Chapter 6

I was in the middle of nowhere. There were no trees. No houses. No animals. No people. Just nothing. I felt uneasy at first, but calmed myself down when I saw him.

His eyes showed his amusement, and he motioned for me to go to him.

I stood up, and rushed to his arms. Sesshomaru embraced me without hesitation.

I was in a dream, because there was no way in hell Sesshomaru would ever welcome me into his arms.

He looked at me, moving his lips closer to mine, but I woke to Kikyo removing an arrow from my chest.

"You'll heal quickly," she said, not even bothering to look at me.

"I don't feel well," I could feel my stomach churning.

Kagome walked into the hut, immediately handing me some medicine and a bottle of water.

"It'll help with any pain," she smiled at me.

I took the ibuprofen that was given to me, knowing exactly what it was for and not being surprised that she alway carried an abundant amount of medicine and bandages in her bag.

I sat quietly as people discussed what was going on with me. I was in a strange predicament, and all I wanted to do was go home. Where there wasn't demons everywhere, and I could be safe in my bed. Fighting with my brothers about stupid things like TV shows and them being too loud while I was studying.

"I've heard of someone possessing power like that only once and it was through stories that the elders at our village would talk about." Sango explained, probably the only positive thing I've heard. "I forget what the villagers would call them, but they were powerful and helped the elders fight many powerful demons."

"So people like Athena are good?"

I looked over toward Sesshomaru, he wasn't sitting in the circle with us but he was close enough to listen to our conversation. I was surprised he was still here, and I tried not to let the interest I had in him show.

"Beings like her have existed since the beginning of time," Sesshomaru spoke, surprising everyone. "I have met a being like you once. He aided my father in a battle when I was a small pup."

"Well that ain't gonna do us any good," Inuyasha replied, irritated at useless information.

"He is very likely still alive, however, I can only find his location if I were to return to my home."

Was Sesshomaru trying to help me? I mean, it was just a few weeks ago he tried to kill me! It's his fault that I discovered I even had these powers.

"Are you offering to help, Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked, speaking what was on my mind.

He looked at us for a moment, I couldn't tell if he was wishing he never said anything or if he wanted to invite all of us.

"I am leaving at dawn, only you may come." He said directly to me, then he walked away.

I looked around the group. They had mixed emotions on their faces, and I, too, felt an abundance of feelings. I should go, I could gain control of this power before I hurt someone, but I didn't trust Sesshomaru enough to leave alone with him. This could be a ploy to kill me, be rid of me for good.

"I think I should go," I finally breathed.

"Hell no," Inuyasha shook his head. "He can't be trusted, he'll just kill you."

"I don't think he will," Miroku shifted. "I think Athena has gained the favor of Lord Sesshomaru, I feel that he won't harm her. You have a power exuding from you that may match—or be stronger—than Lord Sesshomaru's. I think he may see you as an equal, especially since we are all doubting that you are truly just human.

If you are half god like we all assume, I think you should take this opportunity to learn about it. Whatever kind of being you are, it will be best for all of us if you get this power under control because I know you don't want to hurt us, or anyone else unintentionally."

I let his words soak in. He was right in every aspect, I didn't want to hurt them or anyone else. I wanted to protect everyone, save my father, and possibly return home.

I woke up when Inuyasha gently tapped me, "it is right before dawn, Sesshomaru is waiting—are you going to go?"

I took a moment to fully wake up, but nodded my head. "This'll be good, I'll be okay."

"Look, I don't want you to go, that bastard can't be trusted."

"I'll stay on my toes," I give him a sleepy smile and got up to collect my things.

It took me a few moments to do so and then I threw my bag on my shoulders, and began to walk to Sesshomaru.

He was waiting for me not too far from the camp, and wasn't surprised to see me coming at all. He didn't say anything and just walked close to me, before putting his arms around me.

I tensed up, "what are you—" and then we were in the air, flying. I was shocked and couldn't find the words to express my surprise. For someone so cold, he was surprisingly warm.

I looked up at his face and if I had blinked I would've missed the amused look that appeared on his face for a split second, it was so quick I thought I imagined it.

It didn't take long before we arrived to out destination, or at least I think it didn't since I had actually fallen asleep while he carried me. If it bothered him, he didn't say anything to me, and he woke me up very gently.

The little girl that was with him, Rin if I recalled, was just waking up from sleep and the green imp was squawking orders for the camp site to be picked up.

"Milord! You've returned!" The imp squeaked excitedly.

"Good morning Lord Sesshomaru," Rin smiled sleepily. She looked from him to me and gasped. "You're the mer-person I saw swimming in the lake!"

"Why is this human here?" The imp said disgusted.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru spoke. "We will be returning home, prepare Ah-Un."

"But milord, this human—"

"Is none of your concern Jaken. All you need to know is that her name is Athena, and she will be traveling with us." Sesshomaru said sternly, and hearing him say my name made my heart skip a beat.

Jaken nodded, fear written all over his face. "But, milord, do you think it will be wise to bring these humans home?"

I looked at Sesshomaru, it made sense why Jaken would ask. If his distaste for humans was anything like what other demons thought at their home it could start something at home.

"It takes two days to travel to my fortress," Sesshomaru turned his attention toward me. "I do not want you wandering off without me. You will attract many unwanted creatures."

I nodded my head. "I don't want to cause you any trouble, and I thank you for taking me with you." I bowed respectfully to him, something I had been taught when I was younger. It always surprised people when I would properly thank them, since everyone always thought I was a foreigner.

He looked somewhat amused, but I couldn't tell. I tried my best to read him, but he was virtually unreadable. The more he kept popping up into my life these passed few weeks, made me question if my dreams were more premonitions rather than just dreams, but he was so cold that it also made me doubt that theory. Maybe I was just wishfully thinking.

That baffled me the most. This demon tried to kill me, and every time I saw him or was in his presence, my heart would beat like crazy. I thought it was from fear of him, and although that was partially it, it was mainly from the attraction I had toward him. He was powerful, and I assumed he was the type of person to be very possessive of those he cared for. I could only imagine what that would be like for a woman he loved.

I followed behind Sesshomaru while Rin was by my side, softly singing a tune. She was absolutely adorable, and she asked me many questions. She asked me why my eyes were so wide, and why I had such strange clothes. I had lied and told her my country dressed much differently than this one, and I think Sesshomaru had noticed my lie since he gave me an odd look. I smiled sheepishly at him, and I knew he would question me about it again later. After Rin asked me an abundance of questions, Jaken shushed her, telling her to stop being so vexatious.

Finally, I decided to ask her a question: "why do you travel with Sesshomaru?" I whispered.

"Oh that's easy," she smiled widely. "He saved my life."

"He did?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yup," Jaken chimed in. "Rin was attacked by wolves and killed, Lord Sesshomaru used Tenseiga to revive her."

"Revive her, huh?" I looked at the flawless demon walking ahead of us. If he heard us talking, and I'm sure he did, he didn't acknowledge out conversation. He kept his head straight, focusing on the path ahead.

"Lord Sesshomaru is absolutely amazing. His awesome power is incomparable to that of any other being." Jaken boasted.

"Lord Sesshomaru is the best, and I enjoy traveling with him." Rin added.

I pursed my lips together. Sesshomaru was cold hearted, there was no doubt about that, but somehow this little girl and imp wormed their way into his heart. He would never admit it, but I'm positive that any threat that ever came to them would have him on edge—he wanted to protect those he cared for.

I admired him for it, and I cringed at the thought. I shouldn't be in love with someone solely based on dreams that will never happen. I was an idiot, and needed to focus on more important things like finding my father.