AN

I just wanted to tell everyone what I got for my B-day. Here's the list,

1. A Boom Box

2. My Chemical Romance: Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (My brother performed with them!)

3. A SesshoMaru Sama T-Shirt

4. A SesshoMaru Sama Action Figure

5. A lot of DBZ Mangas

6. A Ruby Ring

Ja Ne

Wounded

SesshoMaru sighed as he watched Lord Nenpai and his wife walk through the curtain and down the stairwell. He smirked when the old demon nearly tripped over his own feet. He laughed as he watched the two shakily walk into the crowd. They were the oldest demons there yet they insisted that they were still young. He had always thought of Nenpai as a second father to him. He was wise and had a heart of gold. He was one of the few demons who actually liked humans. That was one thing he admired about the old fool, he didn't have any pride for himself, only his lands. He continued to stare as the curtains closed. He and Karappo were next and last to be announced since he was the host. He only wished she would hurry.

"How do I look?"

SesshoMaru turned and stared in aw at Karappo. She was more beautiful than they great Aphrodite of Greek legend. The gown she had picked fit her form perfectly. The black fabric stuck to her curves. The long sleeves connected to her hand with a loop that was placed around her middle finger while the rest fanned out. The designs upon the top were perfect. A vine of black roses outlined by shimmering silver. The skirt was layered. Each layer longer then the one on top of it. She wore a black and silver sash around her waist, were the top met the skirt, the same floral design upon it. Her hair shimmered brightly in the dim light. It was pulled back into a low ponytail at the top of her neck and fanned out down her back. The ribbon holding her hair was silver. Her bangs went straight but past her chin, they were curled. Her face glowed, matching her attire.

"Perfect, but you're missing one thing."

SesshoMaru reached into his sleeve and pulled out another thorn less black rose. He set it in the curls of her bangs next to her right ear than pulled both back behind it. He then cupped her face with his hand. They stood that way for what seemed like an eternity, staring into each others eyes. They began to lean forward but were stopped when the guard said that the crowd was ready. He sighed as he grabbed her hand with his and turned to the curtain. It was then that she noticed that he wasn't dressed in his usual attire. He had no swords upon him and his battle armor was gone. Instead of red markings upon his cloths, they were black. His obi had changed too. Instead of yellow and blue it was black and white, more white than black. Both sighed heavily as the curtain opened and the guard announced who they were.

"Now presenting the host of the ball. Lord SesshoMaru and his escort, Lady Karappo."

Silence fell over the crowd as SesshoMaru and Karappo began their decent. Rumors had spread about how beautiful his escort was and all were eager to see if it was true. No one breathed when the shadows released their hold upon her. Every male gasped when she stepped into the light. The rumors were wrong. She was gorgeous. He glanced around the crowd with anger in his eyes. He tightened his hold upon her hand as they reached the floor. He released a silent growl that discouraged every male in the room.

"Continue."

The noise returned. Everyone was speaking of the woman with their host. As they walked through the crowd, they were greeted by many different lords, all of which were scared away by SesshoMaru. They stopped in the center of the room, silently watching everyone around them. He tightened his grip upon Karappo's hand when he noticed Lord Fuukieiga approaching.

"Greetings SesshoMaru, long time no see."

"What do you want Fuukieiga?"

"I merely wanted to say hi and introduce myself to your lovely escort."

"Leave us, you arrogance is not tolerated here."

"I was merely…"

"Now."

"Fine, I'll go."

They both stared as Fuukieiga walked away. They were then approached by another lord.

"Hello again SesshoMaru."

"Hello Nenpai, are you feeling alright?"

"Yes I'm just fine. I just saw Fuukieiga and wondered if he was giving you trouble."

"Yes, as always, he was."

"He's a stupid falcon. Doesn't know when he's not wanted. His father had more control than he does."

"I agree."

"And who may I ask is the beautiful young woman standing beside you?"

"Oh yes, Nenpai this is Karappo."

Nenpai grasped Karappo's hand with his shaking, wrinkled one.

"It is a pleasure it meet you my dear."

Nenpai kissed the back of her hand like a kindly old gentleman.

"The pleasure is all mine."

"If my wife knew where I was, I would be dead."

"She doesn't like you near young women?"

"No, she doesn't like me wondering around by myself. She thinks I could get lost, that I'm too old."

"You are old Nenpai. You're the oldest one here."

"I know but she doesn't have to emphasize it."

Just then, an elderly woman approached Nenpai.

"There you are! I have been looking all over for you!"

