It was drawing near and she could not have asked for better timing. If things worked out to her advantage, she would have another jewel shard and protection for Lord Sesshoumaru. Still, she had to quickly organize a plan that would not result in her demise and would incorporate all she had in mind. Leaning back against a rock and slipping deeper into the water of the hot spring, she played out in her mind what she wanted to do. It would be tricky and she had to be quick. She had no clue what type of demon was approaching or if it had good speed. Hopefully her familiarity with the area would work to her advantage. Rising, she walked to the shore, forgetting her doubts. After pinning her hair on top of her head, she began to dress as a fragment of the shard came closer.
"Lord Sesshoumaru! Wait for me!" Jaken quickly scrambled down the trail behind his master, barely keeping his balance as he tripped over a rock. "You can't be serious about protecting this girl! Let her die by the hands of those she has wronged!"
"So Jaken, you would have me pass an opportunity that would lead me to obtaining from my brother what is rightfully mine? This act of betrayel will result in your death." Stopping, Sesshoumaru turned around to face Jaken who immediately fell to the ground to beg.
"No M'Lord! Thats n-not it! I just don't trust the girl."
"Your trust is not necessary. Now, stop wasting my time or I shall have to kill you." Turning, he continued down the path.
"Aye M'Lord!"
She would play the innocent damsel, frightened by the threat of the almighty demon. At the rustle of bushes, she got into character and looked around nervously, quickly tying her obi. She turned in the direction of the nearest village when a figure appeared in front of her.
"You really shoudln't be so far from the village, especially when you are in heat. Or maybe you planned it that way..." The demons eyes scanned over the womans body. She looked harmless and afraid, nothing like the description of the lone female many were looking for.
She took a cautious step back and gulped, bowing before she spoke. "A-aaye. I have been unable to bare a child and was hoping a demon would be able to help."
"Offering yourself to any male are you?" He stepped forward and grabbed her roughly. "Lucky for you I'm in the mood or I would just kill such a worthless whore."
The body contact was all she needed. Her spell would not work unless she made him inhale polon. That option would only be necessary should Sesshoumaru not show. She let out a cry of pain as he dragged her against her body. Pulling her head back to avoid lip contact, she removed the shard from his forehead. Kicking him in the groin, she turned and ran off, sending a small amount of her polon into the air.
Here I come Sesshoumaru and if you're there, we'll see just how willing you are to protect me.
As he reached the bottom of the mountain, a noise caught his attention. He stopped and stared in its direction. Bushes rustled, birds flew off to escape the mayhem, a tree was split in half. He could smell her in the center of it as she came closer to him. In an instant she burst through the shrubbery and her hair, wild and free, twirled about her as she skidded to a hault. Her chest heaved up and down as she sought to catch her breath. When their eyes met, her face lit up with a smile that sent a strange feeling to his stomach. Then just as quickly as it appeared, it was replaced with a look of fear as she took a step back from him.
Sesshoumaru started to speak when her pursuer appeared. She turned to him, then turned back to Sesshoumaru, appearing as though she was trying to decide which path of death she should take.
"Please, leave me alone, I've changed my mind." She backed away from both of them.
"Wench, you're going to get what you've asked for." The demon took a step toward her then stopped when the other demon spoke.
"Do not take another step toward that woman or you will regret it." Sesshoumaru wondered breifly what caused him to speak, but he knew it was obvious what the girl wanted him to do.
"The woman offered herself to me first. You'll just have to wait your turn." The demon laughed and took another step toward the girl before he felt a sharp pain enter his back. He looked down at his stomach as a string of green light shot through it. As it disappeared, he collapsed on the ground.
The woman stared down at the demon and walked around his body towards Sesshomaru. Upon reaching him, she bowed respectfully.
"Was that another test?" He stared down at her curiously.
Rising, she looked up at him as she gathered her hair in her hands and tied it at the nape of her neck. "Something like that. Consider it your first job as I retrieved a shard from that demon. I am very greatful that you agreed, you shall not regret it."
"I should hope or you yourself may regret it."
"I understand. Come, let us begin. The sooner this is over, the sooner we can return to our normal lives." After dusting the dirt from her clothing, she placed her newly required jewel shard in a pouch around her neck. "I haven't got a lead on another shard just yet so I hope you don't mind walking around aimlessly."
Jaken, who had remained silent behind his master spoke up. "How dare you propose to waste Lord Sesshoumaru's time! You should already know where you want to go."
The girl turned and eyed Jaken. "My dear hideous creature, it is not that simple. We shall stumble upon a demon with a shard eventually but I am only able to see a shard that is up close. Therefore I must observe any new powers in demons that are normally considered to be weak. Until them, I'm afraid we are left to wander. Are there any other questions?"
"Just one." Sesshoumaru stared at her with his normal emotionless face, passing judgement. "What is your name?"
"Oh forgive me my Lord." She bowed quickly. "I am Asami."
The great demon lord stared at the harmless looking woman that so many were searching for. He unfortunately was interested in how she was able to evade demons after taking their shards. This mystery, like the one regarding his brother and his father's sword, stirred in him a need for answers. He would pursue until he found those answers, would he do the same with this human girl? Would he stoop so low? The look she gave him was much like his own, uninterested dominance. "Asami."
"Yes my Lord?"
"Nothing."
"Well...if you don't mind, I wish to locate the nearest river. I am parched with thirst and hope to catch a fish to eat. My human weaknesses must be satisfied." Turning, she walked in the direction she came, waiting until Sesshoumaru was by her side before she set her pace. With this plan set in motion, she hoped that she would soon accomplish her goal.
