I'm back and with chapter nine! *Dances around all happy* I'm so
happy cause school was canceled today due to air quality, cause there is a
huge fire and the smoke and ash are being blown over to where I live.
*Crosses fingers* I hope they cancel school for tomorrow too. It's crazy
over here cause there is so much smoke that it covers the whole sky and is
casting an eerie orangish glow to everything. Also it's literally snowing,
but its ash instead of water. I feel bad for the people whose houses burnt
down and I hope that the firefighters are able to stop it soon. Anyways
back to my story. This chappie will just have some more Sesshy and Ayame
moments. Hope you enjoy! On to reviewer responses!
Ivan's Kitsune: Yay! You got your computer back! Sorry about your world history test. I had to take that class last year and I didn't know alot of the people also. Woohoo go us! But I'm sure you probably did fine. Now I have to take American history and there are TONS of people I have to know *rubs temples because of a major headache from just thinking about all of the people*. Honestly I can't understand why we need to take some of these classes. How are they gonna benifit us in the future? And I speak English, so why do I need to learn about it? Grrrr, it makes me so mad sometimes to think about how our government is wasting my brain space by making me learn stupid crap that I won't use in the future. *Takes a deep breath and counts to ten*, Phew , now that that's out of my system. Thanks for your review! I hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: *Aries slowly opens her door and peeks outside. Doesn't see anyone so exits.* "Hahaha I have escaped. Sesshoumaru thought he could get me back. Phish, yeah right." *Stops because of a low growl eminating from behind her.* "Uh oh." "Uh oh is right wench!" *Sesshoumaru leaps at Aries and pins her down to the ground.* "So, you thought pouring your water on me would be funny, did you?" *Aries starts laughing,* "Yeah I did, as a matter of fact." *Sesshoumaru growls and Aries stops laughing.* "Well, you won't think it's funny anymore after what I do to you next." "I'm not worried, cause you can't do anything to me or else this story won't get finished." *Sesshoumaru thinks that she has a point, but then comes up with another solution.* *The scene changes to that of a dark and musty dungeon. A recording can be heard playing over and over again saying, 'Aries does not own InuYasha.' Aries is seen hanging from the wall with shackles around her wrists. She is happily typing on a laptop with her toes and singing to block out the annoying recording.*
Chapter Nine: Sunshine
Ayame awoke the next morning with the sun shining in her eyes. She pulled the blanket up over her heard. After a few minutes of being unable to fall back to sleep, she gave up. Sitting up in bed, she stretched her back. She gazed outside and thought that she was getting lazy because she would usually have been up hours before the sun decided to rise. She looked to her right and found that there were fresh bandages for her wounds and also...a kimono. Ayame wrinkled her nose in disgust. She never really enjoyed wearing kimonos. She found them to be restricting and tight. Picking it up in her hands she gasped. Even though she disliked wearing them, didn't mean that it wasn't beautiful. It was made of white silk and had black stitchings of willow trees on it. There was also a see-through black lace obi to match it. Ayame was brought out of her shock at the garment by a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." She replied.
The door opened and in came a female kitsune. She was wearing a plain outfit and was with out a doubt a servant. She also had short, reddish- brown hair, pink eyes, and a ruby square in the middle of her forehead, with rose colored stripes on her cheeks. She bowed, then came over to Ayame.
"Good morning Lady Ayame, I am Keiko. Lord Sesshoumaru has asked that I see to it that you have bathed and dressed before going down and eating breakfast."
Ayame sniffed the air and agreed that she needed a bath. She nodded her head, then wrapped the blanket around her, tucked in the corner and stood. Gathering up the fresh bandages and Kimono, she followed Keiko outside and into the hall.
Before following the kitsune to the hotspring she spoke, "I would prefer to bathe alone and dress alone if that's alright?"
Keiko turned around and regarded her, "Of course Lady Ayame." She said with a smile.
Ayame could tell that she was going to become quick friends with Keiko. Ayame smiled back, then looked confusedly down the hall, then in the other direction. "Uhh, so which way to the hotspring?"
"You go straight down this hall, turn right, then left twice, right once more, then straight. You should come to a big wooden door with carvings of dogs on it. Behind that door is the hotspring."
