A1969: well, will you look at that—I'm trying to update regularly!
Inuyasha: liar. If that were the case, then you'd update your other story!
A1969: urgh. Since it's about to end, I'm having a mild case of Writer's Block for it.

Kagome: well, it happens…I guess.

A1969: anyway, thanks to everyone who've managed to read and review the last chapter! Gee, I seem to be thanking you all a lot, right? Well, an author's gotta be thankful for whatever review she gets, right?

Kagome: hmm…point taken.

A1969: anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

C_H_A_P_T_E_R T_W_E_N_T_Y-O_N_E

Undecipherable

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-Clara-o-

They say that what you don't know won't harm you.

In my case, what he doesn't know won't harm me.

I sighed as I stood near the doorway of Shougkyo's small hut, leaning against the doorframe. I looked at my bandaged hand and flinched as the simple act of raising my hand made my palm throb unpleasantly. Ow.

I sighed again and thought of the person who had bandaged my hand.

Sesshoumaru…

The fact that I realized that I was in love with him brought several emotions to my mind. Relief—I finally figured out why I felt all those emotions when I was around him. Happiness—I was in love…Who wouldn't be happy? And, finally, worry…

Why worry?

Well, Sesshoumaru absolutely loathed humans. And what would he think if he were to find out that I, a human (and a priestess at that), was in love with him? That and the fact that he didn't like me (I felt a stab of pain when I thought of that) would probably make him abandon me the moment he caught wind that I was in love with him. Hence, I had to hide my feelings for him and make sure that he never found out about them.

I sighed again.

Hiding your emotions…

It wasn't something that I was good at.

Why, though? Why, of all the people I've met, why did I have to fall for someone like Sesshoumaru?

It was as unexpected as falling in love with a dog.

Oh, wait…he is a dog.

Wait, I'm in love with a dog? Now, that is just disturbing…

Still, I can't deny the fact that I mustn't let him know. If he did know, I don't know what he'll do. Would he even kill me for it?

I let out another sigh as I closed my eyes. This was so perplexing! Honestly, I've never been in love before—my mother just wouldn't hear of it then. Hm…I wonder what she'll think if she finds out that I'm in love with a demon.

"Ow!" a hoarse voice cried from inside the hut.

I immediately opened my eyes. It was Shougkyo's voice.

I hurried into the hut.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Shougkyo-san, are you alright?" I asked as I entered.

Shougkyo was sitting up on her futon, the sheets covering her legs. She looked up at me. "Hm? Oh, priestess, it's you. Still here, hm?" she said.

"Good morning," I said timidly. Well, I had to admit—she was a tad bit…rough. "Did you sleep well? Are you alright? I heard you screaming."

She stretched her arms and yawned. I noticed that the sleeves of her sleeping robe were somewhat yellow from age and worn from use. "How can this morning be good?" she began. "And no, I didn't sleep well, as always, and I was screaming because I thought I saw a mouse."

"But…I heard you scream 'ow'," I corrected.

She seemed flustered. For a moment, she was quiet. "Is there anything to eat?" she suddenly asked just as a low grumble came from her stomach.

I sweat dropped. "Well, yes, I guess."

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Sesshoumaru-

I was bored.

In fact, the monotony was enough to make me watch Clara as she leaned against the doorframe of the old hag's hut. She was staring at her hand that I had bandaged. From my position in the trees, I could make out the expression that played on her face. Ah, the human emotions that appeared on her face were nearly entertaining.

For a moment, her eyes were soft as she stared at her bandaged hand, but then, she looked defeated, then worried and then anxious and, at last, determined. Hn. I nearly wished to hear what thoughts played across her mind to coax such varied emotions across her face.

"Ow!" The sound came from within the hut—the old woman. Again.

I watched as Clara quickly went into the hut.

"Shougkyo-san, are you alright?" I heard Clara say.

"Hm? Oh, priestess, it's you. Still here, hm?" She was not even grateful.

It was going to be another boring exchange, I was certain.

The wind rustled quietly in the tress, and I narrowed my eyes as a familiar scent permeated the air. I glanced over my shoulder, at the trees. There was no one. But I knew better.

The scent was familiar. I followed deeper into the forest. It seemed that the owner of the scent wished me to follow it.

