A/N: And the same update as yesterday. For some reason I updated the wrong version (I do not have my administration in order). I'm terribly sorry. I adjusted the chapter and I hope you'll all still enjoy it:)

o.O.o

Chapter Thirty-Six, Threads

After loading her knapsack earlier that morning, Sesshōmaru led the small ragtag group further into the Northern borders. There was little vegetation beside the long scrubby grass and the tall pine forests in the further distance. They'd travelled through the rocky wastelands, passed a long, wide river made of stone that might once have been some kind of lava-flow. Chiharu absentmindedly watched the dark, almost black, surface and inhaled softly. Cool air combined with pines and something smokey wafted to her nostrils.

Ever since she'd acquired these senses, thanks to Sesshōmaru, she had been learning how to use them. Yet, ever since the Ofuda incident her youki had been smothered under a power she was unfamiliar with. Her other senses were still functioning perfectly though. Her hearing was sharp and her sense of smell beyond good. Even so, somehow, the Ofuda had downgraded her metabolism enough to smother youki and slow her healing-rate. No amount of research or any other attempt to bring the youki back had been effective to return it. She was still strangely aware of someone else's life-force, aware of the pulsing throb inside her reiki as a second heartbeat, but the rush of power it normally gave remained absent. It was like a second heartbeat thudding through her bloodstream and she had no idea if it would remain just that; a distant thud and awareness of his being. It was comforting at times because without the youki, the sharpened senses felt strange.

The gash at her side took far longer healing than she was used to. The reiki in her blood had quickened her healing abilities enough that it was only a minor inconvenience and after three days only an angry pink line remained. Yet, she still winced when Sesshōmaru would pull her off her feet (she was barely ever fast enough in his opinion) and her relocated shoulder remained sore. Rolling her shoulders awkwardly, Chiharu tried to focus on her breathing and hoped to coax even a spark of youkish power from her fingertips as she followed behind the large three-headed dragon Sesshōmaru kept around.

Nothing happened.

It wasn't entirely surprising, but a stab of disappointment shot through her. Curling her fingers into the blue sleeves of her haori, she quickened her step. The silken outfit Sesshōmaru had gotten her seemed to be made of a similar material as Inuyasha's haori. Not only was it easy to wash and fast to dry, it also seemed self-repairing. Chiharu had tried asking Sesshōmaru where you could get clothing like this, but he remained evasive about it.

Her inquiries about her friends had also fallen on deaf ears. Sesshōmaru was even more evasive about their location as he was about her clothing. Ignoring the bubbling frustration with the lack of progress and Sesshōmaru's behaviour, toyed with the Shikon shards on the chain. She supposed it was a small miracle she still had them. Naraku's objective seemed painfully clear now. Blocking her youki and extracting the shards would probably have been child's play for him. If it were any other way she might even have applauded him, but she didn't understand why he'd never used such a tactic on Inuyasha. Binding his youkai side would effectively slow him down and would make him unable to use Tetsusaiga.

She didn't understand and Chiharu didn't like it when she did not understand something.

Pushing a dark lock of hair out of her face she wrapped her arms around her torso and inhaled softly. The air was slightly salty and the wind was chilly. Her footsteps crunched awkwardly over the thin layer of leaves that had only recently begun to fall. Autumn was starting with a rather drastic shift of weather, cutting the previous heat wave short and several days had already been spent in a chilly rain. Rolling her shoulders she was thankful for that; at least it was dry.

By mid-morning, the small group reached the edge of the rocky wasteland and stepped into a small forest. Pine trees stretched up above them, tall and proud, reaching for the sun. They stretched in a wide curve towards the apple trees, with their deeply-ridged red-gold barks. The ground was covered ankle deep in brown leaf-skeletons as long as her foot and a soft fragrant of salt wafted and curled through the branches. Chiharu tried not to think about Naraku and his reasons for using that Ofuda on her and the chance he would use it on Inuyasha as well.

