Sakura cursed again and looked into another room. Nothing. In empty halls was heard her quick footsteps while she was looking after Rin. For her it took too long to get back from ruined village. When she and her sister's company returned they found out it's too late.
Rin was nowhere and Nurumu as well. They searched in entire palace but without success. Sakura was angry at herself that she didn't think about possible trap in Nurumu's speech. Again she cursed herself and for the last time she checked the garden when Rin played with her.
The garden was empty as the rest of the palace. Sakura cursed herself for being such a fool. She felt like an idiot just standing in the middle of grass and flowers looking to nowhere. Suddenly her legs betrayed her and she fell down silently sobbing on her knees.
It's my fault if something happen to Rin. Kami-sama she is just a little child. She doesn't deserve to be hurt, not because of someone like me! And most stupid is that I don't know what to do! Sesshomaru is the gods know where and everything starting to be so complicated!
Sakura jerked when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Above her was Kurama who had frown on his face. With one fluent motion he sat down and took her into his arms. As usual Sakura stunned but then she relaxed. The tears took control over her again and she fully started cry. Kurama's hand stroked her back in comfort and he whispered softly words into her ear.
"What if something happened to her? She is so small! It's my fault!" she cried in Kurama's embrace and didn't notice the others who came to the garden.
"It will be alright, sis! We will help you to find her."
"Are you crazy?" yelled Inuyasha at Kagome. "We must find the Shikon no Tama's shards! We haven't time for anything else!"
"Inuyasha, OSUWARI!" in Kagome's voice was apparent danger and she was ready to argue with Inuyasha, who was quickly climb from the three foot deep hole in the ground, when someone else interrupted them.
"I must say I admire your style of dealing with my brother, miko!" everyone turned to the Lord of the West and Kagome's friends instinctively stepped back. Sesshomaru didn't pay attention to them and turned to his brother who finally stood up from the ground.
"If you are in a hurry I would appreciated your retirement!" he said to his brother with a cold voice. Then his eyes noticed Sakura who was still in Kurama's arms and he almost lost his emotionless mask. Fortunately, Sakura saw it and quickly stood up.
"Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama, I didn't mean to be so reckless. But before we go to find Rin and Jaken may I introduce you my sister Kagome?"
Sesshomaru rose up one of perfect eyebrows and looked closely at Kagome.
They really must be siblings. Their scent is similar, but that miko's scent is sweeter. Sakura smells like a hot cinnamon and lilac. Hmm, they even looks similar but Sakura is a bit more mature.
"Sesshomaru-sama, would you mind if I and my friends join you to find Rin-chan?" asked Kagome worriedly. She still remembered the sweet child and she honestly wanted to do everything for her save return. Sesshomaru looked at her and then nodded.
"We can go tomorrow. Now is almost a night and it's useless to go anywhere. You are welcome to stay here during the night. You, your friends and my brother as well." The last part he said was quite spiteful but for once his brother was smart enough to stay silent. Or maybe it was work of Kagome who elbowed him in a right time.
"We will be glad for it, Sesshomaru-sama!" said Kagome before Inuyasha could add something.
"Alright then, Kurama will show you your chambers." From his glare Kurama understood he should leave and take the others with him, so the demon lord could speak with Sakura. It would be wrong to say he was happy about it, but he couldn't deny Sesshomaru in his own palace. When everyone was gone, Sesshomaru turned to Sakura who stood near to him under an oak tree.
"Are you alright, Sakura?" he asked her with a calm voice. On her face was still visible exhausting and tears. It made him angry to know that someone could get her into such condition. Sesshomaru was sure to talk about it with Kurama later.
Sakura smiled at the lord before her and wiped the last track of tears from her face. In his presence she felt more calm and comfortable.
"Sorry, Sesshomaru-sama. I must look pretty lame to cry here like a baby."
"You don't look lame, Sakura. You look exhausted and that's make me wonder what happened to you?"
Sakura recognized the order in his voice, even if it was wrapped in a soft voice. She let him to settle her down on soft grass and told him the whole story. It was almost dark when she finished. The whole time Sesshomaru patiently listening not moving but Sakura could say he was really angry.
"Sesshomaru-sama?"