"Striaght, right, left twice, right, straight." Ayame repeated.
"That's correct." Keiko said. "Is there anything else Lady Ayame?"
Ayame pondered this for a moment then replied, "Just one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Please, just call me Ayame. I don't like having my status raised above others. I'm no different from you so I would like you to address me as such." She smiled at Keiko.
"As you wish, Ayame."
Ayame nodded her head, then made her way towards the hotspring. She was admirering all of the paintings and the intricate patterns upon the rugs, when finally she was in front of a pair of large wooden doors. Sure enough, there were carvings of dogs on the doors. She traced the carvings with her fingers and wondered at their craftsmanship. She then pushed open the door and entered the room. Walking over to the side of the hotspring, she undid the blanket, then her breast wrapings and neatly put them in a pile. She placed the kimono and fresh bandages off to the side, so as not to get them wet. She washed herself off, then slid into the refreshingly warm water. Sighing to herself, she slid down in the water until only from her nose up was left above the surface.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*In Sesshoumaru's room*
While Ayame was bathing Sesshoumaru was in his room looking out over his lands from his balcony. He had gone in this morning to give Ayame the kimono to wear and was surprised to find her asleep. She had been laying on her right side (A/N The uninjured side) and the blanket had fallen down to her hips. It layed smoothly untop of her and formed into her curves. Her hair was splayed about her and was gently falling over her face. Sesshoumaru moved some strands behind her ear and marveled at their silky texture. He then looked over her face. Her long, dark eyelashes fanned out across the cream color of her skin and her lips were slightly parted, drawing in slow and steady breaths of air.
Her intoxicating scent was thick in the air and he found himself being overcome by the sudden urge to claim her lips. To taste her and know every inch of her. He caught himself leaning over, closing the space between them. Fighting to regain control, he stood then left and retreated to his room.
'How is it that I can fight off armies of demons, but one woman can make me become so weak?' He thought to himself. He sighed to himself then exited his chamber and slowly made his way to the dinning room to await Ayame's arrival.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Back at the hotsprings*
Ayame had just gotten out of the hotspring and was drying off. She put the fresh bandages onto her wounds, then used the rest to bind her breasts. After drying her hair off and de-poofing her tail, she dressed in the kimono. She was surprised to find it to actually be comfortable. She combed her hair, then exited the room. Waiting outside was Keiko.
She bowed then gestured for Ayame to follow her. "Lord Sesshoumaru is awaiting your presence in the dinning room."
Ayame followed Keiko and mentally noted which halls they took and which directions they turned. A few minutes passed and they came to another set of large doors. These ones, however, seemed strangly ordinary. Keiko stated that this was the dinning room and that she waste no time entering. She then bowed once more and left. Not knowing what to expect, Ayame took a deep breath and pushed open the doors. She entered and took in the appearance of the room. It was rather large and had a high ceiling where a chandelier hung down. It was not needed at the moment because the sun was coming through the set of large windows on both sides of the walls. The walls were an ivory-white and had oak moldings. She also noticed that the floor was a large rug which had a full moon and what looked like a family of dogs on it. There was a light tugging at the bottom of Ayame's kimono and she brought her attention to the little girl looking up at her.
Ayame bent down to the child's level and smiled at her, "Hello, I'm Ayame. What's your name?"
The child gave her a smile back and answered, "Rin's name is Rin."
Ayame laughed at how she refered to herself in the third person, "It's nice to meet you Rin."
Rin smiled even bigger then began to jump up and down, "Will Ayame- chan play with Rin in the garden after breakfast?"
"I'd love to Rin." With that Rin began to shout noises of excitment and Ayame laughed.
They stopped, though, when a loud "Ahem" brought their attention to the demon sitting at the head of the table.
Ayame stood and walked over to the table, whereas Rin ran over and took her seat to Sesshoumaru's right. Ayame was gestured to take the seat to his left and she did. They were brought their meals and they ate in silence. Rin had hurridly eaten hers and was now waiting patiently for Ayame to finish her own. Ayame was a little nervous at the silence and was thankful that the second she was done and had placed her chopsticks down, Rin had stood up, run over to her, and dragged her outside.
