***I Do not own InuYasha or any affiliated characters***

Chapter 9

~*The Journey begins*~

As they traveled across the Mediterranean Sea by boat Katrina sat in her melancholy drama alone at the front of the ship. While the others, under Tsukiko's instructions left her alone while she "dealt with leaving another home"

The wind felt delicious against her face and she often closed her eyes so she could simply feel it. It was almost like flying, even though she had only done that once she held the memory close.

Sesshomaru was always close by. For the last two days he was always there but almost never said a word. Their moment in the grove was still bright in her mind. She could still feel his lips against hers. She wanted so badly to be alone with him but, sadly, the boat was small for five people. Even a moment of privacy was not something she could get. Somehow it bothered her to have anyone else be sharing in what she had considered for a long time to be hers.

As she watched him standing on the railing of the boat she was amazed at how well be balanced. He was so perfectly balanced that even as the ship swayed and dipped in the waves he did not seem to notice. His arm rested lightly on one of his swords his face looking far into the distance.

She suddenly wondered if he was even capable of falling? This caused an amusing image to come to her mind of him falling on his face, tripping over some unknown thing. In her mind he sprawled like the boys she had seen in school. The image made her giggle, and made him turn to her one eye brow raised. With a level of grace that she had only ever seen him summon he stepped lightly off the edge and walked the short distance to her side.

"Are you still upset about leaving?"

The question was not what she expected mostly because that was not the reason for her sadness. She looked up into his eyes that seemed to be searching her face for something.

"Thats not really why I'm upset" she barely whispered.

"Tsukiko told us that was what was bothering you"

She shrugged "I let her think that"

"What is wrong then?"

"I was, thinking of... us in the grove..." She trailed of as Tsukiko walked past them.

He did not answer, simply nodded, he sat beside her causing a small thrill inside. She wanted to take his hand, ask him what that moment meant. But he was so quiet and almost stand offish once they were among the others.

He was watching her. The look was intense like he saw something she wasn't aware of and was completely wrapped up in whatever it was. The feeling made her blush ever so slightly. "Do you regret?" he finally asked.

That question made her mind screech to a halt. She swallowed hard wondering if perhaps he regretted. God she hoped not.

"No...I just... I don't know...its hard to say"

Tilting his head ever so slightly he considered her, no doubt thinking of what to say.

Ichirou walked passed them, making her look away feeling guilty. Though she did not really know why.

"You wish to speak alone" It was not a question, so maybe he did understand. She smiled "When there is a chance we will speak" He said standing.

She smiled at him and watched him turn and walked away.

Since he seemed disinclined to speak she spent the quiet hours thinking about the many changes that had happened over such a short time.

Ok so Aunt Tsukiko wasn't really her aunt, she could deal with that, well kind of. After all if Tsukiko had not taken her in then she would have most likely ended up in an orphanage. And if she thought about it that way then her "Uncle" Ichirou was the same. Her family ties to them were not real but the tie between the two siblings was.

This turned out to be the best way to think about them, the alternative was "Grandpa Sesshomaru" and THAT made her cringe.

That left only the strange red haired man that was traveling with them to boggle her mind. Was he another family member? Or was he simply a guide across the sea?

His sharp emerald eyes were almost intimidating if it wasn't for his infectious grin she might be afraid of him. He was a happy person most of the time but she began to notice that he would look off into nothing for long moments like he was looking for something no one else could see. The look made her fell sad for him.

He was coming her way again. At first she had tried to avoid him but it was a small boat. He started bringing her food at every meal and would try to coax her into talking to him.

"Hey shrimp you look like you need food." His words were almost always in jest, like life was a huge joke to him. His jabs didn't seem to be meant as cruel it was just the way he talked and as soon as she had realized that he wasn't meaning to be rude it quit bugging her.

"I think you might be trying to make me fat" she accused him.

He laughed "Sometimes these guys forget that people eat more often than not.

She wrinkled her nose at him but took the plate as he sat next to her. "Thank you" she said digging into the fish. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he ate and with a start noticed that he had very sharp teeth. She tried not to stare but he noticed anyway.

