They had been walking for about eight hours and Merida was beginning to tire. She was dragging her feet and walking aimlessly behind Sesshomaru. Noticing this he stopped. Merida not seeing him stop walked right into his back and fell back. Just as she was about to land on the ground his arm was around her and he placed her back on her feet but did not let go. She blushed and stared into his eyes. He stared back at her and they stood like that for a moment before he let go and turned away.

"We will camp here for the night." He said emotionessly.

Merida only nodded and began collecting wood for a fire. After she was finished making the fire she found a nice soft place to lay down and placed her weapons beside her. As she lay there she thought about her family. She missed them and hoped they were okay. She hoped she could find her way home soon. She soon fell asleep dreaming of the reunion.

Sesshomaru watched her as she slept. He did not know how she came to this land. He was very intrigued by her. He knew that his brothers companion had come strangely to this land and had hoped that once they met up that he would have his answers. The batttle with Naraku was long over. They had won of course. The miko never returned back to her home. After the jewel was completed and the wish had been made the well had sealed and she was trapped here. The last he heard the two were mated. At one point that would have angered him. But seeing how powerful she was he could not have been prouder of his younger brother. He had come to terms with Inuyasha and they now got along. They still fought from time to time but that is how siblings are after all.

He sat at the base of a tree and stared at Merida. 'What a strange name.' He thought. She looked strong physically. He already knew she was mentally. Any ordinary woman would still be frantically crying her eyes out. But she was no ordinary woman. That much he could tell. He wanted to know more about her. He never felt like this before. He felt something change in him as soon as he looked into her eyes. There was something about her that he couldn't figure out.

She looked even more beautiful with the light from the fire dancing across her face and hair. Her beautiful hair. It was fascinating to say the least. So red with a a dash of orange here and there and extremely curly. Her skin was so pale and looked like cream. He no longer hated humans thanks to Rin and Kagome.

Hours passed and the sun began to rise. He stood and walked over to Merida. Leaning down her gently shook her awake. Merida woke with a start and reached for her dagger. Sesshomaru stood and calmly looked down at her. She looked up and placed her dagger back in her boat. She mumbled and apology and stood to gather her things. She placed her weapons in the correct places and put out the fire. Once she was finished they began walking again.

Merida looked up at Sesshomaru as they were walking and asked, "May I ask where we are heading?"

Sesshomaru only glanced down at her then looked forward before answering. "We are heading to my brothers forest."

She nodded and then thought for a moment. "Why are we going there?" She asked.

"His mate will be able to answer some questions regarding you." He answered.

"Oh." She said. Merida fell silent after that and they continued for a few more hours before Sesshomaru stopped.

He glanced over at Merida and said, "Wait here." Then he disappeared.

Merida surveyed her surroundings. Seeing no threat she sighed and leaned against a tree enjoying the rest. A few minutes passed and Sesshomaru returned carrying a couple rabbits. Merida sighed with relief and collected firewood and started a fire. She walked over to Sesshomaru and held her hands out to him and he silently handed over the kill. She smiled and pulled out her dagger and began gutting and skinning the rabbits before staking them and placing them above the fire on a makeshift rotisserie.

Sesshomaru eyed her appreciatively as she went about preparing the meal. He saw how she chewed her bottom lip as she concentrated. Her eyes reflected the flames in her sea colored iris'. Her nose crinkled slightly as smoke flew in her face. She glanced over at him and a slight smile formed. Once the rabbits were done she grabbed them and walked over to Sesshomaru and held one out for him. He looked up at her and reached out to grab it; his eyes never leaving hers. She blushed and then went back over to the fire and sat down to eat.

Once they finished eating and put out the fire they were once again traveling. Merida walked next to Sesshomaru chancing glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking. She had many questions buzzing in her head. She was beginning to become very interested in him. She wanted to know if the legends were true. If he was actually a Fae.

Sesshomaru could feel her little glances and her questioning aura. He glanced down at her as they were walking. "You have questions." He stated.

She froze for a moment and blushed at being caught and continued to walk. She nodded and looked up at him but continued to look around her. "I wanted to know if you were Fae." She said.

He quirked his eyebrow not expecting such a statement. "I am a Youkai." He said.

This was Meridas turn to quirk an eyebrow. "What is Youkai?" She asked.

"A Youkai is a demon. I am an Inu Youkai." He stated.

"An Inu Youkai?" She asked more interested than before.

"Dog Demon." He answered.

Merida glanced up at him again. This time more scrutinizing. "You don't look like a dog." She said.

Sesshomaru chuckled slightly. "That is because I am full blooded." He said.

Merida thought for a moment. "If you're full blooded what does a half blood look like?" She asked.

Sesshomaru stopped and stared down at her. She was biting her lip again which made him growl low. To low for her to hear. "Hanyou is the correct term. But regarding your question all hanyou show slight things regarding their race. My brother for instance is in fact a half breed. He has dog ears and his teeth are more like a dogs." He finished explaining and turned to begin walking again.

Merida smiled now that her questions have been quelled she began following him. Sesshomaru glanced back at her. She was twirling her hair in her finger as she looked around their surroundings; her other hand never leaving her sword. He quirked an eyebrow at this. She was prepared for an attack which he scoffed at for her to be doubting his ability to protect her. He stopped again and she began to draw her sword surveying the surroundings for danger.

"There is no need for you to draw your sword human." He said flatly.

She blushed and sheathed her sword; her hand never leaving the handle. "Sorry. New surroundings. Never hurts to be at the ready." She exclaimed.

Sesshomaru nodded. "You do not need to worry. I am quite skilled in battle and I am quite certain we are safe. I do not detect anyone in these woods."

Meridas hand dropped from her sword. She blushed again. What was it about him that her acting like a teenage girl?! She shook her head and smiled up at him. Sesshomaru looked forward again. Noticing the sun beginning to set he glanced back down at Merida whose eyes still have not left his person. He saw her blush before she quickly looked away. He smiled secretively and they continued to walk. They had been walking for at least five more hours when she yawned and and rubbed her eyes.

Sesshomaru looked down at her, "We will make camp soon." He said.

Merida barely heard him as her body was aching all over and her eyesight was going in and out of focus. She stumbled forward a bit and Sesshomaru held his arm out to stop her from falling. He wrapped his arm around her and lifted her into his arms. She blushed but being to tired she did not protest and cuddled closer to his chest. Sesshomaru stiffened a little but held her more tightly. She was getting to him. He hardly knew her but still he could not understand why she kept getting him to do things he would normally never do. His beast hummed in delight at the closeness of her. He subdued the urge of the beast and started walking again.