Chapter 10: Angels and Demons

Kaori yawned and shivered. A harsh blizzard was happening halfway to the training grounds, delaying them a few days. Kaori and Sesshomaru were camping out in another cave, waiting for the storm to finish before they continued. Kaori had collapsed while they travelled through the storm and Sesshomaru had to carry her to the cave. She was nearly blue in the face from the cold and he had to make a fire on his own and warm her up by holding her. At the moment, Kaori was being held in his arms, his shirt covering her. She was shivering, but her skin colour had come back to normal.

"Sorry," Kaori whispered.

"It's not your fault," Sesshomaru told her.

"If I hadn't lied to you and went out in the middle of winter, we wouldn't be stuck in here," Kaori told him.

"At least you won't need to worry about Jaken going crazy off of your scent," Sesshomaru said. Her cycle had ended two days ago.

Kaori chuckled and rubbed her head against Sesshomaru's chest.

"Thank you," Kaori said in a whispered.

Sesshomaru looked down at her and nodded. At least he got a thanks.

The fire crackled as Sesshomaru put another twig into it to keep it alive. He didn't know how they would survive the night if the fire didn't stay alive. Kaori had fallen asleep a while ago and he had laid her next to the fire to keep warm. He looked outside. It he couldn't see anything outside except snow falling heavily. Kaori stirred and peaked her eyes open. She could have sworn she saw him shiver. She went to her bag and got out a jacket that was packed for Sesshomaru. He seemed preoccupied by the storm and she put it around his shoulders.

"You seemed cold," Kaori said. He put his arms in and zipped it up.

Sesshomaru just looked back at her. She was caring for him. He was cold. The outer shirt of his was the warmest and kept all cold out. Once he gave that to Kaori, his under shirt, which was very light, was his only warmth other than Kaori's own warmth when he held her.

"So, when do you think this storm will be over?" Kaori asked Sesshomaru.

"I don't know. It seems it hasn't subsided at all," Sesshomaru told her.

They were sitting around the fire. It was the only light for the storm had blocked out all sunlight. They didn't even know if it was day or night. Kaori yawned and poked the fire with a stick.

"So, we're just going to sit and wait for the storm to settle?" Kaori asked.

"Yes," Sesshomaru said.

Kaori held her head with one hand and continued to poke at the fire. A spark hit her hand and she held it with her other hand quickly.

"Are you all right?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I just got burned," Kaori told him, rubbing the mark. It was really painful.

Before Kaori told him, Sesshomaru was going through her backpack to find the first aid kit. He got it and brought it over to Kaori.

"Uh, before you put that on, can I put some water on it before it bruises?" Kaori asked. She looked at it and sighed. "Too late."

Sesshomaru brought the bottled water anyways and poured a little on it. It cooled the pain and he even wiped up the water afterwards before putting on the bandage. It wasn't a big one like for her hand when it had the glass. It was just a little plastic one. Kaori instructed him to use one of those than the gauze he was ready to use.

Kaori thanked him again and threw the twig she was poking with into the fire. It crackled loudly.

"So, now what?" Kaori asked. She was never one to sit and wait for something to be over with. She got bored very easily and she got talkative when she was bored. Though, Sesshomaru wasn't the best person with conversational skills.

Sesshomaru nearly sighed. He didn't like being bored. No wonder he travelled instead of do paperwork like other lords. He needed action in his life, but at the moment, flies could be having more action then him.

"That radio," Sesshomaru said.

"It might damage your ears," Kaori said with concern in he voice. He took note to that.

"I'll stand it. This silence is much better than that," Sesshomaru said. Kaori pulled it out and put it on medium volume. Some tunes were playing, but none Kaori knew. It was mostly slow songs and Kaori caught Sesshomaru staring at her.

"Sesshomaru, what fascinates you about me?" Kaori asked.

"Uh, nothing," Sesshomaru said looking at the fire. "Just this sounds like noise."

"Agreed," Kaori said, shutting it off and putting it in her backpack again. "Silence is much better than that."