I followed the scent into the same clearing in which I found Clara wounded. There were still fragments of crystal that came from Shinsei's sheath. I glanced at these for a brief moment, then I looked up at the owner of the scent.

"It's you."

The woman in front of me bowed then straightened. "Lord Sesshoumaru," she greeted, her green eyes narrowed slightly at me, as they always were.

Hn. Mother's impatience to see me must have been such that she would send her most trusted and loyal retainer to find me.

"Shizune," I said.

Shizune smiled. She was a redhead and the fiery color of her hair matched her temper. Though she was Mother's most loyal retainer, she came from a prestigious family and she detested being a lady-in-waiting. I knew this, but Mother did not.

"What does my Mother want?" I asked. I had an inkling of what she wanted, but I wished to be sure.

"My lady requests your presence," she said. "She has been awaiting your arrival for many a day, my lord, and she has grown most impatient."

I inwardly sighed. Mother really was never the most patient of women. "She has never been this insistent," I pointed out.

She smiled enigmatically at me. "Oh, my lord," she said, sighing. "She has a surprise for you, it seems." She smiled again. The look in her eyes simply stated that she knew what my mother had in store for me.

"I assume that you are aware of what she has in mind?" I asked.

Shizune tilted her head. "Perhaps," she said, smiling enigmatically. She was a good three hundred years my senior and it was safe to say that she was not being coquettish. "My lord, you must not keep your mother waiting."

"I have business here."

"Business," Shizune said, wrinkling her nose slightly. "My lord, correct me if I am mistaken, but you are babysitting a priestess. That, my lord, should be no business of yours."

She was reprimanding me? She was telling me what to do?

Such outright conceit.

"Oh?" I said softly. "Is any business of yours, Shizune?"

She shook her head reverently. "No, my lord, of course not." She bowed again. "I merely wished to point out that my lady eagerly awaits your return that is all."

I inwardly sighed. To let my mother wait was unheard of, disrespectful, but to leave Clara behind, defenseless, would be dangerous. So, it seems that I must choose.

"Inform my honorable Mother of my apologies," I said, restraining a sigh. "I shall come to her as soon as things are taken care of here." The fact that I would keep my Mother waiting for me would surely suggest arrogance on conceit on my part, but, really, what care have I as to what others thought?

Shizune raised her eyebrows at me. "You wish for your Mother to wait on account of a priestess…Midoriko's reincarnation?" She sounded incredulous.

I didn't answer, instead I gave her a look. "Oh," she said. She bowed again. "I shall inform your Mother of your intentions, my lord."

A gust of wind swirled around her, making the leaves on the ground spiral around her. She vanished amidst a swirl of green and a rush of wind.

So, my mother was impatient to see me, now, was she?

Why?

I pondered on the possibilities as I turned and left.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-o-o-Clara-o-o-

Today, I have just seen how persistently stubborn an old lady could be.

I sighed. "Shougkyo-san, you must let me clean out that shelf," I insisted, pointing to a shelf on the west wall that was cluttered to such a degree, it would make a garbage bin look clean. "See? The boxes on that shelf are all moldy and—"

"I won't hear of it, priestess!" she suddenly half-shouted. I was taken aback. She sounded harsh and her eyes hardened and she also sounded menacing. "I won't have you touch that shelf, you hear? You've already done enough as it is."

Her words were so sharp that they pierced me, I'll admit. I hung my head. Perhaps I really was a little too forward. "I'm sorry," I said, sighing. "I just wanted to help, that's all."

Her tone softened. "Can't blame you," she said, coughing again. "You're a priestess. You're supposed to do what you're supposed to do." She gave another horrible cough, a cough that made me flinch.

"Shougkyo-san," I said hesitantly, reaching for the pot of tea that I had made for her that morning. Of course, she hadn't touched it. "This tea helps relieve your cough. Lady…Kikyou once said so. You should take some. It could ease the coughing."

"What…part…of…I'm not long…for…this world…do you not…understand, girl?" she said in between coughs. "I'll…be…gone…any day now…I think."

I put the pot back over the fire. "So, that's it, then?" I said quietly. "You're willing to give up without a fight?"

To my surprise, her face reddened in anger. "Don't you dare tell me that I've given up without a fight, girl!" she roared. "I've fought longer and harder than all the rest of them put together! You have no right to say that I have not fought to preserve my life! All these of loneliness, I've done nothing but fight to stay alive! And now, you say I haven't fought?"

