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Kee-Ara felt numb as she stared at him uncomprehending for a moment. She froze as those four words rang through her mind, the cool almost uncaring tone in which they were said at odds with the way they made her feel. She blinked at him, so close and yet she never felt so far away. And then she snapped back to reality, panic shooting through her as she turned inwards and searched for the tainted glow of poison in her body.

It was there. She could see a small glimmer of unhealthy green as it traveled through her blood, disappearing as it hid malignantly. If he hadn't told her she never would have found it, the way it glinted softly almost unnoticeable as it was slowly killing her.
"How?" Kee-Ara asked, back to being straightforward and calm. She was poisoned. If she broke down and panicked it wouldn't help and so with the ordered mind that was used to putting unnecessary fear to the side during battle she easily straightened and waited for Sesshomaru's answer.

He blinked at her in surprise. It was the only sign of his startlement but the way she how easily dismissed the shock he had seen on her face moments before was unexpected. She barely missed a stride.

"The Akkorokamui. Unlike me, you are unable to fight off the poison. Humans are weak. You will go numb until you cannot struggle. And then you will die, as if from severe cold," he told her calmly, nearly seeing his words process in her eyes as she thought about them. They ran through her eyes quickly. She reached up and touched her newly bandaged neck with the very tips of her fingers before grimacing.

"I had thought the last of that horrid creature was out of me," she said softly, disappointment clear in her low tone. He noticed that when she did not rush her speech her teeth did not chatter. But then she tossed her head and stood abruptly. The motion took Sesshomaru off guard and he quickly stood, stepping away from her faster than humanly possible.

She eyed him, noticing that he always stood farther away from people than others did. Where one human would stand a few feet in front of you to talk, Sesshomaru kept his distance. Well, unless he is threatening you, she amended her thought with a grin before moving to pack her things. the corner of his mouth barely turned up in amusement as she struggled to pull on her wet pants, almost falling with curses at the Akkorokamui. It was the wet pants she was angry about he though amused.

"What are you doing?" Sesshomaru finally asked, after watching her squeeze all of the moisture she could out of everything and carefully stow it in the yellow bag. She deftly buckled it, having practiced it many times before. She placed the straps over her shoulders before turning to face him.

"We w-w-were about to head after Aku again anyway. This doesn't ch-change anything, we don't have enough time to search for the anti-anti-antidote," she told him firmly, scowling as she stuttered. He took a step towards her as if trying to stop her before freezing and making himself relax. She was just going to give up, Sesshomaru realized watching the way she held herself proudly. Her head tilted to the side and she chewed on her lip as if confused before she added, "Well, if there is one."

"You are giving up," Sesshomaru stated and she looked at him with something that was not quite defiance, just stubbornness. He couldn't help but think it was not as affective when she was shivering like a leaf in the fall.

"N-no, I am focu-s-sing on what is important. Aku, first," Kee-Ara told him, trying to clearly enunciate her words before turning and marching away. She strode confidently in one direction, not pausing to see where she would go and Sesshomaru's suspicions that she somehow felt Aku's presence was further affirmed. He glared at her back. Sesshomaru doesn't follow people. He waited for a moment, not wanting to trail after her but for once he pushed aside his dignity. She was going to get herself killed.

"And you are going to let the poison spread and die instead of saving yourself," Sesshomaru said, sounding for all the world as if he was disappointed in her. She stopped walking and turned to glare at him. He strode up to her confidently and stared down at her imposingly. She wouldn't be intimidated. She glared up at him, tilting her head a bit to stare into his eyes.

"I am g-going to do what I s-ss-said I would," Kee-Ara gritted her teeth annoyed at not being able to explain. She had taken out her cloak and wrapped it around herself but even it couldn't help her feel warm. Miserably she wondered if anything ever would. Sesshomaru let out a soft sigh. It was barely audible and she almost saw it rather than heard it, the soft fall of his chest as he stood so close.

"Tsuki," he stated and she nodded, her eyes filled with relief at not having to explain.

"T-ts-suki," she agreed, tasting blood as she accidentally bit her lip. She winced at the pain and turned starting to walk again. She sharp copper scent of blood reached Sesshomaru's nose and he frowned, watching as she tried to wipe it away with a shaking hand.

She smeared most of it and tried to mumble something under her breath. She gave up and gave a soft growl instead, using her cloak. She firmly wrapped it around herself, for once not caring that she couldn't draw her sword. That's what Seshhomaru was good for she decided, striding after Aku's wire. It was thickening quickly, and her stomach turned at the thought of the coming confrontation.

