Yami Midnight: You know what I've noticed? Our chapters keep getting shorter.

Midnight: Really?

Yami Midnight: Yeah, the last one only had 730 words, and the first one had over 900!

Midnight: We need to fix that... Let's see what we can manage in this chapter!

Yami Midnight: Way to optimistic, as usual. [Sigh]

Sesshoumaru to the Rescue!

Far away, in the castle of the eastern lands, Sesshoumaru felt Katiyo's cry for help. He had started to get concerned when he felt grief. When he felt pain, he had half a mind to go see what was happening, but he didn't take action until now. Through the link he had to Katiyo's emotions, he could tell she was dying. He leapt out his bedroom window and started racing faster than light, zeroing in on Katiyo's location.

When he found her lying in a clearing, she was not dead yet, but very close. He pulled out his Tensaiga and looked around Katiyo's body. There, hovering nearby, were the goblins from the underworld, ready to feast on her soul. With one sweep of his sword, he killed them all, and then sheathed his sword. Gently he picked up the bloody mess that was a girl, and called out.

"I am leaving now, and taking this girl with me, alive. Should anyone object, they will surely meet sudden and painful death." Without another glance, he vanished into thin air, the girl in his arms. From the shadows emerged six old falcons.

"We cannot inform the flock of our failure to kill one miserable girl. We must make sure she dies." Said one of the younger ones.

"And I have just the way. Not even this demons mighty sword will be ale to defend against my perfect plan." Said the oldest. He beckoned them closer and anyone passing by would have heard only quiet birdcalls.

When Sesshoumaru disappeared in the clearing he immediately reappeared in his room. He was fresh out of inner magic at the moment, but it was worth it. Had he left Katiyo's body to the mercy of those bloodthirsty falcons, she would have been made into fertilizer. At least, I think it was the falcons. Gently he laid the girl on his bed and yelled for his healer. The man in question flew into the room, took one good look at the mangled demon on the bed, and quickly got to work. After removing the shreds of the outer clothing, he applied healing salve to her many cuts, a special balm on her bruises, and healing magic to a broken arm and three cracked ribs. When he was done, he turned and bowed to Sesshoumaru.

"Well, milord, she'll be all right. She's been royally pounded, though. Lucky you got there when you did. Another few minutes and I wouldn't have been able to do much. She's sleeping soundly now." He said, and then left.

Sesshoumaru was very relieved to hear that Katiyo was all right. He knew Tensaiga had done its job, but it was still nice to know she would have lasting damage. The link in his mind was now pale blue with her peaceful slumber. Careful not to wake her, he dragged the covers over her dwarfed form. Then he quietly left the room.

When Katiyo woke up, everything smelt of Sesshoumaru, even to her weak sense of smell. Surprised, she sat up to fast, and had to fight off a wave of nausea. Looking around, she vaguely remembered the room she was in as Sesshoumaru's.

"How on earth did I get here?"

"That would be my doing," a deep voice said by the door. Sesshoumaru had just walked in and was now leaning on the doorframe. "You've been asleep three days."

"Do I owe you my life again?" she said with a sigh.

"Yes, you do. Now, I would like to know why you were practically in pieces when I found you and why you smelt of your own kind. Why did your flock try to kill you?"

"They are no longer my flock." She answered icily.

"Care to explain why? You owe me."

"Three weeks after I left, they declared me an exile." She was fighting hard to prevent tears, but a few ran down her cheek. Sesshoumaru had the sudden urge to hold her in his arms. He took a few steps closer, then stopped. What am I thinking?

"The elders said they had to kill me because I ran away. Then they threw a spell at me that changed me into my human shape." Her voice was now thick with the attempt to stop her tears. "They chased me with sticks and stones. Some even had arrows. They – they... They killed my parents!" Now Katiyo was very near emotional breakdown, he could smell it. Sesshoumaru found himself walking over to the girl and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She was surprised for only a moment, then started crying into his shirt. Sitting on the bed, he placed her on his lap as she cried for her parents. After about ten minutes, she said,

"I can't stay here, they will try to kill me again. I can't put you in danger."

"What kind of demon lord would I be if I could not defend my castle and the people in it from a bunch of falcons holding a grudge?" Was his answer, and it made Katiyo smile. She really wanted to stay with Sesshoumaru. She told herself it was because her life belonged to him, but she knew there was a deeper meaning.

"Thank you" she whispered. It was at that moment she discovered she had no real clothes on.

"Um...Sesshoumaru? Where did my clothes go?"

"They were in shreds. I am having new ones made for you. In the meantime, you may wear one of my spares." Getting up, he walked over to his closet and drew out a spare shirt and pants.

"I have recovered enough magic to shrink them to your size." He pointed to the clothes in his arms and instantly they shrank. He handed them to her then pointed to the folding wall in the corner.

"You can change back there." She stepped behind the wall and emerged shortly afterwards, dressed in his clothes. They were still quite a bit large.

"They're still a bit big, but it'll do!" she looked at herself, then started giggling,

"What is so funny?" Sesshoumaru demanded.

"I look like a mini you!" She burst out laughing, quite the contrary to the state she was in a few minutes earlier. Sesshoumaru let out a sigh.

"Come, I had a room prepared for you." Retrieving her boots by the door, she followed him out of his room. He led her down the hall, and then opened a door. Inside was a very big room with everything you could need. It was almost as big as Sesshoumaru's. Katiyo's mouth hung open.

"I don't have guests often. I hope this will do."

"It's huge! Thank you!" Sesshoumaru cleared his throat then said awkwardly,

"You should get more rest. You took quite a beating."

"Are you kidding? I'm wide-awake! Could you give me a tour? I'm dying to know what the rest of this place looks like. So far, I've only seen your room."

"Are you sure? There isn't much to see."

"Sure I'm sure! I still would like a tour, please." She made him eyes he just couldn't resist.

"Fine. Don't wander off."

Sesshoumaru showed her his castle. From the useless dining room to his private study. When they arrived at the massive library, Katiyo gasped.

"Look at all the books! There's so many!" Her eyes shone with the sight. Through his link, Sesshoumaru could feel her awe and her love for books.

"Feel free to come here at any time. You may read to your heart's content." Katiyo was so happy that she ran to Sesshoumaru, flung her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"You are without a doubt the most wonderful person on this planet. Thank you so much!" she said when she dropped to the ground. Then, giddy as a schoolgirl, she ran off to go examine nearby titles.

Still in shock, Sesshoumaru touched the place on his cheek where Katiyo had kissed him. Well, that was unexpected, but I'm not complaining.

Midnight: Ah! A good 1,330 words!

Yami Midnight: That's much better.

Midnight: So now Katiyo is staying with Fluffy (Sesshoumaru). What ever happened to the elders' plan to kill her?

Yami Midnight: You'll have to review and wait to find out.

Midnight: TTFN! Ta ta for now. (Let's see if anyone can tell me who says this...)