English

'thoughts'

'thoughts of Sesshomaru's beast'

Sesshomaru was on his way to Rin's village. He was looking forward to seeing Rin and the little witch again, but he dreaded the reason for his visit. The Western Lands awaited guests from a faraway country called England. They had come once already a few decades ago. They didn't speak Japanese or at least not well. He couldn't speak their language back then, and neither could he now. He had known a demon who had visited England long ago and could speak the language, who he hired as a translator then, but unfortunately, that demon could not do it this time because he had died only a few days ago. While Sesshomaru had searched for someone else who understood the language, he could not find anyone. Until he remembered a conversation in which the little witch had told him she spoke English. So now, he was on his way to take Rin and her to his palace. However, the thing he dreaded, and that he had to do before he took them away, was asking the little witch for her help, which Sesshomaru did not like.

He had taken Jaken and Ah-Un with him, so that they could look after Rin on their way back to the palace. Rin had been there a few times and knew how to behave herself, but he was not so sure about the witch. She was from another land, another time and was human, so it was highly probable that she did not know many of the customs at his court. Therefore, he had to assess her knowledge and give her books and teachers to learn from.

He hoped she would help him without him having to beg her. He had thought long and hard what he could offer her in exchange. If it had been any other female, money or expensive jewellery would have probably sufficed, but it was the little witch. She would not do it just for money, for she was special. And then it had hit him – his library. She loved books and the knowledge gained from them, and he would grant her free access to his library.

He left Jaken and Ah-Un at the edge of the forest and headed to Rin's hut. He didn't find them there, so he let his nose lead him to a little garden, where he found the woman. She was working on a plant and had her back to him. The sun gleamed in her many locks, which she had bound together at the nape of her neck. A bead of sweat travelled down the side of her face, then her neck and later disappeared inside her kimono. He suddenly had a dry mouth and had to swallow hard, his beast not being really helpful. 'That is a very beautiful neck. Perfect to mark her as ours.' 'Indeed.' 'Let's do it now!' For a moment Sesshomaru lost control over his body and had taken a few steps toward the unsuspecting witch, but he pulled himself together, not knowing that he had just pushed through an invisible barrier. He was standing in the garden. The witch just turned around and saw him standing there and watching her.

"Sesshomaru, don't move!" she called out coming closer cautiously.

'Why did she use this Sesshomaru's given name without a title? She always addressed me with my title.' 'She likes us too and wants to show her closeness to us.'

HxS

Hermione was just finished working in her magical garden when Lord Sesshomaru surprised her by standing near her and looking at her strangely. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a movement behind his legs. A Venomous Tentacula was trying to creep up to the demon Lord, wanting to bite him. She cautiously moved towards him, trying to not startle neither him or the plant.

Slightly panicked she called out to him: "Sesshomaru, don't move!"

As she saw the plant readying itself to bite she dashed forward to slap it away, colliding with the dog demon. She hurriedly backed away, blushing deeply. Only now she realised what she had done. She had not only hugged him, again, but had also addressed him without title. If she was to believe Inuyasha's stories, she was dead; Sesshomaru, Lord Sesshomaru, would not tolerate it.

"I… I a-am s-sorry, Lord Sesshomaru. My plant wanted to bite you," she stammered, still red in the face and pointed to the Venomous Tentacula, who had retreated for the moment.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if not sure what to think, and he turned around to look at the plant.

"You have plants that wants to bite this Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, well no. They don't want to bite just you, but everything that passes by them."

"Why do you keep such dangerous plants? What if it was Rin?"

"The Venomous Tentacula, while being highly venomous and fatal, has some usefulness in potions making. And I warded the garden, so no one but I could step in. How did you get in?"

He looked strangely again and responded: "I passed through it with the help of my inner beast."

That had her interested. What was an inner beast?

"What do you mean with inner beast? Is it the ability to transform you are referring to?"

Lord Sesshomaru sighed.

"Another time, little witch. This Sesshomaru has something to talk about with you. But not here where plants can bite."

She nodded and led him to her hut. Rin and Lady Kaede were still not back, so she prepared and served him some tea.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

She couldn't say why, but it seemed to her as if he was a bit uncomfortable. He even cleared his throat slightly, but she could only hear it because of her feline senses. If Lord Sesshomaru didn't seem to like the topic, would she?

"This Sesshomaru awaits guests from far away. The demon this Sesshomaru had hired as a translator last time, unfortunately died a few days ago. And now this Sesshomaru can't find anyone who speaks that language, except for you. You told me in one of our conversations that you spoke English; would you be able to translate from Japanese into English and from English to Japanese?"

"Yes, of course. I am fluent in Japanese and grew up with English. So, you want me to translate for your guests? I can do that, when would that be?"

"They should be arriving in a few days, and they will stay until winter is over because of traveling. You would have to stay with this Sesshomaru for that time. You would also…"

Hermione interrupted him: "I would have to come with you and stay over winter? What about my friends here? The villagers who need my help? What about my plants?"

"Let this Sesshomaru finish. You would also have to learn about the customs at court, and there are only a few days left. Rin and you would be coming with me when I return in the evening. This Sesshomaru knows it is a lot to ask. You would have chambers in the palace main building near Rin's rooms. Everything you need will be provided. You would have access to my library and this Sess…" he hesitated for a short moment, "I would be very grateful to you."

She starred at him. She had never heard him call himself anything other than 'this Sesshomaru'. It also meant that it was very important to him. She would have to leave the village and her friends. But she would have access to his library and maybe find a way to go back to her time. She was still weighing her options when Kagome came inside and sat down between Lord Sesshomaru and Hermione, who were sitting opposite each other.

"Oh, I am so tired lately!" she huffed.

"Congratulation."

The two friends starred confused at Sesshomaru, not understanding why he had just congratulated Kagome on being tired.

Hermione asked him unbelievingly: "Why would you congratulate someone on being tired?"

"This Sesshomaru did not congratulate her on being tired, but on the cause of being tired."

"Wait you know, why I am tired? Why?" Kagome asked.

"Did my half-brother not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"I congratulated you on being with pups."

A loud crash was heard outside.

AN: Thank you so much for your support! I hope you continue liking the story! I am always thankful for your feedback. I will try and post another chapter this week. Since I started work I won't be able to post as much anymore, but I will try as much as possible.

This story is now betaed by Pyo-Kiyo, I am very grateful for her help. Thank you so so much.

Thanks, and enjoy!