Once outside Ayame released the breath that she didn't even know she was holding. Rin lead her over to a flower patch and then began to pick some. Ayame's mind was flooded with memories from her childhood, but quickly pushed them aside. Looking over at Ayame, Rin saw the sad look on her face. She came over to Ayame and gazed up at her with concern on her face. Ayame smiled down at Rin and gently spoke.
"You know, when I was a little girl, I used to love to pick flowers too."
Rin then seeing her smile, also did so. "So how come you don't like to anymore?"
"Well, it's not that I don't like to, it's just that I never had the time to." Wanting to change the topic, Ayame quickly added, "Come on, I'll show you how to make them into wreaths."
With that the two went about picking flowers that they thought were pretty. Once they had enough, they went and sat in the shade underneath a tree. Ayame showed Rin how to weave the flowers together and into a wreath. Once she finished with hers, Ayame placed it on top of Rin's head, who squealed in delight, then returned to making hers.
Sesshoumaru had just entered the garden and was greeted with the site of Ayame and Rin sitting under a tree. He watched as Rin placed a wreath of blue and white flowers on top of Ayame's head and in return Ayame laughed. Sesshoumaru inwardly smiled at the scene, however, his usual emotionless mask made it seem as if nothing had happened. He made his way towards the two and watched as they both turned their attetntion to him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Yelled Rin. "Look what Ayame-chan made Rin!" She pointed to the wreath of pink and yellow flowers on her head.
"It's very nice Rin, but could you excuse us for a moment, I need to speak with Ayame." He stated more then asked.
Rin nodded her head then ran off to pick some more flowers. Ayame watched her go, then noticed Sesshoumaru sit down in front of her. There was a stretch of silence in which the two just stared at one another. Ayame was the one to break the silence.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" She asked.
Sesshoumaru just stared at her for a minute, then spoke. "I want to know everything. How you got injured, why you came here, and why you didn't go to your village instead."
Ayame sighed, "I had a feeling you would want to know that. Alright, I'll tell you."
Ayame began to recount the events that lead up to this. She told him of how Naraku had slaughtered and burned her village down, how it was Watari's wish that Naraku did this, how she had then traveled with InuYasha for awhile, and then how she battled with one of Naraku's puppets, got injured, and ran to his lands. When she finished, Sesshoumaru was shocked, even though he didn't show it.
'How could so much happen in just one year.' He mentally asked himself.
He was brought out of his thoughts by her voice, "I'm sorry if my coming here has inconvenienced you. If you would like, I will leave. But I just wanted to be able to see you one more time and to apologize for not being able to come here with you a year ago." After saying this, her eyes became downcast and she turned her head to the side. She awaited his answer and hoped that he would not turn her away. She then felt Sesshoumaru place his fingers under her chin and turn her head so that her eyes would meet his. She looked into the depths of his golden orbs and remembered that a year ago, they had been like this and she was expecting the same answer as last time. She was expecting him to leave her life once more. When he spoke she focused every ounce of her being onto his words.
"Ayame, I do not wish for you to leave." Was all he said, but it was enough to bring tears to her eyes. They slid down her cheeks and she smiled then threw her arms around his neck and embraced him. Sesshoumaru welcomed the embrace and found himself snaking his arms around her waist. He heard her thank him and he nodded. He then brought his face down and he nuzzled her neck. He remembered how he felt this morning when he saw her sleeping. He gently kissed the crook of her neck and felt her stiffen then relax. He licked his lips and was drawn into the heavenly taste of her. He wanted more, but was denied when she pulled away from him.
Ayame had been shocked at the feel of his warm lips on her neck. She wasn't expecting it, but she quickly got over that. Honestly she had enjoyed it, but she reluctantly pulled out of his arms, not wanting to start anything out here, especially since Rin was close by. Another stretch of silence consumed the two and Ayame found herself shift under Sesshoumaru's gaze. Trying to break the silence once more, Ayame asked the first thing that came to mind.
"I thought you didn't like humans, so how come you keep one around you?"
Sesshoumaru had also thought about that on many occassions, so he already had an answer for that. "Because she is different."
Accepting his vague answer, Ayame turned her attention over towards Rin who was sitting down and had a pile of flower wreaths next to her. Ayame smiled and had her attention brought back to Sesshoumaru when he asked her a question.
