A/N: Ack! I've been very slack in my updating. And this chapter is kinda raw and... not as good as some other chapters. sweatdrop Well, I thought I might as well post it anyway, just to get it out of the way. I wrote it, edited it, and it just won't get any better. SO! You have been warned. And I will update a lot sooner this time.

Chapter Twelve- His True Nature Revealed
And since you cannot see yourself
So well as by reflection, I, your glass
Will modestly discover to yourself,
That of yourself which you yet know not of
-William Shakespeare

Mai went and visited her mother again that evening. She was feeling a little embarrassed at her outburst, and apologized profusely. Sakura hugged her tightly and told her that it was fine. And their mother, calm as always, just assured her daughter gracefully and asked that she not worry.

The doctors said that the illness could be fatal. They warned the small family that there was a chance, small but still there, that the eldest might not make it. Sakura's tears came quickly. She huddled up next to Mai, wanting her to negate what the doctors had just told them. But all Mai could do was smile and gently pat her back. She didn't know what would come, and she didn't know what fate had in store for them.

"She might be fine though," the physician told them with a heavy voice. "Remember, there are two sides to this thing. I wish she could have been brought in earlier, but we can still save her." He turned to the patient in question. "You're prepared to fight though, aren't you?" She nodded. "Good," he stated gruffly. "I'll leave you alone now, but don't strain your mother too much alright girls?"

"Alright!" Sakura agreed, nodding furiously. "Mommy's going to be just fine." She looked sadly at Mai for reassurance.

"That's right honey," their mother said, "I'm going to be fine."

The girls, since the mother was reluctant to leave them at home by themselves, were going to stay with relatives for the duration of her hospitalization. It was for the best, and the family they were staying with was kind.

Mai was feeling utterly conflicted. She was worried- terribly worried- about her mother, and often her pensive mood was due to a mind wrapped up in horrid possibilities. Sakura noticed, but being the unsure little sister she was, she chose not to voice her observations. It was hard enough for her, and she didn't want Mai being upset with her to add to either of their troubles.

That night, as the two girls were packing to go, Sakura was brave enough to go to her big sister. "Mai," she said tentatively, her voice small.

"What is it Sakura?"

The young girl paused, unsure how to voice what she wanted Mai to know. "Well, I..." She swallowed. "You're not sick too, are you Mai? You're acting tired and sad, and I don't want you to suffer too. It's bad enough that mommy might die," little tears collected at the corner of her eyes, "but I don't want you to be ill too."

Mai gave her a gracious smile, and opened her arms. Sakura ran and leapt into the hug. "Don't worry, please don't worry." And Sakura just nodded hard, bent on keeping whatever plagued her sister at bay.

Mai's heart was still in confusion in regards to her new found friend. It made her happy to see him, and she guiltily let herself be happy about seeing him the next day. Her mother's condition still worried her, but she allowed herself to be grateful that she hadn't gotten any worse. She tucked herself into bed that night hoping desperately that everything would be okay.

When Mai awoke the next morning, her spirits were raised considerably. She and her younger sister ate a big breakfast, and then headed to school. For once, Mai was able to concentrate on work. Though her heart was full of worry, and fear was in the back of her mind, she did manage to forget very well.

She wanted that day to be another regular day- or at least a day without her troubles. But that wouldn't be, and indeed, it would have been boring to meet with monotony all the time. Her friends didn't even know about her mother yet, and she was anxious about telling them.

But they knew something was upsetting her, and she imagined that truth would be the best. So with wide eyes and gaping mouths they heard the story of what had recently happened. They all insisted upon accompanying Mai to the hospital to visit, for they told her that they wanted to pay their respects as well. And though unable to say it, Mai felt all the kindness of the gesture.

They all walked into the stark, cold room, and could hardly contain their shock. The dear woman was looking much different- and much worse- than they remembered. Her skin was pale and sickly, and her eyes lacked their usual happy, vibrant shine.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," they collectively whispered. "I wish there was something, or anything, we could do to help you."

"Just be kind to Mai," she said in response. "She needs a friend right now."

They sniffed, and nodded, and dabbed their eyes. Then they left, leaving the family to spend some time together.

"A young man stopped by to see me today while you were at school," her mother said suddenly.

Mai was surprised. "Who was it? I didn't know that you knew any young men. That must have been an interesting visit."

"Yes, because actually, I didn't know him."

"What?"

She nodded. "It's true Mai. He told me that he was an acquaintance of yours. Apparently, I've been talked about quite a bit. He said that he had heard so much concerning me that he felt like he almost knew me. And so, as he put it, here he was. Look." She pointed over to her nightstand. "He brought me that beautiful flower."

Mai was left almost completely speechless. She began to move about the room, unnecessarily straightening things, to cover that very fact. For surely, she thought, it couldn't be true. It must have been one of her friends from school. Except that none of those boys knew about her mother. Aside from the girls who had come with her that day, only one other of her- she thought tentatively- "friends" were aware of the situation. And she couldn't believe it was he.

"What did he look like? Did he leave his name?"

Her mother chuckled to herself. "No, he did not tell me his name, and he looked so proud and intimidating that I didn't feel the need to ask. I felt automatically that I could trust him. And it was obvious that he thought very well of you.

"As for his appearance, I can't say that I was really paying much attention. His hair was very long, and it was sleek raven-black. He was handsome. His eyes were hard, but they betrayed a truly kind and gentle nature buried somewhere underneath. Altogether a formidable looking fellow. I can't imagine where you meet people like that, Mai. Surely not from school."

The only response she received was a sigh. "I can't either. I'm just as unsure about him."

After the visit with her mother was finished, she raced to the park to meet him, just like she said she would. No one else seemed to be there, and it was easy for her to find him.

"Sesshomaru!" she called when she saw him. "I need to talk to you."

He came to sit down on one of the park's many convenient benches, silently inviting her to join him.

She hesitantly seated herself beside him, unsure of how to show her appreciation- and amazement- for what he had done. He was being proud and silent, just as he always was. Seemingly oblivious to the tension that was smothering Mai, he turned to her and began to speak.

"I have decided to accept that you won't leave me alone. But I won't let myself completely under your influence, and I refuse to let you pity me."

So all the kindness he had shown yesterday was gone. The friendly moment had been forgotten, and he had no intention of letting it happen again

"I won't pity you," she said, containing a small grin. "You're so mean that I couldn't even if I tried." She looked at him expectantly for a moment, and then plunged into her speech. "I know what you did today," she told him proudly. "And don't you dare try to deny it."