Chapter 14

Seishi wandered around a bit… she really had nowhere to go, so all she could do was wander around. She was a bit sulky as she thought over her and Sesshoumaru's arguments… No matter how many times she ran it over in her head, she could not justify Sesshoumaru's attitude recently. She almost felt like a wayward pup that Sesshoumaru was trying to keep in check. Sesshoumaru had no right to act like that! She was not a subject of his territory or servant of his castle under his rule; she was not his loyal follower like Jaken; she was not his adopted family like Rin… half the time she didn't even know if you could consider them friends! How dare he try to get bossy with her!

Her anger fizzled some as she sighed and sat back against a tree. But then again… as frustrated as she was with him right now… she didn't really want to have to leave. She had come to love Rin as if the girl was her own… she even grew accustomed to the Toad… and like it or not, she'd miss Sesshoumaru as well. It wasn't so long ago she remembered spending a quiet moment with Sesshoumaru, telling him some about her life before Japan… Even if he had been more or less silent and ever distant the whole time, she had started to feel like she might have found a home there after all.

The thought of loosing her new home made her feel empty inside and the loneliness of years of wandering came back to her. Could she really stand leaving? Like it or not… she'd miss it here… She didn't want to have to leave it behind and start wandering again.

She couldn't image leaving Rin… the little girl had quickly found a place in Seishi's heart. Who would continue her education? Who would be her playmate? Who would teacher her about the things she would need to know as a woman? She really doubted that toad was up to that challenge… Rin was so sweet, trusting and honest… Seishi felt like she wanted to protect her.

Jaken… she had grown accustomed to that annoying imp… she'd miss even him if she left. Sure he was aggravating… more arrogant then he had right to be, and sometimes very ignorant… but he was unwaveringly loyal to Sesshoumaru, and sometimes that, and his fear of the wrath of the lord he so worshiped, made the toad do things even when he was terrified of them, so she had to give him some credit.

Then there was Sesshoumaru… The handsomest male she had ever laid eyes on; beautiful and deadly and impossible to get close to. Sure it was attractive and strong, but he was also cold and emotionless on the outside, as well as a bit arrogant, and it totally impossible to figure out what was going on inside his head. Maybe if she could get some clue what was going on inside that hard skull of his, they wouldn't need to argue so much.

Why did he have to be so infuriating? If he would just back off some they might be able to be civil with each other for more then a few days. Sighing, Seishi drew herself back up to her feet, moving on in her aimless trek, trying to calm down her temper and think of a solution other then packing up and leaving Japan.

Seishi could tell that the others around her could tell something was bothering her… Kagome looked like she wanted to say something, Sango and Miroku were watching her wearily, and even InuYasha had a single gold eye on her from where he lounged on a branch with his back against the truck in a tree behind where Kagome sat. The group was used to InuYasha being broody and sulky, but when they ran into Seishi, the dog demoness was usually full of energy, cheerful, and joking.

Seishi had ran into the group earlier that day… knowing no one else really in Japan, she decided she'd visit with them a bit. Though it was a quiet visit as she was gloomy and the others were picking up the vibe and were unsure how to act or say around her.

Finally InuYasha's patience ran out and look towards Seishi, "Damnit, I can't take it anymore! Did you and my brother have a falling out or something?"

Kagome glared at InuYasha, "InuYasha, sit!"

InuYasha yelped as he kissed the ground for the bazillionth time. He pulled his nose up out of the dirt and returned Kagome's glare, "What the hell did you do that for?"

"How can you be so insensitive? If she wants to say anything she'll say it when she's ready." Kagome shot back fiercely. Kagome then turned back to Seishi, "Sorry about that. Hey I know are you hungry?" Kagome dug through her huge yellow backpack and dug out a bag of potato chips. She then opened the bag and offered them to Seishi, "Here, it's not the best things to eat in the world but they're pretty good."

