SNEAK PEEK.

Akane had been hounding Sesshomaru to tell her when his birthday was off and on since meeting him. But to this day had never gotten even a little hint from the stubborn man.

And when he clearly didn't understand the point, she tried baiting him, explaining that it was something to celebrate for most people in her time. Even went as far as to say she'd bring him a gift if his had yet to pass this year.

While all that was TRUE, the main reason for this was she wanted to know his zodiacs, cause that would help her understand him. She had learned from experience that knowing the traits of a persons different zodiacs helped in understanding how they might think and act.

But Sesshomaru kept refusing to tell her, saying it was a stupid human thing to do and that he, a yokai, had no need of it. He also refused to tell her how old he was, walking off like the devil was on his heels anytime she approached the subject, and Rin claimed to have caught him blushing one time, as if he was actually too embarrassed to tell her. Which was cute and all but damn it now she wanted to know even MORE then she did originally.

Jaken was no help either, saying that he had met Sesshomaru four decades ago, and that the man had only looked a little bit younger then he did now. And when she tried ask him to at least explain how dog yokai aged, one death glare from his master had the imp clamp up for good about the whole thing.

While it was entertaining that she had found something that legit made the stoic man uncomfortable, for the life of her she couldn't figure out WHY.

It was a known fact that creatures like him aged different then humans, normally living incredibly long lives. Each species of supernatural beings was different of course, and she just didn't get why he refused to tell her.

So Akane didn't KNOW his age or birthday, but that didn't stop her from trying to figure it out. Doing research when home and taking notes of his personality had her at least narrow it down. She was almost positive she knew what he was at this point, and it totally explained why she was so easily attracted to him.

Today seemed as good a time as any to pop the question, so despite Shen trying to talk her out of it this morning, Akane decided to catch Sesshomaru off guard whenever he arrived to pick them up from the village.

Rin was off playing with some of the other children, Jaken by her side as always, and Akane had purposely been keeping an eye out for Sesshomaru's return while helping out with Shika's many daily chores.

While the girl always told Aki that he didn't have to help, Akane thought it was only right since they now used this place a rest stop between their traveling. That and she still felt horrible about pretending to be a boy.

Once she caught sight of Sesshomaru on his way down the hill, Akane apologized to Shika for having to leave so suddenly, but her friend simply waved her away with that flirty smile, already guessing why as she too seen the white yokai approaching. And Akane jumped to her feet, abandoned the half filled vegetable basket, dashing off and ignoring Shen's teasing like she always did.

Sesshomaru wasn't all that surprised to see her running up the hillside, pausing and being wise enough to step to the side, avoiding her crashing into him. Not like she'd done that more then once… Okay fine… Twice.

"You were born in the month of July weren't you?" Akane blurted out before anything could happen to make her forget, slightly breathless from her jog, and her bound chest wasn't making it any easier to run either.

Her randomness made his golden eyes grow wide for the briefest of moments, and there was the tiniest hint of shock before his fallback expression returned like nothing happened, but she had become a master at noticing any little changes in his expression, it was pretty much all the answer she needed from him.

"What makes you so sure." He said calmly once recovered from her odd way of saying hello today, and for some reason this caused Shen to laugh within the pendant.

Akane smiled brightly, knowing she hit the nail on the head, winking as they stood together. "Different months and years have different signs with certain traits, so I've been watching you for a while now, since the last time you refused to tell me your age."

"You think you know me so well?" Sesshomaru scoffed as he started down the hill, his way of trying to get her to drop it, but she had already gotten what she wanted.

"I'd like to think so, considering I'm right~" She sang out, unable to stop from feeling a bit smug for catching him by surprise so damn easily for once.

"Hn… Tell me, what makes you think you are correct?" He asked as if bored, but she noted the undertone of possible irritation, along with his twitchy fingers.

Not wanting to tell him and have him try and change his little tell signs, Akane shrugged lazily with a pleased hum, walking in front of him with her arms resting on her head and a teasing smile in place. "I just know, that's all."

This time he looked at her, watching her watch him as she walked backwards, and she could tell he was a bit more embarrassed then he was annoyed. But still annoyed.

"So, since I'm right, can you finally tell me the year you were born? Pretty please? You know how I am, and I'll without a doubt find out someday so- Ack!"

Sesshomaru suddenly reached out and pulled her to his chest, making her gasp in shock from the unexpected physical contact. Looking up until their eyes locked, heart beating so loud she knew he could hear. Akane bit her lip as those golden eyes narrowed almost like he enjoyed it.

