Shyira awoke with a start, she was still nestled in Sesshomaru's arms using his chest for a pillow. Slowly she started to ease herself up, stealing a quick glance up at him, she stopped. She didn't realize how young he looked when he was asleep, his face was smooth, he looked like he was 20, she smiled trying to imagine a 20 year old Sesshomaru. She reached up and gently traced the demon markings on Sesshomaru's face, first tracing the moon and then down to the lines of his cheeks, Shyira held back a laugh, 'he really must be tired that didn't even wake him' she thought.

Something made her stop, Shyira slowly moved Sesshomaru's arm from around her waist and crept out of bed. Pulling on a nightgown over her head, she stopped and listened, there was a noise coming from outside, slowly she stepped towards the open balcony doors.

The night was warm, with only a slight breeze; stepping towards the railing Shyira looked down below to the surf crashing onto the white sand. Listening again Shyira heard it, it was faint but she could hear it distinctly. It sounded like a flute, she looked down towards the surf where it seemed to be coming from. Squinting slightly she leaned a little over the railings to get a better look, when a figure appeared from beneath the surf. Slowly they started walking towards land, the music from the flute never faltering.

Shyira's heart thumped in her chest, she stood there frozen staring down at the figure, they wore a dark cloak with the hood pulled up over their head hiding their face. Suddenly the music stopped bringing Shyira out of her trance like state, she turned and ran back inside the bedroom and slammed the balcony doors behind her.

SESSHOMARU'S POV

You awoke to find Shyira missing, sitting up you looked towards the balcony doors just in time to see her running into the bedroom, slamming the doors behind her and locking them. "Shyira what're you doing up?" You ask her.

She ran over to you and grabbing your arm started pulling you out of the bed, "There's someone out here," She said shaking.

"Where?" You asked her getting up and walking towards the balcony doors and unlocking them. You stepped outside with Shyira right behind you, "They were down on the beach, he-she-IT came out of the ocean."

You narrowed your eyes at her words, searching all along the beach you saw nothing nor did you sense anyone.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" You asked turning to look at her.

Shyira looked at you, anger and fear mixed on her face, "I wasn't dreaming! When I woke up I heard someone playing a-a flute or something and when I came out here they came out of the ocean."
You stood there, searching her face as she gave you a pleading look. Before you could say anything the music started up again, your head snapped back down to the surf below. Slowly you saw a dark cloaked figure walking down along the beach away from the castle.

SHYIRA'S POV

Putting his hand to the small of your back, Sesshomaru steered you back into the bedroom closing and locking the doors behind you. Sesshomaru pulled on his clothes and as he fastened his armor on he turned to you, "Stay in here, do not open the doors." Before he turned and started walking towards the bedroom doors.

"W-Wait, you're going out there?" You asked him.

"I'll be back soon," He answered without looking at you and heading out the doors, the distinct sound of the lock clicking behind him.

You went back and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Sesshomaru to come back. You felt anxious, something about that figure that you saw sent shivers down your spine. Something wasn't right about this.

All of a sudden the doors to the balcony flew open with a loud bang making you scream and spring to your feet. You held your hand over your heart as you slowly stepped towards the open doors. Closing your eyes you took a deep breath and took another step to the doors once you reached them you looked out, but saw no one. You gave a sigh of relief before closing them and making sure you locked them. You rested your forehead against the cool glass trying to regulate your heart rate, 'breathe you told yourself, you're being stupid, Sesshomaru will come back and it will have been nothing.'

"Hello, Shyira," said an all too familiar voice behind you.

You gave a scream before spinning around to face none other than Lord Itoku standing there.

You stood there staring at Itoku for what seemed like hours before he finally started walking towards you, with a smug smirk playing on his face. Once he reached you he lifted his hand and caressed your cheek letting his hand trail along your jawline and down your neck where he continued to wander down along your breasts to your waist. Placing his hand on the small of your back he pulled you in closer to him. You put your hands up and pushed against his chest trying to get away from his grasp, but he didn't budge. Leaning down Itoku nuzzled your neck where he inhaled your scent, "Mm I dreamed of this moment," He whispered his hot breath tickling your ear making you shudder with disgust. You tried to push against him again, "Let go of m-" You were cut off by Itoku grasping your chin and forcing his lips on yours. His tongue ran along your lips trying to gain entrance, but you just stood there, your only response was to try and push him away again.
All of a sudden Itoku broke the kiss with a pained roar. You collapsed onto the floor holding onto your shoulder that bore the brand that Sesshomaru placed on you. A searing burning pain blinded you for a few minutes as you struggled to stay conscious.

Itoku glared at you before laughing, "So, Sesshomaru branded you?"

All you could remember was his laughter as he walked towards you before you finally lost consciousness.

SESSHOMARU'S POV

You followed along the beach following the footprints in the sand, until they stopped at the edge of the forest. Scanning the tree line You sensed the presence of another, when suddenly the figure emerged. You narrowed your eyes at the figure as they pulled down their hood revealing Lord Itoku with a deranged smile playing on his face.

"Good evening Lord Sesshomaru, I didn't think you would be up so late," He smiled.

You continued to study Itoku, something was off. The person in front of you looked like Itoku but he had no scent. You flicked your wrist and sent your green whip at him slicing his body in half. You walked over to where Itoku's body should be but all that lay there was a pile of dust, you let out a growl when suddenly you felt your mate. The brand that you had given Shyira gave you not only the heightened ability to sense what she was feeling but you were also able to tell if someone touches her. You could feel her fear, and anger, rushing back to the castle you jumped up the tall cliffs and onto the balcony.

You knocked the doors off their hinges, shattering the glass as you looked around the bedroom, Shyira was nowhere in sight but there was no mistaking the scent of Itoku all around.