I was shocked. "I…I didn't mean it that way," I stammered. Something tells me I've gone over the line.

"Well, good!" she said. She was quiet again, and then she sighed, a defeated sigh, it seems. "Now look what you've made me do," she went on. "I lost my temper." She sighed again.

I stood up. "I'll be back, then," I said. I turned to leave.

"Priestess." I stopped and stared back at her.

"Yes?"

"You've never," she said, "told me your name."

Huh? Was she being nice? Mm, that was an improvement. "My name is Clara, Shougkyo-san," I answered as I turned and left.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

I sat down on a rock that rested beside the tiny stream that wound its way along the trees beside Shougkyo's hut and sighed again as I stared at my bandaged hand. Now was a time to think. I wanted to think…

No, I needed to think.

And there were so many things I needed to think about and all of them were centered on a certain demon lord…

My feelings for him were going to be a problem for this journey. I had to make sure that he didn't learn of my feelings—that would be too risky. I sighed as I stared at the bandage around my hand. The cloth was now bloody and I knew that I had to change it otherwise, it would get infected. But the part about infection occupied a tiny portion of my brain—the major part of my brain was too busy thinking about him.

When I still lived in America, I had had girl friends who were all giddy about first love and the like. They often got their advice regarding the opposite sex from this or that magazine and, sometimes, the advice worked. However, where was I going to find any advice about dating and or loving demon lords?

Maybe I wasn't too deeply in yet…Maybe, I could change the way I felt about him…

That would be for the best, I think.

Yes, it would be better if I could try to get rid of my feelings for him…

A shadow suddenly fell over me.

"Eh?" I looked up and blushed. Sesshoumaru was standing in front of me, his eyes on my hand.

"How many more days do you intend to waste?" he asked in that impossibly cold voice of his.

Right. I was just a waste of his time, right? A thorn in his side, a bane on his existence…

The thought…hurt.

"Just a few," I said, trying to be sarcastic to hide the hurt.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Sorry," I mumbled looking down at my hand again. I did not want to pick a fight with him, a fight that I would most likely loose.

"Change that dressing." He was looking at the cloth around my hand, his golden eyes impassive. "It will be infected otherwise." Was he…concerned? The thought made me blush again. "And then you would fall ill and I would have to waste more of my time."

Right.

A waste of time.

That was me, right? A complete waste of his time. The fact that I realized I was in love with him only made his insults more unbearable…

He turned to leave. "Sesshoumaru," I said. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me from over his shoulder.

He looked at me for a moment, and then left.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Sesshoumaru-

There was that look in her eyes again.

She was sitting on a rock near the stream, staring at her wounded hand, that undecipherable look in her eyes.

Returning from my brief encounter with Shizune, I was somewhat surprised to find her there on her own—I thought she would be busy playing the saint, helping the old woman. She seemed absorbed in her thoughts, so absorbed that she didn't notice me at first.

"Eh?" She looked up and blushed. Queer. Why should she blush?

"How many more days do you intend to waste?" I asked, remembering Shizune's message.

The blush vanished and, for a brief moment, there was hurt in her eyes then defiance. "Just a few," she replied, sarcastic. I raised an eyebrow at her. "Sorry," she mumbled, looking down at her hand again. My gaze slid to the bloody piece of cloth around her palm.

"Change that dressing," I said. "It would be infected otherwise." Once again, she blushed. Strange girl. "And then you would fall ill and I would have to waste more of my time."

I turned to leave.

"Sesshoumaru," she suddenly called out. I stopped and turned to stare at her from over my shoulder. "I'm…sorry for being such a waste of your time. Really…I am." There was no hint of sarcasm in her voice, which was a change.

I looked at her for a moment. There was that strange look in her eyes again. I didn't know what it was, but I had never seen anyone look at me in that way before.

Hn.

I turned and left.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What could Mother want?

Sitting underneath a tall spruce, while watching Ah-Un graze, I couldn't help but wonder what it was that my eminent mother wanted. She had never been the most patient of ladies, but she usually left me alone, interfering only when my well-being was at stake.

As of the moment, my well-being was fine.

So, what did she want?

