Torunn woke with a start, her breath heavy and brow soaked in sweat. Her eyes tried to adjust to the light, or rather lack there of. She lied underneath her wolf pelt, her bag propped behind her as a makeshift pillow of sorts. She lifted the pelt, seeing that she was still covered in dark stains - some from mud, some dark from blood. Torunn dreaded how long the spots were going to take to wash out, if they would even. She sighed wearily, wondering how she ended up on the dirt floor of a yet another cave.

"Torunn! You're awake!" Before she had time to prepare herself, Torunn was rushed by a small child, a tight embrace around the warrior's neck. Caught up in the ambush by Rin, Torunn tried to steady herself as the little girl hugged her tighter. "I was so worried about you. Even Jaken was too!"

"I was not!" replied the imp indignantly.

"That's not what you said -!"

"Will you cease your endless prattling, child!"

Watching the two bicker back and forth caused Torunn to smile, releasing a warm laughter that filled the space. She looked at the little girl whose large brown eyes bore into her all the relief that she had felt knowing that Torunn was going to be alright. It warmed the warrior's heart and she embraced her back. "I even think that Lord Sesshomaru was worried too!" Torunn stiffened at the mention of his name. She untangled herself from Rin, her blue eyes darting all over the cave but found no sight of the moody Demon Lord, and an odd sense of relief washed over her.

"How long was I out for?" Torunn asked to no one in particular but it was Rin who had the answers.

"Hm, about a day. Lord Sesshomaru brought you back here last night after he found you, and now it's almost sun set." Rin's eyes lit up and she scampered off around the other side of the fire that had been burning low. In the dim light, Torunn could tell that her clothing were worse for the wear, at least what was left of them. Her britches were basically in tatters with even more holes than the start of her journey. By Frejya's luck they were being held together and the tunic she wore - her favorite - was not faring much better. She was missing her entire right sleeve, the white puckered skin of her scar on her shoulder showing. She no longer could tell where her beloved embroidered wolf was for it was lost amongst the almost black blood stains. Torunn couldn't help but feel a semblance of sadness for she had worked so hard on it.

Damn that Naraku - may his soul rot in Hel. Torunn was lost in thought as Rin sat next to her, her tiny hands holding foraged berries and nuts.

"Here," she said, grinning widely, "You should eat these. I bet you're really hungry." Torunn's gut almost growled at the thought of food. She smiled fondly at Rin, genuinely touched by the little girl's kind offering. Gently, the warrior woman took the little bit of food from Rin and tossed them into her mouth. Once she regained her bearings, Torunn would go out hunting. Venison sounded good to her. She looked back at Rin who still had a wide grin on her face, then exhaled tiredly.

"Where is Lord Sesshomaru?" Torunn hesitantly asked.

"I'm not sure but he did say that he would be back by tonight," said Rin, sitting next to Torunn. The warrior contemplated trying to leave before the temperamental demon came back but resigning to the fact that she shouldn't.

More like wouldn't. Internally Torunn groaned. She was an honor bound warrior, much like Sesshomaru - She needed to at least show her appreciation of him keeping her alive, even if she was still angry with the incorrigible man.

Not angry - hurt, a tiny voice corrected in her mind. Torunn bit her lip knowing full well the person she was angry with was herself. Angry for letting things get as far as they did between her and Sesshomaru. For the smile the threatened her lips when she thought about him when she should be furious with him for what he had said to her. Alas, she knew deep in her mind - and heart - that Sesshomaru hadn't really meant what he had said, or at least not as viciously as he spoke it. The Demon Lord was afraid, and whether or not she admitted it, Torunn was afraid too.

From her hazy memories of the previous day, Torunn unmistakably felt Sesshomaru's anguish. It was so intense and was palpable to say the very least. She might not have heard all of what he said word for word but she could feel the longing in his voice, calling for her to come back to him and she complied.

Torunn swallowed hard - the two of them were headed for a world of trouble. Torunn tried to reason that it might have only been guilt that made Sesshomar behave that way. That lead him to say those soft words, for his hands to tangle themselves in her hair, but Torunn knew in her gut that wasn't the only reason. Torunn wasn't sure what to call it but their mutual budding feelings were more than just respect and fascination. Whatever it was, it ran deeper than that, otherwise the heated words he said would not have cut so deep.

"Are you okay? Do you need to lie back down?" Rin's voice brought Torunn back from her deep thoughts, "You look tired still."

"I'm fine Little One," the warrior replied, "I just got a little lost in my own head, that's all." Torunn looked down at the mess that she still was. Most of the gore and dirt had been washed off in the rain but Torunn felt the need to be in water, if only to gather herself. She always felt better in water. "Do either of you know if there is a lake or river nearby? I desperately need to wash myself."

"There's one not too far - just head east for a few minutes and you'll find it," Jaken had replied.