Sesshomaru just sat and looked outside. Still no improvement.

"Sesshomaru," Kaori whispered. He looked over at her. She was shivering. "I'm really cold."

"Temperature must have dropped," Sesshomaru stated and allowed Kaori to warm up in his arms. He felt cold as well, but with Kaori in his arms, he felt slightly warmer.

His eyelids felt heavy shortly after the fire burnt out. Kaori had fallen asleep and he didn't feel like starting another one up. His eyes closed and he fell asleep again.

Kaori woke up and found herself shivering along with Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru," Kaori said after getting a fire started again. He didn't answer or wake up. "Sesshomaru, wake up."

She touched his cheek and found it ice cold. She became very worried.

"Sesshomaru, come on," Kaori said, pressing herself against him.

Her eyelids also felt very heavy, but she refused to give into sleep. She looked at the storm. It looked slightly better, but the winds were still harsh and snow was still falling.

"Sesshomaru, come on. Wake up," Kaori said shaking him. Tears threatened to fall, but they would most likely freeze instantly. Kaori thought of only one thing.

She removed the shirt Sesshomaru had given her and placed it around his shoulders as much as possible. She was freezing worst then ever and curled up in his arms.

"You die, I'll never forgive you," Kaori whispered. She tried her best to keep warm but eventually she lost consciousness.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called out along with Rin. They were sitting in the hut when the storm happened. They knew their lord would not be stupid enough to travel in a blizzard, but when he didn't show up with Kaori, they decided to go out and look for them.

"Where could he be?" Jaken asked Rin.

"Maybe he rested in a cave," Rin suggested.

"Let's check," Jaken said and they hurried to the caves that were found to the south.

They looked in a few, but could not find their lord. When they were about to give up, a high pitched scream was heard. It was Rin! Jaken had spilt up with her to cover more ground and now Sesshomaru was going to kill her for letting her get hurt. May his last day on earth be wonderful.

"Master Jaken, hurry. It's Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin yelled. Jaken ran as fast as his little legs allowed to get to his lord. He found him with Kaori in his arms, eyes closed. In all his years serving his lord, never once did he see his eyes closed.

"Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Sesshomaru, wake up!" Jaken begged.

"The sake!" Rin exclaimed. Jaken had brought some sake nearby villagers gave them. He put it in his lord's mouth, but before he even reached it, he heard his lord's voice.

"Kaori," Sesshomaru whispered and his eyes opened.

He felt coldness in his arms and found Kaori's cold body in his arms. She was curled up, trying her best to keep warm, but she no longer was wearing the shirt that Sesshomaru gave her to wear. He found it around his shoulders and quickly put them around hers. He wrapped her up in it, then realized he had an audience.

"Rin, Jaken. What are you doing here?" Sesshomaru asked, standing with Kaori in his arms.

"The storm subsided and we came to find you," Jaken told him.

Sesshomaru looked down at them and before they knew it, he was off to a very fast sprint. If Kaori died, he would never forgive himself. She had risked her own life for his. He hurried to the nearest village and forced innocent villagers to tell him where their healer was. They were frightened, but pointed the way.

Villagers shrieked as he passed, but he didn't care. He found the healer and told her his dilemma. She nodded and acted calm and cool while she help Kaori. Sesshomaru did not know this healer, so he did not trust her. He stayed by Kaori's side and forced the healer to explain what she was going to do before she did it.

She gave Kaori some sort of drink and Kaori sat up suddenly, coughing. The healer smiled brightly and left the room. Kaori continued to cough. It subsided and she looked around, unfamiliar to her surroundings.

"Are you all right?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Sesshomaru?" Kaori asked and saw him kneeling next to her. She brought him into an embrace and he didn't know how to react.

"You're alive. I'm so happy," Kaori said. "Or did I die?"

"You're alive," Sesshomaru said, "just very sick."

"Very sick?" Kaori asked.

"It seems you nearly died. If I didn't have my demonic speed, you would be long gone," Sesshomaru told her.

"And if I didn't risk my life, you would be dead. So I guess we're even," Kaori said.

