Puppy love

"So…" I started as I turned away from the view of the land to focus on Sesshomaru. "Do you think you can find him?"

He turned to me and raised an eyebrow which either indicated that I should elaborate on my statement, or that he was questioning my sanity for even attempting to use him as my own personal tracker. I decided that even if he was asking me 'what do I look like to you; a giant dog?' (Bad analogy, I know), that it didn't matter.

"You are a dog aren't you? Can't you like…I don't know…sniff him out or something?"

"You are a miko are you not?" He rebutted. "Can you not detect his shard from this distance?"

"Well there is more than one way to call on a wolf." I just wasn't about to let him win this time. "I bet if a normal wolf's howl can be heard from over ten miles away by a human's ears, you could hear it from much further."

I could see that he needed a bit of convincing, and I knew the perfect kind.

"Come on puppy boy. Let's see what big bad you is capable of."

I swear I heard him growl even before he burst forth from his human form to reveal the magnificent beast underneath. He lowered his head to me. He was so close I could see my reflection in his giant, glowing red eyes, and feel the heat of his breath washing over the length of my body. If he was looking for me to be intimidated he was sorely mistaken. I stood my ground with just as much haughtiness as he usually displays.

Then, without warning, he snapped his head up towards the sky and released the most incredible sound I have ever heard.

It was necessary for me to cover my ears to dampen the sheer force of it against me, but still that did not deter from the eternal echo of the fantastic howl. It cut through the night like a swift blade, silencing everything it touched into the stillness of anticipation. When he had finished, I felt as though something had been taken from me; a piece of my heart lost in that haunting call.

He remained standing there: a statue in the night. He gleamed with more than the light of the moon shining down upon the softness of his pelt. It was his presence, his power: it radiated off of him in this form. In this form he was ethereal, majestic. I could never see it before. I had never opened my eyes. I had always been too afraid. But here and now; I saw something I had never imagined. I saw him.

I saw his ears twitch, then, he tilted his head slightly to the side. I supposed he was listening to the response, though I could not hear it. He turned back to me after a moment and nodded his head to let me know he had the answer.

I knew that it was over, that he had done what I had asked; but couldn't let him change back just yet.

"Wait," I called up to him. "Don't change." He looked at me curiously and I couldn't conceal my blush. "Can I…can I touch you?"

He was obviously shocked at my forwardness in the matter, but I just had to touch that fur. It was just screaming out 'Pet Me!' and I couldn't help but want to oblige. It looked so soft and…well…fluffy.

He studied me for a moment, but then, to my extreme pleasure, lowered himself so that he was lying on the ground. Even lying down, I didn't even make it up to his shoulder, but that didn't stop me from making my way over to him. I stopped beside his massive paw, and set my hand upon it.

The most amazing feeling; smoother than silk, and softer than a down feather. The wisps of his fur flowed though my fingers like water, teasing my nerves with their gentle caress against my skin. My smile was one of pure joy and appreciation. I had never felt something so exquisite.

However, there was one other thing that had caught my eye. My smile turned mischievous as I made my way towards the joint of his foreleg. I stole one quick glance at him from the corner of my eye, and upon seeing that he wasn't terribly put out by what I was doing, decided that I should just go for it.

I climbed up onto his leg, took hold of some of the longer tufts of fur protruding from his shoulder, and proceeded pulling myself upwards. I could tell that he was looking at me, and I knew that if he had any eyebrows in this form there would definitely be one raised at me right now, but I just giggled at the thought and continued pulling myself up until I was resting between his shoulder blades.

"It just wouldn't be right," I smiled at him as I scooted forward so that his head was within my reach, "If I couldn't do this."

I reached out and took hold of one of those irresistible droopy ears. I could feel it twitching in my hands, and the movements made me giggle again. I was having so much fun, that I nearly didn't notice the soft vibrations emanating from him. But when I did take notice I knew that he was purring again. Only this time I was not afraid of that noise, this time I knew that it meant he was happy.

"You know," I whispered into his ear, "I think you are more expressive in this form. Even with no words, you seem freer."

I knew he couldn't answer me, but he did respond to my words. The low, contented purring noise grew louder, rumbling through his massive frame and causing me to shudder.

