Second place winner in the "Little White Lies" Competition on Live Journal's Inuyasha Fanfic Contest, April 2006. 250 words, General/Humor, Rating: PG-13. A/N: As much as I love it, I am choosing to ignore Movie 3 storyline.

Jaken Takes the Risk

Jaken kicked his heels resentfully against the dragon's side, urging it to land. He steeled himself for death.

Sesshoumaru-sama was going to kill him.

His master would never forgive this screw-up. And lying to Lord Sesshoumaru was out of the question; he was too perceptive--and intimidating. The situation was hopeless.

The injured demon was sprawled on the leaves, his head resting against a tree. "Tessaiga... Give me Tessaiga," Sesshoumaru muttered, his eyes glassy. Jaken tracked the passage of a thin line of drool unnoticed by the raving daiyoukai.

On the other hand, Sesshoumaru-sama was definitely not himself today.

Sesshoumaru finally noticed his servant's reappearance. "Jaken, did you succeed in your mission?"

Jaken threw himself down in prostration. He squeezed his eyes shut, inhaled a deep breath, and took The Risk.

"I searched everywhere, my lord! That wretched half-demon and interfering human must have hidden your arm! It's so despicable! Have they no honor? No sense of decency? If I ever find your lordship's miserable half-brother I will slay him myself! How could they be so cruel to Sesshoumaru-sama?" He wept.

Sesshoumaru lost interest in Jaken's sputtering. He clutched the stump of his missing arm and growled. Inuyasha was going to fucking die.

Jaken sniffed, his forehead pressed firmly to the ground. He whispered fervent prayers of thanksgiving to his mother and all the illustrious ancestors.

The as-yet-unnamed dragon shifted beneath its saddle. The head that would be known as Ah belched, while Un sucked his teeth quite innocently.