Sighing Sesshoumaru continued on his lonely way. Ten years had passed since Rin had chosen Inuyasha over himself. He had long since gotten over Rin's betrayal but never loved another. A part of him was afraid another part didn't want that feeling again.
The winter winds howled around him blowing his long hair around his body violently. The smell of blood made him change his course following its scent. He found her then. A mortal girl no more then twenty years old laying in a pool of her own blood. She coughed and groaned as she rolled onto her stomach attempting to get up with the aid of her companion, a wolf. Sesshoumaru could not tell if her hair was naturally that shade of red or if it had been stained by all the blood that surrounded her. Once she stood she placed her hands on her back searching for the wound.
"Ugh. Its deep. How am I gonna fix that one?" She said to no one. The wolf looked up at her curiously. "This is going to hurt." She finished.
Sesshoumaru watched as she gathered wood and set a fire. After wiping blood from her blade she placed it in the fire. When the blade burned a golden red color she picked it back up and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and slammed the blade against her wound. She whimpered as the burning blade stopped all the bleeding from her wound. She removed the blade crying out. The overwhelming scent of burned flesh caught Sesshoumaru's nose. He snorted softly at the scent.
"Son of a bitch that hurts every time." She groaned. The wolf ran to her side to comfort her. She patted his head laying on her stomach. "We rest here tonight, then we leave the Western Lands at dawn before the Lord realizes we are here. No need to get ourselves killed." She said. The wolf almost nodded and laid down beside her. Sesshoumaru shifted snapping a twig under his foot. The wolf was up and moving towards him in that second. When it caught his scent it backed away growling. It came to stand just inches from his companion growling at him.
"Show yourself. I'm in no mood for games." The woman said shaking from pain and the cold bite of the wind. Sesshoumaru walked from his place in the trees to stand in front of the girl. She attempted to move to bow before him but couldn't complete the process from pain.
"I apologize my Lord. We mean not to trespass on your land. We will leave at first light or now if you wish." She said never looking up at him. She knew who he was and she wasn't about to risk her life to argue with him.
"Stay. I care not. Allow me to see that wound." He said kneeling beside her. She didn't object but laid very still silencing her wolf's growls. The burning blade had stopped the bleeding but the wound was still open and in danger of getting infected. He could see the white of bone through the wound. Sesshoumaru sighed. "You will return to the castle with me for treatment. That wound is terrible." He said.
"No need Lord Sesshoumaru. I will be fine." She said sitting up yelping with pain.
"That wound is graver then you believe woman and the snow will soon fly. I can see bone. Now can you walk or must I carry you?" He asked. She got to her feet and moved a few steps.
"I can walk. I will be slow but I can walk. Or I could ride." She said, then whistled. A horse appeared beside her snorting throwing its head at the Lord's presence. She comforted the creature leaning on its shoulder for support. She started walking in the direction she knew where the castle lay in. A few feet from Sesshoumaru her body gave out from under her from pain and blood lose. He caught her just in time.
"I will carry you." Sesshoumaru said picking up her limp body. She didn't argue. The wolf kept pace beside the Lord whining softly to ensure she was still living, followed by a nervous black horse.
He knew her now. Kiyota. The human woman that could sooth and calm any beast no matter what happened to them. She could command them as well. Her hair was naturally that deep red and her violet eyes reminded Sesshoumaru's of a cat's eyes. She protected a lot of villages that boarded his lands. He was curious why she had entered his lands. She had killed something or attempted to kill something. He remembered often seeing her with Rin in Inuyasha's village.
"Why are dog demons so vicious? Half breeds or not." She asked.
"Half breed? You don't mean my worthless brother do you?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Of course I mean your brother." She growled.
"He did this to you?" He asked. She nodded.
"Him and his damn claws." She growled.
"Was there a woman with him?" He asked.
"Sesshoumaru, Lady Rin died three years ago." Kiyota said.
"What?!" He yelled almost dropping her. She yelped in pain as his claws dung into her side, the wolf growled up at the lord.
"If you are going to insist on hurting me further, leave me here to bleed to death." She growled. Sesshoumaru withdrew his claws from her side.
"Rin is dead?" He asked setting her to her feet inspecting the damage his claws had just done.
"Yes. Three years ago in child birth. The child died too. There was nothing old Kaede and myself could do." She said softly.
