"I've gotta let her go (What happened.)
(What happened then.)
Never let it up, let it up, let it up.
Ah! Let it up. I dont want this to go away (Go away.)
I'm so scared (Going away.)
I can't stand what's going on (It's going away.)
We all crumble (It's still gonna go away.)
(It's still gonna go away.)
We crumble under pressure (pressure.)
Pressure (pressure.)
I can't go living on..."

-Korn 'It's Gonna Go Away'-

After the miko had passed out from blood loss at the tree, Sesshomaru had battled with himself as to what action he should take. 'Leave her to die.' It was simple, easy and could not complicate his life. So why did he feel so guilty when he had first walked away from her fallen form? Could it be that she really wasn't the ningen that had annoyed him so many years ago? Her emotions did not overwhelm her as they had in the past, nor did it seem her annoying loyalty to his half-brother remained, but he could not place why it was she was no longer at his side. But than again, could he really say that he hated her even then? She had not intently tried to harm him, she only wished to protect Inu-yasha and her friends from his wrath. She had never outwardly attacked him, and at times he hated to admit that she intrigued him.

With a growl he had returned to the miko's side and without concern slung her body over his shoulder. Of course the one that was not spiked with armor, it would not do well to further injur the woman. Why he cared, he would not dare to follow-up with hours of thought. He presumed it was only because she had held her own against him, and therefore earned some sort of respect, even if it was marginal. She was still a ningen.

A human that Rin had adored, a human that had battled many demons for the good of the world. A human who had sacrificed more than anyone else would in order to beat Naraku. A human, that no matter how many times she was attacked, could never truly be comfortable with the idea of killing anyone, even a demon. She was a strange one to say the least, more so now that she had suddenly reappeared after years of absence. The cloud had formed without much of a stray thought from the taiyoukai before he had taken to air, whisking over the treetops. He did not have to go far, since the miko had trespassed on his own land. Why was she there exactly?

He would not have sacrificed the purity of his private balcony to land upon, no matter how physically injured the miko had been, instead he had landed right at the front entrance, and had walked quickly into the waiting halls. He never shouted, barely even raised a voice unless he was provoked. His servants had been trained to come running even if he barely whispered their name. It soon developed into the point where the servants would meet him at the door when they were aware of his arrival. Sakuya, a neko youkai had been the first to reach her Masters side. Handing over the miko, he had spewed out directions.

"Take her to one of the empty guest rooms and clean her wound. If she wakes up and protests, I don't care what you do, just keep her from bothering me."

He hadn't even waited to see the servants reactions, just retreated to the safety of his room, where he launched himself into the private springs. The miko's scent was all over him, as well as the copper scent of her blood. It was vile! Forget that it was a curious scent, the pure fact that she was human had him clawing at his own flesh to rid himself of it. His clothing wasn't even retrievable. He would have to reprimand the miko for bleeding on him, to think that she had the right to do such a thing. He threw them to the fire, and instead dressed himself in a pure white outfit, with no sign of color or decoration, just as the miko's had been.

It would have been quite a sight to see the Lord of the Western Lands as he exited the water. Sun-red from his scrubbings, his hair dripping wet around his shoulders, his face contorted with the anger of having to burn his favorite clothing. He had entertained the idea of striding into the guest room, and throwing the miko out of the window, curious to see if she might land on her feet in agility, or hit the ground with her backside. He had spent most of the next few moments sorting through different scenario's, all of which brought some sort of morbid smile to his face.

That is until the neko youkai Sakuya knocked onto his door. When he gave her permission to enter, she bowed before her, her head lower respectively to keep her eyes from his.

"The miko has been cleaned and bandaged. She is still in sleep, but she should be awakening soon. Should I send her on her way when she revives?"

It had been an innocent question, but Sesshomaru had stood up and walked out of his room past the girl. No, he would do it himself. He stalked down the corridor, his hand twitching with the urge to fling her from his abode and scrub the entire room of her presence. It had truly been in his plan to rid her, but when he had entered (alone of course) the sight in front of him prevented any logical thought to cross further in his mind.

