A1969: wow...it's been a while!
Inuyasha: I guess saying that I'm surprised would just be a waste of time.
A1969: can it! Don't make me ask Kagome to say 'it'!
Inuyasha: keh! As if Kagome would ever help you!
Kagome: er...
Inuyasha: what's with the 'er'?!
Kagome: nothing!
A1969: anyway—I'm very sorry if I'm taking so long to update. Life's pretty hectic at the moment. Oh, and thanks a ton to those who reviewed and read! Hope you guys enjoy this longer-than-normal chapter!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
-Questions-
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

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

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

Clara looked frozen.

I stared coldly at her, Bakusaiga clenched in my hand. I was aware that she was frightened—after all, I could so easily kill her, if I wished it. I was also aware that Momitsumi was looking imploringly at me.

Heh.

"Well, Clara?" I asked. "We do not have all night—draw."

She bit her lower lip. An infinitesimal part of my mind wondered why I was wasting my time here—I had better things to do. I did not wish to admit it, but I wanted to ascertain that this girl had no intention of betraying me, whatsoever. After all, she was learning how to wield a sword—I might as well test her.

"Well?" My patience was wearing thin.

Throwing Momitsumi a frightened look, Clara reluctantly unsheathed her Shinsei. The blade glistened softly in the moonlight, its spiritual energy prominent.

"My lord, I implore you not to—" Momitsumi began.

"Silence."

She quickly shut her mouth, and looked down at the ground. I returned my gaze to Clara, who was looking at me with hard eyes, as though she resented the harsh way I dealt with Momitsumi. She gripped the blade tightly in her grasp. I was surprised—she didn't cut herself this time.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked idly. "Attack."

She blinked, unsure of what to do. Pathetic girl, she was wasting my time.

"Very well, Clara," I said. "If you refuse to move, I shall go first." So saying, I sped towards her, Bakusaiga held out.

Her eyes widened in shock, and she rolled to one side to avoid me. She fell to the ground, grazing her hand, as I sped past her. Her footwork was shoddy.

"Pitiful," I commented, standing in front of her as she got back to her feet. "I have not yet even swung my blade...and already you fall."

To my surprise, the shy, meek priestess glared at me. "I'm only just learning, you know!" she snapped.

It seemed as though she had finally gotten herself a little backbone. "Indeed," I said, smirking, amused at her little outburst.

She blushed, and looked down at the sword in her hand, her brows furrowed. "My lord," Momitsumi interjected. "She is not capable of engaging someone as masterful as you—yet. She has only just begun learning, and—"

"I am not through with her." Indeed, I had yet to begin. The 'yet' of her sentence bothered me—I vividly recalled the dream that blasted Takeshi forced on me. Clara betraying me seemed absurd, unbelievable...

And it bothered me.

Clara looked at me, her eyes wide with trepidation. "The way you talk..." she began, her eyes hardening again. "It's as if you think so little of me!" Despite the fact that her eyes were hard, there was a soft blush spreading across her cheeks as her gaze held mine.

"Tell me," I said, pointing Bakusaiga at her, "why I should not think little of you? You are weak, not only weak, but you are useless."

She looked hurt as she looked down at the ground, her eyes shadowed, her hands clutching her sword tighter. I found myself wondering, fleetingly, if, perhaps, I had gone a little too far...

Of course not.

Silence reigned around us. I could feel Momitsumi's narrowed eyes at me, as though she were angered at me. Heh, angered? The wind blew softly around us, making the leaves of the trees rustle eerily. Overhead, an owl hooted softly, as though it protested in its own silent way of my treatment of Clara.

Clara, who suddenly looked up at me, her eyes determined. The faint blush on her cheeks had vanished. "You're wrong," she whispered, her voice tight with...emotion? Heh, how dramatic of her.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

She took a deep breath. "You. Are. Wrong," she enunciated. "I am tired of you saying how useless I am!"

I narrowed my eyes at her. She dared to raise her voice at me? Insolent girl.

To my surprise, she pointed Shinsei at me. "I'll show you, Sesshoumaru," she said. "I am not useless and...I am not weak!"

Oh, a cry of declaration coming from this self-effacing girl? I was not amused—I was nearly angry. Perhaps it was due to her insolence, perhaps it was due to that dream, but I was angered.

"Is that so, Clara?" I asked, smiling at her. She blinked, but she did not blush. "You will show me? If that is so, attack—I am waiting."