No matter what she told Sesshomaru she was worried about how she would handle this when she couldn't even talk. How was she supposed to fight Aku? She didn't know, Sesshomaru was thinking the same thing only his thoughts were turned more on how easily she was going to die if she tried. But they walked on, Kee-Ara determined to fight and Sesshomaru certain she was going to die.

Sesshomaru noticed when Kee-Ara's speed started slowing but she didn't say anything. He watched her from the corner of his eye as they walked side by side and he found himself slowing in response to her. She started to droop not long after, her shoulders slumping and head bowing as she trudged along. He hadn't thought that she could shake any harder but he was proved wrong. Her hands were clenched at her sides and her cloak had fallen open when she lost control of her hands.

Her power burned inside her, trying to fight off the poison but the already depleted magic was only succeeding in slowing it down. And even that wasn't enough. She didn't notice when she stopped walking, weariness taking hold and the only thing she could concentrate on was the ice in her veins.

Sesshomaru listened to her heartbeat, noticing the way it was slowing. She was freezing from the inside out. Sesshomaru cursed the weakness of humans but for once he didn't blame the human for being weak. He knew Kee-Ara didn't deserve this, she had fought bravely and had escaped before he got there. She was a warrior and she was strong but her humanity was letting her down. She was all too mortal. He couldn't help but think she would have been a better demon.

"Kee-Ara," he said softly, he couldn't stop the worry from surfacing in his voice. Kee-Ara doubted anyone else would have noticed the small difference but after traveling with him and hearing his many different inflections of hostile, indifferent, and condescending it was obvious. Worry mad her look up at him as she wondered what was bothering him. Then she realized they had stopped. She blinked and it seemed as if it took hours or even lifetimes.

"Sorry," she mumbled and tried to step forward but he grabbed her arm and stopped her. She looked down at it numbly before looking back at him confused. Even her mind had slowed down.

"Come," he said firmly, moving forward and easily picking her up. She struggled weakly for a moment confused before she sighed tired. She pressed against him as she felt his warmth and he froze. Her eyes closed as she shivered against him and he made himself relax.

"Do not go to sleep," he told her and her eyes fluttered open. She felt a faint annoyance at him telling her what to do but it drifted away almost immediately. She felt her eyelashes flutter closed again and he gave a soft growl of annoyance. She smiled softly as she felt it rumble in his chest.

"I disagree with you," he said as moved forward he ran smoothly, not jostling her as he effortlessly held her. She shook violently in his arms and he tightened his grip on her holding her close. She was so pale, her eyes seeming midnight dark against her white face.

"I do not think this about Tsuki. You want revenge," he remarked coldly and he felt her stiffen. A small smile curved his lips when he glanced down to see her give him a faint glare.

"I-i-i-i-it is not,"she said so softly even his sensitive hearing struggled to pick it up. But she almost succeeded in making it sound heated.

"Really? You aren't even interested in the notion? In my experience humans always seek vengeance," Sesshomaru told her. She struggled to clear her throat, coughing weakly. He waited patiently as she fought to say something.

"I w-w-was alway-s-s t-t-to scared...r-r-revenge,"she told him and he turned his head to hear her better. She didn't have the energy to lift her head for long but he noticed some color back in her cheeks.

"Says the woman who faced angry villagers, a mantis demon, and an akkorokamui, then you let a kyuuketsuki feed on you. More impressively you dared to stand up to me. Those are not the actions of someone who is scared but brave," he told her dismissing her statement. He glanced down again in time to see a grin stretch across her face.

"What?" he asked coolly, as he weaved through trees. He thought about taking to the air to be faster but he wanted to be close to the ground. He didn't want her unconscious in the air, he wouldn't be able to set her down quick enough to restart her heart.

"Th-that's the f-f-f-firt time you admi-t-t-ted I'm-m a woman," she told him triumphantly and he frowned down at her. Of course she was a woman, he wasn't an idiot. She snickered and he couldn't help but glare at her. She gave a small smile before explaining.

"Y-you've always," she stopped to catch her breath before continuing,"c-cc-called me h-human or a ch-ch-child." She laid her head back down on his chest, to wore out to be embarrassed. She knew she would be later and she would even be angry at herself for depending on someone else so much but for right now she was tired and he was warm and comforting.

