Sesshoumaru’s Imouto-chan, part 4

*Kagome stands in front of the supine Inu-Yasha, protecting him from the 
resident martial artists.  Inu-Yasha, knowing that his ears have given 
him away, drops his arm hiding his eyes and stares at her, as does 
everyone else.  One ear stands guiltily up, while the other stays flat 
on his head.  Slowly, the other ear raises hopefully, hovering just on 
the edge of sight.  She turns around and offers a hand to Inu-Yasha*

Kagome: Are you okay, Inu-Yasha?

Happosai: He’s controlling her!

Kasumi: *of course* Oh, my!

Kagome: *Whirls on the little man* Inu-Yasha ~isn’t~ controlling me.  He 
wouldn’t do something like that, even if he could.

Soun: You knew about this?  *Does the big-head thingy; Inu-Yasha shivers, 
almost recognizing... something...* You ~knowingly~ brought an oni 
into my house?!!!

Kagome: *standing up against him* Stop talking about him like that!

Inu-Yasha: *still on the floor, looks down and says quietly* I’m ~not~ an 
oni. I’m youkai.  Well, half, anyway.

Happosai: Ha! Likely story!  Everyone knows the youkai died out 200 years ago!

Inu-Yasha: *looks alarmed* Th-they did?  But how-?

Kagome: *glares down at the pervert* Shut up and leave him alone!  He 
can’t help what he is!  And obviously, there’s at least ~one~ half-
youkai left!

Ranma: *thinking* Hey, Freak, if he really ~is~ an oni, don’t you think it’s 
strange that he hasn’t done anything evil?  I thought that was the 
nature of oni.  And Inu-Yasha hasn’t even done ~one~ bad thing all 
day! *Everybody thinks back on it.  Inu-Yasha is suddenly glad he 
restrained his temper all day long.*

Akane: I believe him. (Well, I believe Kagome-chan.  She wouldn’t let 
someone deceive her like that.) *walks to stand over Inu-Yasha*  
Maybe he’s just been far away for a long, long time.  *Inu-Yasha nods*

Inu-Yasha: That’s one way of putting it.

Akane: *smiles, and offers him her hand. He stands up - and she peers 
closely at his ears (now both standing visible, perking a little as 
someone’s finally being nice to him).  She reaches out - and rubs 
them.  He sweatdrops, but lets her, although the ear is still tender 
from Happosai’s rough treatment.*  Sugoi.

Soun: *head small again, seeing nothing bad happen to his daughter* So... 
where ~did~ you come from, young man?

Inu-Yasha: *pauses, looking at Kagome with questioning eyes.  She nods* 
Ano... It’s a long story... but I come from her well.

Kagome: *Sweatdropping* He means, my well is a link to the past.  He’s 
from four hundred years ago, actually.

Happosai: *finally dropping his guard a little* A... time portal?  Well, it’s 
been known to happen before...  *seeing Happosai relax, everyone 
else does too, and Kasumi starts cleaning the food off the floor*

Kasumi: I’ll go bring out some more... The cake’s still in the kitchen, 
luckily.

Ranma: *glaring at Happosai* And we’d still be eating what we did have, if 
~someone~ hadn’t mistaken youkai for oni.

Happosai: *sniffs* Well, youkai are usually bad, too.  *stares intently at 
Inu-Yasha* (But Kagome-chan seems to have tamed this one... how?) 
*sees Inu-Yasha’s rosary*  Ah-hah!  (That’s how she did it!)  Kagome-
chan, what word is your friend’s rosary set to?

Inu-Yasha: *starting, realizing his imminent danger* Kagome, don’t!

Kagome: *smiles at Inu-Yasha* Don’t worry, I won’t ~say~ it.

Inu-Yasha: *looks very relieved* Arigato.

Kagome: *Her eyes grow thoughtful for a second, then clear up* (He’s 
being so much more polite to me now.  What’s gotten into him? Oh 
well.)  It’s S-I-T.

Happosai: SIT!  *nothing happens*

Kagome: *munching on the cake Kasumi has brought back out* And it only 
works for me.  *Happosai looks very disappointed*

Ranma: *whapping Happosai across the back of the head*  Serves you 
right, you old perv.