She blinked again, as though she was once again unsure of what to do. But then she gripped her sword tightly and, much to my surprise, she rushed at me, her sword giving off a surge of holy power...power that would surely incapacitate I, Sesshoumaru.

The last thing I heard before my vision turned red was Momitsumi's gasp of disbelief.

Red clouded my vision as I growled at the girl coming towards me, the girl whose eyes suddenly widened in shock at the change in my demonic aura. Clara stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide with both fear and confusion.

Foolish girl, it was too late.

The astounding holy aura in her sword triggered something in me. Perhaps it was that, perhaps it was Takeshi's illusory dream, but none of it mattered—the only thing that mattered was my wrath and the bloodlust raging throughout me.

How dare that girl raise her sword against me? I thought she would stand down, but she actually dared...?

"You insolent wench!" I growled as I pointed my sword at her.

"My lord!" Momitsumi gasped.

But I paid her no heed.

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

.:-Clara-:.

I was...afraid.

Sesshoumaru glared at me, his eyes the color of blood, his Bakusaiga aimed at me. He was angry—very angry—at my insolence. But then, wasn't he the one who egged me on?

I stared at him and, for a second that I stared into those blood red eyes, several things happened simultaneously. My body seemed to understand what was happening before I did. I felt my hands go numb with fear, felt the blood go cold in my veins as I realized what was happening.

Sesshoumaru's demonic aura was reacting to my holy aura, two opposites attracting each other. It wasn't that he had lost control of himself, no—it was just that he was only reacting to my aura...and that made it all the more deadly, because he knew exactly what he was doing.

Unfortunately for me, he was mad...

Very, very, very mad.

If he wasn't so incensed, maybe those bloody eyes would turn back to gold.

But today wasn't my lucky day.

Before I knew it, Sesshoumaru raised his sword.

"My lord, no!" Momitsumi shrieked.

There was a flash of white—white that scorched me as it threw me off my feet. I felt my back hit something hard...

And then everything went black.

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

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

No!

That was the first word that my mind thought of as my Dragon Strike knocked Clara off her feet and sent her ramming into a tree. There was a loud thud as she hit the trunk of the tree. She fell to the ground face first, Shinsei falling beside her.

I nearly cursed as I sheathed my sword, my vision returning to normal. Momitsumi rushed to the unconscious priestess's side, a look of genuine worry in her eyes. She knelt beside the girl and placed a finger on her neck. A second later, she let out a sigh of relief.

Clara was alive...but injured.

I was certain that bruises were forming all over her body. Soft splashes of red slowly appeared on her kimono, indicating the presence of cuts and gashes.

I made my way towards them, ignoring the destruction my attack inflicted on Mother's garden. The Dragon strike had gouged deep gorges into the mossy earth, soil and stones from the grooves were scattered helter-skelter, and several of Mother's bushes had been annihilated. Mother would be furious.

I ignored that thought as I stood before Momitsumi, who looked up from the priestess. Her eyes were filled with suppressed resentment.

"Take her back to the palace," I said, as I turned away.

"My lord, wait."

I ignored her, and continued walking away, towards the far end of the garden, where I could be left alone to think. I felt Momitsumi's demonic aura rise. I ignored her, weak fool that she was.

"My lord!" Persistent wench.

"If you do not take her back, she will die," I said, not looking back at her, but stopping in my tracks. I felt the wind whip at me, as though it, too, were enraged at me.

I sensed that Momitsumi wished to say something belligerent, but thought better of it. I heard a soft rustling as Momitsumi gently lifted the inert priestess into her arms. I glanced over my shoulder at her, but she was gone.

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

.:-Clara-:.

There was pain everywhere.

I felt bruised, sore, and tender. Every infinitesimal movement made me ache all over; even every breath that I took made my chest tighten. There was so much pain, I couldn't even perceive the soft futon I lay on, nor the gentle hands that touched my arms; I couldn't even make out the gentle, yet harsh whispers around me.

What happened?

Why was I so beaten up?

"Just look at her!" I heard a low angry voice hiss. Um...Lady Momitsumi? "She's bruised and cut all over!"

"Actually, my lady, her face is unsca—"

"Do you think, Shizuka, that I care about her face when the rest of her body has been mangled?" Lady Momitsumi asked, her usually gentle voice fierce and harsh.

The healer was silent. "Lord Sesshoumaru," Lady Momitsumi went on, completely forgetting herself. "What a hypocrite! He threatens anyone who tries to harm her, and yet he does the deed himself!"

