Thunderclap
1
Sesshomaru did not see the sun set on the ocean that evening. It was late when he finally led Jaken back to the shore. Rin was already asleep. Misha sat beside her looking out at the sea in the moonlight.
Jaken hobbled to the snuffed fireside doing his best to appear more tired than he felt. "Oh such a long day," he mumbled trying to sound exhausted. They had been gone for hours later then Jaken had expected. Though Lord Sesshomaru had not said a word about it, Jaken could tell there was some sort of trouble between his master and the woman. The look she favored them with as they came out onto the beach was proof enough. She stared Sesshomaru down with wounded eyes.
Sesshomaru made eye contact with Misha and froze where he was. He could smell that she was upset. Her eyes were puffy, she must have cried after Rin had fallen asleep. Sesshomaru felt the guilt of his sin hit him like a slap in the face. "Misha."
Misha stood up and Jaken sat down, quickly. "Sesshomaru san! I wish to speak to you now." She turned on her heel and walked down the beach, away from Rin.
Sesshomaru blinked at what sounded like an order and watched her walk away. She had the right to be upset, but Sesshomaru would not be commanded like a tame dog. He frowned and stepped past Jaken toward Misha. Even Jaken seemed taken aback by Misha's tone. Sesshomaru noticed the little ghoul fall over and feign sleep immediately. It wasn't a good sign. He followed Misha further down the beach. Her gate wasn't quite steady, her legs were shaking. She stopped far enough away that no loud voices would wake Rin. This also wasn't a good sign. He stopped a few feet behind her and waited for her to turn around. He saw that her hands were trembling.
Misha was trying to stay composed. She didn't want to raise her voice and risk waking Rin. "You looked at me Sesshomaru," she said staring out over the sea. She didn't face him; she was too angry and humiliated.
Sesshomaru swallowed hard suddenly aware that he had begun to sweat. Her tone was accusing. "I heard Rin scream," he let the excuses fly. "I was half asleep, I didn't really see…" Misha turned around and glared at him. She was angry, her cheeks were red, and her big eyes shimmered with tears. Sesshomaru realized excuses and apologies weren't going to make this all okay-all better now. "Misha, I'm sorry. It was an accident!" He felt terribly guilty and uncomfortable. This must be the pain in the ass part Inuyasha had mentioned; Sesshomaru certainly didn't like the way she was making him feel right now.
Misha shook her head at him. "It is forbidden for a man to look at me lest I go to a husband. It is forbidden because it is a sin!"
Sesshomaru was so stunned he almost didn't dodge the hand flying at his face. He grabbed Misha's hand before she could slap him, being very careful not to hurt her. "Settle yourself Misha," He was firm. "I am sorry for my transgression and I am willing to speak to you about the matter, but I will not tolerate such mutiny."
Misha pulled her hand away and took a step back away from Sesshomaru. Somehow she was managing to hold back the tears. Her hand flew to the collar of her kimono and she clung to it tightly. "You… you looked right at me Sesshomaru. You made me sin!"
Sesshomaru sighed trying to bring himself under control. He was a mix of emotions, most of them quite unpleasant. Part of him wanted to just walk away from the impetuous woman, but his guilty conscious wouldn't allow him to do such a cruel thing. Her accusations just seemed to refresh the image of her naked on the beach in his minds eye. He did a fair job of sounding calm and composed. "Misha, I did not mean to violate your beliefs. For that I am truly sorry. I heard Rin scream, and then you screamed so I looked up to see if you were under attack." It was all mostly the truth, but that didn't make it any better.
Misha looked away from the demon to where the stars touched the sea. Sesshomaru sounded sincere and sorry, but that was little consolation. "I have been tainted and fallen from the grace of Artemis. I will be cursed."
Sesshomaru frowned, feeling more agitated by the minute. Her body chemistry was a mix of conflicting scents. "You will not be cursed by your kami Misha." He tried to sound assuring. "I would not let such harm befall you."