"You didn't need to. I would have been just fine," he told her.

"You were shivering and ice cold to the touch," Kaori told him.

"I was, huh? Were you worried?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes. Yes, I was," Kaori told him.

"You were?" Sesshomaru said, slightly astonished. It showed in his voice.

"Damn it. Yes!" Kaori said and before Sesshomaru could react, Kaori had pulled herself to kiss him.

At first, Sesshomaru's eyes were wide with shock. But slowly, he returned the offer and made it more gentle than passionate.

Kaori was going to pull away, but Sesshomaru pulled her closer than before, not stopping from any interruptions unless he wanted to. He pulled away slightly and opened his amber eyes to her shocked blue ones.

It was a silent moment, Kaori's mouth open with shock. She closed it once she noticed he was glancing at it.

"Sesshomaru, I... I didn't... I-" Kaori stuttered.

"Quiet," he told her. "No one needs to know."

Kaori nodded and finally had the chance to pull away. He released her, but she didn't move.

"Kaori-" Sesshomaru started, but Kaori had pushed her lips against his.

She pulled away momentarily, then continued.

The healer walked in and gasped, dropping the food she had brought in for them two. Kaori pulled away and Sesshomaru did the same.

"My lord. Princess..." The healer stuttered.

Kaori looked around, blushing a lot. She didn't make eye contact with the healer or Sesshomaru.

"You saw nothing," Sesshomaru said in a growl. The healer nodded franticly and told them she would return with new food. She bolted out of there so fast, she could have been mistaken for a demon. Kaori chuckled and finally looked at Sesshomaru from the corner of her eye. He wasn't looking at her. He was looked at the floor.

'I can't believe I just did that,' Sesshomaru thought. He looked at his hands and clenched them. 'But it felt so good.'

Kaori opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't know what. A healer caught the most feared lord in the world kissing the most powerful girl in the world. Kaori chuckled as she imagined what it must have looked like. Sesshomaru looked over at her and saw her laughing. Did she think his confusion was funny?

He stood and walked out. Kaori ceased her laughter and stood, holding a hand out to stop him. But he was already out by the time she had stood. Kaori sat down and the healer came in, still slightly startled. She set down the tray and nearly bolted out of there as quickly as before. But Kaori stopped her.

"Wait," Kaori said. "I don't like it when people run out of here without explanations."

"I'm sorry, princess," the healer said. "I never meant to walk in on you two."

"That. Oh, that was... Um, nothing. We just caught up in the feeling," Kaori said, mumbling the last part.

"Princess, I never met anyone who has kissed a demon and lived to tell the tale. But to kiss the great lord Sesshomaru, it must be an honour to be you," the healer said, bowing.

"No, don't bow. Just sit and join me in conversation," Kaori told her.

The healer looked weary, but sat down and had an average conversation. She continuously looked at the door and smiled nervously a lot.

"What's the matter?" Kaori asked.

"If lord Sesshomaru found me here without his permission, he will slay me," the healer said. "It seems I put the brave act on when I first saw him, but now it's uneasy to be talking to his intended."

"Intended?" Kaori asked.

"Intended mate," the healer told her. "Don't you know?"

"Uh, no," Kaori said weary.

"Once a demon kisses another, it tells the other demons they are intended mates. My friend informed me," the healer said.

Kaori's eyes went wide. She knew mating meant for life, but did intended mean he intended to mate her? Kaori laughed nervously and Sesshomaru walked in. The healer scrambled to her feet and left as soon as she could.

Sesshomaru took the healer's set across from Kaori and it seemed he was glaring at her.

"What?" Kaori asked.

He didn't answer but continued to glare. Kaori didn't like that he was glaring at her.

"Eat," he ordered. Kaori took her chopsticks and nervously ate. He continued to glare at her throughout her meal. She tried to stop the awkward moment they were having by asking if he wanted any, but he just continued to glare. Kaori finished and sat in silence in front of Sesshomaru. He didn't say anything, but wouldn't stop glaring.

"Talk to me, damn it," Kaori shouted.

