Patricia awoke with a start. The night sky was crystal clear. The stars twinkled brightly in the light of the half moon. A soft wind blew agenst her as she pulled the covers off the bed roll Malen gave her. Her mind wandered to different places subconsciously. She pulled herself up, after many groans, and wandered around the clearing. She came across a twinkling amidst the grass. Again, her curiosity got the best of her. She reached down and picked up a small necklace with a deep blue crystal pendant.

"Wacha got there?" Pat turned around and came face to face with Malen. Her eyes locked with his and they stood there for a moment, just looking into each other's soul. Patricia felt her hands get warmer but paid it no heed till she felt a slight burning sensation. She looked down and noticed the crystal glowing hard. She shifted her gaze up and noticed the sky was now pitch black. Malen had pulled him to her. "We need to get out of here. She nodded solemnly at him and they swooped away.

Malen sniffed the air. He smiled brightly, as Patricia pulled closer to him. Shaking his head slowly, he laughed and pulled a strand of hair out of her face. "Don't be scared, a friend's coming." She loosened her grip and faced in the direction Malen was looking. A flash of face passed her eyesight. It seemed to be a man with elvish ears and silver hair. He had a bluish moon on his forehead and red stripes on the side of his face.

"OH YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!! SESSHY!!!!!!" Malen looked at her curiously. She grinned at him and nodded as the man stepped in front of the two.

"What did you call me?" The man's cold voice questioned her as his gold eyes looked her over. She flashed a not intimidated grin.

"Sesshy. Wanna make something of it?" She started cracking up as the man narrowed his eyes. Malen quickly jumped in front of her. He looked at Sesshou-maru.

"Don't hurt her, she's from another world." Sesshou-maru snarled.

"Another like Kagome. Go figure." Pat glared, her temper flaring.

"Dude, Sesshy, don't make me bite you." He raised his eyebrow.

"Malen, is your woman threatening me?"

"She's not my woman." Pat, being severely bored, sat down and drew in the dirt. The necklace was now around her neck.

"Ok, as much of a joy as it is to hear people argue about to whom I belong to, I'm not into it. Besides, it's kinda rude to remind a chick she's lonely." The men looked at her curiously. She sighed and got up. "Ok well you two can argue all you want, but I'm bored and ready to head out." She turned to her left and started off but Malen grabbed her hand, causing her to turn to him.

"We're not safe yet. It's better if we stick together." Pat looked at him curiously. "Hey uncle, can you give us a hide out?" Sesshou-maru looked from him to Patricia.

"Yeah fine, just make sure she's cooled off." Pat raised her eyebrow then shook her head.

"Whatever. I won't say a friggen word." She climbed onto Malen's back and they took off after Sesshu-maru.

Malen set Pat down in a room off to the right side of the mansion. He moved swiftly, and lit a fire in the fireplace that sat in the middle of the wall. Pat just sat in her corner, playing with her hair. "Ok Patricia. I get being cold around... umm... Sesshy..." Pat chuckled. "But I'd like you to talk to me." She sighed and looked out the window, a tear trickling down her cheek. "What's wrong? Miss home?" Pat looked back at him, smiling slightly.

"That place? No. Just feelin lonely."

"What? For your friends?!?"

"Well I miss them, but..."

"Your bf?" Pat laughed.

"Don't have one." This time, Malen raised his eyebrow.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm not extremely wanted. You act like I'm hot or something." Malen flushed and looked at the floor.

"Well, you are... umm... beautiful." He laughed embarrassingly. Pat smiled and wiped her tear away.

"Whatever Malen. You're just saying that to make me smile."

"No I didn't, but you did smile." She smiled again and shook her head.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ok let's just go to sleep."

"Alright, I'll be in the next room if you need me."

"Wait... You're not gonna stay here?"

"No, It's a mansion, we have rooms. You'll be fine. Sesshy will make sure nothing happens." Malen laughed as he left the room, sliding the door closed behind him. Pat looked after him, then sighed and set up her bed by the fire place.

Patricia awoke around midnight. She opened her door and stepped out into the hall. She wandered down till she found the door to outside. Her feet slid into her slippers and she padded out into the garden. The koi pool glistened in the moonlight. The garden was flowering gently. Pat ran her fingers over the soft pedals of the cherry blossom tree. She pulled her robe tighter around her as the wind blew faster. The wind change direction quickly, blowing her skirt and bottom of her robe tight around her calves. She pulled it tighter around herself and made her way into the house. As she closed the door, Malen ran flat into her. "PAT! GET TO MY ROOM!" She blinked for a moment then headed to his room. She sat on his futon, listening closely. Several crashes later, Malen came in with a red stain on his arm. Pat sighed and pulled a strip off the bottom of her shirt. She wrapped it gingerly around his arm. He smiled. "It's all right. Uncle Sesshou-maru, Aunt Kagura and I took care of the demon."

"Wait, Kagura married Sesshy?" Malen laughed.

"Yup, that's why the wind blew your clothes.... I mean... umm... She fought the monster with her wind."

"You were watching me?" Pat raised her eyebrow.

"Uhh... I... heh... You should be able to sleep comfortable now." He brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "It might be better if you stay with me. I'll bring your futon in." He turned and got her futon, pulling it by the fire place. She slid in, cozening deep into the covers. "Sleep well Patricia. I'll be here with you all night." She smiled gently and closed her eyes.

"Night Malen." She sighed deeply, and fell asleep, Malen watching her with the firelight twinkling in his eyes. He blew a soft kiss towards her and moved down into his futon.