A1969: I'm...

Inuyasha: back, alive, present, whatever.

A1969: yeesh, Inuyasha, must you be such a killjoy?

Kagome: it's in his genetic makeup.

Inuyasha: I don't wear makeup like Sesshoumaru!
A1969: ha!

Inuyasha: what's so funny?!
A1969: nothing! Ha! Anyway, thanks to those who read, reviewed, placed this story on their favourites, or alerts! –sniggers-

Inuyasha: what's so funny, dammit!

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-Chapter Twenty-Six-
-Friends and Fights-

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.:-Clara-:.

Lady Momitsumi...

The blood froze in my veins as I looked up into her glorious icy blue eyes. She was looking down at me with an intense expression on her face. I felt cold panic grip me then. What did she, of all people, want?

"Don't scream," she warned, her voice no higher than a whisper.

My eyes widened, and I stopped any kind of fidgeting. Was I going to die tonight?

She suddenly removed her hand. I wanted to scream—badly. But I knew that I wouldn't get the chance. Lady Momitsumi could easily silence me the moment I opened my mouth.

"Follow me," she ordered as she silently stood up. She made her way towards the door that led to the veranda, taking care not to step on Kohaku or Jaken. She stopped at the doors, a hand against the shutters, looking back at me from over her shoulder. "Well?"

Dread building, I quietly sat up. I wondered if Jaken would wake up if I nudged him on the way—maybe not. With shaking legs, I stood up and made my way over to Momitsumi. I was surprised I was still able to stand—my knees seemed made out of jelly.

Lady Momitsumi silently slid the door open. Moonlight bathed the veranda and the garden beyond it. She glanced back at me and tilted her head towards the veranda, an indication that I should follow. She swept out elegantly and silently, and I followed, wondering if Sesshoumaru could hear me if I screamed. Of course he could.

I pushed all thought of Sesshoumaru from my mind as I stepped out onto the veranda, my stomach filled with butterflies. Lady Momitsumi stood at the veranda, facing towards the garden. Moonlight bathed her with its ethereal glow, making her even lovelier than she already was.

"Close the shutters," she said softly, not looking back at me. "I wouldn't want your little green guard to wake up."

My blood froze. What was she going to do? I slid the shutters closed with foreboding. The soft wooden thud as the shutters slid closed seemed ominous to me. I stood behind her, watching her back, chewing my lower lip.

"Follow me," she said again as she daintily stepped down from the veranda and towards the gardens.

Was she...was she going to kill me there? I wanted to run, and run fast. But my legs felt like jelly.

"Unfortunately, I do not have all night," her voice was just loud enough to reach me.

I hesitated, and followed her, calmly recalling the various ways a priestess would channel spiritual energy towards an enemy. Usually, weapons were used, but I didn't have one. My hands would do. But could I even try to harm her knowing that she was...Sesshoumaru's bride?

I pushed that thought from my mind as I followed her through the garden. Even in the moonlight, it was beautiful. Instead of grass, the garden was paved with moss. The path that wound throughout the garden was made of cobblestones. Here and there, stone lanterns stood far apart, standing like unlit sentinels under the moonlight. Bushes of flowers grew in profusion, their scent masking out everything else, even the fear that seemed to seep throughout me. A little farther away, there was a man...demon made lake. There was a tiny pavilion on the lake, with steppingstones leading to it.

Well, if Lady Momitsumi did kill me tonight, at least I'd die in a beautiful place. I shook my head vigorously. I really should stop being so negative all the time.

Lady Momitsumi veered off the path, and stepped lightly onto the moss. I hesitated before following her. Surprisingly, my footprints didn't appear on the moss. Strange.

Lady Momitsumi suddenly stopped underneath a towering spruce tree. There was a stone bench underneath it. She sat down and looked up at me. To my surprise, she smiled.

Smiled?

"Sit down," she said, still smiling. "I wish to speak with you."

What...? She wasn't going to...kill me? More than surprised, I was staggered.

She smiled again. "I won't eat you," she promised, her tone indicating that it was meant as a joke. Okaaay...

Hesitantly, I approached the stone bench and sat on the opposite end, as far away from her as was possible. The shadows from the spruce fell on us both, and the wind rustled in the branches above, bringing with it the scent of flowers.

She was silent for a moment. "I wished to thank you for saving me today," she said at last.

I stared at her, staggered. She thanked me?

"I'm not the one who saved you," I corrected, my voice low. "It was Midoriko." Why did I suddenly feel so useless? I stopped that train of thought. Didn't I just resolve to stop thinking so negatively?

"You are Midoriko, aren't you?" she asked, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

I surprised myself when I raised my eyebrows peevishly at her. "No," I said, my voice low. "I'm not her—we're different. I am me, and no one else."