"Are you sure you should be walking?" Rin asked as Torunn began to slowly get up from the ground, though her body at first protested the sudden movement. After a few uneven steps, Torunn found her footing and walked to the mouth of the cave.

"I should be fine. A brief walk and wash would do my body and mind well. I promise to be back soon," Torunn said over her shoulder, giving the two wards a tired smile as she walked into the sun set. The fog in her mind began to dissipate with each stride, trying to find where Jaken had said the water was, and he was right. It was only a few moments after leaving them that she had found the flowing stream. She quickened her pace, stretching the sore muscles and crouched to the water's edge, greedily cupping the cool liquid to her parched lips.

After she had her fill, Torunn slowly peeled off her tunic and what was left of her pants, and waded into the stream that was only waist deep at its deepest. She would deal with her bindings later but at the moment she tried to wash the blood stains away. Vigorously she scrubbed and washed at it, trying to make her wolf sine again, to see the burnt red orange colors not marred by demon blood but it seemed a loss cause - there was just too much blood and it had set before she even had a chance. Again she tried, almost scrubbing her hands raw in the process. Frustrated, Torunn let out a guttural yell and threw her soaking wet tunic to the bank where her pants resided. Chiyu-Ryoku had already taken her shield and even in death he had taken more from her.

In a fit anger, she dove underneath the water, trying to get the rest of the dirt and blood out from her golden tresses. Moments passed when she broke the surface, sending water droplets everywhere. Bitterness coursed through as she hit the water over and over and over again. Breathing heavily, Torunn stopped, slumped into the water further and lied on her back, her gaze towards the skies that had begun to twinkle with star light. For once in her long life, Torunn felt content with the silence that surrounded her. She stayed that way until the silhouette moon shined brighter. She closed her eyes, sighing deeply as she felt a familiar aura approach her. Torunn swallowed hard and steeled herself, knowing full well she couldn't keep avoiding him. She was a true warrior, and she had to face her problems head on. She knew that she would eventually have to talk to Sesshomaru if only to thank him.

Once more Torunn dipped back under the water and swam towards the shore. Without much grace she splashed to the surface, spraying the seemingly indifferent Demon Lord with water and reached the bank, taking her wolf pelt, still stained with gore and began to dry herself off, trying to fend off the anxious feeing that sat in her stomach. There was an uncomfortable silence that hung in the air between the two of them. As she wrung out her hair, Torunn noticed that he had something wrapped in a dark fabric, tied with string in his hands. She paused her actions, and cocked an eye brow at him, whose face only bore the mask of indifference, not giving anything away. Torunn could tell by the he stood that he was nervous, though. Or maybe it was embarrassment or possibly both.

"What is this?" She asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Clothes," Sesshomaru simply stated, as though it was obvious. Well, it was but that's not Torunn meant by her question. He then continued, "Since you seemed to be out of options at the moment." Torunn looked at the wrapped package in his hands and after she covered herself in her pelt, she closed the gap between them. She warily took the wrapped clothes from him, turning them over in her hands. Torunn wanted to protest, to say that she didn't need his charity or much less want it, but her eyes saw her torn pieces of fabric she dared called clothing and relented. Slowly she opened it to reveal dark black britches with a matching long sleeved shirt that shined almost in the dwindling sun. Underneath them Torunn found what looked like to be a chest plate, that felt light in her hands, adorned with three dark red stones at the top, with matching shoulder pads that held sharp points similar to Sesshomaru's own armor. All of it was held together by beautifully dyed black leather. Torunn was dumbfounded with what Sesshomaru had presented to her.

"Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru," she began, "But I cannot accept this charity."

"This is not charity," Sesshomaru replied tersely, and then with an even breath, he continued, "It is an apology and it is gratitude." Torunn had to bite back a laugh.

"Do you think you can buy my forgiveness? Do you think so little of me, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"If I thought so little of you, then why would I have come back for you?" He asked.

"I don't know - guilt?" She retorted, and then went on to say, "And do not think I am not grateful for what you did - know that I am." Torunn tried to give the armor and clothes back to him, saying, "I do not want this thin veiled apology from you."Sesshomaru for his part, pushed the gift back to her.

"I already apologized to you," he replied. Torunn scoffed, the angry that had raged just only a day ago beginning to build but again, she didn't know if it was intended for him or for her.

"Yeah, when I was half conscious, but I don't even want that," she countered, pushing the clothes back to him. The Demon Lord growled low in annoyance, his own patience wearing thin.

"Then what is it that you want from me?" He asked, stepping closer to her.

"I want your honesty for Frigg's sake!" Torunn had practically yelled that at him, making him retreat slightly.

"I have only ever given you my honesty," Sesshomaru said feeling confused. Torunn finally let the mirthless laugh ring.

