Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or Ranma 1/2.  Please give proper 
reverence to their real creators.

Sesshoumaru’s Imouto-chan, part 3

*Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Shippou, Miroku, Sango, and Myouga stand at the 
well.  Kagome gives everyone one last good-bye hug, then grabs Inu-
Yasha by the hand and drags him into the well.  They disappear, and 
the rest of the group starts back to Kaede’s hut for a week of 
relaxation.  Sesshoumaru, seeing his brother enter the well, but not 
exit, leaves his post among the trees and peers in*

Sesshoumaru:  *seeing nothing*  Interesting...  where have they gone?  
*Jumps in, but nothing happens.  After searching thoroughly and 
discovering no secret passages, he leaves the well to wait and see 
what may happen.  He and Jaken set up camp in the overhanging 
trees*

*On the other side of the well*

Inu-Yasha: *feeling suddenly awkward* So, Kagome... 

Kagome:  Hai, Inu-Yasha?

Inu-Yasha: Umm... when do we leave?

Kagome:  *smiles* Not until tomorrow morning.  Come on, let’s go inside.  
Okaasan will want to meet you.

Inu-Yasha:  But she’s already met me...

Kagome:  Never formally.  Now come on!  *Grabs him by the hand and 
drags him inside.  Her mother is sitting at the kitchen table, reading a 
book.  When she sees her daughter and the half-youkai who 
accompanies her, she puts her book down*

Mrs. Higurashi:  Hello, Kagome-chan, Inu-Yasha.  *gives Kagome a hug*

Kagome:  Hello, ‘kaasan.  *takes a step away from her mother*  Okaasan, 
this is Inu-Yasha.  Inu-Yasha, this is my mother, Mrs. Higurashi.

Inu-Yasha:  *a little unsure, makes a formal bow and speaks politely* (I’d 
better be nice... this is Kagome’s mother...) It is nice to meet thou, 
Higurashi-san.  

Mrs. Higurashi:  *a little surprised at Inu-Yasha’s rather archaic speech, 
since the polite language of 400 years ago is rather different than the 
modern Japanese tongue* It is nice to meet you, too, Inu-Yasha-san. 
Please, make yourself comfortable.  *She indicates a chair.  Inu-
Yasha sits gratefully down, and silently hopes that he doesn’t forget 
his mother’s teachings on being polite.  Kagome also takes a seat, 
more than a little surprised that Inu-Yasha even ~knows~ how to be 
polite, never mind it’s the Ps & Qs of the Warring States period rather 
than modern day propriety.*

Kagome: Okaasan, I was thinking that we ought to get Inu-Yasha some less 
conspicuous clothes.  Could we go to the mall?

Mrs. Higurashi:  Hai, Kagome-chan.  Would you like me to come along, or 
do you want to do this alone?

Kagome: (He’s being so polite around mother... And he’s never even 
~seen~ a mall before; maybe she ought to come, if only to get him to 
behave...) You ought to come.  That way, you can get to know Inu-
Yasha better.  *Inu-Yasha looks down and blushes, not all that sure 
he wants to spend the afternoon being polite.  He starts twiddling his 
clawed thumbs, wishing Kagome would just spend the week with him 
at ~his~ home.*

Mrs. Higurashi:  But you’re still going to have to do something about those 
ears.  Wait here. *leaves the room*

Inu-Yasha:  *touches his ears possessively, a little alarmed* I don’t want to 
do anything about my ears...

Kagome:  *smirks a little, then gets serious*  Inu-Yasha...

Inu-Yasha:  Nan da?

Kagome:  Arigato.  For being polite to my mother.

Inu-Yasha:  *looks down, embarrassed*  It’s nothing. (I just didn’t want to 
get on her bad side... That would make you sad...)

Kagome:  *curiously*  I didn’t even know you knew how to be polite.  
Where’d you learn?

Inu-Yasha:  Nani?!  Of course I know ~how~ to be polite!  My mother 
taught me!  *in a less scandalized tone*  It’s just too stuffy for 
everyday use.