"Revenge is what k-k-killed my family," Kee-Ara whispered and Sesshomaru wasn't certain if this time the stuttering was from the cold. He didn't question her again.

She only realized she had drifted into sleep when Sesshomaru jostled her, causing her eyes to snap open. She scowled at him but he just smirked at her. He was obviously being petty about her pointing out that he was obviously warming up to her. And he thought she was brave. Kee-Ara felt pride at the thought, knowing that Sesshomaru did not think highly of many people.

Suddenly they turned, causing Kee-Ara's stomach to twist nauseous as she stupidly tried to look where they were going. The world blurred by to fast for her in her present condition. On Tsuki she would have reveled in it. Poisoned in Sesshomaru's arms she could only squeeze her eyes shut and try to focus on Sesshomaru's heartbeat to make her world stop spinning. She breathed deeply and let her stomach settle.

He smelt nice she thought absent-mindedly. she felt his chest rumble under her cheek. At first she thought it was a growl until she looked up to find a small smirk on his face. She had said it out loud she realized it and he was silently laughing. She couldn't hear it but she glared up at him embarrassed.

"Sh-shut up," she mumbled and he smiled at her. An actual smile, without any other emotions mixed in it except amusement. She returned it startled but it immediately fell, his face turning impassive as he looked back up and away from her.

"Wh-whh-wh-, Burn it," she finally uttered annoyed and he couldn't help another smile as she said the curse perfectly.

"To get a certain demon to drink the poison out of your veins," Sesshomaru answered her unfinished question and she gasped. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open slightly before she closed it with an audible snap.

"Noboru?" she whispered and he frowned as she said his name perfectly.

"Yes," he replied and she ignored the iciness of his tone. She was use to it by now, so she just dismissed this random mood swing. She shook her head and stiffly tried to push out of his arms, ignoring the fact that they were still moving at a speed that would probably kill her.

"What are you doing?" he asked scathingly as he tightened his hold making it impossible for her to move.

"It'll h-h-hurt him," she told him, stubbornly trying to wiggle away. She barely moved and he sighed annoyed.

"Your concern for the demon is moving but unnecessary," he told her disinterested. She stopped struggling, relaxing into his grip as weariness flooded her.

"Wh-why n-n-n-not?" she asked and he frowned down at her. She had gone so limp.

"The poisonous venom of the akkorokamui will not affect a full blooded demon as it does humans," he told her and she realized he didn't use this perfect statement for another humans are weak comment. She appreciated his restraint and she agreed wearily to ask for Noboru's help. Sesshomaru was not intending on asking. He would demand. The demon owed Kee-Ara.

Kee-Ara was barely conscious by the time Sesshomaru came upon the place where the kyuuketsuki's scent was newest. He found him near a village, stalking some lower demon in the fields. Sesshomaru slowed before walking into his presence. He saw the demon's eyes widen in fear as he saw him but for once it wasn't because of Sesshomaru. Noboru's eyes were focused on Kee-Ara. He didn't even notice when his prey, some kind of rat demon, escaped.

Noboru stepped forward before freezing when he looked up at Sesshomoaru. He watched as he tensed, ready to flee if necessary but then his eyes drifted back down to Kee-Ara. Kee-Ara stirred as Sesshomaru stopped, a weary grin stretching across her face as she saw Noboru. His familiar dark blue eyes met hers with worry.

"H-h-hey," she greeted him weakly. She grabbed Sesshomaru's shoulder and tried to stand but he didn't let her go. She was shaking so bad her hand fell limply back down. She frowned at him with an aggravated sigh but he ignored her, his face impassive as if she wasn't even there. Only the way he moved her slightly so that she could sit up more acknowledged her presence.

"What happened?" Noboru asked, deciding to chance Sesshomaru. He stepped closer and she noticed that he looked healthier than that last time they had met.

"She is dying. An akkorokamui," he responded, his voice detached. Nobouru glared at him, his eyes turning black. Sesshomaru immediately responded, his gold eyes coldly assessing the weaker demon. He wouldn't dare.

"N-n-noboru!" Kee-Ara pleaded, her voice louder than Sesshomaru had heard it since the poison had set in. Noboru's black demonic gaze snapped down to find her pain filled brown eyes begging him to calm down.