"You seem hurt by her death." Sesshoumaru said picking her back up realizing how deep the cuts were in her side. He returned to stoic state kicking himself for the outburst that had injured the woman further.
"I don't know anyone who wasn't hurt by Lady Rin's passing. She was such a kind and loving woman. Inuyasha was very torn up." She said.
"I bet he was." Sesshoumaru muttered old wounds reopening.
"Look whatever grudge you carry for your brother, save it. I'm going to kill him." She growled. "He attempted to take my life, he will not live long once I'm healed."
"Big words coming from someone on Death's door." Sesshoumaru said.
"You mean in Death's arms?" She countered.
Sesshoumaru didn't answer her letting her roll it around in her head. If he had wanted her dead, he would have done so long ago and wouldn't be attempting to make a trip back to the castle carrying her.
Night was on them. Sesshoumaru was tired from carrying her all day and Kiyota could see it in his eyes though he tried to hide it.
"Let's rest." She said softly.
"No need." Sesshoumaru said.
"Put me down demon." She growled.
"You'll die out here." Sesshoumaru said.
"Since when has the great Lord of the West cared if a mortal lived or died?" She challenged.
"I don't." He said putting her on her feet. "I don't want to have to clean up your remains." Kiyota rolled her eyes realizing they were close to a brook. The wolf stood at her side as she walked carefully over to it. She drank her fill then turned her attention to the cuts in her side. She gently cleaned them with the water snarling at the pain that hit her in waves at each touch.
She hated being injured. It only slowed her down. She had to go after Inuyasha before he killed someone. The fool had lost his sword and was tormenting the countryside. She was surprised Sesshoumaru hadn't heard. She thought he would be the first to go after his impulsive brother but here he was standing in a clearing with her. She realized when she returned to the camp that he had removed his fur and had laid in on the ground. He was sitting on the other side of a fire that had magically appeared.
"My Lord?" She asked.
"Sleep on the fur. It will be better for you." He said.
"I don't understand your kindness." She said seating herself on the soft fur that hung around Sesshoumaru's shoulder.
"It is not kindness but payment for all the work you have done to keep the villages in this region safe from harm." He simply said staring into the fire. She sighed and laid back yelping. She had forgotten the injury on her back.
"Ugh." She muttered as she rolled onto her stomach. The wolf laid at her side between her and Sesshoumaru keeping the lord a distance from his companion. Kiyota knew she would not sleep in this man's presence but there was nothing wrong with laying herself down taking pressure off her side and back. Sesshoumaru got up and walked away into the night. Kiyota rolled her eyes at his disappearance.
"Some guardian he is." She said to the wolf patting its head. "What do you think old friend? How much trouble have we gotten ourselves into this time?" The wolf whined an answer.
"Yes, far too much. Is the bone truly exposed through the wound?" She asked the wolf who trotted to look down at her back. It whined its answer to her again.
"Damnit. This is really going to slow us down." She muttered. "Inuyasha could kill far too many people by the time this is healed. Stupid mutt, loosing his sword. What a fool!" She growled.
"Inuyasha lost my father's sword?" Sesshoumaru asked coming back into the clearing carrying a plant in his hand. She nodded.
"Idiot." Sesshoumaru growled. "He will have to be killed now."
"He's my kill." Kiyota reminded him.
"Not in the shape you are in." Sesshoumaru said handing her the plant. She looked at him as she took it. "Eat the leaves. It will help with the pain and after you've done that I want you to lay still. I'm going to place my sword on your back." He said.
"Why go through all this trouble for a creature that will die in battle anyway?" She asked. She knew Inuyasha would take her life when she took his and she had accepted that, as long as the villages where safe.
"Why are you so ready to die?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Your brother will kill me when I take his life." She said matter of factly. "I've accepted that. As long as those families are safe, my life means nothing." She said.
"You have a warriors heart Kiyota. But there is no need for it. You should be married with children not fighting my brother. I'll kill him and you can keep on living. You do too much good in this world to be killed by filth like him." Sesshoumaru stated.
"You have me sounding a saint my Lord. I am not such. I kill, cheat, steal. I'm not as good as you think. I have far too much blood on my hands for that." She said.
"You're protection of the villages has spread to my castle. I have a few of the villagers working there for me. They speak only highly of you." He said.
"Not that you pay attention to the conversations of mortals." She said.
