Disclaimer: Oh gosh... Look at all the other chapters of this story. I'm obviously not the owner.

A/N: I... Am ashamed. I said that I'd post soon, and... Well, quite obviously I didn't. And I'm not entirely sure this chapter makes up for it. But here it is, and I hope you like it. Once again, I apologize for not updating sooner. I neglected this story for far too long and even though there are only two chapters left, I hope I can remedy that. Please read and enjoy.

Chapter Sixteen: Lovely, Dark, and Deep
"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

-last stanza of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" -Robert Frost

Pulling away finally, he said, "You know, things are never really this simple." He ran his thumb over the skin of her cheek. "Nothing is easy, Mai. It's a hard, cruel world, and there isn't a single thing as simple as it first appears."

"Simple or difficult doesn't matter at all. I know that even though you deny anything to do with it, a part of you still knows love. I wish desperately that it loved me, but I guess we can't have everything we want. I've never expected you to say that you care about me. Words are pointless, trivial things and in the long run, they're totally empty. But Sesshoumaru, there are some things that are remembered long after all voices are gone. Don't try to admit or deny it, just..." She leaned over and put her hands tangled up in his hair. "Show me."

That was enough to break the small amount of self-control he had managed to maintain. Mai closed the gap between them, meeting his initially unwilling lips. He wasn't aware of the fact, but in that one moment all her hopes were met. They shared the kind of kiss that one often reads about, but rarely gets to experience. His soft, supple lips were warm and exciting- her own personal heaven. That simple (and yet everlastingly complex) gesture told her everything she needed to know; whether that stubborn man would come to admit it or not, she was certain that he loved her.

Wrapping up the emotional, explosive kiss, he pulled away. "Enough," he said sternly. "We can't continue. I refuse to put you through this. I don't love you; I'm not going to pretend to just to make you happy. Do you want a quick moment of false contentment? A lie? Because I can give you a lie, Mai; that would be all too easy. I could whisper sweet words and promises I have no intention of keeping; I could smile and melt your heart. But you know what? I'm not going to. I sure as hell am not going to demean myself just to make some silly girl feel wanted."

Mai looked at him, tears in her eyes. So that was how he felt? That was all she was to him- some stupid, silly girl. Well... She didn't need to stay any longer.

"You jerk! You asshole! I... I can't believe you! So I mean nothing to you? I'm just some idiot, bubble-headed fool you picked up off the street? Oh, wait, I'm a human! A natural one!" She was, by then, standing, and she looked away from him, trying to hold back any sobs. "I should have known that you wouldn't let your prejudices go- you're far too stubborn for that. I honestly wanted to help you; I didn't expect a reward. I didn't, for a while at least, even care if you liked me! But you pretended to care. And now... Now you're telling me that it wasn't real. Well thanks for the reality check, you evil, evil man! I'm not going to stay here a moment longer."

Sesshoumaru had not expected her to react like that. Perhaps he didn't think about his words, but really, she was being ridiculous. He walked over and stood in front of the door, arms crossed over his chest, as Mai searched frantically for her coat. (It had ended up on the floor.) When at least she found it, she ran to the door, expecting a clear exit. What she got instead was stern eyes and a hard chest barring her way.

"Sesshoumaru," she said through clenched teeth, "Let me go."

"No."

"Let me go!"

She hit his abdomen with her small fists repeatedly, tears falling freely and words becoming incoherent babble. She didn't have much effort left in her, and when she failed to reach her objective, she just crumbled into his arms, hands grabbing clumps of his shirt in shaking fists.

"Mai..." He said softly, "That isn't what I meant. And you know it."

"Do not," she argued childishly.

"Mai," he chided. "Come. Sit down, and let's have a decent conversation. Ok? Can you handle that without another breakdown?"

She wiped her nose with the cuff of her shirt and nodded. "I'm a big girl- I think I can handle some talking."

"Why are you so sure?" he asked her when once again they were seated. "Your confidence is unnerving. I tell you again and again, politely and not-so-politely that I do not and will not love you, and yet you refuse to listen and instead assure me that I'm wrong! How can you be so certain? I think I know my own feelings better than you do."

"You need someone to take care of you," she replied, shyly taking his hand. "And... and I could do that. I'd always be there to hold your hand, I'd keep you entertained, and I'd give you every piece of my heart."

"Mai," he said, "I don't need protecting. If anyone here does, it would be you. You seem rather flighty and dependent."