"Why did you never tell me you were the daughter of the eastern lord and lady?"
Caught off guard by that question Ayame countered his question with one of her own, "How come you never told me you were the lord of the western lands?"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. He wanted his question answered and she was trying to avoid it. Seeing that that wasn't the answer he wanted she only offered one more reply, "Would it have made a difference if I had told you?"
"Yes it would have." Calmly stated Sesshoumaru.
"Oh yeah, how so?"
"I would have respected you more and accepted your help more freely."
Ayame's eyebrows twitched together and she glared at Sesshoumaru, "You don't respect me?" She asked, anger laced in with her words.
Sesshoumaru smirked, then leaned over towards her so that there was only an inch of space between them. "Back then I didn't, but now...I happen to hold you in the highest respect."
Ayame judged the distance between then and thought that Sesshoumaru was going to close it and kiss her. She was mentally hoping he would, but was disappointed when he drew back. Sesshoumaru then stood up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." That said he turned around and strode towards the house. He smirked while walking, happy with how things had just gone.
Ayame shook her head, then went over to Rin who now had a large stack of wreaths next to her. The two stayed outside for an hour longer, then were called inside for lunch. Sesshoumaru did not join them for luch or for dinner that day. Ayame had made her way back to her room after tucking Rin in for bed and was now changing into a sleeping yukata that she had found laying on the end of the bed. She walked over to the balcony and leaned onto the rail, while looking out over the scenery that was before her. She thought about where InuYasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara were. She thought that they were probably worried sick about her. She sighed and turned away from the window. She would have to ask Sesshoumaru tomorrow if she could go and see them and let them know that she was alright. Ayame then layed down in bed and got comfortable. She smiled, remembering what had happened between her and Sesshoumaru.
'He wants me to stay.' Where her last thoughts before drifting off to sleep.
Woohoo! Another chapter done. I know I left Inu and the gang out of this chapter, but they will be in the next one. I hope this chapter wasn't too boring. I haven't forgotten about Ayame avenging the villagers either. That will come into play soon. I will probably have Karisou appear again, although maybe not for awhile, I dunno I haven't decided yet. When I was typing this chapter out I accidentally hit the restart button with my toe and it erased some parts. Sheesh how clumsy am I? Good thing I had it saved and it only erased a few paragraphs. I would have gotten really angry if I hadn't saved it at all. Anyways, now it's review time! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and until the next one...see ya!
~Aries
Ivan's Kitsune: Yay! You got your computer back! Sorry about your world history test. I had to take that class last year and I didn't know alot of the people also. Woohoo go us! But I'm sure you probably did fine. Now I have to take American history and there are TONS of people I have to know *rubs temples because of a major headache from just thinking about all of the people*. Honestly I can't understand why we need to take some of these classes. How are they gonna benifit us in the future? And I speak English, so why do I need to learn about it? Grrrr, it makes me so mad sometimes to think about how our government is wasting my brain space by making me learn stupid crap that I won't use in the future. *Takes a deep breath and counts to ten*, Phew , now that that's out of my system. Thanks for your review! I hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: *Aries slowly opens her door and peeks outside. Doesn't see anyone so exits.* "Hahaha I have escaped. Sesshoumaru thought he could get me back. Phish, yeah right." *Stops because of a low growl eminating from behind her.* "Uh oh." "Uh oh is right wench!" *Sesshoumaru leaps at Aries and pins her down to the ground.* "So, you thought pouring your water on me would be funny, did you?" *Aries starts laughing,* "Yeah I did, as a matter of fact." *Sesshoumaru growls and Aries stops laughing.* "Well, you won't think it's funny anymore after what I do to you next." "I'm not worried, cause you can't do anything to me or else this story won't get finished." *Sesshoumaru thinks that she has a point, but then comes up with another solution.* *The scene changes to that of a dark and musty dungeon. A recording can be heard playing over and over again saying, 'Aries does not own InuYasha.' Aries is seen hanging from the wall with shackles around her wrists. She is happily typing on a laptop with her toes and singing to block out the annoying recording.*
Chapter Nine: Sunshine
Ayame awoke the next morning with the sun shining in her eyes. She pulled the blanket up over her heard. After a few minutes of being unable to fall back to sleep, she gave up. Sitting up in bed, she stretched her back. She gazed outside and thought that she was getting lazy because she would usually have been up hours before the sun decided to rise. She looked to her right and found that there were fresh bandages for her wounds and also...a kimono. Ayame wrinkled her nose in disgust. She never really enjoyed wearing kimonos. She found them to be restricting and tight. Picking it up in her hands she gasped. Even though she disliked wearing them, didn't mean that it wasn't beautiful. It was made of white silk and had black stitchings of willow trees on it. There was also a see-through black lace obi to match it. Ayame was brought out of her shock at the garment by a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." She replied.