Misha stood quietly fighting the tears for as long as she could. "I… wanted to have a son. After I met Rin, all that I have wanted was to be at her side. I guess that she will have to be enough children for me."
Sesshomaru frowned as a new, unpleasant emotion exploded somewhere in his chest. "What are you talking about Misha?" Her scents were confusing, he resisted the urge to step forward and smell her. Misha was about to cry, he could smell her tears. She hadn't been this upset since had rescued her from the outlaws when she has first come under his protection.
"I will never have a child other then Rin. If I were to go to a man after you saw my body, it would make me a whore." Misha loved Rin, she loved children. She had always wanted to have three or four. That would be impossible now. The demon had seen her. She highly doubted Sesshomaru was going to marry her and give sons.
Sesshomaru experienced a new discomfort when he thought of Misha bearing some strange man his children. "I'm sure that the man that would be suitable to marry you would understand." Sesshomaru didn't feel comfortable with what he was saying. He didn't like the taste of the words in his mouth, they were bitter. He grit his teeth scowling down at the sand.
A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Misha shook her head again. Softly she said, "I could never do such a thing. I understand that it was unintentional that you saw me, but it happened." Misha stopped fighting her tears and let them flow. "Even though you do not want me Sesshomaru, I could never betray either of us in such a way. I cannot bring myself to sin." The truth was heavy on Misha's heart. She would never sin of her own free will. It was unthinkable. She covered her eyes with her long fingers and wept.
Sesshomaru flicked his eyes up to the woman. As he watched Misha crying, the broader picture came into view. Her faith was designed to keep her pure until the night of her marriage; only her husband would ever see or touch Misha's body. Sesshomaru understood that some human faiths commanded monogamy; Misha's faith did. Sesshomaru had seen Misha, stared right at her; done the thing that only one man in Misha's life could do for her. Misha hadn't lost her purity, but she had lost the ability to choose her mate. If Misha had relations with a man other then him, it was another sin against her kami and a betrayal to Sesshomaru. She was grieving over Even though you do not want me Sesshomaru the children she would never have.
These strange new emotions were frustrating for Sesshomaru. Remorse wrestled with a strange relief in his mind. He was sorry that he broke the law of her kami, but at least he was assured that Misha would stay with Rin indefinitely. It was selfish to think that way and he knew it, epically standing here why she cry quietly into her hands. Misha could never mother her own baby unless Sesshomaru fathered the child. Misha seemed to know that would never happen, she understood his dislike of half breeds. He stared at her small frame shaking in the moonlight. Misha was very delicate indeed. You used father's Tenseiga to revive her, didn't you? ... Why did you bring that woman back? Sesshomaru took a step closer into Misha's scent.
Misha heard Sesshomaru move his feet, but she didn't care. She didn't look up at him, didn't want to look up at him. She understood that Sesshomaru had come to the beach because he was protecting Rin. It was her fault though too for not putting her kimono on when she got out of the water like Rin did. Circumstance aside, they knew the rule and they broke it. Artemis would curse her alright. Her life with Rin would be a good one, but Rin would be all the goddess would ever allow Misha to have.
Misha did not shrink away; she did not take her hands away from her eyes to look at him. The breeze blew her hair into her face, but she just stood there sobbing. The scent of her trauma seemed deeper then it had been when he had slaughtered the outlaws. She had cried then too. He wasn't sure touching her was a very good idea right now, but holding Misha had quieted her then. He wanted to do something to ease her suffering. The scent of shame was suffocating. Sesshomaru stepped forward. "It is unfair that you be punished for my transgression."
"It is my sin as well Sesshomaru. I was careless even knowing there was a man around! There is no excuse for my behavior either." Misha had let herself become too comfortable and content around Sesshomaru living so closely with him day after day. This was her punishment for carrying on with a man that was not her husband in such a way. Now that Misha thought about it, there was always some trick to the prince in the fairy stories she had heard as a child. Princes tended to be a cursed lot. Misha wiped her eyes and let her hands fall to her side.