They walked along the forest-floor of a grove and Chiharu felt as if she was walking into a cathedral. The shafts of light came down through the canopy and there was a strange stillness in the air. In the distance, she heard the soft sound of water lapping on the shore.

"Master Jaken?"

Rin's voice, soft and happy, pulled her quickly out of her reverie. Her jaunty ponytail quivering with how fast she was waving at 'Master' Jaken to get his attention. Chiharu wasn't sure how the child came to follow Sesshōmaru and his rude servant (although he hadn't been all that rude and unpleasant to her recently), but she hadn't known how to subtly inquire. Rin was a very innocent and warm child. She always appeared happy and carefree and for the past few days had asked Chiharu to sing for her before she went to bed. The way the child curled up to her as Chiharu complied made her wonder if it was something her own mother had done before she died. That Rin's mother was no longer part of this world seemed rather obvious.

"When will we stop?"

"I don't know. When Sesshōmaru-sama decides we stop, we stop. Quit asking me, you insufferable child."

"But Rin is hungry,"

Chiharu pursed her lips. She wanted to stop and stretch her legs as well. Perhaps some food and then a moment to herself to try and gather her powers again. Jaken's expression turned irritated but Rin didn't seem to mind. Sesshōmaru shoulders tensed ever so slightly.

The Daiyōkai had a way to make you feel absolutely inadequate and she really didn't need him lording over her while she failed drastically to call upon the youki that he was sure should be still there. It appeared to be laying dormant, still fueling her. She supposed if she got into trouble it might still help her, but honestly, she didn't want to take the risk.

"What did I say, I—" Jaken started annoyed. Rin was still looking at him with wide, pleading eyes and Chiharu felt her muscles tense.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru's voice cut through his complaint as a hot knife through butter and the imp made a soft gasping sound.

"MiLord?"

"Your voice grates me."

Chiharu sniffed. His voice grated everyone. Rin beamed at her guardian, her faith into the yōkai unprecedentedly strong and Chiharu felt her tense shoulders relax a bit. It was oddly disarming.

"Sesshōmaru, when do you think we're going to make camp?" She asked, ignoring Jaken's soft mumble about disrespect. The muscles in her legs were cramping slightly and she felt tired altogether.

The Daiyōkai peered over his shoulder, eyes meeting hers unblinkingly. He took three seconds, three, she counted them, before he inclined his head ever so slightly: "We will make camp here,"

Rin squealed, mounting off from her trusty companion and even Jaken slumped gratefully forward. So much for disrespectfulness. Rin crossed the clearing, small feet beating harshly against the forest floor and Chiharu stepped up next to A-Un, running her fingers through his mane.

"It's the sea!" Rin cried suddenly. Chiharu hadn't even realised she'd travelled through the orange foliage and watched Rin excitedly jumping up and down before the gentle slope towards a sandy beach.

She could hear the water lap at the shore and smell the salty scent of the sea. It was a lovely view. Rin, still so very young, blew her cheeks up and glanced at the white-sopping waves in awe. With every crash against the shore, a white salt spray blew over. In the distance, a human-built boat rolled over the waves, like a child thrashing in its mother's arms. So now and then it disappeared from view as the massive crests, topped with white foam and dark depths, charged.

"Do you see it, Chiharu-sama?"

"See what, Rin-chan?" She answered softly. "Do you mean the boat?"

"No, I mean the shells. I've never seen so many."

Chiharu smiled amusedly as Rin gently pushed her toes in the sand, carefully inching closer. With a small sigh, content on watching the child, Chiharu plunked down in the short, gaunt grass. Shrugging her knapsack off her shoulder, she took out a bottle of water and took a small swig.

Rin remained staring transfixed at the sea, toes curling and uncurling in the damp sand. Chiharu wondered absentmindedly if this was the first time she'd seen the sea. Considering the unlikely chance that a child of the Sengoku Jidai would have been travelling around on her own before meeting Sesshōmaru, Chiharu supposed it might be.