Sesshomaru just glared. "Jaken will notice this, have you ever thought?" Sesshomaru said.

"Notice what?" Kaori asked.

"That we're now officially intended," Sesshomaru said.

"Look, I didn't know until recently what that did," Kaori told him. She looked really scared that he was really mad at her.

Sesshomaru's glare seemed to weaken, but he still looked angered.

"Did you not want to?" Kaori asked. She regretted asking that as soon as she said it.

Sesshomaru nearly gasped. She doubted he didn't want to kiss? His regular posture took over and he looked deep into her eyes.

"You didn't, did you?" Kaori asked, lowering her gaze. She saw someone move the tray to the side and looked up to see him pulling her to him.

"You are as oblivious as my half-brother," Sesshomaru said, holding Kaori closer to him. She gasped, but rested her head on his shoulder.

"I want to know the truth," Kaori said in a whisper, seeing that she was so close to his ears.

"The truth?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaori nodded. "The truth is I would die if you died. That's why I brought you here. I care, Kaori. I would risk my life for yours. I would do anything to make you happy."

"Then you wanted to?" Kaori asked, pulling away to look at him directly.

"Yes," he said and she smiled before feeling his lips upon hers. Kaori heard a click and nearly fainted. Her mom didn't lie. They were destined. He did love her! They were meant to love each other. They were meant to fall in love. The locket did open when he fell in love with her. Kaori wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru's neck and unclasped his necklace. His amber eyes opened to find her blue ones looking directly at his. He pulled away slightly, but their lips still touched when they talked. She took necklace and brought her hands between them. She put it in one hand and took one of his with the other. She put in in it and then worked on her locket. She unclasped and put it in her hand. Sesshomaru looked down in his hand and found the locket. Is that what clicked? Her locket opening? Had her father died?

"Kaori?" Sesshomaru asked. He was very confused.

"The lockets don't open when our fathers die. It's when we fall in love. My mother told me this one day," Kaori told Sesshomaru.

"But I don't understand," Sesshomaru admitted.

"Yours opened when I loved you. Mine opened when you loved me," Kaori explained.

"What do you expect is inside?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Only one way to find out," Kaori said. They both opened theirs and found a tiny piece of paper. Kaori took hers out and found that it was folded many times. She unfolded hers continuously as well as Sesshomaru. Kaori was about to read when Sesshomaru thrust his to her.

"What does it say?" Sesshomaru asked,

"Uh, you want me to read it out loud?" Kaori asked.

He nodded. Kaori sighed before she began.

"Dear Sesshomaru,

Congratulations on winning my daughter's heart. She a sweet girl and do not break her heart. I would like it if you will purpose to her the way Kaori's father taught you. Please keep in mind Kaori is so used to being a human, so treat her like that. You're like a son to us and I hope you consider us your parents.

Kaori's parents."

Kaori passed it back to him and looked at her own note. She looked at it and found that it was in some language she did not know. She looked up at Sesshomaru and he was putting the note away.

"Sesshomaru?" Kaori asked.

"Hurry up and get your stuff. I smell trouble," Sesshomaru said standing. Kaori put her locket and the paper in her bag and put it around her shoulders. Sesshomaru held her back while he peaked outside through a crack in the door. Three tall demons stood with spears, ordering everyone out of their homes. Sesshomaru did not recognize them and hoped they knew him. He took a chance and walked out whispering under his breath that Kaori was to stay put. Kaori nodded and sat, waiting. A small voice was heard at the back of her head.

"So, he thinks now that you're intended mates, he can boss you around?"

"Who said that?" Kaori asked out loud. There was no answer in the room.

"Hey, calm down. It's the Uzuha Kaori angel. Just listen. He tells you to do as he says. You're the superior. Do as you wish."

'I don't know,' Kaori thought.

"Oh, come on. Weren't you the one who slapped him?"

'I'm not going to deceive him,' Kaori thought. She must communicate through her thoughts.

"If you won't do it, then I will."

