New Enemies and New Friends: Chapter 10

Still don't own Inuyasha

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As they approached the gates Sango and Karma heard shouting from the sentries but they couldn’t make out the words. A few moments later an impressive looking man stepped into view upon the battlements above.

"Exterminator," he called to Sango, "I thank you for your assistance, but I would know why you allow the fire-demon by your side to accompany you before I allow it to enter my castle."

Sango glanced amusedly at Karma who was wearing an exasperated expression. She composed her face before looking back up at the lord of the castle.

"My companion is not a demon, High Lord. She is a foreigner from lands far beyond the western border of Japan." She bowed slightly before adding, "My pet though is a demon but she is harmless unless provoked."

"Will you give me your word that the woman has no demonic powers?"

"She does have power, High Lord, but it is not demonic in nature." Sango replied.

"I am a sorceress, sir." Karma called up not liking that she was being talked about instead of to. "I give my oath that I mean no ill will toward you or your people. I, too, hunt demons."

The lord looked at Karma for a time as if considering her words.

"Very well." He stated after reaching a decision, "I welcome you both to my home. My Lady and I shall receive you in our privet quarters in half of an hour. A servant shall meet you inside the gate to deliver you to a place where you may freshen up before leading you to our chambers."

When they entered the lord and lady’s private sitting room Karma extended her arm and was about to step forward, but realized Sango was bowing to the couple. Her face became as red as her hair and Karma dropped her arm stiffly following Sango’s lead. Sango straitened then explained to the lord and lady,

"As I said earlier, High Lord, my companion is from another land which has different customs than our own. Please do not be offended by her seeming lack of respect."

The High Lady stepped forward to Karma with a reassuring smile.

"There is no cause for embarrassment." She said kindly, "Please tell us of your lands customs when meeting for the first time."

"In my homeland, High Lady and Lord…" Karma stopped as she saw an amused look cross over the young Lady’s face. After glancing at Sango to see an identical look and then at the Lord’s face which had a tolerantly irritated expression, Karma asked, "What did I do now?"

"It’s proper to always address my Lord first." The Lady explained with a cheerful laugh, "He holds a higher position than I, being only his wife."

"I’m so sorry, High Lord." Karma replied thinking to herself, I’m never going to be able to accept the way people think about women in this time. Maybe I should have Sango teach me proper etiquette sometime after all. I don’t want to keep offending everyone I meet, I have a hard enough time convincing them I’m not a damn demon. Out loud she continued, "I meant no disrespect." He nodded so Karma finished what she had been about to say to the lady of the castle. "As I was saying, in my homeland when we first meet someone we clasp hands like this. [Karma took the lady’s hand in her own and began to shake it lightly] Then I, being a guest in your home, introduce myself first. I’m called Karma and my friend is Sango. I’m pleased to meet you, High Lady."

The Lady grinned merrily as she caught on to the process and said, "My Lord and dearest love is High Lord Gara and I am the Lady Arshes Ne. We are pleased to meet you both as well. I would like to thank you for destroying the demons which were attacking us."

Karma released Lady Arshes Ne’s hand as Sango spoke up, "It’s our duty to exterminate evil demons. Men from your village told us the demons were after you, Lady Arshes Ne. Do you know why?"

"Lady Ne, is fine if you please." She mumbled before looking at her husband with a sad expression.

Lord Gara stepped forward and wrapped his arms reassuringly around his bride before explaining for her, "My lady’s uncle was the lord of neighboring land which we were at war with. When he discovered our love for each other and that her father approved of the match, her uncle pledged her to the demons as a sacrifice upon her sixteenth birthday. That was almost six months ago and since then my lady’s father has taken over the lordship of their lands when his brother died in a drunken brawl. Unfortunately the demons still considered her their property and the day we were married I received word that they were approaching her home. We lead them here thinking that my army would be enough to defeat them, but obviously that was a false assumption." He kissed his wife on the top of the head then smiled. "We would be honored if you would stay with us over night and partake in the belated celebration of our union on the marrow."

"We would love to stay." Sango answered for them both but Karma shook her head.

"I don’t think your people would be comfortable with me around. People always jump to the conclusion that I’m a demon because of my odd looks." She told the couple.

"Oh, please do stay!" Lady Ne exclaimed, "I’ll keep you by my side to reassure the villagers that you are not a demon. I really would like more time to talk with you both. I have never met female demon exterminators before and I find you fascinating."

"How can I say no to that?" Karma laughed.

