Title: Unexpected Endeavors

Author: scottishfae

Beta:

Pairing: Sesshomaru x Kagome

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from these works of fiction.

Summary: The shard hunting group is rocked by an unexpected request from Sesshomaru and forced to endure the deal when, by mistake, Kagome agrees to his offer. Now the group must not only deal with the end of their quest, but a moody Kagome, an irritated Taiyoukai, and a very jealous half-demon.

Original A/Ns: This idea basically came to me as a joke and I'm not going to try and take it too seriously. Because of that, the characters may seem a bit OOC. I'm going to try and avoid this as much as possible, considering I don't like reading fics like that myself, and don't want to foce that onto other people. Just keep in mind that different situations can bring out different aspects of a person's personality/character, and that's what I'm playing on. Enjoy!

New A/Ns I was having trouble updating this fic because it's gone so different from what I originally planned. I let things get away from me and I hit a wall trying to continue this fic. So here begins the rewrite. Chapters are being reedited, reorganized, and some replaced. Enjoy!

The Deal Arc

~Chapter Four: Day 3

The woods off the Western shores were dark and dusky no matter the time of the day. The trees grew thick and crooked that only the slightest of sunlight made it through the thick canopy. To Sesshomaru's sharp eyes, the dim lighting was nothing to worry about. He easily avoided the trips and pitfalls of the overgrown pathway. Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un behind him were not as lucky. Rin frequently tumbled over breached tree roots. Ah-Un, lumbering through woods, stopped each time and waited for the girl to get up. Jaken used his staff to help steady him, though he continued to trip on occasion.

“Sesshomaru-sama,” Jaken called out. “Are you sure this is wise? C-Cho can be a vicious witch.”

The Taiyoukai rolled his eyes. There was no love lost between his retainer and the elder inuyoukai.

“Vicious witch, am I?” A scratchy, high-pitched voice questioned.

Jaken jumped and looked around. A cackling came from the shadows from all around, closer and closer.

Rin screamed. “Sesshomaru-sama!”

“Enough!” he barked, turning to look at his ward. She was huddled near the ground, Ah-Un's head bent down to protect her.

A female inuyoukai, no taller than four and half feet and looking no older than 14, walked out of the shadows. Worried, she hurried over to the young girl. “Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just a game to tease Jaken,” she explained, her voice calm and soothing—nothing like it had been moments earlier.

Rin looked up at the smiling woman, tears at the verge of spilling. “Teasing Jaken?”

She nodded.

“You shouldn't do that,” Rin admonished, trying to sound brave.

The elder woman smiled. “But it's so much fun.”

Rin pressed her lips together and tried to look as menacing as she could.

“Cho,” Sesshomaru interrupted.

The woman looked over to the Taiyoukai and nodded. There wasn't a need for explanation. For the great Lord of the West to come visit her, well...there was only one reason behind it. Smiling, she reached out for Rin and helped her up. Once certain the girl was fine, she jumped forward, bopping Jaken on the head, and running ahead of the group.

“Are you okay, Jaken?” Rin asked.

The retainer sighed, his shoulders sagging. “Why me?” he bemoaned.

Rin skipped over to him, hugging him quickly before continuing to skip forward to follow her guardian. Jaken's eyes went wide. “Rin, watch were you're goi--”

A thick root just above the surface caught her foot and she fell forward. A light giggle permeated the air before the root moved from where it rest to curl around the girl. It up-righted her and placed her on the ground delicately before unwrapping itself and settling back into the dirt. Rin looked at the ground amazement. “You okay?”

The young girl looked up again to see the smiling face of the female inyoukai. “Did you do that?”

Cho smiled. She brought up a hand and snapped. Movement in the canopy drew their eyes up as the limbs, vines, and leaves all moved though no wind could be felt. A vine shot down from the highest point. Wrapped around its end with a delicate flower chain made from the pink and white blooms from the highest parts of the trees. Cho took the small necklace from the vine and it returned to where it came. “Here you go, Rin. For you,” she smiled.

Rin took it, her eyes still wide with amazement. “Thank you.”

Cho nodded her head then turned. Sesshomaru had continued to walk and now the rest of the group had to catch up. “Still so impatient,” Cho mumbled.

