To 'Guest' who recently reviewed on Chapter 1: Well, it's sort of like that but there's a difference. :)

To RubyGemGreen: Thank you very much! I hope that I'll be able to maintain your interest in reading this fiction! :)

Chapter 42:

Sesshomaru came back at dawn and found Jaken asleep together with Ah-un.

"Jaken."

He said aloud, waking the little creature.

"Y-you're back, Sesshomaru-sama!" he exclaimed groggily and was about to wake Ah-un as well, until he noticed that his lord was holding the same herbs he got the day before. Only, this time – there was an additional batch.

"What are those for, milord?"

"I am going back to that world." He replied, ignoring Jaken's question.

"Then…are those perhaps for Arisa?"

Sesshomaru didn't bother answering and set off to the well.

"Go and explore with Ah-un." Sesshomaru uttered at the last minute, much to Jaken's surprise.

"Pardon…?"

But before he could get a confirmation, the dog demon was already out of sight. It was his first time to hear something like that from Sesshomaru, and it took some time before sinking in.

"I wonder what Sesshomaru-sama ate..." He muttered tenderly as he flopped himself on Ah-un and went back to his sleep.

Sesshomaru landed at their gate, and saw someone familiar ahead of him. In that exact moment, she turned around and there was immediately a huge look of surprise in her face.

This woman…

Ayame couldn't believe her eyes.

"Sesshomaru…?" she softly called out as she slowly, but excitedly approached him.

However, he only offered her an eyebrow lift.

"You're…you're really here!" she exclaimed, extending her hand in an attempt to hold his.

"Do not touch me." Sesshomaru warned in advance, and went past her.

"…! Where are you going?" Ayame asked, still not affected by his cold demeanor.

"Inside. And worry not; I already have that old woman's consent."

Ayame quickly followed, wanting to walk beside him.

"Hey, wait for me…! Why did you come back?" she cheerfully asked, but earned an annoyed grumble from him.

"You are noisy."

"Well, you'll have to bear with it. I finally got to see you again, and I won't let this opportunity escape." She said with a slightly desperate tone.

"What for?" he replied dubiously, and Ayame's face flushed; adding more to his confusion.

"Uh…um..." she stuttered as she thought of other phrases to hide her real intentions. But before she could continue, he was already at their doorstep. At the same time, her mother opened the door, quite astounded to see him there.

"Oh my, you're here again, Sesshomaru. And you're with...Ayame...?"

"Do you have a brewing pot?" the dog demon asked right away; ignoring questions and introductions.

"I don't know if it counts as the brewing pot you're talking about, but we do have a kettle."

"Anything is fine. As long as I can boil these." He said and lifted the herbs he held.

"Then, come with me to the kitchen."

"Mom, can I join you?" Ayame interposed, to which her mother paused.

"…sure, dear." She hesitantly replied, and there she was, already skipping happily behind Sesshomaru.

Arisa woke up from her nap due to sudden thirst. She then slowly walked down the staircase and when their kitchen was in view, she was surprised to actually see Sesshomaru back; and he was even mingling with her mother and Ayame. It seemed like her mother was putting some herbs in the kettle while he stood there, watching it together with Ayame.

I wonder what they are going to do with that…

Shortly after, she noticed how Ayame was deliberately moving closer and closer to Sesshomaru, and he didn't even object or gripe about it. That gesture made her heart pang, and it puzzled her.

I'm suddenly not thirsty anymore.

Quickly, she went back to her room and forcefully lied down on her bed, then pulled the blanket all over herself. Though she tried to go back to sleep, her mind couldn't forget about what she had witnessed earlier.

But why should I feel bad about that…? What is wrong with me…?

"When this boils, what are you going to do with it, exactly?" the mother asked.

"Leave it there for hours, so the bitterness will sink in." Sesshomaru replied flatly.

"You're going to make us drink something so bitter?" Ayame complained, but it didn't actually matter because it was something from him.

"I did not say it is you who will drink it."

"Then who will?"

"Arisa."

Ayame fell silent at his gentle yet firm voice upon saying her name, which made her smile fade away at once. Her mother noticed that, and immediately answered to fill in.

"I thought so. Those leaves looked like some sort of medicinal herbs, therefore it would be perfect for Arisa to get better soon."

"Where is she?" he asked, and Ayame was quick to reply with a feigned smile, her hands balling into fists.

"She's in her room, asleep."

"Then-"

"I think it would be better to leave her for a while...!" she quickly said, cutting him off.

There was a slight crease in Sesshomaru's forehead as he looked at her with suspicious eyes.

"It appears as if you do not want me to see her. Why is that?"

She shuddered as he almost hit the nail.

"N-no...it's not like that. In the meantime, why don't I accompany you instead?" she continued, turning a blind eye at the uncomfortable situation.

"It is unnecessary." He reciprocated on a whim, and walked his way out of their house.

Still, Ayame pursued him, but her mother stopped her.

"Ayame, wait."

"What now, mom?"

"...didn't I tell you to consider what's best?"

"I tried, but I can't. I already talked to Arisa about this, and she doesn't have a clear answer. But even if she did, I will continue making an effort. I…like him, mom. This is a rare chance for me, so please…let me."

After saying that, Ayame didn't wait for her mother's reply and dashed out of their house.

Ayame desperately searched their courtyard with her eyes, and was relieved to see Sesshomaru sitting under the big tree, where she first saw him. She carefully went towards him and as expected, he was able to sense her coming.

"Persistent, aren't we?" Sesshomaru commented in a bored tone.

"Of course, since you always ignore me."

She was met with harsh silence, and it made her upset.

"Hey...do you even know my name?" she tensely asked, and Sesshomaru blinked at her in annoyance.

"Is it something worth remembering?"

Ayame was suddenly vexed and conceitedly stood in front of him.

"I just want to talk with you more...to know you better!"

Sesshomaru continued to stare at her vacantly.

"Your point is?"

Ayame breathed deeply and took a step forward to vent, but then her foot accidentally bumped on Sesshomaru's ankle...which made her stumble and fall right onto him.

Arisa couldn't sleep in the end, and so she decided to get up. She glanced at her window, and the scorching heat of the sun greeted her. She proceeded to let her curtains down, but as her line of sight went to the big tree, she was shocked to see Ayame right on top of Sesshomaru. She couldn't clearly get a glimpse of their faces, but her sister was holding on to his shoulders and it looked like they were about to kiss. He wasn't even trying to push her back, which made her feel worse.

It was too much for her, and so she prompted to forcibly let the curtains down. She plopped on her bed in a daze, and after a while, she tried hard to forget what she just saw. It was really painful, and that's when it hit her.

Wait... am I...jealous?

As soon as she realized that, she began tearing up.

Hah...I can't believe this. I've been lying to myself all this time.

She vigorously wiped her eyes for her tears to stop, but they won't. And just like that, she resigned herself to crying silently.

You're right, Ayame nee-san. I do have feelings for Sesshomaru after all.

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