The miko was on the bed, her shoulders and upper chest bandaged from her wound. Her brow was drenched in sweat, curling the small hairs closest to her temples from the heat. Her entire body was softly thrashing around, her face contorted in pain and despair. He had crouched down and made his way closer to her bedside, watching as she moved about restlessly. He could not be sure what it was that had her in such a bind, but he couldn't help but stare at her mouth as he heard her words.

'Good-bye....my love.'

Was she dreaming of Inu-yasha? He jumped back, almost out of his skin when she screamed, pressing his back against the wall, his heart-beat was lashing against his ribcage ferociously. He would not admit that her sudden noise had scared him from his calm outside. Her scent was laced heavily with her emotions, making the Lord grow weak in the knee's at the overwhelming intensity of it all.

He could hear her start to awaken, her whimpers did not escape his sensitive hearing. Steeling himself to look as impassive and calm as always, he leaned against the wall, though his heart was still hammering. Now, he was curious. Why did Inu-yasha cause her such violent and dreadful nightmares? All thoughts of tossing her from the bed and out the window, was quite literally destroyed. It was only curiousity that kept him from ridding himself of her, nothing else.

"Finally awake? Lazy miko, never seen someone sleep through a whole day...."

That was all that he could think to say at the moment, watching as her blue eyes flashed over to hold his own gaze. He growled, but she could not hear it with her dull senses.'Do you not eye me such as that!' Was what he wanted to say, but instead he turned on the balls of his feet and exited quickly. He would retreat to his study for the rest of the day, he did have matters of his land to ponder over, much more important than a miko to be sure.

He could not help if his steps seemed much more than just a lazy move. As soon as he was in his study, to where her scent from earlier did not tickle his senses, he collapsed in his chair, feeling his tail move about in agitation. 'How dare she scream so loud. Does she not know that she could have ruptured this Sesshomaru's ears?'

"Feh...."

He grumbled, before placing his chin on his clenched fist. He stared at the parchment that he should be paying attention to, but found his concentration slipping as his thoughts started to wander to the miko. His feet tapped hopelessly against the floor as he mentally grumbled and whined over his conflicting emotions. So deep in thought that he did not feel the miko once again awaken, even from this distance. He wasn't even aware as her scent became stronger, didn't even hear the soft knock on the double doors, didn't notice her booted feet step towards him. Only he noticed when her blue eyes were so close to his.

Practically jumping back from surprise, but having the ability to hide such a quick reaction, he stared at the miko, as she was once again dressed in her torn shirt. Her hair was once again smoothed back. If not for the rip in her shirt, and the slight peek of bandage under the shirt, he would have sworn she had never been injured.

"Arigato Lord Sesshomaru for bandaging my wound and letting me rest. I will now find my way out of your life and return to the woods."

She turned as if she naturally pivoted about her whole life, letting the demon to admire how her ponytail moved to her actions. He even watched until she neared the door, but seemed to snap out of his thoughts while her hand was held up. Jumping up to his feet, he slammed his palm down onto the desk.

"This Sesshomaru is not through with you miko. You owe me for what I have done."

He wanted to inwardly clap his hand over his mouth, and hope that she had not heard what he had just said. Not that he feared her reaction, he feared why he had reacted as he had. He should be glad that she would leave so quickly without a fight or an arguement. He would have had no problem watching her walk out off the premises and disappear forever, but he had yet to have his curiosity filled! He watched as she looked over her shoulder, her calm face almost irritating him to the brink of anger.

"Oh, and what is it that you would have me to in return for my debt?"

He was shocked to say the least, that she did not fight against his words. She knew that she was in his debt for helping her, she knew that he could state how to be repayed, and do it without so much a second thought. He hadn't even meant to say what he had, but the sudden prospect of not having what he wanted ate at him. He wanted answers. His eyes flickered back and forth, though she would not be able to see since his head was slightly bent down. What could he ask of her, that he would be able to permit without too much revulsion?

Looking down to the stump that was left of his arm, a wicked grin spread across his mental features.

"For helping you in your time of need, you must give me back my arm, which was stolen from me by Inu-yasha."

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Authors Note:

ScreaminChild: Well, considering that this story has been up for barely a day, I think I have done well with updating, since I added three chapters in one day. But I will indeed try to update as fast as I can possibly whip-up another chapter. Thank you for your advice and your review.

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