Derry Interlude:

Sesshomaru carried Misha to the bed Kagome had turned down for her. As Kagome set to tending Inuyasha's wound, Sesshomaru went searching the wreckage for Misha's kimono. There was no way he was taking her back to Rin wearing that. She was dressed like some sort of slave, string and scraps of fabric that barely covered her deeply tanned skin. Sesshomaru was furious that Misha had been exposed in such a way. He was sure the woman was probably traumatized and humiliated. He was able to smell where Azuki had put his sweaty hands on her; it fueled the angry fire in Sesshomaru's gut.

He found her kimono in a heap under a pile of rubble near the back of the castle. He picked it up and stared at the blood down the front of it, Misha's blood. Sesshomaru thought of the mark on her cheek just below her eye. The demons had hit her as well as humiliated her. Sesshomaru swallowed hard. His throat was hot and dry. Disgust churned in his stomach. Misha must have been terribly frightened.

He returned to the room where Misha slept. He stood outside looking in. Kagome had finished with Inuyasha. She was applying a compress to Misha's forehead while InuYasha sparked a fire in the irori. Kagome looked up and saw Misha's kimono in Sesshomaru's hand. Sesshomaru watched as his brother's wife came to the door and addressed him.

"Why don't you let me get the blood out of Misha's kimono for her," Kagome offered. "It's my fault she got hit in the first place. She was sticking up for me and Tomei hit her." Kagome's eyes fell away from the demons face back to the kimono slung across Sesshomaru's arm.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the thought. He tried not to look angry with Kagome; there was no need to upset the woman. He had seen her actions during the battle; she had dragged Misha to safety. "I thank you for all that you have done for Misha, Kagome. Here," he held out the kimono to her. "I'm sure Misha will be most grateful."

Kagome blinked at Sesshomaru. Did that guy just thank me? She stepped forward and took Misha's kimono. "Uh… yeah. Right. Well…" she turned and hurried down the steps and in the direction of the well.

Inuyasha came out and looked at his brother standing at the bottom of the stairs. He was looking in at Misha, smelling her. Inuyasha's own keen nose told him what the women had been through today. Kagome seemed to be alright, Inuyasha swore she had become immune to all the fighting. Misha seemed to be in a deep peaceful sleep. Sesshomaru still seemed highly agitated though. He had killed one of the demons and the other two had been forced to flee. Their swords and their women were safe, but big brother was still fuming. Inuyasha moved forward and sat down on the steps. "Kagome and Misha seem to be okay. Those two demons got away though."

"Azuki and Odoku escaped," Sesshomaru growled watching Misha breath from afar. "I will find them and I will kill them."

"You're not the only one that wants another crack at those bastards ya know." Inuyasha sighed tiredly. His arm was throbbing even though Kagome had given him something for the pain. He wished he had brought her fat back pack full of remedies and oddities of another era. I'd kill for an aspirin… He looked for Kagome and found her in the dim. "I've decided I'm sending Kagome home to see her family for a while. I don't want her getting caught up in this mess again."

Sesshomaru let his eyes drop to his brother. He was watching his woman at the well. Sesshomaru had the idea that the woman wouldn't want to be forced to leave him, but Inuyasha seemed determine to make her go. "You do not believe you can keep her safe?"

"Of course I can keep Kagome safe," he scoffed still watching her beneath the rising moon. "I just don't need her stressing out right now. Can't you smell it?"

Sesshomaru frowned a little. "Smell what?"

"Kagome's pregnant. I don't even think she knows yet. I'm not going to have her in the middle of a war zone when she figures it out either."

Sesshomaru was taken aback. Inuyasha was going to be a father? He searched out Kagome's scent. Inuyasha was correct. "I see."

"After I make sure Kagome is safe, I'm going after those guys. They aren't getting away." He turned and looked back at his brother. "What are you going to do with Misha and Rin while you're after those demons?"

Sesshomaru frowned at the idea that such sanctuary was even necessary. This was his land after all. He supposed it would be for the best to tuck his mortals away someplace safe until Sesshomaru concluded his business with Azuki. "I know of a place where they will be safe." He looked away from Inuyasha back to Misha letting his senses observe her. She seemed to be alright now, just deep asleep. There was a silence between the brothers as Sesshomaru tried to get his mind around Inuyasha's news. Finally Sesshomaru managed, "Congratulations on the child, brother. I'm sure Kagome will be quite happy."