Kagome: *looks down* Gomen... I’ve just never heard you be nice before...

Inu-Yasha:  Eh?  *thinks back to as long as he’s known her*  (Huh... I 
guess that’s right...) *ashamedly* (I never have been very nice to 
Kagome...)  *His ears twitch and droop a little in abashment, but 
unfortunately Kagome isn’t watching them.  However, as Mrs. 
Higurashi re-enters with a bandana, she notices Inu-Yasha looks a 
little like a scolded puppy... and wonders just what went on while she 
left, but doesn’t mention anything.*

Mrs. Higurashi:  *Proudly displaying the bandana*  Here we go!  *walks 
over to behind Inu-Yasha*  Can you put your ears down?  *He does, 
and she stares at them in amused wonder for a moment before gently 
wrapping the bandana over them.*  Just tell me if this hurts...  (He 
looks just like a pirate like this...)  *resists the temptation to giggle*

Inu-Yasha: Iie.  It’s fine.  (This isn’t nearly so bad as I thought it might 
be... I can’t hear as well, but maybe I don’t need to in this time 
anyway.  After all, look at all the humans who get along just fine.  My 
hearing is still much better than a human’s.)  *Having rationalized 
himself into accepting his fate, he risks a glance into the reflective 
glass suspended on the wall.  He twitches his ears, just to make sure 
that they’re still there, and both the women in the room giggle a 
little*

Kagome:  Don’t do that, Inu-Yasha.  It makes the bandana move.  People 
would notice.

Mrs. Higurashi:  Well, let me get my pocketbook and the shopping bags, 
and we’ll go.  

*Twenty minutes later, the three stand in the middle of a mall, each girl 
touting a large canvas bag in which to put their purchases.  Inu-Yasha 
is intensely glad his ears are covered, with all the noise of last-minute 
Christmas shoppers.  Even with that little protection, they hurt.  The 
girls lead him thankfully quickly through the mall, and he finds 
himself getting lots of strange looks, because of his outfit.  Kagome 
did, before they left, get him a pair of sunglasses to hide his eyes, 
and he is very careful not to let his fangs show much, not wanting to 
startle all those people.  They enter a large door-less entryway, and 
the noise thankfully subsides a little.  As the three work their way 
deeper into the ‘store,’ the noise diminishes yet more.  Inu-Yasha 
looks around at all the strange clothes, wondering what crazy person 
would wear such uncomfortable looking things*

Kagome:  *holds up a pair of extra-stiff tight jeans*  How about these, Inu-Yasha?

Inu-Yasha:  *Looks ~very~ alarmed* Ummm...

Kagome:  *laughs*  Only joking, Inu-Yasha.  I know you’d hate something 
so stiff.  *finds a pare of pre-washed jeans that look a decent size*  
These would be a little better, don’t you think, ‘Kaasan?

Mrs. Higurashi:  Hai.  Or perhaps a pair of slacks; they tend to be softer. 

Inu-Yasha:  *utterly confused*  Ano...  *The two girls lead him around the 
men’s section, picking out the most comfortable-looking and best 
priced outfits they can find.  Inu-Yasha looks dubiously at the clothes, 
wary to dress in something so... feminine as the those shirts, and 
something so uncomfortable as those pants.  Still, the presence of 
Kagome’s mother keeps him civil, and so he accepts the girls’ choices.  
Soon enough, the two send him into the dressing room, and he tries 
on the outfits, after a couple of unsuccessful attempts (“Inu-Yasha, 
your pants are on backwards...”  “Inu-Yasha, you have to button that 
up...” “Oh dear, that’s much too big.”).  Against his will, it is decided 
that he looks best in jeans and slacks with casual shirts.  Mrs. 
Higurashi goes off to find some more ammo, leaving Kagome alone 
with Inu-Yasha for a minute.*

Kagome:  *looking intently into a miserable half-youkai face*  Inu-Yasha... 
you don’t like these clothes, do you?

Inu-Yasha:  *looking down at his feet (shoved into sandals for the trip)*  
I... No.  I hate them.  They’re not... not...

