So…this was the AWOL father.

Well. She does take after him…

Indeed, in particular the eyes which at that very moment were fixated on their sire. Ai, a little frightened, tugged repeatedly on the end of her shirt but her gaze never wavered from her father's priggish face. "…Oba-chan?"

She nudged her gently toward the stairs. "Ai, go to my room."

"But—"

"It's alright. Go on."

She reluctantly left D'Leh's side. Soon as she was on the top floor her eyes snapped back to her father. He too had been watching, and D'Leh gritted her teeth at his calculating stare.

"You know…if I didn't know any better I would've assumed she were yours—"

"Cut the crap already. What is it that you really want?"

His eyebrows rose serenely in alarm. "My child, what have I done to—"

D'Leh scoffed in disbelief. "What did you do…? Hm, what did you do—What the f*** do you think?"

"Such an ill-bred tone…Here I am offering that poor girl a better life, and this is how you treat me?"

"Like hell I'll let that happen!"

A fine vein pulsed beneath the pallid skin of his forehead; he carefully straightened the cuffs of his sleeves before continuing. "Stop this foolishness D'Leh. Don't you think it would be in the child's best interest if she came to live with me?"

"Live with you? You want my niece to come live with you? Are you out of your damn mind? What the hell do you know about taking care of a child?"

Chen clinched his jaw in annoyance. "I am perfectly able—"

"Excuse me?" She unconsciously took a threatening step forward. "Do you have any idea how stupid you sound? What bull! "Perfectly able" my ass…!"

Her father was beginning to lose his calm. "I came here with pure intentions, isn't that proof enough? If you're too senseless to see what is best for her I will have no choice but to take her by force."

D'Leh snorted through her nose. "Like that's news to me? You bullied my mother since day one, why should it be any different with me?"

Sesshomaru glanced at her sharply as she said this.

"I treated her well enough. She agreed wholeheartedly when I proposed; besides, she was mine do to with as I saw fit."

"It was because she loved you, you…!" Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes but D'Leh forced them back. She couldn't let him get to her like this; she couldn't let this man win, a man who had left them without a second thought.

Again, her father tried to reason with her. "Foolish girl…give the child to me. She has no life with you."

"I'll…! I'll manage! Mom did it, so can I."

"And where is she now? Do you want to wind up like her? Your grandmother won't always be with you. I am your only other option."

Sesshomaru watched her anxiously when her aura suddenly flared; it wasn't particularly strong but it was beginning to writhe and thrash like a living flame. Her heart rate quickened, and her breathing grew labored; she was going to crack if he didn't do something soon.

"You…you must be one f***ed up son of a b**** if you think you'll get your f***ing hands on my niece…"

"Uh…D'Leh—" She silenced him with a withering scowl.

That…wasn't very smart, was it?

"Get out. Just…get out!" Sesshomaru gently placed a hand on her shoulder in an effort to keep her calm.

"You know I'm right. Don't you?"

"W-who f***ing cares what you think? You left, remember?"

"…If you will not hand over custody of my granddaughter like a good little girl, I will have to take this to the courts. And be warned: I have friends in very high places."

A small shudder of fear travel through her entire body.

"Do not defy me; You. Will. Lose."

D'Leh. Just. Snapped.

She lunged toward him but Sesshomaru caught her in time. She fought to be released, a look of pure hatred burning at the very center of her eyes and he angled her body away when she kicked out at him, wanting nothing more than to break his skull into tiny little pieces.

Smiling, he bowed graciously to them both on his way out. Her struggling lessened once her father was gone and Sesshomaru lowered her back to the floor when her hands fell away from his own, only to hang limply at her sides.

"…D'Leh?"

No answer.

"D'Leh, look at me."

"Why…? Why is he doing this?"

D'Leh sounded as if she were about to cry.

Sighing, he led her over to the couch. "Sit."

She dropped down on the lumpy cushions, and Sesshomaru handed her a tissue when she sniffled faintly. "Here."

Tears stubbornly made their way back to her eyes and she wiped them furiously away before she snatched it away from him. "Thanks…"

Not knowing what else he should do, he hesitantly wrapped an arm around her. "It'll…be alright."

D'Leh sobbed, but it sounded more like a bitter laugh. "No. It won't."

"Yes it wi—"

"What do you know?"

"D'Leh—"

She shoved him away, a sign he took as her refusal to listen but he simply ignored her wishes and turned her chin to face him. "Listen to me. It will be fine; don't worry."

Her eyes darted away again, still unsure, and he gently cupped her cheek. "Don't you trust me?"

"I…" She sighed in defeat. "Yeah, I trust you—"

He caught her off guard when, once again, he suddenly kissed her on the forehead. "Good girl."