"Do I have something on my face?" he asked turning to grin at her.

She blushed at his words knowing she had been caught. "I was just noticing you have very sharp teeth"

"Yep sure do." he acknowledged without further explination.

He was probably the same as them. She wondered suddenly if he knew more about Sesshomaru. Would he answer she wondered, afraid of what he might say, or not say for that matter. She gulped down her food before taking a deep breath.

"Shippou can I ask you a question?"

"Depends kid, what thing did you want to know?"

"How long have you known Sesshomaru?"

Shippou laughed at her question "Damn kid I bet I've known him longer than most people have!"

"Really? Are you his friend?"

"I wouldn't say that exactly, Sesshomaru and I shared an um…. Acquaintance. I don't think that he has ever had what you would call friends. For him it was always allies or enemy."

"Who was the acquaintance?" she asked wondering who they could both know as different as they were.

His green eyes regarded her for several moments before he shook his head slightly "Nope…" he said mostly to himself it seemed before he took another bite "I don't think he would like it if I talked about that part of his life, it was always a sore spot"

Damn She cursed in her mind.

Even he avoided her questions! She decided to try another approach "Does that mean you are a Yokai too?"

Shippou had been in the process of taking a drink when she asked and his response was to choke and then sputter as he tried to catch his breath.

She laughed at his sputtering.

He stared at her for several moments, disbelief clear in his eyes "How do you know what that is?"

"My um… Tsukiko taught me Japanese and I heard her use it once in regard to Sesshomaru."

"Oh…Well if you already know that then yea I am. I'm called a Kitsune." Her brow wrinkled as she tried to place the word. "It means Fox demon kid" he laughed at her effort.

"A fox…" she said looking at him again trying to place the image of a fox over him. It didn't work. But then Sesshomaru did not look like a dog.

"This stuff doesn't scare you does it?" he said looking at her intently like he was more than a little surprised.

"No…should it?" that idea seemed odd. None of them had ever frightened her.

"Well in your case I suppose not…you always were an odd child" the second half of his words she almost didn't hear but as it sunk in she thought that was a strange thing to say. She was almost positive that she had never met Shippou before. "Never were afraid of much"

She was suddenly annoyed again they had to be keeping something from her. "What does that mean?"

"God damn kid" he said shaking his head. "It's not it's my place to tell you anything. If you don't know already then it is not time for you to know."

Katrina glared at him and stood, indignant and suddenly annoyed she walked away in a huff.

"You know he will tell you, some day" he offered as condolence.

She adamantly ignored him, he laughed again.

Once she had gone below deck Sesshomaru was suddenly standing right next to Shippou making him jump. He cursed before glaring up at him. "Do you ALWAYS have to be so damn quiet?"

Sesshomaru did not bother to answer his question. "You are wise to keep your mouth shut" he informed the fox.

"Yea well I didn't think you were the type to tell her things like that" Shippou replied "You are a cold hearted bastard but you always were different with her." the grin on his face making the jab seem more like a covered compliment. "Some things never change"

"And many others do." Sesshomaru said looking off into the direction she had gone.

"Will you ever tell her?" he suddenly wondered.

Sesshomaru didn't answer at first, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply before turning to the kitsune. "If your wife returned again would you?"

The question took Shippou off guard. His mouth opened to quickly answer yes! But then he paused to think about it and realized that he wouldn't. Not until he knew she loved him again without the guilt or pressure of an old life's strings.

"Point taken." He replied looking up at the Taiyokai with a new level of respect. Maybe the old Rin was right when she said long ago that he was a kind demon. The thought made him grin hugely.

"Does something amuse you?" Sesshomaru said glaring down at him

"Yes Sesshomaru it really does" he said laughing again in a sudden burst of amusement "If your friends could see you now!"

"Allies or enemies…" Sesshomaru corrected before taking flight suddenly annoyed at the fox.

Shippou watched him disappear into the clouds.

He didn't turn when he heard the foot steps behind him. "Good morning Tsuki!" he said cheerfully

"My name is Tsukiko Fox." she Insisted forgetting for a moment why she had come over.