"How could that idiot take you into such danger is beyond me! I should kill him for that." He replied angrily and Sakura's eyes grow wider.
"I'm not denying that Kurama is an idiot but this really wasn't his fault. I convinced him to take me into that village. It's my own fault. Besides nothing happened so everything is alright!" in no time she was in Sesshomaru's embrace, her body tightly pressed against his.
"Nothing is alright, Sakura. You could die, while you was under my protection. It means that I failed to keep you safe. And that's a big deal. I should be here to protect you!" Sesshomaru sighed before he continued. "You are such a strange creature. I am almost loosing my control around you. I know everything what I promised you and I'm aware of it, but let me ask you something. Would you stay here with me? In this palace with me and Rin!"
Sakura was speechless. It was too ridiculous for being it true. The demon lord was asking her to stay with him? It was ridiculous but she couldn't laugh. She wanted to say something but from her mouth didn't come any sound. Sesshomaru looked at her and saw the mix of emotions placed in her eyes. Not waiting for her answer he slowly leant down and kissed her.
Different than Kurama's kiss, different than anything else Sakura would almost say she liked it. The lips of the demon lord were soft and, compared to his attitude, warm. To her surprise he didn't force her to anything. It was just a simple gentle kiss. Without thinking Sakura let him to deepened the kiss and when did he do it, she got lost for everything else. It took her quite a long time to return back on the Earth.
"Sesshomaru-sama?" she asked him hesitantly when they pulled apart.
"Let me asked you again. Would you stay here with me?" that gentle voice made her shiver and she wanted nothing else than to curl into ball and cry.
"I don't belong to here, Sesshomaru-sama. I must go back! I simply can't stay here. No matter what!"
"Even if I told you, I'm finding pleasure in your presence?"
"I'm sorry, Sesshomaru-sama. But I don't know what I feel, except fear and confusion. You already found out what happened. My soul and heart are still bleeding. And in this state I can't do any decision."
Sesshomaru didn't say anything but deep down he know that Sakura's heart was too damaged for to be healed. And even if, he wouldn't be the one who could do it. In spite of all these logical facts he wanted her to love him and stay with him. For the first time he cursed his pride and honour. The sky was already dark and he still held her in his arms like if this simple act could keep her with him forever.
"I will walk you back to your room if you want! You need a rest." Sesshomaru offered her after a while. Sakura nodded but she was sure that tonight she won't be able to sleep.
Kurama sat in his room silently thinking. Never in his whole life he had thought it could so hurt to see a kiss. He wasn't sure why he went back to the garden. Maybe he wanted a little tease Sakura or has some opportunity to be with her. He didn't expect to see her kissing Sesshomaru.
The gods know why it hurt him more than all wounds he gathered in his life as a thief. He wasn't sure what he wanted from her. First he thought it was only lust and interest, but slowly he changed his mind. The way she could remove all his inner pain only by concern. The deep abyss after Kuronue's death was fulfil with warmth and light, which he was afraid not to see again.
It still hurt. He was sure if she chosen Sesshomaru there was chance to be happy only in her presence. But if she will return to her own time, he will never see her again. Maybe even with this he would be able to live, but the thought that she chosen the demon lord and returned to her home was unbearable.
The line of his thoughts was interrupted by silent sound of footsteps. The scent in the air told him it was Sakura. He wondered, where she could go so late in the night. As quietly as he was able, he stood up and opened the door only to see her disappearing behind a corner. It wasn't hard to follow her into library. She didn't seem to notice him when she turned the lamps on and took one old scroll from its shelter. In the low light of lamps he could see exhaustion on her face.
Why the hell is she here? She needs rest not to read. How can she want to help Sesshomaru gets Rin and Jaken back when she is so tired? She is pretty stubborn.
"Can't sleep?" Sakura jerked when she heard Kurama's voice right behind her and dropped the scroll. On her face was mix of emotions from surprise to quilt. Kurama smirked at her when he walked to the desk. He sat down in front of her and put his chin into his palm.
"You should be in bed. You look like you need it!"
"I couldn't sleep. So I thought it would help if I try to read something." She answered when she calmed down.
"And why are you here, anyway?"