~Well… What an interesting turn of events.~

She couldn't agree more. And knowing that Shen could probably hear or feel her racing heart too of course only made it beat harder, blush creeping up her face.

Was he starting another one of his little games? It had been a while since the last time he'd done something like this. She needed to get a hold of herself. Besides, it's not like Sesshomaru was going to kiss her… Or lick her...

"Akane." He said sternly, as if her face was giving away her thoughts, and by how hot she felt it just might be.

"Y-yes?" Wow did she feel stupid right now.

With a sigh, he released his hold, an almost scolding look on his face as he stepped around her and continued on like nothing had happened. "You need to watch where you walk, foolish human, you nearly fell over a rock."

"Huh? I was... Yeah, sorry." She said, frazzled and not even mad at his human comment, and would have continued to feel stupid, if it were not for the fact there was NO fucking rock anywhere now that she was looking around!

He had SO been messing with her again! Using her not so secret little crush to distract her! The sneaky dog!

~Look at you, all swooning like a blushing maiden!~ Shen teased, causing said blush of embarrassment to return.

"Shuddup Shen!" Akane groaned out loud, sending the old dragon into a laughing fit.

Sesshomaru couldn't seem to help himself from letting out a chuckle, looking over his shoulder. "Is that dragon ghost annoying you again, Akane?"

"Yeah… But he's only teasing. About as bad as you do sometimes. You both suck." She sighed, looking away from his obviously amused face.

"I still do not understand why you don't simply remove the pendant when he goes too far. Would that not teach the thing a lesson?" Sesshomaru asked, thankfully choosing to forgive her little comment about him.

His question made her laugh. Of course he would think of the easiest solution to avoid conflict. "For one, Shen isn't a THING. He's a dragon. And as I've said, I can't do that to him, unless he really REALLY does go too far, because I refuse to leave him alone in the dark."

~Something I greatly appreciate about you, and you know I only tease with utmost affection!~

Oblivious to the commentary, Sesshomaru stared in thought for a moment, then once more started down the hill towards the village. "Strange girl…"

By now, Akane had come to realize that him calling her that really was just his own unique and aloof kind of affection, not meant as an insult at all like she had first assumed it was. So now each time he said it she couldn't help but smile, which he noticed and never questioned.

It was like a little unspoken secret between them.

Feeling her mood lightening, Akane looked up at the mid afternoon sky as the clouds from the morning rain finally parted enough for some sun to hit directly. Almost going along with her mood change perfectly, but there was no way she was powerful enough yet for that to be a thing.

The two walked in comfortable silence for a little while, until the unexpected happened.

"Why do you want to know so badly?" Sesshomaru asked suddenly as they entered the village, already catching stares as humans passed by while going about their daily lives. This was only the third time they had visited, and most of the people still were not fully used to seeing a yokai walk around so peacefully.

Sesshomaru himself was just as uneasy, even if none could tell but Akane. And yet, despite his unease, he was focusing intently on her right now. Wanting her answer.

"Well… I just want…" Akane glanced away, trying to start her Prince act while answering, but it was hard to get into confident mode when talking about her not so little obsession with learning everything she could about him.

He stopped walking, letting her stand by his side while staring down, head tilted. "You want…? What?"

Oh there was no way she could get into Prince mode with him giving that cute curious look! And why was he staring at her like that damn it?! Was he enjoying watching how flustered she was getting? He had to know by now that she found that expression freaking adorable!

"Tell me, Aki-sama, what is it you think I am? Since you claim to have studied this one enough to guess." Sesshy added, the fact he was already using her fake name made her blink in surprise and remember where they were.

Okay… Yeah sure, his sudden interest was a good thing, but why now of all times? The sudden pressure had her all kinds of frazzled, and people were taking notice.

With a gulp she snatched Sesshomaru's hand, pulling him down the pathway until finding a hidden spot between a stable and a house. Once alone, she flat out poked him in the chest with an accusing stare. "Are you only doing this right now to watch me struggle to get into character?"

AHA! The slow blink!

He actually tried to look offended, but the amused glint in his eyes further proved her suspicions, and she whacked his chest this time instead of poking it.

"Damn you! Stop always messing with me." She huffed, whacking him again and getting that raised eyebrow stare, lips twitching as if trying not to smile.

"This one does not always mess with you." He stated, now unable to keep from smiling, and she hated how much she actually liked it. When she went to hit him again, he took hold of her wrist. "That's quite enough."

