Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha

Chapter 10: Composure

Thryss felt an unaccustomed rage take hold of her. The demon held her wrists securely between one hand, looking at her challengingly. Apparently he wasn't going to take her seriously, while he thought she was helpless. She absently wondered if humans were really as weak as he seemed to believe. Thryss concentrated on the psionic energy building within her, it was like controlling a tidal wave, if she wasn't careful the sheer force the residual waves rippling outward, would kill her younger self, who was standing far too close for her to take that risk. Realizing she needed a different approach, Thryss chose a different, less violent method, by looking directly into the demons golden eyes and insinuating her will into his thoughts.

"Release me." She told him, her eyes once again emotionless.

Sesshomaru felt the request seep into his mind, demanding he comply, but the demon lord was not one who took orders from others. Resisting the overwhelming desire to yield, he growled softly, irritated at the nagging insistence. She was staring into his eyes, and he felt himself start to obey, even as his mind screamed at him to stop. Such a simple thing, not to release her hands, yet his grip was loosening. Furious that she would even attempt to bend him to her will, the beast inside him came roaring to life, and then something strange happened. He felt the presence of the armor, working with his own desire to overcome the psionic suggestion. The hold Thryss had placed him under abruptly shattered, freeing him. Her eye's went wide in shocked disbelief.

"You broke my hold." She whispered. At her words, the demon tightened his grip on her wrists and lifted her off the ground. He pulled her eye level to him, snarling in murderous rage, "Did you think to control me?"

"Yes." She answered, obviously having absolutely no regard for her own safety. "How did you break my hold. That is no easy feat." She asked curiously, while dangling from his grasp.

Feeling irrationally disgruntled that despite the fact she was at his mercy there was not the slightest hint of fear, which defied all rational reasoning, since she was dangling from his claws like a hooked fish. He had to do something about this. It just wasn't right that he couldn't cowl one lowly human female. Pulling her close, just to make sure she could clearly see the rage in his eyes, "This time you die for your foolishness." He said, raising the new arm, the uncanny black claws flashing dangerously in moonlight. He was just about to strike, when black metal shot out from the wrists that he was holding, razer sharp spines protruding in all directions, necessitated the release of said wrists, lest his hand be perforated. Dropping her unceremoniously, Sesshomaru looked at his hand inspecting the damage.

"It would have been easier, had you just agreed to talk with me." Thryss remarked calmly, as the demon continued to study the hand that he could probably play connect the dots on if he so desired.

There was no evidence of anything but fury as he aimed his deadly claws at her throat. The irritated expression deepened as the sharp nails raked harmlessly against the armor which now covered her neck, causing a small shower of sparks to ignite in their wake. The florescent green of his poison, dripping harmlessly off the smooth surface.

Sesshomaru leaned back, his long hair appearing almost golden as the light of the campfire reflected off it. His typical arrogant expression now replaced with one of supreme annoyance.

Thryss regarded him thoughtfully, considering the best way to stop this ridiculous contest of wills. "If you will not listen to me I am going to have to make you listen. Is this what you desire?" She asked politely. She supposed not, since it looked like he was going to try using the whip next. He must have forgotten what happened the last time he tried. "Very well, we'll do it your way." She announced, deciding to bring this to an end.

The black metal shifted, sliding from soft fabric to an eerie black liquid that raced across her skin covering her completely in diamond hard armor. Massive black wings arced out of her back, cocooning the two of them within its confines. Thryss reached out to grasp his wrists before he could loose the whip. Moving close enough that the slightest motion would bring them into contact, she tilted her head back to look up at him.

Instead of seeing the proud demon that needed taught a lesson, there was the face from her dream. Within the shadow of her wings, the blue crescent moon was clearly visible through the long silvery-white hair. The magenta stripes highlighting the high cheekbones in his beautiful face. Feeling discomfited as the memory of those dreams came rushing back, Thryss remained silent as the demon scrutinized her.

Sesshomaru stared down at her with wide golden eyes that traveled from her dark armored face to the gleaming black wings encircling them. "Interesting." He murmured, studying the metallic wings. Now that his attention was diverted, the desire to disembowel her seemed to have passed.

Pushing away the unexpected memories,"It takes time to learn to control the armor." She said, noticing how intrigued he seemed by the capabilities of the metal.

Dragging his eyes away from the wings, he stared at the metal covered hands still holding onto his wrists. "What is this self destructive desire you have to continually risk your life by touching me?' He asked in exasperation.

"Why do you dislike to be touched?" She asked genuinely curious.

"It is disrespectful." He answered, impatiently pulling his hands away from hers.

