Chapter Four:

Ever Closer

It began innocently enough. Madeline was a bit irritated with Sesshomaru watching her every move while she wasn't at class or in the bathroom, so she told him to go watch a movie.

"Movie?" he asked.

"Yes. On the TV. The box with the moving pictures. Go watch a movie!" She turned on Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring for him to watch. Geez, do anything but follow me around all the time!

And so began his mania. It only got worse when Madeline let the idea of movie theaters slip out. "Bigger screens? Madeline, please. I must see this!" So now they ritually went to the movies twice a week. At home, he watched movies fanatically. He preferred fantasy and dramas, and turned his youkai nose up at flashy action flicks.

On one cold night in December, Madeline and Sesshomaru were watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Madeline was explaining special effects and CGI (Computer Generated Images) to Sesshomaru. He looked out the window and perked up a bit, "Madeline."

She stopped her rambling and looked at him, "What, Sesshomaru?"

"It's snowing."

She looked past him and out the window. She smiled, "I love the snow."

He looked at the expression on her face and smiled slightly. Madeline didn't see it. He reached out and took her hand, "Come on," he stood up, pulling her with him. They walked to the door and out onto the front porch of the large house. The snow fell lazily from the gray sky in big, fluffy flakes. Madeline walked down the steps into the yard. She threw her head back, smiling, and raised her arms, turning circles in the snow littered grass. Sesshomaru watched her playing in the falling snow and thought to himself She has been so kind. I have been here two months now, with no trace of this girl Bokusenou spoke of. Yet I find myself enjoying this woman's company. There is something more to her than even she knows. He pulled hishaori closer to himself against the cold. It never got this cold in Japan. Madeline forgot her coat . . .

Sesshomaru walked down the steps toward Madeline. As he drew nearer, she stopped playing in the snow and looked up at him. Sesshomaru removed his fur boa and wrapped it around Madeline, "It's far too cold out. You forgot your coat."

She pulled the fur closer to her, "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

He smiled gently and looked at the sky. Madeline was shocked slightly. He smiles? Well, it's good to know that he does smile sometime. Sesshomaru looked at her again, "You should get back inside. It's too cold."

"Yeah," Madeline sighed.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Two days later Sesshomaru was awoke by the sound of a violent coughing fit. He flew out of bed, put his hakama on and went to Madeline's room. He knocked but did not await an answer before entering. She was coughing hard and looked more pale than usual.

"I knew you were going to get ill," he said as he pressed the back of his hand against her forehead and smelled the air about her. He could smell the sickness.

Madeline sounded tremendously stuffy as she spoke, "I'b sorry, Sesshobaru. I bust hab woke you up."

"It's all right. What do you need to get better?"

"I'll ged id."

"No! You are to remain in bed," he put his hand on her shoulder, preventing her from getting up, "You are ill. Tell me what you need to get better. I will get it for you."

She explained where the cold medicine was and that she'd need half a glass of water to take it. Sesshomaru returned with a box of Alka Seltzer Cold in the waist of his hakama, and the half glass of water in his hand. He set the water and medicine down and helped Madeline prop herself up on pillows. Sesshomaru handed her the glass of water and then the box of medicine. Madeline tore open the small packet of Alka Seltzer Cold tablets and dropped them into the water, causing that effervescent fizzing action. Sesshomaru about jumped out of his skin.

"What in seven hells? What sort of sorcery is that?"

Madeline giggled despite the urge to cough and a severe stuffy nose, "Id's just a chebical in the bedicine that reacts with liquid. Id's part of what will break up this congestion and bake be talk norbal again!" She swirled the contents of the glass and gulped it down as fast as she could.

"Where are your extra blankets, Madeline?"

"In duh roob you're in."

Sesshomaru left quickly and came back with two more blankets tucked under his arm. He set them on her desk, and unfolded one. Skillfully, he draped the extra blanket over Madeline.

"Why are you being so nice?"

He looked at her, "You are sick. I am going to take care of you."

"Why?"

He laid the second blanket on her as well, "Because I know you would do the same for me. If I dare say so much," he flushed ever so slightly, "that's what a friend would do."

"Wow," Madeline said, not quite so stuffy anymore, "I'm glad you think of me as a friend. I'm honored."

I've just made a fool of myself, he thought and turned to leave.

"Sesshomaru! Please, wait!"