The women talked long into the night, much to the amusement of Lord Gara. He finally called and end to their chat when he saw his bride trying to cover numerous yawns all in a row. They all met again in the morning to partake in a celebratory breakfast. Whispers flew all around the great hall about the flaming haired woman at the High Lady’s side. Many of the guest believed she refused food because she was a demon that only feasted on human flesh, but as the day progressed the rumors were proved false and the peasants became comfortable enough to approach Karma and Sango. As the High Lady expected her constant presence by the women was what won over the villagers more than any thing Karma did or did not do. Lord Gara had some important matters to attend to despite the fact the celebration was in honor of his new union so he suggested the ladies retire to the gardens where the castle musicians were playing. It was late afternoon when a servant rushed to the bench where the tree women were seated.

"Lady Ne! The High Lord urgently requests the presence of you and your companions on the battlements." The servant to a moment to catch his breath before continuing on, "Two demons are at the gates, one of the demons is threatening to tear them down if they are not opened immediately!"

"Is there a monk with the demons by any chance?" Sango asked with a nervous look to Karma.

"There is a man in robes," the servant responded, "but I doubt he would be a true monk to be traveling with such a violent sounding demon."

"Oh SHIT!" Karma exclaimed as she jumped up and started running to the castle gates.

"Please excuse us." Sango told Lady Ne as she stood and ran after her friend.

Intrigued Lady Arshes Ne followed at a more dignified pace. The two women ran as fast as they could across the courtyard knocking people out of the way without stopping to apologize. They raced up the stairs then when Karma and Sango had just reached the top step leading to the battlements they heard a familiar and very pissed voice shouting to Lord Gara.

"Fucking bastard! You have three more seconds to open this damn gate! If they have so much as one fucking scratch I’m gonna tear off your head and shove it up your ass!"

Karma reached the edge next to the High Lord and gripped the stone as she called down, "That’s no way to talk to someone as kind as Lord Gara, Little Brother! He and Lady Ne have been wonderful hosts and I would be extremely angry if you ruined their home after Sango and I went to all the trouble to save it in the first place."

"Damn it, wench!" Inuyasha screamed up at her, "Sango had better be injured since you’re fucking not and you both stayed here without a damn word! Where the fuck are you Sango? I can fucking smell you some where up there!"

Sango stepped into view calling down to the trio below, "I’m right here. We’re both unharmed. We got caught up talking with Lady Arshes Ne, the high lord’s bride. We didn’t mean to cause you worry."

Sango and Karma could see the anger replace worry on Miroku and Shippo’s faces even from their place above them. Inuyasha’s already furious face became red with suppressed emotion.

"You bitches get down here, NOW!" Inuyasha yelled in a cold voice that was more terrifying than if he were merely shouting as normal.

Lady Ne had arrived by this time and looked very worried for her new friends. Lord Gara sharing her concern looked thoughtfully at the women as they backed away from the battlements’ edge.

"If you are afraid to go with that violent demon we will protect you here as best we can." Lord Gara offered his wife’s friends.

"No, they have a right to be angry." Sango answered.

"My adoptive brother would never hurt us, Lord Gara." Karma told him. "We really must leave but when we get the chance we will come again with our friend Kagome. You’ll love her and she’ll really like you both as well."

"If you’re certain." Lady Ne said, "I will welcome you both and your friend whenever you wish to visit."

They bid the kind couple good-bye and raced down to the gates. Once they exited the castle the males looked them over for any signs of injury then walked off without a word, leaving Sango and Karma to follow slowly with trepidation. It was getting dark and the men stopped at a lagoon surrounded by high cliffs a little more than halfway back to their own village. The moment Karma and Sango reached their sides Inuyasha and Miroku each grabbed one of the women and sitting down on large boulders leaned them over their laps. In unison the men beat Karma and Sango as if they were disobedient children.

When they released the indignant women, Karma and Sango stood shaking with rage.

"How dare you treat me like a child?" Sango screamed at Miroku.

"What the fuck do you think gives you the right to fucking beat me, you son of bitch?!" Karma shouted to Inuyasha at the same time.

Before either man could reply, Shippo spoke up, "If your going to act like children you deserve to be treated like them. Even I know not to disappear without a word for a whole day and I don’t go off to fight demons on my own."

Sango remained silent because she saw the truth of Shippo’s words, but Karma was still enraged.

"Where and when I go is my own fucking business, I’m a grown woman, damn it!"

"Wrong." Inuyasha growled, "You are part of our family now. That means you don’t go chasing demons and leave us to think you fucking died while you fuck around with some damn strangers."

Shippo burst into tears of relief from worrying about his dearly loved friends and both women instantly ashamed took turns cuddling the little kitsune and apologizing to him. When Shippo’s tears began to stop Miroku finally spoke up.

