CHAPTER 11: SOMEPLACE WARM

(Sesshomaru)

After scanning the surrounding area for any other signs of life Sesshomaru began to bed down for the night. Choosing a wide tree to lay against he relaxed. When the woman walked back into the clearing she was fully dressed and armed. The look on her face, which she no doubt thought was hidden by darkness was hatred itself. It surprised him a little. She was so good at hiding her emotions and the fact that she was still so disdainful of him was somewhat…. astonishing. She stood there looking at him, then looking around, then back at him. This human was baffling. Nothing like Rin. Hnnn. Rin.

"You are hungry."

She looked startled. "No."

"Stay here."

"Yes."

He nodded; mostly to himself. Obedience. Good. Walking into the trees without a backward glance, Sesshomaru sniffed the air.

(Kimiko)

Was it possible to loathe someone you already despised? Kimiko took regular, even breathes and willed herself to remain calm. She looked around the clearing in search of a quasi-comfortable place to sleep. It wasn't that she'd never slept out of doors exactly, but when she had there were tents and pallets. There wasn't even a fire and it was cold.

Stupid Demon. Of course HE doesn't feel the cold. Was he really even alive? Thinking back to the fight with the goblin brothers she flushed. Yes, he was definitely alive. She shivered. Kimiko knew she'd remember those red eyes for as long as she lived. He was frightening. It wasn't the killing or the violence. It was the ferocity in his eyes when he looked at her. Wrapping her arms around herself she went in search of some sort of fire making materials. She was confident she could figure this campfire thing out.

"Woman!" HE bellowed and despite her best efforts she found herself jogging back to the clearing, brush and branches in hand. When she got there, his head turned very slowly.

"I told you to stay." He fixed her with a hard stare. She opened her mouth to tell him about the fire she wanted to start.

"No. There are no excuses. You must obey." His voice was dead calm.

Inside, a tiny voice told her to apologize. It told her that she should have listened. After all, hadn't he just rescued her from a beast that wanted to kill her? She looked down at his hands and saw the dark bundle. Was she wrong here? NO! She wasn't. She wasn't a child. She wasn't his slave. What she was, was his hostage.

"No yourself. Lord Demon! I am cold. I'm trying to build a fire." She dropped the wood to the leaf strew earth.

"Not necessary. Come." His voice was calm but commanding. Without a chance to think, her legs propelled her to him.

"Eat." He handed her the bundle wrapped in his sash. Inside she found mushrooms, berries and some kind of large fruit.

He walked away from her and leaned against a tree watching. What was she supposed to do? She looked right and left and eventually just bent her knees sitting cross legged on the ground. Was he waiting for her to thank him? Should she thank him? She was confused.

"Th-thank you….. for the food." She mumbled. He nodded once and continued to stare. Well, I guess he wants to watch me eat. Strange demon.

Kimiko started with the berries. They were very ripe and she was careful not to let juice run down her chin. Then she ate the mushrooms, grimacing a little when she crunched on a stray grain of dirt. Then skeptically she bit into one of the larger fruits. Mmmmmm. It was delicious. What was it? She ate another piece and then a third; saving two for her breakfast the next morning.

While the meal wasn't hot she felt satisfied and fatigue crept up on her. She began to nod off and stubbornly stood to attempt making a fire again. She could probably sleep on the ground if there was a fire nearby. At that point she didn't care where she slept as long as it was soon and preferably warm. Bending at the waist to pick up her firewood, she peeped as she was lifted off the ground. The monster carried her upside down until they were near the tree he'd claimed. Turning her over he sat with her on his lap. Stunned it took her a moment before she began to struggle.

"That's enough of that human. Stop it." His arm clamped around her middle. Her muscles froze and with something that sounded a lot like approval he set her down beside him and wrapped her in something warm and very soft. They weren't touching exactly but….. as she soon realized… she didn't care. One final moment before sleep claimed her she noted that the fuzzy blanket around her had a…. pulse.

(Sesshomaru)

She was finally asleep. Troublesome woman. Sesshomaru wondered if the Great Lords of the Council would blame him for killing the girl if they could see what a bother she was. Would she never just do as she was told? He looked at her. Even when asleep she seemed willful. It was as if she was saying that, yes she would sleep but only because she wanted to, and not because she was so exhausted she could barely stand. Sesshomaru shook his head. Tomorrow he would devise a new tactic. He would teach this human to obey. Tomorrow.

(Sesshomaru)

The Lord of the West's business in the north concluded quickly. As it happened the situation dissolved itself before he'd even arrived. Next, Sesshomaru decided to check the boarders of his territory. Weeks had passed since he went on patrol and he was restless. Protecting the western boundaries was one of the primary responsibilities of his station. They reached his palace just after night fall the following day and the Tenshi was exhausted. She'd fallen asleep an hour or so before they'd arrived home.

"Oh! Oh! Lord Sesshomaru you've returned! How have you been Master?" A high pitch squeal.

"Lord Sesshomaru! Kimi-Chan! You are safe!" A happy chirp.

"Be quiet." Sesshomaru said but not unkindly. "Rin, please show me to the woman's rooms."

"Yes, my Lord!", and the girl turned happily on her heel and led the Daiyoukai to the east wing.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Kimi-Chan will be so happy when she finds out it was you that took her to her rooms." Rin smiled warmly at him.

"I think not." Sesshomaru placed the woman on her bed, armor and all and turned toward the door.

"Don't worry my Lord. I will help her into bed. Goodnight!"

"Sleep well Rin." He said softly and left.