"Have I offended you?" she asked, hearing the irate tone in my voice. "It was unintentional. Anyway, as I've said, I merely wished to thank you."

The annoyance vanished. She really was thanking me. Strange. "I didn't—"

Lady Momitsumi shook her head. "You are the one who saved me. Midoriko is dead, ergo you are the one who saved my life—it's as simple as that." She was silent again.

"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling repentant for being peeved with her. After all, she didn't seem to hate me...

"You have nothing to apologize for," she pointed out. "I was tactless. I should not have said that you and Midoriko are the same—you are both obviously different." She paused, tilting her head slightly at me, as though to get a good look at me. "You are foreign, aren't you? Your name—not Midoriko, but Clara—sounds foreign, and you look different. Particularly your eyes—I have never seen a human with eyes like yours."

I started when she mentioned my name. I don't think I ever told her my name before. "Yes," I said slowly. "I'm...not from around here."

"You do not look as though you come from the Continent, either," she pointed out.

"I come from far away," I muttered.

"From where, might I ask?"

I stared at her, wondering why she was even interested. "From beyond the Continent," I said. "A place called America." I didn't need to mention that Christopher Columbus might not have run into it yet.

She nodded. "Interesting," she said. She was silent again, her eyes fixed on the waning moon above. Her silence lasted for several minutes. I was nearly awkward by then.

"Well, I have said all that I wished to say," she said, standing up. I followed suit. "Come," she said, returning to the cobblestoned path we had taken. "I shall take you back to your quarters."

"Th-that isn't necessary," I stammered.

She shook her head. "I asked Lord Sesshoumaru if I could speak with you," Lady Momitsumi said. "And, naturally, he agreed under the condition that, if something were to happen to you, I would pay most dearly."

I blushed at that, certain that she was just exaggerating. She was silent for a moment, studying me again.

"What are you to Lord Sesshoumaru?" she suddenly asked.

This was the one question that I dreaded, a question to which I knew the answer. "A burden," I answered. "Or a waste of his time—or both."

She nodded again. "Come then," she said, turning her back on me. "I shall take you back. Oh, and...perhaps I shall see you again tomorrow."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. Tomorrow?

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-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

She wouldn't stop.

I stared—almost wearily, I'll admit—at my honorable mother, who knelt opposite me, her hands folded on her lap, the table between us. As soon as Naraku's demons had been dispatched, she had returned and berated me for taking leave of Lord Hoshimaru and Lady Kisara without so much as an apology or an explanation. Hn. One would have thought that she would be more concerned about the demons that attacked, but no—her concern was on etiquette.

"You must give them your apologies, at once," she said. Again.

"I don't owe them an explanation," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"You do," she pointed out. "Really, my son, it was very rude of you."

"Demons attacked my castle—I had to defend it."

"They attacked because of a certain priestess you bother yourself with," she said contemptuously. "Wouldn't you think it best if you do away with her? Kill her, or—if you have grown soft—send her away."

Her first suggestion was unacceptable. Her second option was...Strange, I did not know what to make of it.

"I have given my word to protect her," I reminded her.

"Break it," she said.

"Dishonorable."

She rolled her eyes. "Have it your way, then," she said. She stood up, looking down at me. Hn, was it scorn I saw in her eyes? Amusing. "I shan't interfere with your affairs—except for one, that is. And that involves my grandchild." I was tempted to roll my eyes, but refrained. "Now, seeing as you have no intention of apologizing to Lord Hoshimaru, I shall have to do it in your stead." With that, she swept imperiously out of the room.

I let out a sigh, and stood up, making my way towards the veranda. It was annoying, the fact that she wanted a grandchild, while I myself desired no such thing. I stared out at the garden, my thoughts wandering.

The door to the room promptly slid open, and her scent filled the room. Jasmine.

"My lord?" Momitsumi again. I could feel her behind me, her eyes fixed on my back.

"What is it?" I asked, not bothering to look at her.

"I merely thought you'd wish to know that I have had a little chat with your charge," she said. "And fret not, I have brought her no harm."

I don't care.

"And?"

"And she is rather interesting," she said.

Clara, interesting? Queer. I kept my silence.

"Particularly the fact that she comes from a place called America," she went on.

So?

"Have you heard of it, my lord?" she asked.

"No."

She was silent. "I wish to speak with her again, tonight," she said at last. Why she wanted to, I couldn't imagine.

"As you wish," I said.

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.:-Clara-:.

"As if I'd ever believe you!" Jaken exclaimed.

I sighed. I was kneeling behind Kohaku, my hand hovering over the jewel hard in his back, purifying it. In a castle filled with demons, the susceptible shard was easily tainted, and it was necessary to purify it sporadically.