"No matter how angry you were at my earlier behavior it was cruel and callous of the both of you to leave me thinking you had been killed." He paused to put his emotions in check then continued, "When Inuyasha came through the well this morning and I had to tell him what I suspected I truly wished for him to kill me for allowing you to leave alone."

"I’m sorry." Sango and Karma said remorsefully at the same time as they looked at the ground.

Inuyasha stood over the kneeling women looking at them with a still furious expression. When he finally spoke his voice shook with the power of his hidden emotions.

"If either of you ever does anything remotely like this again you’ll wish I would just kill you before I’m finished. Shippo was forced to fly us all that way and he’s much too small to be doing things like that. He could have been hurt severely all because we though you both were mortally wounded. Kagome is sitting at home worried sick about you two and since we have to stop for the night she’ll have to worry until she gets out of school tomorrow. Are you satisfied yet?" Inuyasha’s question was met with silence so he continued, "No? Well here’s more for you. Miroku was so worried he paced at the well long enough to create a small trench. I realized how much I care for you all the moment he told me what he feared. How do you think I felt thinking I had failed my family? Can you imagine how it feels to think your sisters are dead because you weren’t there to protect them the same minute you comprehend people you’ve been traveling with for so long have become your family."

Inuyasha was about to continue the lecture, but he realized the women in front of him were both sobbing quietly. He dropped to his knees and tilted their heads up to see the tears streaming down their faces.

"Don’t… don’t cry. Please stop. I won’t yell anymore if you just stop crying." His words made them cry harder and they each took a shoulder to lean on as the sobbed out apologizes. Inuyasha sent a panicked look to Miroku, "Don’t just fucking sit there, monk. Help me!"

Miroku pulled Karma, who was closest to him, into his arms and gently rubbed her back as he whispered assurances that everything would be alright. Seeing that the actions seemed to help, Inuyasha did the same for Sango. Shippo sat in shock watching the whole scene, never expecting to see Sango or Karma cry so broken heartedly or Inuyasha and Miroku comforting them at all without the monk even trying to cop a feel. After a while the still crying women traded places and quietly cried more apologies to their new recipient. When the crying had stopped for sometime, Inuyasha and Miroku realized the women had fallen asleep from the emotional exhaustion and lack of sleep the previous night. Miroku smiled gently as he stroked Sango’s brow.

"It seems we shall be staying right here for the night, Inuyasha." He said quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping women.

"Feh, give me a thousand demons to face and I won’t even break a sweat. Stick me with crying bitches and I’m totally fucking lost." Inuyasha murmured still rubbing Karma’s back.

They fell silent for a bit when Shippo asked timidly, "Inuyasha…um… did you mean me too? What you said about us being your family, did you mean me too?"

Inuyasha looked surprised by the question as he answered, "Yeah twerp, I did but if you start crying like a damn girl I’m gonna knock your head off."

Shippo nodded and stated bluntly, "I’m glad cause I’ve always thought that too."

"I concur," Miroku said then added pleadingly, "can we drop this subject now before we start to sound even more like a bunch of sentimental women?"

"Hey runt, think you can manage making a fire on your own?" Inuyasha asked in complete agreement of changing the topic, "We don’t want these bitches to wake up and start crying again, do we?"

"Definitely not!" Shippo agreed as he got up to find wood for a fire.

The kitsune soon had the fire glowing brightly and he curled up next to Inuyasha promptly falling asleep. Miroku soon followed suit resting one arm on Sango’s waist and the other on her head. Inuyasha stayed awake studying his pack for awhile. I don’t know if caring so much for this bunch is wise, but if Kagome were here as well I’d feel completely happy for the first time in my life. This feeling must be why humans place family so high above everything else. I miss Kagome. Inuyasha fell asleep with his last thought ringing about his mind.

High above the sleeping family, slightly downwind and undetected Sesshoumaru and Jaken watched the exchange as Rin slept peacefully upon the back of the two headed lizard.

"We could destroy them all right now, Lord Sesshoumaru." Jaken whispered in a voice to low for humans to hear.

"No." Sesshoumaru answered emotionlessly, "I have a better plan for Inuyasha’s pathetic pack of rabble. The half-breed shall suffer each one’s individual death, never knowing who shall be my next victim. Once they are all destroyed I shall leave Inuyasha alive to know he completely failed to protect them. It shall be a suitable punishment for insulting me by his very existence."

"But my Lord Sesshoumaru…"

"Do not question me, Jaken. When they depart come morning, you shall take Rin down to that lagoon and remain there until I come for you. Do not fail to protect the child or it shall be the end of your own existence."

