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Chapter 10

Ayakou walked slowly towards the gate. She clutched the dagger Kohaku had given her not to long ago. Her eyes would casually give glances to kirara who would randomly play with roll able objects. At times she would play with her; after all she was not looking forward to meet up with the young demon lord. How could she face him after everything that had happen? Her face would probably melt off in embracement, but she did need to hurry. No doubt her lingering would get her into trouble.

The young brunette lifts her head slowly as two familiar figures became more visible as she approached them. They stood a fairly fare away from each other, Tsuyoshi standing on the right of her and Sesshomaru on her left. The rays of the sun made it difficult for her to see their faces clearly. Her eyes flinched of how bright the sun way. Her teeth nervously began nibbling at her lower lip. She tried her best to keep her eyes from wondering to Sesshomaru. Gradually her legs began to turn as she slowly approached Tsuyoshi.

Her lips lifted up into a bright smile. "Sorry I kind of got lost on my way here." A drop of nervous sweat fell down her face.

"Don't worry about it. We weren't waiting here for long." He said with a soft look.

"Oh, meet Kirara", Ayakou's hands picked the now smaller form of the cat up to the wolf's face.

Instead of a hello Tsuyoshi lifted his hand and with a clawed finger he began to pet softly under her chin. Kirara responded with a pleased purr and her head moved side-to-side in order to leave no spot touched. The small feline jumped of Ayakou's hands and onto Tsuyoshi's shoulder and then set herself in a comfortable position.

"Hey you traitor." Ayakou accused playfully, which made Tsuyoshi give a low chuckle.

"Enough of that you human, you dare make lord Sesshomaru wait even longer than you already have? You're pressing your luck girl!" All three heads shot over to the small green toad that had just screamed. Immediately two angry glares from Kirara and Tsuyoshi made the small demon retreat back.

"Jaken is very annoying, but he's right we need to get going." Suddenly there was a small prick feeling on Ayakou's cheek. Her hand instinctively smacked her cheek. As she removed it from her face a small flat spot began to float down onto her hand.

"Forgive me I just could resist myself, your blood just smelled so good." The small flea spoke as if someone was squeezing his nose.

"Eh, no problem?" Ayakou rose one of her thin eyebrow.

"Well then we should get going." By this time the flea demon was up on his feet and ready to go.

"Myoga, were exactly are we going?" From across the gate Sesshomaru spoke with annoyance clearly in his voice.

"Oh, right hehe, well as it turns out the chest in the place where the four lands touch or at least that's what I heard." He added nervously.

At that moment small light lit up in Ayakou's head. "Wait, you think? So that means that you're not a 100% sure where the sword is?"

"Umm, well you see it was a long time ago. My mind got rusty throughout the years so. . ."

"Regardless, this is the only lead we have. If you two still plan on coming along follow now or return to your lands." Not waiting a response Sesshomaru took off upon into the air.

"Humph, let's get going Ayakou." Tsuyoshi stretch his arm for Ayakou to take.

"Ah, well you see Kirara here can fly and Kohaku thought that maybe it would be easier for you if she flew me there." As on qui Kirara jumped off his shoulder and transformed into her larger form.

"I see, I suppose that is convenient." He answered in a low tone.

"I just didn't always want to get in your way all the time." Ayakou lowered her emerald eyes to the ground. She couldn't help a pinch of guilt.

With his hand Tsuyoshi lifted Ayakou's shin up to look at him. "You're never in my way." He said with a brilliant smile. The brunette returned his smile with a small blush on her face.

"Not to interrupt you too, but we should really get going." Myoga protested awkwardly.

"Hey, how much longer do we have till we get there?" Ayakou shouted over to Tsuyoshi. The roaring of the wind made it difficult for the wind to hear.

"A couple days." He stated calmly.

