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Jaken ran around like a madman, making sure everything was packed to perfection. He could stop the evil laugh as he ran, "They have no idea what's coming to them!"
It was no easy feat, attempting to combine two such different requests, but he was, after all, his lord’s greatest vassal, and there was nothing he could not do.
So caught up in his mission was he that he didn't notice that he was no longer alone in the hallway until he ran beak-first into a set of legs.
Jaken let loose a little oomph before staggering back, turning a startled, though thoroughly annoyed gaze to the figure before him.
"Jaken!!! What are you doing?!" He looked up into the face of a harried Miko. "Sesshoumaru keeps asking me prying questions and I can't keep him in the dark much longer! Is everything almost ready?!"
Jaken draws himself up as he eyes the woman his lord has chosen—she alone who is worthy, and not just because she can purify his entire being into obliteration. Definitely not. “All will be ready for your departure on the morrow, Kagome-sama.”
"Thank you, you have no idea how much it means to me that you're willing to help me with this," the miko replied.
"Of course, Miko-Sama. I've already checked and double-checked the list you've written out for me." He said, still a little annoyed that she thought he didn't know his lord enough to pack his favorite things.
Kagome sighed in relief, said another word of thanks, then scurried off, trying to avoid her mate and his questions. Jaken huffed another sigh and continued on his way.
He was on his way to check on Ah-Un and ensure his saddle and bridle were in good condition for the journey tomorrow, when he heard the voice of his lord beckon him. "Jaken."
Jaken slowly turned to see Sesshomaru’s slight smile. Not a good sign, but he was used to it. “Y-yes, Sesshomaru-sama?”
"This one assumes you are well prepared for his plans for his mate," Sesshoumaru drawled. "Or does he have to provide you with a reminder of the importance of this task?"
Jaken held in a shudder, remembering all of his master's past reminders, "Yes, my lord, everything is well taken care of. You'll need for nothing on your trip."
Sesshomaru lifted his head. “And what of the other request?”
"Other request, milord?" the imp whimpered, wracking his brain to see if he missed something. He felt his cheeks blush when he remembered, “Oh… that request. Uhh, I’m still working on it, my lord, but I’ll be sure to have it ready by the time you leave.”
His staff of two heads can still create an onsen anywhere, though he still doesn’t quite understand how it got the power. Of course, it also means he’ll have to tag along at first, since the onsen won’t be a permanent one.
"Good. Remember, This One's mate cannot find out about this, Jaken." The daiyoukai flipped his hair over his shoulder and started walking away, leaving the imp once more by himself in the hall.
Jaken shakes his head, wishing, if for only a moment, he served a lord a little less scary and bloodthirsty than one who murdered an entire army for a boat.
aken stood outside, overseeing the servants who had loaded the last of the packs onto Ah-Un and the spare dragon. Within minutes his lord and lady would be leaving, and he would have to sneak into one of the packs so they wouldn't know he was along on their romantic getaway. Magic onsens don't make themselves after all.
Fortunately, at least, once he created one, he could skedaddle off to a mini onsen of his own on the other side of the mountain for a well-earned reprieve.
…He really needed a mate of his own—and a longer vacation.
He made sure to hide on the spare dragon; this wasn't the first time he had to hide somewhere uncomfortable to make his lord's life better. And he'd never be able to forget the sound and sights he was forced to see when his lord and lady thought they were alone.
Maybe he should consider investing in blindfolds and those magic earplugs the kitsune was always trying to sell him. Shippo certainly wouldn’t mislead him there, right?
He saw his lord and lady approach and called the others outside to attention. "My lord, my lady, everything is ready for your departure."
Jaken noticed both of his masters were looking at each other like their partner was about to be blown away by their surprises. Jaken couldn't stop another evil laugh, thinking about the moment they realized Jaken is surprising both of them. He ignored the strange looks he received.
It was the one catharsis to the entire situation about to befall him.
When the lord and the miko had first come to him wishing to surprise the other, he had been surprised that they both did not know of the other's intentions—but this was turning out to be splendid despite how harried he was becoming to ensure that they relax.
He patrolled around the two dragons one last time to make sure all the stays were tight and that nothing would be lost on the journey before stepping away to allow them to approach. He saw his lord gently place the miko on Ah-Un's back and used that moment of distraction jump into the spare pack he'd placed on the other dragon's side to travel with them.