"…" Seishi regarded the fallen hanyou with an unreadable expression. She really didn't know how to answer his question… it didn't make her angry so much as kind of sad… Were she and Sesshoumaru having a falling out? Sure they didn't always agree and when they first met he had tried to kill her a few times… but they had sort of come to an understanding and respect and Seishi had thought they might have even friends… or close to it anyway… Seishi turned her gaze to Kagome as she offered her the chips, but she shook her head, "Thank you Kagome-chan, but I'm not very hungry."

"You know, there are some hot springs near here, and we have a couple of hours of light left before dark. Why don't the three of us girls go take a bath?" Sango suggested then. Whenever it was she or Kagome who was having the sulks, a good soak and girl talk always seemed to help.

Miroku smiled at the idea, "Yes a dip in the spring might help clear the air. We'll leave this one to Sango and Kagome."

Seishi shrugged, "I suppose… I haven't had a nice bath since I lift the castle…"

Kagome stood and grabbed her some stuff out of her bag, "Ok then lets go!"

Sango nodded and stood up, dusting off her bottom, then glanced back at the monk, "If we even hear a twig snap nearby you are in for it…" She picked up her weapon. "Come on, Kirara can lead us right to the springs."

Miroku put on his best pure face, "Sango, do you truly believe I would betray the trust of beautiful maidens?"

Shippou gave Miroku a look, "You've been caught in the act before..."

Miroku smiled, "Ahh… but that was only because I sensed a dangerous demonic presence in the area."

Kagome looked at Miroku out of the corner of her eyes, "The only demon around when we bathe is you."

Miroku sweatdropped and hung his head in defeat.

Inuyasha and Shippou both sighed, "baka..."

"Let's get going else it'll be dark before we even get there," Sango reminded them, moving after Kirara who was starting off into the nearby trees.

Kagome followed behind Seishi and Sango and Kirara led the way to the hot spring.

Seishi sighed as she walked with the other two girls, "I can smell the springs from here… it's not far at all…" Seishi's gaze fell on Sango's little cat demon companion as she carefully picked her way through the forest in her delicate kitty way.

As Seishi had predicted, the springs were not even a five-minute walk away from the camp. After checking for signs of nearby youkai or anything else that could be dangerous, Seishi and the girls began to strip out of the clothing, with Kirara on watch duty.

As they sunk into the water, their was silence again for a moment, then Kagome started to say something, but Seishi suddenly exploded. "Who the bloody hell does he think he is?"

Kagome shut her mouth and forgot what she was about to say, she sunk a bit further into the water ready to listen to whatever Seishi had to say. She had to admit she was curious. Seishi had been through a lot with Sesshoumaru and seen parts of him that she would never see. She had to wonder, when he wasn't fighting... what was Sesshoumaru really like?

"At first it was all grand and good, I watched out for Rin and helped her with her studies, in return I got free room and board at his castle and could come and go as I damn well pleased! Then he suddenly decides he wants to know where I'm going and where I've been? It's none of his bloody business, and I don't appreciate his interrogating me. It makes me feel like he sees me as some wayward pup who can't take care of herself and he has to keep warden on so I don't get into mischief or something; and using the threat of Naraku as an excuse just pisses me off more. If I can more or less hold my own against Sesshoumaru in a fight, I think I can damn well take care of myself!" Seishi hadn't worded her complaints or thoughts aloud before now, so it all came out like water from a broken dam.

Sango remained silent, not really sure what to say… then again the way Seishi was going on, there wasn't much room for her or Kagome to say anything anyway.

Kagome listen to Seishi intently completely sympathetic. She understood in her own. After all InuYasha always kept a pretty tight leash on her as well. She couldn't even go home for a little while without providing him with a detailed and legitimate reason for doing so. But InuYasha was sweet in his own way and his possessiveness was his way of showing affection, but still... it could really hamper a girl's life. After all she was a junior high school student, she had exams to prepare for if she had any hope to getting into high school. But she pushed those thoughts out of her head. Right now she was here for Seishi...

Seishi continued to go off for a little bit, about how she was not in any way, someone Sesshoumaru had right to have command over, and how if it wasn't for Rin she would leave, and some more heated declarations and complaints, but soon she started to calm down… she sighed, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to go off like that."

Kagome smiled, "It's alright... Do you feel better now that you've said all that?"

