LANGUAGE OF THE HEART.

Sesshomaru had told Akane to stay behind like always, she kinda wanted to obey since learning her lesson the last time she had followed after him at Kaijinbo's place. But she just couldn't ignore her curiosity. That and she had decided it was time to make herself useful whether he wanted help or not.

Even if Shen said it wasn't a good idea…

So Akane had followed far behind, keeping down wind, having learned from the last time that he could easily catch her scent if she did not. And she was NOT going to be carried back to camp over his shoulder and plopped down on the ground like some child, told to stay behind.

Despite the supposed attraction he may or may not feel according to Shen, Sesshomaru treated Akane like a means of entertainment whenever he WASN'T treating her like she was a burden.

If she could help him in some way, surely he wouldn't view her as some lowly thing!

And besides, according to that talking yokai tree they visited this morning, Akane had a pretty good idea just what he was up to despite him not just TELLING her.
Bokuseno confirmed Sesshomaru's suspicion about what was going on with Inuyasha recently, and there was no doubt that Sesshomaru was going to test this connection between Inuyasha's yokai side and the Tessaiga.

She wanted to be there to see this full yokai version of Yasha for herself, and possibly help in some way if things went badly once that side of him was released.

Sesshomaru had clearly been interested and also a bit frustrated by the information, but she hoped that him knowing how much his brother actually needed the sword might completely stop him from wanting it so badly.

It turned out to be a good day to follow him after all, because what she had witnessed from her spot up in the trees shocked her, and added even more points in his favor when it came to him secretly not being a complete jerk.

Sesshomaru just saved Kagome's life from a rampaging, blood raged, Inuyasha!

Turns out Sesshy hadn't needed to test anything, fate had put him there at just the right time. The hanyou was all red eyes and sharp claws, and it seemed like saving Kagome was now Sesshomaru's main focus. He was even showing mercy to his younger half brother by going easy one him, because clearly Inuyasha had no control over his own actions at the moment.

Akane viewed from the trees in horror, watching the guy who had been hot headed and annoying, but was still a friend, act like a beast. Inuyasha seemed to have really become a full yokai with the loss of his sword, just as the tree Bokuseno had said he would. The red eyes and markings on his face, along with the animal sounds he made, had her far more scared then Sesshomaru ever made her feel, even when he was pissed at her.

Shen was saying something about yokai blood and whatnot, but she really wasn't paying attention to his lesson, eyes on Sesshomaru the entire time as he handled the situation with such a masterful grace that the fight almost looked like a dance from her viewpoint.

The fight was short, but that did not stop her from worrying as she watched. And yet, rather then take advantage of the situation, Sesshomaru simply knocked his brother unconscious. Not only that, but he returned Tessaiga, which was the only thing to change Inuyasha back to normal, again as the yokai tree had said.

So it was true then. Their father had to have known somehow that this would happen, and had been the reason, or at least part of it, for giving the Tessaiga to Inuyasha instead of to Sesshomaru. And she could imagine how this might make him feel...

But rather then just take Tessaiga while he had the chance out of jealousy or anger, Sesshomaru did what was best for his yunger brother.

Even Kagome was shocked as he returned the Tessaiga, and walked off after saying there was no honor in killing a rabid beast who was unaware of even himself.

Akane's heart swelled with pride and happiness at his open act of kindness, even Shen made a comment of the maturity of that choice.

She didn't bother to try and hide as Sesshomaru came back into the forest, and in seconds he caught her scent, glaring in her direction while practically stomping her way.

Not that he was the type to stomp of course.

Nope. Not at all.

He'd never admit it at least, but over the weeks Akane was seeing more and more bits of a temper that rivaled his younger half brothers...

When Sesshomaru spotted her up in the tree, she didn't fear the angry look he gave because of her disobedience and refusal to be left behind yet again, instead she jumped down from the tree with a big grin on her face. Running to greet him. It was just too hard to be scared of him after witnessing him being a good big brother!

…...

