A/N: For those who have been waiting so patiently for me to update this: greetings! I'm so sorry for my long absence, but I will try to better my life. I promise. This is chapter forty-two of A tale of two sisters and I will tell you, we are getting near the end (still a good 18 chapters, but still). Please enjoy this new chapter, and let me know what you all think!

Thank you for taking the time to read and follow this story. You lot make writing such a treat!

o.O.o

Chapter Forty-Two, A honest answer

Lanterns and torches flickered in the night and Lord Sesshōmaru, Lord of the Western Lands crouched down on a high branch, not too far away from the human village his little Miko had gone to. He knew why they had travelled to the shelter of the small huts, clustered together so closely, and it had nothing to do with the stormy air that was coming.

He frowned. He'd only seen Inuyasha shed his Hanyō form once almost a century ago, but he didn't remember the strange human scent that immediately altered his natural one. Just like the yōkai scent, it was without even a trace of the mixed scent he normally carried.

Oddly, even though his Miko was in many ways similar to Inuyasha. Her scent wasn't all that mixed up normally either. Yet, Chiharu Higurashi, still had the sweet lingering scent of her heat clinging to her, but at least the worst was over. He wished he could say the strange desire she'd awakened in him was too, but even now his fascination with her remained strong. The last few days he'd kept close an eye on her (although from a safe distance) and was at least relatively pleased his mother hadn't tried looking for her.

It would have just been like his mother to go looking for her—

Or any other yōkai who would have liked to challenge him. Yet, when Ranolf loomed over her, he'd lost his temper. He felt the corner of his lips rising mirthlessly and cracked his knuckles.

It had been a very, very long time since he'd truly lost his temper. His control and in the end had killed the sorry excuse because if he hadn't, he would have drawn it out. Would have harmed him, tortured him, until he would have begged for mercy.

With a barely audible snarl, Sesshōmaru stood from his crouched position and pushed a lock of silver hair away from his face. This whole situation he'd created was getting ridiculous. Logic dictated that if a human girl became such a distraction he should dispose of her. Should have disposed of her all those months ago when she stopped being useful to his course of regaining Tetsusaiga. He hadn't even tried to get his hands on Tetsusaiga after the whole debacle with the Wind Scar last autumn and the girl—

"So naive and foolish." He muttered stealing another glance at the human village. Through the windows from which still the light emerged, he noticed the girl moving along her room. The floorboards creaked under her feet and suddenly, she turned on and stared outside as if she knew he was watching her. Instinctively, she'd often realized when he'd watched her before and now, after he'd so willingly taught her how to use her powers, he supposed she might act less instinctively and more knowingly.

Her eyes pierced through the dark, but no matter how well her senses had become, she could not see him. Yet, she still sensed him and he let out a frustrated sigh; he had the distinct impression that disposing of her was no longer an option.

Fingers itching, he pressed his thumb and index finger against the bridge of his nose, breathing out slowly. Her aura brushed tentatively against his and he felt his own push out against hers lightly. Yōkai mated for life. No matter what his initial plan might have been, his aura recognised her as such. An aura which was suddenly coming closer and he straightened, his hair flailing in the wind.

Chiharu Higurashi was dressed in her usual Miko garb but had added a soft, flowing scarf. Silver eyebrows rose in question. Even with the wind, chilly from the early autumn air, coming to the other side, he should have been able to scent her now. Yet—

He inhaled deeply. Her scent was off.

His eyes narrowed. She appeared much the same as always, face pale and those insufferable eyes, alight with her power. Her hair, dark and glossy, was tousled and she tucked a lock of it behind her ear. Eyes flitted around and her eyebrows furrowed.

"I know you there, you know?"

He cocked his head to the side, his agitation slightly lessening and he dropped down, landing soundlessly on the forest floor below. Her latent reiki stirred beneath her skin when his Youki washed over her and he felt some of his hesitations flee away. Even subdued and surrounded by his Youki, the girl was deadly. Of all the humans, this one would have been truly strong—

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

Chiharu Higurashi stretched out luxuriously on her futon, laying on her back. It was turning out to be a chilly autumn and she considered the serious possibility of a frigid winter. She had waited until she was sure Inuyasha was asleep and then slowly got up to her feet, dropping her sleeping bag over his somewhat pale form. He was frowning, the glow of the slowly dying fire gently fell upon his face and he looked peaceful. Chiharu pursed her lips slightly. Even in his human form, he was strong but not very stocky, not yet as formed as a grown man, but of course, bodily he didn't seem much older than a fifteen-year-old was.

He didn't seem much older than she was. Although, he had become more mature than he'd been before. The way he'd been when she and Kagome had met him all this time ago. She peered at his relaxed face, at the way his dark eyelashes sometimes fluttered

She bit her lip, momentarily staring outside through the window before busying herself with the dishes, folding herself neatly into the nook of the room. The night was still young, but at least it was silent and calm. Chiharu didn't sense any malicious auras nor did she smell blood, sweat or old iron.

Chewing on her cheek, she rubbed the bowls they'd used during dinner with a cloth until they looked clean. She felt oddly restless, even without looking she sensed Sesshōmaru's nearness. He had stayed away in the sense that he hadn't seemed her out, but still she knew he watched her. Chiharu wondered if that was a possessive streak, prowling after someone he considered— pack. The word tasted ludicrous even in her thoughts and she felt her fingers tighten around one of the tatami mats and flushed when it creaked and snapped under the light pressure of her hands.