"Oh… " Truthfully that was not the answer that she wanted to hear. They have been flying none stop and the sun was now setting. Her legs were beginning to cramp and she was extremely hungry. She regretted not finishing her breakfast this morning. If they didn't land soon she would defiantly lose her patience, but if she did say something then they would only be doing it because of her. Once again she would be holding everyone back.

Tsuyoshi looked over to Ayakou with the corner of his eye. He could tell Ayakou needed a rest and no doubt she was hungry. After all she didn't eat any of her breakfast, but the only problem was Sesshomaru. He would defiantly no go along so easily, but regardless Ayakou needed to rest.

"Sesshomaru, I think that we should land here. I'm certain that a storm is not long to come. We won't be able to progress in such weather." He could smell the salt in the air.

Ayakou's ears immediately perked up. As for Sesshomaru he took a long pause before answering.

"Fine . . ." Despite wanting to get everything over as soon as possible Sesshomaru knew that Ayakou would need to take a break, but no only that he could smell salt mixing in the air meaning there was going to be a storm soon, which would prove to be difficult to fly in. So he began to slow down and gradually go down and everyone followed.

Once on land they continued on foot, much to Ayakou's displeasure, but she knew well it wasn't smart for them to camp there. Perhaps they could find an isolated cave or something. Obviously going to a human village was out of the question. Not so much for Tsuyoshi, he had nothing against humans and they didn't seem to mind him, no it was more Sesshomaru than anyone. Who knows how aggravated the demon lord would get if the suggestion was even brought up. One thing was certain, Ayakou would have to suck it up until they found an unpopulated place to rest.

Tsuyoshi's icy blue eyes trailed over to Ayakou who seemed to be at her limit. "Ayakou would you like me to carry you until we find some place to rest?" He offered.

The unexpected brunettes face immediately light up. "Thanks b-but no thanks." She turned her head way in an attempt to hide her blush. "I promised myself I wouldn't hold you back."

"I assure you that's not going to hold be back, after all, to me you're as light as a feather."

"Yeah, but I mean if you get tired I won't able to carry you and I'm not here to be dead weight. I can keep going, no problem." She lift a determine fist in the air.

"Ayakou your body's not like a demons."

"Sooo, that has nothing to do with it."

"We have two days two go at the least, you know."

"Urrrg, but I wouldn't give up."

"Alright fine, but just don't overdo it." He turned his head back to the road.

Ayakou stared at his with a skewed smile. "Hehe, sorry this isn't very exciting. You're always taking care of me." She gave a forceful laugh.

". . . Even so, I couldn't imagine my life without you." He smiled down at her.

"I don't think I could imagine my life without you either." She answered sheepishly.

Sesshomaru felt his eyebrow twitch. Even from where he was standing he could hear the two clearly. For some reason he was beginning to get angry. He wasn't sure why, but listening to the wolf's words and to her response made his blood boil, but he'll would freeze over before he would admit it. Even that time in the village he could not stand there affection towards each other. He remembered he was extremely angry, so much that he left in such hast. Luckily his mother had summoned him or he would have no explanation to give to Rin for leaving so quickly. He couldn't remember the last time he was that angry, and then she appeared at his home not too long after that. What else could he do but to completely avoid her? Yet she didn't make it easy for him. She then offered to come along, that had completely through him off, but if he insisted for her not to go, it would only show that much more that her being near him made him feel unease. It was a good thing mating season was over and he wouldn't have to worry about his demon getting the best of him.

"Eh, mi lord you seem to be distracted, is something wrong? Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose as the scratchy, high pitched voice of Jaken hi his ear, but he made no attempted to answer the green toad.

"One again you ignore me mi lord, somehow it feels like the old days." The imp said with a tear in his eye.

"Someone please help, ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Everyone's heads immediately snapped toward the source of the scream. They could see trees' falling as something was headed to where they stood.

"It's a demon!" Ayakou could fell the demonic aura seeping from the direction of the falling trees.

"It must be on of shishimaru's because I can't pick up his sent." Tsuyoshi stated.

