~MY SILVER DOG~

Title: My Silver Dog

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The characters are NOT MINE.

Chapter: 11/???

Words : words

Summary: Thanks to Kagome’s healing miko power, the lord of Western Land involuntarily returned into his younger past form who simply followed his instinct to protect her. How could Kagome cope with an overprotective HUGE silver dog following her in every second? [SessKag]

Pairing : SessKag, MirokuSango (others will be decided later)

A/N :

First of all.... forgive me for the very late update!! –bows- I’ve had difficulty to manage free time to write right after beginning the clinical years. I don’t have many excuses but my medical practices taking a lot of my strength (body & mind). I can’t promise there’ll be no VERY late update again, but I’ll try my best to finish this story I love so much. =)

For those who reviews, thank u so much for your endless patience with this overworked writer! –bows- I don’t have enough time right now to review and answer all your questions (which have been piling up really REALLY high by now), but I WILL answer it in the next chapter! –smiles-

Hope you like this!

- Izky

PS : This chapter is BETAED by Gothic Jigoku Shoujo (in ). Thank u very much, dear! 8D– hugs her -

Chapter 11 ~ The Beginning of Trouble : 3,071 words

Glancing shiftily at the calm Taiyoukai who had been sitting far away and thinking his own business at the moment, young Sesshoumaru nodded. “Then it seemed that we’ll need Makoto’s assistance for the journey. Although I would want us to visit a certain place along our path first, may I?”

Inuyasha blinked, “Where is it?”

Lowering his eyes to meet the grasses near his folded feet, young Sesshoumaru answered in a nearly emotionless tone. “The palace of Heaven, where my mother resides at the moment.”

She will have the answers I need.

Everyone stared at the young inu-youkai as a heavy yet unwelcomed significance weighed down the day.

His mother – he say?

“If we may know, Sesshoumaru-san, what business do you have there?” Miroku asked politely, pondering if it was the first time they heard about the young inu-youkai mother. Sometimes Myouga or Totousai –even Jaken- told them of the legendary Inu no Tashio and his amazing power, yet they hadn’t mentioned his mate –Sesshoumaru’s mother- at all.

“I want to make sure of something.” Young Sesshoumaru’s tone was moderate. “And I... missed her.”

Everyone in the group widened his/her eyes at his honest admission. It was the first time they had ever heard the inu-youkai stated something related to emotions besides rage or disgust. Hell, he had never ever said openly that he hated Naraku for God’s sake!

It was something unexpected of the silver haired inu-youkai. Yet, a quick glare from –surprisingly- Inuyasha stopped the group from commenting about it.

Coughing, Inuyasha cocked his head. “And where is that?”

Amber-golden eyes lifted up to stare at the clear blue sky above as he sniffed the wind direction, his emotionless face broke slightly as he inhaled the air. “Fortunately it is in the North side of the Western Land, in the same direction you want to go. But it’s located in a few hundred meters up in the air.”

Everyone - but a sleeping Kagome and Makoto – blinked at his answer. “In the air? How?”

Young Sesshoumaru merely shrugged, “We have the fire cat Youkai -Kirara isn’t it? - And my dragon, Ah-Un. I will handle the rest.” His voice was smooth yet uninformative.

“How-“

Before Sango could ask more, Makoto –the only one who hadn’t spoken in the discussion- cut her words. “Just trust Sesshoumaru on this, people. The palace of Heaven is a hidden place of great inu-youkai and only Sesshoumaru can guide us there.”

Miroku quirked his eyebrows at that, “Then shouldn’t it be better if Sesshoumaru-san goes there alone? We don’t want to intrude upon your family, Sesshoumaru-san.”

“It’s alright,” responded the inu-youkai firmly. “I want to ask Haha-ue of the ‘bond’ between me and the miko. And maybe you will know something useful from Haha-ue about these shards you’re collecting.”

Inuyasha snorted, “Feh! As much as we want to, I doubt your mother will welcome us, Sesshoumaru.”

“And why is that?” Young Sesshoumaru’s voice was quizzical. His beast snarled at the hanyou, but he silenced him.

“If your mother is as bad as your-“

“Stop it! Inuyasha!”

“What? I’m only telling the truth!?”

“Don’t worry, Sango-san. Please continue, Inuyasha-san.”

“But-“

“Sango-dear, Sesshoumaru-san can decide for himself.”

“Yes. But-HENTAI!!” –PLAAK!-

“Ouch. You wounded me, Sango.”

“Hmph. Put your hands in where I can see it, houshi-sama.”

“Yes, dear.”

“What did he do, Shippou-chan?”