The morning had rushed by in a haze, and the sun's afternoon rays slanted into the room. Last night seemed implausible, and it was about last night that Jaken was questioning me. When Lady Momitsumi had brought me back, it appeared that Jaken had woken up just as I entered the room. Hence, the endless questions. I had answered him truthfully but, toad that he was, he adamantly refused to believe me, saying that Lady Momitsumi wouldn't be concerned with an inconsequential denizen like me.

"It's up to you whether or not you believe me," I said, letting my purifying energy flow into the shard in Kohaku's back. I watched, awed (I was always awed by it) as light glowed from my hands, purifying the shard.

Jaken started muttering then. "I'll tell Lord Sesshoumaru," he threatened.

"I think he knows that already," I said. "There. All done, Kohaku."

Kohaku pulled away from me, and turned to face me, a would-be-blank look in his eyes. "You're welcome," I said. He looked at me again, and leaned against the wall, staring into space. He was such a strange boy, pretending that he didn't remember anything.

"Why don't you go outside with Rin?" I suggested. Rin was off playing with Ah-Un in the gardens.

It was no surprise when he shook his head. "I don't know why you bother with him," Jaken muttered. I ignored him.

"Kohaku," I said. "I have a feeling you remember—"

Jaken scoffed.

"—so, how come you're acting like a mindless zombie?" I asked.

He looked at me. There was a funny look in his eyes. "I...don't know what you mean."

"Hopeless," Jaken said.

I glared at him. "Kohaku, what can you possibly achieve by pretending to be mindless?" I grumbled. He didn't answer.

"Forget him!" Jaken said. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was leaning against the wall, his big, yellow eyes fixed on me. "Now, why don't you tell me where you've really been last night?"

"I told you," I said, exasperated. "I was with—"

"Lady Momitsumi wouldn't bother with someone like you!" he pointed out.

Ouch.

I shrugged. "It's not my problem, if you don't believe me."

"But it's my problem if something happens to you, and Lord Sesshoumaru kills me!"

"That's not my problem," I pointed out. He glared at me, and I instantly regretted the words. In his own way, Jaken was...kind. In his own way, at least.

"Sorry," I mumbled, repentant.

"Hmph!" he scoffed. "Ungrateful girl—you should at least be honest!"

"I am being honest," I said.

"Never mind," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'll just have to tell Lord Sesshoumaru."

I sighed and didn't bother to say anything.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I couldn't sleep that night.

Beside me, Rin stirred softly, her face relaxed. The muted breathing of both Kohaku and Jaken seemed almost ominous.

Was Lady Momitsumi actually going to come back? I was both intrigued and fearful. Why would she even bother? She was a demoness, wasn't she? And I was a priestess, reincarnation to the infamous Midoriko...

I suddenly felt a high rise in demonic aura, just outside the door, on the veranda. This aura was too weak in comparison to Sesshoumaru's...

I hesitated. What if it wasn't Lady Momitsumi? And, besides, what if it was...

I sighed. What could she possibly want? Filled with foreboding, I carefully eased out of the futon, manoeuvred between the inert forms of Kohaku and Jaken, and carefully slid open the door.

Lady Momitsumi was sitting at the veranda, her gaze fixed on the waning crescent moon in the inky sky. "It took you long enough," she said, not looking at me. "Come, sit." I hesitated, and then quietly slid the door closed behind me.

I made my way over to her, baffled. What did she want from me now? I stood beside her, looking down at my feet.

"Won't you sit down?" she asked, a trace of imperiousness in her voice.

I hesitantly sat down next to her, keeping a polite amount of space between us. "I asked Lord Sesshoumaru if I may speak with you again," she said, her eyes still fixed on the moon. "Luckily, he obliged without any threats to my well-being."

Sesshoumaru obliging without threatening could only mean that he trusted Lady Momitsumi not to kill me. I didn't know whether to be relieved or not.

"Why?" I asked, looking at her.

"Hm?" She turned her gaze to me.

"Why do you...why are you..."

"Why do I wish to speak with you?" she asked. "Well, for one thing, I am bored. For another, I think you are interesting." I suddenly felt like an animal in a zoo.

"But, you have a lot of people to talk to in the castle," I pointed out. True—why she would bother with someone like me, was a complete mystery.

"Oh, them!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Always the same faces, always the same people here and there, always the same things to discuss—it get's monotonous after four hundred years."

"You could talk to others," I pointed out.

"Other demons can be so boring," she said, sighing. "The only commoner demon I've talked to..." Her voice trailed off, and she suddenly sighed. "In any case..."

She was silent again. I fidgeted nervously, wondering what it was that she wanted this time. "Tell me," she went on. "Why is it that you travel with my lord?"

