Jackie: Hey! Last day of finals and I'm writing fanfiction! shakes her head Do they have a 12 step program for this?

DISCLAIMER; refer to Chapter 1

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Chapter 12;

Two days later……….

Sesshomaru sat leaned against a tree. Jaken was finishing his lunch. Miyoiki and Rin had left to gather flowers at Rin's request. Inuyasha and his group had parted with them yesterday.

A scream had Sesshomaru up and entering the nearby clearing is mere seconds, but Miyoiki was already on it. Rin was cowering behind a rock, and Miyoiki was using her impressive swordsmanship to make short work of a demon snake. The battle lasted little over a minute, but it really should have lasted even less. Sesshomaru turned to Rin and said, "You will go back to camp, Rin."

"Yes, my lord!" was her enthusiastic reply.

Rin left and Miyoiki looked back at her lord. He had been very soft with her over the past days. Dare she think he was concerned over her? She had seen the fatherly love shining in his eyes lately towards Rin as well. Had he changed somehow, or was she merely more in tune to him now that she knew him better? His eyes regarded her in their normal weighing fashion. She grimaced, nope, maybe he hadn't changed.

He was a cold and calculated killer, a great leader, and a noble lord. He has handsome, even more so with his restored arm, and his body was… Well, constructed. Beneath that he had great depths of caring that manifested themselves towards Rin. He was a keen observer, and a sharp mind. She remembered the day he'd found her by the river and the gentleness of his touch. Then she remembered the lazy circles he had traced on her forearm that night so long ago. He had great potential for passion and tenderness buried under the indiscriminant killer that everyone else thought he was. Too bad she would never see that passion realized and directed towards her. What wouldn't she give to see him look at her as more than an object he was studying?

"That sword," He said, "And that bracer. They are worthless. It is time for you to develop your true powers."

"And exactly how would I do that?" She asked.

"We fight," He said, "If I press you hard enough, I am sure your powers will surface in self-defense."

He drew Tokijin and looked into her wide blue eyes. He was happy those hadn't changed. He motioned for her to ready herself and the battle began. Sesshomaru pulled his attacks at first, then he started attacking with a bit more of the brute force he contained. They went on for hours, and still she managed to defend herself with only her sword and mild bursts of spiritual power.

Drawing out her spiritual powers was nothing to be excited about. She had received spiritual training while she thought she was human. He need to tax her, he needed to force her to try something new. He began to draw upon his demon powers and the power of his sword. A few more moments passed, and he found himself in the middle of a powerful down strike. She leapt back and her wings unwrapped carrying her a great distance backward before she landed.

She smiled at her accomplishment, and then looked at Lord Sesshomaru who was standing frozen, just staring at her. His eyes traveled over her. Her breasts and hips were adorned with dark blue markings in intricate scrolling patterns, but that did not distract his mind from the fact that she was quite naked.

The realization hit Miyoiki. She threw her hands around herself and turned away from him, blushing wildly. Her wings wrapped back around her and she managed to choke out, "I-I'm sorry."

"It is necessary to find something for you to wear beneath your wings," He said coldly

"I thought of that last night," She answered, "I can't seem to figure out how to wear anything that doesn't constantly rub my wings."

"Let me see," He said softly and turned her toward him.

How had he gotten so close all of a sudden, she wondered? Gods, he's fast. He looked at her and her folded wings for a moment, turned her around again, and then turned her back to him. He nodded and knelt down drawing in the sand as he said, "Your wings attach here and here. Pants will not be a problem as long as they are made to fit your hips instead of your waist. The top is the problem. It must be backless except for a strap here."

What he drew looked much like a backless halter-top. She nodded lightly leaning in to look a bit closer at the drawing. He looked up at her, mere inches from him and his heart leapt in his chest.

She was so beautiful. The silver sheen of her pale skin made her glow like a celestial being. Her heart shaped face, fine features, and plump rosebud lips made her look even more angelic. He was in awe of her. She was a faithful woman of honor and duty. She was a natural mother, a fearless fighter, and perhaps an even greater observer then him. This woman, whatever she was, had won his respect first, then his lust, and finally his love. My Miyoiki.

Miyoiki noticed that Sesshomaru wasn't drawing any more, but his claw was still in the sand. She looked up and froze. The sun was setting behind him, and the red-gold colors of the sunset only made his amber eyes more intense. Sesshomaru gazed at her soft red lips, parted and breathless, and felt himself drawn toward them. Miyoiki saw his eyes lower to her lips, his scent invaded her. It had changed and become somewhat musty all of a sudden. She was not yet in tune enough with her new senses to know what that meant. She did know that their faces were a mere 3 inches, no 2, no…

"My lord!" Rin chimed, "Lady Miyoiki! Is it time for dinner yet?"

Sesshomaru's eyes moved to Rin, and Miyoiki was already to her feet and running to the small girl. Miyoiki scooped Rin up and started jabbering to her. Sesshomaru watched them disappear. Miyoiki, Rin's loving surrogate mother. A woman used to the idea of being a noble who reduced herself to servitude for the sake of those she lead. Then she had endured his harshness, and his cold nature for the sake of honoring her vow. A day after emerging a new being, she seemed to be facing her new fate with strength and resolve. She was beautiful, loving, honorable, and strong. She was a perfect choice. If he had to fall in love, he was glad to do so wisely. He pictured her wrapped in his arms and Rin wrapped in hers and for the first time since he was very small, he let himself smile a real smile. A smile of true happiness.

Sesshomaru stood and thought for a moment. Naraku would not be happy loosing her. He was sure Naraku would strike again and soon. A frown replaced his smile. Miyoiki needed training, and Rin needed to be kept safe during this. He made his decision quickly and headed to camp.

Miyoiki had already passed out some rations of bread and dried meat. She was tearing her white outfit that he loved so that she could make the necessary alterations to it. He almost grinned at her choice. He turned to Jaken and said, "Jaken, you will take Ah-Un and Rin back to my castle and stay there until I return for you. The journey has become too dangerous for Rin to travel with us."

"My lord," Miyoiki started, "Is it not more appropriate that I go with Rin. Isn't her safety my job?"

"You need to stay with me and train," He answered simply.

Jaken had nothing to say, not even the normal whining. After dinner was done, Miyoiki helped the two get packed and as she helped Jaken into the saddle she said, "Well, you should look at this like and honor. You are being trusted to guard that which is most valuable to our lord."

Jaken looked at Miyoiki for a moment before saying, "Yes, one of the things that matters most to him, at least."

With that they disappeared into the sky and Miyoiki settled down on ground beneath the pelt she'd used since the first night. She couldn't help feeling his eyes upon her. It made for very restless sleep and wanton dreams.

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Jackie; Keep tuned in, and don't be afraid to make suggestions! I aim to please!