"I can help," Noboru said, offering his assistance before anyone could ask for it. Sesshomaru was surprised, he had thought they would have to demand help. Sesshomaru realized Kee-Ara had earned his loyalty. It wasn't just that he owed her, Noboru willingly wanted to help. Kee-Ara's kindness had earned her his respect and what could be friendship.

Sesshomaru still couldn't' help himself from moving away as Noboru stepped forward to take Kee-Ara. Noboru looked at him questioningly before realization dawned in his eyes. Sesshomaru frowned at him not sure why he was looking at him like that before looking down at Kee-Ara.

"I t-t-t-t-rust him," she whispered and Sesshomaru gently laid her in Noboru's waiting arms. Sesshomaru's arms felt empty as he watched Kee-Ara steady herself by grabbing Noboru's shoulder. He felt frustrated as he watched Noboru whisper something to Kee-Ara that made her laugh softly.

Kee-Ara couldn't help but laugh when Noboru asked for her permission. She grinned at him, proud of him even though this was only the second time she had met him.

"Yes," she told him and he grinned at her. She couldn't help but tense up as his mouth lowered to her neck. She could feel his breath tickle her throat as he whispered, "It'll hurt more if you don't relax."

She nodded and focused on releasing her muscles. She looked over to find Sesshomaru's cold eyes impassively watching them but she noticed his hands were clenched. She wasn't the only one that was nervous. For some reason that made her relax and she gasped slightly as Noboru's fangs entered her neck. It hurt so much more than her wrist had and she couldn't help but feel annoyed that she would have to add more bandage above what she already had.

She bit her lip to stop from moaning. It burned, she gritted her teeth as her eyes watered. His fangs were roughly the size of a wolves and it hurt as they dug into her soft flesh, the sensation of her blood being drained made her feel faint but It was the venom coming out with her blood that made the process almost intolerable. It felt like some one was pulling hot wire out of her body, searing her veins as it traveled.

She closed her eyes and turned inward to watch as the poisonous green glow was slowly sucked out of her body. It was a slow process and she realized it had spread faster than she had thought possible. She was feeling faint when he finally stopped but there was still some left.

"I can't get it all," he finally said when he moved away from her. She felt a slow trickle of blood down her neck.

"Why?" she asked realizing that her shaking had slowed down. It had almost stopped but she still shivered.

"I'm sorry, It's in to much of your blood, you would die from blood loss instead of poison," he told her and she nodded accepting even though her heart was sinking. Noboru jumped as Sesshomaru moved towards them, his gaze focused on Noboru.

"Then she will die from the poison," he said coldly and Noboru frowned at him. he looked down at her before answering.

"I don't think so. The poison thinned so that I think she would survive, but she will have to let it run its course. It will be painful but I think you are strong enough, I am sorry," he told her and she smiled up at him not feeling strong at all.

"Think," Sesshomaru said and Kee-Ara sighed. Noboru was about to apologize again when Kee-Ara interrupted him.

"No need to apologize, Noboru. You did your best and that is all I could hope for. You have also given me a maybe when before I had a certain death. So thank you," she told him and Nobrou smiled at her. He wished he could help her, give her a certainty. His heart hurt as she thanked him and he impulsively hugged her, something he hadn't done in a while. She grinned and hugged him back, wrapping her arms around his neck..

"I'm glad that you are doing well," she told him and they shared a smile again before she continued sternly, "now sit me down."

He frowned but listened, sitting her feet on the ground before gently holding her upright. She swayed. Sesshomaru immediately picked her up again before she could fall.

"Quit it," she said grumpy and he felt better about the maybe. She was certainly feeling better. Her teeth were not chattering and she was only slightly shivering.

"No," Sesshomaru said, turning and walking aback the way they had come. Kee-Ara sighed annoyed before leaning up to look over si shoulder. He was no good at good byes.

"Good bye, Noboru! Thank you!" she told him and she saw the flash of white fangs as he grinned at her. He waved before disappearing into the trees. It amazed her that he was so good at that. Then she glared at Sesshomaru.

"I am perfectly capable of walking on my own," she told him firmly, not caring that she was being ungrateful.

"I know you are certainly capable of talking. Walking is another matter," he told her sarcastically and she glared at him, ignoring the fact that her world was spinning. Light headedness made her close her eyes and she sighed, admitting that he was right.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru," Kee-Ara told him gratefully and he nodded. She was asleep before they were in the air.

Because of all of the positive reviews I will be writing a sequel!

But I promise to end this one where you don't have to read it if you don't want to!

Thank you all again!