With one word from Sesshomaru, they were off, Ah-Uh lifting them all into the air and taking them away from the shiro.
And hopefully, it would be all set up exactly as he’d ordered—down to the very last detail.
If not—well Jaken would be lucky if his death is quick. At least Tenseiga could not be utilized to bring him back to suffer again at the hands of his merciless lord.
When they arrived, he quickly scurried out of the pouch before Sesshomaru could even help Kagome off of Ah-Un, Jaken had a lot of work to do in a little time. He did not want to face the consequences of his lord finding out that there wasn't already an onsen on location.
Luckily for Jaken, Sesshoumaru was distracted by Kagome's eagerness to lead him inside to show off her own surprise. Jaken took half a second to marvel at the sight of his lord willingly obeying the tiny woman's command to "Shut your eyes first!"
The daiyoukai, ruthless as he could be, was surprsingly gentle with his human mate—something that Jaken had initially mourned. Gone were the days of his ice cold lord and his loyal vassal traversing the lands together, in search of supreme conquest.
Now, his lord was more interested in receving head scratches as he lay his head on his mate's lap.
It was enough to horrify Jaken into action. He did not wish to see his great and terrible lord act the bit of the mortal dog he very much was not.
He moved quickly to the location that he had mapped out when he came here to install the kotatsu his lady had requested, and, after making sure he hadn't been followed or was being watched, he began the process of creating the onsen for his lord's surprise.
In no time at all, the onsen was misting from the heat of the water, creating the perfect mood for—well, thoughts Jaken certainly would not entertain for the two beings he loyally served. They were perfection, far above mortal needs.
Taking one final look at his handiwork, he departed from the scene, wishing he was there to witness his Lord's arrival and pleasure from seeing the magnificent onsen he had conjured.
'I hope Milord and Miko-sama are pleased with their surprises' Jaken thought to himself.
Jaken started to walk away, prepared to leave before he gave in to his urges to hide in a nearby bush. He'd stay just long enough to see the face his lady makes when she sees the surprise.
If only to ensure he would not meet his own end for his lord’s displeasure.
He heard them coming, Kagome's voiced raised in question as his lord led her around the cabin with a hand over her eyes. "Sesshoumaru why are we-?" Her words ended in a surprised gasp as the onsen was revealed.
“It’s beautiful!” She rushed towards the edge of the spring with a giddiness only a human could offer. “But how did you…?”
Jaken fell over when Sesshomaru replied, "I am Sesshomaru, this one can do anything."
"Besides my little miko, do not think that This One doesn't remember your love for hot springs during the hunt for the spider. Though, I must admit that at the time I did find it odd that my brother always camped close to one."
Kagome melts at his words, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. His lord's reaction tells Jaken it is high time to evacuate the premises.
Jaken immediately backed away, seeking out the kotatsu to ensure everything the miko requested is completed to satisfaction as well. Only then could he truly make his escape to his own paradise.
The imp hurried to the cabin, wiping his feet down quickly with a towel by the door before entering it to make sure that everything had been completed to his specifications.
There, as he’d instructed, a grand meal befitting a lord and his mate awaited, accompanied by sake for him and tea for her. The kotatsu was warm to the touch, promising a relaxing evening.
He stood there for a moment, standing tall with his hands on his hips, proud of all he accomplished for his lord and lady.
His moment of blissful basking was rudely interrupted by a bawdy exclamation from the miko. He scurried for the door before his impression of her as a genteel and elegant lady could be further tarnished.
He had served his lord and lady faithfully.
It was time for his own relaxation now—one undisturbed by the heated murmurings and rising odors.
There are just some things an imp isn't supposed to know about the people he serves.
He scurried over to his own hut—simple, refined, worthy of a humble vassal in service to a mighty lord, and conjured his own spring.
He'd earned the respite after all of his hard work catering to his masters' demands, and he would bask in it gladly, feeling pride at how everything had turned out.
Jaken was just dropping off to a peaceful, well-earned rest when he was shaken by the resounding whump of an onsen vanishing, and the angry roar of an interrupted daiyoukai. He just hoped his lordship was too distracted to realize his scent was nearby.
He swallowed. Maybe he should leave the island and head for the mainland, change his name, and—
“Jaken!!”
Too late.