The moon hung in the sky, providing soft white light for the inhabitants of earth. A slight breeze hung in the air, only lapsing on occasion. Nazoki had just brought food back for Rin, and sparked a fire. Despite the wind, it burned strong. Small embers would drift away at times, leaving a glowing trail in its wake. Jaken sat beside Rin, leaning back against A-Un. The lord was perched against a tree, deep in thought. Nothing he tried scared the idiot away. Nazoki was still talking to Eiji. Illusions were barely helping, and the lord could not use his full potential with Rin around. The child would die of freight if he created some of the things he was thinking.
Murmurs traveled with the breeze, gracing Sesshomaru's ears with the conversation between the kitsunes.
"Well, I brought you a few things... Like this, and this... Hideki told your mother your sleeve is missing, and she's pretty distraught right now... I suggest you give it some time to blow over... Uh, she wanted me to tell you to bring your, uh, bleep bleeping bleep home. Also wants to meet your mate. But seeing as to how you have this little thing-"
"Stop, stupid, this is serious!" Nazoki interrupted, adding a dry chuckle for good measure. Eiji grinned at her as she smacked his hand away from her sleeve.
"I guess everything is fine... But you should tell me... Why does that man have your ring? You know he's not one of us; he doesn't know your limit... He'll drain you..."
A sight pause followed the question, and Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. How dare that kitsune refer to him as 'that man'. Moreover, what did he mean, drain? Peering at Rin over his shoulder, Sesshomaru allowed his gaze to settle on the kitsunes. They were huddled together; and Nazoki seemed to be contemplating her answer. Eiji was staring at Nazoki expectantly. The ring in question pulsed, and Sesshomaru turned back to the moon. He wasn't angry. Not at all. He wasn't any emotion. Simply felt like scowling at the environment. Nature was pissing him off. Yeah.
"I owed it to him. He saved me, so in return, well you know how it works. But I offered him two choices instead of one."
"And neither was you?" Eiji threw his head back in a low laugh, and gripped his stomach.
"That's harsh! I bet you were mad! Your highness get's turned down; I'd like to see that!"
"Shut u- Shut up! That was almost a century ago- Don't bring it up, he made me wear it!"
"Yeah before your curse, huh?" Eiji's words brought a long pause in the conversation. Though he had been laughing, and playfully spoke, Nazoki fell completely silent. Moments passed, and a loud smack caused everyone to look at the pair.
"I told you not to call him that..." The vixen murmured, glaring at her friend. Obvious surprise crossed him. The only sound to be heard was crickets and the howl of the wind. Wood would pop in the flames, throwing a dance of embers over the fire. Nazoki stood up, shaking her head in disapproval. With that she started away, ignoring the eyes of all.
"Naki... Naki, don't-"
Pushing himself to his feet, Eiji followed the vixen, which was quickly approaching the surrounding forest. They left a small cluster of things he had brought to her, such as an outfit, and some sort of accessory. Sesshomaru eyed the pair, unsure if he wanted to let them out of his sight. Rin glanced at him, as if she expected something. But what? What was he supposed to do? Nazoki had made it clear that she did not want him to interfere when she spoke to other men.
The two were hidden by the darkness, and Sesshomaru peered in their direction. Of course, he would not go. He didn't care. Well... Maybe just a peek... He had every right in the world to take a walk. Seconds passed, and Sesshomaru jumped into the tree overhead. The man silently passed from branch to branch, with all the grace in the world.
"Just go, stupid. You would say something like that. If you can hate him, then why not me?" A declamatory tone slipped into her voice as Nazoki bit the words at Eiji. She was already upset about Hideki, but for him to insult her brother as well. Absolutely inexcusable.
"Well, you didn't have any say in your mother's actions." The man stated, as if it was a new concept.
"And neither did he!" Whipping around to face Eiji, the vixen barked her response. He halted, gauging the woman's anger. Ah, he'd seen worse. Slowly nodding, the man stepped towards Nazoki.
"Sorry. I know how you are about it... Look, if you just calm down, we can finish talking."
