up another issue. What was he going to do with Rin?

“Lord Sesshoumaru? Are you okay,” she asked shyly.

“Go to bed, Rin.”

She smiled at him and said good night then took her leave. After he could no longer hear her, he began to seriously think about what to do with Rin. He couldn’t leave her under the care of Jaken, that has
already been proven. So...

‘Shit,’ he thought. But he didn’t have many other choices. He would have to do it.

‘This should be interesting...’

* * * *

After dinner had been served and everyone had their fill, Kaede announced that they should begin to talk. Shippou had fallen asleep already, sure of the out come, so it was only Kaede, Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha.

“Inuyasha, we may have found a way for you to become more mobile again so we can begin our journey-“

“Okay, then what is it,” Inuyasha interrupted.

Miroku sighed, “Just let me finish. It would only be temporary, but it would help us move faster so we can-“

“Would you get on with it, Monk! Damn! A guy could die waiting for-“

“INUYASHA,” Kaede interrupted. “Patience is a virtue. Now please, shut your mouth! First, you need to know something about that wound-“

“I knew you guys were keeping something from me!”

Kaede glared at him until he ‘Feh’d’ to continue.

“As I was saying, the true nature of that wound is...other worldly. Kikyou will not live much longer on this plane, Hell wants her soul back. It has sent an essence, or soul stealer, to ensure that Kikyou returns. It has invaded her entire body, affecting even her miko powers. Since she shot you, you now carry that essence from Hell. It will kill you if we do not put Kikyou to rest.”

She remained silent for a few moments to allow Inuyasha time to let it sink in.

“So what does that have to do with me getting out of here to save Kagome?”

“It’s just something you need to know, okay,” Sango answered.

“The prayer which Miroku speaks of,” she continued, “is one that will temporarily relieve you of that wound. But I would advise you to take heed, for we do not know how the essence will react to it or if it would even be worth trying for your sake.”

“What do ya mean, ‘for my sake?’”

“The prayer was banned due to the affects it had on people who had used it,” Miroku answered. “Some died, their bodies becoming overwhelmed. Others never really healed after the prayer wore off.”

“Okay, what’s the problem? Let’s do this so we can get going!”

“Inuyasha, think about this,” Sango insisted. “I want to get going too, but you need to understand that we have no idea what could happen during or after the prayer because it has never been used on demon or hanyou, and because we have no idea what to expect from that essence!”

He thought for a moment and looked up at them.

“Let’s do this so we can get out of here!”

* * * *

Sesshoumaru called Jaken in before he took his departure. He told him that he would be leaving tonight and that he would not return until at most three days from now. Jaken, who knew about Naraku’s letter, insisted against the entire idea until Sesshoumaru could take no more and hit him soundly on the head.

“I did not call you to me for you advice, Jaken.”

“Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru,” he replied, bowing.

Satisfied that the toad would no longer interrupt or have some sort of fit, he continued.

“After my departure, you are to take Ah and Un and Rin to find Inuyasha-“

“But Lord Sesshoumaru! We would not need the company or help of that lowly half-breed!”

Sesshoumaru glared at him, and Jaken, realizing his mistake, bowed again and again, pleading loudly, “Please forgive me, my Lord! I only try to think for your best interests! Please forgive me!”

“Shut up, Jaken. If you truly valued what my best interests are you’d listen. Once you find Inuyasha, look for the old woman they stay with, Kaede, and leave Rin with her.”

Jaken looked up to Lord Sesshoumaru, shock written all over his face.

“Once you have done this you are to return here immediately. While I am gone, should any problems arise you will handle with whomever and however you see fit, as long as my ‘best interests’ are in mind.”

“But Lord-“

“Jaken! Do as I say and do not question it. Rin is to know nothing. Understood?”

“Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru, of course.”

He was going to turn his situation around. No longer would he randomly be drawn into these problems, he would pull them to him.

* * * *

The prayer was preformed and though it seemed to work, it caused Inuyasha much pain. He stood through it all, however, and they continued with their plan to leave tomorrow night.
Sango was outside tending to Kilala when she noticed something approaching. Unarmed, she called for
Miroku who was by her side in an instant.

“What is that,” she questioned him.

“I’m not sure.”

As they neared, their forms became more visible and shock replaced their confusion immediately. By the time they came to, Ah and Un was nearly 10 feet in front of them, and the toad was lookomg up at them like they were idiots.

“I am here by the orders of Lord Sesshoumaru-“

“Why the hell are you here,” exclaimed Inuyasha as he dashed out of the hut.

Jaken sneered at him. “I do not need to explain myself to the likes of –you-, you filthy half-breed!”

“Why you little-“

“What’s going on,” Kaede asked.

The toad looked to her and presumed she was Kaede.

“I am here under the orders of Lord Sesshoumaru in search of Kaede.”

“That would be me, but why-“

“If you ignorant humans would keep your mouths shut long enough to listen I could explain!”

This earned Jaken a punch to the head by Inuyasha, who was growing tired of Jakens antics.

“Get on with it, you slim ball.”

Rin jumped down from Ah and Un and approached Kaede.

“My name is Rin, and I was sent to be under your care until Lord Sesshoumaru returns.”

Puzzled, the entire group stared at Rin.

Kaede looked up to see if Jaken was still there to find he’d already gotten atop Ah and Un to ride back whence he came.

“Well this cant be good,” Sango whispered.

* * * *

A/N: I am really sorry about the delay. I had written the chapter earlier, but when I went to post it I realized that the computer didn’t actually pick up what I’d copied (yes, I pressed Ctrl+C). I assume that once I exited out of Word my computer longer recognized it. So uh, yeah. I had to rewrite the entire chapter. Anywho, R&R and all that fun stuff!