"Uh…o…kay." His hand remained where it was, and he slowly ran the pad of his thumb over her skin. It felt…nice…but it was a little too close for comfort.

"Uhm…Sesshomaru, you can…" She trailed off when his eyes took on a slight rubescent hue. "S-Sesshomaru?"

He leaned forward, hesitant at first, and her heart beat quickened in a panic when his lips brushed gently against hers. Sesshomaru pulled her closer, fully capturing her lips with a gentle growl, and her eyes popped out in surprise.

W-what…?

Sesshomaru shoved her flat on the couch, his hold becoming vise-like as what had previously been a simple peck on the brow was now and quickly approaching a very passionate kiss. Her first. He pulled back for a brief moment, just to give her some air.

"Sessh—" Her quiet protest was cut short when he fervently pressed his lips back over hers.

D'Leh tried and failed to wriggle her wrist free from his iron-like grip, but there was so little that she could do against his inhuman strength. She never thought she would ever be caught in such an awkward situation. Ever. But quite frankly D'Leh didn't really mind; in fact, she was actually enjoying it. Her lips began to move along with his own, and D'Leh moaned quietly against his mouth; it nearly drove his inner beast into a frenzy.

Suddenly, there was a frantic pounding. "D'Leh? Mija? Are you there? Open the door!"

They broke apart a second time and, panting heavily, stared at one another as if they'd awaken from a wonderful dream. But then reality hit them hard and, eyes bulging from their sockets, they inched away in a panic.

"Did…did you just…?"

"…I—"

Another series of hard raps interrupted him. "Mija!"

D'Leh jumped to her feet and yanked it open to find her ashen-faced grandmother, hand in midair. Her pained gaze looked heavenward in relief and she rushed forward, close to weeping. "You don't know how glad I am to see you!"

"Calm down—"

"I will not calm down! Don't you understand? Ai's been…!" Noticing her blank look, Consuelo went silent. "…He was here?"

Her grandmother pulled her into a comforting hug when she didn't answer. "I see…It's alrigh—"

Consuelo did a double take when she spotted the golden-eyed demon standing in the middle of her living room. "…Mija? Who is this?"

Ah crap, I forgot about him…

"Uhm…He kinda…followed me in—"

Consuelo lightly clasped her throat in her surprise. "You brought a stalker into my house?"

"N-no! He offered me a ride home—!"

"You got into that strange man's car? I should paddle some sense into you!"

"Abuelita, you aren't listening—!"

Two pairs of almond-shaped eyes flicked Sesshomaru's way when he suddenly cleared his throat.

"Abuelita, this is Sesshomaru."

Her grandmother blinked, then her eyes twinkled in understanding. "Ohhh! So, this is Sesshomaru! Why didn't you tell me?"

D'Leh rolled her eyes. This lady…

Smiling radiantly, Consuelo warmly shook his outstretched hand. "Very nice to meet you, Sesshomaru!"

"Uh…the pleasure is all mine."

She laughed pleasantly "Oh my, how polite! And handsome!"

Her grandmother laughed again at her mortified expression and smacked her playfully on the arm. "No need to be embarrassed."

Sesshomaru was obviously confused.

What they saying? It's about us, right? Right?

Noting the heated appearance of D'Leh's cheeks, Sesshomaru hid a smile. Your guess is as good as mine.

"Sesshomaru, it was so kind of you to offer her a ride. Thank you!"

"It was nothing, really." He assured her, a little abashed. Then he glanced pointedly in her direction. "Besides, I think it was for the best that I had come along."

"Yes…" Consuelo murmured gravely. Her eyes then roved the room. "Where's…?"

D'Leh glanced over at the staircase and she moved toward them. "I'll be back—Sesshomaru, you look thirsty! D'Leh, pour him some tea."

"I-I don't think he'll—"

"Really, I'm quite alrigh—"

Her grandmother was already gone; that or she had completely ignored them…either way, the two of them had been left alone.

Sighing quietly in defeat, D'Leh moved toward the kitchen. "…Come on."

He kept a good distance between them as he followed her into the kitchen; Belial was getting restless, and he knew that if another opportunity presented itself…

Not. Fair. How come you get a taste and I don't?

I did not "taste" her.

LIES. You wanted to take her.

Sesshomaru didn't answer right away; true, in the heat of the moment he had wanted nothing more than to make her his but it was just one kiss. One little accidental kiss…

"Hey!" He jerked his head up as she was reaching for something in the cupboard. "Green or mint?"

"…Either's fine."

"Alright."

He followed her every move as she filled the kettle with warm water and placed it on the heating element to boil. D'Leh took a seat across from him once she was done, and a heavy silence settled between them.