I looked down at my hands, folded in my lap. "Because he was...kind enough to take me to a place called Mt. Tenku," I explained. I looked at her. She looked disgusted?

I blinked, puzzled. "Oh, I'm not disgusted with you," she said, reading my expression. "I am disgusted with that mountain—it's pure. Very pure. Purer than Mt. Hakurei, even."

I didn't know what Mt. Hakurei was, so I couldn't make a connection. "Though, I am curious as to why my lord would so readily aid a human," she said, her gaze sharper now.

I looked down at my lap again. I didn't know if Sesshoumaru wanted anyone to know why he was helping me—because he was indebted to an undead (now dead) priestess.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I'm wasting his time, when there're other things he needs to be doing...such as seeing to you." For once, I managed to hide the jealousy in my voice. Hm, progress.

To my surprise, she laughed softly. "I should be thanking you, actually," she said cheerfully.

Huh? "Thanking me?" I said, bewildered.

"If you are smart, you will know," she said.

My eyebrows met in the middle. She laughed softly at the puzzled expression on my face. "Can you keep a secret, Clara?" she asked, her icy blue eyes sparkling. I stared at her, all but bewildered. "I have no desire to marry Lord Sesshoumaru."

What could I have felt? Relief, bemusement, bewilderment, and caution. Relief, because she didn't want to marry him (sue me, I was only human); bemusement, because if she didn't want to marry him, then why was she going to? Bewilderment, because, of all people, why was she telling me this? And caution (was she tricking me?).

I blinked at her. She clearly expected me to say something. "But...why?" I asked at last. "Why are...why are you telling me this? And...why don't you want to marry him?"

"I suppose I'm telling you this because I've been dying to let it out," she said, sighing. "Truth be told, I didn't really have any intention of telling you, but I am sure you won't tell anyone, because, honestly, who would believe you? And...do you honestly think that I wish to be married to someone as cold, callous and uncaring as Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru wasn't that uncaring. "You're very lucky you're going to...marry him," I said quietly. "I don't know why you don't want to. And, if you really don't want to, then...why are you marrying him in the first place?"

Her eyes suddenly widened. "You're in love with Lord Sesshoumaru!" she said, her eyes growing wide with astonishment.

What the heck?! This was getting silly! I wasn't that obvious, was I?!

"I haven't said anything," I said. To my surprise, I managed to control my tone, but I could feel the slightest of tinges on my cheeks.

She scoffed again. "I can see it in your eyes," Lady Momitsumi pointed out. "When you spoke of him—I could see it clearly as though it was written. And, besides, no sane woman would ever tell me that I was 'lucky' to be marrying him—a sane woman would say that I was doomed, for, despite the fact that he is very transcendentally physically appealing, he has a heart of ice. And do you wish to be married to a block of ice?" She laughed, politely and quietly.

He didn't have a heart of ice at all. Lady Momitsumi must not know about Rin. "He's not heartless," I said, defending him. "The little human girl with him—she died, and he brought her back to life. Doesn't that prove that he has a heart?"

"Oh, he can be minutely compassionate towards the right people," she admitted. "However, Lord Sesshoumaru can never be the romantic type—which is unfortunate, with those looks of his." She shook her head. "I don't know how you can love him."

I felt cold. "I don't," I said obstinately.

"Did you know that there are physical reactions that occur within the human body when one tells a lie?" She raised her eyebrows. "And did you know demons can sense those? Like your rapid heartbeat, for example."

My brilliant defense? Well, I was only human.

I sighed, feeling despair settle over me. "Please don't tell him," I pleaded. There was a very big chance that she would, and who knows what Sesshoumaru would do? He would either kill me, or send me away.

"Of course, I won't," she said. "I have better things to do than divulge human secrets, such as trying to think of a way to repay you for saving my life."

"Don't tell Sesshoumaru, and we're even," I offered.

She shook her head. "What is the mere keeping of a secret compared to the saving of a life?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Besides—you are keeping my secret, I am keeping yours. But I still must repay my debt to you...somehow."

What is it with demons and repaying debts?

Silence settled on us again. From within the room behind us, I could hear Jaken let out a loud snore. Despite the situation, I giggled. Lady Momitsumi stared at me, her eyebrows raised.

"Sorry," I said again.

She sighed. "I should apologize, I suppose," she suddenly said. What was she saying now?

"Why?" I asked. Strange, I had grown comfortable talking to her. There was just something about her that inspired trust, I guess.

"It must be troubling you—the fact that I am to marry the man you love," she said. She looked at me, her eyes unreadable. "I merely want you to know that I've no desire to marry him—it is my father's wish, and I must obey, even if..." She trailed off again and shook her head.

