Coward

"I want to say that I got used to the quiet of the woods, that I loved being alone," she said softly, her back to him as she glanced out the tiny window above the even tinier sink. "But every minute of my day was constantly filled with fear. The quiet terrified me, the dark frightened me, and the smallest noise sent my heart racing." She turned back around and offered up a weary smile. "He turned me into a coward."

He narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenched slightly as he studied her. He didn't mention that she'd fled, that she had taken control of her life and attempted to escape him. He wasn't going to point out what kind of courage that must have taken, couldn't bring himself to even give her that one small grain. His emotions wavered back and forth, between wanting to kill Touzuko and leaving her apartment. But he was fascinated with her story and however unwillingly, her. It occurred to him then, a somewhat simple plan that he couldn't help but consider.

"The only thing that kept me from leaving was self-preservation. I'd been gone three days by then and with no scent or trail to track me with, I knew that he knew I had run. I knew he would kill me if I went back." The kettle whistled and she jumped slightly before taking it off the heat and setting about pouring herself another cup. As before, the simple mechanics of the task soothed her. "In the end," she said as the tea settled gently in her cup, "he didn't need to come for me because I was coming to him."

Sesshoumaru froze and his anger rose within once again. Was she stupid? Did she once have a death wish, possibly still have it now? He leveled her with an icy glare and moved to speak, but she interrupted him.

"He had Shippou."

o.O.o

Word Count: 322