"Well…this is awkward…" He muttered to himself, drumming his fingers on the table.

She turned her head away, smiling, but Sesshomaru managed to catch it in time.

"So."

"So?"

"…Your father's issued an ultimatum."

"…Yeah."

"What are we going to do about it?"

Her mind went blank for a moment. "'We'?"

"Yes, you heard me correctly."

She gave a slight shake of her head. "Why would you…?"

"Because he's a cunning bastard. You'll need my help if you want to fight him off."

D'Leh laughed faintly. "He's just saying things. He won't take it so far, so there's no need for you to get involved—"

Sesshomaru was unconvinced. "D'Leh. You shouldn't make light of this."

"It…it's nothing you should concern yourself about. Really." Her tone was oddly hushed.

She was obviously worried about her father's ominous threat; why was she pushing him away?

"But—" Belial quietly nudged him to let it alone. "Alright…I won't push any further."

D'Leh smiled in relief. "Thanks."

At that very moment, Consuelo walked into the kitchen. Completely unaware of their conversation she greeted them both with one of her radiant smiles. "Ah! Here you are…is the tea still not ready?"

"Uh, almost. I'll get the cups—"

Sesshomaru stood to his feet. "No, that's quite alright."

"What? Surely you can stay just a few more minutes?"

"I've taken too much of your valuable time. I really must be on my way. Good day…"

His eyes lingered on D'Leh for a split second before stalking out; Consuelo shot her a puzzled glance and rushed to meet him at the front door. "Ah, Sesshomaru?

He turned, one hand already on the doorknob.

"I know you have to go, but I was wondering if I could ask you another favor?"

"Yes?"

"…Well…" Her eyes flicked anxiously back to the kitchen. "Could you see about the girls for a little while? Her father might pull another stunt like he did this morning so I…"

Crossing her arms, D'Leh watched the two of them, highly suspicious. What was that woman doing…?

"It would be no trouble at all."

Consuelo smiled up at him in relief. "Thank you."

Sesshomaru gave her a nod in farewell. D'Leh ventured toward her as she locked the door behind him. "What was that all about?"

"Oh!" Consuelo's hand flew to her chest. "You frightened me!"

Her granddaughter eyed her evenly. "Enough with the tricks. What were you talking about?"

Consuelo placed her hands on her hips with an indignant huff. "I am the adult here, I'll be asking the questions!"

"Oh forget it!" D'Leh stomped back into the kitchen just as the kettle began to whistle.

Consuelo followed her inside with a triumphant smile. She took a seat by the table once the tea had been poured, and the two women sipped the invigorating brew in a comfortable silence.

"So…what were the two of you up to while I was gone, hm?"

D'Leh choked quietly before answering. "W-what?"

"You weren't doing anything…sinful, were you?"

The color drained from her granddaughter's face. "…Huh?"

"Come come, mija. I'm not stupid; something's going on between you, now tell me: is there or isn't there?"

D'Leh avoided her prying eyes and anxiously fingered the little pendant hanging around her neck, finding it much more interesting than their current unavoidable topic. Consuelo was secretly delighted by her granddaughter's behavior, and her smile widened when a very distinct color swept across the apples of her cheeks.

"Well…?"

"Not…exactly…I mean, we only kissed once! It's not like we're in love—" D'Leh clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she had just blurted.

Chuckling, Consuelo took another draught of her tea. "I knew it."

"This is just pure speculation. Love at first sight is a complete load of crap…"

Her grandmother smiled sagely, a far off look in her eyes. "My dear, believe me when I say that you have that look about you. I know it quite well."

"…A-anyway, I doubt he'd feel anything for me after today."

Consuelo looked mildly worried. "What do you mean?"

Shit, she's gonna be so pissed…!

"Uhm…well, he kind of offered to be my lawyer."

"For what?"

"…Dad wants custody. Sesshomaru was here when he told me so…"

"He did that? Oh, well thank goodness! We have nothing to worry about—"

"I said no."

Consuelo stared at her, dumbstruck. "…What?"

I asked him not to get involved! You know how my father is; he'll do anything to smear what's left of my mother's reputation. And mine! If Sesshomaru ever found out—" She stood up from the table and began to pace in short, erratic spans. "I can't let him do it. I just can't!"

"D'Leh… you can't throw his offer out of window just because you're afraid of the past. This is a golden opportunity! For all of us! If you don't accept his help—"

"Baa-chan?"

They turned to see their youngest family member standing in the middle of the entryway. D'Leh silently watched as her grandmother scooped the child into her arms and carried her off into the living room to play; her eyes began to lose focus as she dropped back down into her chair, a tightness growing in her chest.

What am I going to do…?

…What indeed…