After taking her focus off of my relationship with Sesshomaru, she went off to finish her school work to be available in two days. I went to the make a round through the garden. There wasn't much I could do even if I did find something or someone out of place, but I could always bring it to the attention of someone who could do something about it. Well, I guess I could do something about it, but in all honesty, I don't want to be bothered with it. I just want to pass time. Seeing that there are no laptops and the concept of the internet has yet to be conceived, I have a mighty amount of free time on my hands, and I need to devise a way to spend it effectively. Walking through the gardens wasn't on the top of the list, but I'd prefer to do something than to do nothing. Maybe I'll write a book. I mean, why not? I know how to write the language, and can learn how to write better. There's nothing wrong with improving my understanding of the language or unleashing my imagination to the world.

I was snapped out of my pondering state when a rather resilient shoulder ran into mine. I gave way to whoever had bumped into me and took no offense to it. I intended to continue on my walk as though nothing happened, but an obnoxious screeching similar to a crow's relentless cawing filled my ears.

"Oh, I do apologize. I did not see you." She stated with laughable intent.

"It is fine." I said, trying to dismiss any reason for a conversation to start.

"I expected no less from you. It is a wonder how you were able to steal Sesshomaru. Push overs are duller than milk induced brawls."

"I will not argue with your opinion." I said as I tried to walk away from her once more.

"Are you that scared of me? If I knew it would be so easy, I would have done this much earlier."

"Believe whatever you will."

"Your blood is so dull, it disgusts me. If I knew you were like this, I would have waited for Sesshomaru to tire of you."

It took everything in my being to not turn and swing on her. If there was one thing that I would not tolerate, it was someone talking smack about my marriage. I stopped and took a deep breath before turning to face the assailant. With a calmness that surprised even me, I let loose that which I had been thinking.

"Let me clear the misconceptions you seem to have concocted in that puny brain of yours. I am the only woman Sesshomaru is interested in, and ever will be interested in. Say whatever you wish about me, but do not speak about my marriage."

"Why that is rather bold statement to make. Why are you so adamant about me not speaking about your marriage? Are you not confident in that area?"

"Let me explain in simple terms. My marriage is a reflection of love between me and Sesshomaru."

"I do not-"

"If you would shut your mouth and listen for once, maybe you would see my point." I snapped back. "You may insult me all you want, but insulting our marriage insults Sesshomaru, and I simply won't allow that."

"Trust me; I do not intend my insults to be hurled at Sesshomaru."

I stepped toward her as the censorship within my head faded away. "By saying that I am passive, and dull, and cowardly, do you not criticize Sesshomaru's decision on who the Lady of the West should be and his taste in women?"

"No, I do not."

"Would you say such things while Sesshomaru was present?" I asked.

"I would be too busy fawning over him."

"Answer my question."

She did not reply.

"If you are wise, you would avoid speaking with me. Causing mischief here will do you no good." I told her as I started off in the direction I was going earlier.

"I do not see anything special in you." She spat in spite of me.

"If all you women are going to be hostile toward me, the least you could do is express it vibrantly. I grow tired of hearing the same words from different lips." I said without turning to face her.

"Then how about this. You are more boring than brick, perhaps even as flat-chested as one." she essentially hissed.

"It was a good attempt, but I'm afraid I am not as dependent on my body as you are. Unlike you, I have the capability to think."

"Bitch."

"Vulgar terms already?"

"I want you to understand. Sesshomaru and I were promised to each other when we were still pups. You are a hindrance." She told me as she followed behind me.

"I want you to understand; if your promise to Sesshomaru was to be taken seriously, I would not be here."

I could feel her glare trying to faze me. "You do not matter. The first is usually left to rot in isolation. You will just end up like that bitter mother of his."

I felt beast growl as my patience ran out. I turned to face the smirking slut and raised my hand to give a bitch slap, but my hand was stolen away. Her smirk disappeared as I was pulled away from her.

"Why did you stop me?" I asked the familiar hand.

"You were going to strike her." He responded as he led me inside the manor.

"And?" I asked as we stopped in an isolated spot.

"I would like to avoid war."

"At the cost of having your mating and mother insulted? She only stands up for you."

"What do you wish to prove by such acts?"

"What did you wish to prove by killing those two snow spawn? Is this not worse? She has come to your land, and insulted not only her but her mating. Why do you choose to apprehend her and not that troublemaking whore?"

"Her jabs will produce nothing."

"Do you lack the instinct to destroy that which threatens anything you hold dearly, or do you have a soft spot for that girl?"

"Her father is a valuable ally."

"And Kazumi is not?"

"Your fidelity is assured."

"… Do not stretch her loyalty. It will only confuse her. Regardless of her love for you, relying on it without returning it will destroy her."

"She knows I will not betray her."

"She may know that, but do you believe I would be speaking with you if this did not affect her in some way?"

"She will leave soon enough."

"This is not the first time you sided against her."

"You overreact."

"I am warning you. She is fragile, no matter how strong she makes herself seem. Too many pushes will send her off the edge."

"I know this."

"Then act like it."

"Kazumi." He called softly.

I didn't respond. I let go of his hands and walked away. I don't to prove anything to that homewrecker.