Kagome:  *smiles a little*  Not you?  *pauses, thinking*  You’re right.  Wait 
here.  *leaves Inu-Yasha standing alone by the dressing rooms, only 
to reappear a few seconds later with pre-washed, well-faded tight 
jeans, a white shirt, and a leather jacket with a wolf design on the 
back.  Inu-Yasha looks delighted at the jacket, though he’s still a little 
unsure about the jeans and tight shirt.  Still, he tries the whole 
ensemble on, and comes back out.*

Inu-Yasha:  It’s... a little better.  I like the jacket.

Kagome:  *trying hard not to stare*  (Man, he looks good...)  I like it.  (But 
that jacket’s so expensive... ’Kasaan would never go for it...)  *sighs a 
little*  (Well, I do need to get him a Christmas gift)  Go try on 
something else again, and bring that back out here.  *Inu-Yasha 
nods, and goes back into the small room.  While he’s away, Mrs. 
Higurashi returns, with a couple more clothes.*

Mrs. Higurashi:  *looks at her daughter*  He really doesn’t like the nice 
clothes, does he?

Kagome:  *smiles* Not at all.  It’s not his style.

Mrs. Higurashi:  I guess we’ll be getting mostly jeans, then.  *slyly*  But 
would like one pair of nice clothes, say, for a date?

Kagome:  *a little shocked, but mostly exasperated* Mother!  

Mrs. Higurashi: So?

Kagome:  *thinks, then smiles*  Why not?  *At this point, Inu-Yasha 
emerges, carrying the jacket and wearing a pair of jeans and a loose 
shirt.  Kagome takes the jacket, then winks at her mother*  It’s just 
too bad this is too expensive... I’ll go put it ~back~.  *slips off 
briefly*

Mrs. Higurashi:  *nods, then turns to Inu-Yasha*  Why don’t you bring 
everything out, and we’ll pick what we want?  *He pales at the sheer 
volume of clothes, but nods and returns under a pile of clothes almost 
as tall as him.  Kagome (when she returns, her shopping sack just a 
little thicker) and Mrs. Higurashi pick out three regular outfits (from 
about twenty), and one nice one.  As an afterthought, Kagome makes 
sure all of the pants have loose hips... just in case.  She also gets 
Inu-Yasha a belt.  Mrs. Higurashi makes the purchase, then the three 
visit the shoe store, and emerge again with Inu-Yasha (reluctantly) in 
a pair of sneakers.  He looks decidedly uncomfortable, but neither 
woman acknowledges this.  Instead, they visit the food court, and get 
a quick bite to eat.  Kagome has to show Inu-Yasha what to do with 
his sub sandwich, but once he figures it out, he loves it.  Then the 
three go home, and Inu-Yasha braces himself for a Souta attack.  He 
spends the night in the boy’s room, and hence gets little sleep.*

*The next morning, a slightly sleepy Inu-Yasha gets on the train (with no 
little forceful encouragement from Kagome and polite insistence of 
her mother) with Kagome.*

Inu-Yasha:  *suppressing a yawn* (It’s a good thing youkai don’t need 
quite as much sleep as humans... I’m tired enough as it is.)  So how 
long is this metal snake ride?

Kagome:  *smirking at his phrasing*  An hour.  *with concern* Did Souta 
let you sleep ~any~ last night?  I know he idolizes you... 

Inu-Yasha:  *waves it off* He doesn’t know any better.  Besides, he fell 
asleep a few hours before dawn.  *smiles to himself*  (And I did have 
fun with some of those ‘video’ games.)

Kagome:  *smiles* That’s good.  *the train clacks along, and the pair rides 
in companionable silence.  Suddenly, it start to slow, and the 
intercom announces their stop.*

*In Nerima, that morning*

Akane:  Come ~on~, Ranma!  My cousin will be waiting at the station!

Ranma: *grumbles*  Why doesn’t she just find her way here, like everyone 
else does?  

