"Why the hell do you think we would tell you where she is?!" Inu-yasha growled.

"Because she is my mate, and you have no right to keep me from her" Sessho-maru said calmly.

"Yeah right! We know what you did to her, Sessho-maru, you broke her heart!" Kagome shouted. Inu-yasha proceeded to push her behind him.

"Why should we just hand her back to you so you can do it all over again?!" Inu-yasha growled.

"...you...misunderstand..." Sessho-maru spoke so softly, Inu-yasha had trouble hearing. Sessho-maru looked away so they wouldn't see the emotion in his eyes.

"...Sessho-maru...what really happened between you and that neko-youkai?"


"Sessh-kun...?"

"...I love you..." he whispered only loud enough for her to hear. The others stood by, watching on curiously. Fawks blushed, gazing into his smoldering golden eyes.

"Stay with me, be my mate..." he said taking her hand. Fawks smiled, tears welling in her lovely green eyes, making them sparkle like jewels, she nodded. Sessho-maru smiled back, drawing her to him in a deep passionate kiss.

Fawks awoke from the dream, gazing around the little hut. Several concerned faces gazed down at her including those of Shinichiro and his mother Suki.

"...Oh thank goodness..." Suki sighed. "Lady Fawks is alright, she just woke up!"

Fawks froze, she grabbed the woman's sleeve, "...w...what...did you just call me...?!"

"...It's fine, my lady, you're secret is safe with us..." Suki smiled, patting her hand. Fawks released her, too hurt to move.

"...Shinichiro, stay with her now!" Suki advised as she left.

"Hai..." he replied. Fawks turned her head, unable to look at him, Sessho-maru scent still on her body, it was enough to make her wretch.

"...Lord Sessho-maru...he...he forced you to submit to him...didn't he..." Shinichiro said quietly.

"...Heh...that's one way to put it..." Fawks smirked.

"...you saved me...thank you..." he began. Fawks smiled at him, "...I didn't want him to kill you...any of you...this isn't your fault, it's mine. I should have been more careful..."

Shinichiro looked away, "...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have seduced you...if I hadn't lain with you then...this would not have happened..."

"...Please, don't blame yourself, if it's anyone's fault, it's mine...I shouldn't have given in...I was lonely, I'll admit...you took away my pain if only for that one night...and I thank you..." she smiled.

Shinichiro smiled kissing her hand.