She stopped crying. A light wind puffed off the ocean and rolled up the beach. Misha's hair blew out of her face and Sesshomaru watched her staring up at the night sky with red rimmed eyes. "I can assure you that your behavior was never inappropriate Misha. You have always conducted yourself in a manner befitting a young lady." Outwardly she appeared to be coming under control, but Sesshomaru knew it was just for show. She was trying to appease him, perhaps to make up for attempting to do something as foolish as slap him in the face. Her emotions were still a veritable stew. He had wounded Misha's heart deeply.
She nodded, acknowledging his approval. Sesshomaru seemed willing to accept all of the blame for the situation, but it was still Misha that had to deal with the consequences of their reckless behavior. She had noticed that he had stepped closer. His posture over her seemed to be protective, but there was something sad in his eyes. He looked almost worried. Misha was heart sick and angry with both of them. Leaving Rin and starting a family had not been at the top of her 'to do' list, but maybe someday… Now it was too late. Misha would not sin against her goddess again. There was only Sesshomaru, and he did not want her. "I…" but she had no more words. She wanted to apologize for attacking him, but she just couldn't. "Chikusho!" she cussed under her breath. Misha's hand flew through the air again only this time she it her target; her own face. The slap was hard enough to leave tears standing in her eyes again. "Stupid! Reckless! Careless!" she chastise herself punctuating each insult with another punishing smack in the face.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened at the sight of the woman cussing and hitting herself. He understood that self inflicted violence was redeeming in some faiths, but he didn't want her hurting herself. "Misha!" He stepped in front of her and caught her wrist in his hand before she could strike herself again. She tried to pull away, squeezing her eyes shut as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Sesshomaru wasn't going to let her go. As worked up as she was, she was even dangerous to herself. It pained him to see her in such a sad and desperate state. Guilt cut into his chest like a knife. He wanted to ease her suffering; he couldn't bare the smell of her grief. "Misha," He said her name again, softly this time. Sesshomaru took a step toward her and hooked his arm around her small waist. He pulled Misha to him and held her against him. He let his grip on her wrist relax and he slid her small hand into his own. "It's going to be alright. I cannot erase what I have done, but I will atone for it. You shall always be safe and with Rin."
Sesshomaru pulled Misha to him easily with one strong arm. Even in her current state being held by the demon was flustering. She felt the length of his body press against her and she blushed. She understood that he was trying to make her feel better, to reaffirm that regardless of their transgression he was still going to protect her. She looked up into the gold eyes staring gently down at her. She realized suddenly that he was holding her hand as they embraced. He looked very kind and very handsome in the faint moonlight. Her cheeks burned and her heart skipped a beat. "Sesshomaru…"
He heard her heart skip a beat and her scent changed. He could feel her pulse thundering in the hand he held, in the voluptuous body he held against him. His own heart didn't want to be still in his chest either. He found the look in Misha's eyes most compelling. His name rolled off her tongue and past her lips, as if she tasted it. He was beginning to understand why the other men in his family were so taken with mortal women. Misha's frailty was almost seductive. He wondered what it would feel like to hold her against him with no kimono between them. you do not want me Sesshomaru… He tried to force the thoughts away, telling himself there was no way that he could possibly desire a mortal, but his body seemed to react to Misha's scent on its own. He held her tighter feeling her breasts push against his armor. He was studying her mouth, wanting to taste it, to feel her soft lips between his teeth. "Misha…" he was going to kiss her, unable to stop himself when suddenly something else did.
2
Sesshomaru sensed the demon coming. He let go of Misha and stepped between her and the scent of the approaching demon. It was coming fast; Sesshomaru's hand went to Tokijin's hilt. "Stay behind me," he ordered the woman as he narrowed his eyes in the dim. Misha shrunk behind him taking a tentative step back toward Rin.
"Ahhh so you are Sesshomaru sama," the demons giddy voice floated out of the shadows. He came closer, enough for the lord of the western lands to see that his sharp claws were out.