She stuck out her lip- and noticed he hadn't pulled away his hand. "That's not very kind of you to say. I might be a little flighty sometimes, I'll give you that, but I can take care of myself. I've practically had to lately, you know." She sighed, and looked away from him. "I think my confidence is well-founded. You're stubborn- more stubborn than I am. I know hell would freeze over before you'd ever be induced to actually say the words 'I love you'. However, allowing for that, I don't think it's too much to ask for you to be honest. There are ways you can show me how you feel. And... I really have to know."

Reaching over, she kissed him again, soft and chaste and sweet. But he gently pushed her away. "Mai... No." His fingers brushed across her cheek, and the gold of his eyes sparkled with a fire that had been missing for centuries. The tingle of his fingers on her skin burned so badly as the sweet, innocent attraction she felt for him increased.

"I know what I'm doing Sesshoumaru," she said, blessing his very name. "And all I need... is you."

Slowly, she kissed him again, and that time he didn't pull away. Mai felt butterflies flying around in the pit of her stomach; the undeniable bliss of being close to him overwhelmed her. He felt that strange feeling she always managed to excite in him, and worked hard to keep his awareness high. He didn't want to do something they'd both regret.

But when her hands found his hair again, it was hard for him to resist. He responded ardently, pursuing the kiss like it was oxygen. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and though her experience with boys was lacking, she knew at that moment that no one in that world or any other could compare to the man she had in her arms. She knew that, even if he didn't love her, but she was content to just let things happen. The truth was, that even he didn't know how he felt about her. He hadn't forgotten his former disdain of all beings human, and after 500 years of having to be one- and hating it- himself, he was less than eager to get involved with the girl.

Mai probably unconsciously realized that, but she didn't care. She had faith that he could change, that their relationship could be real. He tasted so good it stung her lips, and dislocated all her thoughts. Tremblingly, she unwound her arms, and let her fingers find the first button of his shirt. Soon, it was undone. Then the next. And the next.

"Mai," Sesshoumaru said tonelessly, grabbing her wrist and stopping her. "You need to cease this foolish behavior. If you succeed in what is obviously your endeavor- sleeping with me- then I promise you you'll regret it for the rest of your life." His hand gently cupped her cheek, and he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"You're wrong! That's... that's not what I want. I just don't want you to leave me." She looked straight into his clear eyes. "Don't you feel anything at all?"

He sighed. "Mai... You wouldn't be able to understand." She looked hurt by his words. A plan began to weave itself together in his mind, and finally he knew what he should do.

With no warning, he grabbed the back of her head and pulled her lips to his. The kiss was fierce, with absolutely no mercy for her inexperience. His hands roamed her body, and his tongue forced her lips open. She was so shocked she could hardly respond. His behavior didn't scare her, but she couldn't help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. He was aggressive and passionate, making her feel things that she hadn't even dreamed of.

Sessoumaru moved them off the couch, and all but carried her across the room. Mai felt her back against a wall, his body blocking her from moving at all. Needing a quick breath, he pulled away, and started attacking her neck. She tilted back her head and closed her eyes, brain too stunned to think any further. His attentions slowed suddenly, and vaguely she was aware of him flinging open a door. They moved into the room, still kissing furiously. Her knees hit something, and she fell backwards. It only took a moment more for her to realize that it was his bed.

His hand ran up one of her legs, grabbing her thigh right above her knee. She had her arms wrapped around his neck, as his hair spilled out around them. Suddenly, he pulled away. Mai opened her eyes. He was looking at her with an almost frighteningly serious expression. Very, very slowly, he softly kissed her cheek.

"Goodnight," he whispered, voice rumbling. Then, he walked out, gently shutting the door behind him.

Mai couldn't move for a moment. Then, feeling overtook her like a tidal wave. She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. She felt so foolish, so desperate, so...

"Stupid," she said to herself, falling backwards and grabbing one of his pillows. It smelled just like him. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. How could I have acted like that?" She had never been more ashamed of herself. A few tears fell, pooling between the pillow and her cheek. She couldn't face Sesshoumaru again, not after that performance. He probably thought horribly of her, and apparently his assessment of her as "silly" had been entirely correct.

And in the dark as she lay on the big, grey comforter, she silently wept until she had fallen asleep.

Man, I loved the ending. I thought it worked out really well. I also thought it worked out well for Mai, portraying her as a real person, as foolish as everyone else. (Once again, I'm emphasizing that she's far from a Mary-Sue. An OC maybe, but FAR from perfect. This chapter illustrates that point quite well.)

Please review, I'd hate to have worked this hard and then not get any response. I won't promise an update soon, but we'll see what I can do anyway. I know what's going to happen (and I've decided whether he stays human or returns to demon) and all I have to do is type up what I have written and then edit it. Til then...

Love and Peace!
-ADD