“Don’t mind it, Rin-chan. Miroku just never learns....”

Feeling a bit quirked at the antics of the odd couple, the young inu-youkai coughed as his eyes went back to the befuddled hanyou. “Alright. Can you explain more, Inuyasha-san?”

‘Master. He-‘

‘Be silent for a minute, alright? We will talk later.’

‘As you wish, master.’

Inuyasha muttered a curse under his breath. If he was his younger self, he would refuse to explain their odd group to anyone, because hell it wasn’t their fucking business, right? And why would he want to answer them? If they persisted, just let Miroku answer and let them think anything they wished.

But he was not.

Having grown up a bit, Inuyasha realized that Sesshoumaru deserved to know the fact if he wanted to join their journey. And the young inu-youkai looked –grimaced- genuine with his question as there was no hint of distaste or something in his tone, he grudgingly added. “Our group is far than normal. And majority of Youkai we’ve met so far don’t care about our origins and rather kill us, thinking we’re fucking weaker than them. Sesshoumaru. Humans and Youkai don’t mix well together. Surely you realized that?” There was a hint of dislike escaped his tone, but Inuyasha couldn’t help it. After all, why would a full inu-youkai like Sesshoumaru understand of the lower races like him and the others?

Surprisingly, the young inu-youkai looked surprised at his less than polite explanation. “I’m not aware that Youkai and humans hate each other. Is there a war at the moment?”

Now it was Inuyasha and his friends’ turn to blink at him.

Huh?

“Wait a minute- So you tell me that you do not hate humans AND hanyous?!” Inuyasha couldn’t help but let his mouth hang open in his surprise; golden eyes stared in disbelief at the inu-youkai.

The others, having learned the previous time, refrained from commenting as they waited young Sesshoumaru’s response.

Young Sesshoumaru, oblivious to their shocked eyes, shrugged his shoulder. “I had rarely met humans and hanyous because they were rare in Western Land. Why would I hate some people that I don’t know anything about?”

More fallen jaws.

Then suddenly Makoto laughed. All eyes immediately turned to stare at him.

Grinning at them, Makoto simply shook his head as he stared amusedly at the young inu-youkai. “Wow. I believe that’s our young Sesshoumaru’s words, people. I can’t believe I hear those words again after all these years, Sesshoumaru.”

Young Sesshoumaru scowled, oblivious to another disbelief stares the others threw on his new expression. “Stop grinning, old man.”

‘He wouldn’t, master.’

Makoto shrugged, grinning for all his worth. “Not a chance, pup.”

Young Sesshoumaru growled. “Have I ever said I hate you?”

‘He has never listened to that, master.’

“Yes, you have. But, the question is...do I ever listen?”

Jaken fainted. The image of the too many expression on his lord’s face was enough to strike fear on his very heart.

Sweat dropping at the two, Miroku finally asked. “Uhm....Sesshoumaru-san, Makoto-sama, maybe you two want to talk in .....More private place? I’m sure there’s something important that make Makoto-sama visit you from the Northern Land.”

The two Youkai turned their eyes to the monk. One was grinning as the other was scowling (in a rather elegant way though).

“Alright.”

As Inuyasha’s group discussed their next destination on their little journey (with a sleeping Kagome tucked safely in her sleeping bag), a certain silver-haired inu-youkai decided to have a talk with the pale purple-haired Youkai a distance away, close enough to see the others yet far enough that Inuyasha and his friends couldn’t hear their conversation.

“I’ve been told by Inuyasha and the others how you ended up like this. It’s a bit ... disconcerting to know that you’re hundreds years younger than your adult self, pup.” Makoto began in an amused tone.

Young Sesshoumaru simply shrugged, “And it’s a bit disconcerting as well to know your supposedly young best friend is in fact an old man.”

Makoto chuckled back at his answer, “Sharp tongue as always, Sesshoumaru.”

“Hn.”

“So... what do you feel about this growing process of yours?” The Youkai asked casually.

Young Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow at the other’s ease of asking what possibly the most sensitive topic so far. He didn’t answer immediately, but the Taiyoukai of the Northern Land didn’t press him, knowing better that nobody could force the silver haired inu-youkai to tell anything unless he wanted to let them know themselves.

After a moment of silence, young Sesshoumaru finally sighed. The group was satisfied enough with his first explanation at the opening of their talk a few moment ago, not asking him anymore silly questions as they did when he was a mere pup a few days ago. For some reasons that he didn’t understand yet, they seemed to respect his privacy much more than he expected and he appreciated it.

But Makoto was not one of them.

