Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. Inu. Isn't that right my little penguins? Yes... hu-hah!

A/N: Yah! More Only Human chapters! This is short, and may seem to be a little not... flowing exactly, but it is a very important- VERY important- chapter. I think. It just... well, read it and you'll find out. Yah!

Chapter Nine: Giving In
I must be cruel only to be kind; thus bad begins, and worse remains behind. -William Shakespeare

"Okay Mai," Yumi said, cornering her after school. "What is it you haven't been telling us?" Risa nodded and said, "We don't like being blown off. What is so important that is takes up all of your time?"

Mai swallowed nervously. Her friends were kind, certainly, but she hated that they had to be so nosy. A million different lies surfaced in her mind, ranging from moderately believable to "the aliens made me do it!" All she wanted was to help him, but apparently her actions required explanation. Skimming over certain parts of the story, she decided to finally reveal the truth.

"Well Yumi, if you must know, I've met a boy." "A boy?" Sara asked excitedly. "Oh Mai, how sweet. Is he nice?" Yumi smiled graciously at her and simply replied, "Oh."

Risa was the only skeptical one. "Yeah right, that's a load of bull. You could have told us if it was just some guy, but you had to go sneaking around. Tell us the truth."

"I swear I am. Honestly, he's just sort of... different, and I wasn't sure if you would really like him." "If you like him Mai," Sara said wisely, "then of course we're going to like him." "Or at least respect your right to," Yumi amended.

Still a little concerned, but happy with an answer, her captors released her immediately. "I've got to go meet him now," Mai called, running towards her new haunt, "but I'll tell him that my friends want to see him soon." "Okay!" the three replied in unison, watching her go. "He better be gorgeous," Risa said, "because I do not feel like being blown off for just some other ugly dude."

Sesshoumaru stood up, having sensed the presence of his favorite stalker. He wanted to surprise her, and planned on walking aimlessly until she happened to run across him. However, his plans were quickly foiled when she noticed him before he had even rounded the first corner.

"Hey!" she called after him, "Wait for me, I want to talk to you." He rolled his eyes, but he did stop. "And I suppose my desires matter not?" Finally catching up to him, Mai said, "Sorry, but I couldn't care less what you want."

"Fine." They started walking slowly, easily keeping the other's pace. Sesshoumaru seemed even more distant than usual, but Mai kept the observation to herself, and happily chattered away.

"Mai," he said suddenly, interrupting her flow of speech. "What is it?" she asked quietly. "Why do you come here so often, to talk to someone who barely replies, and it's in insults when he does, when you could be off with someone who actually cares what you have to say?" "You do care, Sesshoumaru," she told him. "I don't know if you realize it or not, but do you honestly believe you would let yourself put up with me if you didn't at least like me a little?"

"You remind me of someone I used to know, a very long time ago. I haven't thought about her in so many years, and I'm not sure I want the memories to return." "Sometimes you just need to let yourself remember. Yes, it can lead to pain, but would you want to forget all the happy memories that were made as well?" He looked at her for a moment then said, "For someone so young, you certainly make a logical point." "I know."

The talk picked up a little after that; even the silent man had a little to add. Mai was beginning to understand him a little better, and that made her very glad. Conversation was easy for them to achieve, even if it was about trivial things. Slowly they made their way around the park, until they found themselves back at their usual meeting place. "Do you think it'stime for me to go?"

He shrugged, and once again sat down. "If you desire to leave, then please do so. I have no inclination to talk to you any longer." She sighed, and sat down beside him. "You know, eventually you're going to have to give me a chance. I'm going to be around as long as I can." He gave a noise in his throat that sounded vaguely like a growl. "Why won't you just leave me alone?"

"Because." With that, she stood and dusted herself off. "I'm going to go now, but I promise you I'll see you again soon." "Don't even bother," he said. "I'm tired of this. You are really getting to be nothing but a nuisance. I will say it one more time: Leave Me Alone." She opened her mouth, but he cut her off with a snarl. "Don't Mai. This 'friendship' won't ever work. I am not going to tolerate this any longer."

She glared at him, and said, "This isn't a joke. I'm really serious; I really want to be your friend." "Well, I don't give a damn." She looked at him for a long moment, and finally sighed. "You don't mean that." "Yes, I do. I refuse to be bothered any longer."

Mai turned red, and stared at Sesshoumaru for a long moment. "What made such a sudden change? A few moments ago, you were talking to me so easily. Now, you are being so cold. I really thought that you were an intrinsicallygood person. And I still believe that I can help you. One day, I hope you will see that too." And she turned and left him behind.

Sesshy P.O.V.

There. I knew that it was something I had to do. She was wrong. I'm not going to regret this; I do not regret. She had it coming; we were never meant to be 'friends'. Damn it, I hate her. She isn't right. I know that she needs to get over this. Damn it; this fight was what was supposed to happen. Damn it!

Regular P.O.V.

Mai walked out of the park in a daze. She was sure that he didn't mean it. But all that she could think about was the look on his face. Hewas so hard to decipher sometimes, and she was certain that his emotions could change at the drop of a hat. Still, it did hurt her, even if it was just a little. Obviously, he couldn't handle the thought of being happy. It made her feel almost... sorry for him.

She walked up the stairs, and opened the door to her home. The lights were out, and it didn't look like anyone was there. 'This is strange,' she thought. 'The door was unlocked. Mom and Sakura are usually always home this time of day.' Suddenly she heard a faint sniffle.

"Is that you Sakura? Is everything alright? Where's mom?" Mai walked into the living room and bit back a scream. Her mother was lying motionless in a heap on the floor, and her younger sister sat crying beside her. "What's wrong with her Mai?" Sakura asked, looking up. "I can't get her to move. She won't wake up. I wanted to call the doctors, but..." Mai nodded. She understood. Sakura was easily upset, and seeing her mother unconscious would make it impossible for her to think clearly.

"Don't worry," Mai assured her, coming down beside her to check on their mother. "I'll take care of it." Five minutes later, the proper medical authorities had been alerted, and someone was coming to pick up the woman and take her to the hospital. "I'm scared," Sakura whispered. "Will Mom be okay? I know that she gets sick a lot, but she's always gotten better. Won't she this time?" "I... yeah, Sakura. Nothing's going to happen to Mom. I'll make sure of it."