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The next morning Inuyasha woke his family with an abrupt command.

"Get up, you lazy asses."

Sango blushed as she realized she had slept the entire night on Miroku’s lap. The monk just smiled slightly and assured her, "I did nothing what so ever to cause that blush, you have my word."

Shippo rubbed his eyes but didn’t move otherwise because his entire body was sore from the long flight he had made carrying Inuyasha and Miroku. Karma stretched and flicked Inuyasha on the nose lightly.

"Cut it out." He said slapping her hand away from his face.

She smiled and informed him, "You make a good pillow, Lil’ Bro."

"You would make a good log" Inuyasha responded with a light shove, "Now get up before I use you to feed the fire."

Karma sat up and gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek before saying, "Don’t threaten me when we have no coffee. I left my bag at Kaede’s hut, so you’re taking your life in your own hands."

"Feh!" was Inuyasha’s only response as they all stood and made ready to leave.

As they walked together towards home, Sango began to tell the others of the previous days events starting by informing Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippo that Karma was terrified of heights.

"I am NOT terrified of heights." Karma insisted, "I just have a small issue with them."

"She’s lying." Sango laughed, "She almost broke my ribs while we were flying on Kirara."

"I wasn’t afraid I just didn’t want to fall." Karma stated with an annoyed look.

"Come on, Karma. Fess up." Shippo taunted from Miroku’s shoulder.

"Confession is good for the soul, Karma." Miroku playfully added then asked with a laugh, "Is our flaming warrior truly afraid of heights when we have witnessed her flipping onto a demon that towered over her?"

"No I am not." Karma replied with a huff, "As I said it’s just a small issue. I don’t even think about it when I’m fighting for my life."

"If you won’t admit it, my tiny sister…"

"Inuyasha, I have yet to meet even one woman as tall as I am in this era. I don’t think tiny would be the right description." Karma protested to the half-breed in an attempt to start an argument and change the subject.

"If you won’t confess, my TINY sister," Inuyasha restarted not rising to Karma’s bait, "I’m going to pick you up and take you to the very top of that tree up ahead."

Karma looked at the giant tree they were approaching and placed a hand on the hilt of her dagger hanging from her hip.

"If you touch me, brother or not, I’m gonna stab you." She threatened without actually meaning it.

"Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been stabbed." Inuyasha said as he made a lunge for her.

Karma tried to dodge him, but it was a pointless effort. He caught her immediately amidst the laughter from the others and swung her into his arms.

"Which will it be, talk or the tree?" Inuyasha asked with a smug smile.

"Put me down, asshole! Why do I think I love you?" Karma grumbled as she tried to squirm out of Inuyasha’s arms. "I’m disowning you as of right now, so put me down!"

"It’s too late for you to disown me, you’re stuck with me for life." Inuyasha informed her with mock severity, "Now choose."

"Alright! I admit it, you jerks." Karma yelped as Inuyasha bent his knees to jump, "If I go that high up I’ll most likely have a damn heart attack. Now put me down, Inuyasha."

"See now that wasn’t so hard." Inuyasha laughed, "Now I know how to keep you in line."

"And that would be one of the reasons I didn’t want you to know, my little jerk of a brother." Karma said as she punched him in the arm as hard as she could, then again when he didn’t even have the decency to fake a flinch.

"Humph, is that all you’ve got?" He questioned before stating with a mischievous look, "I think you should rephrase that to stronger, faster, wiser, and all around superior brother."

"You’re almost as bad as that asshole of a half-brother of yours, expecting me to actually call him Lord Sesshoumaru." Karma snapped without intending to.

Inuyasha’s face quickly lost all signs of playfulness as he asked sharply, "When in the hell did you see that bastard?"

Karma told him about her and Sango’s fight with the demons and how Sesshoumaru had helped them. She tried to skim over the part about her temper flaring up but Sango interrupted and filled in the missing details. When she finished telling the group about Karma’s stubborn temper and it’s results, Inuyasha’s own temper flared up.

"I’ll let that bastard live for now, since he did save your lives, but it’s borrowed time. That asshole is up to something, I damn well know it.

The others slowly returned to the playful mood that had been present before but Inuyasha was quiet the rest of the way home to the well. When they arrived Inuyasha studied them for a moment.

