Disclaimer: I do not own anything Inuyasha but the character Cree is solely of my imagination.

Note: This chapter is basically a dive deeper into chapter eight: soil. But this one is a recount of events from Cree and Sesshomaru's POVs (mostly Sesshomarus)..So if you are being lazy and didn't read Soil, Read it or you might not understand what's going on! And for those who just read the first and last chapters..READ THE WHOLE THING BAKA! Lol just kidding, but seriously it is good read and deserves to be read all the way through and it's only going to get better so please stick in there with me until the end, I won't disappoint you.

*I didn't use parenthesis in character speech because this is past tense so I simply used italic for character speech, just and FYI just in case some get confused.

Chapter Nine: Root (the bottom or supporting part)

-For what I'm worth-

Sesshomaru:

She is a job, that's all..Just a job. I repeated it over and over in my head trying to fight back my emotion as I took my seat back at my easel, keeping busy in

prepping and trying to ignore the glances I caught from her out of my side view. I watched her eyes as they traveled across the room, taking in the sight, she looks

slightly surprised, I guess she thought being an artist was a cover, truth was it felt quite the opposite. Are you really an artist? She asks, I glimpse up for a moment

to meet her eyes, is she really interested or is she making conversation? Either way I wasn't ready to get into talking about myself, this is a job..Just a job. I look

down once again busying myself in my work; I need to stay focused..No. I told you im an enforcer. Just let it go fallen angel..I don't let anybody to close.

Cree:

I know but..You do paint so you're an artist too right? I wanted to know him, this stranger who vowed to protect me, this enforcer or artist I just couldn't get out of

my mind. All my life had been about men only concerned about themselves and what they wanted; nothing was done for nothing or for my benefit alone, ever! So

why him? I wanted to understand him and to understand why I felt the way that I did this feeling in my stomach, what was it? But he gave me no answer; he only

continued his work, uninterested in me or my question..But I'm not giving up so easily.

Sesshomaru:

I heard a sigh escape her from my silence and she got up, moving passed me..A hint of her perfume hitting my nose, she smells so good…I close my eyes and inhale

lightly, but I shake it away, reminding myself once more that she is just a job. Did you paint these? Another question, No. my mother painted some is what I want to

say, but that would lead to more questions wouldn't it? More questions I couldn't answer without letting her closer, I want to but I can't. I leave her once more

without an answer.. Sorry Cree, I can't be vulnerable. Cant. Change the subject, did you find anything out about Naraku that might help? Right. She answered,

coming back to take her seat, what was that in her voice? Disappointment? No, can't be. I have to focus.

Cree:

Why am I disappointed? I don't know, I just thought..Maybe we could.. Ugh, I don't know what I thought. Right. Business. I began to explain my day as quickly as I

could; pushing back the hurt and fear, Lord knows I don't want to have another panic attack. Embarrassing.

Sesshomaru:

She said it so fast, like it was nothing but when I looked up to meet her gaze, her eyes that had always been Beautiful and sad, were now glazed over with fear. I

wanted to grab her and hold her, I told her I would protect her, she didn't have to be scared, I wasn't my father I would keep my promise to my fallen angel.

Cree:

He stared, what was he thinking? I didn't know but I had to turn away, I felt my cheeks grow warm under his gaze, I was blushing. Relax Cree, business remember? I

think the ball will be the perfect time to make a move, we could get the girls out and it will be easier to get in. Hai.

He agreed, standing..He moved toward me, what

was he doing?

Sesshomaru:

I didn't realize I was staring but she turned away, what was that? Blush? Is she blushing? Could she?..I have to know. I walked toward her and kneeled down to see

her face, she jumped slightly as she caught a glimpse of me and once again turned to meet my eyes. Yes. I could see remnants of rose on her cheeks still, she was

blushing.

Cree:

I don't mean to stare but..God he is so beautiful.

