Timmain had been able to accept her feelings for Sesshomaru but she wasn't sure if she was really ready to act upon them. He was like the ultimate being and even though Timmain could be considered the ultimate human she still felt insignificant compared to Sesshomaru. It made him seem unattainable and Timmain had no right to be near such a beautiful creature even if he was a demon.

As Timmain sat in the bath pondering over her thoughts she looked down at her body. Rin had expressed shock then interest in the tattoos that covered most of her body. They were the stories of other Maraigh's before Timmain and she had taken great pride in them. It amused her to tell Rin the stories. But now she felt embarrassed by them. I really am a barbarian, she thought as she ran her hand across her arm over a line of ancient runes. If I had killed him before I fell in love with him, I wouldn't be worrying like a silly maiden whose only concern is to catch a husband.

Timmain dunked her head under the water to see if it would help clear her thoughts. He's changed me, she reflected. My body and my soul. I'm not the same as I used to be. I no longer feel like an indestructible killing machine. I feel I have no purpose anymore. Rising out of the water Timmain grabbed the robe she came into the bath wearing and wrapped it around her.

Instead of heading back to her room she wandered aimlessly through a garden lost in her thoughts. Finding a nice shady tree she sat down and leaned back against the rough bark closing her eyes. Sighing deeply she thought back to her home in Scotland. She remembered how the cool mountain air would refresh her soul and bring life back to her battle weary body. She missed running barefoot through the tall grass that grew on the rolling hills. She knew she had no family to return too but it was still her home and there were still good people who needed protection.

As she sat there homesick for her own country she heard a little voice whisper her name. Opening her eyes she immediately spotted Rin peering at her from around the trunk of a large tree several yards in front of her. Timmain smiled at the girl and beckoned her forward. Rin eagerly skipped over and sat down beside her.

"I'm glad you're still here," Rin told her. "Lord Sesshomaru said you left.

"I did," Timmain explained. "I had to take care of something. I'm sorry I didn't say good-bye to you."

"That's okay," Rin said smiling. "At least I get to see you again." Rin reached down to pick a tiny flower and twirled it between her fingers. "But are you going to be leaving again?" Rin asked sadly.

"Yes," Timmain answered looking away from Rin. She felt bad about her answer. She knew the little girl wanted her to stay and Timmain had also begun to feel a bond toward the girl that would make it difficult for her to leave as well.

"Why? Don't you like it here?" Rin whispered.

"I do, but I need to go home. People still need me there to protect them. Also, a new Maraigh will be born and she will need someone to guide her," Timmain said.

"A Maraigh. Will she be like you?" Rin asked fascinated.

"Yes. She'll probably be stronger and smarter than me," Timmain teased.

"No, you'll always be stronger and smarter," she said smiling.

"Thank you," Timmain said ruffling Rin's hair.

Timmain's visit with Rin was short but it cheered her up. It had kept her mind off her homesick heart and her confused feelings. After Rin left Timmain went in search of the Master's of the house to request a few things she would require for her journey home.

As she gave instructions for the items she needed she remembered something her father had told her once after she had refused a marriage proposal.

"Father, don't scold me. It is not my destiny to marry or have a family. My fate is to kill and to be killed when my time is up."

"And why is that child?" He had asked.

"I am a Maraigh, a demon slayer. I was only born to kill demons and when I die another will take my place," she had answered him obstinately.

"You are still a woman, are you not?"

"Yes, but I will never have the feelings of a woman in love."

"You are still human. You just haven't met anyone to make you feel like that yet."

"What does it matter?" She had grumbled. "I will not be able to produce any offspring." She added reminding him of the fact that Maraigh's were born incapable of bearing any children.

"My child, if the lad truly loves you that will not matter," her father soothed.

"Father, don't be foolish. You're just trying to talk me into accepting the proposal because you like Duncan."

"No, that's not it. I just want you to remember that you are still a woman who can love and be loved."

She had thought her father foolish at the time. Now his words rang with truth and she realized what he was trying to tell her. Looking down at the tattoos on her arm she no longer felt ashamed of them.

"I've been such a fool," she whispered to herself. Putting her head in her hands she began to laugh at her self. He didn't change me, she thought. I'm just not used to these feelings. I've just been overreacting to something I've never felt before.

Later that evening Timmain was in her bedchamber sharpening her swords. She had felt his presence and had anticipated his entrance into the room she occupied. He stood there watching her for a few seconds yet Timmain didn't look up.

"For a noble demon, you sure don't have any manners when it comes to a lady's bedchamber," Timmain said finally, noting his lack of knocking before entering.

"I'm surprised a barbarian would know anything about manners," Sesshomaru shot back.

Timmain smiled as she continued sharpening the sword in her hand. "Care to test the sharpness of this barbarian's blade?" She asked finally looking up at him with a sly grin.

"Some other time," he answered as he continued to watch Timmain. "I've been told you are preparing to leave."

"That is true," Timmain said laying her weapon aside. "But before I leave there are a two things I must do. One is to return this to your brother."

Bringing her sword belt close Timmain pulled out the Shikon shard that she had tucked into a small pocket on the belt. She held the shard up for Sesshomaru to see. "I never asked but what happened to Naraku?" Timmain asked as she put the shard back in the pouch.

"The fool let him get away again," Sesshomaru sneered.

Standing up Timmain slowly walked towards Sesshomaru. "Do you regret helping me? You could have destroyed him if you hadn't helped me," Timmain pointed out curious what his response would be.

"What do you think?" He asked watching her intently.

"No," Timmain said as she searched his eyes as she stood before him. She was sure he had feelings for her. There was no doubt in her mind based on his actions but he didn't let it show. He kept it well hidden behind those golden eyes of his.

"Then you're a lot smarter than you look," Sesshomaru told her.

"Is that how you talk to a woman in love with you," Timmain admitted laughing as she removed the two swords from his belt.

"Of course," he answered as Timmain smiled while she removed his armor not taking her eyes from his.

"I am not armed so there's no reason for you to be," Timmain said as she set his armor aside. "Unless you came here to kill me," she added with a little mischievous twinkle in her eye. Taking his hand she led him to the futon on the floor. Sesshomaru followed silently but as they got to the futon he clasped her hand and pinned her arm behind her back pulling her closer to him.

"What's the second thing you have to do?" He asked.

"To show you," was all she was able to answer before he leaned in to kiss her forcefully.

No sense of urgency dared to interrupt Timmain as she returned the kiss with the same intensity. Instead she just allowed herself to be swept away in the passion of the moment. She had been feeling so lost and incomplete yet all she needed to erase those feelings was to be near him. It didn't matter to her that this would be the last time she was with Sesshomaru. She only cared that right now he was close and her heart was no longer conflicted.