"No you haven't," she said.

"What have I hidden from you?" He asked genuinely.

"Everything about yourself," she replied flatly and then stopped. Taking a measured breath she tried to not let her emotions get the better of her, knowing that her outburst wasn't going to change anything. "But I'm not going to force your hand." He cocked an eyebrow in perplexed curiosity.

"No?"

Again the warrior woman scoffed, "Of course not - it's not my place to and what's more, you do not owe it me." Torunn took a step from him, exhaling one more measured breath and continued. "You already apologized, even if I was half awake for it. I'm sorry to prolong this any further, so let us leave it at this, shall we? I don't need to bother you any longer than I have." The Demon Lord looked Torunn, his brow knit in dubiety.

"You are not a bother to me," Sesshomaru said evenly.

"Could have fooled me," Torunn said underneath her breath as started to walk away but he caught her arm, stopping her and this time Sesshomaru did it of his own accord. His eyes locked with hers.

"Torunn," he said as his amber eyes bored into hers, "You should be an anathema to me. You are everything I stand against, or at least you were. When I look at you now, my thoughts are in a blur." He loosened his grip on her arm but did not let go. Torunn didn't try to break contact either. "Up until now, I hated not understanding my surroundings, and while normally I would remove myself from a situation like this, I now want to understand. I want to understand you." Torunn continued to stare at him, watching to see any emotion flicker across his perfect face.

The sun set slowly, giving only hazy light for the wandering Viking warrior who was out of time and place. Einar continued to follow the irritatingly familiar scent but it was faint to him, as if was being muddled with something or rather with someone. He clenched his jaw so tightly a tooth should have popped out. How dare someone else lay claim to what is mine, he thought viciously to himself. He stopped in the field that he found himself hiking though, seething in absolute rage and anger at the idea of anyone else laying a hand on her Torunn. She was his to claim, or at least her life.

As the evening wind gently danced around him, Einar heard a faint buzzing on the wind that slowly enveloped his senses. He shuddered as he felt a strange aura rippled through the air, Einar spun around but saw nothing in the immediate area and yet the buzzing only grew louder and louder. Just when the grating sound of insects wings assaulted his ears, the wind had picked up causing Einar to shield his eyes from the grass and dirt that had been picked up by the sudden whirlwind. As the dust settled and Einar was able to see more clearly, he was shocked to find a woman standing in front of him, with a fan held demurely in her hand.

"Hey there handsome," the strange woman purred, "Looks like you're lost. Or maybe you're looking for something, hm?" Einar looked the woman up and down dressed strangely in twisted garments that he guessed was supposed to be a dress. She look so dainty, her hip popped to one side that accentuated her curves but he could feel the danger that lurked beneath her sultry look. Since arriving in this part of Midgard, Einar had learned to not trust what his eyes saw.

He let out a low grunt. "What does it matter to you?"

The woman let out a warm chuckle, flicking her fan closed. "What if I told you that I could help you find what, or rather, who you are looking for?"

Einar eyed the woman cautiously, not letting down his guard but he would be a liar if he said that she did not intrigue him, if only a little bit. "Just who are you?" The woman smiled at him.

"I thought you'd never ask," she said a devious twinkle in her blood red eyes. With a dramatic flurry of her fan, she continued, "I am Kagura the Wind Sorceress, and I think you and myself are after the same person. About this tall? Golden hair and an attitude problem?"

"How do you know of Torunn?" Einar demanded.

"Let's just say she has something my master wants," Kagura replied smoothly, "The real question is what is she to you? I can't say a sibling affair since you two only share similarities in your height. Perhaps a jilted lover?" Einar's eyes cut her like steel and before she had time to comprehend, Kagura was lifted off the ground, his hands around her delicate throat.

"Hold your tongue, witch," the Viking warrior spat, his voice cold as ice but Kagura merely laughed though it come out strained.

"Easy there," she said, "I want to help you. I mean it." Her hand went to Einar's hand that was still around her throat but made no move to try and release herself. Even as he slowly squeezed the life out of her, Kagura kept her gaze steady, showing no fear. Although he did not trust her, Einar did admire the woman's determination and fire in her eyes, and finally relinquished his grip, dropping Kagura to the ground. She coughed and sputtered for air but after a few moments she was able to collect herself, dusting herself off as she stood up. "That's better. Now, let's talk."

Torunn sighed heavily. feeling the uneasiness in Sesshomaru's voice as he tried to be vulnerable with her. She wrestled with her thoughts, knowing full well that she walk away before anything happens, but knowing that would be impossible to do. She knew the implications of moving forward with this tryst but the Norns be damned.

"It's not my job to make you see what you are feeling, but I am finding myself wanting to help you more and more every day," Torunn said quietly, her eyes still locked with Sesshomaru's in what seemed like eternity. She took one single step closer to him. "What am I to you?"

