Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of the characters-as much as I wish I did. All original characters are mine and I make no money off of this.

For the first time in several weeks Elizabeth woke up in a bed. Confused she attempted to sit up only to find to her surprise that she could not. A heavy and strong arm held her down. She turned her head to the side and found herself face to face with a sleeping Sesshomaru. He was beautiful as always (but she would never say he was beautiful to his face, instead she would use the word handsome, not wanting to offend him). She smiled softly at her sleeping love, content now to remain exactly where she was. Elizabeth, had she been capable of moving in that exact moment, would have done a little happy dance. She was incredibly happy. The events of the day before played through her mind's eye:

Elizabeth and Rin had gone to gather flowers and herbs (and to get away from an extremely annoying Jaken). They were only a short distance from the camp where Sesshomaru had left them, but just far enough that Jaken's pitiable moans at being left behind were slightly muffled. They had been happily collecting flowers (Rin) and herbs (Elizabeth) when a group of rough looking men approached them.

"Well, lookie what we have here." Singsonged one of the men. "Two girls way out here in the woods far away from anyone."

"I think we hit the jackpot," laughed another of the men.

"Rin, drop your flowers and go find Jaken," Elizabeth said quietly but firmly to the little girl. She nodded and ran off. Elizabeth began to back away slowly, not wanting to turn her back to the men.

"Where ya goin' girlie?" Asked the singsong man."

"Back to my friends," Elizabeth answered calmly. Internally she was terrified and praying with all her might that Sesshomaru would return this instant.

"Aww, but we was just getting to know each other, girlie. Why don't'cha stay a while with us? We'll be your friends,"

"Please leave me alone. I really have to get going."

"I don't think you understand what's going on here. This ain't up to you, we're gonna make you ours. Now c'mere."

Shaking her head in denial, Elizabeth turned and ran like a bat out of hell. Unfortunately they had circled around her to some extent so they caught up to her quickly. One of them grabbed her around the waist and a few others pointed swords at her throat.

"Now, let's try that again." The man holding her shifted to hold her by her arms and another used his sword to cut her shirt and pants.

"Let me go!" Elizabeth yelled. She struggled as much as she could, but could not get free. "Jakes, get Rin away." She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Smack!

One of the bandits slapped her hard across the face.

"Shuddup! Or we'll go after the girl too!"

"Eh, why not get her too? We can go after her after we're done here!"

By now Elizabeth was in a complete panic, so she did the only thing she could think of: she screamed for Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, please!"

A blur of silver-white flashed down from the sky and yellow-green light destroyed the men holding her.

Elizabeth was pulled out of reminiscing by Sesshomaru shifting in his sleep. She was a little annoyed to have been pulled out of her reminiscing before she got to the good part. The part where Sesshomaru had said that he loved her.

"Good morning," she said softly. He grumbled and pulled her closer.

"Too early. Sleep more." She could hear his voice rumble in his chest.

"Okay sleepy-head, okay. Let's just go back to sleep, alright?"

She laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arm across his chest.

Sleep had just about taken her again when the doors flew open, crashing against the walls.

"Sesshomaru! What is this about a human woman?"

Sesshomaru rolled over Elizabeth and placed himself between her and the intruder.

"Enough, Mother." He said calmly.

"How dare you speak to me that way! You will speak to me with respect!"

"Mother, you burst into my chambers far too early in the morning, demanding to know about a human woman. I will speak to you however I choose right now. If you desire respect, please allow me to get dressed and take care of Elizabeth before you ask to talk to me." Sesshomaru stated coldly. His mother huffed angrily and swept out of the room.

Elizabeth pressed her hand against his chest.

"Sesshomaru, I'm fine," she reassured him. "Go talk to your mother, I'll go find Rin."

"No, there are things we must talk about Elizabeth."

She felt her heart sink at his words. Something bad was coming. He must have realized that she wasn't worth the trouble, that it wasn't a good idea to have a human as a mate. She pulled away from him and curled herself into a ball.

"Okay. I understand," Elizabeth said. "Go do your stuff. I'll wait here."

"Elizabeth?" He sounded confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm fine."

"Something is definitely wrong. I can tell that much. I just wanted to talk to you about how we were going to deal with my mother and give you some kimonos."

Elizabeth felt hope swell in her chest a little. She hesitantly raised her head and looked him in the eyes.

"Really?"

"Do I not say what I mean?"

"Always," she replied with a small smile. He brought his hand up and placed it against her cheek.

"You are incredibly precious to me, Elizabeth. I will never abandon you regardless of the world thinks."

Elizabeth blushed furiously as she placed her hand atop his. She leaned towards him and gently pressed her lips to his.

"Thank you," she whispered as she pulled away.

He didn't let her pull too far away though. Gently placing his hand on the back of her head, he chased after her lips. She felt her heart soar at his actions. They kissed for several minutes, only pulling away for air briefly.

"Elizabeth," he murmured against her lips. "Elizabeth, we must stop. As much as I wish to continue and show you even more how I feel, we must stop to get some things done today."

"Alright…" She sighed and leaned her forehead against his. "I suppose we have to do stuff."

Sesshomaru guided her up off the bed. His haori was still loosely wrapped around her. The ties had come loose and it barely covered her modesty.

"Elizabeth…"

"What is it, Sesshomaru? Oh!" She looked down at herself and flushed. She quickly grabbed the edges of the haori and pulled it up around her shoulders. He went over to a chest against the wall and rummaged through it. He pulled out a simple blue-green kimono and held it out to her.

"Here, you can wear this."

"Oh, I couldn't take this! It's beautiful, too beautiful for someone like me." Elizabeth protested.

"What do you mean, someone like you?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well, I'm only sort-of pretty, certainly not beautiful. And it's not like I'm anything special. I'm just an ordinary person."

"Elizabeth." He set down the kimono and drew her into his arms. "You are anything but ordinary. You are smart, beautiful, and talented. You have traveled through time and space. You are a genuinely good person, who can even manage to deal with Jaken."

Elizabeth looked up at Sesshomaru. She could feel tears threatening to spill over. Reaching up, she gently pulled him down into a sweet kiss.

"Thank you Sesshomaru," she whispered after pulling away. She laid her forehead against his shoulder. "No one has ever been as kind to me as you have been."

"They were fools who did not appreciate the wonder that you are." He gave a gentle squeeze. "Now, we must face my mother."

"Okay." She took the kimono when he offered it to her this time. "What should we expect?"

"Probably some very snide or rude comments about your heritage. But regardless of what she believes now, she will have to accept you. I refuse to leave you behind under any circumstances."

Sesshomaru stepped behind a screen as he dressed, giving Elizabeth some semblance of privacy.

After they were both dressed properly, he guided her out of the room and they made their way down the hall towards the dining room where Sesshomaru's mother awaited them.