Striking A Deal by KogasAngel

Jaken Finally Gets It

After breakfast, the group got up and prepared to leave. Jaken had come to a very important decision during his alone time. He was sick and tired of being mistreated by the males. If he did as Lady Kagome said, and treated her like she was the most precious thing on the planet, perhaps she would shield him from Lord Sesshomaru's anger. So, that is what he decided to do. When he saw Kagome stand up, he was next to her, taking her bag from her and walking it over to Ah-Un and strapping it on. He then went back and tended to her needs, bowing low to her and calling her 'Mistress".

Kagome was confused. Never before had the small toad treated her with anything but malice and now he was catering to her every need. She gave him a look that said that she did not trust him and went to walk beside Sesshomaru.

Jaken tried not to smirk. He had not received one mean word from her and his resolve only strengthened. He walked behind his mistress keeping his head low and respectful. He could feel Kagome's eyes look at him curiously and then she would look away. Apparently, she was trying to figure out what he was up too. He saw her to shake her head, and then turn to look towards where she was going.

Sesshomaru noticed that his mate kept glancing back at her new handmaid. Apparently, the toad's behavior confused her, but he knew what the toad was up too. He was trying to stay in her good graces so that she would not allow any harm to come to him. It was actually a smart move. Kagome would not allow someone in her employ to be hurt, so basically, his days of swatting at the toad were over, but at least his mate was pleased.

Kouga walked in the back of the group. He stared at Kagome's bottom while she walked and was entranced by it. He flexed his hand, imagining how her rear would feel in his palm. His attention was snapped back to the present when he heard Kagome exclaim that she sensed some jewel shards ahead.

Going into action, Kouga and Sesshomaru got into attacking positions. Once the demon showed himself, they got ready to attack, kneeling in anticipation of the demon being foolish enough to approach. Inu Yasha had accepted his fate as the caretaker of the children, but he preferred to consider himself their guardian. Sango and Miroku got into defensive positions, readying themselves for an attack. Jaken had stepped in front of his mistress, trying to shield her with his body, and failing miserably. Seeing as how Kagome was a whole lot taller than him, the gesture was a foolish one, but Kagome had to admit, it was nice that he wanted to protect her.

Sesshomaru was about to attack when an arrow engulfed in pink light hit the demon, and killed it off. When the group directed their attention to where the arrow came from, Kikyo stepped out from behind a tree and calmly walked over to where the demon had stood. Scooping up the shards, she turned to the group and smirked. She then placed the shards in a small baggie.

Sesshomaru stepped forward and growled. "Give us the shards, bitch."

Kikyo was about to say something, but a rustle in the bushes caught everyone's attention. The little girl who had been causing all of the trouble stepped forward and told Kikyo, "Give them the shards. They are not worth anything to us."

Kikyo looked at the girl in surprise. "Hell no. I worked for these and they are mine." She snapped.

"Give them the shards, Kikyo. Do it now or else." Kanna ordered.

Something in the way she ordered her made Kikyo shudder. Kanna was scary, and what was worse, now that she had a bit of Kagura in her, she was nearly as intimidating as Naraku. Kikyo scowled, but did as she was told. She took her baggie and threw it at the demon lord's feet. She then went to stand behind the little girl.

Kanna watched with narrowed eyes as the demon lord picked up the small bag and hand it to his mate. The miko purified the shards quickly and then looked at the two women with curious eyes.

Kanna decided to give them what they had been wanting. "Look and see where your enemy lives." She whispered.

As before, the group's eyes were drawn to the mirror, and they saw the castle of Naraku. Behind it, were landmarks and it was clear to them that the child was trying to get them to go to their enemy. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"And what do you get out of showing us this, bitch?" He snarled.

"Peace. I just want peace and to be with my sister. There are no more shards to find. Naraku has the rest." Kanna said, in her eerily quiet voice.

"What about the barrier? How do we get past that thing, huh?" Kouga demanded.

"Kanna, that is enough. Naraku will kill you for this." Kikyo told her, trying to lead her away, but Kanna stood strong.

"The barrier is being powered by his half of the jewel. All your miko has to do is focus her purifying energy against the barrier while the hanyou releases his wind scar and the barrier will fall. He believes himself to be untouchable. He got rid of all his incarnations, and tried to kill me off. After you kill him, I will come to you. I want something from you, Lord Kouga." Kanna said, looking at the sky.

"Oh, and what in the hell could you want, girl and why would I give it to you?" Kouga asked. Ok, he would admit it, the girl stroked his curiosity.

"My sister, Kagura killed your brothers. I want you to take my life as payment for theirs. Since I am part of Kagura and Naraku, your vengeance will have been taken. I offer myself to you to appease your need for revenge." Kanna told him, whispering her request and making him strain to hear her.

"Wait, so you want me to kill you?" Kouga asked.

Kanna nodded, and turned. She nodded at Kikyo and together they walked away into the forest.

Kouga looked at the rest of the group and said, "Ok, now I am officially freaked out. Did she or did she not just confirm that she wanted me to kill her off?"

"Apparently, the girl is trying to reunite with her sister in the afterlife. It was the wind witch that looked out for her. I suppose that she wants to be released from her misery." Jaken piped up. The group looked at him and he shrugged, scooting behind his mistress. "I do take time to observe things, you know. Have you not ever noticed that Kagura always protected the little one? They were the first two of Naraku's minions and depended on each other. Now that Kagura is gone, the little one is lonely."

Kagome bent her head down in thought. It made sense. "Kouga, are you going to do as she asks?" Kagome asked, in a worried tone.