A bush not too far from them began moving. Everyone immediately got on their guard.

"Someone help!" Suddenly a woman revealed herself from behind the bushes. She wore a terrified expression and breathed heavily. Her kimono was ripped alongside her legs. Her eyes grew wide as she spotted Ayakou and she ran towards her for dear life.

"Please help." Her legs wobbled as she fell on to the ground. Ayakou tried her best to sustain the poor woman up.

"Please . . . h-he"ll kill me . . ." She tried speaking through huffs of breathes.

"Grrrraaaaahhhhh, foolish wench you think you can out run me." The woman's body shook as she buried her head in fear on Ayakou's shoulder.

"We have to help her." Ayakou turned her head toward Tsuyoshi. He gave a nod in agreement.

"Rrrraaaaaaa" Instantly two trees were ripped off the ground a thrown towards Ayakou and the terrified woman she held in her arms. They weren't able to reach ten feet of them before they were stuck down by Tsuyoshi and Sesshomaru."

"Damn you, how dare you mutts stand between me and my pray. You'll pay for this!" A giant lizard demon revealed himself from the shadows.

"How dare you insult lord Sesshomaru! Allow me to handle this mi lo-", but before he could finish his sentence he was easily tossed aside by the lizard.

"Don't insult me!" The demon now lunged for Sesshomaru with an enormous axe. In a blink of an eye the axe along with the demons hand was cleanly cut off.

It took a few seconds for the demon to process what had just happened. "W-what!" He held the now handless arm with his good hand. "Rrrraaahhh! I'll have your head for that you bastard!" With his remaining arm he swung at Sesshomaru, who already had his hand on his sword ready to draw it out. Before anything else could happen the demon's body completely froze over, and then crumbled into small shards.

"What use would I be if I couldn't do this much." Sesshomaru cast a glance over to Tsuyoshi.

"Thank you for saving me strangers." The woman in Ayakou was now on her feet. She made her way over to Tsuyoshi and Sesshomaru. "You were not hurt were you." Her hands began stroking over Tsuyoshi's arm. A small vein popped onto Ayakou's head.

"She certainly recovered fast."

"Well it seems like your better, so you got a name?" The brunette said as calmly as she could.

"Oh, yes my name is Nakayama." She moved her hands behind her and smiled innocently to Ayakou.

"I'm Ayakou, that's Tsuyoshi, Lord Sesshomaru and this is Kirara."

"Nice too mee-"

"How dare you forget to introduce me? Woman you'll address me as Master Jaken!" The imped screeched as he climbed out of the bush he was tossed into.

"Eh, well like I was saying nice to meet you all and again thanks for saving me."

"If you don't mind, why was that demon after you?" Tsuyoshi asked casually.

"I don't know I was merely out for a walk collecting some herbs, when he came out know where and attacked me. If it wasn't for you I don't know what I'd do." She put on her innocent face again, but with the addition of her hand over her mouth.

"Ah, well we should get going." Ayakou tried to say as politely as she could.

"Oh, waaait." Nakayama ran over to Ayakou and hugged her arm.

"Aya-chan I couldn't possibly just let you all go like this. Hey I know it's getting pretty late why don't you all come to my village for the night. I know everyone will treat you all very nice." She said with a cheerful voice.

"Ah, well I don't know. You don't think they won't mind strangers."

"Nah-uh and I'll through in a meal too, all you can eat! Plus, we don't mind demons." She quickly turned her head over to Sesshomaru and winked.

At the sound of food Ayakou's stomach quickly agreed. Her green eyes sparkled. "I say we go!"

"Feh, no way are we staying with a village full of stinking humans." The small toad demon stuck his noise up in the air.

"I agree with miss Ayakou, a warm place to sleep sounds good." Myoga stated as his belly begun to rumble.

Tsuyoshi scratched the back of his head not knowing what to say.