Akane:  I heard that!!!  Now go!  *shoves him out the door, and takes off 
running.  Ranma sighs, and hops up onto the fence, running easily 
alongside her.*  Now, she’s bringing her friend with her, so we’ve got 
to find him, too.

Ranma:  Oh, great.  Someone ~else~ to cram into the house.

Akane: Ranma, stop that!  Kagome said he’s been having some trouble 
lately, and that he needs a break, so be nice!

Ranma:  (~He~ needs a break... what’s he been through that’s so bad 
~he~ deserves a break, but not me?  It can’t be worse than anything 
I’ve lived through...)  *sighs*  (I just wish everyone would stop 
interfering, and let me alone.  I’d like to spend some time with Akane, 
but every time I try something goes wrong.  And I can’t even 
apologize without making it worse!  I wish I could just... go 
somewhere else!!!)

Shampoo:  *landing on Ranma, bike and all*  Ranma!!! 

Akane:  *growls*  Ranma...

Ranma:  *sighs and prepares himself* What?  I didn’t do nuthin’!

Shampoo:  *glomps*  Wo ai nai, Airen!

Akane:  Ranme, you jerk!  *mallets him out of Shampoos arms, in the 
direction of the train station*

Shampoo: *watches him fly* Why tomboy hit Airen?

Akane:  Because he’s being a jerk again!  *stomps off after him*

Shampoo:  *sighs* She so weird... *hops back on her bike and heads off to 
finish her Ramen delivery*

*Near the train station*

Ranma:  *getting a kettle of hot water at a local restaurant, changes back 
to male*  This is getting tiring.

Akane:  *waiting impatiently*  Come on, Ranma.  The train will arrive any 
minute now!

Ranma: *returns pot to owner* Arigato.  *Turns to Akane*  Right.  Let’s go.

Akane: Hai.  *The two are just leaving the building when they hear 
screams.  They turn, and see a familiar small pervert hopping from 
rooftop to rooftop.  Ranma cracks his knuckles, but before he can go 
stop the little panty thief, Happosai lands near him.*

Happosai:  Whattahaul! Whattahaul!  *Ranma bops him upside the head*

Ranma:  Listen, pervert, Akane’s cousin is coming today, so I don’t have 
time for this!

Happosai: *intrigued*  Akane-chan’s cousin?  Soun’s darling wife’s sister’s 
daughter?  *a little light goes on in his eyes*  (I betcha she’s all 
grown up so pretty now!!!)  Well then, boy, what are we waiting for?  
Let’s go greet the girl!  I haven’t seen little Kagome-chan since she 
was, oh, about two!  (Before the boys locked me up in that cave...) 

Ranma:  *sighs* I don’t suppose I could stop you, could I?

Happosai:  Of course not, Ranma my boy!  Let’s go!  *has managed to stash 
his loot somewhere in the midst of this conversation, for when he 
starts marching off in the direction of the train station, he doesn’t 
carry anything*

Akane:  *sighs*  Oh great.  ~Just~ what we need to make her feel 
welcome.

Ranma: Don’t worry, Akane, if he tries anything, I’ll bop him for you.

Akane:  *smiles at Ranma*  Thanks, Ranma.  *he gulps*  So let’s go.  
*They start off in the direction of the train station.*

Ranma:  *at the station, he looks around*  We’re early.  See, we didn’t 
need to hurry so much.

Akane:  Well, I wanted to be sure.  It’s been so long since Kagome-chan 
came to visit, she doesn’t know her way around.

Happosai:  I’m only sorry I missed the dear sweet girl growing up.

Ranma: Yeah right.  You just want to see what she looks like, you old 
pervert.

Happosai:  Why, Ranma, how awful of you to say such a thing!  *fakes 
looking hurt*

Akane:  Oh, look!  That’s the train!  *points as a train comes in on the right 
tracks.  The three wait for the rush of business people to clear a little, 
then the normal travelers start disembarking.  A young woman about 
Akane’s age steps off the train, and Akane shouts*  Kagome!  
Kagome-chan, over here!  *jumps and waves, and her cousin waves back*

Happosai:  *freezes*  Th-that aura!  Ranma!  There’s an oni nearby!