I was...troubled, more than troubled, even. But it couldn't be helped, I guess. Throughout the conversation , I had been ignoring the tight sensation in my chest—now I couldn't ignore it anymore.

"You have nothing to apologize for," I said, shaking my head. "After all...I don't have the right to love him—he belongs to you."

She sighed. "Unfortunately," she said agreed. "If it meant paying my debt to you, I would gladly hand you Lord Sesshoumaru, however, I cannot, as it is my father's wish that I wed him."

"I would never ask that of you," I said, my eyes wide. Who would?

She smiled at me then. "How amusing," she mused.

"Eh?"

"To think that you, reincarnation of the priestess Midoriko, would be in love with a demon," she said. "Do you not find it amusingly ironic at all?"

I was silent, and she chuckled.

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-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

Strange.

There was a woman by the lake in the garden. Her back was turned to me, her raven hair falling in a silken cascade past her shoulders, beyond her waist. It seemed that she was looking out at the lake, seemingly unaware of my presence.

Hn. I turned on my heel, but before I could get away, the woman spoke. "Stop."

"I don't heed humans," I said, walking away.

An arrow suddenly flew past me, narrowly avoiding my head. I spun around. The woman—a priestess, how typical—stood there, her bow pointed at me, another arrow waiting to be unleashed. The priestess was undeniably beautiful, but that beauty was smudged by the armor she wore...

Midoriko.

Heh, how amusing.

I drew my Bakusaiga, but she automatically released the arrow. It flew towards me, and I deflected it with my blade. I rushed towards her, my sword aimed at her heart. She quickly threw her bow aside and drew the sheathed sword from her waist, pointing it at me.

Shinsei, huh?

"Dragon Strike!" A flash of blue light erupted from my Bakusaiga and sped towards the priestess. Midoriko stood there, confident. The moment my attack reached her, she slashed through it with her sword, dispelling the attack. So, she was intent on fighting me to the death?

There was a clang of steel on steel as our blades clashed. Every time I struck, she parried until I was annoyed. "Enough!" I struck her sword with a surge of strength, sending it flying from her hand and on to the ground, yards away from us. She was defenseless.

I raised my sword, ready to send her to the netherworlds, but stopped. It was not Midoriko who was looking at me with sombre eyes. It was Clara.

Her sapphire eyes were wide with shock. "You...you're going to kill me?" she asked, betrayed.

I looked at her, and then stowed my sword away. "You won't kill me?" she asked.

"No." You're human—you'll die soon enough.

She smiled at me, and then—to my surprise—she launched herself at me, her arms going around my shoulders. Hn...

"What are you doing?" I asked, ready to shrug her off.

"I am just so happy that you didn't kill me!" she said, looking up at me, her eyes wide. "It gives me the chance to kill you."

What?

Before I could even think, a strong surge of spiritual energy seared through me, incapacitating me. The influx of holy energy was unexpectedly powerful, and my body was consumed with the purifying pain. I gripped her shoulders tighter, trying to counter her energy with my own. Useless.

"Did you actually trust me not to harm you?" Clara mocked.

Demons and priestesses were never meant to coexist, Lord Sesshoumaru.

That voice...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The moment my eyes opened, I flew out of the futon, took Bakusaiga, slid open the door to the veranda, and stepped out, my eyes narrowed at the darkness. That dream—no, not a dream. A blasted illusion.

Takeshi...

I shall kill him.

I glanced around the darkened grounds. There was no scent on the wind other than that of the flowers. "Annoying." I sheathed Bakusaiga, and stared up at the moon.

That illusion was unnerving. The thought of Clara ever incapacitating me was nearly hilarious—the thought of her betraying me...

Would she?

I scoffed. Even if she did wish to betray me, she was easily dealt with. Nothing to be worried about. A soft thudding of footsteps announced someone headed my way, but I smelled her before I heard her.

"My lord?" Momitsumi. Predictable.

She rounded a corner and came towards me. She was still wearing her kimono, a sign that she had been talking to Clara. I ignored her, and resumed gazing at the moon, my mind filled with images of throttling Takeshi.

"I did not realize you were up, my lord," she said, standing beside me.

I was silent. "I have just been talking to your charge, my lord," she said brightly. I glanced at her. "And I know something that you do not!" She sounded childish.

Go away—I wished to think. "About your little miko," she went on.

"What is it?" As if I cared. If I engaged her briefly in small talk, surely she would go away?

She merely smiled. "I shan't tell you!" she said.

"If you have nothing to say, leave."

Her smile faltered, and she let out a low sigh. "As you wish, my lord." She walked away, her steps light and brisk.