He had no idea what to do as Akane ran at him with a huge smile on her face, and had no clue what she was so damn happy about to begin with.

She had ignored his orders. AGAIN.

What was this, the fourth or fifth time she had followed after him? Did she not know how dangerous that was? He made them stay behind on hunting days for a reason, and he shouldn't have to explain himself to anyone.

Glaring daggers at the grinning girl, he was about to give in to his anger and yell at her for disobeying him yet again, when she did a VERY unexpected thing that caught him completely off guard.

"Sesshy-sama!" She squealed as she dove at him with practically giddy laughter.

He completely froze. Wrapping her arms around his chest, holding him tightly, the girl buried her face in his spiked armor like it was perfectly natural to do.

What in the seven hells was she DOING?

He stared down at her in pure shock, his arm raised as instinct told him to shove her off, yet he could not, so his hand just hung in the air by her shoulder.

This pose seemed to be becoming a rather familiar one between them lately.

"I saw everything!" She stated happily, as if this statement would somehow explain what she was doing hugging him.

"Oh my gosh, Sesshy-sama, I'm so proud of you right now that I could burst! You showed such kindness towards my friends! Thank you!"

His whole body stiffened at her gushing words, taking them in and trying to figure out just what she was going on about now. Kindness?

"This Sesshomaru did no such thing." He stated, a barely contained growl of annoyance in his voice.

The foolish human girl just smiled up at him, completely oblivious. "Yes you did! You saved Kagome's life just now, I SEEN all of it, so you can't deny it! And you also in a way saved your bro-"

He pushed her off of him, beyond annoyed that she had been here the entire time. "A fight with a beast is not the way to win the blade I desire. This Sesshomaru will not sink that low to achieve his goals."

She jerked back from his harsh tone, but still smiled up at him. What a strange human.

"Okay sure, but you DID save Kagome!"

Sesshomaru counted to ten, staring down at that beaming face, letting out a breath before answering. "That was merely a side effect, not the reason."

Akane's blue eyes rolled to the sky and she actually had the nerve to SNORT at him."Suuuuuure, a SIDE effect. A side effect of what exactly hmmm? What was the point of you coming here if you didn't take the sword? I think you decided to let him have it, now that you understand a bit more as to why he has it to begin with."

She was giving him such a strange knowing look, like there was no room for debate that she was right. Of course, he would ever tell her if she was or not, as it was none of her business. But the look was unnerving.

"Think whatever you like…" He sighed deeply, partly in defeat and partly in frustration.

….…...

He was in denial again, she could tell.

Sesshomaru always got that odd and distant look whenever he was making excuses for doing something kind and unselfish for others, she just didn't understand why he did it.

"Why must you be so damn stubborn?" She asked in English, crossing her arms, knowing he couldn't understand and using the opportunity to get her thoughts off her chest.

Normally, he would stare at her blankly, but today he frowned at her. But she continued on.

"You do a kindness and cover it up with excuses. Why do you always do such things? Would the world come to an end if someone found out the mighty Western Lord Sesshomaru does indeed have a kind heart?" She shook her head at him and began to walk backwards, still looking at his annoyed face. He began to follow her.

"I know you are more then you seem." She went on with a smile. "Sure, your a powerful yokai, but you are allowed to be a kind one too."

~ Is it just me, or is the way he's glaring at you like he can understand what you just said?~ Shen popped up from the pendant, causing her to also take notice of the look on Sesshomaru's face.

No… No he couldn't possibly understand English. With everything she had said these weeks surely he would have responded or let her know.

But now Akane was curious, and decided to test it a little bit and watch him closer this time.

"You are an arrogant, somewhat stuck up, stubborn man, you know that? "Nothing. The glare didn't alter, and there was not a twitch of any other emotion. So most likely the glare was because he DIDN'T know what she was saying to him, as she had first thought.

"Okay, so you might not be a NICE person, but you are a kind one… Deep down in there." She added before turning away from him and continuing to walk ahead with full intent on letting him brood.