Shippou glanced behind him and saw the angry look, her hands on her hips in annoyance. "You know, you were always the little pup Tsuki. I remember when you were born. I thought InuYasha was never going to let the old bastard live it down" Shippou laughed again at the old memories.

Tsukiko tried to glare but failed "Well I don't remember you much, you left before I was very old"

Shippou sighed "Yea well I wanted to make a name for myself." He winked at her "Though all things considered maybe I should have stayed a bit longer"

Oh he made her mad! The suggestion was very clear and she wanted to be offended by his words but she just didn't have the heart. She tried using her fathers method of control and took a calming breath "What did you say to them?"

"Nothing, fair lady, to be concerned about" he said turning to bow to her in an overly elaborate fashion.

"Then why is Katrina crying below deck and my father gone again?"

Shippou shrugged "Ask them?" he suggested ginning at her.

She stared him down, or at least she tried to. But his emerald eyes danced with amusement, his small half smile making him look goofy. It took a great level of control not to smile back at him.

Damn she thought "Keep your opinions to yourself and stop making Katrina cry!" she demanded lamely before turning quickly from him so he would not see her smile.

He watched her walk away. She was defiantly fun to tease.

o0o

Sesshomaru Flew high above the boat but kept pace with it. He simply wanted the quiet that the distance gave him. As high as he was there was no sound but his heart and breath. The cold air was refreshing. His mind was free of and distractions and he let it wonder going from image to story to long forgotten faces.

There were so many memories layered deep in his subconscious. Over a thousand years full of so much that most of the time he chose not to open the unseen doors and explore. Like turning the pages of a book he watched the many memories flicker by.

The most prominent face was Rin, long ago as a sweet little girl then she changed slowly at first barely noticeable and then one day no longer a child. It was odd how Rin in her old life would be layered over with the Katrina now in his mind.

Had he simply met her with no danger, no unexpected threat to her life and his family as well, he would have simply waited at a distance until she grew into a woman before they met. It was an old plan one that he put into place in his mind when she had died that first time. He was sure she would return in no time at all but as the years drifted by without so much as a whisper the plan was forgotten.

And now fate had stepped in forcing him to take (Almost) the same path again. It was very vexing and it seemed that no matter how hard he tried history repeated.

The only consolation was that she had not died this time. A part of him shied away from the fact that she had died twice in her last lifetime.

There had to be some solution, some way to know why the pattern repeated. In his mind he flickered past countless books, scrolls and tablets that talked of almost every legend and myth in most of the known world. There was only one that mentioned fate as being something that could be manipulated it was a Greek myth, the story of the three fates.

They came up in several stories but he had never heard of them as being real. Unlike baba Yaga or the water nymphs of England and the Demons of Japan the creatures of ancient myth had passed out of the pages of legend. He wondered if they even existed.

It was something to consider.

***Italy 1936***

***The year Italy joined nazi Germany officially.***

Katrina sat staring wide eyed at the huge stone structure, she had never seen something so tall that was built from stone. It had three levels of arched windows that looked out onto the streets below.

They were siting in one of the top windows and even though it had clearly not been used for centuries it was still mostly here. A huge ring of stone seats looked onto a low arena even with several crumbled walls it didn't diminish the impressive structure.

"What was this?"

"It's called the Coliseum, the Romans used to hold games and tournaments here for entertainment." Sesshomaru said

They were stopping for more supplies and She had begged to see the sites of the city while they got what they needed.

At first Tsukiko had agreed to take her but then Sesshomaru had insisted he should. And so Tsukiko and the others had left and Sesshomaru and her began a tour of the old city.

He was in his human disguise, a clean cut suit and all and while Katrina loved the way he looked normally, she did admit that he made a handsome human too. She smiled at him and reached for his hand. He took it in his.

"Did you ever compete?" She wondered

He smiled and shook his head. "I did not leave Japan till my later years"

"Oh, well what did you do before you left?"

He looked distant for so long she wondered if he would answer her at all. "I have done much in my lifetime" He finally said

She laughed "I think you might be the most vague person I have ever met."

He shrugged "To tell my life story would take far longer than I am willing to speak about one subject."