The door opened and in came a female kitsune. She was wearing a plain outfit and was with out a doubt a servant. She also had short, reddish- brown hair, pink eyes, and a ruby square in the middle of her forehead, with rose colored stripes on her cheeks. She bowed, then came over to Ayame.
"Good morning Lady Ayame, I am Keiko. Lord Sesshoumaru has asked that I see to it that you have bathed and dressed before going down and eating breakfast."
Ayame sniffed the air and agreed that she needed a bath. She nodded her head, then wrapped the blanket around her, tucked in the corner and stood. Gathering up the fresh bandages and Kimono, she followed Keiko outside and into the hall.
Before following the kitsune to the hotspring she spoke, "I would prefer to bathe alone and dress alone if that's alright?"
Keiko turned around and regarded her, "Of course Lady Ayame." She said with a smile.
Ayame could tell that she was going to become quick friends with Keiko. Ayame smiled back, then looked confusedly down the hall, then in the other direction. "Uhh, so which way to the hotspring?"
"You go straight down this hall, turn right, then left twice, right once more, then straight. You should come to a big wooden door with carvings of dogs on it. Behind that door is the hotspring."
"Striaght, right, left twice, right, straight." Ayame repeated.
"That's correct." Keiko said. "Is there anything else Lady Ayame?"
Ayame pondered this for a moment then replied, "Just one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Please, just call me Ayame. I don't like having my status raised above others. I'm no different from you so I would like you to address me as such." She smiled at Keiko.
"As you wish, Ayame."
Ayame nodded her head, then made her way towards the hotspring. She was admirering all of the paintings and the intricate patterns upon the rugs, when finally she was in front of a pair of large wooden doors. Sure enough, there were carvings of dogs on the doors. She traced the carvings with her fingers and wondered at their craftsmanship. She then pushed open the door and entered the room. Walking over to the side of the hotspring, she undid the blanket, then her breast wrapings and neatly put them in a pile. She placed the kimono and fresh bandages off to the side, so as not to get them wet. She washed herself off, then slid into the refreshingly warm water. Sighing to herself, she slid down in the water until only from her nose up was left above the surface.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*In Sesshoumaru's room*
While Ayame was bathing Sesshoumaru was in his room looking out over his lands from his balcony. He had gone in this morning to give Ayame the kimono to wear and was surprised to find her asleep. She had been laying on her right side (A/N The uninjured side) and the blanket had fallen down to her hips. It layed smoothly untop of her and formed into her curves. Her hair was splayed about her and was gently falling over her face. Sesshoumaru moved some strands behind her ear and marveled at their silky texture. He then looked over her face. Her long, dark eyelashes fanned out across the cream color of her skin and her lips were slightly parted, drawing in slow and steady breaths of air.
Her intoxicating scent was thick in the air and he found himself being overcome by the sudden urge to claim her lips. To taste her and know every inch of her. He caught himself leaning over, closing the space between them. Fighting to regain control, he stood then left and retreated to his room.
'How is it that I can fight off armies of demons, but one woman can make me become so weak?' He thought to himself. He sighed to himself then exited his chamber and slowly made his way to the dinning room to await Ayame's arrival.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Back at the hotsprings*
Ayame had just gotten out of the hotspring and was drying off. She put the fresh bandages onto her wounds, then used the rest to bind her breasts. After drying her hair off and de-poofing her tail, she dressed in the kimono. She was surprised to find it to actually be comfortable. She combed her hair, then exited the room. Waiting outside was Keiko.
She bowed then gestured for Ayame to follow her. "Lord Sesshoumaru is awaiting your presence in the dinning room."
