Chapter Ten:

Consciousness returned slowly to Mitsukai and with it the realization that she was in a very unfamiliar place and that she was not alone. Bleary golden eyes opened slowly and met an identical molten gaze. 'Sesshoumaru,' she realized with a start, though strangely she was not the least bit frightened. Mitsukai did not truly know him, but she liked him, and for some reason trusted him. Still she had to know why exactly he had brought her here, rather than take her to the shrine. It was obvious from their first meeting he knew where she lived. 'Knew where she lived and didn't question her strange appearance,' she reminded herself.

She tried twice to speak, but the effort proved to be in vain. Her mouth was unbelievably dry and there was a bitter taste at the back of her throat. It was almost as if she had been sleeping with her mouth open, but far worse. Mitsukai ran her tongue over her lips trying to moisten them

Up until this moment, she had thought her encounter with Sesshoumaru, in the children's park, was but a dream. She regarded him warily and lifted her left hand to her throat, only to find it was taped to some sort of board and stuck with an IV. A long clear tube ran along side her, leading to a bag filled with clear liquid.

"I apologize," spoke an unseen woman; her tone was pleasant and professional.

Mitsukai turned her questioning gaze towards the voice and met the face of a female who appeared to be in her early twenties. The woman was small and dark, with a long thin neck and fine boned frame. She was lovely, but less pretty than beautiful. Her brown eyes were filled with kindness and her face schooled in congenial lines. She had a strength to her, which had nothing to do with physical power. Mitsukai, found herself liking her almost instantly.

"Most people are right handed," the dark haired woman explained, tapped the bound hand twice with her forefinger.

The woman reached into a small leather bag, and pulled out a small square of cheesecloth. Folding the cloth until it was a triangle shape, she then dipped its edge into what looked to be a small stoneware bowl. After swirling the cloth around for a few moments she pressed it to Mitsukai's lips. Mitsukai pressed her lips closed causing the liquid to run from the corners of her mouth and down her neck. Without blinking, the woman cleaned away the excess before, returning the cloth to the bowl.

The woman smiled pleasantly. It was a professional smile; fake, but not lacking in trust or warmth. It was meant to reassure her, rather than be friendly. Mitsukai's brows knit together in bafflement. This woman was yet, another person who did not find her unusual appearance particularly odd. She could only guess at what that meant. Another, more urgent question sprang into her mind, 'Where am I?' Her eyes cast about the room, confusion evident in her golden eyes.

"I'm Juri," the woman began, drawing Mitsukai's attention back to her. Juri's smile faded a bit about the edges, as she began to examine her patient's claws. Mitsukai jerked her hand away and curled her fingers against her palm, hiding them from view.

Juri, pursed her lips and further explained, "I'm a old friend of your.."

The deer youkai's eyes flicked up to Sesshoumaru's for a moment before smiling faintly and amending her previous statement, "Well, I'm a friend of Sesshoumaru-sama."

'Sesshoumaru-sama?' Mitsukai repeated mentally before turning her head in the direction, in which she last saw the man in question. He was leaning with his back against the wall. His arms were crossed lightly over his stomach and he nodded once in affirmation. Sesshoumaru's expression was the stoic blankness she was accustomed too, but there was some tightness about the eyes. He was horribly worried about something, and briefly Mitsukai wondered if it were she. Wordlessly he glided across the room and sat down lightly on the bed. Sesshoumaru grasped the fingertips of her left hand and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.

"How do you feel?" he asked softly, his voice tight with concern.

Mitsukai attempted to sit up, ignoring her weakness and pain; she endeavored to word the many questions she had. Most of them directed solely at the man sitting at her bedside. But before she could give voice to a single inquiry, Sesshoumaru gently pushed her back on the bed.

"You should rest," he stated sternly as his hands lifted her shoulders briefly, before tucking another pillow beneath her head.

She huffed in annoyance but complied. Mitsukai lifted her free hand and touched the flawless ivory of his cheek. Gingerly, she ran a single clawed fingertip along his jaw. His skin was soft and warm, but unmarked. The stripes she was certain she saw had vanished as if she had imagined them. Perhaps she had. A strange sense of disappointment filled her, and she despondently let her hand drop to the bed.