Seishi nodded, "Some… at least where the anger is concerned… but I am still worried… I don't want it to come to my having to leave… as much of a pain Sesshoumaru is, that place is the first one I've been to that almost felt like a home to me since I left mine own in England so many years ago…" Seishi was using something Kagome called Shampoo that she said she brought from her home. It smelt nice and made her scalp tingle as she rubbed it into her long platinum locks. She ducked under the water to wash the soap out.

Sango had been quieter after Seishi's outburst drew to an end… She was curious… being a Taijiya with her knowledge of demons and their behavior and habits, and from seeing InuYasha and Kagome together… she couldn't help but wonder… She watched as Seishi surfaced after going under the rinse her hair, "Seishi-chan, have you ever thought that perhaps there was something more behind why Sesshoumaru has been treating you differently? I don't know him very well, the only times we ever see him if when he and InuYasha are fighting or we're all on the same trail after Naraku… But he doesn't seem the type to take much notice of things unless he has his own personal reasons to… His taking such interest in where you are going and have been, maybe it just means he cares to some extent?"

Seishi hesitated at Sango's words… then sighed, "Well whatever the case, he's still a pompous, bossy, arrogant…" she stood up from where she had been sitting in the spring, "personal honor-blinded, cold…"she could go on and on with this listing for a bit… Seishi heard a twig snap nearby but she ignored it… if Inu-pup and the monk wanted a peep show, she didn't care as she continued listing Sesshoumaru's most annoying traits.

Sango on the other hand had scooped up a rock from the spring bottom and had turned to throw it at the perverts, "Hentai hou…shi" she froze in mid-throw.

"And he's totally…" Seishi started, noticing Sango's stricken look, she followed the Taijiya's gaze and blinked at what she saw, "standing right there…" Seishi felt rather embarrassed... not because she was naked but because she had been going on and on and had no clue how long he had been there, but her embarrassment soon turned to anger. "What do you think you're doing! You don't walk in on girls bathing you baka hentai!"

The Lord of the Western Lands said nothing as he looked at the two humans and the one inu in the hot spring. If this had been a normal day for him he might have taken the chance to admire Seishi's body again, but he was far too furious at the moment to care whether or not Seishi or any of the girls had any clothes on. Sesshoumaru walked over to near the water's edge his unflinching cold eyes locked onto Seishi's angry defiant eyes, "Get out..."

Seishi narrowed her eyes at Sesshoumaru… she could tell he was in a foul mood from the start… if it had just been the two of them she would have refused, but if Sesshoumaru snapped, Sango and Kagome might get caught in the crossfire… Slowly Seishi started to wade out of the spring, heading toward where the girls had left their clothing.

Sesshoumaru did not even wait for Seishi to get out of the water completely. As soon as she was within his reach he moved like lightning and seized her by the scruff of her neck and hoisted her out of the water. He didn't pause for a moment as he slung her over his shoulder and turned at started to walk away with her. "Jaken..."

The little toad knew what his master wanted of him and he quickly ran over to the pile of clothes and picked out Seishi's belongings and gathered then up. Before he ran to join his master he gazed at the two humans in the water. "Feh, humans are disgusting..." were his thoughts on the matter as he left to follow after Sesshoumaru.

Seishi yelped at his hauling her out the water unkindly by the scruff of her neck, next she knew, she was blinking back at Sango and Kagome still in the hot spring as Sesshoumaru walked away with her.

At that moment InuYasha and Miroku burst into the clearing where the hot spring was. InuYasha had Tessaiga in his hand and looked beyond pissed, "Sesshoumaru! Where are you how dare you show your face here! Where is he! Where-" The battle lust quickly drained from both InuYasha and Miroku's faces as they saw both Kagome and Sango attempting to get out of the hot spring.

Kagome could hardly believe what she has just seen. She couldn't believe Sesshoumaru had the audacity to treat Seishi that way. She scrambled to get out of the water and change into her clothes so she could chase after but then the boys burst into the scene at exactly the wrong moment. Kagome felt anger boil up inside her as everything that just occurred spun around in her head so fast that it all came down to a simple word, "SIT!"

