𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗦; 𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗬𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗔

8

In a string of luck, Kikyo didn't have to deal with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru until the next day. When the two yokai went into the village and demanded her presence. It wasn't surprising for Sesshomaru to ask but for Inuyasha as well, that was strange. He probably wanted the shikon no tama to become a full yokai in Kikyo's opinion. Which was a big no-no.

Kikyo meet with the two yokai, and escorted them out of the village since the villagers were becoming nervous at the presence of the two yokai. She took them to a near by stream, not to far from the village, as there is always a chance that a wandering yokai may stumble upon the village and decides to attack. It was Kikyo's job as a miko.

Kaede had kindly given Kikyo a small basket full of onigiri for her trip with two yokai's.

"You wanted my presence now you have got it. What do the two of you want? And can you please make it quick as may be needed in the village," Kikyo told the two yokai's with a small smile. Sesshomaru kept his calm composure whilst Inuyasha threw a hissy fit.

"Who do you think you are!?" Exclaimed Inuyasha, his white ears twitched in annoyance.

"If this is what you have to deal with when you meet with your otouto*, I sympathise with you," said Kikyo. Sesshomaru slightly lips moved upwards to form a smile, although it could barely be called a smile but it was something different from his usual neutral expressions.

"Kikyo-san, how did you know that... " Sesshomaru glanced at Inuyasha, then turned back to Kikyo. "Half-breed is my otouto?" Questioned Sesshomaru, eyes narrowing at the miko in front of him. Had the miko been looking up information about him?

"Hey! Don't act like I'm not here!" Complained Inuyasha with frustration, he hated being a third wheel in any conversations. Although, he did wonder how the miko knew about his and Sesshomaru's relation since not many people did.

"I demand that you hold your tongue Inuyasha and let the adults talk, or else," Sesshomaru glared his Inuyasha into submission. "Miko, the question still remains and I expect an answer."

"As for why I said that Inuyasha was your otouto is because I remembered that you talked about having a sibling. Furthermore, the both of you have similar characteristics to each other, such as your hair and species of dog yokai. And also your confirmed it yourself, that he is your otouto, otherwise you would have corrected me," stated Kikyo, proud of herself for coming up with a well thought answer. Sesshomaru seemed satisfied by it.

"Since you have given me an answer, it is only fair that I answer your question. The reason why I am here miko is that I was passing by and thought to give you a warning about two yokai thieves near this area, that may be after the shikon no tama," explained Sesshomaru.

"I see... their names wouldn't happen to be, Kuruma and Kuronue, a fox and a bat yokai?" Kikyo asked for confirmation, in which Sesshomaru nodded, she turned to Inuyasha. "I'm sorry but I don't know your name."

"It's Inuyasha, and you better remember it!" Inuyasha felt like pulling out his hair in frustration, at the smiling miko. This wasn't how things were suppose to be going! He should have the shikon no tama in his grasp by now but no! Instead he's been leashed like some ordinary dog!

"You want the shikon no tama... why?" She already knew the answer but it was better to hear it from the man himself, and it would be suspicious if she knew the answer already. Inuyasha gave a bitter look but answered her  none the less.

"To become a full yokai," Inuyasha whispered, Kikyo winced seeing the sadness in his eyes, it seemed like she had hit a nerve, regarding his past.

"Why? Wouldn't you rather rely on your own power gained from your... experiences? I don't see anything wrong with being a half-breed, but that is my own personal opinion, and not many other humans would agree with me though," Kikyo mused the last part, knowing the sad bitter truth of a half-breeds. Not fully excepted by humans and demons because of their mixed blood. 'Dirty' some would call it.

Inuyasha's eyes widened slightly but soon returned to normal. Sesshomaru stared curiously at the miko but soon turned away again. This miko was a rarity among humans, with a fresh positive outlook on yokai, specifically half-breeds. Sesshomaru might not be the best sibling in the world - far from it, but there was a small, tiny amount of kinship he felt towards Inuyasha, which prevented Sesshomaru from outrightly killing Inuyasha on sight.

"You have an interesting outlook on this miko," commented Sesshomaru. Kikyo hummed in response, sitting down on the ground, and opening up the small basket that Kaede had prepared for her. She was looking forward to the onigiri.

"I know that both of you are yokai, and so may not like human food. But would you like some onigiri?" Kikyo asked the two yokai. It was only polite to ask them. Kikyo didn't know what to expect from them.

"Only because your offering, and it would be rude not to," said Inuyasha as he picked up a onigiri and stuffed it into his mouth. Sesshomaru looked at his otouto, almost disgusted by his table manners, Kikyo didn't seem to mind as she has seen worse manners, hers included when she is starving.

"I suppose that it would be rude not to at least try your onigiri. They better not be poisoned, Kikyo-san," warned Sesshomaru as he sniffed the onigiri, checking to make sure it is safe to eat. Its not that he doesn't trust Kikyo not to poison his food but rather a habit that he has grown accustom too. When Sesshomaru finished checking, he tried the onigiri. "Not bad for human food."

"I agree'" said Inuyasha with a bit of rice on his face. Kikyo smiled at the warm scene, it was a shame that Kaede couldn't be here with them.

"Eh, Inuyasha-sam, you have a little something on your face," told Kikyo to Inuyasha, who blushed in embarrassment and turned away from her, wiping his face with his sleeve.

"It is time for me to leave. I will visit you soon Kikyo-san, and try not to get killed while I'm gone," Sesshomaru told Kikyo as he got up and started to leave. "And don't do anything stupid Inuyasha.''

"I won't Sesshomaru-san. Next time you visit I will bring Kaede with me," Kikyo said with a thoughtful expression.

"I look forward to it," mused Sesshomaru, as he disappeared into the forest, leaving only footprints behind. Inuyasha looked like a fish had slapped him silly. He was very confused by Sesshomaru'a attitude towards Kikyo.

"What the hell was that?!" Shouted Inuyasha.

"It seems that  Sesshomaru-san is learning to tolerate humans more, and so be less likely to kill them on the spot," commented Kikyo.

"Why do you sound so calm? Your human," said Inuyasha.

"I am a human that has been burdened with the task of protecting the shikon no tama, and for that many people, including humans will be coming after myself to gain the its power. Sesshomaru-san doesn't seem the type to gain power from other beings but rather takes pride in his own strength from his experiences. I can't really tell you since I don't really know him," told Kikyo.

"That makes sense, Sesshomaru would be insulted if he had to use the shikon no tama's power. What about myself?" asked Inuyasha. Kikyo chuckled.

"I would be unwise to say that you weren't a threat to myself..." Kikyo gave a fox-like smile. "But your threat has lessened to nothing more that a barking dog that wants the jewel." Inuyasha choked on his own saliva, at being called a barking dog. He gripped his right fist tightly.

"Who are you calling a barking dog!"

'I never knew that pushing Inuyasha's buttons would be this funny,' thought Kikyo as she ran away from the angry half-breed. "You!'' Kkyo laughed.

Japanese terms

Otouto means younger brother