Ayame followed Keiko and mentally noted which halls they took and which directions they turned. A few minutes passed and they came to another set of large doors. These ones, however, seemed strangly ordinary. Keiko stated that this was the dinning room and that she waste no time entering. She then bowed once more and left. Not knowing what to expect, Ayame took a deep breath and pushed open the doors. She entered and took in the appearance of the room. It was rather large and had a high ceiling where a chandelier hung down. It was not needed at the moment because the sun was coming through the set of large windows on both sides of the walls. The walls were an ivory-white and had oak moldings. She also noticed that the floor was a large rug which had a full moon and what looked like a family of dogs on it. There was a light tugging at the bottom of Ayame's kimono and she brought her attention to the little girl looking up at her.
Ayame bent down to the child's level and smiled at her, "Hello, I'm Ayame. What's your name?"
The child gave her a smile back and answered, "Rin's name is Rin."
Ayame laughed at how she refered to herself in the third person, "It's nice to meet you Rin."
Rin smiled even bigger then began to jump up and down, "Will Ayame- chan play with Rin in the garden after breakfast?"
"I'd love to Rin." With that Rin began to shout noises of excitment and Ayame laughed.
They stopped, though, when a loud "Ahem" brought their attention to the demon sitting at the head of the table.
Ayame stood and walked over to the table, whereas Rin ran over and took her seat to Sesshoumaru's right. Ayame was gestured to take the seat to his left and she did. They were brought their meals and they ate in silence. Rin had hurridly eaten hers and was now waiting patiently for Ayame to finish her own. Ayame was a little nervous at the silence and was thankful that the second she was done and had placed her chopsticks down, Rin had stood up, run over to her, and dragged her outside.
Once outside Ayame released the breath that she didn't even know she was holding. Rin lead her over to a flower patch and then began to pick some. Ayame's mind was flooded with memories from her childhood, but quickly pushed them aside. Looking over at Ayame, Rin saw the sad look on her face. She came over to Ayame and gazed up at her with concern on her face. Ayame smiled down at Rin and gently spoke.
"You know, when I was a little girl, I used to love to pick flowers too."
Rin then seeing her smile, also did so. "So how come you don't like to anymore?"
"Well, it's not that I don't like to, it's just that I never had the time to." Wanting to change the topic, Ayame quickly added, "Come on, I'll show you how to make them into wreaths."
With that the two went about picking flowers that they thought were pretty. Once they had enough, they went and sat in the shade underneath a tree. Ayame showed Rin how to weave the flowers together and into a wreath. Once she finished with hers, Ayame placed it on top of Rin's head, who squealed in delight, then returned to making hers.
Sesshoumaru had just entered the garden and was greeted with the site of Ayame and Rin sitting under a tree. He watched as Rin placed a wreath of blue and white flowers on top of Ayame's head and in return Ayame laughed. Sesshoumaru inwardly smiled at the scene, however, his usual emotionless mask made it seem as if nothing had happened. He made his way towards the two and watched as they both turned their attetntion to him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Yelled Rin. "Look what Ayame-chan made Rin!" She pointed to the wreath of pink and yellow flowers on her head.
"It's very nice Rin, but could you excuse us for a moment, I need to speak with Ayame." He stated more then asked.
Rin nodded her head then ran off to pick some more flowers. Ayame watched her go, then noticed Sesshoumaru sit down in front of her. There was a stretch of silence in which the two just stared at one another. Ayame was the one to break the silence.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" She asked.
Sesshoumaru just stared at her for a minute, then spoke. "I want to know everything. How you got injured, why you came here, and why you didn't go to your village instead."
Ayame sighed, "I had a feeling you would want to know that. Alright, I'll tell you."
Ayame began to recount the events that lead up to this. She told him of how Naraku had slaughtered and burned her village down, how it was Watari's wish that Naraku did this, how she had then traveled with InuYasha for awhile, and then how she battled with one of Naraku's puppets, got injured, and ran to his lands. When she finished, Sesshoumaru was shocked, even though he didn't show it.
'How could so much happen in just one year.' He mentally asked himself.
