Broken Bonds

The doorbell rings. "Who is it?" Izumi calls

No one answers, but the door, locked, swings open. She walks to the front room and calls again, "Who's there?"

She closes the door, relocks it, and looks around cautiously. Nothing seems to be unusual, so she walks upstairs, goes into her room, locking the door behind her.

"Aishiteru, koi."

She whirls around, only to be swept up in his arms. His mouth presses down on hers in a passionate kiss. Her eyes widen, she breaks away from his grasp, and drags her hand across her mouth.

`Y... you..." she stammers startled.

"Me what? Didn't you miss me at all? After all... I came all this way... just to see you."

His eyes narrow, and he studies her critically.

"Oh. I get it. You love another, isn't it?"

When she doesn't reply, he goes on, his voice acidic.

"Oh it's that boy isn't it? The one you met... hmm... when was that..." he muses.

Her eyes fill with tears of mixed emotions.

"It's not that. It's just..." her voice trails off and she looks down, avoiding his piercing gaze.

"It's just what?"

She doesn't answer.

"Tell me, goddamnit! I deserve to know!"

Kouji breaks into the room.

`You're safe! I thought..." his voice trails off as he studies Sesshoumaru.

"You thought that she'd be hurt or something right?" Sesshoumaru mocked.

Sesshoumaru whirls around to face Izumi.

"So this is your new illegitimate lover, eh? He won't be for long..."

He draws out his sword as Kouji does likewise.

Izumi dashes between them.

"Don't fight! Yamete! Onegai...stop..."

Sesshoumaru looks at Izumi, his facial expression softens momentarily, then he glares at Kouji, and replies, half-snarling,

"Why? This will be fun..."

Sesshoumaru snarls, his bloodthirsty demon side taking over.