Jackie: What happened to all my reviewers? pout

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Chapter 8; Ripening

Sesshomaru couldn't help looking over his shoulder every once and a while at Miyoiki. She was keeping up, as always, but her eyes were downcast, and her shoulders slumped. It was quite a difference from her normal proud stance. Brooding did not become her.

They stopped for lunch and she went right to her normal chores. She took longer than normal in returning, and he became concerned. Yes, he, Sesshomaru, was concerned. Sesshomaru told Rin and Jaken to stay put, and went looking for her.

It was easy enough to follow her scent. He found her by the river with her sleeves rolled up staring at something on the backs of her arms. He posture went suddenly stiff and she tore her sleeves down to cover her arms again. She stood with a line full of fish and turned to look directly at him. He should have been concealed where he stood, and he was quite sure he had not made a sound. He stood still for a moment, doubting she had actually noticed him.

"I'm sorry I took so long, my lord," She said, "The river seems to be low on fish today, and it took a while to catch enough to-"

"Liar," was his cold reply.

He stepped from the shadows and said, "Hold out one of your arms."

He had smelt a slight scent of fear on her that night, but for the first time he could tell that she was truly terrified. Her face strained and flushed. She growled, "I will not."

"Hold out one of your arms," He said more sternly.

"I will NOT," She spat back at him.

She was more than afraid. She was ashamed of something. The more his insisted the more she tried to hide her arms behind her back. This was going to take caring, patience, and tenderness. Things he had no particular gift for. He had long since done away with the need for such things. With a mental sigh he stepped closed to her, and tried to soften his voice, "Please."

Her face went pale with shock, and her eyes when wide. Her jaw about dropped off her face, and she blinked three times in one second. Then she lowered her face and studied her feet as she offered him her right arm. He gently rolled back her sleeve and though his face held no expression, his heart sank.

Her forearms were covered with tiny yet thick silver scales. From each of the scales extended a long, silky strand of white hair. He looked up at her face and he could tell she was fighting back tears. Her voice shook as she said, "I don't know what it is, but it hurts. It's got to be some sort of disease. I thought if you saw them… You'd leave me behind."

Perhaps it was not as easy for her to see through him as he thought. After what had happened last night, he would have thought she'd know that he couldn't leave her behind. Didn't she know how many demons and humans had died for far less insolence than she had shown? He rolled her sleeve back down and said, "Rin is hungry. Hurry up."

He disappeared into the forest leaving her shocked blue eyes behind him. He had just sat down when she emerged from the forest behind him. She made lunch, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. He couldn't. He really couldn't leave her behind. How irritating.

She was going to make her cocoon just as Naraku had said, and the poor woman didn't even know what was happening to her. How would she deal with it when the silk and darkness took her? He knew he had to tell her, he had to give her some warning, but he had no idea how.

As he watched her play with Rin he wanted to believe that even if this part of what Naraku had said was true, that the other was not. She would not become a beast. Not his loving, proud, strong Miyoiki. She wouldn't turn on him, she wouldn't turn on Rin. She just wouldn't. For the first time in hundreds of years he felt doubt, and he didn't like it.

……………..

Naraku laughed and laughed as he watched them. His laugh died down to a chuckle as he said, "How the mighty have fallen, in love that is. And look at him, Kana, so distressed over it. Don't worry lord Sesshomaru. It will all be over soon."

"They are about a week's travel from us at their top pace," Kana observed.

"Which is just about perfect," Naraku said and dropped his barrier.

"What about Inuyasha?" Kana asked

"I have sent a few incarnations, including your disobedient sister, to keep him company," Naraku said, "By the time he arrives, it will be too late."

…………………………..

Sesshomaru looked toward the east. Suddenly Naraku's stench was as easy to pick out as Miyoiki's, but no where near as pleasant. He looked back at her and she was also looking to the east.

Her powers were maturing. She was feeling things, sensing things that she could not before. That was how she had known where he was. Again his heart sank. Another thing he was not used to; empathy. But he would get used to it for her.

Miyoiki's eyes found his and she froze. For the first time ever, she saw emotion in his eyes. In fact, it was written all over his face. But why sadness?

His face went back to ice, and she looked away. He did not. He continued to look at her. Naraku had let his barrier down on purpose. Sesshomaru was sure of it. Naraku was trying to bring Sesshomaru to him because he wanted Miyoiki. I told you, Naraku, that I am not that easy to manipulate.

Suddenly Sesshomaru noticed that the campsite was quiet. Jaken and Rin were staring back and forth between him and Miyoiki. He growled in spite of himself and they both became suddenly very interested in their food.

When lunch was done Sesshomaru walked over to Rin and lifted her into Ah-Un's saddle. He commanded Jaken to get into the saddle as well, and Miyoiki made a sudden squeal of shock as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Sesshomaru took off into the air and Ah-Un followed. Miyoiki was stiff in his arm, but after a few moments she relaxed. They flew away from Naraku's evil stench.

…………………..

Naraku scowled and hissed, "I would never have thought that Sesshomaru would miss such a chance, even if he could figure out that it was a trap. That fool must really love her."

Naraku stood and started toward the door.

"You are going after them?" Kana asked, "You will not send one of us?"

"Yes," He answered, "Such a prize requires my personal touch."

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