He looked back at Madeline, unable to deny her simplest request, and saw her sitting so sick and helpless in her bed.

"Please, come sit with me."

He sat on the edge of her bed. She noticed that his hair was slightly ruffled, as if he had been in quite a hurry, and that he had not fully dressed himself, which she had never seen him do. Sesshomaru must have been quite concerned to fly out of bed like that just because he heard me coughing. I cannot believe how insensitive I was when he admitted he considered me a friend.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked.

She patted his hand, "Just a friend."

He managed to crack a gentle smile, "You know, I've never had a friend before."

"What about that imp you have told me about? What was his name again? Oh, yeah! Jaken, wasn't he a friend?"

"He serves me as his lord to repay a debt of honor because I had saved him."

"Oh."

"But, he has served me well. His loyalty is uncanny."

"You don't have any other friends?"

"No."

"What about siblings? You know, brothers or sisters?"

"A half-brother."

"Don't you two get along?"

"No, and I don't feel like talking about InuYasha!" he growled.

"Mmmm, tender spot. Well, were you at least close with your father?"

"Yes. Well, we were . . . until that wretched woman, Izayoi, came along. She was the downfall of my father."

"Who's Izayoi?"

"InuYasha's mother."

"Oh, second wife . . ."

"Wife? What is a wife?"

"A wife is your mate. The men in my time call their mates wives. And the women call their mates husbands."

"Oh."

Madeline started coughing again.

"You need to rest. Moreover, I will not let you go to 'classes' tonight."

"Very well. Under one, no wait, two conditions."

He smiled, "What's that?"

"If you promise to bring me tea later, and . . . oh never mind."

"No, tell me."

"What was your father's name?"

"Yes, I will bring you tea later," Sesshomaru stood from the bed, pulled the covers to her chin, and walked towards the door. Madeline was sure that she had pushed her boundaries too far and upset him. She regretted asking him such a personal question, but he turned back to her when he reached the doorway, "And my father's name was InuTaisho. He was a powerful demon, great warrior, and wise Lord." He started to shut the door, and then poked his head back into her room, "Be sure to call for me if you need anything. Now sleep, little one."

As he went back to his room to change into his modern clothing, something he once said to InuYasha within his father's tomb came back to haunt him:

You protect her . . .

Indulge her . . .

Even seem to love her . . .

"Father," he whispered to himself, "could it be that I do feel compassion for humans, or is it more than that?"

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

It took three days of Sesshomaru demanding that Madeline stay home from class for her to get better. He even had to resort to hiding her car keys in his kimono and hauling her back to her bed over his shoulder as if she were a sack of potatoes.

On the fourth day, Madeline became restless. "Sesshomaru!" she whined, "My fever is gone, my cough is almost gone, I'm not stuffy anymore, now, can I please get up and about on my own?"

He felt her forehead again, and sniffed her gently, "You don't smell of illness anymore. Very well, you may get up."

"You could smell it?"

"Yes. Why do you think I insisted on keeping you in bed?"

Madeline leaned over and hugged him before she could stop herself. "Thank you. You've been a good friend."

"What are you doing?" he asked, sounding (dare I say) slightly nervous.

"I'm giving you a hug."

"Why? What's a hug?"

She looked at him, "You're serious?"

He simply nodded.

"It's hard to explain. A hug is an embrace. You wrap your arms around someone and squeeze them because you care about them. I wanted to show you that I'm glad you're such a concerned friend." Madeline squeezed him again and to her surprise, she felt his arm around her, squeezing as well.

"I'm grateful that you are my friend, and that you have helped me so much," he said to her.

Sesshomaru could not see, but a tear slid down her cheek. He was so cold and uncaring when he first came here. It seems I have softened him up a bit.

As he embraced her, his hand subconsciously found its way to her hair. How did it come to be that I give a damn what happens to this mortal? The smell of illness on her made me want to protect her. I never thought I would have a friend.

They let go of each other and Madeline covertly wiped the tear from her cheek. "I'm kind of hungry. I think I will get some take out. Please get dressed. I'd appreciate it if you came with me."

Sesshomaru went to his room to change his garments. I can never tell her 'no' when it comes to anything she wishes of me! Why? He changed, Madeline fastened his jeans, and they were off. They went to Madeline's favorite local burger-joint, Bob's Burgers. It was a simple place with little insideseating, and three windows toplace orders outside.Madeline placed her order with Sesshomaru at her side.