I went back into the manner and went to the room that used to be mine with a stack of blank sheets of paper, a quill, and an ink jar. I set the materials on the table at the foot of the bed and took my time thinking about what I was to write. A short story appealed to me the most. I used a piece of the thick slabs of paper to jot down characters, their appearances, archetype, etc., the plot, setting, messages, all the necessities, in English of course. I didn't want someone stumbling upon my work and reading it while it was a work in progress. I won't get into details, but because of the fact that the majority of my first choice plots and settings were out of the question, I ended up having little to choose from. Everything would seem too outlandish and surreal, so I went with something new. My main character would be a human lieutenant whose strategies bring his country victory during a war and how he rises in ranks to become his lord's well trusted advisor. I could make it a tragedy, but I wanted to make my first one have a happy ending. Hopefully, I could keep the short story short, but I know myself too well. I would probably write a borderline novel. Regardless, I set down to work and didn't get up until my introduction chapter was done. It was pretty well written, if I do say so myself, much better than majority of the books Rin had to read. Though I gave it my best shot, I couldn't change my writing style. It's not like changing clothes. But I like my writing style, devoid of over explanation, but not empty.

After putting away my materials, I headed off to bed. It had been a long day, and I was more than happy to crash. It took me a few minutes to walk there, but once I was in my bedroom, I got out of my kimono and decided to sleep in its inner layer. I lied down in the bed and took a deep breath. I closed my eyes to let them rest, but when I opened them, they were met by complete darkness. From the fact that two possessive arms weren't wrapped around me, I could assume that Sesshomaru wasn't here. The fact that I was still laying on the covers of the bed told me that he hadn't been in the room at all. Then again, it's still winter, isn't it? It could have only been ten minutes between when I'd fallen asleep and now. I got ready to not wake up until morning, and found that I completed my goal easily. I didn't wake up again until rays of sunshine shone through the balcony windows. I could see my hair sticking up like a lion's mane.

Without a doubt, that was the best sleep I've had in months. I started to wonder if sleeping by myself was really that bad. By the time the loneliness settled in, I was certain that sleep wasn't worth it. Everything seemed colder without that mokomoko of his. I was never enough to warm up a twin sized bed, how much more could I warm up a king sized one? It was dismal, sitting in the middle of that bed. Where was he? Was he so busy that he couldn't come to bed? No. He was just being polite. He probably walked in while I was sleeping and decided to let me sleep. I haven't gotten a legit, not injury induced, good night's sleep in a while. And since I wasn't expected to be up and moving yesterday, for all I know, I could be over exerting myself.

I got out of bed, standing up and stretching the sleep out of my body. Giving a sigh, I shook my head to get rid of the headache that accompanied my immediate contemplation. It's never a good idea to do anything right after waking up. It takes time for the body to wake up. After almost blacking out, I stumbled over to the bathroom. Once I was clean and dressed, I felt prepared to take on another day. Hopefully, I wouldn't have too much to take on. There are lots of things that can go wrong, and I would prefer to do nothing than to have to deal with people and things.

I walked back to the bedroom to see if I left anything, even though I was sure I didn't. Regardless, I went into the room and checked the covers, and found that one of my hair ties had slipped out of my hair.

"Well that explains the lion's mane this morning." I told myself as I tied my hair up in a ponytail. "At least dealing with wet hair won't be as bad now."

While I was remaking the bed, the air was filled with moisture along with Sesshomaru's diluted scent.

"Good morning." I told him without turning away from my work.

He gave me his regular "Hn" reply.

"Well, I'll assume last night was busy, so try to get some sleep before you head off to doing you lordship work." I said just as I was about to finish fixing the bed.

"Leave that to the maids." He said as he held my hands and nuzzled me from behind.

"I'm almost done."

"Then shall we undo your work?"

I took my hands away from him and turned to face him. "No." Him wearing nothing but a towel around his waist didn't make denying him any easier. "And I wouldn't mind if you put on some clothes."

"I did not intend to leave you to sleep by yourself." He told me as he went to put on something.

"You mean you didn't intend to let me sleep last night." I replied as I turned my back to him, not wanting to watch him change.

"Perhaps."

I let out a sigh as I sat on the bed. "I assumed as much. You must have a lot of work to do considering the fact we came back from that ice village later than intended."

He didn't reply.

"Well, I should be off." I stated.

"Stay."

"Sesshomaru."

"Did you not request that I sleep?"

"What of it?"

"There is no reason for me to sleep if you are not here."

"I believe your maintaining your health is a valid reason."

He stared at me.

"You're kidding."

His silence told me otherwise.

I let out a sigh of defeat as I fell back onto the bed. Not long after, Sesshomaru was holding me. I can't lie and say I didn't miss his embrace. Seeing him breathe so softly comforted me. The type of calm that he held was one I hadn't seen before, probably because I always fall asleep before he does. It seemed less guarded and dulled compare to his usual stoic features. For once, he seemed to leave everything in his mind behind to actually relax. It didn't seem like he was going to wake up any time soon. When his grip on me loosened, I was surprised to find out that he actually wasn't going to wake up any time soon. He was sleeping, not napping, sleeping. His body fell into a steady rhythm as his heart slowed and his breathing got deeper… he was asleep. Was he that tired? My instinct was to return the favor, and hold him as he held me whenever I slept. I pulled myself closer to him and positioned myself so his head would sit on my chest.

I don't know if he was kidding when he said he wouldn't be able to sleep without me, not that it mattered. He was sleeping for once. The idiot, just because he doesn't have to sleep often doesn't me he shouldn't. After laying there, completely inactive, for a while, I eventually dozed off as well.