He was Makoto of the Northern Land, the Youkai who was Sesshoumaru’s trusted ally and friend since the young inu-youkai was merely a pup. It was a reassuring fact that their friendship and alliance last even to this day, young Sesshoumaru mused.

“Well...?”

“I remember most of my one hundred and forty eight years of life. It is a bit overwhelming and I felt my head want to explode at the moment.” Young Sesshoumaru answered wryly.

Makoto chuckled at his bland answer, “Ah, your dry humour is the same as ever, my friend.”

“I don’t recall I have one as such, Makoto. My humour sense is fine.”

“Hai...hai.... Anything else?”

Young Sesshoumaru simply stared at the clear blue sky as he tried to answer his friend’s question. Eventually he answered with the truth, the one he had pondered for a while since his changing this morning. “I feel the drive to stay close with the miko. And it grow stronger since she get her new appendage. My beast has fallen for her, Makoto.”

Makoto’s grin dimmed a bit. “It seems to me that the bond between you and her will complicate things in the future. Are you sure you know what you’re into, my friend?”

The young inu-youkai gaze hardened on him. “I don’t break my promise, Makoto. And she is a worthy mate for this Sesshoumaru.”

The Taiyoukai of Northern Land sighed as he patted the shorter youkai’s shoulder, knowing better than mentioned the emotionless and cold inu-youkai this one would become. “I hope your older self will agree with you, Sesshoumaru.”

“You seem unruffled to see me like this. Unlike Jaken.”

The taller and older Youkai grinned wistfully, “After hundreds of years leading the Northern Land, there’s little to surprise this old Youkai, my friend.”

“I suspect it is.”

“Alright, let’s get back to the business. Do you know when you’ll be back to your real form?” The pale purple haired Youkai asked a sudden seriousness on his face.

The younger Youkai shook his head in response, “I don’t know exactly when. But if these few days are any indications, it might take me a week or more to turn older. However, I don’t know how old I will be after the next change.”

The Taiyoukai of Northern Land nodded, an unusually grim expression on his face, far contrast than the friendly face he had a few minutes ago. “As much as I like watching your more open self, I hope you return back as soon as possible. There is something important that I need to discuss with you, Sesshoumaru.”

Young Sesshoumaru nodded back, already accustomed to the changing in Makoto’s demeanour since befriending him for years. Still, whatever thing that made Makoto this serious was something that would affect –at least- his entire land. “I know. You’re never one to walk around the lands but yours. And what would it be?”

Makoto sighed, “There have been some unknown threats detected in my land. I want to ask if there’re similar things happen here as well. Still, you’re not at the right age at the moment to answer my question, right?”

Young Sesshoumaru nodded. “I’m not. But you can ask Jaken. Chichi-ue used to task him to manage the castle when he was away. He might know something.”

“Excellent! Alright, I’ll call him!” Turning toward the direction of the group, the Youkai gestured the watching toad Youkai (he woke up after being kicked by a disgruntled Inuyasha a minute ago) to come closer. “Jaken, here!!”

Coming after the two high Youkai, Jaken bowed to his lord and the other Taiyoukai. “Yes, Makoto-sama?”

“Do you know the situation in Western Land now, Jaken?” Makoto began.

Jaken blinked before nodded. “I had returned to the castle a few days ago to get the latest news of the Land as Sesshoumaru-sama ordered me to, Makoto-sama, so yes.”

“Do tell us.” Sesshoumaru’s tone was flat.

Sensing the seriousness in the air, Jaken began.

Kagome opened her sleepy eyes only to see the dark starry night stared back against her.

Uhm.....wha..?

“Finally awake, Kagome?”

Kagome yawned as her eyes met the sight of her friends, all sitting around her sleeping form near the fire. “Huh, is it night already?” she asked as she rose up from her sleeping bag. Since when did she sleep there?

Sango smiled in relief at her, handing a ready and warm ramen cup at her. “Here, we’re eating dinner at the moment. You must be hungry, ne?”

“Thank you, Sango. By the way, where is Sesshoumaru-kun and Inuyasha? Oh – and Makoto-sama?” Kagome blinked as her eyes only found Sango, Miroku, a surprisingly silent Jaken ate close to her. Shippo and Rin were sleeping next to each other, cuddling to the black fur next to Kagome.

Wait a minute! It’s-

As if reading her thought, Miroku explained to her. “They really like cuddling to your new.....appendage, Kagome-sama. But don’t worry; they only want to be closer to the warmth you provide them with ...it. Hope u don’t mind, Kagome-sama.”

Kagome nodded sheepishly, “Just call it my new tail, Miroku-sama. And no, I don’t mind. I'm just kinda surprised, that’s all.”