Happosai: *jumps up* Ranma...  *threatens him with his pipe.  Ranma 
stands up*

Ranma: You wanna try, old goat?

Soun: *goes big-headed again* Not in the house!  *both settle down and go 
back to eating, once again Inu-Yasha shivers*

Ranma: *looking at Inu-Yasha out of the corner of his eye as the other boy 
gently rubs his ear* (I guess I can sympathize... He was just trying to 
be normal.  Like me.  But it never works that way, does it?)

Kagome: *notices Inu-Yasha rubbing his ear* Does it hurt? (He’s been so 
nice to me lately... I guess I ought to return the favor...)

Inu-Yasha: *glaring at Happosai* Not much.  That little thing can’t hurt me 
badly.  *winces, and Happosai smirks*  My ears are just cramped 
from being under that dumb bandana all day.  *is surprised as 
Kagome stands up and walks behind him.  She leans over his 
shoulder, hands poised by his ears*

Kagome: May I? *blushes a little*

Inu-Yasha: *entirely expecting to have his ears played with, leans forward 
onto the table and rests his head in his hand, then sighs* Sure.  
*Kagome, instead of just playing with his ears, starts rubbing gently, 
working tension out.  The surprised Inu-Yasha just sits for a second, 
then his eyelids start to droop a little.  Nabiki watches in particular 
amusement as Kagome works the young half-youkai into a lolling 
mass of puppy dog, receiving the equivalent of a really good 
massage.  The long day starts to catch up on him as she works the 
kinks out of his ears, and he’s soon dozing under her gentle touch, his 
claws splayed out on the table, his head in his hand, his eyes closed.  
Kagome, sensing her success, steps away and sits down again.  Inu-
Yasha’s ears perk up at the sound of her movement, and he wakes up 
again.  He realizes what just happened, and he blushes furiously, his 
expression daring anyone to comment.  Wisely, no one does.*

Kasumi: *To Kagome* You two must be tired after your long day. Why don’t 
we all head to bed?  

Kagome: *blushing a little, too* Hai.  Arigato, Kasumi-chan.  *Akane leads 
her to the room, and she gets ready for bed.  Inu-Yasha, on the other 
hand, looks questioningly at Ranma, who shrugs and points the 
general direction of the room.  Inu-Yasha heads upstairs, then crashes 
into the bed.  He falls quickly asleep, his ears ever alert for danger, 
but feeling marvelously good after that rub...*

*Ranma later heads to his room, finally tired enough to sleep.  He slides the 
door open, and notices Inu-Yasha sleeping on the newest futon in the 
room.  He steps over the other boy, marveling at those ears.  He 
smirks as he realizes Inu-Yasha’s ears follow his movements.*

Ranma: (Ever aware, even in his sleep, huh?  Wish I could do that... I’ll 
have to ask him for a spar later; he must be a good martial artist.)  
*He lays down and goes to sleep.  About midnight, Genma joins the 
two, laying down on the bed by the wall.  He doesn’t notice his 
movements followed by Inu-Yasha’s ears.  Then again, he’s just lost 
three games of Go to Soun, and it is midnight.  He, too, goes to bed - 
and starts snoring.*

*The next morning*

Kagome: *sitting by Inu-Yasha at breakfast*  Inu-Yasha, didn’t you sleep 
well?

Inu-Yasha:  *yawns, then says grumpily* I slept fine.  (Except that darned 
snoring...) *glares a little at Genma, who either doesn’t notice or 
pretends not to as he battles Ranma over breakfast*

Akane:  *deftly grabbing a fish from the plate from between Ranma’s and 
Genma’s chopsticks* Did you sleep well, Kagome-chan?  

Kagome:  *nodding cheerfully*  Hai, Akane-chan.  

Nabiki: *addresses Inu-Yasha* So exactly how much do those ears of yours 
hear, anyway?