Sesshomaru smelled the demon as he made his threatening approach. He was canine, not fox or wolf, but dog. "Who wants to know," he asked coolly. He had never smelled this demon before, not that he could remember at least. It certainly didn't appear the demon had come to offer his services to Sesshomaru. It looked more like he wanted to fight. He frowned at the intruder.
"I am Odoku, servant to the great Lord Azuki." Odoku fixed his green eyes on Sesshomaru. He could smell the mortal woman he had just been playing with behind him; further back was the scent of a human child and a small demon. None of them were of any consequence to Odoku. He would kill them after he dealt with Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru remembered Azuki, though he had not seen the other dog demon since his father's time. Azuki was older then Sesshomaru, but younger then his father. For many years InuTaisho had been like a sensei to him. The pair had some sort of falling out and had gone separate ways. Sesshomaru did not know why, he didn't really care at the time. He and his father did not see eye to eye on many things so Sesshomaru usually kept his distance. "Azuki? What does he want with me?"
Odoku could barely contain his excitement. He had heard all about the brat prince Sesshomaru from his master. He was supposed to be strong, but Odoku wasn't worried. A demon that kept human women was soft, an easy kill. He cackled maniacally. "Lord Azuki has no business with a little snot like you!" He heard the mortal gasp behind Sesshomaru as the demon favored him with a death glare. Odoku chuckled. It amused him to be able to torment his prey in such a way. The demon was angering quickly and the woman smelled afraid. Odoku found the scent of such strong emotions intoxicating. I'll do away with the brat and then take my time killing his woman!
Sesshomaru pulled Tokijin from its sheath. This ignoramus was clearly here to fight. Jaken and Rin were sleeping down the beach; Misha was frozen in place behind him. The heat of passion churned into battle rage in an instant. "Just who do you think you're talking to fool?"
Odoku found it quite hilarious that he had aggravated the reportedly stoic demon. He drew his own sword and held it out in front of him. "Me? Why I'm talking to my next victim! I'll destroy you and then slice that woman behind you apart with my claws! Now give me the sword of heaven!" Odoku charged at Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru rushed forward to meet the demon's attack. Their swords came together hard and their demon aura's collided kicking up the sand. Odoku leapt up into the air and over Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru predicted the demons movements and was easily to Misha before Odoku could bring his claws down on her. He swung at the demon and Odoku jumped back from the terrified woman. "Misha, go to Rin now," Sesshomaru ordered. If Odoku was going to attack his companions as well, it would be easier to protect them if they were together. Sesshomaru was getting quite angry. "Coward! Attack a defenseless woman!" he charged at his opponent again.
Misha turned and bolted up the beach. Her heart was in her throat. One minute it had looked like Sesshomaru was going to kiss her, the next he was fighting another god like creature. Misha had noticed the hunter's stripes on this newcomer's face and the madness in his dark eyes. She heard the swordplay behind her as she hurried forward on rubber legs. Rin! I must get to Rin! Sesshomaru could probably handle this demon on his own, but Misha was terribly frightened. "Jaken sama! Please wake up Jaken sama!" she screamed looking for the little ghoul in the dark.
Jaken awoke to screams and the sound of steel. He sat up and saw a panicked looking Misha running toward him. Behind her Lord Sesshomaru was engaged in a duel with a demon Jaken had never seen before. "Lord Sesshomaru!" he cried getting to his feet. He quickly stepped between Rin and the battle down the beach, raising the staff of skulls. "Hurry up and get behind me Misha!"
Sesshomaru smelled Misha's scent fall behind Jaken and overlap with Rin's. Jaken would be ready with his staff should this demon try to slip by Sesshomaru. Odoku was strong and fast, but clearly out of his mind. He was even laughing as they battled. "Does your master know how insane you are?" Sesshomaru growled as their swords clashed violently again.
Odoku howled. "Can't a man enjoy his work? Is the smell of blood and death not glorious?" Odoku back flipped away from Sesshomaru, keeping his eyes on the demon. Sesshomaru was stronger then Odoku had anticipated. He would have to end this quickly before he tired and failed his master.