I turned my gaze back to the moon, as my mind wandered. A low breeze blew through the garden, making the leaves rustle in the trees, and shadows dance across the ground. What did Takeshi want? I had no doubt about the dream, the illusion he had shown me.

He wanted Clara, of course.

Heh, well, if he wanted her, I shall not give her to him—just to annoy him.

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.:-Clara-:.

"I still don't believe you!" Jaken roared, early the next morning.

Rin and Kohaku, who were both eating bowls of noodles, looked up from their breakfast, at Jaken and me. I sighed as I held my own bowl of noodles. Jaken had noticed that I was gone last night, and, naturally, he wanted to know where I went.

"I don't know why you bother asking me, if you don't believe me," I said, sighing.

Jaken narrowed his eyes at me. "If you won't tell me, I'll figure it out on my own!" he declared.

I sighed. "Master Jaken, why don't you believe Clara-san?" Rin asked, slurping her noodles.

"Because I just don't believe her!"

Rin and I sighed, and even Kohaku let out a small breath. "Master Jaken, Clara-san would never lie!" Rin pointed out.

Jaken huffed, and looked away. "I shall inform milord of—!" Before he could finish, the door to the room slid open, and the subject of Jaken's sentence stood there, impassive. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken exclaimed, bowing. "Milord, Clara—"

"I am aware." Jaken looked crestfallen as I raised my eyebrows smugly at him.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin greeted, immediately setting her bowl of noodles down, and beaming at him. I saw Kohaku throw a brief look at Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin, acknowledging her greeting with that cold glance of his, and then, his eyes settled on me. I surprised myself when I managed to control the blush that threatened to spread across my cheeks.

He made his way past me, and towards the veranda. "Follow me," he called.

I blinked. Did he mean Jaken, Rin, Kohaku, or me? As though he heard my thoughts, he glanced at me from over his shoulder. Right.

I placed my empty bowl of noodles on the floor, and followed him out to the veranda. I could feel Jaken's puzzled eyes on my back, as well as Rin and Kohaku's.

Sesshoumaru was standing at the veranda, his eyes fixed on the garden, his back to me. The morning sunlight fell on him, making his silver hair shimmer faintly in the sunlight. What did he want?

"Close the door."

I blushed, sliding the door closed behind me with a soft thud. I stared at his back, and looked down at my feet, wondering what it was he wanted to say. For a moment, it was silent. Nothing could be heard except the melodious twittering of the sparrows in the trees, and the soft sighing of the wind.

"What do you know of Takeshi?" His question caught me off guard.

Well, good morning to you, too. "Takeshi?" I asked. "Why?"

"Just answer."

I bit my lower lip. "Not much," I admitted. "Except that he's Midoriko's friend, is all."

"Does he come to you?"

Why did that question make me blush? I shook my head, though he couldn't see it. "Not really," I said. "Sometimes, he helps me, sometimes he comforts me. But I haven't seen him around lately."

"Comforts?"

"You know," I said, shrugging. "When you're sad, you need someone by your side—Takeshi did that."

He was silent for a moment, and I wanted to know what he was thinking. Why would he ask about Takeshi out of the blue?

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

Hn, typical.

Comfort, huh? Was there nothing useful that Takeshi did? I could feel Clara's puzzled eyes on me.

"Why do you ask, by the way?" she asked, curious.

"None of your concern," I said, not looking at her. That dream was still too fresh. Heh, the thought of this particular girl managing to scratch me was more than amusing.

"Right," she said. Sarcasm, hn. She was silent again. "Really," she went on. "Why are you asking? Has Takeshi been bothering you lately?" There was strange tone in her voice.

"Perhaps," I said idly. "What are you to him?"

I could feel her shock and surprise without looking at her. "Er...why do you ask?"

"Information."

She was silent for a moment. "I don't know," she said at last. "He says that I am his friend..."

Indeed. "But he's...vague," she finished. More than vague—his actions regarding Clara were ambiguous. I was not foolish enough to overlook the fact that, to Takeshi, Clara was something more than a friend. Hn.

"What is he to you?" This question...I had not meant to ask it, for it was excessive and inconsequential. I glanced at her from over my shoulder. Her sapphire eyes were wide with surprise, and there was a slight tinge on her cheeks. What was it with her, and her blushing?

"To...me?" she asked.

I stared at her. Was she deaf?

She blinked at me, and her cheeks reddened even further. "A friend, I guess," she said, shrugging. She looked down at the floor again. As I stared at her, I couldn't help but remember that dream...Heh, queer.

"Would you betray me?" Once again, the question was excessive and unintentional. Takeshi was going to pay for this.

She looked up at me, shock in her wide eyes. She was silent for a moment, staring into my eyes. "Betray you?" she asked, surprised.

