by: Del_kaidin and Tiranth.
Chapter 12 - Quiet Time
The inu Taiyoukai watched Leena and Taka leave with a look that would have withered flowers. He had a feeling he knew what the two women were thinking and he didn't like it one bit. 'Even though they're right,' a small bit of him whispered. The air suddenly acquired an awkward stillness. Finally he spoke. "Are you still cold?"
Watching the two women leave, she was suddenly overcome with embarrassment. At his question she looked across the fire and meeting his eyes. "A little, but it will pass. I'm sorry that they left us like this. I know it is ..." She looked at the ground, feeling the burning of her cheeks. "not proper but, I'm also glad for the time alone with you. It has been a long time since I have felt comfortable around anyone. And... I am with you." Silence stretched for a moment. "I hate that I know all your past. I hate that I know of every betrayal and sorrow you have suffered. Those things should be private. How you must hate me." She turned away to look out into the night.
Again his body moved without his conscious bidding, rising and moving to sit beside Akisame. He put his arm around her, pulling her to the warmth of his body, to stop her shivering. She was embarrassed that she had shared his past. He wanted to say something to put her at ease. He took a breath, taking in the scent of her. "I do not hate you. It is not your fault," he was quiet a moment, "It is...nice to have someone understand."
She enjoyed the feeling of his arm around her and snuggled into his warmth. Telling him his future would only cause him grief, for even with her curse she didn't know if once this journey was done she would be able to stay with him. "Thank you, for understanding." The warmth of his embrace and the events of the day finally exacted their toll. Her eyes shut as sleep overtook her.
She stood in a field before her Naraku. He spoke "You are proving more useful than I thought. Bring them to me and I will lift your curse."
"NO!"
He felt her slip into sleep and looked down at her, cursing himself for the directions his thoughts were taking him, cursing his feelings for betraying him once again. He again told himself that he wasn't going to give into those feelings again. He would protect her, he would exact revenge from Naraku for her, and then he would go home. He watched the fire as it twisted and turned, her eyes haunted him just as Akari's had. Sesshomaru felt her twitch in her sleep and looked at her once again. Her eyes were squinted shut, a look of fear on her beautiful face. Suddenly she snapped awake screaming. He tightened his embrace, calling her name over her cries. Finally she quieted. "What was it?"
She awoke screaming, someone was calling her name. Slowly the dream released it's hold on her. She looked into his golden eyes. "Naraku. He .... I won't do it.... I won't...."
They reached the town quicker than she had expected. She once again had her illusion in place, this time changing the color of her hair. Naraku had spies everywhere and her red hair was a dead give away. She looked at Leena. "Where to first?"
Thinking a moment Leena cast her illusion. Taking on her human appearance with the only change being to the violet which was her uncle's. "How much time do you want to give those two?"
She smiled, "Let's not leave them too long. I don't think Grand--Sesshomaru quite wants to give in yet."
"Well you know him better than I." Reaching under the right shoulder pad she pulled a purse. "What? Ya didn't think I didn't have any money on me, did you? Ok most was in the Kimono I was wearing back at the Dojo before I was brought here. But as Kagome would have said... "Always be prepared." Why don't we just grab some clothes for me and Akisame and some food?"
Once again Sesshomaru found himself wishing he had his other arm back. Two women, two different times, yet so very much the same. He let go of her to cup her cheek in his hand. So Naraku was plaguing her dreams as well? "What is it? What did you see, Akisame?" he asked gently.
"Naraku, he hasn't done it in a long time, can invade my dreams. He ... He ... he said I was proving more useful than he thought." She swallowed and shut her eyes, she didn't want to see his eyes when she said the last, "and that he would lift my curse if I brought you to him." She tried to bow her head but his hand prevented it.
Taka nodded, "Sounds like a plan to me." She walked beside Leena in silence for a few moments. "Hey Leena, what do you think Naraku wanted Akisame to do that she refused?"
She didn't answer at first needing time to think. They reached a small seamstress shop and she began looking for something for herself or Akisame. "Only she knows. But whatever it was, her refusal angered him enough to curse, yet not kill. Meaning only that he thought he could hold the promise of removing the curse as a bargaining chip."
He removed his hand, studying her. "I won't let him harm you," was all he said. It was her decision, whether or not to betray them to Naraku.
She knew his thoughts, and blinked her tears away. She had to convince him, "I will never betray you, Sesshomaru."
He wipe away a tear that was falling down her cheek with his fingers and gave her a small smile. "I know," somehow he did know, "Now, go back to sleep."
She saw the small smile, she knew he believed her. Sometimes she hated the curse Naraku had given her, but for once she could almost thank him. How else would she have the courage. Returning his smile she spoke, "Thank you." She leaned the small distance and kissed his lips softly. "I think I will. If Naraku invades my dreams again, I will know that you are here and protecting me."
He leaned back against the tree, pulling Akisame close once again, resting his cheek against the softness of her hair. The gentle kiss had surprised and delighted him. Leena and Taka should be returning soon, he thought, as sleep reached up to claim him. He let himself drift into the resting wakefulness that would keep his senses alert but allow the rest he would need.
She fingered a dark blue material thoughtfully. "You don't think she'll..., I mean I know he'll try but..." she sighed, unable to finish her sentence. Taka decided to let the conversation drop. Here was not the place to be discussing Naraku. Instead she helped Leena pick out an outfit.
She picked a pair of hakama for herself, knowing her armor could serve as her top. She saw the white and red trimmed kimono and knew that this was the one for Akisame. Gathering both she stopped long enough to pick a cloak for their final companion. It took most of the money she had for the few items. Leaving the shop she looked at Taka, "I think we will forgo the food." Slowly they walked out of the town. Before they started the run back to the campsite she turned to Taka, "Do I think she will betray us? I don't know. You or I maybe, but I feel that she will not betray him. Let's get back."
Taka nodded. They didn't really need to buy food, any one of them could hunt for all they would need and there were plenty of cool streams and springs from which to take water. When they got back to camp they saw Sesshomaru and Akisame snuggled together and Taka gave Leena a knowing smile.