Eight

...I think I understand…

She had moments to endure, moments to wait for Sesshomaru before falling into eternal sleep. She was hanging on. He had trusted her, trusted her to take care of Naraku. She did. She hadn't failed Sesshomaru, she told herself. The arrival of Magatsuhi was unexpected, unprepared for.

The darkness was rising.

This was the darkness within the Shikon no Tama. Now she realized, why Sesshomaru never desired the jewel like all other demons.

He understood.

He could sense the evil within the jewel, threatening to corrupt and possess. If he tried, he could overcome its control. But he still refused to lust after power not his own.

Then why did he want Tessaiga? Why did he return multiple times for his father's fang?

Didn't that go against his honor?

Memories ran through her mind, short films of his clashes with Inuyasha. Now, she thought with dread, she had always paid so much attention to Sesshomaru, when she should have stayed loyal to her friends. His silver hair was much more majestic than Inuyasha's, his gold eyes much more captivating. The grace of his movement, the beauty of his features, the absolute perfection of his appearance pulled her into trance countless times.

He never killed when he could have.

When they fought, how was her heart? It was trembling, pounding, filled to the brim with thrill and worry, but where was it? For whom?

Was it Sesshomaru? She felt his pain, when he lost his arm, the wound to his pride as his perfection was marred. Her heart had flown out to him, even when she herself had not noticed whilst cheering for her friends. Somewhere she wished that he was well. Somewhere there was ache, heartache for something she hadn't realized before.

She longed to see Sesshomaru.

She could be certain now, that he did not desire his father's fang. It would be taint on his pride, to achieve power from inheritance.

So Sesshomaru never wanted Tessaiga.

Then what was it he wanted? What caused him to revisit her entourage again and again?

He was holding her with his sole arm without regard to being defenseless. He had saved her from Magatsuhi. The fearsome sight of him glowing, with determination alit in his eyes, told her something horrifying, delightful. Quiet voices in her mind whispered to her, a dark secret she refused to delve.

What if, oh what if…

Author Note: A bit rushed? I hope not. Thanks for all the reviews and reads! It's really encouraging.

Words: 400

Eight: the wisdom tooth in each quadrant of adult dentition. Shows age and maturity.