She giggled.

"May I know what amuses you?"

"You do actually. Just looking at you someone would think you fit perfectly into this time. Then you go talking like that and suddenly you jar out of sync with the rest of us"

"Would you rather I look the way I normally do?"

She leaned into him and sighed "Always, but I know it is not safe"

They rounded a corner and came into a open market, she let his hand go and was immediately distracted by all the things for sale. He watched her enjoying the day and considered her words. No, he did not belong here. He wanted to just let go of all the reserve and walk this world as himself. He shook his head the risk was too high. Until the danger was past he dared not.

She paused at a booth that had a wide display of scarfs, shawls and a few dresses. She was smiling brightly as the woman selling them held out several for her to feel. From lovely silk to soft gossamer they ranged in more colors than the rainbow. He simply followed and watched as she admired each. The woman held out a silk shawl that was patterned after a peacock. Deep purples and greens in a rich embroidery. Katrina's eyes practically glowed with admiration of the item as she ran her hand over the delicate fabric and sighed as she walked past the booth moving onto the next. Making a mental note of the coveted item he followed.

There were so many people in the open market. While she was having a pleasant time Sesshomaru was becoming overwhelmed by the many scents that the close gathering of so many people caused. Beside that there were a great many humans that seemed to be ready for a fight. They all carried guns and acted as though the were in control of all around them. He saw several of them had the symbol he had seen in Germany patched on there shoulders. He glared, so the madness from Germany was spreading here as well? Perhaps the tour was a bad idea after all.

He turned to follow her keeping a watch on the armed men. They were eyeing him closely. Old cites often had many places where no one would wander. He paused and began looking around for somewhere they would not be seen, but even the most secluded alleyway would not offer the privacy he wanted. He glanced up to the cloud covered sky an idea was forming in his mind.

Looking for her he spotted her she was looking at a stand that offered farm fresh foods. He walked to stand right behind her. Pushing aside her hair from her neck he leaned into her ear and whispered "Would you like to be alone?"

He could feel the reaction his words caused and smiled because of it.

Her breath was shallow, her heart rate was increased and she tilted her head ever so slightly exposing more of her lovely neck to him. "Yes" she barely whispered.

He took her hand and lead her away from the crowds, around a few corners and down a narrow empty lane that came to a dead end. He knew that the two armed men were attempting to follow but he had a good lead, more than enough time. He turned her into his arms and she smiled up at him. "Not here" he said as she leaned into him.

He let his shield go, her smile worth the possible danger. Besides, he reasoned he could handle any threat with ease. The humans who were attempting to follow them would find nothing when they reached the end of the alley.

Her hand moved to his face and he wrapped his arms around her tightly as he took flight in the fastest way he could to escape unwanted eyes on them.

..0..

She thought the secluded alleyway was his goal. But then she was completely surrounded by light and clung to him as the ground disappeared below her feet. Her breath taken away at how fast he was going. She closed her eyes thrilled by the sensation of such speed.

When they stopped he whispered "You may open your eyes if you wish"

She blinked. It was suddenly much colder, the air crisp in her lungs.

She looked around. They were in a world of cloud and mist. Everything was touched by the pale pink of the sun that was nearing its setting. She was clinging to him as she looked around. Like the last time he had taken her to the skies his feet were surrounded in a shimmery cloud. She remembered that she could stand on it, though last time they were not so high up. Grey mist obscured the ground so it was like a cloud palace. It was all their own.

She smiled up at him. "How high are we?"

He shrugged "High enough that no human would see us"

"Oh... and now that no one can see us what will we do?" she smiled mischievously.

"I promised you we would talk" he replied

She couldn't help the small feeling of disappointment. Not that she didn't have questions for him but the sudden opportunity of being alone offered so many other options.

"What questions do you have?" He asked but held up a clawed hand "Knowing that some questions must wait until I deem them answerable"

She threw him an exaggerated pout, sighed and let him go standing away from him on his cloud. Suddenly wanting to punish him for putting stipulations on her knowledge of things.