Ranma: Huh?  What are you talking about, old man?

Happosai:  An oni!  I can sense it’s presence!  *narrows his eyes and looks 
around.  At that minute, a despondent young man with snow-white 
hair, wearing a bandana over his head, sunglasses, jeans, a casual 
shirt, and sneakers steps off the train.  He looks around for something 
- but before he can find it, Happosai is upon him*  Happo-fire 
bursts!!!

Inu-Yasha:  *stepping off the train, looks around to see in which direction 
Kagome went.  He just spots her waving to someone when he senses 
an angry energy approaching.  He whirls, and jumps back just in time 
to avoid being singed by a ridiculously small old human.  He snarls, 
and dodges a pipe swung at him, returning with a quick crack to the 
head.  Happosai moves aside at the last second, but just barely.*

Happosai: Return from whence you came, oni!  *lunges at Inu-Yasha*

Inu-Yasha: O-oni!?!?  Why you- *blocks the lunge easily, and is about to 
retaliate when-*

Kagome:  Inu-Yasha, SIT!  *Inu-Yasha falls flat on his face once more, and 
Kagome stalks over, and whispers fiercely at him* Don’t pick on old 
men!  I told you to ~behave~! Don’t make me send you home!

Inu-Yasha: B-But ~he~ attacked ~me~!!!

Ranma: *reaching them through the quickly assembled wall of people; 
grabs Happosai by the shirt collar*  You old perv, look what you’ve 
done.  Stop making a fool of us.

Akane:  *reaching the group* Ranma, do you- *sees Kagome* Kagome-chan!

Kagome: Akane-chan!  *the two stare at each other in shock for a minute, 
then laugh and hug*  It’s been so long!

Akane:  Hai!  *the boys stare at them*

Ranma: So this is your cousin?

Akane: Hai!  Kagome-chan, meet Ranma Saotome.  He’s one of our other 
houseguests.

Kagome:  *grins* Konichiwa, Saotome-san.  This is Inu-Yasha.  *By now, 
Inu-Yasha has picked himself up, and Ranma has grabbed Happosai 
by the collar, preventing the old man from attacking.  The crowd, 
quickly realizing the fight is over, dissipates, ignoring even Happosai’s 
screaming protests about the “oni”*

Akane: Nice to meet you, Inu-san.  

Kagome: *sweatdrops* Umm... he goes by his full name...

Akane: Oh, gomen, Inu-Yasha-san.  *bows politely, which he returns, much 
to the shock of Happosai (and Kagome)*

Ranma: Sorry ‘bout the ol’ man.  I don’t know what’s gotten into him.

Kagome:  *looking warily at the struggling martial arts master*  It’s... all 
right.

Happosai: Kagome-chan, get away from that evil oni!  It must be confined!

Inu-Yasha:  *looks very uncomfortable*  I’m no oni...  *Kagome 
sweatdrops, Akane sweatdrops, and Ranma sweatdrops, all four young 
people made uncomfortable by Happosai’s accusations*

Akane:  Let’s get going, okay?  Do you have your bags?

Inu-Yasha:  *picking up the bags from where he dropped them when 
Happosai attacked*  Hai.

Kagome:  Are you sure you won’t let me carry mine, Inu-Yasha?

Inu-Yasha:  *nods*  Do I ever?

Kagome:  *smiles* Only occasionally.  *Akane and Ranma lead them back 
to the house, Happosai struggling and crying all the way, but not 
quite willing to break Ranma’s grip.  Somewhere across town, Cologne 
looks up, sensing something, but decides she’s imagining it (the 
distance is just too great).  The group goes inside the Tendo house, 
and the sensation disappears entirely*

*Inside the house, Kagome puts her things in Akane’s room, and Inu-Yasha 
stows his stuff beside Ranma’s.  Spare futons are already spread out.  
The group then goes downstairs for a late lunch.  They eat, and 
Kagome and Akane and the other Tendos catch up on some family 
history, much to Inu-Yasha’s and Ranma’s boredom.  Meanwhile, 
Happosai seems to have disappeared.  Genma munches happily on 
snacks.  Everything is perfectly quiet.  In fact, it’s too quiet, for much 
too long.  After dinner, the whole group is gathered at the table again, 
after an afternoon of getting settled.*

Ranma:  (I’ve managed to avoid water all afternoon.  Just how long is this 
going to last?)