Sesshomaru sized Odoku up anticipating his next attack. The other demon was nimble and quick with the defense. It was going to be a challenge to kill him. "You have no business here. Leave or die." He fed his aura into his sword readying his own attack. If Odoku didn't flee, Sesshomaru would have to kill him.
Odoku felt an immense power building in Sesshomaru's sword. His own blade would never be able to withstand the energy; Odoku growled angry. It looked as though he was going to have to just grab InuTaisho's sword and make a break for it. "Miserable cur!" Odoku barked and charged Sesshomaru again.
At the last second before their swords could clash, Odoku seemed to slip in the sand. Sesshomaru looked down and saw the crazy bastard reaching for Tenseiga. Instinctively Sesshomaru grabbed Odoku by the arm with his free hand. He flung the demon hard sending his body flying over the sand; Sesshomaru did not let go of the arm though. Blood sprayed like a fountain in the moonlight as Odoku's arm ripped free of his shoulder.
Odoku hit the ground screaming. The pain of his arm separating from his body was incredible. Odoku struggled to his feet, fixing his hate-filled lunatic eyes on Sesshomaru. He realized too late that he had underestimated this one. "Why you little bastard! Give me back my arm!"
Apparently, ripping his arm off had taken some of the fight out of Odoku. Sesshomaru snarled at the other dog demon and threw his bloody limb at him. "Your head is next." Sesshomaru stepped toward Odoku threateningly.
Odoku grabbed his arm as it bounced off his chest. Sesshomaru had begun to advance on him. "This isn't over! Son of filth! Lord Azuki will see that you suffer!" It was too dangerous to stay. Odoku was going to need to come up with a plan to defeat Sesshomaru, for that he needed time. That meant staying alive right now.
He turned and dashed down the beach, back in the direction he had come, with Sesshomaru hot on his heels. He tucked his severed arm into his belt and reached up under the scarf tied around his head. Odoku removed his talisman. "Kaze no hansou!" he commanded. Suddenly he was lifted on the wind, up and away from the pursuing Sesshomaru. Odoku was furious; and he was going to be in big trouble for failing to bring back the sword of heaven to his master. "I'll get you for this Prince Sesshomaru," he sneered down into the darkness.
There was no need to continue to chase Odoku tonight. He was injured, likely out of commission for the time being. Sesshomaru returned to his companions. Jaken was bright eyed and alert. He stood with staff in hand, ready to protect the women if need be. Rin must have woken up at some point during the battle; she was in Misha's lap, but she had fallen back to sleep. The child had become desensitized when it came to combat, confident that Lord Sesshomaru couldn't possibly loose. Being held by Misha just added to her sense of security and thus, Rin was snoring softly. Misha had her arms around the child, her face resting against the top of Rin's head. She looked frightened and confused, but she was unharmed.
"All is well here Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken announced as his master approached. "I see you sent that fool running home with his tail between his legs. Well done me Lord!"
Sesshomaru nodded approvingly at Jaken. "Well done Jaken."
Jaken puffed with pride. "Why thank you Lord Sesshomaru." He would have said more, but Lord Sesshomaru looked away from him to the women behind him. Rin had fallen back to sleep, but Misha was waiting for Lord Sesshomaru to come back too. Jaken blinked noticing a peculiar look in his master's eye as he scanned the females behind him. Jaken peered over his shoulder and saw a strange look in the woman's eye as well. Her scent seemed to becoming less fearful, but she looked at Lord Sesshomaru most confusingly.
Sesshomaru fixed his eyes on Misha in the light of the thin moon. "Are you alright Misha?" Odoku had tried to attack her during battle, he was sure it had been quite frightening for Misha.
Misha stared at Sesshomaru feeling the strength run out from her body. The gold eyes that had been filled with such warmth as he held her against him on the beach now burned with the flame of battle. He was frowning a bit, there seemed to be a hint of impatience in his tone of voice. "I'm… fine." Her eyes fell to his hands. She couldn't see any blood on him, but one of his sleeves had a wet corner. He must have stopped to wash that guys blood off his hands… that guy… whose arm he ripped right off and threw at him!