Sesshomaru:

I watch her eyes as she looks me over, I don't think she realizes, that I realize, and the look on her face, the glimmer in her eyes, what is it? Could she….No. She is

just a job to me, and I am just an enforcer to her, Right. That has to be the way, there is no other choice. I need you to be still. I adjusted her collar as if that had

been my goal and moved back to my seat, pushing my thoughts away, Ha..hai, she answered back.. Nervousness in her voice? I had to stop reading too much into

this; she was a job, a job. I kept telling myself that over and over, and it still wasn't the least convincing to me, just like it wasn't convincing to him, But I guess

better than any, my father would know what it was to catch and fall for an angel.


Memory:

Wait! Miroku yelled up, what's the plan? To be very honest I didn't currently have one but I knew there was only one way to protect Cree and only one person that

could help me do it. A thousand enemies outside still have no advantage over the one enemy within. I could hear his voice speak the words in my head that I just

spoke aloud, and it sent a wave of forgotten memories through me, memories I didn't care to revisit But I would for my fallen angel. I hadn't talked to my father in

over 4years...Until today. I stared at the receiver for a moment hesitant as I heard his all too familiar voice on the other side; I took a deep breath, swallowing down

my animosity for him before I spoke. Inutaisho, it's me Sesshomaru. I could hear his breath catch in his throat and then a moment of silence. My son, it's been quite

some time how are you? Look inutaisho I didn't want to call but I need your assistance on a case I am working.

He sighed, Ok, how can I assist you Sesshomaru? I

explained the situation with Miroku and Naraku, and of course being the business man he was, he knew of Naraku quite well. Hai, I know of Naraku, he has been

acquainted with some of my closest business friends, mostly with my entertainment partner, and I hear his son koga is directly involved with Naraku in japan.

That

was my way in. I need you to use your influence to get me closer to Naraku, I think koga would be the best way in. Hai I agree, Naraku is small time, no one would

lose sleep or money if he was gone, I can talk to koga's father and he will talk with him on my behalf. Arigato, Inutaisho.

I went to hang up but he spoke again, why

are you going to this extent my son? What do you mean? I told you Miroku and his bar… I know about your work Sesshomaru, even when you left the inu clan 4years

ago to be an enforcer you should have known I have ears and eyes everywhere, you can't just completely cut me off.

I didn't want to admit it but that was very much

the case. I know you work to resolve the issue for your client, first without violence if you can..But if you can't..Well, you have been known to leave a hell of an

impression. What's your point Inu? My point son is that you have never been the type to sneak in the back door so why are you now?

Her face crept into my mind at

his question and all I could see were her violet eyes. Even if Miroku thought the gong ho way wasn't the best or if you felt because of naraku's influence in japan you

should be more prepared, you would still work it out on your own My assistance would never be an option..Unless..You found her didn't you? Your very own fallen

angel. No,

I answered quickly, she is just a job. Maybe I answered a little too quickly. I heard a slight snicker from him and it more than pissed me off that he could

see right through my lie, I should have known, who would know better than him. She must be something special for you to reach out to your hated old man. He was

right but I stayed silent annoyed by his sudden attempt at bonding, but he continued, and you feel the need to protect her, at any means necessary right? Now

maybe you could find it in your heart to understand why I had no choice but to leave your…Stop.

I dropped the receiver away from my ear for a moment as he went

silent on my request, my heart felt heavy as my memory of her flooded back and I struggled to push it away. Please just do what I asked inutaisho. I'd finally spoken

after a pause, and I'm going to need for you to ship me my things from the states, Im going to work an artist cover and I need my art. Hai he agreed, she was

always her happiest seeing you paint. Arigato.

I spoke once more and hung up the receiver quickly as I felt emotion rise and what was this? A tear? I brung my hand

up to the warm sensation in the corner of my eye and wiped away the wetness quickly, it's been so long since I shed tears and it won't happen again..I never wanted

to leave your mother but I had no choice sesshomaru and one day you will find your own fallen angel and then you will understand.

His voice echoed through me and

then her face followed, mother. Her sad face, and small hand as it cupped my tear stained cheek in her last moments, the anger I felt toward my father for causing

her death threatening to consume me. No! I swiped the phone across the room watching it shatter as I continued to fight back these unwanted emotions. He was

right about one thing; I did find her, my fallen angel. But I would never leave her vulnerable; I will protect her at all cost, even from myself. My life as an enforcer is

a dangerous one and I won't do the same thing to her that my father did to my mother, I will not let her close enough to get hurt because of me, no Cree, I can't let

you in, I will help to heal your wings to the very end and when its time I will help you fly away.