I was silent. I was garishly aware of the fact that this girl was impossibly weak and could do nothing against me, and that my question was pointless. But still, I waited for an answer.

It was then that her eyes seemed to soften, almost like molten sapphires, if there even was such a thing. She smiled at me—that smile was strange, soft, almost gentle.

"I could never betray you," she said, blushing. The wind blew softly then, blowing her hair to one side.

I was assured. Not that I needed reassurance—should the girl so choose to betray me, she may do so—and I would kill her.

The wind blew again, bringing a new scent with it. Her. I turned my attention to the end of the veranda. Momitsumi was standing there, her gaze fixed on Clara, who, in turn, was looking at her. Hn, there was something rather conspiratorial about the look Momitsumi gave the priestess. And then, to my bemusement, she winked at Clara, who blushed and looked down at her feet.

Hn...

"My lord!" Momitsumi said, making her way towards us. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?"

"You may leave, Clara," I said, glancing at her briefly before turning my attention to Momitsumi.

"Oh, and Clara," Momitsumi said as the girl in question went back to the room. "I shall see you again tonight."

Clara blinked, but nodded and returned to the confines of Rin's room, sliding the door closed behind her with a soft thud. Momitsumi smiled at me then. The conspiratorial look was still in her eyes.

Hn...

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

.:-Clara-:.

She was still giving that look.

It was night now, and Lady Momitsumi and I were sitting at the veranda, like last night. The moon was still waning, its silver light bathing the grounds and the gardens in a veil of etherealness. The wind was blowing softly again, as always, the result of the palace being up on the mountain.

"What?" I asked as Lady Momitsumi smiled at me again. I was really getting used to this—talking with her. Though, I'll admit, I was still somewhat wary about her.

"What were you and my lord talking about?" There was no trace of jealousy in her voice (not that she had a reason to be jealous), only amusement.

"Um…about a person named Takeshi," I mumbled, looking down at my hands.

"Takeshi?" she asked, piqued.

I nodded. "He's a…friend of mine," I said. I really didn't know about that, though.

"My lord seems to think otherwise," she said, smiling mischievously.

I looked at her. "Pardon?" I asked.

"'What is he to you?'" I started when she perfectly imitated Sesshoumaru's question. The tone of voice may not be right, but the cadence, and the impassive way she said it—scary.

"I think that question was excessive," she said, smirking. "And... 'Would you betray me?'" She rolled her eyes. "Why must he ask that question? It is completely irrelevant, because, no offense, even if you did choose to betray him, he could so easily...get rid of you."

Wow—she was voicing out each question that I had. I shook my head. "He just wanted information, that's all."

"Riiight." Lady Momitsumi—at first I thought she would be a stiff, noblewoman, greatly conformed to the rules and traditions of her society, but I was wrong. She was...surprising. She suddenly laughed.

"What?" I asked, growing more and more self-conscious. I mean, who wouldn't be, being in the presence of perfection personified?

"I know of a way to repay my debt," she said simply.

"Eh?"

"I shall help bring you and Lord Sesshoumaru together," she said, smirking.

"EH?!" I blinked, and felt the violent blush on my cheeks. "What? No!"

"I thought you loved him?"

Was she serious? "No!" I said. "You're supposed to marry him, not me! And, besides, I'm...human, not someone he'd go for. You, on the other hand..."

"Tosh!" she scoffed.

Okay, Clara, think! "Wait," I said. "I don't understand...why would you? You yourself said that your father wanted you to...marry...and you want to do what your father wishes..."

She was silent. Her expression was suddenly morose and sad. "I have my reasons," she said quietly, in a tone that did not encourage any more questions. "Ah, well," she said, suddenly perky again. "I don't get you humans—you love him, but you don't want him. Well, if you don't want him, then very well."

I stared at her as something hit me. "There is something you can do," I said quietly, wondering why I was even asking. She raised her eyebrows at me. "I want...I want you to teach me how to use a sword. Please?"

She was silent, blinking at me. "You are a priestess," she said at last. "I thought you would know how."

I bit my lower lip. "But...I wasn't born to be one. I'm...useless"—according to Sesshoumaru—"and...I don't want to be useless. I'm tired of being the pawn on the chessboard—I'm tired of Sesshoumaru thinking I'm weak..."

She tilted her head at me. "As a warrior's daughter," she began, "I know how to wield a sword. However, I freeze over during actual combat, which is...pathetic. I was brought up to be a lady, not a warrior."

"But you can fight?" I asked.

"I only know the basics of swordsmanship," she admitted. "But...I could teach you those basics...Why are you asking me, though? Lord Sesshoumaru is a master swordsman, and—"

I blushed. "No," I said. "I'd rather you taught me—if it's alright with you."