"It is most certainly NOT enough! You don't even care what I think your zodiacs are, just liked seeing me get all flustered in public." Akane whined, glaring daggers.

"Not so. This one is very curious." He was actually grinning a little now. And it was moments like this, even when he was being frustrating, that she loved the most.

~It's adorable to watch the two of you get closer.~ Shen piped up like an approving parent. ~Although, to be honest, it does makes me feel so old.~

Akane was too annoyed to laugh this time, trying to think of a way of getting Sesshy back in this sudden game of embarrassing her. She could turn the tables, she had many times in the past…

Fine. He wanted her to tell him? Then she would, along with all the reasons why. See if he likes his behavior tossed in his face without getting a little flustered himself.

"Okay, well, in the western zodiac, you seem to fit the sign of Cancer. Which is in the month of July." She started, watching the teasing light fade from his eyes. "You keep people at a distance unless you trust them, like how the Cancer hides behind a shell. You need alone time but always come back, you're calm but tend to have outbursts now and then, and you have an obsession with the moon."

Oooh! She was totally making him uncomfortable! His fingers were twitching and any second now he was gonna-
YES! He just rubbed two fingers together, the only for sure clue when he was irritated!

~The tables are turning in your favor already. Well done!~

Both that little finger movement and Shen's praise had her leaning closer with a knowing little grin on her face, loving it when Sesshy stepped back with his classic frown.

"You act like you don't care, when deep down you care allot, and don't like to show it cause you think it's a sign of weakness, and are afraid of getting hurt." Akane paused when he started glaring, not liking just HOW much she was nailing this, but not stopping her either.

~You are such a stalker.~ Shen chuckled, and while she should be offended, there was no denying it.

By Sesshomaru's face, he might be thinking the same thing as Shen, but she couldn't tell if he was annoyed or simply shocked that she paid so much attention.

"And, if I had to venture a guess, I'd say you were born in one of the years of the dragon. I can easily say the reasons why for this too-" She was made to stop as he raised up his hand to silence her.

"No, no need for more, that is enough." Sesshomaru said, hand going to cover his face. But she seen it, the look of pure flustered embarrassment, and Akane got a little thrill from catching that cute blush go all the way to his ears.

~I do believe that's a whole new expression from him.~

It totally was. The first time she had made him turn red like this had been out of sexually aroused shock, but right now the great Western Lord reminded her of a shy teenage boy. Making her even MORE curious.

"Sooo? I'm right aren't I? If you won't tell me your age then at least tell me if I got the month and POSSIBLE year correct or not." She continued to tease, stepping closer and peaking around the hand hiding half his face.

The guy actually swallowed, full on gulped, before turning and taking off into the sky without a fucking word.

~Running away is he? Ha! So his pride means nothing when it comes to avoiding his emotions. Oh this boy...~

"HEY! That's cheating Sesshomaru-sama! Come back here, I'm just gonna bring it up later you know!" Akane shouted, taking off after him on the ground as he darted off.

"Absolutely not." He all but huffed, glancing down long enough for her to see his red face. "Do not follow."

"Don't be childish, of course I'm gonna follow!" She retorted with a grin, keeping up with him just fine from the ground as both of them burst out from their hiding place and into the small but busy street.

They made for a pretty comical scene, not caring about the curious looks they were getting as villagers watched Aki noisily chase Sesshomaru around, yelling at him to get his cowardly ass back down and answer. Which of course only got a death glare response, which was so not scary at all with the blush fading from his handsome face.

Dashing past Shika fast enough the rush of wind caused her braid to move, Akane started laughing at how silly this whole thing was, until he went off full speed into the woods in a flash of white.

Akane stood, gasping for breath at the edge of the village, resisting the urge to continue giving chase, but debating the pros and cons of pushing her luck.

As she stood there hunched over, it was no surprise when Shika came running up to her side with pure amused curiosity on her pretty face.

"What on earth was that all about? I didn't think I would ever catch that yokai of yours running from you… Well, he was flying of course but you know what I mean." Shika said with a laugh, rubbing Akane's back as she finally stood up, able to breath again from all the running.

"That guy will do anything when wanting to avoid answering a question, but even I'm shocked he just flat out flew off on me like that." She grinned, knowing that the villagers would be whispering about this little show for who knows how long. But maybe it would help them be less leery of Sesshy now after seeing him be cute.

Shika hummed in agreement, tossing her braid over her shoulder and looking off to the forest. "Are you going to just let him hide? How long do you think he will?"