"Rin,"

The little girl twirled around at the soft-spoken command and Sesshōmaru stepped up next to her. "Yes, Sesshōmaru-sama?"

"You will not go near the water."

If the child was put out with that, she didn't show it. Her large doe-eyes gazed trustingly up at her guardian and she nodded. "Hai, Sesshōmaru-sama,"

"Miko,"

"Yes?" Chiharu answered, unfastening the straps of her scabbard and carefully dropped it on the grass as well. It seemed unlikely he would ever call her by her name.

"Come,"

She looked up startled, not really wanting to accompany him to whatever deserted place he wanted to go. It was hardly fun to be mocked or made fun of, but before she could say anything, a cloud of youki gathered beneath his feet and she only had a moment before his left hand curled around her upper arm, pulling her up and along. They sped through the chilly air and she watched the scenery around her with a detached sort of fascination. She used to be slightly afraid of heights but, even without the youki in her system, she felt rather save with him. She knew he wouldn't let her fall.

The crescent on his forehead was clearly visible as his hair swept off his face and she peered at it with interest. His arm tightened around her middle when he met her searching gaze from his peripheral vision and her fingers tensed into the soft silk of his kimono.

They touched down a few minutes later in a small grassy clearing. Logs, in several stages of decomposition, were located around an old rickety well with a Torii arch and weeds curled haphazardly around wood of both the well and the arch. There was a human village close by.

It was an odd place for him to bring her to and Chiharu curled her fingers around her shoulders. Her eyes fixing on the hand still holding onto her arm.

"You have been displeased," he stated. It wasn't a question.

"No, not displeased per se." She hedged uncomfortably.

He took a step back and slowly let go of her arm and she peered around. "You made no progress with the youki."

Again, not a question and she steeled herself for his disdain. "No."

"Hn,"

"I need to go home," Chiharu whispered, "apart from my family being worried, I think it would work in my favour."

And she really did think it would. His nearness

He gave her a long look before fisting his right hand into her collar and hoisting her up. In the blink of an eye they were standing in front of the old well and a moment later he chucked her over the rim. Her scream was cut short when she plunged into a clinging coldness. Her lungs burn when she inhaled. Choking when water filled her longes, she urgently kicked her way upward, breaking through the surface with a hoarse gasp.

He threw her into a water well.

"W-what the hell!" Curling her fingers into the dirt walls she held on and caught her breath. "You— Why the hell did you do that?"

"You travel through wells, do you not?"

"Only through the one near Edo, imbecile!" She gasped back, teeth chattering from the cold. "It's not this well!"

Curling her fingers into the slick stones, she tried hailing herself up. It didn't work. "Get me out of here!"

"Do it yourself, Miko."

"Do it myself? You threw me in here and— Oh never mind when I'll get out of here I'll wring your neck."

His face loomed over the rim of the well and she noticed he looked amused. "Hn, you'll have to get out first."

"Arsehole," she muttered under her breath. The frigid water and her already tired limbs were starting to take its toll on her. Swimming towards the rope and the bucket she held onto it. It took her several attempts before she managed to haul herself up on the rope and kicked off against the wall. When she reached the rim, she curled her arm around the wood and the gripped at the deep reigns in the wood. The wood splintering under the beds of her nails was less than stellar and by the time she sat on the well, she was breathing hard.

"You are a bloody arsehole,"

"Hn,"

"You really are!"

"You need to bend your Youki."

"Excuse me, I am trying!" She retorted annoyed, looking up at the torii arch and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked more like a petulant child than she'd ever had. Looking away, she combed her hair together and wrung the excess of water from her hair. Her haori clinging to her small body and she frowned. Trust Sesshōmaru to drop her in some unknown well expecting it to transport her back home. When she looked up again he had moved beside her.

"You are like a child," he softly whispered and his thumb caressed her cheek.