"I heard you and was wonder where were you go. So I just follow you." It was easy for him to see the dark shadows under her eyes and worries written in her face.
Even now, she looks like the most beautiful creature in the world. Her face is so pale with pearl shade. As if every day she spent here she was more and more beautiful. Sakura, you don't know what are you doing to me! Your image is haunting me like a curse. And the worst thing is I'm enjoying it.
Roughly, without thinking he took the scroll from her hands and throw it away. As it flew he stood up and grabbed the stunned girl for her waist. By the time the scroll hit the floor Sakura was once again imprisoned in Kurama's arms. When her feet left the ground she started panicked. Kurama lifted her up and carried her from the library.
"What the hell are you doing!" she demanded but Kurama's reply didn't help her to feel better.
"YOU are going to sleep! I'm taking you into your room." Sakura was so startled on his behaviour that she stayed speechless. She found her voice when they were in her room. When Kurama gently pushed her on her bed and lay next to her, Sakura cried in protest.
"Are you insane? What do you think that you are doing?"
"Stop yelling like an idiot! Am I doing something to you? I want to be sure that you will not to go anywhere again. So stop fidget. Or if you have so much energy left I know much better way how to use it."
Sakura stunned in his arms and her eyes grew wider at such an offer. The darkness in her room was pierced with flashes of the moon on Kurama's silver hair and made them shining with unnatural light.
"I would be completely crazy if I slept with you next to me! Get off!"
"If you want it don't have to be only 'next to' you! But don't worry I don't want to kill you. You are too tired for things like that. So why don't you just shut up and go to sleep?" Kurama's voice was soft and gentle when he caressed her arms. If he let his hand go anywhere else he was sure she would freaked out. Kurama didn't want her to be angry. For this moment the only things he wanted, was make sure she will sleep. Only to lie next to her was pleasurable enough.
He must be completely insane! Can't he give me some peace? Where the hell I have guarantee that he will let me be? I just can't trust him again, not after what he did. If he stopped his stupid game, at least! He's confusing me and didn't let me understand him. One moment I feel as if he attracted me and the next moment he freaks me out! I want to stop it! I want to break this circle of his games! I just don't want to play anymore!
Kurama stiffened when he smelled the sharp scent of tears. The girl in his arms wasn't moving her eyes tightly closed. The tears on her face hurt Kurama as anything else.
Does she really hate me so much? It was mistake back than, but how I'm supposed to convince her about it when she is so scared of me. I know it's my own fault but still…
"Do you really want me to leave you?" that whispered words was soft and full of fear from her answer. Sakura must control herself not to started cry aloud. Even her tears embarrassed her. A long time ago she had promised to herself not to cry because of any man again. And now she almost broke the promise.
"Do whatever you want. You do it always, so why you should ask for my opinion anyway! I don't care." These words were still not showing her shaking soul. Kurama buried his face in her hair and sighed. His hand gently caressed her and then moved to her face. The touch was so soft and full of kindness that Sakura almost gasped.
I don't understand, alright? I just don't understand that such violent and stubborn jerk like you can turn to someone so loving and tender. Can't you be simple one kind of this? I'm scared what will happen next, to who you will turn. I start to think I hate you. Not for what you did, but for what are you doing to me right now!
Long, clawed fingers slid from the line of her jaw to her neck. Sakura fought to hold her tears back but slowly she loose. This touch was so different from his usual harsh behaviour. She lost her battle and started sobbed aloud.
I don't know what else can happen! I don't know how much I stand of it. It hurts to think about you and everything what are you doing to me! I hate you Kurama! I hate you as simple as you are complicated.
When Kurama turned her face to him she closed her eyes and gave up. She was tired fighting with him. Tired by her confusion. Tired by every single loose.
She felt soft lips on hers. The feeling of sealing her fate washed over her like a sea wave. This all was ridiculous. A few hours ago a demon lord asked her to stay with him and now she was again captured in a rose's web of the mystical kitsune.
How can I be such an idiot!
That was her last thought and then everything just disappear.
Hello, because of plenty of free time I came up with another chapter. Hope you like it. And yes I like Sesshomaru too. I think I should do something about it. But … hmm … not in this story. (Maybe)
Pleeeaaaas review!