Sesshomaru:

That's what I felt, that was the best way..Until…

Cree:

I don't know what I would do, what any of us would do if you weren't here

Sesshomaru:

Her words struck me like a lightning bolt to my chest and I couldn't do anything but hold her eyes in mine, In the moments before she had opened up her heart to

me, let me know how she felt, her fear, her worry, she felt safe enough with me to be honest, she trusted me, and I couldn't help but to want to reassure her that I

would be here for her always..

I don't want you to worry Cree, when you're here with me know that there is nothing that could ever hurt you, and when you're not just know I'm never far from you

and I will always come for you if you need me.

There it is again, the blush on her cheeks, her breath is quick, and she is staring at me, does she..could she? Feel the way I feel? I need to know..

Cree:

Can I use your bathroom?

Sesshomaru:

She asks suddenly, rushing quickly passed me as I point the way, why are you running Cree? Why am I? She stops in her tracks and I stand to meet her gaze again,

is there something you need to say Cree?

Cree:

You caught it?

Sesshomaru:

She asks, she must have noticed the bloom of hers that I kept, but why does that matter, unless..It's just what I thought, a representation of her..Something I just

couldn't let go of, once it was in my hands.

It fell at my feet, I smile lightly to myself remembering miroku's words, I can't hold this is any longer; she is not just a job..

Miroku says it was fate

Cree:

And what about you? What do you think?

Sesshomaru:

The twinkle in her eye is too much and I have to drop her gaze for a moment. Though her birthday is only a little less than two weeks away, she is still 17, I want to

grab her and kiss her lips but I won't..She wants to know what I think? I think I can no longer act cold to her, I can't hold back how I feel anymore, I think that she

has fallen for me, and I know that I have fallen for her. And even though I know I will have to let her go in the end, I want her in my life for as long as I can have

her.

I moved to Cree without hesitation..I brought my hand slowly up to touch the smooth skin of her face and I left a feather light kiss to her forehead

I think he's right.

Suddenly she wrapped her arms around me in embrace and I obliged, resting my hands on the familiar spot of her lower back, It felt so good to hold her in my arms

again.

Cree:

I don't know what this feeling is in the pit of my stomach, why I can't stop blushing when I look at you, why every moment I need to feel safe I see your face, but

when I saw that flower, to know that you caught it and kept it safe, I know that you know what I'm feeling, and I know that it's real, tell me Sesshomaru, what is it?

Sesshomaru:

She looked to my eyes once again for an answer, her violet orbs glazed over in fascination, her cheeks covered in heavy blush but this time she didn't turn away, but

I had to. I released her from my arms slowly and guided her back to her chair, once again sitting across from her behind my easel

I love you Cree but you are still a child and I will not act on my feelings, but I will continue to protect you and I will not leave you until Naraku is gone I promise you

that, so we have to stay focused on the task at hand and that is bringing naraku down, do you understand?

She shook her head in agreement to my words and repositioned herself back into her pose so I could continue her portrait, after a couple moments of silence she

spoke again.

Cree:

I love you too.

Our time had passed quickly and before I knew it I was watching her slip into the back of her limousine and disappear into the night, the thought of sending her back

to Naraku made my blood boil, remembering back to how he grabbed her and held her as his property at the earlier meeting, I didn't want to think of what he might

be doing to her behind the walls of plucked flowers. It would be nothing to get her out and blow Plucked flowers into the next century but that's not what she wanted,

so I will continue to play this game for her sake but I will get her out before her birthday, by any means necessary.

End Note: Phew! Done and Done! Please forgive me for taking so long, I wanted this chapter to be absolutely perfect, I knew there were something's that needed to be revealed but I didn't want to give too much or too less so it took some time to get it right. Well, I hope you guys enjoyed and as you know, reviews are welcomed. Arigato for Reading, We will meet again much sooner this time Promise! (Bows).