Sesshomaru could understand that the woman was probably fairly overwhelmed now. She had never seen two demons fight before. Today had been a day of many firsts for Misha… for Sesshomaru as well for that matter. He tried to appear calm, protective. "Get some rest now Misha. We will be leaving this place tomorrow."
"Me lord?" Jaken was a bit surprised to hear him announce their departure so suddenly. Most of the time his master gave the woman at least a days notice just in case she wanted to collect some things from the area before they left.
Sesshomaru turned his back on Misha and Jaken. They would both settle down faster if he wasn't around. "If the fool should return for another beating, I do not want my back against the ocean."
"Me lord?" Perhaps there was more going on here then Jaken realized. "You think that demon will come seeking revenge Lord Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru's brows knitted closer together. Odoku wanted more then a rematch. He could remember the demon clawing for his Tenseiga Now give me the sword of heaven!
"He is too weak to defeat me. If he appears again I will kill him." Sesshomaru walked away from them, headed back toward the place on the beach where the battle had been fought. He wanted to smell the area more closely, maybe he could even figure out where Odoku had come from before the sea salt smothered all other scents.
Odoku was insane, but he was devoted to and motivated by his master. Azuki had sent him for Tenseiga. Why was this old companion of his fathers suddenly after his sword?
He arrived at the spot where things had unraveled this evening and let his nose fill in the details for him. The demon had come from a forest to the south east of here. He had been in the company of other dog demons recently; two of them, males. "That would make them a pack of at least three," Sesshomaru thought aloud frowning down at the ground. He studied the footprints in the sand, seeing where Odoku had leapt high into the air many times to avoid Sesshomaru's slashes. "That demon seems to posses some wind powers." During combat Sesshomaru didn't think the lunatic had got that close to Misha, but the marks in the sand showed otherwise. "She must have been quite terrified, poor thing."
Sesshomaru let his eyes followed her footsteps up the beach to where they stood close to his, practically toe to toe. He could see where he had lifted her onto the ball of her feet when he hugged her against him. He remembered holding her and looking at her mouth. Had the demon not interrupted them, Sesshomaru might have actually kissed the mortal woman. "Ridiculous!" he scoffed trying to shake the thoughts from his head. "I would never be so foolish. I merely felt bad for…" For what? Seeing her naked? Making her his woman only because of their sin?
Sesshomaru could stand here and tell himself excuses all night, but that wouldn't change the scents around him. His nose told that the woman had been excited by his touch, the smell of his own heat was still thick in the air as well. This was a problem. Sesshomaru hadn't noticed these smells before because he had been caught up in the middle of it himself, but what if Odoku had caught the scent. Did he go after Misha thinking that she was Sesshomaru's woman and his weakness?
Sesshomaru looked back up the beach to his companions. Jaken stood at attention watching his master from afar. Misha lay with Rin, her arms protectively wrapped around the little girl. The females should sleep for a while, in the morning he would take them from this place. If Sesshomaru was going to have someone challenging him for ownership of his Tenseiga, he preferred to move the battle to familiar territory. It would be safer for the females in the forest then out in the open as well. He heaved an aggravated sigh and turned back to look at the footprints in the sand.
3
Under the cover of night Odoku slunk back toward the castle his master had been calling home these last few weeks. While the Lord of the Western Lands had been playing at the beach, Lord Azuki had moved right into the territory. He had found a castle he liked and ordered his servants to clean it out for him. Odoku had enjoyed the slaughter very much.
He had managed to re-attach his severed arm, but the pain there was like fire. He would get back at the brat prince for this for sure. He plotted his revenge as he dragged himself through the forest. First he would cripple the son of filth, and then he would make him watch as Odoku tortured his mortals to death and ate their insides! The thought brought a satisfying smile to his lips, but it didn't stay there long.
Lord Azuki was going to be very angry. He might even slay Odoku on the spot for returning empty handed. The demon frowned at such a horrible thought. "There must be something…"
Odoku realized suddenly, there was. He might not have been able to steal the sword of heaven, but at least now he knew just what that little snot Sesshomaru was capable of. Even better, Odoku knew the brat prince's weakness….