Before Kaori knew what had happened, her world slipped into darkness. She opened her eyes, but it seemed to be blurry. Her body stood, but she didn't command it to.

'Shit, that conscience thing is doing this,' Kaori thought. She tried to scream, but couldn't.

Her body walked outside and Kaori saw flames surround her. She saw Sesshomaru and tried to call out to him, but she couldn't.

"Kaori, I told you to stay inside," Sesshomaru said without looking at her. The demons Sesshomaru was facing suddenly freaked and ran away as fast as possible. Some tripped, but picked themselves off the ground before they hurried out of sight. Sesshomaru was puzzled, but understood as soon as he saw Kaori. Her flames were really high around her. Nearby villagers had fled to their homes out of fright.

"Kaori, snapped out of it," Sesshomaru told her.

"The Uzuha Kaori angel," many shrieked.

'Uzuha Kaori. That's Kaori's name. She's an angel?' Sesshomaru thought. He then looked at her eyes. They were fire red.

"Kaori, stopped this," Sesshomaru told her.

Kaori then heard the voice she had heard inside the hut.

"Sweet guy. Handsome even. Wonder what he looks like burnt to a crisp."

Kaori tried to cry out to him, but she couldn't. She tried and tried, but nothing came out.

Sesshomaru saw Kaori's hands ignite with flames and shoot out at him. He dodged easily, but Kaori's face turned to a frown as she missed her target.

'Damn it. Why is she attacking me?' Sesshomaru thought as dodged her attacks. He did as many flips possible and even had to use his demonic speed to avoid a few.

"Kaori, stop this," Sesshomaru said.

"He's a demon!"

'Yeah, he is,' Kaori thought.

"You never told me he was a demon."

'Sorry, the thought never crossed my mind,' Kaori thought.

"I will get him. For now, have your dog back."

Kaori felt like someone was pulling her hard by the neck. Then she felt like she was being pushed down onto something really hard. Kaori opened her eyes and found two amber eyes look at her. They weren't blurry and Kaori moved her arm to cup his cheek, it complied.

"What's your problem?" Sesshomaru asked.

"What do you mean?" Kaori asked. She could speak again!

"You were attacking me!" Sesshomaru yelled.

"Uh, I'll explain that some other time. For now, get off of me," Kaori said, trying to push him off. He pushed her against the ground hard again.

"You're going to explain now," he said. He beautiful amber eyes were glaring at her and Kaori sighed. What was she supposed to say? Some voice took over and attempted to kill him? Yeah, then she'll be in the nut house before she knew it.

"Uh, please, stop," Kaori begged.

"Lord Sesshomaru? Had anyone seen my Lord Sesshomaru?" A little girl's voice rang out. Sesshomaru sat up, but he still had Kaori pinned down by her legs.

"Lord Sesshomaru! I found him!" Jaken's voice said.

"Yeah," Rin cheered.

Kaori looked around. No villagers were seen. She must have frightened them all away. Kaori sat up as much as possible and leaned back on her elbows. If she was going to be pinned, might as well be as comfortable as possible.

"My lord-" Jaken started but then saw how Kaori and Sesshomaru were. "Next time, my lord, please get a private hut."

"How many times have I told you, I will never do that with a human," Sesshomaru said.

Before Jaken could reply, Rin ran into Sesshomaru's leg.

"I'm so happy were found you. You just disappeared from the cave with Lady Kaori and we were worried. You were still unwell and Lady Kaori was close to death," Rin blurted.

"As you can see, she is fine," Sesshomaru said.

"Well, you might injure her if you continue to sit on her," Rin said with a worried face.

Sesshomaru glared down at Kaori, but got up. As he helped Kaori up, he whispered in her ear, "we'll finish this later and you will explain yourself."

Kaori weakly smiled and went back to the hut to get her backpack. She hurried to catch up with Sesshomaru, but before she could, she heard the Uzuha Kaori angel say her departing words.

"Don't hold onto him too long. He'll be dead before you know it. Most likely by your hands."

Kaori looked around, but shook it off and walked stride by stride with Sesshomaru.