Inu-Yasha:  (Enough to hear you cursing at some peasant just before dawn, 
though he was not even here...) *vaguely* A lot.  *Nabiki frowns, but 
says nothing*

Ranma:  *pauses in his breakfast battle to look at Inu-Yasha*  When I 
came in last night, you heard me, didn’t you?  Your ears were still 
moving, even though you were sleeping.  *Inu-Yasha shrugs, and 
Ranma smiles*  You must be a great fighter.  Care for a spar?

Inu-Yasha:  *looks interested*  Perhaps.  (Maybe this trip won’t be so 
boring, after all...  Even if I can’t hunt shards, I can still stay sharp.  
It wouldn’t do to get careless after so much time in a danger-less 
world.)

*later that day, when Akane, Kasumi, Nabiki, and Kagome have all gone 
shopping; and Genma and Soun are busy with Go; and the house is 
otherwise empty*

Inu-Yasha:  Ready for that spar, human?

Ranma: *smiles in anticipation*  Whenever you are.  *The two head back 
to their room, and Inu-Yasha changes into his the bottom layer of his 
400 year old clothes (leaving the fire rat armor off) as Ranma puts on 
a gi.  Then Ranma leads Inu-Yasha to the dojo, and they exchange 
bows.  Then they exchange blows.  Ranma leaps into the air to land 
right behind Inu-Yasha, who instinctively ducks and grabs his foot, 
sending him shooting into the ground.  Ranma catches himself and 
leaps back into the air, and this time Inu-Yasha jumps after him, 
placing a light punch on the other boy.  Ranma, though, dodges, 
startling Inu-Yasha, and presses his advantage with a sound kick to 
the ribs.*

Inu-Yasha: (He’s better than I thought... fast for a human... He’s actually 
keeping up well, and I’m not holding back on speed.  And that 
technique... I’ve never seen anything like it.  I’d bet he’d be even 
better than Sesshoumaru in fighting, if he was only youkai.)  *Dodges 
a blow, and tosses one himself, but is blocked*  (Can’t use my claws 
at all - Kagome would kill me if I did that, and there’s really no need - 
and I’ll have to pull all my punches.  But that’s only expected against 
a human.)  *realizes, with a start, that Ranma could probably easily 
beat him on a night of the full moon*  (Now that’s a surprise... A nice 
one, though.  He has honor.)  *smirks*  You’re not bad for a human.

Ranma:  *smirks back*  I’m just getting started.  (I like this guy... He may 
be pulling all of his punches, but then again, he said he was a 
youkai... I’m lucky to last even this long, aren’t I?)  Tenshin 
Amiguriken!  *his techniques takes Inu-Yasha by surprise, and the 
youkai goes into a defensive mode, blocking the punches.  To 
Ranma’s, and Inu-Yasha’s, surprise, several get through.  Inu-Yasha 
jumps back, and Ranma wall-kicks in for another round.  Once again 
several punches make it through Inu-Yasha’s guard.  As if by an 
invisible signal, both boys stop*

Inu-Yasha:  *looks in confusion at his own two clawed hands*  That last 
technique...  *looks up at Ranma in grudging admiration*  I couldn’t 
match your speed.

Ranma:  *surprised*  You weren’t holding back?

Inu-Yasha:  *sounds offended* Of course I was holding back!  Do you 
~want~ me to kill you?  *less angry, more grudging*  Just not on 
speed.  *folds his arms*

Ranma:  Really?  *looks closely at Inu-Yasha*  I don’t know much about 
youkai... but it’s been said that nothing ever matched youkai speed.  

Inu-Yasha:  *looks away*  I’m not full youkai.  I ~can~ be faster, though... 
(When Kagome’s around)  Besides, I’m still young for a youkai.  

Ranma:  Really?  How old are you?

Inu-Yasha:  Thirty. (Not counting the years spent pinned to a tree.)  

Ranma: (Wow.  And he only looks Kagome’s age.) ... *he walks over to the 
wall of the dojo, and sits down.  Inu-Yasha joins him.  A few moments 
pass in silence, then Ranma speaks*  That technique of mine... 

Inu-Yasha: Yes?