Her mouth opened to retort but her breath came in a short small gasp as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back flush against his chest. She met his eyes hesitantly, her muscles tense. His eyes were dark and full of a heat and intensity that held her transfixed, unable to look away.

"This Sesshōmaru could awaken things inside you that would have been sleeping all your life."

"Ah—" she started, unsure what she should say and trembled slightly when his fingers lightly touched her throat. The pads of his fingers were cool and she carefully inclined her head. Embarrassment and arousal warred within her.

"I don't—"

"So young," he whispered and his fingers fisted in her hair, bearing more of her neck, "So mine."

She had entertained more sexual fantasies than she cared to admit but this one was new. His fingers curled lightly around her chin and he leaned towards her, binding his head down to hers. She felt her own eyes fall close, losing focus, feeling heavy when his lips pressed against her pulse point. She felt strangely dizzy and her heart pounded harshly against her ribcage.

His youki swirled around them, flicking her hair up in an unnatural breeze. She let her head roll back against his shoulder and she felt his lips graze the puckered flesh of his mark. It sent an electric prickle down her spine and felt his warm breath fan out over her collarbone. Then she felt the sharp sting when his sharp fangs pierced the skin.

Her eyes widened and youki full and strong washed over her, travelling through her limbs, making her toes curl. It was like an electric current. The hairs on her arms and legs stood on end and a loud gasp escaped from her parted lips. The youki she had not been able to feel for days jerked awake as if an accelerant had been thrown over it and it headily pressed against Sesshōmaru's and she felt his claws sink slightly into her skin.

His rogue tongue swirled over her fast beating jugular and she felt his heartbeat echo hers in her head. Her breathing already laboured and his hand slowly skimmed down her neck, down her shoulder and settled on her hip. It probably wasn't wise to try his control anymore.

"It's back." She gasped softly.

"Hn, this Sesshōmaru will teach you how to bend it." He whispered, his voice slightly muffled in her hair.

She nodded breathlessly. The power of the bond shimmering in her blood and its power pulling at her. It made everything feel so good. So exciting. She took another step forward and slowly turned around, her breathing still heavy.

No matter how curious she might be, she did not want any sexual exercises to be influenced by a bond and a power she had no control of. Slowly, he let go of her and she took a few steps forward, a hand already pressed against her neck. Her hair was still uncomfortably wet, dripping down her shoulders and her haori clung unpleasantly to her body.

The wounds he made were already healing beneath her fingertips and the youki which had been lying dormant for days swirled through her veins. He stared at her with hooded amber eyes a bit of blood smeared on his chin. He looked rather feral and she felt the muscles in her stomach tense.

It was a look she'd come to know really well: "Perhaps, we should return to camp now?"

His face was tense. Absentmindedly she wondered since when she had started such trivial changes in his body language before stepping closer. "I think it would be better for both of us if we return and then, after, I learn how to bend the youki, I should return to Inuyasha's side."

"You want to return to Inuyasha so badly?"

She smiled, but it felt hollow; "I don't really know what I want anymore."

To be continued...

A/N: Am I the only one who had problems with fanfiction the last few days? Apart from the numerous errors, I couldn't find any stories either (frantically typing into the search bar on my phone and my computer… didn't work by the way). It was really weird. Anyway, two days later than I'd wanted, but here it is. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. I certainly enjoyed writing the well part. Let me know what you think! Leave a review!

And thank you all for the nice reviews!

The next update (unless something goes wrong) will be coming next Thursday!

To my anonymous reviewer: you're right. Kagome kept going until Inuyasha caved. She was and is a great friend, I definitely liked their friendship. The only thing I think is that their love might have been toxic because in the end Inyasha's sees or compares her to Kikyō. Not necessarily out of spite, but because he did love her. Anyway, I respect your opinion and you're definitely right. He needs someone like Kagome around, but perhaps not as a lover. Either way, I hope you'll keep enjoying this story and let me know what you think:)