“Were you like Rin?” the little girl asked.

She had put the flower chain around her neck and was bouncing around the inuyoukai's feet as they continued to walk. Cho made a conscious effort to move hazards from the girl's path. “What do you mean?”

“Sesshomaru-sama looks after me.”

“Oh?”

Rin nodded, a huge smile on her face.

“I don't think anyone has ever been like you, Rin,” Cho said, her eyes flickering with laughter. Rin cocked her head to the side in confusion. “I was the one who delivered your Sesshomaru-sama.”

“Delivered?”

“Yes. I was there making sure he and his mother were okay when he was born.”

“Eeeh?”

The little girl looked over the woman walking next to her. She had a mischievous smile on her face.

“Don't let her looks deceive you, Rin,” Jaken said from behind them. Ah-Un was strolling behind the whole group, taking bites from different plants as he passed. “She's much older than anyone here. She's older than even Lord Sesshomaru's great father.”

“Really?”

Cho nodded, guiding the girl back onto the path by placing her hand on her head. “Watch your way, Rin.”

The little girl blushed.

“Why do you live out here?” Rin added after they had walked a bit in silence. In the distance, they could see the white of Sesshomaru's robes in the dark tones of the forest.

“Because this is my home,” Cho answered cryptically.

“Huh?”

The inuyoukai looked down at the young girl. She smiled deviously. “What kind of witch would I be if I didn't live in a scary forest?”

Rin's brows knitted in thought.

“Rin, Cho,” Sesshomaru's deep voice called through the darkness. “Hurry. There is much to discuss.”

“Hai, Hai, Lord Sesshomaru,” she quipped.

She laughed, sure that he was rolling his eyes at her.

The walls moaned within the old cabin as the winds off the ocean whipped through the old beams. At the middle of the hut a pit held a fire that danced with the wind as it made it through the crumbling structure. But for its deteriorating state, the abode was clean and tidy; with an herbal smell that permeated the whole place.

Cho had immediately set herself out to making tea for her guests, pleased that someone had come to visit her. On the shelves she grabbed a bundle, wrapped in a large leaf and bound with another, and put in front of Rin. She instructed the young girl to open and enjoy. Inside was a sweet treat, fashioned to look like a large sakura blossom. Rin thanked the other woman and, with the go-ahead from her guardian, dug into the gift.

“Should I assume you're here because--”

“You shouldn't assume anything,” Sesshomaru interrupted.

Cho smiled, though he couldn't see her. She was tending the fire and placing the kettle over it. “Ah, but there is very little I do that you would want, or at least enough to seek me out.”

She turned around to face him. “Why don't you just admit you've come here to ready for your heir.”

The Taiyoukai sighed. “I suppose this means rumours have already begun to fly. Do the courts really have nothing better to do with their time?”

“They're nobility, dear. Of course they don't.”

The woman walked to another shelf and grabbed four clay cups. She then made her way to the others and sat down in front of them, putting a cup in front of each person. She gathered the rest of her instruments, for tea and for not, and set them down near them. “So it's true then,” she continued. “That you'll be taking a human?”

“She has agreed to help me produce a strong heir,” he said bluntly.

“Ah, so this isn't anything like you following in your father's footsteps.”

The elder youkai dodged the arm that flew out to strike her. She giggled as she danced nimbly around the fire and reached for the kettle. The light played with her eyes, making her seem that much younger. “So touchy still. One of these days you'll learn the true strength of your father's.”

She smiled at him when he didn't say anything. Sitting down formally in front of him she properly made his tea, serving it to him, then Jaken, then Rin, and finally herself. She set aside the bowl for a mortar, then began adding herbs and grinding them with a heavy stone pestle. She hummed to herself as she did so. Rin continued to eat her treat, Jaken was enjoying his tea, and Sesshomaru sat and watched.

“How long should this take?” he asked.

“To actually make it, not long. You'll need to wait a week before,” she paused and looked over at Rin. She was still munching away. “Conception is attempted.”

“A week?”

Cho nodded. She knew she wouldn't have to explain to him the importance of letting the potions work.

“That is acceptable.”