She grinned, and nodded. "This should be fun."

Why did I suddenly feel dread?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To no one's surprise, Jaken once again refused to believe me, despite the fact that Sesshoumaru already told him that he knew where I went off to every night. He would pester me about it, then he would huff, and look away, annoyed with me. It was during this time that Rin would, thankfully, side with me, and Kohaku would remain silent.

It was a routine that eventually fell into place during our stay in the castle. Speaking of stay, I wonder how long till we were back on our journey. I knew I wasn't supposed to complain—I'd made Sesshoumaru wait, too. But, though I made him wait, it certainly wasn't for nearly a month now, was it? Waiting till Sesshoumaru decided we could leave, meant being stuck indoors, out of the prying eyes of demons. This, in turn, meant monotony to the extreme. Luckily for me, I had Rin to talk to. I talked to Kohaku sometimes, trying to persuade him to stop his 'I-haven't-remembered-anything' act, and, of course, purifying his shard sporadically.

At night, it was different. At night, true to her word, Lady Momitsumi (who kept on insisting that I refrain from using the title) taught me how to use the sword. The basics, at least.

The first time she had taught me, we went to a far corner of the garden, where we couldn't draw attention. The first time she had taught me, I was paranoid—would she use sword fighting as an excuse to kill me? But that wasn't the case.

The first time we fought, we fought with wooden poles. I was surprised the first time she taught me—I thought I would be butterfingered, but, to my surprise, the pole in my hand moved fluidly, and I only dropped it three times.

Seven days after we began the basics, she insisted that I bring Shinsei tonight. Was she serious? In any case, she was the one who was teaching, and I shouldn't complain or question.

That night, when Jaken and the others had fallen asleep, I strapped the sword to my waist and left the room. Momitsumi was waiting for me at the veranda. She still wore her majestic outer robes, which she usually took off before we fought.

The moon was nothing more than a crescent in the sky by now as we made our way to the far corner of the garden, behind a thick cluster of spruce trees. The shadows fell ominously on the ground, and I couldn't help but place a hand on the hilt of Shinsei. It was comforting, that sword.

"Is that...Midoriko's blade?" Lady Momitsumi asked as she took off her outer robe. She wore a blue haori and red hakama underneath. She draped the robe carelessly on one of the stone benches beneath the trees.

I nodded. She suddenly looked...interested and apprehensive?

"I wonder how many demons that sword has felled," she muttered, almost to herself as she stood several meters in front of me. She was holding a sword in her hand, and I tried not to let the paranoia get the better of me.

She held her sword in front of her, and smiled. "Truth be told," she said. "You're very good with the sword, almost a natural."

I blushed. "Midoriko was a master swordswoman, they say," I muttered.

"That is true," she agreed.

Of course, it was all Midoriko. I mean, I got a gash the first time I removed the sword from its sheath, for Pete's sake.

"Let's see how you'll fare with Midoriko's blade, shall we?" she asked, closing in on me, sword clutched in her slender hand.

"Stop."

The blood froze in my veins. That voice—the last time I heard it was nearly a week ago...

Lady Momitsumi glanced behind me, her eyes widening in surprise. "Lord Sesshoumaru," she greeted, smiling.

I spun around. Sesshoumaru was standing beneath the shadow of a tree, his eyes narrowed at me. What was the look in those cold eyes? His gaze flitted to Lady Momitsumi's face.

"For seven days you have been teaching her," he began. He had...been watching? "Why?"

"She asked me to," Lady Momitsumi said, tilting her head at him. "And, seeing as it was a good way to repay my debt to her, I readily agreed."

He scoffed as he stepped out of the shadows. "You are an incompetent instructor," he said.

We both stared at him. He was insulting her?

"She isn't," I defended. I saw her throw me a quick glance.

"She isn't now, is she?" Sesshoumaru asked. He eyes were fixed on me, narrowed, as though he was considering something. To my surprise, he took several steps towards me, stopping just a few meters away from me. He suddenly drew out his Bakusaiga, and pointed it at me.

I was frozen stiff, my hand resting on the hilt of Shinsei. "Let us see, shall we?" he said impassively. "Come, Clara. Draw."

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

A1969: that's it for this chapter. Whew, I'm bushed.

Inuyasha: you just sat there, typing, and you're bushed? Keh! Now why don't you explain what you meant about 'genetic makeup'?

Kagome: -sniggers-

Inuyasha: shut up!

A1969: aw...Inuyasha doesn't know!

Inuyasha: I'll get you both back.

A1969: ooh! I'm so scared! Watcha gonna do—throw your lipstick at me? Ha!

Inuyasha: why, you—!

A1969: anyway, thanks for the reviews from the previous chapters—review please!