Differences Are Important by Tal

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I own nothing.  Just the idea.  I don't even own... well, what's slightly referenced here :)

Differences Are Important

Kagome was minding her own business, heating up water for the all-important ramen, when she heard a triumphant “MINE!” shout, and was swept up by two strong arms.

“Get yer hands off her, ya bastard!”  Ah, that was a familiar voice.  And even a familiar phrase.  But… the arms holding her didn’t belong to the wolf youkai that phrase was usually shouted at.  Nor did she smell that… unique smell that she had come to associate with wolf fur.

“It is not I who is the bastard, Inuyasha.”  Wait.  She knew that voice.  And the stripes she saw on the wrists of the arms did look vaguely familiar.

Finally, the dizziness that had engulfed her as she was swept up unexpectedly passed, and she dared to look up into the face that belonged to said arms.

Sesshoumaru looked down back at her, and as Kagome eeped, she swore she saw a flash of amusement in his eyes.  But that was impossible.  Sesshoumaru didn’t get humor.

By that time, the rest of the inu-tachi had risen to their feet, gripping weapons warily.  Of course, Miroku took the time to be his usual self, and was consequently knocked out by Sango.  And Shippo… well, he looked more cute than threatening, with his fox fire in his hand and trembling like a leaf.  Still, it was the thought that counted.

Inuyasha was holding up Tetsusaiga, glaring and spouting off things that Kagome swore was tingeing the air blue.

“Hn.  Hanyou, put your sword away.  This one will not harm the miko.”  Kagome squeaked as she felt the rumblings of his voice against her back.  Made sense, considering that was his chest she was pressed… up… again – Kagome, for her own mental health, smacked that line of thought down and descended into blissful ignorance.

“What are you doin’!”  Inuyasha yelled.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow.  “You truly are dense, hanyou.”  He ignored the cursing that resulted from that, and continued.  “Can you not see that This Sesshoumaru has caught the miko?”

Well… that fact was pretty obvious, what with his arms (when had he grown out his other arm, anyway?) like steel bands around Kagome.  Even the slightest shifting on Kagome’s part was met with them tightening.  Still, he wasn’t really hurting her.  Just… catching her.

Miroku woke up right about then, and got serious.  “May I ask why you have… caught Kagome, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

The taiyoukai did something very… weird.  He rolled his eyes.  “Can you not see?”

Apparently, they couldn’t.

“Fine, clay miko, present yourself.”  Sesshoumaru’s head turned towards the wood, where Kikyo appeared, her eyes slightly wider than usual.

Inuyasha suddenly lost all real interest in the miko currently being held, and stared making… er… puppy eyes at Kikyo.

The monk and slayer stared back and forth between Kikyo and Kagome, but were at a loss to what Sesshoumaru was trying to get at.

Sesshoumaru sighed.  “Look at this miko’s eyes.”

“Yes?  They’re blue, so what?”  Sango ventured a guess.

“So… she is different than all other mikos.”  And with that, Sesshoumaru reached into his red and white garment and pulled out a book, tossing it to the slayer and returning to his grip on Kagome.  For her part, Kagome had been too stunned to take this (small) chance at freedom.

Sango caught the book, and with Miroku looking on and surprisingly not groping her, she flipped through the pages.  Inuyasha wandered over to see, as did a curious undead Kikyo.

Every page had a picture of a miko on it.  All had black hair in some shape or fashion, the typical miko garment of red and white and… black or brown eyes.

Sesshoumaru, seeing that they still weren’t understanding, strove to enlighten them.  “This miko… is a shiny!”

And with that, the taiyoukai turned, humming something about being the very best, like no one ever was, still clutching the shocked, shiny miko in his arms, red and white garments fluttering in the wind.

There were several moments of silence, before Miroku turned to Inuyasha.  “Has your half-brother always been quite insane?”

Inuyasha frowned, contemplating, before his face fell.  “Dang it!  She was a shiny!  Darn it, now she’s been caught…”  And, for the rest of the day, he cursed his inobservance, oblivious to the incredulous stares of the rest of the group.

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A/N: Yes, Sesshy IS talking about pokemon.  For those who don't know, Shiny Pokemon are those that have a different coloring than normal Pokemon.  And as I got this idea, I had to pause to go get dinner, and I chuckled to myself when Sesshoumaru's red and white garments... well, they fit in with the theme.  :)  I don't own Pokemon, either.

And ooooh, I am SOOOOO getting put up LGP's Hit List for this one.