Misha, go to Rin
The child he smelled on the beach was human, not of Sesshomaru's making. Perhaps the young one belonged to the woman the prince had seemed ever so occupied with. Odoku grinned recalling the scents on the beach. "So I interrupted something did I you filthy little brat! That woman…" He could remember her large terrified eyes as he leapt for her.
Coward! Attack a defenseless woman!
Odoku's teeth grind together as his twisted grin stretched his face. He started to drool. Not only did the son of filth protect the mortals, it appeared the dirty little bastard lusted after the woman as well. "Like father, like son eh?" Odoku growled through his teeth. He was sure that Lord Azuki would find this information very interesting indeed.
4
Sesshomaru led them back into the forest lands late the next morning. Rin seemed quite disappointed to be leaving the beach, but she thanked Sesshomaru and Misha repeatedly for taking her there at all. She rode atop Ahun humming and sifting through the seashells she had collected on their vacation. Misha led Ahun by the reigns, her eyes fixed on the demon out ahead of them all. Sesshomaru had been brief and cursory with her this morning, and then he had fallen silent. He kept himself far enough ahead of his followers to make conversation impossible.
Misha had never seen a display of power like the one she saw last night. The energy of the demon clash had thrown sand up all around her. It was frightening. She could remember the strange demon had jumped at her; he would have killed her if Sesshomaru had not stepped in the way and driven him back with his powerful sword. Their attacker had the hunter's stripes on his cheek, like her protector. She did not see his forehead, it had been covered with a scarf, but Misha suspected he was just like Sesshomaru. Another powerful demon in this already perilous world.
What Misha couldn't get out of her mind was the sight of Sesshomaru ripping the other demon's arm off. He had done it as easily as tearing the wing off of a fly. She was beginning to understand just how powerful Sesshomaru was. It was more then just a little intimidating to think that the powerful arm that had ripped apart the demon had been wrapped around her just moments before. … Sesshomaru was holding me… his gentle eyes… his voice…
Misha let her eyes fall away from Sesshomaru. He was only comforting me. Sesshomaru would never… She took a deep breath trying to cool the heat in her cheeks and followed their protector deeper into the forest.
5
Sesshomaru kept them moving for the better part of the week, always keeping his distance far ahead of the others. They walked through the day and Sesshomaru left them at night. He didn't go that far away, but he wasn't spending his evenings talking to Misha anymore. When he had to be around his pack it was Jaken he spoke to mostly.
Rin had noticed that the adults were behaving strangely. At first she thought it was just because they were traveling again and they missed the beach too. Soon she noticed that Lord Sesshomaru and Misha had all but stopped talking to each other. The grown ups didn't even sit up together and talk about her while she fell asleep anymore! Something was amiss. She remembered that sometimes Kagome and that dummy Inuyasha argued with each other and get so angry that they stopped talking to each other. She could see why Kagome would yell at Inuyasha, but Misha had no cause to yell at Lord Sesshomaru or be angry with him. She had yelled at Lord Sesshomaru once though, and now that Rin thought about it, that was their last day at the beach too. Perhaps Lord Sesshomaru and Misha were mad at each other and just trying to hide it from her? If they didn't start talking to each other again before Lord Sesshomaru got them to where he wanted to go they might not start talking again! This was terrible. Rin couldn't possibly tell Lord Sesshomaru all the stuff she did that day in just the few short hours she had each evening before sleep. It was up to Misha to finish telling Lord Sesshomaru everything else at night. If the adults weren't talking to each other Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't know everything!
They had stopped by a narrow stream and Lord Sesshomaru was not too far ahead. Misha was busy getting water so Rin slid off of Ahun's back and ran to Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru! How are you today my lord?"
Sesshomaru turned and faced the child. Traveling like this Sesshomaru didn't get to spend much time with her. He knew that she missed him. "I am good Rin. How are you today?" he asked pleasantly.