"Madeline? Is that you?" came a voice.

Madeline stiffened for she recognized the voice. She turned slowly to see a girl she had attended high school with.

"Kelly," she said trying to sound cordial, "What have you been up to?"

"Not much," Kelly said as her gaze fell to Sesshomaru. The look on the newcomer's face as she observed Sesshomaru made Madeline bristle.

Trying to retain a semblance of dignity, Madeline said, "This is my friend, Sesshomaru. We were just getting some dinner," she turned to Sesshomaru and whispered, "Please, go wait in the car." Her aura began to surge, and Sesshomaru, remembering her many warnings to keep a low profile, obeyed her request.

He went to the car, utterly perplexed by the situation. Sesshomaru could still hear their voices inside the vehicle.

"Gee, how did the little bookworm get such a good looking 'friend'?"

Madeline drew herself to her full height, "I have graced you with my presence long enough," and she turned to the car.

"He's quite good looking. But obviously, you're satisfied with damaged goods. He can't be much good where it counts with only one arm . . ."

And with reflexes that startled even Lord Sesshomaru, Madeline turned and slapped the girl with every ounce of her strength.

"You lorded yourself over everyone in high school because Mommy and Daddy had enough money for you to get your way, and if you think I am going to tolerate it to this day you are sorely mistaken, you filthy little bitch! One more hateful word against him and I will grind your narrow ass into the pavement! One arm or no, he is more of a person than you will ever be! And if you know what's good for you, get the fuck out of my sight!"

Sesshomaru's jaw dropped. Madeline was positively radiating raw power. She was glowing with it. She possesses great inner strength. Is this how she was able to see me beyond my barrier?

"Madeline!" a man from the restaurant called out the window, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes," she said coldly, "But it's leaving."

"All right," he said, holding a bag and drink out to her, "Your order's up."

Madeline grabbed her food and watched with fire in her eyes as Kelly got in her car and drove off. Only then did she get in the car with Sesshomaru.

She was breathing deeply, her heart pounding, and her aura still pulsing.

"Did you hear all of that?" she asked.

"I did."

Madeline gripped the steering wheel in frustration, turning her knuckles white. She was shaking. "Bookworm. Brain. Geek. Nerd. To this day, they hold onto it, and I am no better because I still hate them all. But she was the worst of all of them. She went out of her way everyday to make my life in high school absolutely miserable. When she insulted you, I snapped. You had not said one word to her, but she would disrespect you just because you were in my company. I'm glad I could stand up to her, at least for you."

She confronted a tormentor from her past not for herself, but for me? What have I done to earn her trust and companionship? And how is it that I give mine to her freely? "Thank you, Madeline. You faced a great evil from your past and won. I am proud of you."

But she did not smile. There were tears in her eyes. Tears for a tormented past that seemed to finally be at an end.

"Madeline, it's over. It is finished. You won. I don't know what these insults they laid upon you mean, but they are not true. They will not hurt you ever again," Sesshomaru said.

Madeline wiped the tears away and looked at him. "You're right. You're absolutely right. Let's go home. I don't feel like going to class tonight." She set her bag with her burger and onion rings on the back floorboard and set her soda in the cup holder.

"What's that?"

"That's my soda. It's a drink."

"I thought that came in cans like you have at home."

"Well, it comes in a cup and a bottle, too."

"What does it taste like?"

"Do you want to try it?" she held the Styrofoam cup out to him, offering him a taste of carbonated goodness. He took the cup in his hand, staring at the straw reluctantly.

"You've seen me drink from a straw. Come on. It's not going to bite you."

Sesshomaru put the straw between his lips and gently took a drink of Dr. Pepper . . . then forcefully spit it out.

"What in seven hells? It's bubbly!"

Madeline couldn't help herself and started laughing hysterically.

"It's not funny, Madeline!"

"Yes it is! Oh, your face was priceless! Here," she was still chuckling, "I'll get some napkins so we can clean up." She grabbed some napkins out of her glove compartment and handed a few to Sesshomaru. He glared at her.

"Oh, come on," she laughed, "Like I knew you'd freak out over soda!"

He mopped up the soda from his clothes and from the dash. While Madeline reached over to clean up the windshield, he threw her a mischievous look.

"What?" she said.

He threw the soiled napkins at her and laughed.

"Well, well," Madeline said, smiling at him, "It looks like someone has a sense of humor after all."

He just grinned at her.