"My lady, you mustn't speak so harshly of our lord," Shizuka warned. I felt her healer's hands pour a soothing liquid over the cuts on my arms.

"I am daughter of the Northern Lord, equal to Lord Sesshoumaru in status, and I may speak as I wish!" Lady Momitsumi said sternly.

"I did not mean to reprimand you, lady," Shizuka said hurriedly. "But I was merely wondering, why all this fuss over a human?"

Silence reigned.

True...why was Lady Momitsumi bothering herself with someone as insignificant as me?

"She may be human," Lady Momitsumi said slowly, choosing her words with care. "But she is a human who actually listens, a human who actually cares about what I have to say."

"The way you speak, my lady, it was as though you cared for her as a friend, despite knowing her for only several weeks."

"She is a friend," Lady Momitsumi said. "One of the few human ones that I have."

I felt...touched, amidst the agony I was experiencing. During the few weeks that I had spent with her, I thought that she had just looked at me as some sort of distraction from the mundane trivialities of demonic society—but that wasn't the case. I had gotten far more than I had bargained for.

I heard Shizuka clear her throat disapprovingly at Momitsumi's words. Funny. At first, I thought Momitsumi would be the stiff, upright demoness who was easily annoyed by the presence of humans—but then it turns out that that was Shizuka's hidden character all along.

"Well?" Momitsumi snapped, annoyed now. "Quit dallying and get to work!"

"Yes, my lady."

I could feel Shizuka's skilful hands wrap bandages all over my forearms. I felt her cleanse the cuts on my neck with the same soothing liquid as earlier. I didn't know how long Shizuka tended to me. It could have been hours, but, in truth, with her demonic speed and skill, it only lasted for thirty minutes at the most, I think. All the while, I could feel Momitsumi's eyes on me.

"It is done, my lady," Shizuka finally said. I felt her draw her hands away from the last bandage on my shoulder.

"Very good—you may go."

"As you wish."

Shizuka's kimono made a soft rustling noise as she quietly stood up. The door to the room made a soft thud as she carefully slid the door closed behind her.

"How long have you been awake?"

My eyes flew open. The first thing I saw was the rich mahogany ceiling, and the long shadows that danced across it. I painfully turned my head to the side to look at Momitsumi, who was looking at me with narrowed eyes.

"A while," I admitted.

"The pain woke you up, I suppose," she guessed, her eyes darting around the bandages on my arms.

Huh? Shizuka had stripped me of my haori, so she could bandage my chest and my shoulders. I blushed at that thought.

"Not really," I lied.

She scoffed. "You aren't a very good liar," she pointed out. She let out a sigh. "I am sorry—this is my fault. I should have stopped Lord Sesshoumaru."

"It isn't your fault," I said. "If I hadn't been so cocky, then maybe none of this would have happened."

"If Lord Sesshoumaru hadn't been taunting you..."

I didn't want to talk about Sesshoumaru. He had very nearly killed me...I...didn't know what to think about that. If it wasn't for Shinsei's holy aura that partly suppressed the power of his Dragon Strike...

I shuddered at the thought.

Momitsumi smiled sadly at me. "Feeling conflict?" she asked knowingly.

"Sort of," I mumbled, trying not to talk as much as possible.

She let out another sigh. "It is time for you to rest."

"Where am I, by the way?" I asked. Rin, Jaken, and Kohaku weren't around.

"Oh, don't worry—this room is mine," she said.

I stared at her. "I do not mind if you stay here," she said, leaning back against the wall, her eyes fixed on me.

"I can't," I said.

She shook her head. "Lady Hayomi was kind enough to offer me two rooms—I shall take the other one."

I gave her a look. "Oh, fine!" she said, partly amused, partly annoyed. "If you do not wish to intrude on me, then you may use this room only until you get well and then you can go back to your green little toadie. How is that?"

"Better," I relented. Silence fell around us, and the only sound that could be heard was the soft flickering of the lighted wick, which cast shadows on the walls.

After several minutes, I couldn't hold it in any longer. "Lady Momitsumi," I said slowly, knowing this was one question I should not be asking. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"You already did," she pointed out. "But go ahead—you may ask another one."

I hesitated. I turned my gaze to the ceiling, so she wouldn't see the obvious blush creeping across my cheeks. "Where's...where's Sesshoumaru?"

She made a deprecating noise at the back of her throat. "I do not know, neither do I care," she said coldly. I could feel her eyes on me, but, coward that I was, I was too afraid—or rather, embarrassed—to look at her. "I wonder why you are even asking about him," she went on, her gaze fixed on the open shutters, towards the inky black sky.