"We have. Thank you for my clothes. I needed a new pair." She huffed, and Eiji sighed.
Desperately wanting to change the topic, the man raised his hand to his hair. A grin curled his lips, and he grabbed Nazoki's sleeve.
"So, since you're not marrying Hideki, that mean you're still on the market?"
Rolling her eyes, Nazoki crossed her arms.
"Eiji... How could you ask that. Your brother... My-"
"Yeah, I know. I know. But you know, some cultures do that sort of thing. The brother steps up to the plate if anything ever happens."
The answer received an annoyed sigh in response, and Nazoki started away once more. She murmured, "Just leave me alone" as she left, but Eiji couldn't leave it at that. The man grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back to himself. In a matter of seconds, Nazoki found herself in an embrace. An uncomfortable, romantic embrace. She leaned back, staring at Eiji. His arms were around her lower back, and he deeply gazed into her eyes.
"Naki, I've known you for more than two centuries... If there's anything to know about you, I do... I know it's not much, but you could always come to my place. It probably beats waking around all day, looking for a proper suitor. If you come back, you may just find one..."
A moment passed, and the two stared at one another, neither moving, nor breaking eye contact. Placing a hand on the man's chest, Nazoki lowered her gaze. She slowly backed away, nudging him in the opposite directing.
"Forgive me, I cannot." Not offering any more words, the vixen, pulled herself from Eiji's arms, and started away. He remained in place, staring after her. When she was no less than two meters away he spoke.
"You're not even going to give me a reason? Just walk away? Is it that lord guy? You go for that feminine, fragile look?"
She halted, and raised a hand to her collar, not bothering to face the man. It seemed impossible to find the right words.
"He's not feminine or fragile..."
With a long sigh, and a shift of her gaze, Nazoki continued. There was nothing else to say. Nothing that could make him feel better, or be a suitable answer. Moments passed, and the male kitsune did not move. He watched as Nazoki grew farther way, wondering if it was just his approach. Almost out of nowhere, something heavy dropped from the trees above, and landed on top of Eiji. A small cry of surprise escaped the man, as he fell to the ground below. Crouched on the man's back, Sesshomaru blankly stared after Nazoki. Huh. So she wasn't out to take the first person who threw themselves at her. In addition, she did not even hear him make his appearance. Wonderful. Now, to take care of this other man...
Back at the camp Nazoki found Rin warming her hands over the fire. Jaken was asleep, and the vixen sat beside him.
"Nazoki. Are you feeling better now?" Gazing at the girl, she smiled.
"Of course. I was not upset, just needed to take a second to think. Did the lord take his leave?" Slight curiosity tinged in her voice, as she glanced over the clearing.
"Rin does not know." The girl stated flatly. Something was up. Rin did know. Rin was also a horrible liar. If she did not sound cheerful when she said something, then it indicated there was more to her story. A slow nod took Nazoki, and she eyed the girl who was nervously smiling. Suspicious.
So maybe Sesshomaru had not quite understood Rin's message. She intended for him to go after Nazoki and save the day. It was now apparent that the man was focusing on Nazoki's friend. Nevertheless, the real question was what was he doing? Would they just talk? Or maybe Sesshomaru would scare him away somehow? But it was always possible that the lord had gone elsewhere. Rin chose to believe the latter explanation. Suspicious stares were being cast her way, and she knew as long as she did not look at Nazoki, everything would be fine.
Minutes later, Sesshomaru entered the clearing. He came from the direction opposite of where Nazoki had left Eiji. While there was still a possibility, that he could have done something... Undesirable, the vixen chose not to ask. She really did not want to know. The last thing she needed was the lord beating up her friends. A world of problems awaited her in her mind. Her mother and Hideki to be exact. Apparently, her loving "Fiancé" had arranged a small group and planned to find her once more. Hideki was already stronger than she was. What would she do if he brought back up?
"Nazoki." Gazing at Sesshomaru, the vixen tried to push her thoughts away. When he started away, she knew it was a signal to follow.