I let my thoughts wander as I thought of possible explanations for Mother's impatience. A problem with one of the borders, perhaps? I don't think so. The last time there had been a problem with one of the borders of the Western Lands had been two hundred years ago, just shortly after Father's death. A rebellion, perhaps? Hn. My subjects knew better than to incite my anger.

So what could she possibly want?

Unless…

No.

Mother wouldn't dare, but her with penchant for persistence and stubbornness, I couldn't be sure…

No matter. What would face whatever was awaiting me at my Mother's palace after Clara was through with the old woman. Hn…Annoying.

Ah-Un suddenly looked up and turned his attention to the trees. I followed his gaze. Amidst the shadows cast by the noon sun, a figure slowly emerged from the trees. I inwardly sighed and stood up. First, Shizune and now, him. What a bother.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," Takeshi said, emerging from the shadows.

"You again," I said. What a pest. "Tell me, does nothing penetrate that thick skull of yours?"

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowed at me. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked, his tone mocking.

I drew my Bakusaiga from its sheath. "Haven't I warned you before that should you ever show your face again, I would kill you?" I pointed my sword at him.

Surprisingly, he held up both his hands. "I have not come here to fight," he said quietly.

"Oh?"

"No," he said. "I have come here to take Midoriko away from you."

Oh? He wanted Clara?

"You do now, don't you?" I asked, my hand tightening on my sword.

"Yes," he said, his eyes hard. "And you will surrender her to me, Lord Sesshoumaru."

"And if I refuse?"

To my surprise, he chuckled. "Oh, I don't think you'll refuse," he said, sounding amused. "After all, what reason have you to keep her beside you, aside from your word to Lady Kikyou?"

He had a point.

"No," I said softly. "I will fulfill my word, then you may have her."

He frowned. "No," he said, his voice deadly. "I want her. Now."

I smirked at him. "Then I'm afraid that you shall die."

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Clara-

The small clay jar fell from my hands to the ground and shattered into a million fragments, sending sprays of water onto the walls.

"Be careful, priestess!" Shougkyo barked.

I paid her no heed. Instead, I paid attention to this strange feeling…

It was as though…No…I could feel it…A high rise in demonic aura…

And it was familiar.

"Sesshoumaru!" I gasped as I ran out the hut, leaving Shougkyo behind me.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Sesshoumaru-

"Die?" Takeshi asked quietly. He pulled out a sword from the sheath at his waist. "Lord Sesshoumaru, you say that I shall die? With all do respect, Lord Sesshoumaru, it is not I who will be dying today." Before I could even blink, the fool was already charging towards me, his sword aimed at my chest.

I easily sidestepped his attack and he rushed past me. Hn. For a human, he was fast. He spun around again and ran towards me, this time, the sword was pointed at my heart.

"Die!" he shouted as I easily sidestepped him again. What a bother. I wasn't even using Bakusaiga…

Fool.

Takeshi sped passed me and he stopped in his tracks then slowly, he turned to face me, triumph written al over his face.

Triumph?

He started chuckling. "Arrogance will be your weakness, Lord Sesshoumaru." No sooner were the words out of his mouth when I felt a piercing pain grip at me chest, at my heart. The pain was excruciating. It was as though a fire were burning within me, engulfing that one organ Takeshi had aimed for earlier. The pain did not show on my face—I would rather die than show weakness.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Fool," I hissed.

He raised an eyebrow. "I could easily kill you now," he threatened. "The spell I've placed on you could so easily kill you should I wish to do so now. However, I do not see why I should waste my time killing you. All I want, Lord Sesshoumaru, is the girl."

Given the situation in which I found myself, it would have been wise to surrender Clara to Takeshi, however, Takeshi was annoying me—and so, in response, I wanted arouse his anger.; childish, yes, but satisfying.

"Then you shall have to waste your time," I said. Without saying anything else, I ran towards him, Bakusaiga pointed at him. He jumped into the air and I jumped towards him, sword aimed at his chest. He frowned parried my attack with his sword. There was a clash of steel on steel as our weapons met and then I landed on the ground at the same time that he did. I narrowed my eyes slightly. The pain in my chest only worsened.

"Continue moving, Lord Sesshoumaru, and you shall be consumed by the pain," Takeshi said, turning to me, humor in his eyes. "The spell on you disables opponents while making them suffer slowly—a personal favorite of mine."