Inuyasha grinned a little, he couldn't help himself. "Yeah… well we'll see. I guess we'll be settling down in Keade's village after all." Inuyasha studied his brother. He was kind of surprised Sesshomaru had congratulated him on the baby; a mix of half demon and human. Even though the brothers weren't exactly close, they both were at least making a little effort to be civil with each other. "Hey Sesshomaru, look there's something …"

Sesshomaru looked up at Inuyasha. The hanyou was getting jumpy. "If you want something Inuyasha, come out and say it." Sesshomaru had too much on his mind to play guessing games with his little brother. Looking at him made him think of the child in Kagome's belly. He didn't know what sort of creature Inuyasha and Kagome would make but at least Kagome would have a baby, she would get to mother her own child. The news of the baby just reminded him of Misha's sorrow over their sin.

Inuyasha scowled a little. "Like I'd never need anything from you." He sighed heavily. "I just wanted to tell you to take care of that woman is all. I'm sure that kid of yours is probably freaking out without her. They seem close; they love each other I suppose. Of course they both worship the ground you walk on. Misha got pissed at me once when I mentioned her taking Rin and settling down someplace. She said that she would never take Rin away from you. I guess I'm glad it goes both ways; that you won't let Rin be without Misha either."

Sesshomaru had never heard Inuyasha speak to him in such a way. For once he wasn't complaining about the way Sesshomaru handled his wards. Sesshomaru could still hear Rin's heart wrenching Misha mama! wail in the back of his mind. "I will never allow for Rin and Misha to become separated again."

Inuyasha nodded and sat quiet for a minute. Sesshomaru looked back to Misha and Inuyasha stared at Kagome. "Misha loves you Sesshomaru, every bit as much as that kid does, but not in the same way. I know you don't know anything about humans so maybe you can't see it. Maybe you don't wanna see it cuz she's just a mortal."

Sesshomaru cut his eyes over to Inuyasha. "You confuse loyalty for love little brother."

Inuyasha turned to Sesshomaru. "I don't think that I'm the one confused here big brother. My senses don't lie. You've done something to that woman's heart. I can tell. Maybe you don't give a rat's ass about mortals, but you are responsible for that woman and that kid. You are the one that used fathers Tenseiga to revive them. Their lives are in your hands. Don't toy with their emotions. A woman's heart is soft, even words can break it. Or I guess in your case it would be the lack of words."

Sesshomaru was shocked by Inuyasha's barrage. He frowned at the hanyou. "What are you trying to say Inuyasha? If you're trying to imply that I have not taken care of Misha because she was abducted let me remind you that Kagome was taken too."

Try to be nice to the guy… "Baka! I know you won't let your mortals be killed." Inuyasha would just have to be blunt as usual. And they all call me stupid… "You're gonna have to set that woman straight Sesshomaru. It's one thing for her to love the kid, but it's not fair to her to be in love with you."

Sesshomaru doubted that what Misha felt for him was love. They had been quite cool with each other lately, if anything she was probably still angry at him for breaking the law of her kami. "You do not understand Inuyasha. Misha and I are…"

"Are what? Are you that blind Sesshomaru? Do you not see that father's sword has given you the makings of a human family? He wants you to understand them, to not hate mortals so damn much!" Inuyasha got to his feet and stood eye to eye with his brother on the step. "You're always calling Tenseiga a worthless sword, but it's not a worthless sword! That sword saved my mothers life! Our father revived my mother just like you did for Rin and for Misha! Father gave you Tenseiga to…"

"That is enough Inuyasha," Sesshomaru stayed calm. He realized that reviving the mortals had put him in his fathers place. The hanyou was still quite sensitive over his human mother as well. "I know why father left me Tenseiga; my view of mortals has not changed. Rin and Misha are exceptions to the rule."

Inuyasha sighed and looked away. "Whatever," he grumbled. "I can't tell you anything. You're always right and that's how it is. Just don't let that woman go wasting her life pining away for you." He went down the steps past his brother. He walked out to Kagome at the well.

Sesshomaru watched his brother join his woman from the corner of his eye. If either of them had a human family, it was Inuyasha not him. Rin and Misha were his responsibility, not his family. His eyes went back to Misha and he let his senses focus on her breathing. He could still smell poison when she exhaled. She would need to sleep at least through the night here before her strength could return to her. In the morning he would fetch the others and take them to the safest place he knew of. After he secured the humans, "Azuki," he growled smelling his poison mixed with the other demon's as Misha breathed. "I will kill you."