Rin looked between the two adults, confused about what was going to happen. “Are we going to stay here longer? I like Cho-san.”

“Aw, I like you too, Rin. And call me Cho-chan. It'll be like we're sisters!”

The two girls giggled. Jaken groaned, looking at his master. He pleaded silently that there stay would be short.

“We will be leaving soon.” Cho pouted. “The stench of my brother covers this place,” Sesshomaru added. “And you.”

“I never could resist his charms.”

Sesshomaru snorted in suppressed laughter. “Charms? Nonsense. He's as foolish as our mother; wasting his time on trivial concepts.”

“I think you underestimate him too much.”

The Taiyoukai looked at the witch with a calculating gaze. “I know him better than any bed warmer of his.”

Cho laughed. “This is what you think, but watch your back. Darkness grows in his heart and there are many who would love to capitalize on it.”

“I am not in the practice of repeating myself, and I shall not break that tradition now.”

The elder woman smiled to herself. She knew arguing further would do her little good. If there was anything about the men from the House of Inu was that they were all pigheaded. “Well then, Sesshomaru-sama I would advise you to take your leave soon.” She grabbed the tea cups and brought them over to a basin at the corner of the room. “You won't like the company I have coming.”

“I'm sure I would agree. Jaken, Rin, we shall go.” He stood up and motioned for the others to do the same. “And you will--”

“Make the potion and make sure to get it to your waiting miko as soon as possible.”

Sesshomaru nodded. “Acceptable.”

With a sharp turn, he moved to leave the small hut; satisfied that the request would be done within his time perimeters.

It hadn't taken him nearly as long as he thought it would. He had learned about this place from his father—not ever being allowed to go. The restriction of men into the area was incredibly high, and still royal guards hunted around the edges keeping people out. Sesshomaru made a mental note to change their instructions. He was sure that the miko would want her friends with her as she waited her way through the pregnancy.

In front of him lay a long, island-like formation that had been carved out by the great river that ran through the Western Lands. The river started in the mountains where the Western Palace was located then traveled southeast before splitting and winding its way around the fruitful lands. This particular portion of the river was one of the five main steams of the divided water body and it was already beginning to break off into another tributary, forming the island Sesshomaru had been searching for. Years of flood seasons had carved the land out so that it hung high over the river during the dry months. When the rains came the water would reach only to the edge of the island, if the river did not become heavy with excessive rains. On the other side of the small land form was the tributary. It was more of a creek than anything, the waters barely going over one's ankles at its deepest. The smaller body of water flowed around the island before coming back to meet the river and the branching off again. During the flood season it would rise a bit, but the still forming creek bed would prevent it from taking on too much water and overbearing the island that lay on its left.

The island was isolated without being inaccessible, and it was the perfect spot to raise a mating house. Or so his father had thought. He had built it for Inuyasha's conception and birth as a place to keep Izayoi and her developing son safe. Safe specifically from Sesshomaru's own mother, and those she may hire to dispose of her threats. The house itself was like a miniature palace. The main building took up just over fifty percent of the island in length. Two smaller buildings stood side by side on the island's width, separated from the main building by what was once a garden. It had long overgrown. All of the buildings were in need of repair, supplies were needed, and the spells that helped protect the land were in dire need of recasting. He would have to summon Cho for that task, once her current task was completed.

“Jaken,” Sesshomaru called. His voice was as crisp and cool as the early morning hours and he waited with a slight impatience for his retainer to come to his side.

“Yes, my Lord?”

The Taiyoukai looked down as the toad prostrated himself on the ground. He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. “To the north there is a human village.”

“Yes, Sesshomaru-sama,” Jaken said, eagerly. “Would you like me to have it destroyed?”

“No--”

“Would you like me to enslave the women?”

“No--”

“The children?”

“No--”

Jaken gulped. “The...men?”

Sesshomaru's impatience with his retainer ended as he kicked the smaller youkai across the island and into the river. He watched, disinterested, as the toad floated down river, screaming for the Taiyoukai to save him. With a sigh he realized that he needed the annoying servant for the menial tasks he outright refused to do. Not to mention that good, loyal help was very hard to find. With a flash of white, Sesshomaru grabbed the toad from the water and dropped him on the shore. Jaken set about groveling his thanks immediately. “Enough!”