"I'm thirsty," she whispered, wincing when she discovered just how dry her throat was.

In response to her complaint, Juri once again pressed the damp cloth to her lips. Cool liquid seeped between her slightly parted lips and Mitsukai began sucking fervently on the gauzy cloth. She stopped abruptly, the moment the fluid washed over her tongue. What she initially though was water, turned out to be some sort of medicinal tincture. It tasted herbal, and very bitter, with a distinct mint flavor. The mint, as far as she could tell served to sweeten the foul mixture.

Unfortunately, it merely added to the brew 's already noxious flavor. The aroma, emanating from it, was pungent, smelling of pine and other far less pleasant things. After a single sip, Mitsukai was certain; she would never be able to consume anything with mint ever again. She made noise that was a cross between a whimper and growl and wrinkled her nose. Juri dipped the cheesecloth in the bowl once more and reapplied it to her lips; Mitsukai glowered as she turned her head in silent refusal.

Juri raised an eyebrow and looked at Sesshoumaru with a knowing expression. The taiyoukai had a similar reaction the first time and only time he permitted her to treat him with this particular remedy. It seemed the resemblance between father and daughter was more than skin deep.

"It is good for you, or so she claims," Sesshoumaru said mildly, amusement at his daughter's antics, overshadowing his worry for the moment.

Mitsukai looked skeptical and rolled to her side. Nothing that tasted that horrid could possibly be healthy.

"It is good for you. You're only too stubborn to admit it," Juri chastised and handed him the bowl and cloth. "Make sure she drinks all of that and stays in bed," she stated in a tone that could only be called motherly.

The deer youkai rose and retrieved her dark leather bag from the floor, before walking out of the bedroom, silently beckoning him to follow. Sesshoumaru wordlessly set the bowl on the nightstand and rose to follow. Upon reaching the foyer Juri stopped and leaned against the wall, holding her bag, loosely before her.

Her brown eyes drifted upwards and rested on the ceiling fan rotating lazily high above her. Frowning, she wondered why there was a bra handing from the fan's brass light fixture and if Sesshoumaru knew of its presence. Regardless, she was not tall enough to do anything about it. Thinking perhaps it was better she not know; she waited for her long time friend to address her.

A long silence passed and finally Sesshoumaru asked, "How is she?"

Juri looked thoughtfully and yawned. It had been an extremely taxing day. Flashing him an apologetic glance, she said, "She should recover, in time. In the meantime, she needs plenty of rest and fluids." Then almost as an afterthought she added, "And she needs to eat more. Honestly, what is it with you inu youkai and eating? There is not a one of you that will eat properly."

Sesshoumaru blinked for a moment and had the distinct impression he had just been scolded. Before, he could get a word in edgewise Juri snorted and continued her chastising, "Don't you dare give me that nonsense about human food."

He raised a single brow in surprise, though inwardly he wilted ever so slightly. Juri's maternal tone was enough to bring any man to his knees. Juri shook her head; this was an argument that had been going on for centuries. Silence filled the hall and a standoff ensued, finally she sighed and decided to compromise

"I'll send Tsuki over with dinner in a few minutes. I want you to eat and see if you can get Mitsukai too as well, but don't force her. I'll come back tonight, to check on you both," she informed curtly and pushed away from the wall.

Without a further word Juri left the foyer and made her way across the street to her home. Sesshoumaru watched until, she disappeared into her home before closing the door. Without a second thought he returned to his daughter's bedside.

She appeared to be asleep; a pillow was clutched tightly to her chest. He sat down lightly, determined not to wake her from her much needed rest. Mitsukai's skin was still the pale perfection they shared, but much of the sallow color had disappeared. Despite that obvious improvement, she was still so cold. Sesshoumaru ran his hand lightly over her hair, once again removing the wayward lock found its way into her mouth.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and, he wondered if there was ever a time in which he was that cute. His face took on a serious expression as he lowered his head and sniffed lightly at her collar. His long hair fell forward, mingling with hers. The two were nearly indistinguishable. Mitsukai made a small sound of displeasure and rolled onto her back. Her head lolled to one side and she murmured something incoherent into the pillow.