I felt myself blushing. "I'm just...wondering," I muttered.

"Why, I wonder?"

She had a point—why was I wondering about someone who very nearly killed me? I must be suicidal. But, then again, I couldn't help it.

"I will never understand humans," Momitsumi muttered, as she stood up. She looked down at me, her eyes soft. "Perhaps, one day, you'll care to enlighten me?"

I didn't look up at her—my neck ached. "I'm afraid I can't," I said quietly. "I'm human, but...even I don't understand why."

-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

Ow...

That was the first thing that came into my mind as I woke up. The pain, though not as sharp as before, was annoying, and it woke me up. The room was dark, the lamp having blown out. In the next room, I could feel Momitsumi's demonic aura. The shutters to my room were closed shut, but the moonlight filtered through, throwing a silvery glow across the room.

I carefully sat up, cringing with pain as I did so. I placed a hand across my bandaged stomach and let out a long sigh.

Why was it that a lot bad things have been happening to me lately? Was there a big target on my head for bad luck, or were all my misfortunes pre-ordained at birth?

Before I could find an answer to my recent rut of bad luck, a shadow fell across the room.

My eyes widened. Someone was standing outside the shutters, their shadow blocking the moonlight and falling across the futon. I felt my hands go cold. I was about to scream, but before I could even open my mouth, the shutters slowly slid open to reveal none other than Sesshoumaru standing there, his cold gaze meeting my own, his demonic aura blocked.

I felt myself blush. I suddenly became very self-conscious of the fact that nothing but bandages was covering my chest. I hurriedly pulled the blanket closer to me, keeping my eyes fixed on the sheets, too afraid to look directly at the indifferent demon lord.

What was he doing here? This wasn't like him at all.

I heard his light tread as he came into room, heard the soft rustling of his haori as he sat beside the futon. I felt his cold gaze on me, but I didn't dare meet it.

He was silent for a moment. "When you have recovered," he said, his tone cold, as always. "We are leaving."

About time. I didn't answer him. I had mixed feelings towards him at the moment.

"Do you understand?"

I kept silent, keeping my eyes fixed on my lap. I was partly annoyed and angry at him for what he did, but the fact that I...cared for him only got in the way of my righteous anger.

"Clara."

I started, and stared at him, surprised that he would use my name rather than any one of his favorite degrading terms. I stared into his eyes. I wanted to be mad, really I did, but I couldn't—it was impossible.

"What?"Instead of anger, the best I could manage was indifference.

"Do you understand?" Very cold eyes and very cold voice.

I looked back down at my hands. "Yeah," I said. "But...I wish we'd gone sooner before you decided to incapacitate me." I looked at him this time, realizing that my anger was slowly winning out.

He narrowed his eyes at me, but didn't say anything else. The tension in the room was so thick, it could have been cut with a knife. He was silent for a moment, his eyes steadily holding mine.

He fluidly stood up. He looked down at me for a moment, his eyes cold and calculating. A moment later, he turned on his heel and strode out the door, quietly sliding the shutters closed behind him.

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

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

I did not understand.

I'd left Clara's room, but did not return to my own. Instead, I made my way towards the garden, towards the place Clara and I had fought, if you could even call it a fight. I stood over the area where my Dragon Strike had struck her. The ground was covered with deep grooves, with earth tossed here and there. The trunks of Mother's precious Cherry blossoms had been scorched with the heat from my strike, a sight that was guaranteed to make Mother furious.

I stared at the deep grooves in the ground. My strike would have killed Clara, had it not been for Shinsei's holy aura protecting her.

Hn...

Why was it that I had so easily lost my temper with her? Normally, if she had been showing disrespect, I would have merely ignored her—I wouldn't bother myself with such childish and immature actions. Was it the fact that Clara fighting against me seemed like an act of betrayal? Such superfluous and inconsequential questions.

I stared at the ground once more before I turned and walked away.

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

.:-Clara-:.

"Why didn't you call me?"

I looked apologetically at Momitsumi, who was once again sitting beside my futon. It was still early in the morning, and already Momitsumi was annoyed at me...all because I told her about Sesshoumaru's midnight visit. I inwardly sighed. Not only did I still feel so sore, stiff, and tired, I also felt weary as well...weary of Momitsumi's rare capriciousness.

