Thanks to all who have reviewed.

TheDisruptiveOne- My computer can't get to your e-mail for some reason...But anyway, thanks for clarifying the Renkotsu thing for me. I wasn't sure if the Band of Seven were humans or demons. I mean, they have those markings on their faces...but at the same time, I thought I recalled someone saying they were human from one of the episodes. Butone of themain reasonsI said 'demon' was because I really wasn't paying attention, heh. Thanks for clarifying that.

Things Become Clearer Part Two

It was night, once again. Miyoko tucked Rin into bed. She looked sternly at Jaken.

"Pay attention. Don't fall asleep."

Miyoko usually said "If anything happens to her…' and then some kind of threat, but tonight was different. She was troubled. She didn't know why. Despite her better judgment, she headed deeper into the woods to look for Sesshomaru. Why am I doing this? She really, really did not want to go, but knew that if she didn't, she'd never be able to sleep.

Sesshomaru paced in a clearing knowing Miyoko would come. He knew very well how she felt about him. But what he didn't know was how he felt about her. He wasn't exactly sure and of course, he wouldn't admit to himself that he actually cared. He stopped pacing. Miyoko, he thought. He remembered her. He thought of her eyes, her hair, and her spiteful glare. He smirked then sniffed the air. He smelt her clean, fresh scent. Hmm. Could it be that I really do care? This is not good. But…it cannot be changed…He thought about what he should do. After deciding, he also decided to go to Miyoko, instead of her coming to him.

Miyoko stopped walking. She turned the opposite direction, re-thinking about going to Sesshomaru. She stopped at a large rock and sat on it.

He knows I'm coming to him. That arrogant bastard. I'm going back, she thought. Her braids were messed up from playing with Rin, earlier. She undid one, then the other. She paused, seeing a figure far far away in the darkness. Ha! He came to me. She paused as another thought—a realization—emerged. He has feelings for me…No. He can't. He doesn't. He just…has a…strange…interest…in me. He couldn't possibly like me. Why would he? I'm sure there are tons of youkai women throwing themselves at his feet. Wait, I bet there are. Great! She rolled her eyes.

He isn't even close to being the type of guy who would…have those kinds of feelings. He'd consider them a waste of…everything. Then why…what was that the other day? The way he said he wasn't sure why he gave me so much…freedom. And…he was so close…No. It was probably just to see me…squirm. Ha, yep that's it. He likes to watch me squirm. He's playing with my emotions! Miyoko felt a little hurt. Well, he can't play with them if I don't show them, she decided.

She remembered she was fixing her hair. Then she thought, What am I doing? I will just take it down to wash it tomorrow anyway. She realized all this thinking of Sesshomaru had her not thinking at all. Miyoko left her unbraided ponytail alone. Great, here he comes.

Sesshomaru walked into view. Miyoko sat with her legs crossed and her elbow on her knee and her chin resting on her palm. Sesshomaru sat down on a rock beside her. He had one foot on the ground and the other on a small protruding edge elevated near the base of the rock. He rested his arm on his knee. Part of his wrist was visible displaying one of his two magenta stripes that marked it. Miyoko stared at the stripe as Sesshomaru stared at her. Miyoko displayed her calm, relaxed face, while Sesshomaru displayed his empty, emotionless one.

"Did you enjoy the fortuneteller's lies?" asked Sesshomaru.

Miyoko was a bit startled by the random question. "They were not lies they—No," Miyoko started the caught herself. She blushed a little, and then scolded herself. Don't show any…

Sesshomaru glimpsed at her, knowing he had won, yet again.

"Why must you tease me?" asked Miyoko.

"It amuses me," he responded, smirking.

"Well, I'm glad you get amusement from me," she said. Any other time, this would have been said sarcastically, but now it sounded as if she were serious.

Sesshomaru looked at her. "Why is that?"

"Because, in that case, you'd be nothing without me," she answered priggishly, turning her head so her long ponytail and bang tossed. She didn't smile, as if she were serious and trying to make a point.

Sesshomaru stood and walked over to Miyoko. She stood. He took hold of her forearm and pulled her closer. He let go, moving his hand to the back of her head. Miyoko was surprised she could maintain her calm, collected expression as she gazed into Sesshomaru's emotionless one. She felt her waist length, auburn, barely black hair fall to her face. Sesshomaru held the silk, black tie, which had held her ponytail, in his claw.

"You should really wear your hair down," he said.

Miyoko paused and turned her head away. "You just want me to look like Kikyou," she said very softly, so soft she could barely hear herself.

"I wouldn't want you to favor any human," Sesshomaru said gently, while gazing at her.

Miyoko looked up again as she felt her stomach twist. She reached for her tie, but Sesshomaru evaded her hand. Miyoko put down her hand, relinquishing her tie.

"I am surprised. You are not usually so submissive."

"I am not," she agreed.

He continued to gaze at her—emotions still not showing (in his facial expression that is), this time searching her face with his eyes. That glare… He longed to see it.

Miyoko smiled slyly and spoke softly, her voice alluring. "What are you looking for, signs of anger?" She paused. "Looks like I might have won this time. She stepped forward—they could not have been closer. She slowly reached for her tie and easily took it out of Sesshomaru's claws. She took a few steps back, then turned and walked away. She had finally won and taken him by surprise. Although a part of her—way down—like being teased, she also liked this turn around.

Damn, he thought, She is a clever temptress.

Did you actually think something was going to happen? Well, heh, boy were you wrong. I suppose I did that on purpose...I don't remember. All I know is that this story would be crap if things happened too fast. If Sesshomaru gave in too fast.

Thanks for reading...and reviewing.