Author's Note: Shocking news, my faithful readers. I have just been alerted to the fact that someone has plagiarized my work. An Exception to the Rule is on Quizilla, which I have not frequented for about three years now, supposedly written by someone who I can guarantee is not me. While I'm flattered by the positive feedback the copycat is getting and the fact that someone thinks it is good enough to copy, I'm disappointed that one of my readers has the audacity to take credit for my work. Thank you to those of you who are honest and continue to read on despite the infrequent updates. And a special thank you to the one who alerted me to the plagiarism.

On the plus side, I'm updating to show my appreciation. :)

Mina had grown very aware of her nudity, now pressed up against Sesshomaru under the light of the full moon. With slow movements, she began tugging at his shirt. Within moments, he helped slip his clothing off and they descended into the springs.

The water seemed even hotter now that Minako held Sesshomaru as tightly as she could, kissing him hard even as he held her so gently. Far more gentle than usual, she noted, almost as though he feared breaking her weakened body in human form. Usually he fell into a pattern off fast and rough movements, but even as things heated up, she noticed how he continued on with the careful touches and moving at a pace only as fast as hers. Not that she had any problem with this, of course. It was a nice change and gave her the chance to appreciate their closeness.

Minako bathed in waves of warmth and pleasure, feeling weightless in the water moving around their bare bodies. She rocked against him, her breathing steadily growing ragged. Between kisses, she breathed in small gasps and breathed out light moans. Sesshomaru's lips left hers for a moment to trail down her neck, and Mina let her head drop back with a sigh.

She had only just opened her eyes to look up at the full moon above when something caught her attention. Suddenly feeling as though they were being watched, her gaze dropped back to the forest where a pair of glowing red eyes stared back.

"My lord," she gasped, growing very tense and clinging to him, "What is that?"

Without even bothering to glance back, he muttered into the crook of her neck, "Scavenger. It is nothing."

His complete indifference set Mina's mind at ease. She trusted Sesshomaru completely, and if he couldn't be bothered by those red eyes, then they might as well not be there at all. However unnerving as the interruption had been, she managed to closed her eyes and tried to forget all about the little scavenger demon.

With Sesshomaru's help, this came easily.

With Mina's small hand in his, Sesshomaru led the way back to camp. He sincerely hoped that he had satisfied his mate for the time being, considering his mind would be elsewhere for the next few days. He knew that it was wrong to allow a hanyou to join him to this event, especially allowing her so close to the threat of other youkai during her weakest night (How had he forgotten?). However, he needed to mind her feelings.

He really did care for her well-being. This also served as his reasoning behind his choice not to alert Minako to the presence of danger surrounding them. So worked up over a scavenger demon, and she hadn't even the slightest clue of the far more dangerous demons he sensed lurking around them.

Minako slept soundly that night. As did Rin. Jaken could not sleep, for the same reason that Sesshomaru prowled the borders of their small camp. The higher they climbed the mountain, the higher the threat would rise. With limited vision and mobility in the dense forest ahead, Jaken kept himself up worrying. Sesshomaru did not fear the others moving toward their destination at the top of the mountain. Very few would go to the trouble of threatening the Lord of the West and his companions. However, he knew that some were unpredictable and could quite possibly risk their lives with an attack on the journey back down the mountain. He could not allow this, and so he prowled.

He sensed something then, something deep in the forest. Not a scent or a sound, but a change. A disturbance in the forest. He knew it well by now. Even the little imp pacing around the camp stopped and looked out into the darkness.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru addressed the little imp, who hurried to follow his lord out into the forest. "You have noticed."

"Yes, m'lord," he nodded furiously, "The wyrms are near, but surely they are simply traveling to the gathering just as we are, no?"

"Hn." Sesshomaru stared intently at the sky, "Very likely, but do not let your guard down. These are not my lands."

"Do you really think that they would dare to challenge you, m'lord?"

"Vadoma would not; she is too clever to risk it. However, her child is in the midst of adolescence. She could become troublesome at any moment."

Circling back toward camp, Sesshomaru's gaze wandered toward Minako's curled up figure. She slept so soundly, and he couldn't imagine a more ignorant peace.

However, not even the Lord of the West knew of the danger headed their way.