~With that level of embarrassment? Weeks. Months. Years. Who knows when he'll recover.~

Akane snorted in agreement before replying, crossing her arms in thought. "He could be gone for days until he thinks I'll either forget or drop the subject. Stubborn dog."

Her comment had the other girl laughing, until a sound from behind them had Shika jump back with a squeak.
Rin and Jaken tumbled from behind the bush they had been hiding in. As if Akane hadn't noticed them following along when she'd chased Sesshy out of the village…

Which she totally had.

"You should go AFTER him!" Rin piped up with bright eyes despite landing on her butt, Jaken wiggling out of her lap and having the decency to at least look a little ashamed being caught eavesdropping.

~She's right you know. I could easily help you track him down. The boy won't have gone too far.~ Shen being all too eager to see more young drama, not even hiding it in his voice and she could practically SEE him grinning.

This was beyond tempting…

And could easily lead into either her FINALLY finding out how old Sesshy is, or they would end up bickering until she dropped it, which she really didn't want to do since they were getting along so well lately.

Sesshomaru was less and less cold to her ever since that little lick to her cheek. The guy freaking ate out of her hand the other day for goodness sake! So there was no way she wanted to ruin it and make him start from scratch all over again with her.

"Mmwell... Suppose I could go after him… To apologize for getting him so flustered at least. I'd hate for him to be gone a few days when he just got back." She said once noticing them all staring at her, clearing her throat with a bit of shame in her voice. "I do feel bad chasing him off."

"We'll stay right here, won't we Jakan-sama?" Rin for some reason sounded just as happy as Shen about this, but of course, the imp did not agree.

"Don't you dare follow after him!" Jaken screeched while quickly getting to his feet, clutching the staff as if he was thinking of whacking her with it. "I don't know what you did to make him leave so quickly, but he OBVIOUSLY does not wish to speak with you further!"

"Come onnnn Jaken-sama! Aki-sama is going to say sorry and bring him back faster." Rin huffed, and as always, the two ended up in a battle over the Two Headed staff.

As the two small ones fell over one another, Shika tiptoed closer and gave Akane a little push towards the forest with a secretive wink. Taking the hint, she began to inch away in the midst of the wrestling match, knowing that Shika would happily watch over them both.

It was time to go dog hunting

…

"Do you think he's mad at me?" Akane voiced out loud after entering the forest. Shen had given her enough of a power boost to send her leaping along at the same fast pace as Inuyasha. Trees flew by in a green blur with each kickoff of her feet as she tracked not only the fading yokai aura, but the scent of her Western Lord.

~Mad at you? For pointing out you might know him more then he thought? I highly doubt it. He's most likely coming to terms with how close the two of you have become recently without him noticing, and of course recovering from his embarrassment.~

That only increased Akane's worry. Because for a man like Sesshomaru, embarrassment could very easily manifest itself as irritation or maximum rage… She'd seen it before.

"I should figure out the best way to apologize somehow." She said with a determined huff, steeling herself for whatever reaction he might give. "And hopefully my going after him won't make things worse."

~No, he should be used to you not following his orders, you never have before. It would be foolish to expect a change.~

"Hey! I do TRY to listen to him… I DO!" She blurted, knowing that she only listened about half the time really.

~Whatever you say… Now, lets find the boy.~ He chuckled, and while she understood why he found these situations entertaining, it didn't keep her from pouting at his teasing.

They ran for a while, Shen's boost increasing her sense of smell along with her speed, and with each passing minute the unique scent of Sesshomaru was becoming closer, and now Akane had a feeling she knew what he was up to.

After the incident at the bath house, Sesshy had refused to use it a second time. Which was both adorable and a bit silly, but hey the guy had massive trust issues and clearly didn't want a repeat of her sneaking in, she would let him get away with it without too much teasing at least.
But there was a safe place for him they had found not too far off that he tended to go when he was in the mood to bathe. It was a small clear pond, hidden in a thicker part of the forest, surrounded by brambles and thorny vines. The only reason they had discovered it was by flight, as the water sparkled like glass from above.

The closer she got, the slower she ran, since the last thing she wanted was catching him naked or something. But with all the plant life, thorny and not, she couldn't see anything yet to know if he was actually here or not.

"Sesshy's just ahead… But maybe we should wait." Akane stated, pausing before making an attempt to squeeze between a set of wild messy shrubs, poking one to be sure there were no hidden thorn bits to snatch at her clothes. This looked to be one of the best ways to get inside.

