Hello, everyone! I'm so glad you're reading this story, as it is currently my favorite (and longest). So sorry it's been so long since my last posting. Please send me a review!

I'd like to thank Kat Morning for the setting of my story, which is based on the alternate universe of her inu fanfic "Blood Ties."

Disclaimer: I do not own Sesshomeru, Jakkin, Rin, Koga, or any other Inuyasha characters. They are owned by their author/creator, Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 15: What Dreams May Come

"Boss, I bought the stuff you wanted," Koga called as he entered Sesshomeru's apartment. "What should I do with the bags?"

"Bring them in. Koga, I would like you to meet Sanada Kura."

Sesshomeru, Kura, Rin and Jakkin had just finished eating the meal Sesshomeru had prepared. He was be a demon lord, but he was also an excellent cook. Kura looked up at the visitor in surprise. He was another demon, attractive in a cocky way.

"Ah, the lady. I assume these items are for you?" Koga drew closer, and Kura noticed he smelled strongly of cheap cologne. He handed her the two shopping bags, and Kura pulled out a pair of formfitting slacks, a leather belt with knife sheaths, and a pair of side-zip leather boots. In the other bag she found a tank top similar to the one she had been wearing when she first encountered Sesshomeru, only this one had no tears or bloodstains, and it was made from silk; there was also a set of throwing knives and a jacket lined with fleece but made from raincoat material.

"It's the lightest, most flexible armor money can buy," Koga told her. "Look." He stabbed the jacket with one of the knives, but the knife couldn't penetrate the weave or slice through the fibers. "Impressive, eh? Oh, and this is yours, too." He handed Kura the choker bearing the Council's crest, the broken link repaired.

"I thought I'd lost it," Kura admitted. "Why are you giving me all this?"

"Don't look at me," Koga said defensively, "It was bossman's money and instructions."

"I destroyed your old clothes; I cannot abide the smell of vampire blood. Replacing them wasn't a concern at the time, but now that you have agreed to serve me, proper attire was a necessity." Sesshomeru's voice had a hint of disgust, and it pleased Kura immeasurably to know he didn't approve of her style.

Rin leaned over. "Cool pants. Could I try them on?"

"Absolutely not, Rin. Masculine garb may be appropriate for a fighter, but it is not appropriate for the daughter of a demon lord." Sesshomeru glared at Rin, who muttered, "Phooey," and sat back in her chair. Kura covered her grin with a hand. Even the fabled Lord of the Western Lands couldn't squelch Rin's unruly disposition.

Kura fumbled with the catch of the choker. Her hands were still stiff from the glass cuts. Koga reached over to help, and took the opportunity to bury his nose in her hair and lick her ear. The demon hunter's reaction was instinctive: she leaned her head back with enough force to knock the wolf demon down.

"Perhaps it would be better if I helped, hmm?" Sesshomeru asked, and there was a hint of a smirk at the corners of his mouth. The demon lord's hands were cool against her throat, and Kura told herself firmly that was the only reason she felt a shiver down her spine. His fingers traced the choker, ensuring that there were no twists and that the sigil was in front, resting over her adam's apple. He ran delicate fingers, feather-light, over the sensitive skin where the jawbone meets the neck. Kura could feel the blood rushing to her face, and she moved her head a fraction of an inch forward, shrugging off the slight caress. Was she only imagining that Sesshomeru's care was rather . . . personal? Or was he teasing her?

At her rebuff, the demon lord stiffened abruptly. He picked up the empty serving dish with white-knuckled hands. Rin, fearing broken crockery, assured her foster father that she would take care of the dishes. "Good night," she chirruped and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I have University classes in the morning, so I'll be home at--"

Sesshomeru cut in, "No, you will stay with a friend tomorrow night. One of your friends who lives outside the city." His voice allowed no disagreement.

"Hai, Sesshomeru-sama," she agreed quietly. "I'll call Megumi."

"Jakkin? You will accompany her, but remain hidden."

"As you wish, my lord," the toad demon agreed with a bow.

At 3 AM, Sesshomeru gave up on getting to sleep that night. The stakes of this gamble were simply too high for him to relax. He got up from the couch paced in the darkness. He decided to use some of his nervous energy in a workout, but he stopped outside the main bedroom. Kura was crying. He pushed open the door, and heard her say, "Oneechan, gomen nasai. Neechan . . ." She was having a nightmare, and Sesshomeru thought she looked defenseless and childlike. Like Rin. "Neechan!" she yelled, and flung her arms out, twisting and turning. "SISTER!"

"Kisama, if you don't stop that, you'll wake Rin," Sesshomeru said. He caught her wrists and continued, "Kura, wake up. Kura."

The young woman's eyes didn't open, but she cringed away from the demon and said, "Don't hurt me. Please, stop!" Sesshomeru was confused; was she awake or not? "Neechan, it's me. It's me! Sister, you're hurting me." Kura twisted and struggled in a sudden, convulsive surge, then went limp.

"Well, it's over now," Sesshomeru thought as he released her wrists and took a step toward the door. Then he heard her crying again.

He heard the whisper, "What have I done? Oh my God . . . Forgive me, sister, please . . ." Sesshomeru growled in annoyance and grabbed her shoulder to shake her awake, but she curled against his arm like a cat. Cautiously, he sat in the bed and placed her head in his lap. The words soon stopped. After several minutes of stroking her short, fine hair, the weeping also ceased. She slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep. Sesshomeru's head nodded, and he also fell asleep, his chin resting on his chest and the demon hunter curled around his legs.