Toshiko opened her eyes at the sound of clothes being torn off. She realized her Master had pulled off what was left of the kimono he had on when she looked up at his bare chest. The moon shone through the branches and illuminated Sesshomaru in the dark. Her breath caught as she took him in.
Sesshomaru dropped the remains of his kimono to the ground. He stared at her and waited patiently as Toshiko took a trembling step forward. Fear was emanating from her in waves. It took all of Toshiko's effort not to run in the opposite direction as she took each step closer to her master. Part of her was curious; she would admit that to herself. He had never hurt her in the ways her stepfather had done and had never laid a finger on her without reason.
Toshiko stepped into the moonlight inches from Sesshomaru's chest. A tingling sensation spread from her temples throughout the rest of her body. Her arms started to tingle and burn; dark red markings were appearing on her skin. Sesshomaru tilted her face up to the sky and whispered in her ear, "Look up to the moon, Toshi. Take in the beauty of it like we all have."
Her eyes turned to the full moon. The beauty of it outshone the dim light of the stars. Toshiko's eyes dilated and changed into a dark, blood red. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back unconsciously placing her hands on Sesshomaru's sculpted chest. A spark jumped between her hands and his body as they touched. Sesshomaru jumped back in surprise with a curious look on his face. She opened her eyes and tilted her head as she looked at the back of her hand. Her nails had grown longer and thicker. The red markings had spread to the back of her hand and joined into a point at the center of her palm in an intricate pattern. "What's happening to me, Sesshomaru?" Toshiko frowned.
Suddenly, Toshiko screamed as she clutched at her head and fell to the ground. Her eyes felt like they were on fire and she was hearing a female voice laughing inside her head. Sesshomaru dropped to his knees and cradled her in his arms. She started clawing at his chest savagely and he winced in pain.
"Toshiko… Toshi," Sesshomaru locked Toshiko in his arms as he whispered into her ear. Toshiko screamed again and bit down on his throat. Blood streamed down her neck and Sesshomaru's back, "To…shi…" She paused, finally recognizing his voice within her madness. Toshiko pulled back terrified that she might have killed him.
"Sesshomaru?" she touched his face. His eyes were unfocused but he was still sitting up on his own. "Sesshomaru, please answer me," tears slid down Toshiko's face and she started shaking him.
"Stop," Sesshomaru forced out with a wince. On command, she stopped mid-shake. Confusion crossed her face when she couldn't move. His neck started to heal and cast a soft glow around the wound. Sesshomaru's eyes came into focus and he started panting heavily, "Take me to the water and drop me in Toshiko."
She felt herself slide off Sesshomaru's lap, stand and start dragging him toward the water. He's controlling you. You can't do anything to stop yourself, you poor little thing. If you give into the madness, I can help you… "Stop talking to me!" tears slid down her face. Toshiko wanted to wipe them away but she couldn't force herself to bring a hand up.
Toshiko picked Sesshomaru up at the water's edge with an impossible strength and dropped him into the water. She stood beside the water completely covered in Sesshomaru's blood until he emerged. A light breeze brushed across her bare skin and she shivered. Sesshomaru waded over to her, placing a hand on her foot. "Come into the water Toshiko. We need to clean you up," he took his hand off her foot and held it up to her. Feeling like a spell was broken; she crouched down looking into his eyes. Toshiko nodded, "Okay."
She slid into the water with Sesshomaru's help and he led her over to the waterfall. The noise of the falls seemed louder to her when she was in the water. Sesshomaru swam over to a shallow, rocky spot beside the waterfall and waited patiently for Toshiko. Next time you touch him like that, he'll kill you.
"Is she still talking to you?" Sesshomaru spoke quietly so he wouldn't spook her. Toshiko was on edge and seemed to be a little maddened still.
"Yes. Get rid of her, please," Toshiko choked out. She tilted her head down, her chin touching the water. Toshiko's red eyes glimmered in the moonlight as she stared back at her own distorted reflection.
"Toshi," hearing her nickname brought her attention up to his face, "you're the only one that can get rid of her. You either need to accept her or send her somewhere she won't bother you anymore."