"Well," I began. "It wasn't like he was going to—"

"Kill you?" she finished. I cringed. She stared at me, her icy blue eyes narrowed slightly, and sighed, leaning back against the wall.

"Yeah," I muttered.

"It is not beneath him," she pointed out. She still sounded irked.

"Do you really think of him that way?" I asked quietly, looking down at my hands again. What on earth was I about to say? I must be crazy.

"Of course. Doesn't everyone?"

I hesitated. "He's not that ruthless." I could feel myself blushing.

She blinked at me. "I fail to comprehend why—after what he did to you last night—you are defending him." Momitsumi folded her arms across her chest, as though to prove her point.

Yeah, why was I defending him?

We were both silent for a moment. Soon, I found myself looking at the soft rays of morning sunlight that streamed through the open shutters, and onto the highly polished mahogany floors. Still, the silence dragged on—it was almost awkward. I peeked surreptitiously at Momitsumi. She was staring at her hands, her eyebrows furrowed.

I decided to break the silence. "Is something wrong?" I asked. Please don't let her be mad at me!

Her eyes snapped to mine. "No, everything's fine...I was merely thinking..." she let her voice trail off, and the silence returned, but this time, she was the one who broke it. "I was just thinking why."

I shrugged. "Really, I don't know why I defend—"

She raised a hand and I immediately shut up. "I was thinking...why does she defend the same person who insults her, and ultimately harmed her? I realize, I already know the answer—because I felt exactly the same way..." Her voice shook as she looked up at me.

I stared at her, shocked at the sad look she was giving me. "What do you mean?" I felt that this was a highly personal question.

She glanced at the shutters, and let out a sigh. "I'm afraid I can't tell you," she said, smiling apologetically.

I nodded. I was saddened that she didn't trust me that much yet, but hey, at least we were friends, right?

Just then, footsteps came towards the room. I automatically turned to the sound, my heart beating quicker...when I realized that the demonic was far too weak to be his.

"Shizuka is here," Momitsumi said softly, a small smile on her face.

A second later, the healer came, but she wasn't alone—Rin was with her.

"Clara-san!" the little shrieked as she launched herself into the room.

"Rin!" I said, surprised. I was even more surprised when she knelt beside my futon, next to Momitsumi, and threw herself at me, her small arms going around my neck.

"Ow!" I said, cringing, as her full weight hit me.

Rin pulled away, and looked at me apologetically. "Sorry!" she said, giggling.

I smiled, glad to see her. "It's alright," I said, grinning.

She smiled at me, but then the happy look in her eyes vanished as she took in my appearance. I don't think they told Rin why I was here.

"What happened to you, Clara-san?" she asked, tilting her head at me.

I blinked, unable to tell her about Sesshoumaru. "I...tripped," I lied.

Momitsumi and Shizuka looked at each other, their eyebrows raised.

"Tripped?" Rin echoed, blinking at me.

"Yeah, I tripped," I muttered. "It's nothing—it'll heal soon."

This made her smile again. "Okay!" she said cheerfully. "It's a good thing too, because Lord Sesshoumaru says we're leaving soon!"

I nodded, still confused about Sesshoumaru. "Do you mind?" I looked up to see Shizuka looking down at me, a roll of bandages in her hand. Oh. There was an annoyed look in her eyes, as though Rin's presence was a hindrance somehow.

"I still want to talk to Clara-san!" Rin protested.

"I said only for a few moments," Shizuka said.

"Let the girl stay," Momitsumi's authoritative voice said. We all glanced at her. She was leaning her head against the wall, her eyes were closed.

"As you wish, Milady," Shizuka relented.

Rin glanced at Shizuka, a triumphant look on her face. Shizuka didn't say anything as she knelt beside me and began changing my bandages. There was silence in the room as she worked, with Rin looking on.

"You'll be better soon, won't you, Clara-san?" Rin asked when Shizuka had finished and left the room.

I nodded. "Soon...I hope."

"Oh, she'll be better soon, Rin," Momitsumi said, opening her eyes. She smiled at Rin, and I could see that the smile was purely genuine.

"She will, Lady Momitusmi?" Rin asked, turning her attention to her.

I smiled, glad to see that Momitsumi was genuinely kind towards Rin, but at the same time, I felt saddened to realize that I'd have to be parted from my newest friend soon.

-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

Two weeks had gone by since the incident in the garden and, apart from that one visit, I had seen no sign of Sesshoumaru. I had a sneaking suspicion that he was avoiding me, but then again, it might just be the paranoia.