There was the expected silence for only three steps before something cut through it.

"Are you making fun of me?" A smooth sexy voice said in English from right behind her, making Akane jump and turn, looking for the source of the voice.

"Because it is not amusing." Sesshomaru added.

IN FREAKING PERFECT ENGLISH!

Without a even a freaking HINT of an accent.

~I KNEW IT!~ Shen said loudly in her mind before attempting to hide his coming laughter by fading back into the pendant.

Akane's jaw dropped as she gaped up at Sesshomaru, who was staring at her blankly. "W-what? When did you-" She stammered stupidly, getting a blast of nervousness.

He actually rolled his eyes at her, and an arrogant look came onto his face when he answered her, the blank mask cracking just a little. "I always could. This Sesshomaru speaks many languages. Telling you has never been something of importance."

~Oh my dear child, you are so in trouble…~

Shen hadn't even finished that sentence before Akane began realizing all he had heard her say over the weeks, making her groan aloud.

"Oh, god... oh my god..."

Sesshomaru seemed to know where her thoughts were headed. She could have sworn he was laughing at her with his eyes, and the arrogant smile forming was further proof.

"Oh my god... you- you heard- EVERYTHING?!" She had called him childish before, had commented on his lovely eyes, had spoken of his silky hair, and had even called him an arrogant ass.

"Yes. These ears heard everything" He stated.

~You know what this means? He also knows you like his legs. And all those comments about how you think he'll have a nice ass…~

"Kill me now please." Akane whined and fell to her knees with shame, wishing her pendant had an off switch or something so she could tune out Shen.

"Why would I do such a thing?" Sesshomaru asked with barely hidden amusement.

She pouted up at him, her bottom lip quivering, he seemed to be enjoying this in his own way.

"Because I'm gonna die of embarrassment anyway… So put me out of my misery."

He raised an eyebrow at her. His look saying that he found her actions funny but very foolish.

"... ... Akane, get up." He all but ordered, that hint of amusement fading into classic annoyance.

She shook her head violently. "Nope. You heard everything. Bad bad me. Every. Single. THING!"

He sighed deeply, seeming to have had his fun and now was over it, crouching down in front of her with that impassive and bored look. "It is fine. I have heard females swoon over me before, so it does not effect me."

She gaped at him. Did he really think her to just be a stupid fangirl? A drooling puppy?

"So I truly just ignore most of your comments-"

"Just kill me..." She cut him off with a groan.

"I will not. Now get up." A tiny spark of mischief came into Sesshomaru's eyes before his next sentence, and the Western Lord actually laughed for the first time.

"But to be honest, I have never been called Walking Sex before, so that is new to me. Now why would I kill such valued entertainment?"

Akane choked on a gasp as her face went pale and then red, bright red. Of all things for her to have said with him in earshot. At this point there was no end to the laughter from the dragon in her head, and she had to yank the pendant off and shove it in her pocket.

He literally HAD heard everything, and simply viewed her as entertainment, as she had suspected this entire time.

"Well fuck."Akane snapped as she decided to bang her head on the ground in frustration. She already was on the ground, already looked stupid and felt foolish, so why not?

…...…

Sesshomaru had no idea what to do with her at this point. At first, he had been telling her such things as punishment, after finally having enough of her rude way of speaking to him. But her reaction was beyond words. Both comical and annoying. There she was, still banging her head, still moaning. Was him finding out she found him attractive truly so horrible?

It wasn't like he didn't know his own appeal, especially after all the females he had declined over the years.

He now almost regretted exposing the truth to her, the punishment of seeing her ashamed wasn't as satisfying as he had thought it to be.

"Akane, we can forget this conversation ever happened if it will make you stop that ridiculous nonsense." He said, switching back to his own language with a deep sigh.

She suddenly glared up at him, making him blink at her and nearly flinch at the fire in her eyes. Actually, no, not fire exactly, but there was definitely something unnerving in those blue depths.