~What's with this WE business?~ Shen chuckled with a finale little energy burst so that she could tear at the plants enough to make an opening. ~You're the one chasing after him, I'm just along for the ride. Besides, you should be able to catch him before he starts stripping.~
"If you say so…" She frowned, hoping this wasn't a Shen trick cause he wanted more drama. But it would be kinda awkward to just wait out here for him to finish anyway. And if he caught her scent then he might assume she was spying and get REALLY pissed.

Somehow, she managed to avoid most of the thorns while pulling and wiggling her way inside, not bothering with her sword despite it pulsing for her attention.

"Not enough room buddy." She whispered while giving the hilt an affectionate pat just as she burst out from the wall of plantlife and into the ponds clearing.

~See? He's not even here yet.~

"But… He was. Where did he-" Akane paused as a screech filled the air. An animal was just attacked up ahead, by the sound of it, most likely a rabbit. Had she just caught him going off to hunt? This was bad…

Sesshomaru never let any of them see him eat, or hunt.
The animal side of himself was something he tried to keep away from the group as much as possible, and again, she wasn't sure why, but now she really needed to leave before getting in trouble.

~He's coming, might want to hide.~

Shit! Shit shit shitfuckdamn!

Akane turned and almost ran face first into a shrub, but it would take WAY too long and make too much noise to go back the way she came. Without a thought she dove down into some bushes, and just her luck, these DID have some of the thorn covered vines growing all tangled inside, now scratching her arms as she hid herself on the ground.

~Well… This was unexpected. Have fun peeping.~

"You just gonna leave me?!" Akane whispered harshly, pulling an arm free of the vines.

~Why would I want to see his naked ass? Now, while he might just eat and brood, we both know he most likely came here to bathe. Call me when you're done.~

"Shen, don't you dare!" But with that she felt the pendant go cold as he fell silent, leaving her alone to either try and leave and not get caught, or stay here to…

Sesshomaru came down from the sky from seemingly nowhere, floating gracefully to land on the other side of the pond, and the first thing she noticed was the crimson blood dripping from his lips and claws.

Yup. He'd just killed something… And ate it.

While the thought of him just munching a freshly killed bunny, fur and all, did make her cringe a little, she already knew he was like this. And instead was more interested in the way Sesshomaru was currently moving.

White hair somehow spotless despite the bloody red mess of his lips, it swayed in the breeze as those golden eyes scanned the area in a super alert stare. He was statue still, not only staring around but clearly scenting the air, and she prayed to the powers that be that she was enough downwind to be hidden.

Seeming satisfied, Sesshomaru slowly made his way to the ponds edge, and just by his movements alone she could tell his beast was the one in charge right now. Every movement was slow, alert yet confident, very different from his normal aristocratic air.

Akane knew what was going to happen next, and any GOOD person would at least close their eyes.

But… What if she ended up getting caught? Shouldn't she at least deserve getting yelled at? She'd already seen him half naked before so… What if she closed her eyes just a little? Enjoy what she already seen once, and simply NOT look any lower then that. It wasn't so bad, was it?

Akane blushed at how dirty her thoughts were, and how bad a person that made her. Like, almost NARAKU kinda bad. She totally should close her eyes...

As if the powers that be were testing her, Sesshy started removing his armor, dropping it with a heavy thud by his feet without any care. Yeah, this had to be his animal side, cause he looked pretty annoyed at the whole clothes removing process as he kicked off his boots. The obi and hakama were dropped just as carelessly once removed, movements rushed with an actual growl while reaching for the second layer.

She couldn't look away now even she wanted too, cause seeing him acting like a frustrated child trying to strip was utterly adorable. So adorable it actually took Akane a moment to look past his face, finally realizing skin was showing, every muscle in his arm and chest flexing while tearing off the kimono and tossing it down.

Akane already knew of his lean muscle tone from the bath house, but it didn't stop the heated coiling feeling from coming back as if it were the first time.

Yes, she will watch this. It will be worth all the wrath he would give if she got caught. Alone and in his environment, she had never seen Sesshomaru's beast side let out, and it really was like watching a different person… Creature?

He turned his back to her thankfully, before starting to remove the pants part of the kimono, and Akane sighed out a tiny breathe of relief that she wouldn't be tempted.

That is, until the pants dropped. Then her blue eyes grew wide from seeing his backside for the very first time.

To be honest, being raised as a boy, and having to go to a few all boy schools, she'd seen a few asses in her life. Even once or twice since coming to Japan, and lets not count movies. There was never any big deal before.

