CHAPTER 10: STOP TO CAMP

(Kimiko)

If Kimiko hadn't been terrified just looking at the forest below rushing by, she would have noticed the satisfaction Sesshomaru's aura exuded. As it was, regardless of her surroundings, his embrace gave her shivers….. of disgust she was sure. His breath near her ear made the hair on her arms stand up. Still, she preferred that to falling to her death.

Eventually the uneasiness wore off and she could enjoy the scenery. They flew until sunset. She'd been awakened before sunrise that morning and it wasn't long before she began to yawn. Kimiko hoped he wouldn't notice. As always the captive wasn't inclined to asking HIM for anything but if she fell asleep would she fall? Kimiko wasn't entirely sure how they remained aloft but maybe one had to be awake for the spell to work.

When she could keep her eyes open no longer, she looked up to ask him if they would camp for the night. However, before any sound escaped her lips they began to descend. When his feet touched ground he released her and sniffed audibly.

"Tenshi. There is a spring nearby. If you wish, you may bathe." His voice positively dripped with indifference.

She mulled it over. She did want to get clean and a hot spring sounded wonderful but could she trust him enough to bathe with him nearby? She was certain he wouldn't let her too far from sight. Yet, if he'd wanted to force himself on her, he could have done it weeks ago.

"Which way?" Looking to the north his straight arm pointed south. She walked in that direction.

"Should you require my assistance simply call out. I will not be far."

Heh. I'll just bet you won't. She rolled her eyes. If he was waiting for her to 'require… assistance" he would be waiting for a very long time. She reached the spring easily and began carefully removing her armor and clothing.

Looking suspiciously into the trees, Kimiko contemplated whether or not she should wear her underclothing into the water. If he was watching…. she closed her eyes and felt for him. He felt,… bored… and oddly edgy. Relieved, she got bare and sank into the warm water. It wasn't really the warmth that relaxed her. It was the silence. She'd had so little time to herself since she was abducted and a bath alone in the dark was delightful.

She washed herself with the cake of soap and cleaned her teeth. Unbraiding her hair she combed it out. For the first time in a very long while, she smiled. Kimiko took her time soaking and swimming. It was getting late though and she was so tired. She could also sense that the monster was getting increasingly agitated. She felt tension building in his chest. There was also a buzz of some feeling she couldn't quite recognize floating in the air. It alarmed her.

She was beautiful. The bare curves of her body. The way the moonlight bounced off her full breasts. The water nymph sighed and his body reacted. He didn't know whether he wanted to take her body or eat her. Maybe both. She closed her eyes and smiled, quietly humming a gentle melody. He watched mesmerized. The way her luscious hips swayed as she walked to her garments made drool slip from his mouth. The woman toweled herself off and tied her under-robe around her perfect form. It was too much; he had to have her! Eyes glowing red the demon crashed through the bushes and roared.

Forty feet tall and a ghastly shade of yellow-green, he reached out with his curved talons and took hold of the maiden. She shrieked and thrashed. Good. She'd taste better if she was afraid. He bounded south as fast as his hindquarters could go while the wench hissed and fought uselessly to free herself. The demon Ashinaga bared his yellow fangs sensing another aura racing after him.

(Sesshomaru)

A moment before Sesshomaru heard the Tenshi scream, the wind shifted; his sensitive nose catching the stench of a goblin demon. A split second later he came up behind the creature that had the girl around the middle.

The youkai turned, bellowing…. "MINE!" and tore off into the trees. The fool woman raged at the monster beating it with her fists until she went limp. A single drop of blood formed in the corner of her mouth. It was crushing her.

The Lord of the Western Lands saw red. Wind came up around him and his body pulsated. He wanted to rip the beast apart and take back what was his. Snarling he drew Bakusaiga preparing to strike. The goblin howled and looked to its left where something else was charging through the forest.

It was imperative he liberate the Tenshi before it arrived. Focusing his strike the Daiyoukai lopped off the arm holding his mate-to-be. Two flicks of his wrists later and the goblin demon fell to the ground in pieces. Clumps of its flesh rained from the sky while Sesshomaru extracted his human; carefully laying her on the ground.

The stubborn woman's eyes flew open as another youkai barreled into the clearing. A howl of fury filled the air when it took in the refuse littering the forest floor.

"Brother!"

The goblin scoured its surroundings and found it's brother's murderer.

"You are going to pay for killing my brother swine!" and it lunged.

"Hnnn." Sesshomaru smiled.

(Kimiko)

Her body slammed against the ground painfully, jarring her awake. Trying to remain conscious, she forced her muscles to move. With blurred vision she searched for danger. The thick metallic taste of blood made her queasy. Above her a figure moved and a gut wrenching wail sounded nearby. Kimiko rolled to her left and came up onto unsteady feet. In a low crouch she picked up a stone and prepared to fight off the demon lunging for her. Instinctively she brought her arms up to shield her face. The moment before impact, however, a pale figure stepped in front of her and knocked her back roughly into dense bushes.

She shook her head to clear it and peered out the way she come. There, in the clearing was a grotesque youkai with curved horns, talons and fangs. Hard scales covered every inch of the monster and flame red eyes fixed on her.

"Give me the wench and I'll let you live!" and slimy voice gurgled.

"You want her? Try and take her." Lord Sesshomaru said softly and ran toward the goblin baring his claws and swinging his powerful sword.

Kimiko looked on in amazement as her tormenter attacked a demon ten times his size. Captivated she watched him cleave the creature in two with one swipe. When the Daiyoukai turned back toward her she put a hand over her mouth. His eyes blazed red as well and long fangs hung over his elongated lips. She took a step backward and in a flash he had her against a tree, his snarling face just inches from hers.

"Are you frightened little human?" He sneered.

She was. She knew it. He had to know it. Anyone would tremble under his gaze.

"No." She said evenly.

He sniffed and pulled back from her turning his head away. She watched while the wind around him died and his eyes faded back to honey gold.

"Dress yourself." He told her.

The Tenshi looked down and squeaked. Wrapping what little remained of her underclothes around her bare skin she fled back through the trees.

(Sesshomaru)

So he frightened her did he? It was only natural. He'd reduced powerful demons to sniveling cowards with a look. Yet she'd stared him in the eye and lied to him. Did the woman ever admit to fear?

Sesshomaru walked slowly back to the clearing giving the Tenshi time to cover up. He smirked at the myriad of possibilities swimming through his mind. That look on her face when discovering her nakedness was intriguing… he would have to see it again.