"Look," He said in a deadly serious voice, "I’m not sure what Sesshoumaru is up to, but considering he’s normally stays away from our area it can’t be good for us. I don’t want any of you to leave the village or its immediate lands unless you’re all together. That means no going after demons on your own, Sango and Karma. I’d rather you all just stayed here no matter what, but I’m not dumb enough to think you bitches will ignore someone who comes here asking for help, despite whatever protests Miroku or Shippo will make. If it sounds like Naraku you wait for me, otherwise leave a message with the old bat telling me which way to go. Shippo, I want you to leave your warning signs about every mile or so. That way I have a scent to follow."

"I won’t let you down, Inuyasha." Shippo promised full of importance at being assigned a special task by his idol.

"I know you won’t runt, but keep an eye on these three, they don’t like to follow orders. I’ll be back tomorrow or the next day and Karma, if Sesshoumaru shows up while I’m gone you keep your mouth shut and let Miroku or Sango do any necessary talking. I gotta go and let Kagome know you dumb wenches are alright."

He jumped into the well before Karma had a chance to argue with him as Inuyasha knew she would try to do. She looked at the well with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"What a jerk." Karma said turning to the others, "Let’s see if there’s anything to eat, I’m starving."

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Kagome sat at her desk staring out the window with a worried frown. Inuyasha left yesterday morning after telling me Sango and Karma were missing. He still isn’t back yet. What’s going on over there? I don’t care what mama said I’m going there as soon as school is out. Won’t the final bell ever ring? It seemed to take hours when it was, in fact, only minutes till the dismissal bell did ring. Kagome rushed to her locker and quickly grabbed all her textbooks just incase she was gone for a few days. As she ran out the front door she was stopped by her meddlesome friends.

"Kagome, wait a sec. We need to talk to you."

"Now isn’t the best time, I really need to get home." Kagome said as she paused in her rush to get out of there.

"Why? Just because he’s there?" One of the girls asked as she pointed to the front sidewalk where Inuyasha stood perfectly still amongst the milling students. Kagome’s face broke into a huge smile and without a word of goodbye to her friends Kagome launched herself in Inuyasha’s direction. When she jumped slightly wrapping her arms about his neck, Inuyasha wrapped his own just under her backpack and lifted her for a quick kiss. As her friends rushed up to the couple Inuyasha set her down and removed her heavy backpack.

"They’re fine." he whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"So did that little display mean you’ll finally be faithful to Kagome?" The first of the friends to reach them asked.

"I bet the two of you had a fight, right? That’s why you’ve been out of it all day, isn’t it Kagome?" The next one asked smugly sure she was correct.

"If you fought because we tried to hook Kagome up with Hojo again we’re really sorry and we won’t do it ever again." The third one told Inuyasha, her voice ringing with the truth of her statement.

"We’ll talk about it later, girls. Right now I really do have to get home with Inuyasha, okay? I’ll see you soon. Bye."

Kagome took Inuyasha’s free hand because the other was still holding her book bag and they walked away. Kagome was silently relishing the fact Inuyasha actually initiated the kiss even if it was a quick one, while Inuyasha was beginning to worry that he must have annoyed her by doing it right in front of her friends, even though it was a tame kiss. He took the silence as long as he could stand, which wasn’t really all that long.

"Look if your going to stop talking to me just because of a small kiss in front of your friends, I won’t do it again. You’re the one who said she wouldn’t accept no kissing at all."

"Why would you think I’d be mad about that, Inuyasha? I’m just enjoying the fact you actually kissed me first. I love you, but I really wasn’t expecting you to initiate anything at all, even a quick kiss. Why don’t you tell me what happened to Sango and Karma? I’ve been worried all day."

Inuyasha filled her in on everything, although a bit uncomfortably when he got to the part about making Sango and Karma cry. He was finishing the tale as they walked into the front door of Kagome’s house.

"I really don’t like knowing that ass Sesshoumaru has been hanging out close to our village. I’m thinking about going there everyday while you’re at school to keep an eye on that troublemaking family of ours, but I’ll make sure I’m back in time to walk you home."

"I think that’s a good idea, it’ll keep you from watching too much TV." Kagome laughed, "I know this will embarrass you so I’ll only say it once. I’m really proud of you for letting everyone know you consider them family. We’ve all felt that way for a long time but someone really did need to make it known openly. You’re a hard person to figure out sometimes and we all know you hate talking about your feelings unless your shouting angrily. Now I have a ton of work to do so kiss me for real, then be quiet."

He let out a low growl at her laughing order but did as he was told so thoroughly her knees buckled and she had to cling to him until her head stopped spinning.

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A/N: Just a quick note here, I took the names of the lord and lady from Bastardy another anime if you haven't seen it. It's ok but if I would have rented it first I wouldn't have bought it. The personalities I gave them are nothing like the real characters, who I also don't own.