The retainer silenced himself and awaited his orders. “Take Rin,” he paused for the groan that came from the smaller youkai. A smile flirted dangerously at the Taiyoukai's lips. “Take Rin and go to the village in the north. Gather able men and have them return to this spot to repair the buildings. Supplies will also need to be procured.”

“Y-you're not...for the human....”

“If it is required, offer a monetary settlement for their work. I will also require servants, women only, for when miko comes here at the new moon. Mostly I will supply youkai to assist her, but Higurashi Kagome may require other human companionship as well.”

“H-Higurashi—Inuyasha's wench?” Jaken screeched.

Sesshomaru grunted in displeasure from the high-pitched sound. “You will not make such a noise again Jaken, or I will have your head and not bother to revive you.”

Jaken bowed low and apologized, excessively.

“Go Jaken, and do as I told you to do. Meet me back here by nightfall. I will have returned with the materials needed.”

“Sesshomaru-sama,” Jaken prodded. “There is a village closer, just east of here. Why not go there?”

Sesshomaru shot a glare to the toad that shut him up. “Go Jaken. I have much to gather and a home for my heir is required quickly.”

The toad bowed low and shuffled off towards a large field where Rin was humming quietly to herself as she gathered wild flowers for Ah-Un to eat.

Cho watched as the inuyoukai disappeared into the woods surrounding her house. The swing of his long, silver hair showed glimpses of the blues and browns of his clothing. Cho sighed. Sky blue was always such a beautiful colour on him; it matched his eyes.

“Enough of that,” she said to herself. “Time to get dressed and begin working on this elixir.”

Without a stitch of clothing on, she walked indoors and towards where she had her herbs laid out. Luckily she had put credit to the rumours and had already begun making the medicinal concoction. It would save lots of time and she would be able to set out later that evening. She hoped within a day or two she would join the inu-hanyou's group and begin the ceremony.

The smell of sex was still thick in her small cabin. She grabbed the two wooden props in the corner of the room and walked over to the first of her two windows. Using the first prop, she pushed out the wooden shudder and then used it to keep the shudder up. She walked to the second window and did the same.

Happy that the breeze would filter in now, she went over to her modest futon and grabbed a light yukata. Humming she went about making the rest of the elixir, combining what she had already had with what was needed to be made.

All she needed was to pack and she could head out. She smiled. “Okay, perhaps I need a bath first.” She laughed to herself, grabbing her bathing things and leaving her home for a nearby stream.

Koga smelled something odd. He was way out of his territory looking for clues on Naraku. In the process he caught the scent of a female inuyoukai heading towards Inuyasha's forest. Her scent was freshly cleaned but there was a lingering scent that still clung to her that bugged him. He knew it from somewhere.

He changed course, knowing that his kinsmen would follow his own scent as he continued. Even if turned out to be nothing at least he still could travel the leftover distance and meet up with Kagome. It had been too long since he had last seen the unusual beauty.

Running at full speed, he made after the woman.

Ten minutes later he was surprised when he found a small girl waiting for him.

“Hello there, Ookami Prince. What brings you to stalking me?”

Koga landed in the clearing on a rock outcropping. He stared down at the woman on full alert. “Who are you girl?”

She smiled at him, and he got this eerie feeling that she wasn't what she seemed to be. The smell of sex was still on her person, and he grew worried. “Girl, are you okay? Did...did something happen to you?”

“Who would have thought, you are not all full of barbary as your reputation suggests.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“I'm Cho.”

“The witch?”

She rolled her eyes. Taking the bag from her side, she walked to the rock outcropping and sat down on the lowest one. “Yes. Want some food? I have some onigiri to spare.”

Koga squatted on his rock, further up from hers. He neither accepted nor declined her offer. “I thought you would have been a lot older. In fact, I know you should be.”

Cho smiled. “Well women are full of mysteries, they do say. Including the miko you pine after.”

“You know Kagome?”

“I do. I am going to see her.”

“What business do you have with her?”

She giggled. She took a bite out of her onigiri. “That is none of your concern.”

“It is mine, if Kagome's concerned.”

“Oh?”