Fedic: 2 Views

Kagome had offered to stay and look after Misha, but Sesshomaru assured her it wasn't necessary. The fox child would be worried for the woman's safety. Inuyasha hoisted his woman onto his back and they disappeared back in the direction of Inuyasha's human territory. After a while Sesshomaru went and sat at the door to Misha's room. He relaxed against the frame and watched the moon rise.

He was a little stiff from battle. Tenseiga had protected him from the full force of the Bakuryuuha, but he had been enveloped in its power. The clash of demon energies tore at him and broke his armor. He felt where the Bakuryuuha had scathed him, so it was like being hit by a tornado after all. He was sure he would feel better in the morning though, with or without sleep. Azuki and Odoku had no such protection from the blast though they survived. Sesshomaru was sure they were in worse shape then he was right about now.

Misha's breathing changed a little and Sesshomaru looked over at her. It looked as though she was trying to regain consciousness.

Misha could feel herself coming awake. Around her she could hear sticks popping in a fire and the whirring of nighttime insects. She opened her eyes half way and saw that she was inside the castle. She was in bed and covered to her chin. On the other side of the irori her kimono had been set to dry. Misha turned her head slowly; it was still a bit difficult to focus. Sesshomaru was sitting in the doorway looking at her. She remembered waking up outside of the castle and he had been there. Sesshomaru had come for her after all. As she tried to focus her eyes on him she noticed something wrong. Sesshomaru's armor was broken. Rin and Jaken were nowhere in sight either. "Rin?" she held the blanket against her collarbone with one hand and pushed herself to sit up with the other. "Where is Rin?"

Sesshomaru got up and went to Misha. "Rin is safe. She is with Jaken. We will go to Rin in the morning," he assured her as he hunkered beside her. She didn't look quite steady. She was still weak from the poison. He watched her eyes. She seemed to ease some when she heard Rin was alright, but then something changed. Misha dropped her eyes. He could smell the shame coming from the woman. It made him hate Azuki even more. "It is alright now Misha. You are safe. The demons are gone, one of them is dead. The other two will die as well."

"That man…" she whispered.

Sesshomaru felt the anger in his stomach churn some. "You needn't speak of it Misha. I can smell what he did to you. My deepest regrets for not arriving sooner but be at ease knowing that I will kill him."

Misha cringed. Sesshomaru could smell what Azuki had done to her. Her cheeks burned in humiliation. She should have run from Azuki the moment he had set foot in her room. She couldn't stand to have Sesshomaru's eyes on her knowing that he was aware of what had happened to her. "Yes Sesshomaru. Thank you for coming for me."

Misha's tension just added to his own. He studied the woman noticing the bruises that had blossomed on her arms in these past few hours. Where Azuki had grabbed her and held her. "I'm glad you bit him," he said looking back at her face. That got a reaction from Misha. She looked up at him and their eyes locked. Misha's heart had started beating faster, not dangerously so, but her scent was changing some.

"I…" but she didn't need to tell Sesshomaru anything. He wasn't angry with her in the slightest; he had come to rescue her. Deciding to fight Azuki had been the right decision after all. She was alive and Sesshomaru was pleased that she had not given up without a fight. Her eyes fell again and she looked him over. His armor was broken and he was covered with abrasions. There was blood on the shoulder of his kimono, underneath the cut must be deep. The fight between the demons must have been intense. "You have been injured Sesshomaru." She took her hand from behind her and reached for him. "Let me see."

Sesshomaru caught Misha's hand before she could touch his bloody kimono. "The wound isn't serious; it will be gone by morning." Her eyes met his again. He could tell she was worried, probably guilty that the wound was received saving her as well. When Misha was worried, she tended to fuss over Rin. It calmed her. If taking care of him would settle Misha down, then maybe he should just let her. Sesshomaru sighed tiredly. "Alright if it will make you feel better to have a look." He stood and stepped back. He removed his broken armor and let it drop to the floor. He was more then just a little irritated that the Bakuryuuha had cost him that armor. He loosened the front of his kimono and slid it off of one shoulder. Misha had tucked the blanket under her arms and rinsed the compress in the cold water. If nothing else she would at least get the dirt out of the annoying cut. He sat on his heels beside her and waited for her.

Misha held the blanket against her with one hand and dabbed at the cut running down Sesshomaru's shoulder with the other. There was dirt in it; she was trying to be gentle. Misha took a deep breath and leaned forward on her knees letting go of the blanket. She didn't want Sesshomaru to see her like this, but she wanted to get the grit from the courtyard out of his nasty scrape. She tried not to think of how awful she must look to him. "Be still," she warned before spreading the cut to swipe the dirt out.