"I wish," I mused as I lay down upon the cushion of soft fur and continued pulling my fingers through the delicate strands beneath his ear, "That we could have met like this."

A rueful sigh escaped him then; a small whimper so out of place for the great beast as he lowered his head and rested it upon his paw. I didn't mean to hurt him with my statement. In fact, I didn't think it was possible that he would regret. But I was wrong. Reminding him of his attempt on my life when we first met had saddened him and I could feel it in his aura. I had to do something to make it right again.

"Show me what it's like," I said to him then as I sat up and took a secure hold of his fur. "Show me how free you can be in this form. Show me the world as only you can see it."

At my suggestion he sat up, straightening himself to his full height. A sharp bark sounded from him then, and I took it as an order to hold on. Thank god I did! In an instant we had taken to the skies, leaving the ground so far behind it was nothing but a memory. He took us so high that we were beyond the clouds, rising still as though the moon itself would soon be within reach. The air was chill and I could see the moisture of my breath before me, but nothing would deter from the exhilaration of this ride.

I squealed out my glee; ordering him to go higher, to show me more. I could hear the choppy, rumbling growls coming from him and I understood. It was his laughter; so restrained when in his humanoid form, but allowed to rein free in the beast.

The minutes slipped by as nothing but a passing blur. I had lost all track of time. There was nothing in the world for me then but for the feeling of the wind rushing past as he carried us across the night sky and the soaring heights that I never once feared falling from.

For all of my days I shall never forget that feeling. That feeling of absolute freedom which no one and nothing could ever take away.

But alas, all things must come to and end.

I could see how high the moon had risen in the sky, and I knew that there were still things which needed to be done on this night. With a heavy heart I asked Sesshomaru to take me to the well, to take me home.

He set down in the clearing by the well and lowered himself so that I could climb down. When I was on the ground, he pulled back his enormous power, focusing it once again into his humanoid body.

My heart was pounding in my chest, but it was no longer because of the exhilarating ride. There was one more favor I had to ask of him.

"Would you come with me to my time?" I knew it was unexpected, but I couldn't think of any other way. "The pheromone which I wish to use against Naraku is not one that I can buy. We will have to borrow it, but we can't be seen borrowing it."

"You would have me resort to being a common thief?"

Did he not hear me? I said borrow. Sigh. Ok, so we were gong to steal it, but it was for the betterment of mankind. Surely any decent scientist would relinquish a few of their supplies for such a noble purpose.

"No," I corrected, "I would have you be an exceptional thief. It isn't easy to break into a lab. And who would be better for the job than someone who has super strength, super speed, and a handy poison that can melt through any lock?"

Who said flattery will get you nowhere? Whoever it was obviously didn't employ the method properly.

Sesshomaru locked me with a calculating glare, but I just smiled sweetly at him and pretended that it wasn't unnerving to be pinned with one of his trademark looks. Eventually he broke his gaze on me and turned towards the well. If I didn't think it would ruin my victory, I would have patted myself on the back. But I knew that if he were to catch me in that particular act that I would be on my own for gathering the supplies. So I was content to smile a victory smile behind his back, before I too stepped forward towards the well.

"Let's go," I chirped happily. "The future awaits."

"Indeed," he replied as he snaked his arm around my waist.

I squeaked in surprise, and on his lips I could see the smirk pulling up at the corners of his mouth in response. But I only saw it for a second before he leapt over the rim of the well and took us into its depths.

The vibrant, swirling colors of the time portal surrounded us. There was no more feeling of substance or mass, only the eternal fall of something lost to time and space. I smiled. This place was mine. This magic was made for me. This portal, which started out as something so feared, had become something loved; for it had given me the chance to see a world never known.

But then, so too had he.

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Awww…it's so cute

And didn't I tell everyone they would get another chapter today :P Yeah me!

But unfortunately, good things can't last forever, and now this chapter is over. So, until we meet again, Bye Bye.

ShadowsWeaver1

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters I am about to weave into my web of chaos. Any and all definitions have been taken directly from Wikipedia the online encyclopedia because I am far too lazy to do any further research to support my Inuyasha obsession.