Ranma: *Both boys stare straight ahead, neither looking at the other* 
Some old lady taught it to me, because she thought it would make me 
a better husband for her granddaughter.  Didn’t work, though.  Those 
two are still after my hide.  *Inu-Yasha smirks*  I... guess I could 
show it to you.  *Inu-Yasha looks at Ranma, surprised.  Ranma gets a 
little defensive* Well,  Kagome-san said you were having a little 
trouble at home, and all... Besides, it’d drive that old mummy nuts.  
Give her back something for what she’s put me through, and all.  
*Inu-Yasha nods, understanding the last part.  Ranma haltingly tells 
Inu-Yasha how he learned the Amazon technique, but fills in all 
gender-changing parts with small fibs and half-truths.  Naturally, the 
story ends up very different, but it still works (although Inu-Yasha 
wonders about Ranma’s insistence on being able to stand hot water).  
After a while, Inu-Yasha begins to get the concept of the Chestnut 
fist, and promises to practice it himself at a later date.*

Inu-Yasha:  Arigato, Ranma-san.  I... believe that will be of great help to me.

Ranma: *shrugs* It’s nothing, ya know.  *grins at Inu-Yasha* I bet it’s 
about lunchtime.  

Inu-Yasha:  *His ears perk at this*  Then let’s go in!  *the two head inside, 
when Kasumi certainly has laid a meal out (Inu-Yasha had picked up 
her arrival earlier, along with Nabiki’s, but Kagome and Akane are still out)*

Kasumi:  *Seeing the two come in*  Just in time!  Kagome-chan and 
Akane-chan stayed at the mall for a while longer, so they’ll be eating 
there.  But they’ll be back this evening.  *Both boys nod, merely 
relieved that they had not had to accompany the girls*  Here’s lunch.  
*Kasumi lays the meal out in front of them, and they begin to eat.  
Nabiki joins them, as well as Soun and Genma.* So, Inu-Yasha, your 
mother is actually letting you spend Christmas away from home?  
Most people feel they ought to spend it with family.

Inu-Yasha:  *looks down, says quietly* My mother died.  A long time ago.

Kasumi: *sympathetically* Oh, I’m sorry.  

Nabiki: *sadly*  So did ours.  *Inu-Yasha looks up, a little startled, and 
strangely... a little comforted*

Inu-Yasha: Honto ni?  *the two sisters nod, and Soun starts crying.  
Everybody respectfully ignores him*

Nabiki: Well, what about your father?  I mean, it’s one thing to visit family, 
but you really don’t know us...

Inu-Yasha: *looking down again, ears drooping a little* He’s dead, too.  

Ranma: (Wow.  Maybe this guy really ~has~ had it worse than me... at 
least my parents are still ~alive~... even if I can’t go see mother.)  
*the others in the room express sympathy, and an awkward moment 
passes.  

Kasumi: *smiles perkily again* Well, how about a rice ball?  *passes Inu-
Yasha one, and he takes it gratefully.  Lunch passes in relative peace, 
and Inu-Yasha and Ranma settle in the backyard, near a hearty little 
blaze by the koi pond.  Ranma absently prepares a kettle of water.*

Inu-Yasha:  *Watching Ranma with curiosity* What’s that for?  Tea?

Ranma:  *Sweatdrops a little* Uh... yeah... (Not like not telling him now 
will do me any good.  After all, I’m sure that I’ll have changed by the 
end of the day. I guess... Nah, later.)  It’s just nice to always have 
some hot water around.

Inu-Yasha:  *eyeing the koi pond discreetly*  That is true. (Not that it 
means the same to him, but you can’t make Ramen without hot 
water.  And I suppose pond water is as dangerous as river water.)  
*sighs, a little depressed by this reminder of his newest problem*

Ranma:  *He watches as the other boy puts his chin in his hand, obviously 
bothered by some inner demon - forgive the pun.*  (Oh, why not - 
Shampoo or Ryouga or ~somebody~ will probably come along any 
second now and give me away anyway.)  If it makes you feel better, 
you’re not the only one with problems.  