"Greetings Lady Aigo."

"And greetings to you SesshoMaru. Has my husband been behaving himself?"

"Yes, he has been a good old bear."

"Good, I was worried sick about you! I nearly had a heart attack!"

"It's not my fault you walk so slow!"

As the couple argued, SesshoMaru and Karappo stood and watched. After the argument was over, the four conversed amongst themselves, unaware that someone was coming toward them with death on his mind. As the red clad figure got closer, Karappo prepared herself to fight. The claws on her right hand slowly lengthened themselves to their full length, their silver color unseen by anyone. She felt the presence stalk closer, her right arm tensing. She stayed perfectly calm, never letting out that she was about to attack some one. Soon the presence was behind her, their claws ready to slice her open. When they were in arms length, she struck. Without even turning around, she stabbed him in the chest with her five claws. They were so deep, only her fingers were showing.

Karappo turned her head to see none other than Inuyasha behind her. He looked at her with anger in his golden eyes. He stood, frozen, as the crowd grew silent. Everyone watched, all wondering what she would do next. After a moment, she removed her six inch claws from his body and watched as he staggered backwards, one arm over his chest. She held her claws in front of her face as he rushed at her with his. She ducked under his arm and slashed his side. After, they stood, staring at each other. She then held her claws up again, this time, they shimmered. Her acidic poison flowing freely over their surface.

"I tire of your childish games Inuyasha. You will not live this time."

Karappo then held out a vile full of the antidote for her poison. Inuyasha stared in shock as he began to search his harori for the vile.

"I can't have you surviving now could I? I think I'll keep this."

Karappo tossed the vile to SesshoMaru. He caught it and placed it in his sleeve.

"Damn you!"

Inuyasha charged at her, his claws ready. Karappo side stepped him and slashed his back with her poisoned claws. Everyone looked on in horror at the four identical slashes upon his back. Each outlined by a glob of silver liquid. His face contorted in pain as the liquid flowed into the wounds and into his blood. His body was on fire, his blood was lava in his veins. He charged her again, his right arm raised ready to strike. She ducked under his arm and slammed her poison drenched claws into his abdomen. As she smirked, she felt something piercing her left shoulder. She looked to see his claws had grazed her skin. She pulled her claws out almost all the way, then she slammed them in harder than before, the tips burst out his back.

Inuyasha's breathing became uneven, his arm falling away from Karappo's shoulder. She then healed the scratches and repaired the fabric as blood began to spill from his mouth, pouring onto the floor. His body became limp, only supported by her claws. His eyes turned from gold to dull silver as she pushed him off of her. She flicked her hand sent what little poison remained to the ground. She then retracted her claws and walked back to SesshoMaru.

SesshoMaru and Karappo walked down the dark hall, his arm around her waist and her head upon his shoulder. They were both exhausted. After the fight with Inuyasha, they weren't left alone. After everyone had left, they shared one last drink before departing themselves. They were currently on their way to her room. Once they reached the black door, they shared a kiss goodnight. As she turned to enter her room, he placed his hand upon her shoulder. She turned to face him as he spoke.

"I'm amazed at what you did earlier. I didn't know you could fight like that."

"There are many things you don't know about me."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making this evening perfect."

SesshoMaru then leaned forward and captured Karappo's black lips in a passionate kiss. His arm wrapped around her waist as hers wrapped around his neck. As their tongues battled for dominance, neither noticed they were moving. Soon, he had her pinned against the wall. He body completely engulfing hers as he trailed kisses from her ear to her jaw line. Her pale hands grasped his harori as he nipped at her neck. A moan escaped her mouth, encouraging him to go further. He slid the shoulder of her gown down to gain access to her silky shoulder. He continued to kiss, removing the other shoulder. That was when he felt her hand cup his face, bringing it up to hers. She closed her eyes and shook her head slowly.

"I'm not ready yet."

"I understand."

SesshoMaru stroked her face as she replaced the shoulders of her gown. She then looked into his eyes and pulled him down for another kiss, this one more gentle than frenzied like the one before it. They stood there, locked in each others arms, sharing a kiss that would make cupid green with envy. When they broke for air, she gave him a peck on the lips as she walked into her room to rest for the night. He watched as the door closed silently. Then, he walked to his room. He laid in his bed, thinking. Thinking about how long it would take for her to feel comfortable around him in that way. How long it would take for all her previous pain to leave her. How long it would take her to notice he cared. He continued to wonder as he drifted off to sleep.