Kouga looked to the sky. "Kagome, she is part of Naraku. If I don't take his head myself, then I will have to take hers. It is about honor, and the fact that she has offered herself to pay for her sister's crimes will satisfy my tribe's need for justice. That is the way it is, I am sorry."

Kagome actually felt pity for the small girl. How sad that she lived her short life as a slave and now would willingly give her life up so that she could find peace. It was a shame.

Jaken noticed his mistress's discomfort and decided to ease it. He reached up and patted her hand. "Don't worry, my lady. I am sure that Lord Kouga will make it as painless as possible." He said, taking note of how the wolf's head snapped up. 'Haha, take that, you mangy wolf.' Jaken thought.

Kouga stepped forward, barring his fangs at Jaken, but was intercepted by Kagome. "Is what he said true? Can you make it painless on her if you do end up killing her?" Kagome asked, hope written across her face.

Kouga sighed. The point of exacting vengeance was to make it hurt. Damn it, he was going to have to be kind and make it painless or else Kagome would think he was a total beast.

He looked over at Sesshomaru, who shrugged as if saying, 'you are on your own with this one'.

He walked up to Kagome and took her hands. "I will make it is painless as possible because you have requested it."

He was graced with a smile from the woman he loved, and watched as she happily walked over to Sesshomaru, leaning her head on his shoulder and talking excitedly about how the nightmare was almost over.

'Yes,' Kouga thought, 'the nightmare will finally be coming to an end. Well, for most of us at least.'

Kouga yelled to the group that it was time to make camp. The others agreed and set up, Kouga offered to grab the firewood, and before he had a chance to escape, Kouga yanked the toad up and cheerfully said that Jaken had graciously offered to come with him. Together, they walked into the woods.

Sesshomaru watched as the wolf took the toad with him, shaking his head as he thought that the toad should have just kept his mouth shut. Kagome had gathered the pups and Sango, and they went to a nearby hot spring to bathe. Sesshomaru glanced at the monk and was surprised that he was not trying to go and spy on the women. Something was amiss.

"What ails you, monk?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I don't know what you are referring too, my lord." Miroku said, trying to start a fire.

Sesshomaru took the sticks from the monk's hand and narrowed his eyes at where he wanted a fire to start. With in seconds, a fire sparked, making Miroku glad that the taiyoukai had that particular ability.

"You have not groped, fondled, or spied on the women. Tell me, are you ill?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yeah, your not being your usual hentai self." Inu Yasha chimed in. He sat down next to the monk and looked at him intensely.

"I have decided to ask Lady Sango to be my wife." Miroku said, staring at the fire.

Inu Yasha started to laugh. "Are you serious? You, he who cannot keep his hands still, are going to ask the woman who has given you a number of black eyes to marry you. This is rich."

Miroku started to get angry. "What? Am I not worthy of love? I only grope women to get Sango to notice me. Sure, I was a hentai before I met her, but now I want to grope her and only her. Believe me, if Lady Kagome and the children were not with Sango, I would be peeping like there was no tomorrow, but since they are, I will not invade their privacy."

"I wish you luck She is a most unusual woman, and will be a strong mate." Sesshomaru said, not really knowing how to offer his support.

Miroku bowed his head. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."

The males were interrupted when Jaken landed right next to the fire, his head full of lumps and his eyes black and blue. The toad slowly got up and wobbled his way over to where Ah-Un sat.

Kouga emerged from the forest a moment later and sat down in a huff. Sesshomaru leaned over and nudged Kouga.

"I see you taught him a lesson in minding his own business." Sesshomaru said, trying hard not to chuckle.

"Damn busybody. Now, I can't give my brothers the blood they deserve because of him. Damn it. I should take his head and say that a wild youkai got to him in the forest." Kouga grumbled.

His attention was drawn to Kagome as she emerged from the path that held the hot spring. She took a look at Jaken and stomped over to him. She looked at his face and then glared at where the males sat. She marched over to them and said, "Ok, which one of you is responsible for that?" She asked, pointing over to where the toad sat.

Inu Yasha began to snicker and Kagome's fury turned on him. "Oh, I see. It was you, was it? Well, I tell you what, you can join him in his misery. SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT, and just so you don't do it again, SIT!" Kagome bellowed. She turned on her heel and went to go get some water so that she could treat Jaken's injuries.

Kouga sneaked a peek at Inu Yasha who was moaning pitifully on the ground. The hanyou had never felt so much pain. What was worse, Kagome had chosen a night right before the new moon and he was more susceptible to pain and injury. He looked up at Kouga, who was looking at him in shock.

"Why didn't you tell her that it was you?" Inu Yasha whined.

Kouga shrugged. "After seeing her in action with you, there is no way in hell that I am going to tell her that it was really me."

"You prick." Inu Yasha mumbled, getting up slowly and brushing himself off. The males watched as Kagome returned and began to treat Jaken's wounds. She shielded him from most of the males's views, except for Kouga's. The wolf was staring at him and Jaken decided to give the wolf a taste of his own medicine. He stuck his tongue out at the wolf demon, causing the wolf to begin growling loudly. Kagome snapped her head up and shot the wolf a warning look, making him back down quickly. Kouga looked back at the toad, and mouthed, 'I will get you later, wimp.' Jaken just flashed the wolf a grin and then moaned pitifully. He could feel his mistress's gentle hands working to make his wounds feel better. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Jaken just found a way to torture the wolf, and he would be damned if he didn't torture him. This was going to be fun.