InuYasha found his face in the dirt for the second time that day. He growled angrily. He felt that he had not deserved that. He came here out of the concern for Kagome and this was the thanks he got? "Grrrrrrr, Kagome what do you think your-"

"Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, SIT!" Kagome screamed as she struggled to work over the major stress bomb she had built up.

Sango scrambled to their clothes and held hers against herself as she grabbed her Hiraikotsu and threatened to use it on Miroku's head, since the monk was making no move to give them their privacy, "Turn around and let us get dressed hentai!"

Miroku gulped, "h-hai" and quickly turned around picked up the flattened InuYasha and made himself scarce.

"Gods damn it Sesshoumaru! Put me down! You can bloody wait for me to get dressed!" she started to kick her legs. Last time he dared carry her like this she had been weakened and getting over injuries and poison, so unable to really fight the humiliation. At least then she had a robe on! This time he was carrying her though the forest butt-naked for the entire world to see! "Put me down!"

Sesshoumaru ignored Seishi's complaints and continued on his trek through the forest. She could yell and scream all she liked but it would not change his mind. "Silence, you have only yourself to blame."

Seishi's temper started to rise, "What the bloody hell are you talking about! What did I do to deserve to be humiliated in front of the others like that!" When he didn't answer her, "Damnit don't ignore me Sesshoumaru!"

Sesshoumaru growled dangerously, "I told you to tell me when you were leaving, but you snuck out of the palace in the middle of the night? Are you a wayward pup? Have you not smelled the changes in the air recently?"

Seishi's hair fluffed out some as if her hackles were raising, a growl growing in her throat, "Is that what you think of me? Some wayward pup you need to baby-sit? I don't need a babysitter, Sesshoumaru, and I will not stand to be treated like I do."

Sesshoumaru snarled, "If you do not wish to be treated as such then why do you conduct yourself that way? The air all about these lands is putrid with Naraku's shouki. He is now virtually impossible to trace. Until he is dead it no longer safe anywhere."

"I don't need to be protected Sesshoumaru!" Seishi snapped, "If I did I wouldn't have survived as long as I have out in the world! I would have been dead long before I ever met you!"

"You take him too lightly. He will not challenge you while you are able to fight back. He will wait until you are most vulnerable then strike. I will not allow him to have you." Sesshoumaru found himself blurting out.

Seishi hesitated, then shook it off and growled, "I would rather risk my end then to be kept like a caged bird for my own protection, Sesshoumaru. If you insist on continuing to act like this… I will gather my things and bid my farewell…" her heart sank… that had been the last thing she wanted to happen... but she would not give up her independence or let go of her resolve to keep it. Violet energy started to pulse around her hands, and it seemed to let off a vapor that started to fill the air like fog. The purple substance solidified into a liquid that dropped from her claws but it evaporated into more vapor before it could hit the ground. She dug her claws into Sesshoumarus' back, "Put me down!"

Sesshoumaru growled at the pain and at the outrage that she would dare to use poison against him. "You just made a dangerous mistake..." Sesshoumaru's claws began to drip with his own acidy green venom and dug his claws into one of Seishi's legs. "You are coming back..."

Seishi yelped at his claws digging into her leg. Her attack was something like Sesshoumaru's own Dokkasou, but she called hers Amaigekidoku. Toxic violet poison... it could be deadly poisonous to humans and other mortal creatures in a small dose, because it could stop their hearts and shut down their nervous systems, and tended to be paralyzing to other demons... It can came in the form of toxic vaporous mist that can be inhaled or she could turn it into a more potent liquid form such as she was now using against Sesshoumaru. The does required to paralyze depended on the strength and size of the demon.

Seishi refused to give in; even if she could feel Sesshoumaru's poison searing her flesh. She only intended to paralyze him so she could get away, but at this rate by the time he couldn't move, she would to poisoned to an extent that she wouldn't get very far… but a stubborn part of her made her hold on and not stop, even if it was ill-advised and against logic. It was a battle of wills with Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru also steadfastly refused to back down. His pace was already slowing as his felt his limbs start to become heavy. Her poison was more potent then he had thought but she had experienced his poison before and knew what it meant for her. Then his nose caught another scent, it was distant but distinct, and it was a scent that made his stomach churn. "No... not now..."