She was thrilled that he asked. "I'm doing very well today, thank you ever so much for asking!" She started to squirm a little, a hundred questions she wanted to ask him and a hundred things she wanted to tell him all exploding in her mind at once.
Rin was more excited then usual. She conserved a lot of energy riding on Ahun and occasionally Sesshomaru had to stop for a little while to let her run around. Sesshomaru had discovered long ago it was best to let Rin tire herself out. He noticed she was looking at him a little odd, like she was trying to think something to him because she couldn't straighten the words out in her mind. He had seen that look many times before. "What is it Rin? Is there something you would like to say?"
Rin took in a deep breath and held it in for a minute. She let it out in a heavy, dramatic sigh. "Actually Lord Sesshomaru I was wondering about something."
Sesshomaru was familiar with this behavior of hers as well. She either had a question or wanted to do something that just must be done. "What were you wondering about Rin?"
"When we stop traveling and find a good spot, my days will become most busy. Don't you agree Lord Sesshomaru?"
He wasn't quite sure yet where she was going with this, but her candor amused him. He knew traveling like this was dull for Rin; she would rather be busy with Misha. "I'm sure you will most busy Rin," he agreed.
Rin nodded and frowned a little. She let her eyes fall respectfully away from Lord Sesshomaru. She didn't always like to look right at him when she asked him something. She liked to give him a minute to think about her side before he could answer her. Usually it worked and Lord Sesshomaru would cave in. "I'm glad that you agree with me my lord because I simply must ask you a question."
Sesshomaru was leaning toward she wants something. Whatever it was, it had her worked up. "Go on."
Rin didn't know how to put it. It came out at point blank range. "Lord Sesshomaru, are you and Misha having a fight?"
Sesshomaru hadn't been expecting that to come from Rin. He noticed the child was frowning a little. "Rin?"
Rin tried very hard to concentrate on the words so that Lord Sesshomaru could understand her the very best out of everybody. "I think that you are and you're not telling me about it. You and Misha don't talk anymore. I understand that you're most busy Lord Sesshomaru; I must say Misha has become most melancholy, but she tries her very best to smile for me. But what if you're still not talking when things get busy again? How will you possibly keep up with me if you don't talk to Misha Lord Sesshomaru!" She looked up at him, starting to feel panic creeping up on her.
Sesshomaru blinked down at Rin. Even with her child's egocentric view of the world, Rin had noticed the distance between Sesshomaru and Misha. He supposed that it should come as no surprise; they were the two most important people in Rin's world, a fair amount of their conversation around Rin had been about the child herself. Sesshomaru got down on one knee in front of her so they could be at eye level. "You have nothing to worry about Rin. Misha and I have not had a fight. We have been walking all day and we are tired in the evening that is all." It wasn't exactly the truth but he made it sound that way. "I'm sure that when we come to a good place, things will go back to normal again. I'm sure that you and Misha both will have a lot to tell me about your day." It struck him to think that that spending time with Misha had become the norm, for all of them.
Excuse me for finding it a little bit odd that you found some other mortal to protect. A woman no less!
Rin swallowed hard studying Lord Sesshomaru's kind gold eyes. "Are you sure?" She wasn't particularly sure if it was a fight that was making the grown ups act so strangely, but whatever it was, Lord Sesshomaru was going to make it okay-all better now!
"Yes Rin," he assured her. He would make it a point to speak to Misha in front of Rin at some point today. He didn't want the child to become insecure or nervous.
Sesshomaru had put some distance between himself and the woman, after that night on the beach he had to. She was still mourning her kami's punishment and Sesshomaru did feel bad for robbing her of something so precious to her as a child. His nose remembered well the scent of their excitement on the beach. He was getting too friendly with this mortal woman. He could see why the other men in his family had taken a mortal lover, but that didn't mean that Sesshomaru was going to do the same. He had no intentions of taking a human to his bed nor would he ever be part of creating a hanyou.
"That's wonderful news my lord!" Rin clapped her hands together in front of her gleefully. Everything was going to be okay-all better now!