"Fine, be that way" she said "You have yet to..." She paused unsure how to voice her thought "To say anything about...the.. our" she was stumbling over her words suddenly shy of him, of the feelings she had.

"Of your kiss?" he said leaning closer clearly amused by how she was behaving.

She bristled at his words. "You kissed me back!" She accused him impulsively moving to hit his shoulder. She never reached it, his hand caught her wrist and he pulled it close to his lips.

"Yes" was all he said. "Your question?" he asked again insistent.

He must really want to know what was bothering her, she had a feeling he would not let it go until she said what it was. "What do you feel for me Sesshomaru?"

"Protective, affectionate, admiration" he said leaning closer to her "Respect, compassion..." his arm came around her and she thought she might stop breathing "Desire" He whispered.

She swallowed hard. "What about love?" she managed to say.

"The things that I feel, are they not the definition of love?" he asked.

"Well yes, I suppose they are" She smiled up at him.

..0..

This time he leaned in to kiss her first. Showing her what passion he held for her as the sunlight disappeared below the horizon.

The more feral part of him recalled a past lover. Memories kindled bright as he was surrounded by her. Many days spent in each others arms he knew her body as well as her soul. His passion and control was hard to hold back.

She moaned against his lips as his claws pulled gently on her hair tipping her face up to his. He released her lips and moved to her neck kissing its sweet curves.

"Sesshomaru.." she whispered as her own passion and desire spiked with his caresses.

"Do you know what you do to me?" He whispered huskily in her delicate round ear.

She giggled lightly her hands wandering over his shoulders. "Tell me?" she asked shyly.

"I loose control"

She snorted lightly as her hand found its way beneath his collar.

"You think I jest?" He said nipping at her ear, curling his tongue around the lobe and sucking it softly.

"Ah...I um..." her eyes were closed she was melting into his embrace, the thought thrilled him.

"My control is very closely guarded, no one has made it crumble like you"

Her hands moved around his hips as she became more bold, she was slipping one hand into the waist of his trousers while the other pulled at the shirt.

He took back her lips and claimed them with such fierceness that she gasped. Taking her parted lips as invitation he delve in and tasted her. A small part of his mind told him that this was not a wise place for lovemaking. He growled at himself, had he not waited long enough?

Her hand was now under his shirt as she moved over the bare skin of his back. Moving to the front again she sought the buttons. Clumsy in her inexperience.

The more honorable part of his mind skidded to a preverbal halt. He pulled away from her embrace. "Katrina.." he sighed holding her face with both hands.

She blushed brightly, the desire coursing through her as her eyes looked at him full of the same want he felt, she waited for him to speak.

He looked at her, willing as she was, and willed away the passion that they had built together.

"It is time to return" he said.

She pouted and shook her head "Why?"

"This is not the time for..." he stopped letting the unspoken words hang.

Her brow creased in confusion "I..." she swallowed hard, he could smell the unshed tears she smiled at him, an empty smile "What happened?"

"I found my control"

..0..

"You don't want me?" Katrina asked startled. Moments before he was so passionate so...so amazing! God she wanted him so badly. She wasn't a child, she knew about Sex, she knew several things. Granted she did not know from experience but she knew she wanted him. She was sure that he wanted her too.

He looked hurt by her words, she wished suddenly that she could take them back. "Do not say that again" He said suddenly cold as though the words were more hurtful than she knew. She nodded and suddenly his arms were around her again he held her closely. She held him too a little confused but happy that he held her. Closing her eyes she breathed deeply enjoying the smell of him, the feel of him around her. "I want you more than you could possible know Rin" he said.

Her mind jared sharply at his use of her old nickname.

Something changed in side of her.

Like a soundless bell note deep inside she knew she had heard him say that before. The feeling was light and a lot like floating above the confines of her own mind.

The bell note shifted suddenly off key.

In her mind she saw him like he sometimes appeared in her nightmares.

She shivered at the image and opened them quickly to fill her vision with his face as she had come to know him.

"You are cold, we will return" he said mater of factually as he turned and picking her up to cradle her in his arms as they descended quickly to the earth again.

***End Chapter***

****As always reviews are much appreciated! Thank you for being patient with me****