Seishi growled… she could feel his venom moving into her blood stream and spreading through her like searing flames… she could tell when it was starting to seep into her brain since her vision started to swim… You'd think after as much poisoning she had been getting in Japan, she'd have started building some immunity to it. Knowing if she pushed any more, his poison might well kill her, she withdrew her claws from Sesshoumaru's back, letting her arms hang limply… "Damn you Sesshoumaru…" she uttered faintly... she was going to end up stuck in her sick bed again…

Sesshoumaru removed his claws from Seishi leg once he felt Seishi remove hers from his back. He pace had now significantly slowed. He knew they were in trouble. Seishi was now full of his poison and would be out of it and his blood now had Seishi's venom, which would leave him in a similar state. He staggered over to a nearby tree and set Seishi against it. Then he sat down next to her. He did his best to kept down his youki and his scent as he tried to buy time.

Seishi eyebrows frowned as she tried to focus, was it just her or did Sesshoumaru suddenly seem like he was alert. Oh well… she wasn't in any state to demand what was going on… but she did sense him lower his youki… was he… actually hiding from something?

At that moment a strong gust of wind blew threw the area and a figure descended from the sky on a feather. The figure landed near to the tree where Sesshoumaru and Seishi were. The figure smirked, "Well, well, having bad day are we?"

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and looked at the person who addressed him, "What do you want Kagura?"

Seishi tried to focus her gaze on this woman… bloody hell… now what… … that woman… she smelt somewhat familiar… kind of like… Naraku's puppets?

Kagura grinned slyly as she opened her fan, "I wish we could meet under better circumstances, but I've come to kill you and take the girl. So don't make it too difficult now."

Sesshoumaru growled, "Touch her and I'll rip you to shreds..."

"Now, now, that's not very nice. You aren't in much of a position to rip anything to shreds. I'll bet you can barely stand up." Kagura said in flirty tone.

Meanwhile Jaken was watching the exchange from across the way. He had fallen behind carrying all of Seishi's armor and belongings and Sesshoumaru had gotten far out ahead of him. Now that he finally caught up he found both his master and Seishi stricken by each other's poison and now Naraku's pawn had shown up. Things looked pretty bad. "Sesshoumaru-sama... I knew that woman would be the death of you..." he muttered under his breath as he watched unable to assist his master.

Despite the fact of how weak his body felt and the fact that he was struggling to stay awake, Sesshoumaru showed no weakness, "I possess more then enough power to send you into oblivion."

Seishi wasn't sure how to take what was going on... she could hear and see what was going on... but her body wasn't about to move, let alone lift a finger to defend herself.

The wind blades whipped towards Seishi and then there was a spray of blood. As the confusion cleared Kagura saw Sesshoumaru lying on top of Seishi acting as a human shield. Deep gashes covered Sesshoumaru's body and blood flowed freely from the wounds. Yet despite the wounds and the toxins in his system Sesshoumaru began to rise to his feet.

Seishi eye's widened in shock… as groggy as her senses were, she wasn't so far gone she didn't register what just happened… Why? What could have compelled him to do something so reckless and risky to his own well-being?

Kagura smiled, "How admirable! Are you truly the same Sesshoumaru that rules the Western lands with an iron hand? This bitch certainly has changed you hasn't she? Heh, and now your going to die for your love. Rest assured that she'll be well taken care of after your tragic demise. Fujin no Mai!" Again the air blades lashed at Sesshoumaru's body creating new wounds and making others worse.

Still Sesshoumaru refused to fall. The emotionless mask on his face was gone and was replaced by a face that openly showed his rage. "Bastard..." Sesshoumaru's eyes then took on a deep red hue and his youki rose rapidly. Partials of dust and stray blades of grass got caught up in the flow of youki and it all created a whirlwind around Sesshoumaru.

Seishi had to close her eyes and turn her face away to protect it from the debris Sesshoumaru's youki was stirring up.