“You refute my claim.”

“Yes. Or rather, my master does.”

Koga jumped down and grabbed the woman by her throat. “Are you one of Naraku's spawns? You bitch, harm Kagome and die.”

“Let me go, fool.”

“I take that back,” he tightened his grip. “Die now.”

Cho took a grasping breath and chanted a few words. Roots sprung from the earth beneath them and grabbed Koga. She was dislodged from his grasp and fell to the ground. Gasping for breath she watched as he struggled against the plants' hold.

“Let me go, you bitch. I'll rip you to shreds.”

“I think that is the very reason why I will not let you go. At least not until you listen to me.”

“I won't listen to your lies.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then that's fine. I'll leave you here to rot. But I will tell you, I do not work for Naraku. My business is not yours, and neither is the miko. Not any longer.”

Cho walked over to the rocks where she had left her belongings. Picking it up, she secured it onto her person. “So long, Ookami Prince.”

Koga watched as she walked away. The roots held him still and he doubled his efforts to get free. “Stupid bitch,” he mumbled. Once he was out of this mess he would rush to Inuyasha's forest. He hopefully could make it there before the witch did. He had a bad feeling something terrible was going to happen to Kagome.

Confirming the order written on the scroll, Sesshomaru took out a pouch of gold and threw it at the tanuki youkai. He smiled as he shook the bag, confirming the amount it without even having to open it. “It was a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Sesshomaru.”

The Taiyoukai looked at him with disinterest. He had dealt with the merchant enough to trust that his end of the bargain would be met. Turning from him, Sesshomaru began his trek further west. He may not like it, but it was time to collect his ward and retainer, and then return home.

He sighed. Returning home meant dealing with his mother, but he had arrangements he needed to do. And no doubt, his mother had a word or two to say to him. If Cho had already heard the rumors of his using a human to create his heir, then he knew his mother was already set to scheming. And scheming could mean death to his child, to Kagome, and even to his person.

End Notes: I APOLOGIZE! Life crisis took me away from writing for quite a while. In the process of just under a month and a half, I have lost my job, had my sister in the hospital, moved to a different state, and am now struggling to find a new job. I will try my hardest to not let my writing go by the wayside again. Again, I apologize.

In other news, AWA this weekend (Sept 18-20). I'll be there, if anyone else will.

Also check out the grand recommendation website The Readers Have Chosen: www . thereadershavechosen . eternflame . com

A group of writers are currently working on a Inuyasha round robin fic called Fighting Fate. A preview is below. Look for chapters (including my own) under the penname RHC RR on and mediaminer.

Fighting Fate Preview

They turned for the door when they heard a loud thump from the right of the house, in the direction of the Goshinboku. It sounded like a large bag of rotting daikon hitting the ground from an incredible height. A groan from the same direction made them both jump. “Sota,” Kagome whispered. “Go get Ji-san.”

The younger boy nodded and ran off to the main shrine house. Kagome approached the area where the sound had come form. “Hello?” she called out.

Another groan was her answer. That was all she needed for her natural nurturing instincts to kick in. She rushed forward looking in the streaked darkness for the source of the sounds. She silent begged for...whatever it was to continue making noises. “Who the fuck are you?”

Kagome jumped slightly at the haggard, yet very angry voice that spoke to her. It wasn't uncommon for injured of both sides to be hostile. “I'm Higurashi Kagome, you're at the Goshinboku Gongen.”

“Fuck,” he growled. “I”m miles away from where I need to be.”

In the darkness she heard him move. Startled, and worried, she moved towards the sound. It was then the moon parted through the clouds overhead and illuminated the sacred tree. Kagome stopped to stare. Sitting below the tree, with hair as silver as the beams of the moon, was a handsome, young youkai. He was wearing a bright red hakama and haori, which she was surprised she didn't' see even in the dark. On top of his head were two triangular ears that twitched constantly. He kept his head down. “What the fuck are you looking at?” he growled again.

There were a million things that went through her mind: who is he? Is her hurt? He's so handsome!, someone should was his mouth with soap,...but they only thing that came from her mouth was: “Ears!”

http : // www . fanfiction . net / s / 5385497 / 1 / Fighting_Fate