"When a warrior is brought up I do. I want to know if they would be good enough for me to fight and beat." He said.
"And do I fit that?" She asked.
"No. I would slaughter you." He said. It was probably true but she was still offended. "My brother has you laying serious injured before me. You could not possibly survive an attack from myself."
"Your brother sneak attacked me." She growled. Sesshoumaru placed his sword on her back. She felt the skin on her back knitting itself back together. "What is that sword doing to me?" She asked.
"Mending the wound. I can not carry you all the way." He said. "Its too slow moving. If I don't do this, you'll die long before we reach the castle."
"I will not." She growled. "I have a purpose to full fill before I die." She said glaring at him.
"I will come with you when you kill my brother. I will let you do it, but if you should die, I will bring you back. The villages need you Kiyota. I won't allow them to go without their guardian." He said choosing his words carefully as not to anger her. She may be injured but he knew that with a single moment she could have the woodland creatures around them attack him. He would hate to have to kill so many in front of her.
"Fine, but get in my way Lord Sesshoumaru my blade will turn on you." She said.
"I know better then to get in the way of a huntress and her prey." He said removing the sword inspecting the wound on her back. It was almost completely healed. It appeared to be nothing more then a small gash. Kiyota ran her hand over the wound and looked at him in amazement.
"Thank You." She said sitting up. She got off his fur and let him take it back around his shoulder.
"You are welcome. Now come here to me." He said. She did as she was told. He leaned against a tree and slide down its length to the ground. He had removed his armor so it wouldn't harm her. His fur pooled around him like a giant pillow. "Lay here. I will keep watch over you." He said motioning to the fur beside him.
"I don't just sleep next to anyone my Lord. This is very uncharacteristic of you." She said.
"It may be but I will not watch you freeze in the night air. And your wolf must hunt at some point for its food." He said. She turned to the wolf and nodded. It ran into the undergrowth.
"He will return with food enough for all of us." She said laying down beside Sesshoumaru.
"I do not need food." He said.
"Then why does your stomach growl my lord?" She asked. She had him there. Sesshoumaru couldn't answer that one. A few hours passed of the pair in a restful state leaning on one another. The wolf returned carrying as promised three rabbits. It set the smallest aside for itself and brought the larger two to Kiyota. She smiled and rewarded him with pets and kind words of encouragement. The wolf trotted to his meal and left Kiyota and Sesshoumaru to their dinner. Kiyota prepared the rabbit and began to cook it over the small fire. She looked at Sesshoumaru to see if he would like his cooked or if he would eat it raw. Surprised by her efficiency, Sesshoumaru handed her the rabbit. She cooked the rabbits then handed Sesshoumaru his own. She sat back against his fur again and ate her own dinner. What she hadn't eaten she threw to the wolf. Sesshoumaru raised a silver eyebrow at her throwing of the food, having completely finished his own, leaving only the bones.
"He needs to keep his strength up." She said simply.
"As do you woman." Sesshoumaru said.
"Yes but I require less food then he does, which is why whatever I don't eat I give to him. We have a social standing between us just like a normal pack. What the alpha doesn't eat, the others will get. He knows this and waits patiently for me to finish then takes what I haven't eaten for his own." She explained. Sesshoumaru nodded.
"But who would he listen to between us? Yourself or me?" He asked. She snorted a laugh.
"Me of course." She said laughing.
"I'm a very dominate man Kiyota." Sesshoumaru said. She once again snorted with laughter.
"I'm sorry my Lord, its just, to him you are a rival male encroaching on his pack. He would never listen to you. Try to kill you yes, but never obey." She said.
"So he looks upon you as a mate?" Sesshoumaru asked confused.
"No. He looks upon as his alpha, one he must obey at all times." She said seating herself once again beside him on the fur.
"What would he think of a mate for you then?" He asked. "I'm just curious."
"Considering I will never marry, nothing." She said looking down shielding her eyes.
"Why will you never marry?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"You're brother will kill me." She said softly. "I've accepted my death, you should to."
"You shouldn't be so ready to die." Sesshoumaru growled at her. He admired this woman for her ability in battle but he couldn't stand her readiness to die. Inuyasha would pay for what he did to her but by her hand and she would not die. Sesshoumaru hadn't felt the need to protect someone this much since Rin and he didn't understand that feeling. He watched as she slipped into sleep some time later cuddled against his side. She looked so tired and innocent in her sleep. The wolf laid beside her his long tail wrapped on her waist attempting to keep her warm.