"Of course," I said, my voice cold as the pain worsened. "It is natural for you, Takeshi, to favor a technique that weakens an opponent—it is only to be expected from a coward."

"Silence!" He threw his sword at me but I parried it with my Bakusaiga, sending it flying across the ground.

He smirked.

Behind me, I heard the whizzing of a blade as the sword spun in mid-air, turning back towards me. I jumped out of the way and it sped towards its owner's hand. Takeshi caught it easily, a grin on his face and, a moment later, I knew why. The pain in my chest rose to such an excruciating degree, that I literally couldn't move. Or maybe it was because the pain had branched out—no longer was it in my chest, it was everywhere. I came close to letting the pain show on my face, came close to showing weakness.

"I suggest, Lord Sesshoumaru," Takeshi said quietly, "that you give up."

I glared at him. "Tell me," I said as they pain racked against me. I could see that Bakusaiga was infinitesimally shaking in my grasp. "How is it that a human such as yourself has acquired the skills of a demon?"

"Demon, you say," he said. "I would never acquire the skills of such lowly creatures!"

Oh? Lowly creatures, hn?

My anger had risen and with it, my youki. My vision clouded with red and I bared my fangs at him. The pain in my body protested loudly against my transformation but I did not care about the pain at the moment—I would transform, and then I would kill him.

"Transforming, are you?" Takeshi said. "Yes, transform. Even now, Lord Sesshoumaru, the pain you are feeling is overwhelming. Truth be told, I was quiet surprised you were still able to fight me, but no matter—the pain will kill you soon enough when you—"

"No!" the voice was feminine and high-pitched, a voice that snapped me out of my transformation. The red in my vision receded, to my surprise.

"Midoriko," Takeshi whispered, his gaze fixed on the girl who stood at the edge of clearing.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Clara-

He looked…frightening, this Sesshoumaru who was half-way through transforming. From where I stood, behind a tree, I got a clear view of his face. The whites of his eyes were a blood red color, something I've never seen before. His lower jaw elongated to form a muzzle and his canines were bared. A frightening growl erupted from his chest as he stowed away his sword. His claws twitched as though he wanted to wrap them around Takeshi's throat. His aura was so strong, it made the hairs at my nape stand on end.

I had seen him transformed into the giant silver dog that he was, but I never saw him actually transforming like this…

He…scared me.

In that instant, I saw that I really had to hide the love I had for him because, at that moment, I realized how different a demon and a priestess could be—they were two opposing forces that couldn't become one.

"Transforming, are you?" Takeshi's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes, transform. Even now, Lord Sesshoumaru, the pain you are feeling is overwhelming. Truth be told, I was quiet surprised you were still able to fight me, but no matter—the pain will kill you soon enough when you—"

Kill? The pain that Takeshi inflicted on Sesshoumaru would kill him? At that thought, my blood froze in my veins and fear for him took hold of me. At that moment, he didn't scare me—I was scared for him.

"No!" I cried out, running from my place behind the trees.

Sesshoumaru automatically stopped growling and, to my surprise, the red in his eyes slowly receded as he looked at me. His face turned back to normal and his demonic aura returned to its original state.

"Midoriko," Takeshi whispered. But I ignored him. I ran to Sesshoumaru, stopping a few meters away from him.

His eyes found mine and I ignored the blush that crept up my cheeks. "Are…are you alright?" I stammered, completely forgetting my earlier fears.

"What kind of question is that?" he asked, his voice cold, but slightly strained…from the pain.

I took that as a no.

"Stop it!" I nearly shouted as I turned to glare at Takeshi. "Stop whatever it is you're doing right now!"

"I don't need your help," Sesshoumaru said, his voice colder than usual.

Takeshi was silent, staring from me to Sesshoumaru, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You see, Lord Sesshoumaru?" he said. He sounded…defeated? "I must take her from you before"—at that moment, I realized that Takeshi knew about my feelings for Sesshoumaru; I don't know how he could have possibly, when even I just learned of them last night—"she falls deeper."

I blushed violently. Oh no. No, no, no, no! Takeshi…I was going to kill him for this! I swear I will!

But Sesshoumaru only raised his eyebrows. "Clara, are you ill?"

I could have laughed from relief. Boy…for a cold-hearted and perceptive demon lord, he sure was dense…which was convenient for me.