Sesshoumaru paused for a moment and waited for her to settle. When her breathing evened out once more, he began sniffing down her chest, seeking confirmation that she would indeed recover. He continued downward, past her chest and when he reached her belly, a cold, slender hand reached up and pinched his nose.

"You've sniffed me more times than is polite," Mitsukai admonished with a small quirk of lips and let her hand drop boneless to the bed.

Sesshoumaru smirked at her and straightened. Mitsukai had a kind of sassiness that he found amusing. That she kept her sense of humor, even when she was so very ill, was admirable, almost endearing. Although it did help that she was his one and only child. Mitsukai peered at him with curious eyes, but said nothing. He could almost see the gears working in her head. Not taking his eyes off her, he fished the cloth from the bowl and pressed the soak material to her lips.

Mitsukai's nose wrinkled in disgust and she gagged. She glared at him defiantly, and turned her head in refusal. Whatever the substance was probably would make her feel better, but it just smelled and tasted too horrible to endure. Sesshoumaru frowned forbiddingly as he gently turned her face towards his. He really did not blame her for not wanting to drink, but it was necessary. Mitsukai pressed her lips together firmly, and mumbled, "nuh uh."

"Mitsukai," he stated firmly, and attempted to administer the tonic once more.

She shook her head in refusal and pulled the blanket over her mouth. "Uh uh," she repeated behind tightly sealed lips.

Sesshoumaru frowned; he was unused to one so defiant. Even Rin at her worst, eventually obeyed. Mitsukai had obviously inherited her mother's stubbornness. "Come now little one," he coaxed in his most amiable tone as he tugged the blanket away from her face. "It is not that bad."

She scowled and retorted, "Yes it-" her words were cut off when Sesshoumaru pressed the cloth firmly to her lips.

Mitsukai glowered at him as she drained the cheesecloth of its contents. "Creep," she whispered under her breath, knowing full well he heard. "And I'm almost as tall as you so don't be calling me little one!" she snapped, but was quickly silenced when the sodden cloth was pressed to her lips once more.

She glared at him, but complied. Though she would not admit it, whatever she was consuming made her feel much better. It tasted horrible and was given to her so slowly that it was frustrating. Mitsukai wished, they would simply allow her to drain the bowl and be done with it.

"What should I call you?" Sesshoumaru asked when he at last removed the material from her lips.

"Oh I don't know," she began sarcastically and rolled her eyes at the ceiling then clasped her hand over her heart dramatically. "My name."

Sesshoumaru stifled a chuckle and nodded. Then silently continued administering Juri's remedy. His keen ears caught the sound of his door opening and the enticing scent of tempura drifted to his nose. He actually was a bit hungry.

"Are you hungry?" he asked and brushed the hair away from the crescent moon that marked her forehead.

Mitsukai shook her head and swallowed. The mere mention of eating made her stomach twist.

"Sesshoumaru-saaammmaaa," sang a childish voice from somewhere in the house.

Sesshoumaru sighed, but was unwilling to move. Seconds later a small bundle of energy, reeking of tempura burst into the room. "Tsuki found Sesshoumaru-sama," the child cried in delight.

The little hanyou stuck her purple colored tongue out, as if remembering and then dutifully repeated the instructions she was given, "Papa says hello, and Mama says you gotta eat all she sent or Tsuki is in trouble. Tsuki doesn't think that's fair, but Mama says life isn't fair, so eat your dinner Sesshoumaru-sama! Tsuki doesn't want to be in trouble."

The little hanyou wrung her hands and fretted. Sesshoumaru sighed; Juri always did like using dubious tactics. His eyes fell on his daughter, who was gazing at him in confusion colored amusement.

"Oh!" Tsuki chirped suddenly and wrinkled her nose. "Tsuki almost forgot. Mama sent more tonic for Mitsukai-chan."

In response, Mitsukai turned a little green. She was certainly not looking forward to tasting the swill again.