Thryss slid the metal gracefully away from her face, shifting it smoothly back into fabric, but still keeping the wings around them. Sesshomaru raised a questioning brow at the continued confinement.

"I want to make a few things clear." She said in response.

Sesshomaru looked down at her, a calculating expression creeping into his eyes. Moving closer, he decided to test a theory. Curious to see how she would react to an invasion of her own personal space, he reached behind her to roughly grab her dark hair. "I am curious. Are you as relaxed about being touched as you seem to think I should be?" Using the hand he had entangled in her hair, he pulled her head back, exposing her slender, pale throat. Tilting his mouth into a small cruel smirk, he lowered his lips to her neck, running along it with his fangs. He felt her breath in sharply in surprise at the unexpected sensation of his teeth on her skin, and try to pull back. Not allowing her to move, he tightened the hold he had on her using his new arm. Feeling an absurd amount of satisfaction that she finally was not so sure of herself, he languidly trailed his tongue from her ear to her lips. Brushing his lips softly against hers, before clamping down on the lower lip with his fangs, making sure she could feel their sharpness. He felt he gasp slightly, then felt the same peculiar energy he had felt earlier rushed up around him, throwing him back forcefully as she quickly backpedaled, absorbing the wings back into her skin. She looked flustered, he noted feeling far more pleased with himself than the situation warranted.

"It would seem that I am not the only one who takes offense at unrequested contact." He said smugly.

She gave him a whithering stare, spun around, kicking up the dried leaves as she walked away. Her stiff posture showing her displeasure. Sesshomaru ambled back to his rock, inordinately pleased with himself as he settled against it comfortably, enjoying the warmth of the fire on his face. Who would have though something as simple as kiss, was all it took to shake her up. Deciding he liked the perturbed expression, he wondered what else could be done to shake that self assured composure of hers.

Thryss walked as quickly as possible away from the demon. It wasn't the touch she had an issue with, it was the way he had touched her that caused her to be so disturbed. She was used the Talisian way of doing things which was always slow and sensual. Lord Sesshomaru neither slow, nor sensual. There had been aggression, and a rather forceful roughness which had taken her by surprise. She hadn't given much thought to how other races touched each other. Now she felt uneasy, unsure of herself. She didn't know what to make of this most unusual response. She had expected anger. So what had prompted him to do what she supposed passed as a caress for him?

Kephren watched unobtrusively from where he had been talking to the child. He had hoped the arrogant demon might finally anger Thryss enough to kill him, but it looked like that wasn't going to happen. At first it seemed as though she was going to put him in thrall, probably to prove her point. He was unpleasantly surprised when they appeared to argue, and then Thryss trapped them together in her wings. A short time later, the demon lord was forcefully shoved away from her, causing Kephren to narrow his silver eyes at the discomfited look on her face as she walked away. Bidding the child good evening he followed her into the dark forest.

Coming up behind her, his footsteps making no sound against the forest floor, Kephren could hear her irregular breathing. "What happed?" He wanted to know.

Thryss turned to her Kephren, the cool night air blowing a loose dark strand across her forehead. Comforted by his predictable familiarity. "I am not sure. I had expected anger and possibly a violent confrontation." She paused, her frown hidden by the shadows. "Then he kissed me. At least I think it was a kiss, he used his fangs. Why would he do that?" She asked confused.

Kephren came close to her, resting slender dark hands against her face. "Did you enjoy it?" He asked, watching her closely, the wind causing his long silver hair to mix with hers.

"It was unlike what I am accustomed to. He doesn't do things the way we do. I am unsure what I feel." Thryss met Kephren's eyes, looking for answers that he couldn't give her. She was unnerved by this whole thing. In her dreams, she had been a child, so she had felt nothing other than adoration for him. The Lord Sesshomaru in her dreams almost never touched her. She found that she did not like the feeling of confusion that the demon was causing, at all. She shivered slightly, feeling a chill settle in, as they stood in the darkness. Moving the dark hands from her face, Kephren pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. Thryss leaned gratefully into the warm embrace.

"I am still willing to kill him, if you like." Kephren said hopefully, resting his chin on her head.

"Because I am confused, doesn't mean I want him dead." She said dryly.

"It was worth a try." He sighed regretfully.

Sesshomaru leaned back against the rock, feeling quite content. He didn't want to dwell on why he was enjoying this so much, but seeing that composed look wiped off her face had been worth the trouble. Still, he was somewhat surprised that the feel of her skin under his fangs had been pleasant. How odd.

The demon's good mood began to deteriorate when the creature came out of the woods with Thryss. He hadn't even seen him go after her. He watch them thoughtfully. It was curious that the creature decided to remain by her side for the rest of the night. As if it did not like the attention she had received from him. Could it be jealous?