Yet everything about this yokai man seemed to be tailored to her taste. A taste she didn't know she had until coming to this place. So maybe what was actually going on, was he was making her grow a taste for him specifically?

Either way though, Sesshomaru was yummy.

Akane bit her lower lip as he walked into the water with that slow animal grace, each step making her eyes trail all over his ass and legs. Ooof… She was a perv after all.

Then Sesshomaru froze, and her breath caught as he tilted his head in her direction, back facing her so she couldn't see his facial expression. She WAS down wind right? Had jumped into this damn prickle bush cause Shen said it was the right spot, and she was being super quiet.

Unless the guy could SERIOUSLY hear her pounding heartbeat from that distance? Akane was so damn screwed if that was the case-

SNAPP!

Akane bit her tongue hard enough to taste blood, the only thing to hold in the scream as Sesshomaru's energy whip came at her before she even seen his hand move, cutting something close to her legs. And with a silent gulp she turned to see a snake. A normal sized, none yokai snake, it's brown body sliced perfectly in two just a foot from her hiding spot. Every curse word she could think of flashed through her mind while releasing a shaky breath.

Holy freaking crap! Talk about close…

But, if he could hear THAT, or even smell it, was he allowing her to not so sneakily watch him? He had to know she was here right? Or did Sesshy's beast side have less modesty then the man?

As if to answer the silent question, Sesshomaru went right back to his task, wading waist deep into the pond, lifting his hand out of the water over and over again until the drying blood coating his clawed fingers washed away.

Deciding to be a good person after all- okay- HALF a good person at least- so she gets points! Akane took this moment to start inching backwards on the ground, using the sound of water as a cover and timing each movement with him cleaning himself. Which was an anxiety inducing, tedious task, but by the time Sesshy was bending to wet his hair she was a good distance away, even if she kept getting little pokes and scrapes along the way.

Considering how her streaks of luck always turned on her, Akane wasn't even shocked when at the last possible second of her retreat, she cracked two sticks in a row with her knees while backing up.

Of course…

There was a splashing sound, he'd most likely jumped out of the water. And she could only think of one thing to possibly save her own ass.

"Sesshy-sama? Are you there?" Akane called out, trying to go for lost and worried, rather then busted and guilty, getting to her feet and dusting herself off.

"Do NOT come closer." He snapped loudly in warning, as if he really had no clue she'd seen almost everything there was too see, which was a freaking huge relief.

Akane made herself calm down as she heard the rustling sounds of him getting dressed again, waiting for him to come to her. And she could easily see everything in her minds eye, meaning there was no way she wouldn't be dreaming of a naked and wet Western Lord for weeks.

"Why did you follow me, Akane." Sesshomaru's voice came from right behind, and she almost smashed into his armor when she jumped around with a yelp.

"Holy crap! When did you get there?" Akane gasped, hand at her heart not just for dramatic effect this time, and totally trying to hide how guilty she felt about oogling his butt. Both two minutes ago and just now mentally… Heh.

Naturally, Sesshomaru ignored her and stared expectantly down without even a look of apology for the heart attack…
"Eheh… Yeah, so ummm… Shen convinced me to come find you, and say sorry for causing a scene at the village." She nervously explained, guilt making it hard to look him in the eyes and hoping he didn't know the real reason for it.

~Gee, thanks for putting the blame on me…~ Shen piped up at last, almost making her roll her eyes at his timing.

Sesshomaru watched her, studying her a little too closely as she tried to keep her heartbeat calm, but then a sigh left his lips, followed by a tiny smile. "This one should have known you wouldn't stay as told. Someday I will learn not to even bother making such demands."

She blushed pink and pouted a bit, further reason to avoid his gaze. "I'm sorry okay? I just wanted to-"

Her words were cut short when Sesshomaru did something he never had before, he suddenly placed his hand on her head. And since she had been looking away Akane snapped her eyes up in shock, watching as that smile turned quickly changed into a different one.

One she knew all too well, and was normally reserved for Jaken or Inuyasha…

~I do believe he knows what you're hiding.~

Gee, what was the dragon man's first clue?! Akane gulped and batted her eyes, unable to escape with Sesshomaru practically cupping the back of her head.

"I will forgive you, but only on one condition." He said, voice just as deadly sweet and creepy as his smile, and she NEVER would have thought he could pull off playing a psychopath until now. "You will cease in asking of my age from this moment onward. Do that, and I will completely forgive and forget you spied on me just now."

Those words made a little part of her soul die.

Well… Fuck.