"Nonsense huh?" She said, switching back to Japanese as well. "So my feelings are nothing but nonsense to you? Is it because I'm human or just because I'm a girl?"

"Hn?" He could only stare at this mood switch, having no idea why she was angry.

Forget fire, flashing in her eyes was white and blue lightning as she sent an unexpected shove his way, making him fall backwards on the ground.

"Don't you, Hn, me! I'm not just some fangirl who fawns after you! I actually give a damn about you, you stupid jerk! And finding out you've known how to speak my language all along gives me the right to be angry! Were you just making fun of me or were you feeding off the compliments? Y'know what, I don't wanna know. You- you ass!" And with that, Akane got up and marched off, leaving him sitting there in mildly stunned shock from being pushed over onto his ass like that.

Had he actually just let her call him that to his face? And had that outburst of rare anger- had it- frightened him somewhat? He frowned at the thought. Certainly that small cross dressing human had not made him fear her.

No, not even for a moment.

He got to his feet, intending to follow after her and make her regret her words. But he paused as he thought of what she had said. True, she had called him an ass, but what was that about her feelings? And thinking he was making fun? Alright he might have been taking some amusement from all the things she had said, but it wasn't MAKING fun was it? She found him attractive, and followed him partly because of that, so did that not make her a fangirl, as she said? Then why be so angry?

She claimed that she actually cared about him...
The thought alone had something deep inside him feeling warm. Did he WANT her to care?

She did yell at him enough when he was injured that she came across as a concerned mother, but maybe that wasn't the right way to see it.

Pondering just what her "feelings" could be, if not just simple attraction, he walked until he found her, leaning against a tree, crying. And he stood in the shadows with a feeling of guilt building in his stomach, something that he wasn't accustomed too, and wasn't sure how to handle.

…

Akane felt stupid for crying, but that was what she did every time she was mad enough to break something. And she wanted to break everything.

He had heard every comment she ever said in her language, and had never told her. What, did he enjoy hearing her complement him?

She didn't do it most of the time, most of the time she was chewing him out, so it made no sense that he didn't tell her right away. Unless he liked her making a fool of herself. Was that it?

She roared aloud in anger at the thought, her cry followed by a pathetic sob like hiccup.

God she hated crying when she was mad, it was so freaking stupid but it just happened!

"Why? Why do I care for that jerk?!" She groaned, not caring what language she used, English came more easily when mad anyway. And she was both pissed and hurt.

Akane took the pendant out of her pocket and stared at it resting in her palm, wanting to talk to her mentor but at the same time not wanting to just complain to the poor spirit, so rather then put it on for him to hear her, she just talked at it to relieve her frustrations.

"He's stubborn and rude and he doesn't even give a damn if I'm there or not. So why do I bother? He doesn't let me help him at all so how am I supposed to show him that I can be more then just stupid ENTERTAINMENT?" With another more forceful growl, she turned and punched the tree behind her, cracking the bark and her knuckles.

Akane pulled her hand back and found it bleeding, but she just glared at it and placed the pendant back in her pocket. Deciding to spare Shen her anger until tomorrow when she was calm. With a groan she rested her forehead against the tree she had just hit, mumbling to herself.

"I thought we've had a couple bonding moments damn it. And I don't JUST find you attractive, you moron..."

"Clearly not, if you can speak of me like that. Other females would never insult me as you do."

Akane jumped and turned to see him right behind her, a concerned frown on his face. "What the hell do you-"

He cut her off when he forcefully took her hand into his, glaring at the blood that still flowed from the cracked skin on her knuckles, and then at the tree like it was the things fault for hurting her. It was almost sweet… ALMOST.

"Foolish human girl." Sesshomaru's voice was a worried tone, but she was still mad at him from before so didn't give a crap he suddenly decided to be a little nice.

Akane glared up at him. "Stupid yokai dog."