It didn't hurt, and it appeared to be calming Misha to look after him. At least she wasn't cowering under the blanket anymore. He kept his eyes on her as she grimaced cleaning the cut. He knew the sight of blood wasn't really her thing. She wasn't as desensitized to violence as Rin or Kagome. She moved away from cut and rinsed the towel again. He stayed still watching her as she finished cleaning him up. Misha was a mix of scents. It was frustrating trying to know exactly what she was feeling. "Are you alright Misha?"

Misha wiped the last of the blood from Sesshomaru's shoulder. The cut wasn't bleeding anymore, but it looked gross. She sat back on her heels still looking at it. "I am alright Sesshomaru. I am sorry that you got hurt coming to my rescue."

"I already told you that this is nothing, but thank you Misha for treating me." He could smell guilt and sorrow coming from her.

Misha set the bloody cloth aside. "It's the least I can do." Her eyes went to his ruined armor and she thought again how much force it would have taken to do such a thing. How dangerous had the fight with the demons been? She rolled her eyes back to him taking note of all the places he had been damaged by some enormous energy. He must have fought very hard for her. "Kagome and Inuyasha?"

Sesshomaru watched Misha looking him over taking in every simple scratch. "They were unharmed. They have returned to their village." He thought again of the child Kagome carried. He wondered if seeing Kagome bloat with pregnancy would bother Misha. "Kagome took care of your kimono for you, it should be dry soon."

Misha hugged herself to cover up. It would be foolish to try to hide beneath the covers now that Sesshomaru had already seen her wearing this abomination. "I am sorry Sesshomaru; I never should have let them take my kimono away. I was afraid of the one who hit me; I didn't see what he had left me until it was too late."

Sesshomaru looked down at her. Even with her arms crossed a fair amount of Misha was exposed. "It is not your fault that they terrorized you in such a way Misha." He could still smell Azuki on her. Sesshomaru might have seen Misha, but he had never touched her. He remembered holding her on the beach, but he tried to convince himself that he had done it to comfort her. Misha scent was sad and Sesshomaru considered hugging her now. He wanted to smother Azuki's scent on her with his own.

Misha nodded. "Yes Sesshomaru." She felt terribly guilty sitting here with him like this. He had fought his way to her only to find her in such a distressing state. Misha wanted to be brave, like Kagome so that Sesshomaru wouldn't have to worry about her. She didn't want to be his weakness.

He didn't want her to feel so miserable. She shouldn't feel guilty for things beyond her control. Her heart was indeed very soft and looking at her he could see how fragile Misha's human body was. He had to protect her and he wanted to avenge her. He lifted his eyes to her face again. Her cheeks were slightly flushed; she was staring down at her knees. The fire threw shadows but Sesshomaru could still see the mark under her eye. He cursed himself again for being so slow to reach her. "I'm going to take you and Rin to a safe place in the morning Misha. I cannot have either of you around when I face Azuki again."

She looked up at him. "You mean to go looking for him immediately?"

"I will make sure that you and Rin are safe first. There is nothing for you to worry about."

Misha was horrified. She might have been unconscious during the battle, but she could see the aftermath. The courtyard was scared and the castle crumbled; and Sesshomaru had been hurt. "Sesshomaru! You mustn't go after Azuki now. You must rest and recover your strength!"

He was hoping that Misha would settle knowing that she and Rin would be safe and that Azuki would be slain, instead she turned her worry on him. Her scents mixed up again. It was difficult to read her with her emotions jumping all over the place. He fixed his eyes on her to clam her. The look in her eyes was quieting. "You do not need to worry about me Misha. I am a demon not a human. By the time I find Azuki my strength will have returned." He realized he didn't want her worrying about him, it made him feel uncomfortable as if he was in the wrong somehow. He couldn't understand why she wasn't happy or relived to know that the demons that had done this to her were going to pay with their lives

She always has her own crazy ideas and feelings about stuff! They can make it hard to protect them.

"I do worry about you though Sesshomaru! I don't want to see you get hurt, neither does Rin. What would we do without you?" The thought of Rin loosing either her or Sesshomaru was something Misha couldn't bare. She began to tremble at the thought of trying to explain to Rin that something had happened to Sesshomaru. There was a pain in her heart when she thought of him leaving her as well.

Her pulse had accelerated again. Misha was quite excited and upset. Sesshomaru didn't like the idea much of being away from her or Rin either, but he would return to them after Azuki was dead. He would not lose to such a vile demon. "I will return to you once I have slain Azuki, I won't be away long Misha."