Inu-Yasha:  (I wonder if I can really keep my secret all week?  That old 
man’s already on to me... Although I’m ~NOT~ an oni...) *just barely 
prevents himself from growling at the insult*

Kasumi: So, Inu-Yasha, where do you live?

Kagome: *sweatdrops* (That’s a good question...) *answers for Inu-Yasha 
before he can say anything*  Pretty near me. 

Akane: *nods* Okay. *Kasumi offers to go bring in some desert.  Everyone, 
including Inu-Yasha, perks up*

Akane: Great!  You’ll just love Kasumi’s Angel Food cake!

Kagome:  Yeah!  I haven’t had that in ages!  *looks at Inu-Yasha out of the 
corner of her eye* (Poor thing... he doesn’t have a clue of what we’re 
talking about...)

Nabiki: So, how did you and Kagome meet?

Inu-Yasha: *shrugs* She... um... reminded me of someone I once knew, 
and it kinda went from there.

Nabiki: So are you two a couple, or what?

Akane: *scandalized* Nabiki!  Don’t ask that sort of thing!  *turns to Inu-
Yasha and Kagome* Please accept our apologies...

Kagome: *sweating a little, relieved not to have to answer*  Sure.  
*Inu-Yasha also looks relieved.  Kasumi returns with the cake, and passes 
it out.  Inu-Yasha pokes querulously at his piece, then follows 
Kagome’s example and takes a taste.  To his surprise, he quite likes 
it.  But before he can take another bite, something happens*

Happosai: *comes swinging into the room from apparently nowhere, and 
snatches Inu-Yasha’s bandana off* Look, my boys, an oni!  

Inu-Yasha: (Stupid old human...) *Imagines many painful ways of dealing 
with the old pervert, while carefully keeping his ears flat on his head.  
He stands up and looks around for Happosai, trying to figure out 
where the guy went and get his only cover back.*

Tendo: Master, this boy is our guest!!! *to Genma* The old freak must have 
finally lost it...

Genma: *nods* It is time to do what we should have done a long time ago, 
and...

Happosai:  *hopping back from where ever he went, and looking at his two 
disciples* And do what, Genma my boy?  Besides, it ~is~ an oni!  
Kagome-chan, Akane-chan, get away from it!  *Hops around the room 
like a bouncy ball, and sees Inu-Yasha’s ears lying flat against the top 
of his head - out of sight of everyone else* (Ah, there they are...)  
*Springs down, but Inu-Yasha senses him this time and knocks him 
away, backing against the door*

Inu-Yasha: Stop calling me that!  I’m ~not~ an oni!!!

Happosai: Of course you are, you monster!  *Inu-Yasha cringes at this, 
remembering being called that one too many times as a youth, but 
still doesn’t attack, remembering Kagome’s desire to keep things 
peaceful.  Happosai, figuring that he can’t get at Inu-Yasha’s ears 
again, fakes, then snatches Inu-Yasha’s sunglasses.  Inu-Yasha blinks 
and covers his eyes, knowing they’re a dead give away that he’s not 
entirely human.  Happosai uses this distraction to attack again, but 
Inu-Yasha still senses his presence, and ducks out of the way.  
However, with his eyes covered, he does ~not~ sense the table, and 
goes sprawling, sending Angel Food cake everywhere.  Happosai 
presses his advantage, and grabs one of Inu-Yasha’s ears, making it 
stand up - visible to everyone in the room.*

Soun: *gasps* It’s true!  Akane-chan, get away from him!

Ranma: *standing up, ready to fight* So the old freak wasn’t going crazy!  

Happosai: *prepares to attack* Go back to where you came from, oni!

Kagome: *jumps in front of Inu-Yasha* STOP!