During the two weeks, Rin was always by my side, along with Momitsumi. When Rin came around to visit, she usually dragged Kohaku and Jaken with her, Kohaku because I needed to purify his jewel shard, and Jaken because...because...come to think of it, why did she feel the need to drag the complaining toad with her? Ah, well, never mind.

"Does Lord Sesshoumaru not tire of hearing your complaints?" Momitsumi asked, glaring at Jaken who was once again arguing with Rin.

"He doesn't tire, 'cause he never complains in front of Sesshoumaru," I said.

Jaken glared at me, his yellow eyes narrowed (narrowed though they were, they were still large). "Watch your tone, human!" he snapped.

We laughed at him.

-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

The two weeks had gone by and, eventually, it was time to go.

The morning sun was streaming through the shutters. I was sitting near the veranda with Momitsumi, Rin, Kohaku and Jaken. My wounds had long since healed, not even scars remained, thank Shizuka. Momitsumi and I were playing Go, something I knew absolutely little about. Momitsumi was relentlessly winning.

"Not that, you idiot!" Jaken snapped at me, as I enclosed my hand over one of my black pieces.

"What am I supposed to be moving, then?!" I snapped, annoyed. Hey, it was his fault that I ended up losing three games in a row.

"Try the other one, Clara-san!" Rin suggested.

"Now, now, Rin," Momitsumi said, grinning at me. "Don't coach her. It's not fair."

"I didn't hear you complaining when Jaken was coaching me!" I said indignantly.

She smirked. "Of course—I never really did think anyone would take Jaken's advice seriously."

"What?!" Jaken yelped. The more he continued to spend time with us, the more informal he seemed to get. He seemed to be forgetting that Momitsumi was his superior.

I sighed. "Jaken, do me a favor and stop helping me, okay?" He glared. "No offense! You aren't really the best Go player, you know."

"For your information, I've won at that blasted human game for an uncountable number of times!"

"Uncountable having the meaning of zero?" I wondered.

To my surprise, they laughed. Even Kohaku smiled a bit as Jaken turned bright red.

"Why you disrespectful brat!" Jaken snapped, making a threatening gesture at me with his Staff of Heads. "I'm going to show you zero!"

"Jaken."

We all froze.

That voice...

It had been two weeks since I had last heard it. Immediately, I could feel my heart start to beat faster as his demonic aura slowly approached. I shouldn't react this way—I should be angry at him for what he did to me.

But I couldn't.

Stupid, erroneous human emotions!

"My lord," Momitsumi greeted.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Rin said, grinning cheerfully.

As I was sitting with my back to the shutters, I couldn't see him as he stopped in front of the room, but I could feel the full force of his presence. I could feel his eyes on me, felt myself stiffen. Don't look at him. Look anywhere, just not at him.

"My lord!" Jaken screeched, immediately falling to his knees. Momitsumi rolled her eyes at that.

"Why are you still here?" he asked, the question obviously directed at Jaken.

Jaken looked up at Sesshoumaru, and then his beady gaze zeroed in on me.

Oh. Me.

Wait, me?!

"Answer Lord Sesshoumaru, you asinine girl!" Jaken screeched at me. Momitsumi glared at him.

Chewing my lower lip, I glanced over my shoulder, up at the imposing form of Sesshoumaru, whose colder-than-normal gaze was fixed on me.

"Um, what do you mean?" I asked, trying to be angry—and failing miserably once again.

"We are leaving." He turned his back on us. "Now."

"Argh!" Jaken screeched as he stood up, and dashed after him. "Milord, wait for your most humble servant!"

Now?

-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

I missed her already.

I let out a weary sigh as we trudged on, the shadows of the trees falling across. We had been on the move for three days now and, ever since we left, I missed Momitsumi. She was funny and very much a person I could talk to, someone who was willing to give out advice...especially when it came to a certain demon lord.

A certain demon lord whom I haven't spoken ever since we had left.

I looked at him now. Sesshoumaru walked on ahead, as always, the soft breeze blowing his silver hair to one side. Ever since we had left, he hadn't spoken a single word, hadn't even looked at me once. Not that I was complaining or anything...

Oh, who was I kidding? Myself? I'll admit—his pretending that I didn't exist bothered me to the utmost. I mean, after what he did to me, I was supposed to be the one giving him the silent treatment, right?

"Is anything wrong, Clara-san?" Rin asked from beside me. She was holding Ah-Un's reigns, Kohaku walking beside her.