The morning light woke Kiyota and Sesshoumaru both. During the night somehow they had managed both lay down against one another. Sesshoumaru's arm was wrapped around her holding her against him, his leg was covering hers, his fur wrapped around them keeping them warm. Her wolf was beside her, a soft growling coming from him as he looked at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru acted as if he still slept enjoying the feel of her in his arms. She was so much like Rin but so different at the same time. Her head was resting on his shoulder. She snuggled closer to him not fully awake yet. She just knew it was warm and she didn't want to move. Sesshoumaru turned his head resting it against hers sighing softly.
Fully waking up, Kiyota jumped up away from Sesshoumaru blush spreading across her cheeks. Sesshoumaru sat up lazily as if nothing had happened at all. Sesshoumaru smiled to himself.
"We should be off." He said softly.
"Yeah. We need to get catch up with Inuyasha." She said straightening her clothing out.
"We are continuing to the Castle first to get supplies we need." Sesshoumaru said.
"Fine you do that, I'm going to catch your brother." Kiyota said dashing to her mount. She was up and dashing off into the woods before he could stop them. Sesshoumaru groaned as he watched her and the wolf disappear.
"Such a foolish woman." Sesshoumaru groaned.
A few miles into the woods when she was sure she was far enough away from Sesshoumaru she stopped her horse patting his neck softly for his burst of speed. She turned to the wolf then and sighed.
"Can you pick up his scent from here?" She asked the black creature. The wolf scented around the ground for a few moments then whined at her. "Follow it." She said as the wolf ran into the woods heading back towards the Western Lands castle. "Shit." She muttered.
Sesshoumaru had gone back to the castle to picked up a few things they would need. Placing all the objects into a saddle bag he headed towards where Ah-Un waited. He threw the bag onto Ah-Un then took his reins. The scent of a full inu-youkai caught his nose. Inuyasha was there. Sesshoumaru dropped Ah-Un reins then flew through the air to meet his brother before he entered the castle.
"OY Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Have you chosen your day of death little brother?" Sesshoumaru said landing in front of Inuyasha.
"I've chosen yours." He growled springing forward with unpredictable speed. Sesshoumaru pulled his sword blocking Inuyasha's attack. Sesshoumaru jumped and danced around Inuyasha's attack.
At least Kiyota is no where near here. She'll be angry that I had to kill him but at least she's safe. Sesshoumaru thought as he sliced down on Inuyasha cutting his arm. Inuyasha screamed in anger. Sesshoumaru gracefully landed in front the castle.
Without warning a black wolf broke through the tree line, landing on Inuyasha's back snarling. Kiyota and her mount broke through the trees behind him. She flew off the horses back, her sword drawn going straight for Inuyasha.
"Spoke too soon." Sesshoumaru groaned.
"Die Inuyasha." She yelled coming down on him.
"You didn't die?!" Inuyasha yelled as he turned towards the woman coming down on him.
"You shouldn't leave people for dead!" She yelled.
"Iron Reaper Soul Stealer." Inuyasha yelled raking claws down her side. Kiyota screamed and rolled. The wolf lunged on Inuyasha snarling ripping his flesh. Inuyasha yelled and threw the wolf to the side with a yelp. It growled and snarled but didn't move. Kiyota's anger went through the roof.
"I'm your opponent not him!" She growled slashing Inuyasha with her sword. He growled and ran his hand over the wound returning blood covered. He growled at her.
"Playtime is over!" Inuyasha yelled rushing forward slashing his claws into Kiyota's flesh. She screamed in pain.
"SIT!" Someone screamed from the forest. Sesshoumaru turned his head seeing the cause of the word that controlled his little brother. The same girl stood there carrying his father's sword.
"Kiyota." Sesshoumaru said moving forward. She was bleeding heavily.
"Inuyasha, is he?" She asked looking up at Sesshoumaru.
"He's himself." Sesshoumaru said.
"Oh good." Kiyota said passing out.
"Kiyota?! Kiyota!" Sesshoumaru yelled at her scooping her up into his arms.
Sesshoumaru could see the life slipping from Kiyota. He lifted her into his arms and walked away from the mess that was Inuyasha. He moved quickly bringing her to the healers of his castle who worked feverishly to keep her alive. The healers worked long into the night. Finally Sesshoumaru's head healer walked from the room.