He was brought out of his thoughts by her voice, "I'm sorry if my coming here has inconvenienced you. If you would like, I will leave. But I just wanted to be able to see you one more time and to apologize for not being able to come here with you a year ago." After saying this, her eyes became downcast and she turned her head to the side. She awaited his answer and hoped that he would not turn her away. She then felt Sesshoumaru place his fingers under her chin and turn her head so that her eyes would meet his. She looked into the depths of his golden orbs and remembered that a year ago, they had been like this and she was expecting the same answer as last time. She was expecting him to leave her life once more. When he spoke she focused every ounce of her being onto his words.
"Ayame, I do not wish for you to leave." Was all he said, but it was enough to bring tears to her eyes. They slid down her cheeks and she smiled then threw her arms around his neck and embraced him. Sesshoumaru welcomed the embrace and found himself snaking his arms around her waist. He heard her thank him and he nodded. He then brought his face down and he nuzzled her neck. He remembered how he felt this morning when he saw her sleeping. He gently kissed the crook of her neck and felt her stiffen then relax. He licked his lips and was drawn into the heavenly taste of her. He wanted more, but was denied when she pulled away from him.
Ayame had been shocked at the feel of his warm lips on her neck. She wasn't expecting it, but she quickly got over that. Honestly she had enjoyed it, but she reluctantly pulled out of his arms, not wanting to start anything out here, especially since Rin was close by. Another stretch of silence consumed the two and Ayame found herself shift under Sesshoumaru's gaze. Trying to break the silence once more, Ayame asked the first thing that came to mind.
"I thought you didn't like humans, so how come you keep one around you?"
Sesshoumaru had also thought about that on many occassions, so he already had an answer for that. "Because she is different."
Accepting his vague answer, Ayame turned her attention over towards Rin who was sitting down and had a pile of flower wreaths next to her. Ayame smiled and had her attention brought back to Sesshoumaru when he asked her a question.
"Why did you never tell me you were the daughter of the eastern lord and lady?"
Caught off guard by that question Ayame countered his question with one of her own, "How come you never told me you were the lord of the western lands?"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. He wanted his question answered and she was trying to avoid it. Seeing that that wasn't the answer he wanted she only offered one more reply, "Would it have made a difference if I had told you?"
"Yes it would have." Calmly stated Sesshoumaru.
"Oh yeah, how so?"
"I would have respected you more and accepted your help more freely."
Ayame's eyebrows twitched together and she glared at Sesshoumaru, "You don't respect me?" She asked, anger laced in with her words.
Sesshoumaru smirked, then leaned over towards her so that there was only an inch of space between them. "Back then I didn't, but now...I happen to hold you in the highest respect."
Ayame judged the distance between then and thought that Sesshoumaru was going to close it and kiss her. She was mentally hoping he would, but was disappointed when he drew back. Sesshoumaru then stood up.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." That said he turned around and strode towards the house. He smirked while walking, happy with how things had just gone.
Ayame shook her head, then went over to Rin who now had a large stack of wreaths next to her. The two stayed outside for an hour longer, then were called inside for lunch. Sesshoumaru did not join them for luch or for dinner that day. Ayame had made her way back to her room after tucking Rin in for bed and was now changing into a sleeping yukata that she had found laying on the end of the bed. She walked over to the balcony and leaned onto the rail, while looking out over the scenery that was before her. She thought about where InuYasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara were. She thought that they were probably worried sick about her. She sighed and turned away from the window. She would have to ask Sesshoumaru tomorrow if she could go and see them and let them know that she was alright. Ayame then layed down in bed and got comfortable. She smiled, remembering what had happened between her and Sesshoumaru.
'He wants me to stay.' Where her last thoughts before drifting off to sleep.
Woohoo! Another chapter done. I know I left Inu and the gang out of this chapter, but they will be in the next one. I hope this chapter wasn't too boring. I haven't forgotten about Ayame avenging the villagers either. That will come into play soon. I will probably have Karisou appear again, although maybe not for awhile, I dunno I haven't decided yet. When I was typing this chapter out I accidentally hit the restart button with my toe and it erased some parts. Sheesh how clumsy am I? Good thing I had it saved and it only erased a few paragraphs. I would have gotten really angry if I hadn't saved it at all. Anyways, now it's review time! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and until the next one...see ya!
~Aries