"Um, nothing," I lied, smiling.

Jaken raised an eyebrow suspiciously at me and looked pointedly at Sesshoumaru. Instead of glaring at him, which I would have normally done, I only sighed. What was wrong with Sesshoumaru? Why was he colder than was normal? He hadn't said anything all day, not even to Jaken, didn't even answer Rin's questions...

Why?

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

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

I felt something strange.

I glanced up at the starry night sky. It had been several hours since night had fallen and since we had stopped to rest—them, not me—underneath the branches of a majestic oak. The cold night air whipped through the branches of the tree, making the leaves rustle, a sound which I found soothing.

I turned away from the stars and back to the denizens whom I had allowed to come with me on my travels. Rin was asleep, curled up against Ah-Un and Kohaku, Jaken beside them. Clara...

Was awake.

She was staring into the dying fire, her arms wrapped around her knees, and a faraway look in her dreary blue eyes. Dreary? Was she despondent again? None the matter—it was none of my business. I continued to watch her. She didn't seem to notice my gaze. Her eyes were narrowed intensely at the fire, as though she were deep in thought. What was she thinking about, I wondered? Was she, perhaps, thinking about what I had done to her?

Hn...

Ever since that night, that night when I had very nearly killed her, I sensed a covert hostility about her which was directed towards me. But the hostility was suppressed. Why not release it? I wondered idly. But then, another thought entered my mind, a thought that had nothing to do with Clara at all, but rather with me.

When I had nearly killed her, I had actually felt shocked—but only for a fraction of a second. Heh, to think that I, of all people, would be shocked...

She suddenly looked up, her eyes meeting mine.

She blushed again as I held her gaze, the flame flickering between us. She looked at me for a moment, seemingly unable to tear her gaze away and then, much to my surprise, she stood up. I watched—puzzled, I'll admit—as she hesitantly made her way towards me and—to my surprise—sat down beside me, wrapping her arms around her knees again.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked after a period of silence.

I didn't reply, so she went on. "Why are you being so...indifferent?"

Her question was risible. Am I not always indifferent towards things of inconsequential value? I glanced down at her, an eyebrow raised. "I mean," she hastily continued. "Why are you being...colder than normal? You answer neither Jaken nor Rin's questions..."

"I do not waste my time on petty queries," I said, turning my gaze back to the stars. She fell quiet, the silence following stretching on. Queer—instead of being bothered by her presence, I didn't mind it.

"Then, can I ask you another question?" Her presence was bothering me.

I ignored her and, once again, she plowed on. "Have I done anything at all to offend you?"

"No."

"Then why did you try to kill me?" I was surprised. Her tone was hard, as were her eyes. I glanced down at her. She was looking at me with a hard look in her stormy blue eyes.

"I needn't explain myself to you." I didn't need to tell her that it was unintentional—if she was smart, she could figure it out on her own.

Her eyes widened in shock. "You mean...you really were...?"

I closed my eyes. My patience was wearing thin. "Go away."

She was silent again. In the silence that followed I clearly felt her anger. How surprising. I suddenly heard the light rustling of her haori as she stood up. "Fine!" she snapped. I opened my eyes just in time to see her walking away...towards the forest.

"Where are you going?" I heard myself ask.

" Away!"

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

.:Clara:.

Jerk, jerk, jerk, jerk!!!!

Urgh—I can't believe him! Couldn't he answer my question with a little bit of courtesy? Urgh.

I stomped through the forest, not minding where I was going. My thoughts were all directed towards Sesshoumaru, Sesshoumaru and his blasted indifference. Hey, it wasn't as if I was asking the guy if he loved me or anything! I was asking a very serious question to which he gave a very crude reply.

While I was buried deep in my simmering thoughts, I failed to notice where I was going. I walked more slowly as my anger started to fade away.

Crap.

Here I was, walking alone in a dark forest during the late hours of the night.

Very good Clara—you let your temper get the better of you. Again.

I slowed until I came to a complete stop. As my anger slowly abated, I realized one thing.

I was lost.

This was all Sesshoumaru's fault!

I glanced around me. The wind blew eerily among the treetops, their branches creaking, their leaves rustling. The moon was a waning crescent, its light not being enough to penetrate the darkness of the forest.

I suddenly felt the hairs on my nape stand.

Someone was watching me.

The moment I realized this, panic gripped me. Great, just great! Why do I have a knack for getting into these kinds of situations? I took a step back, looking around for any sign of demons. The dead leaves made a crunching noise beneath my feet.