I was silent, my eyes fixed on Takeshi. "What do you want?" I finally asked. "Why did you place that spell on Sesshoumaru?"

His eyes were unreadable as I stared at them. "Because he wouldn't give you to me." I blushed at that, but I kept my expression neutral.

"And what do you want with me?" I asked.

"I am your friend, Midoriko," he reminded me. "I am supposed to look after you. Not him."

I heard a low chuckle coming from behind me and, to my astonishment, I realized that it was Sesshoumaru. Unbelievable. He didn't even seem to be in pain.

"Friend," Sesshoumaru said, his voice cold, but somewhat mocking. "Or perhaps…she is more to you than that?"

Eh…? I blushed violently and looked at Takeshi, blinking like an idiot. Takeshi sighed. "I am Midoriko's friend," he said again, "rest assured, Lord Sesshoumaru, that I do not see her in that way."

I don't know why, but I felt relieved to hear that. There was just something about Takeshi that seemed…unnerving.

"And that means that I must look after her," he finished.

"I don't need you to look after me," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Now, remove your spell on Sesshoumaru."

"I don't need the help of a human." Before I could even blink, Sesshoumaru darted passed me, stirring up a breeze in his wake. He darted towards Takeshi, his sword drawn.

Takeshi raised his own blade and smirked as their swords clashed together, each trying to push the other back. "Really, Lord Sesshoumaru, you have me utterly astounded," he said frankly. "The fact that you can still move when most demons would be dead by now is quite perplexing."

I looked at Sesshoumaru and, to my horror, his eyebrows were drawn in the center. Though it was hardly noticeable, it was there and I had a feeling that this little action of his indicated immense pain. Takeshi sword slowly pushed back Sesshoumaru's Bakusaiga.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes dangerously at Takeshi then, without warning, he broke the contact of their blades and jumped into the air, his sword still pointed at Takeshi. "Meidou Zangetsuha!" A dark crescent shape appeared where Sesshoumaru's sword cut through the air. My eyes widened. Inside the dark crescent shape, I could see something that looked like…galaxies? I couldn't be sure because, at that moment, I felt a strange pull emanating from the meidou.

I gasped as the pull became even stronger, drawing in the leaves that fell to the ground. I watched as the leaves soared into the meidou, lost in the darkness. Takeshi frowned and then thrust his sword into the ground to keep from being drawn in.

Shoot.

I felt myself being dragged forward by the powerful pull of the meidou. Leaves fell from the trees as they were drawn in, the force of the meidou growing stronger and stronger. The leaves and the dust blocked my vision and darkened the sky, and I could feel myself being lifted off the ground as the meidou drew me in…

Before I could scream, however, I felt an arm go around my waist, drawing me away from the meidou. I looked behind me and immediately felt my heart thudding in my chest.

"Sesshoumaru!" I gasped as he drew me closer. He struck his sword into the ground and held onto it, just as Takeshi was doing. He did not look at me; instead, he kept his eyes fixed on the meidou, which seemed to be growing bigger…

"Bastard," he suddenly hissed, his eyes narrowing. I looked down, feeling—despite the situation—my face growing hot. My eyes fell on his hand which was grasping Bakusaiga and I felt shock course through me. The hand that grasped his sword was shaking and it wasn't from anger.

Was he in that much pain?

I was slightly astounded that the pain didn't show on his face. "You're still in pain?" I asked. Was it my imagination, or did the meidou's pull grow stronger.

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he looked down at me, his golden eyes piercing and I fought down the urge to blush.

"He is turning my meidou against me," he said quietly.

I looked to where Takeshi was. He was no longer holding on to his sword, it was pointed at the meidou and there was a triumphant grin in his eyes as the meidou slowly made its way towards me and Sesshoumaru.

"Release her, Lord Sesshoumaru," he said. "I do not wish to kill her as well."

Sesshoumaru only glared at him and, to my surprise, he tightened his grip around my waist. "Then you shall have to kill her as well," he said. "I have no intention of letting her go."

I knew I should be mad but…I could help but blush at his words. Thankfully, he was to absorbed with Takeshi to notice my reaction. "Oh?" Takeshi said incredulously. "You are willing to let her die rather than give me what I want?"

"Yes."

Okay…I was…annoyed now, but I kept quiet.