The black fur flicked slightly as it burrowed the children deeper into it.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, Makoto-sama, and the hanyou are discussing our next destination as we speak miko. Just eat your food for now, Sesshoumaru-sama told me you need to eat more.” Jaken suddenly spoke as he grumbled into his own ramen.

Kagome blinked at that. “Huh? Hadn’t we already discussed it before? We’re going to North, right?”

Sango nodded. “Yes, but apparently we’ll need to drop in another place in the way. Sesshoumaru-san wants to go to meet his mother, who lives in the Palace of Heaven. Fortunately it’s in the same route to North as well.”

“His mother?! Who?”

“Sadly Sesshoumaru-san doesn’t tell us much of her. I suppose you don’t want to tell us her name at least, Jaken?” Miroku glanced shiftily at the toad Youkai next to him.

“Hmph. I will tell you if Sesshoumaru-sama permits me, monk.”

“And why is that? We just want to know her name.”

Jaken sighed at the disbelief stare of the monk before answered. “The mention of Sesshoumaru-sama’s family –even Inuyasha for obvious reason we all know- is forbidden by Sesshoumaru-sama himself. His older self. I suggest that you wait until we met his mother and hopefully you will get your answer, monk.”

“But-“

“It’s for your own good, taijiya. Believe me.”

Everyone turned silent at the solemn answer. It seemed that the toad Youkai was burdened with something, especially after his rather long talk with Sesshoumaru-san and Makoto-sama a few hours ago, Miroku and Sango noticed.

In an effort to fill the silence, Kagome coughed as she laid the now empty ramen cup down. “Alright! I suppose someone here will know why I wasn’t woken earlier? It seems to me that I have been sleeping for more than seven hours straight! Geeze....that’s a lot! I’m surprised Inuyasha didn’t wake me with his screams and demanded that we move as soon as possible!”

Before anyone there could answer her tirade, a voice already beat them.

“Because you were too tired. And I forbid him.”

Kagome stared up to the source of the sudden voice and met the amused amber-golden eyes.

“Sesshoumaru-kun! Where have you been?! Ah, hello Makoto-sama, Inuyasha.” Kagome smiled in greeting at the other two new figures as the silver haired inu-youkai chose to sit to the other empty side next to her.

“Hello to you too, Kagome-san. I see that you’re awake already. I suppose you get enough rest?” Makoto grinned as he chose to sit a few feet away from the group, far different than a certain hanyou who simply force his own sitting place between Miroku and Jaken.

“Yes, Makoto-sama.”

“Geeze.... Figures that the time you wake up will be the one when we need to sleep, Kagome. You were happily sleeping when we worked our ass off.” Inuyasha grumbled as he took the offered ramen cup from Sango. He was still having headache thanks to the overly serious situation he had discussed with his half-brother and the purple haired Youkai for hours.

“I can’t help it Inuyasha. I was suddenly dead tired that time and the next thing I know I already wake up here before you guys. I’m very sorry that I can’t help much today....” Kagome couldn’t help the guilt growing inside her at her friend’s words. If she didn’t fall asleep then maybe they would have been already a few miles more to the North.

“You didn’t know what’s happening inside your body, miko. Don’t blame yourself.” Young Sesshoumaru grimly answered as he throw a silent glare at the silver haired hanyou.

Inuyasha quirked his eyebrows at the glare before gulping the noodle. “What? I just said a fact!!”

“Hn.” Glare. Glare.

“Suit yourself!” Glare back.

“Stop it, you two! Can’t you be civil for a minute here?” Kagome groaned as the inu-youkai brothers kept glaring at each other. She thought that this more lenient and younger Sesshoumaru-kun would act more....normal to Inuyasha, but apparently she thought wrong.

Miroku coughed, “They have been surprisingly civil to each others for hours, Kagome-sama.”

“Huh?”

Makoto who previously seemed to prefer enjoying the night air than the group discussion chuckled as he winked at a confused Kagome. “Let them bicker, young miko. They have been trying to keep their tempers off each other in front of me for the last few hours or so. Even I am too tired to think after that long and tiring and boring and frustrating discussion. Just think this as their reward!”

Immediately the glares turned to the pale haired Youkai.

“Shut up, old man!”

“I. Do. Not. Bicker. Makoto.”

Everyone sweat dropped.

“What discussion?”

Far away in a place that no human could ever reach, the silent figure calmly stared at the small mirror in front of him, a wicked grin formed in his lips.

The Palace of Heaven huh...? Let’s see what we can do there......

And Naraku begin his plan.

Tbc.....

A/N : I began disliking the too much discussion here.... but it’s needed for the story. Still, please review!! And hope u like it! =)

- Izky