Inu-Yasha:  *a little irked* How is ~that~ supposed to make me feel 
better?  (If it weren’t for Kagome... I wouldn’t ever put up with such 
sarcasm back home.)  *growls a little*

Ranma: *backs off as Inu-Yasha shows his teeth*  No, no, I didn’t mean it 
like that!  *He breathes a mental sigh of relief as Inu-Yasha goes 
from angry to merely guarded.  Ranma sighs*  It’s just... My life’s 
been a major pain, too.  (At least he doesn’t have mallets.)  I’ve got 
three fiancés who can’t decide who wants me and who doesn’t, my 
pop is a complete idiot who does nothing but make trouble for me, I 
can’t even really meet my mother for fear of my life, and I think 
everybody who doesn’t want to marry me hates me.  *sighs*  Worst 
of all... is this.  *splashes himself.  Inu-Yasha stares in shock as 
Ranma goes from male to female in the blink of the eye... then a 
small tooth starts to show in a feral grin of amusement.  Inu-Yasha 
looks suddenly very relieved, but all Ranma-onna sees is his smile*  
Hey!  It’s not funny!

Inu-Yasha:  *Still laughing a little, he reaches down and splashes himself.  
Now Ranma stares in amazement, then starts laughing, too.* (Maybe 
this trip wasn’t such a bad idea, after all!)

Ranma:  I guess we’re really not all that different after all, huh?  *She 
reaches up and brushes some of the moisture out of her bangs.*  I 
mean, I’ve seen others with the Jusenkyo curse, but I never thought-

Inu-Yasha: *Suddenly eager, she practically tackles Ranma*  Y-you know 
what caused this?  Do you know how to reverse it?

Ranma: Gah!  *jumps a couple of feet back for air room*  You mean, you 
don’t remember how it happened?

Inu-Yasha:  *her hands clench, and she practically growls* How could I 
forget?  *shakes head* But I don’t know how it happened, or where 
that *beep* got the spell...

Ranma:  *tries to collect something from all this*  So, someone just 
splashed you, and you changed?  *Inu-Yasha nods in mute fury.  
Ranma mulls over this as she answers her questions*  Where it comes 
from is simple... Jusenkyo springs. *At Inu-Yasha’s querulous look* A 
small region in China.  The cure is just as simple, even if it ~is~ 
practically impossible to get - the spring of drowned man.  *sighs* 
The only hitch is, no one’s ever been able to get it and cure 
themselves that I know of.  

Inu-Yasha:  Why not?

Ranma:  *shrugs* I don’t know.  Every time anyone gets a chance at the 
water, something happens, and it’s all over.  It’s kinda like the water 
magnetism thing - everywhere you go, you get wet.  *Inu-Yasha nods 
glumly, sitting back and crossing her arms.  Ranma tests the water in 
the kettle*  It’s about time.  

Inu-Yasha:  Here.  *tosses an instant Ramen packet at Ranma.  The other 
boy looks at it oddly*

Ranma: What’s this for?

Inu-Yasha:  Don’t tell me you were really going to make tea.  I want to 
change back.

Ranma:  *Shrugs and tosses the Ramen back*  Fine.  *Pours a little hot 
water on herself, then he offers the kettle to Inu-Yasha... who looks 
at him rather amazed*

Inu-Yasha: (You mean I’ve been making myself sticky for the last few days 
for nothing?) *She grabs the kettle and upends it on herself, then he 
shakes the water from his hair.  Ranma protests at the soaking, but 
since the water’s hot, none too loudly.  Inu-Yasha hands the kettle 
back*  Arigato.

Ranma: *waves it off, then, after a while of restful silence, says* I wonder 
what happened to the ol’ Freak?

Inu-Yasha: You mean that guy that grabbed my ears?  *From the tone of 
his voice, Ranma decides that he likes Inu-Yasha*

Ranma: Yeah, that’s the one. *smirks*  If you’re gonna kill him, wait in 
line. 

Inu-Yasha:  Nah, I’ve got some questions first.  *pauses*  Someone’s coming.

