Negotiate by ReplicantAngel (Drabble #81)
Title: Negotiate
Author: ReplicantAngel/RosieB
Theme: Blue
Genre: Drama
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Word Count: 300
Summary: AU - Inuyasha gives Sesshoumaru some unsolicited advice.
A/N: Here's the beginning of "The Nightingale" - www.fanfiction.net/s/5194988/1/The_Nightingale
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Inuyasha arched an eyebrow as his brother came back into camp with not one human in tow, but three. "Oi, Sesshoumaru," he muttered. "What's this?"
Something that almost looked like pain flickered across the taiyoukai's face - although the hanyou wasn't sure whether it was from his lingering injuries or the two males that stood on either side of Kagome. "This is Kagome's grandfather," Sesshoumaru replied, "and her..." He trailed off and frowned.
"Betrothed," offered Kagome softly. "This is Hojo."
The corner of Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched downwards. "These are the men I must negotiate with," he said in a tight voice.
Inuyasha heard Kagome let out a small sigh, and he scowled as he stepped closer to his brother. "Are you nuts?" he muttered. "You're negotiating for her?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "These matters must be settled."
"Yeah?" bit out Inuyasha. "You know what would help with that? Making sure she wants you at all. Does she even know what you're here for? That you aren't dragging her back to the West as a slave again?"
The taiyoukai blinked. "I came for her. I saved her."
Kikyo spoke up, taking pity. "Sesshoumaru-sama, women like to be told," she said. "Kagome seems rather blue. She might be uncertain of your intentions."
They glanced at the girl, still standing between the old man and the hapless youth. She looked miserable. Inuyasha could hear the breath Sesshoumaru took as he made his decision. "Kagome," he said, "we must speak first."
She gave him a faint smile, as her two escorts blanched. "Wait a minute!" protested her grandfather.
"I think," said Inuyasha, planting himself between the men and the retreating couple, "we should leave them to it."
They silently stared back at him with a mixture of fear and derision.
"This should be fun," Kikyo remarked.
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