"Come on, Sesshoumaru-sama!" the little girl demanded as she tugged fiercely at his hand.

"Go ahead, I'll be fine," Mitsukai began, then smirked mischievously. "Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru nodded and rose from his seat, but not before squeezing his daughter's hand affectionately.

"Sesshoumaru?" Mitsukai called and propped herself on one elbow. She waited for him to turn back around before she asked, "Can you call my mother?"

Sesshoumaru nodded in affirmation before allowing Tsuki to drag him down the hall to the kitchen.

**

In a nearby train station, Kagome waited patiently for the arrival of the four o'clock train. Due to the horrible weather all afternoon all the trains were dreadfully behind schedule. The waiting gave her time to think, to reflect her actions of the last few days. Realization set in and she realized the horrid truth. She had been horrible to Sesshoumaru, a monster.

The cruel, hurtful words just flew from her mouth and she felt powerless to stop them. She regretted them the moment she uttered them and wanted to chase after him then, but could not bring herself to. Inwardly she wished he did not love her. Selfish as it was part of her was grateful he did. She could not love him, though that was not to say she did not care for him. He was the father of her child and that bond linked them irrevocably. For Mitsukai, she would make peace with him.

At last her train pulled into the station and she lingered outside it for a moment. There was nothing she could do to take back, what she had done, but at the very least she could apologize. He deserved that much at least. Determined she turned away from the train and left the station.

Almost an hour later she found herself once more on the darkened street that led to Sesshoumaru's home. She walked down the cobblestone walk that led to his front door. She stopped abruptly, when she saw it open. Much to her surprise a pretty dark haired woman quietly stepped out. Youki buzzed against Kagome's aura, and she instantly knew the woman for what she was.

Kagome glared at the youkai walking towards her. The woman's clothes were slightly rumbled and her shirt untucked. She tiredly carried a pair of high-heeled shoes in one hand as she limped along the rough stone. Mentally she seethed and felt an unexpected pang of jealousy flared. With the evidence she had before her, Kagome immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. To her a woman leaving quietly in the middle of the night meant only one thing. 'That bastard!' she cursed mentally and her anger blazed.

"Oh, Hello," the youkai woman greeted, a pleasant smile plastered on her face. Her smile turned into a frown under Kagome's scowl. "If you're looking for Sesshoumaru, it would be best to come back in the morning, unless it's particularly urgent. It's been a taxing day and he retired for the evening," she explained with a backwards nod of her head.

"I bet," Kagome snapped and balled up her fists.

Juri frowned, not completely sure what to make of Kagome's reaction. She had never met this woman before and she made it a point to know all of Sesshoumaru's human friends.

"Can I give him a message for you?" Juri offered.

"No," Kagome snapped coldly as she turned on her heel and stalked back to the train station.

**

A/N Sorry to everyone that happened to read my rant the other day. *sigh* I actually took it down almost as soon as I posted it, mainly because I felt childish and silly. Flames don't bother me.. Really they don't, nor do 'mean' reviews. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I myself am guilty of giving a few less than nice reviews. Oddly people who say criticism is welcomed seldom mean it.

What set me off is a reviewer named 'Trinity' who sent me a death threat via e-mail. Yes, a death threat. But, you know after thinking about, I realized that if I even get one nice review I'm happy, but more than that. If even one person likes my work, then I am overjoyed and feel I've done my job as an author. By getting so upset over her idle threat, I let her win, if even just a small amount. Thanks everyone for his or her support. I will continue to write undeterred.

Oh and Trinity if you are still reading. I have a spork and I know how to use it.

In other news, people are dropping me from their favorites list at an alarming rate. Am I really taking too long to update? Is this story and Hymn of the Sacred Moon really that offensive? Did Rin make you do it? She did, didn't she? I knew that girl was bad news, anyone that is that adorable, innocent and sweet as Rin is bound to be evil. It's like a rule.

The reasoning behind to Kagome's reaction in this chapter: After rereading some issues of the Manga, I found that Kagome actually does jump to conclusions a lot. Especially in her 'love' life.