Ranma: Huh? Who? *Inu-Yasha opens his mouth to answer, but at that 
moment, a purple mass pounces on his new friend, knocking Inu-
Yasha into the water.  The resultant splash soaks Ranma’s feet, 
transforming him, but since Shampoo’s entire body is glomped around 
him, she remains dry... and human.  Ranma groans*

Shampoo:  Ranma-Airen!!!  *Lets her go, now that Ranma’s female, and 
carefully puts her own feet down, remaining dry*  Who that?  *Looks 
over Ranma’s shoulder at an irate Inu-Yasha*  

Inu-Yasha:  *growling, but keeps her ears down and her fangs hidden, and 
makes sure her hair is over her eyes*  The name’s Inu-Yasha.  (I 
shouldn’t have let my guard down.  Okay, I couldn’t have expected 
her to suddenly attack him like that, not in this time anyway, but I 
need my bandana even around the house.) *Starts cussing herself out 
mentally*

Shampoo:  Oh.  You not trying anything with my Ranma, is you?  *Inu-
Yasha’s fists clench under the water, where she is keeping them 
hidden, and she switches her target of mental invective from herself 
to the purple-haired Amazon*

Ranma:  *interrupting, seeing Shampoo’s imminent danger*  We just were 
talking.  He- She’s Akane’s cousin’s friend.  

Shampoo:  *looses interest* Oh.  So, Ranma want date?  *smiles perkily*

Ranma:  *blatantly* No, Shampoo.  *at her hurt look, and her crocodile 
tears, she starts sputtering* I mean, well, um, Inu-Yasha’s here and 
so’s Akane’s cousin and all, and... um, well... Aww, don’t cry, 
Shampoo!

Inu-Yasha: (Will she just hurry up and go away?  I’m getting pruned here!)

Shampoo: *sniffle* B-but Ranma say... *sniffle sniffle* He don’t like 
Shampoo!!!  WAHHHH!

Ranma: (How do I get myself into these things? Stupid stupid stupid....)  I- 
I’ve got to go do something...

Shampoo:  *blows nose*  I go now.  If Ranma no like me anymore, I have 
no more reason to live.  *Starts walking off.  Ranma starts to follow, 
protesting.  Shampoo’s almost got her date, when*

Akane:  *coming back* Ranma!  *He starts guiltily, knowing he’s going to 
get malleted no matter what he does*

Ranma: *reflexively* I-it’s not what it looks like!

Kagome:  *also coming in, sees Shampoo crying, a soaking female Inu-
Yasha, and Ranma jumping like a scared rabbit.*  What’s going on?  
*looks suspiciously at Inu-Yasha, who cringes back a little*

Inu-Yasha: *still keeping all youkai parts hidden* I didn’t do anything!  I swear!

Akane:  Who’s that, Kagome-chan?

Shampoo: Hey, Ranma said she staying here!  If you no know her, then he lie!

Ranma: *backing up and waving his hands in a defensive manner*  I-  It’s 
not-  I mean-  (Great.  And just ~how~ long until Ucchan shows up, 
too?)

Ukyou: *Picks that moment to fulfill Ranma’s prophecy, holding an 
okonomiyaki high in the air*  Hi Ranchan!  I brought you-  ... What’s 
going on?

Shampoo: *points at Inu-Yasha* That strange girl to try steal Airen!

Ucchan: Oh really?  *gives Inu-Yasha a hostile gaze.  The half-youkai looks 
about at the three hostile women about her through her bangs, and 
suddenly realizes just how much danger she’s in, sensing that there is 
more to these women than appears.*

Inu-Yasha: (Kagome, gomen... But if they attack, I’m not holding back 
anymore.)

Ranma: Hey, don’t blame Inu-Yasha!  He-she’s not done anything wrong!

Shampoo:  *glares at the white-haired girl*  (If she in way, I kill her.)

Ucchan:  (The girl looks terrified.  I bet I could just scare her off with a few 
spatulas...)

Akane:  (Who is that?  She looks so familiar... but if Ranma’s been flirting 
with her, he’ll wish he’d never been born!)

Kagome: *quietly* Inu-Yasha...  *Akane looks at her, startled that she’s 
calling this stranger by her youkai friend’s name.  Kagome, 
completely ignorant of the skills of the angry female martial artists, 
walks unafraid through them all to stop by the koi pond.  She kneels 
down, getting her skirt hem soaked, and reaches a hand out*  Inu-
Yasha, you’re all wet.