Having expected a glare or a growl, she was shocked beyond words as he instead openly laughed at her retort, seemingly unfazed .He continued to laugh even as he pulled her hand to his face to study the wounds for a moment. Then suddenly, he went dead silent and locked eyes with her, the gold almost shining like it had that one time a week or so ago, and it made her swallow.

"Only you can speak to me that way and live, Akane."

After he said that, in such a dark yet somehow tender tone, he made her heart pound as he moved to run his tongue over the blood on her hand.

She watched in awe as he licked her clean, seeming to enjoy the taste, his eyes closed in pleasure while that tongue took it's time with the last little bit on her fingers.

A strangled mix of a squeak and a sigh bubbled out her throat at the sensation. Once the blood was gone, he opened those golden eyes, looking right at her as he playfully nipped at the tip of her index finger.

"A-aah..." She moaned aloud as she shivered, a heat she had NEVER felt before coiled in her lower stomach.

Whatever spell he was under broke at the sound she made, and he released her hand like it was on fire, moving four entire steps away from her.

Sesshomaru looked away and cleared his throat before glancing at her, making a point to show on his face that they were done now and she was not to speak of it further. A stern silent order.

"We are heading back to camp. Unless you wish to be left behind of course." Just like that, like nothing had just happened, he walked off.

Akane found herself following right behind him, unable to stop blushing and somehow no longer angry at him for their previous conversation.

But boy oh boy did Shen have a interesting story waiting for him when she placed the pendant on!

…

What had just come over him? Truly, had he momentarily lost his mind?

The sight of her crying, because of him, had awakened something. He didn't like being the reason she was so upset, the reason for those tears of frustration he could sense even from the distance he had stayed hidden.

Sesshomaru's inner animal had wanted to ease her pain when she had hurt herself, causing her sweet smelling blood to flow and the scent of it to hit him like a gust of the sweetest winds of spring. That beast wanted nothing more then to taste the blood and make the pain go away. To put a smile back on her tear streaked face. Hells, he had wanted to lick away her tears too, but thankfully had managed to get a hold of himself.

This was indeed becoming a problem. His other self had seemed to respond to her from the very start, that very first time his eyes had landed on the sunny haired girl fighting for her life with nothing but a tree branch, it wanted to save her and CONTINUE to keep her safe.

And the more time she was with him, the stronger whatever he was feeling became. If he knew what was good for himself he would tell her that her presence was no longer necessary. Today was proof of that.

Sesshomaru glanced over at her, as she had began walking next to him. When had he even started allowing her to walk next to him? None ever walked next to him.

He froze mid-step when he seen her. "Why are you still crying?" The question a baffled mix of confusion and worry that he didn't hide.

"Oh, am I?" Akane looked up at him, as if surprised while she touched her face.

How could she not know that she was crying?!

Was she broken? Had what he'd done frightened her? He hadn't thought her to be so easily shaken, but now he was regretting letting his beast out even a little.

He glared at her, masking all the jumbled things going on in his head while making his voice as calm and orderly as possible. "Tell me why."

"I'm just really happy."

… … What?

"WHY are you happy?" Sesshomaru was completely puzzled at the smile she gave him.

"Don't you know? Because YOU made me happy." She blushed up at him with a pointed look.

Ah… So, she wasn't frightened…

Actually, now that he was paying more attention, there was a small trace of arousal coming from her. This was not good at all. He rather she be afraid damn it…

"This Sesshomaru was just stopping the bleeding, nothing more. No reason to be so happy about it."

"Sure, sure, Sesshy-sama!" She grinned. Clearly, she did not believe a word of it.

"Just forget about it." He snapped, walking faster, leaving her to walk behind him. He supposed he should be grateful that his behavior hadn't frightened her after all, but for some reason, the fact that she seemed to have liked it was far more worrisome.

Silence followed. Which he was used to.
Akane always seemed to know when he wanted quiet, and a part of him appreciated that.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, or if she even knew he could still hear her at the distance she was behind him, but he heard her anyway when she whispered it. And it took all he had to act as if he didn't.

"I think I love you, Sesshomaru."

And this time, he believed her.