"I see," Takeshi said. The meidou suddenly stopped in its tracks and, to my astonishment, the sword Takeshi held glowed with a dark light. It slowly twisted and stretched in his hand and became a bow. He held out his other hand and a glowing ball of dark light glowed their. Like the sword earlier, it stretched and twisted until it became an arrow which he notched to the bow and pointed it at Sesshoumaru's head.

"Midoriko, please don't move," he said. "I do not wish to harm you."

"Then put that thing down!" I snapped.

He smiled somewhat sadly and then he released the arrow. It sped towards me and Sesshoumaru, but I knew that it wouldn't hit me, it would hit him. And with his arm around my waist and the other holding onto Bakusaiga, he wouldn't be able to dodge it…that coupled with the excruciating pain he was feeling now…

But before I could even think of what to do, Sesshoumaru pushed me aside. I nearly flew away from him and fell to the ground, grazing my already injured hand which throbbed.

"Sesshoumaru!" I gasped as the arrow sped towards him. He pulled Bakusaiga from the ground and deflected the arrow with it.

"Don't be a fool," Takeshi said. The meidou which was suspended in midair suddenly began moving again towards Sesshoumaru with blinding speed. Sesshoumaru swerved sideways and the meidou streaked passed him, ramming into the trees and sucking them in. It slowly turned and streaked towards Sesshoumaru who dodged it once again.

Takeshi was not going to stop until he had killed Sesshoumaru.

"No!" I shouted as I got off the ground and ran towards Takeshi. "Stop it, Takeshi!"

I latched onto his arm—which was pretty much pointless—and held on to him. "Stop what you're doing!"

He looked down at me, his eyes gentle. "Come with me, Midoriko," he said quietly. His hand found mine and held it tight. He was acting strange…or maybe this was how he truly acted and he had kept it hidden from me all this time…

"I…I don't want to," I said.

"But you must," he murmured.

I shook my head. I did not want to…leave Sesshoumaru. "No."

He frowned then looked back to where Sesshoumaru was dodging the meidou with apparent ease. "Incredible," he muttered, as though to himself. "It seems that my spell has no effect on him. But that can't be, now, can it?" He raised his voice. "I truly must praise you, Lord Sesshoumaru, not many demon lords can withstand my Hell's Flame spell and still continue moving…and fighting." There was grudging admiration in his voice.

"Takeshi!" I shook his arm.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Midoriko, I cannot comply with your wish." I glared at him. Maybe it was because Sesshoumaru was in danger, or maybe it was just because I was so mad at him—him whom I thought I could trust—that I pulled the bow and arrow from his grasp and stepped back. Surprise overtook him and he inadvertently released both the bow and arrow. I took several steps back, notched the arrow to the bow and pointed it at him and as I did so, a sharp pain emanated from my wounded hand which held the bow, but I ignored it.

"Stop what you're doing, now!" I demanded. I felt stupid holding that bow knowing that I was no good shot at it. I would probably just end up missing him as always.

He suddenly closed his eyes. "Just like before," he muttered. He opened them again and looked at me intently. "Forgive me, Midoriko, I truly cannot comply with your wishes."

"Why not?" I demanded through gritted teeth.

He lowered his voice so Sesshoumaru wouldn't hear, but it was pretty much useless seeing as the said demon lord was busy dodging his own meidou.

"You are in love with him," he said simply. I blushed again. Garn…how many times have I blushed in one day?

"So, what if I am?" I challenged.

"I have to take you away from him for your own good," he said, his eyes leaving mine and returning to Sesshoumaru, who was still dodging his rogue meidou, "before you fall even deeper. Midoriko…a priestess and a demon are mortal enemies. Priestesses and demons hunt each other, they betray one another. A very good example would be the priestess Kikyou and the half-demon Inuyasha and then there is Tsukiyomi and Hoshiyomi…and…" His voice trailed off and a faraway look came into his eyes. "Anyway, Midoriko, priestesses and demons are two forces that cannot become one. Your love for him is utterly impossible."

I gritted my teeth at him. "That's where you're wrong," I snapped. I felt the bow quiver in my grasp. My hand was starting to throb. "Demons and priestesses can get along. Inuyasha and Kagome are living proof of that!" Without saying anything else, I quickly spun around and fired the arrow at Sesshoumaru's rogue meidou.