Carefully, she dropped at her side and closed her eyes and allowed her aura to flare briefly. His reacted accordingly, brushing back unconsciously and she grinned at her little trick. She had been trying so hard lately and she felt she was progressing rapidly. Even the hand-to-hand combat was coming along neatly and she handled herself quite decently. She wasn't a super fighter like Sesshōmaru, and she doubted she would ever truly be in his range, but she was also not the naive little school girl her sister often displayed, relying solely on her friends to cover her sides. Of course, she wasn't exactly human either, which did actually make that much of a difference.

Brushing her thumb along the smooth grain of the wooden bowl she sucked her cheek between her teeth. It would probably wise to face the man. At some point, she would have and even though she might feel a bit odd about it, Sesshōmaru joining their group would be a good thing. Slowly she got to her feet, her slumbering reiki prickling as the blood flow resumed in her left foot and she rolled her shoulders. The wooden planks below her made almost no sound.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Chiharu grimaced, curling her fingers tightly together: "Outside, gathering herbs."

"Hell no, you don't get to use that excuse on me." He snapped and she threw him an amused smile.

"I could call for Kagome-onee-chan if you want?"

"Bitch," he muttered and she stuck out her tongue. He looked quite tired and she tried to smile reassuringly.

"Really, it's fine. I'm going to take a walk,"

"Seeing to Sesshōmaru, you mean?" He asked irritatedly and she nodded slowly.

"Yes," she admitted, "unless you want to come along?"

"No, I definitely don't want to come along. He wasn't exactly overexcited the last time he saw me like this…"

"He has seen you like this?" She asked slowly, letting her eyes wander over his human form.

He sniffed: "Hm. Yes, he has. But that was a long time ago."

Chiharu nodded slowly and brushed her hair over her shoulder: "See you later."

The air was crisp, the wind allowing a breeze to prickle against her cheeks and the tree-tops fluttered when she stepped out over the forest edge. Behind her, the new moon hung low in the air and starlight shone dimly down over a distant prospect of great green hills. On the slopes at the foot of the hills, small lights shone like lands stars and she smiled wistfully. Not far away a small creak cackled softly, the water seeming silver-black in the dim night light. She stared at the rippling water surface before stopping close to the trunk of the nearest tree, sniffing the air carefully.

He had cloaked his scent, he was better at it, but she knew—

"I know you there, you know?"

The hairs on her neck stood on end when she felt him, the whisper of his uncloaked youki trailed over her like a cold finger running down her spine. He didn't bother to announce himself and slowly ran her finger through her hair.

"Escaping from your comrades, Miko?"

"Hardly,"

She watched his nostrils flare and raised an expectant eyebrow.

"Your scent—"

She grinned excitedly, perking up instantly: "I managed to cloak my scent."

"Partly."

"Yes," she admitted, choosing to ignore his sarcastic statement. He did seem somewhat proud anyway and leant against the bark of a tree. The stars above her were flickering brightly and flickered like a thousand lampions. "They're quite beautiful."

"Hn."

She blew a lock of hair out of her face: "We're avoiding the subject though. I know you've been watching me from afar. I do wonder though, but I suppose I can't force you to tell me. Anyway, did you consider travelling with us?"

His jawline became rigid, his golden eyes narrowing: "Hn."

"I— Honestly, I never know for sure what that means."

He did not elaborate and she remained leaning against the tree trunk, alternating between watching the night sky and the Daiyōkai. It was odd how much had changed in the span of little over 1,5 years. When she'd first arrived here, she wouldn't have liked to be around him even if someone paid her for it, but now— So much had changed.

"How is Rin?"

"Adequate,"

She barely refrained from rolling her eyes and sniffed the air delicately. It had been oddly peaceful the past few days and she slightly worried it wouldn't last. The white child Hakudoshi would quite probably be planning their demise as they spoke and—

Sesshōmaru had crossed the little space that had been between them. Her eyes met his and he slowly moved his hand up, trailing claws along the column of her throat, pads dancing over the puckered flesh of his mark. The pads of his fingers trailed down again, moving along the base of her throat and settled just below her right collarbone.

Chiharu felt her cheeks redden but didn't move away.

"What are you doing?"

"This Sesshōmaru will meet your party here tomorrow at dawn." He whispered softly and due to his closeness, she could practically count the many silvery lashes that framed his eerie, golden eyes.

"I—"

"Perhaps, Miko you should return to your companions." He stated before giving her a small push. She stumbled slightly, hands waving around to find some support until her fingers clawed into the rough bark of a tree.

"But—"

"Tomorrow at dawn, Miko."

She flushed in frustration as a cloud of Youki gathered beneath his booted feet and he began to rise. She stared after him until Sesshōmaru was only a small dot in the sky and she only realised small beads of blood dribbling down her collarbone and staining the collar of her haori crimson.

To be continued…

A/N: Yes, I'm shocked too! It's another chapter and it has some progress (although, like always it's gentle and it is slow). Anyway, apart from the massive writer's block that hit me, I've been super busy with school. Even when I think slow, easy times were coming, I was wrong. I do, however, will have more time to write, but I cannot promise I'll immediately return to the weekly schedule I used to have. I will however, try my hardest to go back to update regularly.

Please review and let me know what you all think. Happy with Sesshōmaru actually joining the group? I know I am.

Inuyasha does not belong to me, but to Rumiko Takahashi.