Alrighty then! The last, but not least, big smooch. Warning: If you a Sesshomaru-crazy person that wanted him for her, don't read this chapter. If you are a girl who sometimes reads romantic chapters that Sesshomaru is in, and you imagine yourself as the girl kissing him, then you might be an extremely crazy friend of mine that would drool by hearing his name.

Chapter 16: Past and Present Together

Maria went to the dojo with her swords and did her training. She managed to get the stress out of her. She still felt her pain from her past, but she was able to get used to it.

Once she placed her swords back in their sheathes, she sensed a familiar aura. "Back for round two?" she said.

The aura belonged to Sesshomaru. He said, "I sensed your sadness and depression around here, so I was just checking on you."

"Well," said Maria as Sesshomaru walked towards her, "that was very nice of you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my room for the night."

As she was trying to walk past him, he stopped her by turning her around and gripped onto her shoulders. He then said, "What did that thunder god say to you?"

He sounds serious, she thought, but I can't say this to Sesshomaru. Then she said, "Why should I tell you? It's a secret."

She tried to struggle away from Sesshomaru, but he had a tight grip on her. He said, "Why won't you tell me?"

"It's my business, not yours! Now let me go!"

Sesshomaru smiled as he made his eyes lock onto hers. Maria stopped struggling. Oh damn it, Maria thought to herself, I made a wrong move!

After a few seconds, Sesshomaru kissed Maria passionately. He placed an arm around her without trying to break the kiss.

He's a damn good kisser, Maria thought. I don't want this to end…Wait! I got an idea! Maria broke the kiss and said, "Why don't we do this somewhere else?"

She just read my mind, Sesshomaru thought. Then he said, "You took the words right out of my mouth."

Then he picked her up, bridal style, and they both got out of the dojo. They went onto the balcony as he placed her on a chair. She then stood up and placed her arms around him.

"So," said Sesshomaru, "will you tell me what the thunder god said?"

"Hmm…" responded Maria in a sweet, seductive voice. "I might, but the real question is will you believe me?"

"I might," he said. Then he kissed her again, but that time, it was longer. He thought, She's so damn beautiful…and she's a good kisser…I think I can wait for the explanation.

Hate humans my ass… Maria thought to herself. I'm only a half human, and he's still going after me because he loves me. I guess he was mostly afraid of humans my age.

As Sesshomaru broke the kiss, he said, "Who cares what he said. I just wanted to say…I'll never forget you…I mean…I…love you."

"I love you too," said Maria. Then she thought, But I will forget you…when I die…

As she was being escorted to her room with Sesshomaru following her inside, Shippo whispered to himself, "What the--! I thought he hated humans!"

Okay! That's all of the big smooches in this story. If I add any more, then I lied. Please R&R!