"Humph, do as you wish." Was all Sesshomaru gave.

"Yay!" Both girls said in triumph.

At this point Ayakou was having small arguments with her stomach. It seemed like every five minutes it would start growling, but after fifteen minutes of walking, upon the horizon, a small village could be spotted. Though it only had six huts, with the exception of a small mansion and maybe some market stands, it was extremely beautiful, with an endless blanket off flowers surrounding the village. Not too far from it was a small spring with water so clear all the rocks and fish could be easily seen and next to it was a cliff with the biggest tree Ayakou had ever seen. The bark of the tree was the perfect shade of brown and the leave where the brightest green. The land around it, though lacking flowers, was gorgeous. The grass had a unique shine to it and seemed to grow at an even height.

"Wow, this place is amazing Nakayama!"

"Thanks, but call me Ya-chan, its much cuter." She placed a finger in her cheek and gave a small wink.

"O-okay Ya-chan, where do you live?"

"It better not be one of those filthy hu-ack!" An anonymous rock came crashing down onto the imps head, cutting him off.

"Forgive master Jaken rudeness." The flea said to atone for the imps comment.

"No problem and I live there." Nakayama stretched her finger to point at the mansion that was in the center of the village.

"Waaaaaaah?" It was a big surprise to Ayakou. She had no idea the girl they had just save was royalty. She defiantly didn't act or dress the part.

"That's right you're all looking at the daughter of the lord of this land!" She put her hands on her hips proudly.

"Well common let's get going."

As the small group walked through the village some villagers cast quick glances over to them, but otherwise did nothing and continued there chores. It seemed as if Nakayama was right in that no one would mind them. They continued further up the village and made it to a gate with two soldiers at either side.

"Open the gates." Nakayama stated with authority.

"As you wish Nakayama-hime." As easily as that, the gate was open and the group was allowed entrance. The Mansion was as beautiful in the inside as it was on the outside. It was completely aligned with gardens small ponds with coy fish.

"I'll show you all to your rooms to freshen up and then we can have dinner." That was music to Ayakou's ears.

"Nakayama-san, are you sure your father will be ok with this. After all he is the lord of this place. Should we not report to him first? At least to introduce are selves?" Tsuyoshi stated calmly.

Nakayama began twirling her curly, raven hair around her finger. "Who cares what he wants. It's not like he has a say in anything." Her tone was low and a lot darker than normal. "But, common Tsu-Kun I said to call me Ya-chan!" She ran over to Tsuyoshi and warped herself around his arm and dragged him into the mansion.

"Aya-chan common!"

"Right, I'm going." The brunette followed, with Kirara tailing after her.

"Lord Sesshomaru . . ." Myoga voice had a serious tone to it appose to his normal one.

"Hn . . ."

Something was defiantly off with Nakayama.

Sneak peek to Chapter 11!

Its juts a little gift for those who have stuck with my story for so long. 3

His mind went completely blank, it could not process the actions happening in front of him. Was this what he wanted all along? To have the person he loved so much acted this way towards him, to have her so close on such a condition?

"Tsuyoshi . . ." Her voice was low, almost seductive. Tsuyoshi felt his hand twitch as she placed her knee between his legs and her other one hung of the bed. Her hand moved on to his chest as she pressed her body closer to his. All he could do was look into her emerald eyes in confusion and despair. Did she truly feel this way towards him?

"Tsuyoshi I . . . I" He stared closely as her eyes closed slightly covering parts of her eyes with her long eyelashes. The light of the moon barley reflected off them. He wanted to do something, say something, but his body wouldn't move.

"I love you . . ." Her face moved closer to his, her nose touching his and lips centimeters from his. She closed her eyes and inhaled. He felt her breath touch his lower lip, sending vibrations through his body and making the hairs on his arm stand.

"Show me you love me too . . ." She moved to close the gap.

"Ayakou . . ."

Stay tune for the next chapt, it's going to be good.