"She will live my Lord but it will be a long time before she heals properly." He said.
"And the wolf?" He asked.
"Will also live. I must tell you my Lord we didn't think she would make it. She was very brave taking on your brother like that." He said. Sesshoumaru nodded.
"The foolish woman has bravery matched to no one. Call me when she awakens." Sesshoumaru said walking away.
"Yes my Lord." The healer said returning to the woman's side. "Kiyota you must pull through for all of us. You are the hope the Western Lands is in bad need for." He said holding her hand. "Our Lord hasn't cared for the past ten years but just now I saw more compassion in his eyes, more love then I have since Lady Rin walked away. You must live for all of us, for our Lord." He said
Sesshoumaru went back to his own chambers, after he fought with her beast of a horse. He managed to get the creature into the stables with quite a struggle. He didn't know this young girl well but he was very interested in her. She had a warrior's heart. She brought out all these feelings in him he hadn't felt in ten years. They had been very lonely years and now all he wanted was to have her beside him. Groaning he pushed away from his desk in the study and headed for his bedroom. He undressed quickly then laid down. He closed his eyes hoping for sleep but all that came were dreams of the woman downstairs.
Kiyota woke slowly. Her head was pounding and she felt as if she'd been run over by an army on horse back. She wiggled her toes and fingers. She could still move them. Touching her side she felt the stitches holding the wounds closed. Inuyasha hadn't killed her. A tear came to her eye. She sat up quickly whimpering as she did so. The healer noticed sending a servant to inform Sesshoumaru. He rushed to her side.
"Please my Lady, lay back down. You are still far too wounded to be moving around." He said.
"I'm fine. Where am I and where is my wolf?" She asked. A loud thumping told her the wolf was under the bed she rested on. She smiled and placed her hand down which she received a lick.
"You are in Lord Sesshoumaru's castle." The healer said.
"So he saved me again?" She asked. The healer nodded.
"Ugh, I told him to let me die." She growled. "It was my fate."
"We write our own fate Kiyota. I wasn't going to leave you to die. I am not my brother." Sesshoumaru said as he entered the room without a shirt on. His body was well toned and muscled. Kiyota couldn't help but notice. His left arm had returned to him having completely healed.
"I was suppose to die Sesshoumaru. Now what am I going to do? Where is my horse?" She asked.
"Heal first. You are staying here in the castle until you are fully healed. I myself will be taking care of you for the most part. That beast of yours is in my stable. He put up quite a fight." He informed her. "Is she well enough to move?" The healer nodded. "Good. Bring her up to my personal chamber, the wolf too." He walked away before she could protest. She would be sleeping in his bed beside him where he could protect her.
The healer did as he was told. He moved Kiyota and her wolf to Sesshoumaru's personal bedroom. He slipped her shoes off and her socks as well. Then he covered her in blankets on the side of the bed Sesshoumaru didn't sleep on. He fixed the pillows so she could sit up. The bed was very large with enough room for the wolf to lay at the end leaving more then enough room for Sesshoumaru and three more wolves. Kiyota sighed taking in the bedroom. A painting of Sesshoumaru's father hung over the desk in the corner and a wardrobe was off to the right of the bed. She yawned and leaned back against the soft pillows. She had never imaged she would be laying in Sesshoumaru's bed. It smelled of him, a smell of untamed wind and stream. She sighed. It was a scent she was getting use to having around. She didn't know but she felt comfortable with him. Felt safe with him.
Sesshoumaru walked into the bedroom still only in his pants and bare feet. He sat himself beside her on the bed carefully removing bandages checking each wound. She was healing quite nicely. He reached to the side of the bed pulling his sword from it. He laid it across her chest once again. She felt her wounds closing tightly again as if they were never there.
"Why do your servants keep calling me the hope of the Western Lands?" She asked.
"I do not know. But you should sleep." Sesshoumaru said. He laid down on his side facing her waiting for her to do the same. She did but facing away from him on the side that didn't hurt as much. Sesshoumaru slide up behind her putting his arm around her waist. She didn't push him away in fact she felt very comfortable with his arms around her. She drifted into sleep beside him feeling very comfortable.
"Maybe they call you hope because I am starting to fall for you." Sesshoumaru said to her sleeping form.