Kagura's eyes widen as she realized what Sesshoumaru was up to...

Sesshoumaru's body began to grow and his human appearance melted away as he took on his true form, a giant white dog. The dog was however missing a front leg. Sesshoumaru was forced to use his other front leg to do the job of both. The result was very wobbly giant dog, not to mention he was still suffering from the poison.

Once the turbulence of the youki died down, Seishi forced her eyes open and looked up at the giant animal before her… He didn't look like her father or brother in their dog forms… though her mother had some similar traits though she was much smaller in size… Must be that they were different breeds since they were from different places… In any rate, his size and power was impressive even in high powered dog demon standards…

Kagura frowned, "How freighting, all you've done is given me a large target. Die Sesshoumaru! Ryujin no Mai!" Kagura launched her ultimate attack at the huge dog. Sesshoumaru used his remaining strength to leap high into the air, maneuvering around the twister and descending in a diving attack.

Kagura weighed her options. Sesshoumaru was simply incredible. Despite all that he had gone through he still was fighting as if at full strength. He was attacking as if his life was of little importance to him when compared to victory. Technically she still had an advantage, but at the moment she felt like a cat trying to stop a rampaging bull. "Hmm, unlike him… my life is important to me. There will plenty of chances in the future to get the bitch..." she plucked one of the feathers in her hair out and threw it up. The Feather grew quickly and it carried her up into the air and away from the irate inu on the ground.

Seishi felt her consciousness start to weaver… the poison, which was much more potent and dangers, unlike hers which was only meant to paralyze, and exhaustion from fighting his poison, was starting to catch up to her. But she wanted to see the result of this fight… Seishi saw the woman flee… and that was the last she saw before her eyes closed and darkness took her.

Seeing Kagura leave Jaken emerged from hiding, "Sesshoumaru-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama!" Sesshoumaru quickly changed back to his human form and then immediately fell to the ground completely spent and his wounds still bleeding freely.

Jaken raced over to Sesshoumaru and pushed something in his face, "Sesshoumaru-sama, eat this. I found it in one of Seishi's pouches. I believe it may be an antidote to her venom."

Sesshoumaru opened one eye and looked at the herbal mix Jaken was holding. An antidote? Why would Seishi carry an antidote to her own venom around... then again considering her tendencies of avoiding killing when she could, it wasn't that surprising… No matter at this point anything was worth a try. He seized the mix in his teeth and quickly consumed it, the closed his eyes again.

Jaken instantly began panicking, "Oh no… he's dead! My lord Sesshoumaru is dead! How could he have been killed like this? Master, I told you that the bitch would be the death of you but you didn't listen to me! Now your dead and I'm all alone in the world!"

A hard fist descended upon Jaken's head and snapped him out of stupor. He turned around to she his master's eyes fixed upon him. Sesshoumaru's eyes looked murderous. "Jaken, if you do not be silent and get Ah-Un immediately I truly will kill you." Jaken squealed in fear and left as fast as he could to summon Ah-Un.

As Jaken left, Sesshoumaru pulled himself over to a large rock, which was the closest thing to a support he could find. He propped himself up and tried to slow his breathing down. He clutched his hand over his heart as he felt it beating a mile a minute and he could barely breathe. He felt the herbal mix he had taken begin to take effect and his heart finally began to slow down, but the process was slow going as he had lost a lot of blood and much of the poison had already been absorbed into his organs. He took a few deep breaths to speed the process and gradually breathing became easier. He relaxed the hand he had over his heart and gazed up at the sky. How had he, Sesshoumaru, gotten into such a desperate situation?

If a demon came by or Naraku's minions returned, Sesshoumaru would be unable to fend them off a second time. His survival and the survival of Seishi depended upon Jaken making it back in time with Ah-Un. He had been careless and let Seishi make him loose his temper. He glanced over at the unconscious and still bare dog demoness out of the corner of his eye, before closing them again. Perhaps there was some truth in Jaken's words; maybe it would be a woman that would end up getting him killed. He had only one word to say concerning himself and the situation right now, "Pathetic..."

To Be Continued…