Author's Note: We seem to be picking up speed now, ladies and gentleman. Brace yourselves, as we may be experiencing some slight turbulence in the near future. Nothing to be concerned about, though. We won't crash. I swear.
Sesshomaru stared up at the dark skies as the rain poured down. He remained dry from where he stood at the cave's entrance. As he looked out at the mountains ahead and trees below, he caught a faint scent on the wind. The weather made it difficult to smell anything, but he recognized this scent, and it only grew stronger as time passed. Within minutes he could see a girl running through the rain, headed towards him.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" she called out.
He watched as she came to a stop before him, soaking wet from head to toe and staring up at him as she trembled from the cold. He could see straight through her kimono, which was torn to Hell and back and she looked like a downright mess, yet didn't seem troubled by it. In fact, she just seemed relieved. He let out a sigh, motioning for her to get out of the rain. There was already a small fire going and she gravitated toward it, kneeling down and warming her hands.
Sesshomaru watched her for a few moments before letting out another sigh, shaking his head as he walked toward her. This hanyou seemed to be more trouble than she was worth, but he didn't care to rid himself of her. Despite her tendency to invade his personal space and stroke his aura with her own, he did find her to be amusing. He wasn't quite sure why.
Minako didn't notice him standing behind her until he dropped something into her lap. She looked down to find a familiar kimono. Quickly turning, her messy dark hair whipped stray drops of water onto the sleeping imp nearby. She stared up with wide eyes to see that Sesshomaru was wearing a plain white top that had been underneath the one he had just given her. Shock was evident on her face, and he spoke as if explaining himself, but with too much pride for it to pass off as an excuse.
"Change out of your wet clothes," he commanded, "I do not wish to be followed by an ill hanyou."
"Yes, sir," she smiled, grateful to have dry clothing.
The top was large on her, and might as well have been a dress due to her small figure. She looked at her reflection in a puddle at the front of the cave, running her fingers through her hair in a vain attempt to untangle the knots before tying it back. Sesshomaru stayed by the fire, staring at nothing in particuar as he usually did.
He knew that when Jaken awoke to find Minako's new outfit, the imp would certainly have plenty to say. Nothing that a few good glares wouldn't solve. Anyway, the weather would only get worse and a dead hanyou would be even worse than an ill one. Not to mention Rin would never forgive him for it. She seemed quite attached to the half-demon. He could understand why.
Mina marveled at her kimono. Closing her eyes, she nearly drowned in Sesshomaru's scent. It sent her head spinning and her stomach did a flip. She knew that he gifted this to her out of necessity, and that it did not mean anything. But a girl could dream.
She hugged herself, imagining that her arms belonged to the demon lord. She knew how silly she must have looked, and how ridiculous her thoughts were, but she could not help it. Something about the man sent pleasant shivers through down her spine. When she felt his power, her skin crawled in delight. She wanted him to stay with her forever. View her as an equal. Hug her, hold her—and dare she say it—love her.
Minako bit her lip, glancing over at the youkai. His eyes were closed, but she knew he was awake. He always seemed to be. Did the man never sleep?
She turned back to the fire, and back to her thoughts.
Perhaps if she stayed long enough, he would grow fond of her. He didn't seem to be in any rush to find a mate, so there was no competition there. She would wait patiently, see how things went. She wasn't in any hurry, either. Sesshomaru seemed like someone who would need a lot of time before even considering her. After all, she was the dirt beneath his feet.
But perhaps someday there would be a chance, and when that day came, she would grasp it. Lord knew she wanted it. Wanted him. It brought a flush to her cheeks just thinking about the new things she felt toward the youkai. She imagined walking beside him without the others, all alone with her demon lord. He would hold her hand, those golden eyes staring deep into her soul. He was there to protect her, and she would do her best to protect him. She wanted him to want her. That cold composure to melt away in a passionate kiss. She wanted him to dig those claws into her skin as he sank his teeth into her, poison rushing through her body.
Whoa there.
Minako's eyes snapped open, her face as warm as the fire before her. Sesshomaru was staring, a blank look to his eyes, as if he knew the strange thoughts that swam through her mind. Her cheeks further reddened, if that was even possible. He couldn't know, could he?
"Goodnight, Lord Sesshomaru," she rushed to say, dropping onto her side and clenching her eyes tightly shut. Perhaps he would think she had passed out and lose interest.
She still felt his eyes burning into her back.
Why had she thought those strange things? It was as though something had invaded her mind, but she couldn't understand what. She breathed in Sesshomaru's scent, stronger than it had ever seemed before. A tingling feeling spread through her core, and she shivered. Warmth spread from her cheeks down to her toes, and she opened her eyes. Startled, she sat up. She could feel a pulse between her legs.
Jaken also sat up, suddenly awake. His face twisted into one of disgust and he exclaimed, "What reeks of woman?"
Sesshomaru stared at Minako.
Jaken followed his gaze and jumped a bit, having fallen asleep before the girl arrived. He narrowed his eyes, looking her up and down before nodding wisely. "Congratulations, Minako."
"What?" she squeaked, wiggling where she sat. "What has happened?"
"Must I play mother to you?" Jaken rolled his eyes with a sigh. "You are an adult now. End of discussion."
He leaned back and closed his eyes. Mina scrambled toward him, frantically shaking the little imp. He cried out and sat up again, slapping her hands away. She stared down at him with wide eyes.
"What?" he snapped. "You were a child before, and now you are a woman. What more is there to it?"
"I don't know, that is why I am asking," she exclaimed.
"This is not complicated! You are a woman, your body has just completed maturity, and you may now mate. Would you shut up and let me sleep?"
"Do I have to mate?" she shrieked, shaking him again.
Jaken shook with anger, very tired and irate. Sesshomaru cleared his throat, turning Minako's attention away from the poor imp, who crawled away to sleep in the corner.
"It is not even winter yet, you stupid girl," he explained, "Mating occurs during mating season."
She sat back on her heels, seeming to calm down as she listened. Jaken let out a sigh and closed his eyes, appreciating his lord's interjection to the situation.
"Even if it were mating season," Sesshomaru went on, his cold expression revealing nothing, "You would need to find a male suitor first."
Minako shifted uneasily, averting her gaze. She wanted to blurt out that she already had, but she knew that was a lie. Sesshomaru would never be her mate. He was a powerful demon lord, and she was a pathetic hanyou. If anything, she was a toy for his human pet. Then again, now she was really a woman. Perhaps now she had a chance.
She glanced back up at Sesshomaru, who still held that same cold expression.
Then again, perhaps she did not.