The idea of Sesshomaru abandoning her and Rin somewhere to go fight a dangerous battle was terrifying. He wasn't going to listen to her though, and maybe she really didn't have cause to worry. Sesshomaru was strong enough to hold up to whatever it was that had shredded his armor. Her eyes swept his injuries again. Worry twisted her stomach into a knot. "It's just that…"

Sesshomaru didn't want Misha fretting over his injuries anymore tonight. She needed to calm down and get some rest; the poisons were still working through her. "Misha," Sesshomaru reached forward and took her chin in his hand. He tilted her head up meaning to make her look at him and calm down; he realized too late what an intimate gesture it was. She looked at him with soft eyes and her mouth fell open a little. Her heart was skipping wildly. It was just as his brother had said. Misha loves you Sesshomaru Misha was excited like this because of him, because she was in love with him.

Sesshomaru was staring at her; there was a curious look in his eye. The hand holding her face was warm and gentle. Misha felt the heat in her cheeks. "Sesshomaru…"

He liked to watch his name roll off her tongue and pass her lips. He was staring at her mouth again. Unable to resist, Sesshomaru swept a finger across her bottom lip. He was careful with his claws and Misha sat perfectly still staring up at him with flaming cheeks. The woman's scent was changing. Her fear was sliding away, giving way to an even stronger emotion. He looked up into her eyes and knew what the scent was… lust…

Misha was frozen in Sesshomaru's grasp. Her heart pounded in her ears. It was like it had been on the beach, so confusing but so exciting. Sesshomaru locked his eyes on hers and she felt the strength run out of her body. The way he was looking at her…

Sesshomaru leaned closer to Misha, her scent filling his senses. He was moving his hand before he even thought about it; his body seemed to be reacting to Misha with a will of its own. His hand fell away from her face and wrapped around her waist. Sesshomaru pulled Misha to him. Her eyes widened a little as he pressed her to his bare chest. Her skin felt very soft against him. Her body was warm and smooth. He brought his nose down to her neck and smelled her behind the ear. The woman's scents were excited and exciting. His other arm wrapped around Misha and he pulled their bodies closer. He dropped his lips to hers and tasted her breath. Sesshomaru pressed his mouth over Misha's and kissed her softly.

Misha couldn't believe what was happening. Sesshomaru held her in his strong arms; much of her was bare and pressing against his naked chest. Sesshomaru's body was warmer then hers, his strength was contained when he touched her. He sniffed at her and closed his mouth over hers. Misha let her eyes fall shut and tried to give herself to Sesshomaru's kiss.

Misha had never been kissed before. Sesshomaru was patient and gentle as he guided her willing mouth. Misha slipped her arms up around his neck. Her long fingers tickled at his skin setting his blood on fire. The scent of her excitement filled his senses. Her lips were every bit as soft and full between his teeth as he though they might be. He ran his hands up her back feeling all of her smooth exposed flesh.

She was lost in his kiss, lost in their embrace. Her heart felt like it might burst. Sesshomaru might have seen her, but he was not her husband. Misha shouldn't be touching him like this, but she had no desire to stop herself. It felt good to hold him, to be held by him. For better or worse she had fallen in love with her protector, Misha was Sesshomaru's to command.

Sesshomaru was struggling to stay in control of his better morals. He shouldn't be doing this with Misha, she was a mortal; human. Only his stubborn prejudice seemed to object, the rest of him wanted this woman. His hands moved carefully as he felt the curves of her body. He fought to bring himself under control. Misha was a willing partner which made it all the more difficult to stop himself. He could probably take her if he desired. Sesshomaru realized that the biggest threat to Misha's purity right now was none other than himself.

He pulled his mouth away from hers and let his nose go back to the scent behind her ear. He had practically pulled her into his lap while kissing her; she was straddling one of his knees. She was panting a little. His heart thundered in his chest. He nipped at her neck and she moaned. "Misha…"

He had to stop himself now before he was no longer able to. He had to get away from her, away from her skin and her scent. He lifted his hands to her shoulders and slid her back away from him. Now that he had moved, Sesshomaru kept moving. He got to his feet quickly and stepped back from Misha. She was looking up at him with confused, glassy eyes. She was flush with passion. He had to distance himself from her before he was on her again. The room was perfumed with desire. "I…" he couldn't explain so he didn't even bother to try. Sesshomaru turned and went out into the night to cool his heels.

Misha blinked at Sesshomaru's sudden retreat. She saw him moving through the moonlight in the courtyard pulling his kimono back up over his shoulder. She brought a hand up and touched her lips. "Sesshomaru… "