Sesshomaru's eyes went wide at the bluntness of her question, and the Torunn continued, "Maybe if we start there, you'll have a better chance of piecing together whatever emotions you're feeling.".

"You are a skilled and brave fighter," he began. Torunn couldn't help but laugh just a little bit because of course that is what he would start with. He then further explained, "You're wise, and loyal almost to a fault. Your mind and heart are two riddles that have confounded me and for the first time in my long life, I am okay without knowing the answer straight away." Sesshomaru finally let go his slight grip on her arm, trusting that she would not just sprint away. Torunn didn't flinch when he cupped her face gently, and with his free hand, brush away pieces of her hair out of her eyes. Nor did she when Sesshomaru left his hands where they were. "You are brash, and loud, and one of the most stubborn creatures I have yet to know."

"Do you find me more stubborn than you?" She joked and then answering, "Because I would find that very hard to believe." She let out a chuckle, a nervous smile on her lips that almost made the Demon Lord grin.

"You've changed me, Torunn, and I do not think I can ever go back to how I was again," he admitted quietly, "And yet I feel safe with telling that."

"I don't think you were ever where you thought you were," Torunn mused aloud, "Not with Rin in your life or even Jaken, but what you're feeling now is a different form of it, perhaps." The Demon Lord stared blankly at Torunn, getting lost in her words.

"How do you mean?" He asked. Torunn on the other hand grinned a cocky grin, mischief twinkling in her blue eyes.

"I don't think Jaken would kiss you like this." As she finished her statement, Torunn leaned in and engulfed Sesshomaru in a deep kiss. Her lips and tongue searched hungrily for his, feeling his sharp canines and a shudder rush up her spine. Sesshomaru's hand moved from her face, finding their way to the tangled mess that was her hair, while the other one groped at her lower back, greedily pulling her to him, her body melting into his. The world around the two inhuman beings fell still and silent, the two of them holding each other close as if their lives depended on them never separating again as the day turned into night.

The two of them parted briefly, catching their breaths, both of their eyes wide, cheeks flushed. Sesshomaru heard Torunn's heart beating hard and fast - not out of fear but excitement, his own heart matching her rhythm. Control be damned - Sesshomaru's mind screamed to claim her as his own, even if it was just for the night, and he wished to surrender to the intoxicating warrior woman. His eyes wandered up and down, exploring every curve that graced her figure, his own body wanting nothing more than give in.

Sesshomaru had longed for this sense of freedom - a freedom that Torunn gave willingly to him. It was precious to him and Sesshomary wanted to treasure the moment, committing into his mind, body and soul for the rest of eternity.

"I suppose we finally got past our impasse," Torunn said, biting her lip but her only response was another kiss from Sesshomaru as he scooped her up in his arms. Alarmed, Torunn let out a muffled yelp but otherwise relaxed into him. She pulled away momentarily, "I told Rin that I would be back before sunset. I don't want her to worry."

"Do not worry," Sesshomar replied, "She knows that you are with me. Her and Jaken will be fine for tonight. I made sure of it." The was a devious glint in his eyes as Torunn raised an eyebrow. She had question but decided to abandon them for the moment.

"Alright, I trust you but if she's worried tomorrow morning, I'm going to blame you," she said with a laugh. He kissed her again, leading her to a patch of grass that sat underneath a large tree that was nearby. He set Torunn down and began to undo his obi and kimono. Torunn had already seen him half naked before, remembering his perfect porcelain skin but this time she allowed herself to truly appreciate what she saw. He undressed himself hurriedly, laying the large, silky fabric on the ground as she came up behind him and nibbled at his ear, her arms snaked around his waist. Sesshomaru visibly shuddered from pleasure, his head whipping around to show Torunn the hunger that was in his eyes.

"Lie with me." And Torunn obliged, her lean and toned body draped over his own as his world turned upside down once again, losing all sense of control as Torunn's hands roamed all over his chiseled chest, leaving trails of fire from where her fingers touched. Her scent was driving him wild, unable to control himself any longer as he buried his face in her hair, and kissed her neck, eliciting a sigh to escape her lips. Sesshomaru continued to explore her body more, his claws tracing her collar bone down her chest as Torunn shivered, a sultry smile on her face. Torunn lied underneath Sesshomaru, his silver cascading all around her, his silk soft tresses tickling her slightly, her senses already heightened. He continued to kiss down her neck and chest as Torunn wrapped her fingers in his hair, pulling ever so slightly. Sesshomaru growled in ecstasy, enjoying the sensation.

Torunn was going to be the death of him, and he to her, but the two silently agreed that they didn't care. All that mattered was that Torunn was his for the moment, and he was hers, neither one of them wanting to let go of what they found within each other, even if it was just for the night.