I watched as my arrow lit up with a pinkish white light and, miraculously, I'll admit, it sped into the heart of the meidou. At first, I thought the meidou had sucked it up, but then, the meidou stopped in its tracks.

Sesshoumaru stopped moving and turned to stare at me, then at the meidou, which slowly started to dissipate…

"Dragon Strike!" Before anyone else could move, before Takeshi could react, Sesshoumaru unleashed his Dragon Strike with such speed that he was a blur. The strike sped towards with Takeshi with deadly speed and Takeshi's eyes widened. Unfortunately, I was between Takeshi and the Dragon Strike…

"Midoriko!" Takeshi shouted. My own eyes widened as I felt the roar of the Dragon Strike as it neared me…

I closed my eyes.

But I didn't feel anything. Instead, I felt two arms go around my shoulders, drawing me closer to their owner. I felt the ground leave my feet and at the same time I felt a flash of heat pass over me as the Dragon Strike streaked passed.

I opened my eyes.

Sesshoumaru landed neatly on the other side of the clearing, his arms tight around my shoulders. I could feel myself blushing, but his eyes weren't fixed on my, instead, they were fixed on Takeshi. I followed his gaze. To my surprise, Takeshi had conjured a green barrier and it kept him safe from the Dragon Strike.

Takeshi slowly raised both his hands and the Dragon Strike swirled around him and, in a moment, the Dragon Strike dissipated. I could almost feel Sesshoumaru narrow his eyes in annoyance.

"Midoriko, remember what I have told you," he said as he and his barrier slowly started to fade.

It was suddenly very silent. The clearing was completely ruined. Trees had been uprooted and thrown about, their branches lying like severed limbs and their leaves scattered on the ground. Chunks of earth had been gouged out of the ground and thrown helter-skelter

I realized that Sesshoumaru's arms were still wrapped around me. But before I could even blush, I felt his arms leave me. He let me go and stood back, glaring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"I did not need your help," he said, his tone cold, as always.

I internally groaned. Here he was with his attitude again. "You looked like you did," I pointed out. Speaking of which. "Wait, are you still in pain? Is Takeshi's spell—?"

"Gone." He narrowed his eyes at me. "You will not interfere again, understood?"

I was silent. I helped him and he was being such a jerk about it! Talk about ingratitude!

I could still feel his cold gaze on me…and something else…

A sharp pain throbbed from my hand. I glanced down at the wound, not wanting to bring attention to it by lifting it in front of my face. Blood was oozing from the bandage, dripping to the floor, and I realized that I was still holding tightly on to the bow. Sesshoumaru gazed at my hand.

Miraculously, I heard him sigh. I looked up to find him looking down at me.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

-Sesshoumaru-

She had helped me.

How degrading.

A human priestess aiding a demon lord.

Still, I could not deny that her help—though unwanted—was perfectly timed. Still, I felt insulted. Did she think that she was strong enough to help someone like me? Amusing.

"You will not interfere again, understood?" I said. She was silent, her eyebrows furrowed and her lips set in a hard line. She suddenly glanced at her hand and, at the same time, the scent of blood reached my nose. I followed her gaze and saw, unsurprisingly, that the wound on her hand was bleeding. Idiot. She was still clutching on to the bow. She sighed then dropped it to the ground.

"Clara, give me your hand," I said, sighing inwardly. This girl could be annoying.

"Never mind," she muttered. She was trying to hide the pain with little success. She bit her lower lip to stop it from quivering and I could see her turn slightly pale, a reaction to the pain and to the blood. She was quite squeamish, something a priestess should not be.

"Now."

"I can take care of it myself, thank you very much," she snapped, looking up at me. She was about to say something else, but stopped as soon as her sapphire eyes clashed with mine.

There it was again…that look in her eyes. It was such a strange look…an emotion I wasn't familiar with. Something told me to pull my gaze away, but I did not. That look in her eyes was mesmerizing, puzzling. As elusive as ultimate power, as mysterious as night…

I wanted to know what it was…

But I couldn't decipher it.

CoCoCoCoCoCo

A1969: well, wow, that was pretty long.

Kagome: it makes up for the sloppy updates, the length.

Inuyasha: right.

A1969: anyway, once again, as always, I'm really sorry for being such a sloppy updater. Anyhoo, I hope you all don't forget to review! Oh, and thanks a million to those who've reviewed and read!