Chapter 7:

Memories

Azami's head was filled with the previous night's dream. She couldn't shake the feeling of those eyes watching her wherever she went. That dream brought back too many painful memories.

"Azami," Sesshomaru asked her.

She jerked back to reality. "Yes," she asked, looking up at him.

Sesshomaru stared at her for a moment. "Is there something the matter?"

"Um, no, why?"

"You have not been paying attention. Jakken handed you the bag, and you took it without a remark."

Azami looked down at her hands. It was true. She was carrying the tent bag in her left hand, while still carrying the crossbow in her right. "I didn't realize," she whispered.

"Did something happen last night while I was away? Or is it about the night by the lake?"

"Um... I'm just thinking." Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "I had a dream last night that I haven't had in years. Not since..." She faltered. Not since I returned, she thought to herself. But returned from where? I can't remember where I was, or how I got there. All I remember are those eyes.

"What was the dream?"

"Thunderstorm," she answered. "There was a thunderstorm. I was a little girl. Those eyes... they watched me from the window. That was the first night that I saw them. They kept coming back." Her voice became more frantic, more frightened. "They wouldn't leave me alone. Every night, when I woke up, they would be watching my family from the window. It continued for years. Then it just stopped. Those eyes were gone physically, but I always saw them in my dreams.

"And then, when I was in my late teens, they appeared again. Only, that night, my family was... murdered," she whispered. "And I was kidnapped." She stared dead ahead, her eyes wide, full of fear and memory.

"Who took you?"

"He never told me his name. And I don't remember what he looked like, except for his eyes. In fact, I never saw him in the daytime. It was always at night, and in shadow, that I saw him."

"How did you escape?"

"I didn't. He let me go freely. But he told me that I was his and that he would check on me regularly. I figured that he would for a little while, but after a month or so, he'd stop. I never saw his eyes again, until last night's dream."

"Azami, I think that my brother has something to do with this."

"Your brother?"

"Yes. InuYasha is the one that sent the bat demon after you. Apparently, he wants you dead for something. Azami," he said, taking her hand in his. "You and I have been traveling together for some time now, and nothing happened to us before the night by the lake. However, the day after we slept together, we were attacked. My brother must have known about us, and he must be jealous. He'schecking on you again."

"You think he's the one that kidnapped me?" Azami asked. "Your brother? Does the irony ever stop?"

"Azami, this is serious. He may come after you again."

"But I have you to protect me." She threw her arms around his neck. "Nothing can harm me while you're around. I know you'll keep me safe."