A random thought occurred to me: Would Sesshoumaru come if I screamed loud enough? No—he wouldn't.

The moment I thought this, I felt an unseen presence with me. I could feel my heart thudding in my chest as well as a wanton urge to bolt for it.

Two hands suddenly gripped my shoulders.

I screamed.

"Midoriko!"

Huh? The two hands spun me around so I faced their owner.

"Takeshi?" I asked with disbelief. My heard was still pounding.

"Why are you here?" he demanded. "On your own? Have you no idea of the perils that belie the—"

"You scared me!" I interjected.

He blinked. "My apologies," he said. He turned serious again. "Why are you here on your own? Where is Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Hearing Sesshoumaru's name only made me angry again. "I don't care," I muttered, suddenly aware that his hands still gripped my shoulders.

"Did he leave you?"

"No."

"Has he harmed you?"

I looked up at him. Takeshi had always been a friend, a confidant...but could I tell him about...?

"No," I lied.

He narrowed his eyes. "I know when you are lying, Midoriko," he warned, his hands gripping me tighter. "And...you are pale. Why is that?"

"Tired."

He narrowed his eyes again and, without warning, he placed an index finger on my forehead. It was as if a movie was playing behind my eyes. I saw Sesshoumaru raise his Bakusaiga against me, saw him unleash the strike that nearly killed me...

"Bastard!" Takeshi hissed, pulling away from me. "I'm going to kill him!"

"No!" I cried, remembering what had happened the last time they fought. He ignored me and started walking off. "Takeshi, stop!" I ran after him and grabbed his hand.

"He nearly killed you...Why do you defend him?" he demanded, rounding on me. Huh? One—this was the first time I saw him...angry—at me. Second—I thought he already knew about my feelings?

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He suddenly looked down at the ground. "Everything has gone awry," he muttered, to himself. "My error, my consequence, I suppose..."

What? "What are you talking about?" I asked.

He looked up at me, and I felt surprise at the look he was giving me. What was it? Frustration? No, it was...longing? And sadness. So much sadness in his eyes...

"Is anything wrong?" I murmured. There was pain in his eyes...so much pain that I wanted to comfort him. "What were you talking about?"

To my surprise, he took a step towards me. I looked up at him. He sighed. "Midoriko," he murmured. He lifted a hand and took a lock of my hair between his fingers, his gaze holding mine. What was he...?

"For several millennia, I have waited for you," he said slowly, as though hesitant about telling me.

What? Millennia? "What on earth are you...?"

"Should I tell you?" he murmured, his hand dropping my hair. Instead he placed that hand lightly on my cheek. I felt myself blush, but it wasn't in relation to any feelings. What was he doing? What's gotten into him?

"No, I don't think I will," he concluded, his hand still on my cheek. "Perhaps...someday, no...Soon. You'll know." He looked into my eyes again, and I saw the acute pain I had seen earlier. "But..." he continued. "I don't think..." Wait...was he...leaning in towards me...? I felt paralyzed. "I don't think...I can hide it anymore, Midoriko, neither for your sake nor mine."

And before I could stop him, he kissed me.

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

-.-Sesshoumaru-.-

What a bothersome girl.

How dare she show that temper of hers at me? She was going to pay most dearly. I walked through the forest, following her scent. Why was I even bothering myself with finding her? Wouldn't it be best to leave her be? No—it would be best to abandon her altogether, leave with Rin and Jaken...

No, that option was not to be considered.

Now, where was that blasted girl?

As I made my way through the trees, Clara's scent grew stronger. And so did another scent.

Takeshi.

I felt a growl threaten to escape. That bastard, here? Presumably with Clara.

I was going to kill him, bastard that he was.

I made my way through the trees, and as I stepped through the bushes, I felt a start of pure surprise.

In the clearing stood both Takeshi and Clara. His arms were wound around her waist...

He was kissing her, the faint moonlight bathing them in an eerie glow. He was so absorbed with her, he failed to notice my presence.

It was then that I felt a barrage of emotions.

Longing, anger, desperation...

No, they were not a barrage—they were one emotion, one emotion that I had had no need to feel.

Until now.

Jealousy.

I was jealous...

Why?

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

A1969: whew! That's that.
Inuyasha: finally—we can get rid of you.
A1969: you...
Kagome: Inuyasha, sit!
A1969: thank you very much Kagome! Anyway, once again, thanks to those who read and those who reviewed...and those who did both! Hope you guys review this chapter!