They walked the gardens, together silently contemplating, but he could smell her barely restrained curiosity.
"You have questions," he stated, slowing his pace.
She exhaled relieved. "So many questions."
"Ask."
She did. He answered. In the end she was only slightly mortified, but anxiety was another matter.
He spoke carefully. "We cannot avoid joining together nor the mark, but I have no expectations of you after that."
She smiled faintly at his careful words. "You're getting the raw end of this deal, Sesshoumaru."
"Hm, I disagree." At her questioning glance, he shrugged and said simply, "You forget that you understand."
