I don't own Inuyasha

Please read and reveiw

Sesshomaru watched Melissa as she picked at her rice and finally pushed the table away. Then she started searching the folds of her kimono then stood. "I leave comb in other chamber."

"Sit down" Sesshomaru instructed her.

"I need comb." She replied. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down in front of him then grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to face away from him. She turned her head to see what he was doing and had just a glimpse of the comb he pulled from his kimono before he grabbed the top of her head and turned it back forward

"Sit still." He ordered as he began gently working the tangles from her hair has she often did for him.

"You could tell why." She mumbled with her arms crossed.

"Melissa, you have been with this Sesshomaru long enough, you should not need me to explain my demands. I am the alpha of our pack, it is my responsibility to care for you. When I give you an order it is for your benefit."

She started to protest but changed her mind. This was the first time he'd combed her hair and it felt so relaxing, she didn't want to start a fight. Especially while her head was still hurting and her stomach was upset.

When he finished he tapped her shoulder to get her attention then handed to comb to her so she could comb his hair. Once that was done she started to rub behind his ears but he stood and gave her a stern look, 'not here.'

"Let's go." he ordered striding to the door. As they entered the hall he started to turn to her, to speak, but a voice called his name behind them. The voice of perhaps the only person who's opinion mattered in the least.

"Sesshomaru, did you and your lady friend sleep well, my son?" She asked gliding toward them. Kumiko walked just behind her with a steaming bowl of liquid in her hands. Both women were grinning though Kumiko kept her eyes lowered respectfully.

"This is not how is appears, Mother." He stated tightly.

His mother chuckled, a wicked smile on her face. "Oh Sesshomaru, your mother knows that, my son. Why, you were so drunk last night you could not have found her entrance with a map painted on her belly."

"You are not hungover, Mother?" He asked, frowning at her cheerfulness.

"I had some water last night."

"You fool us!" Melissa accused, stepping forward with eyes blazing.

Sesshomaru grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Silence."

"You not boss of me, Sesshomaru! She fool us, fool us into become en...enb..." Fuck, what was the word?

"You should train her to heel, Sesshomaru. You've been lenient with your beloved."

"She is not my beloved." He told his mother, but she paid no attention.

"I did not tell you I would be drinking only sake, nor that the two of you could not ask for something else. That is what the two of you assumed, that is not my fault. And my son told you not to attempt to match us. You did not listen, as a result you quickly became inebriated. That is your fault exclusively."

She then turned back to Sesshomaru, "Say what you will my son, but you were much more honest last night. I know this woman is from a different time. I know that you took her from your brother's village to protect her. I know that you have seen her naked. I know that last night was not the first night she spent in your arms, and I know it will not be the last."

She walked past them with a satisfied smile. Kumiko approached and offered Sesshomaru the steaming bowl with a bow. "Medicine for your head and stomach, my Lord. For you and the lady." Then she hurried after Kimiko.

Sesshomaru lifted to bowl to his nose and sniffed it. It was a mix of bitter herbs, but it would help them.

"You drink first." He ordered, holding the bowl out to Melissa. She took the bowl and took a small sip. He was greatly amused by the face she made. She tried to hand the bowl back but he refused.

"I know it tastes unpleasant, but it will help. Drink more." He ordered. He had to suppress a smile more than once as she slowly drank the nasty potion. Then it was half gone, his turn. He did not sip like she did. He steeled himself, closed his eyes, and chugged his portion. He heard her giggle and realized he must have made a face too, it really was bitter.

Now what? Usually he'd be patrolling his father's lands. But her kimono was being washed and would likely not be finished until late in the afternoon, if not the next day. He was anxious to leave, but she couldn't leave in those kimonos. Aside from the fact they were borrowed, traveling in them would be cumbersome.

The entire staff would know about Melissa, hiding her away would only fuel the rumors. Anyway she'd get bored locked away in a room all day. The only option was take a walk around the grounds with her. Perhaps letting the staff see her, to smell her, would quell the rumors.

"Melissa, would you care to see the gardens?" It was a way to pass the time. And maybe keep her interested enough to keep her out of trouble. She had a tendency to get in trouble when she was bored. She smiled and nodded at him.

For a palace in the sky, the place had a lot of grounds. They spent a good while wandering from garden to garden. Sesshomaru let her dawdle, they had nowhere to be and she loved to smell all the flowers and watch the bees and butterflies. He enjoyed watching her.

Near noon they stopped in an orchard to rest while Melissa had a lunch of fresh peaches and plums. She tried to talk him into eating a peach with her but he didn't care for fruit. He watched her as she ate and felt a desire to lick the juice from her chin. He looked away, he should not be having these thoughts.

"Sesshomarusama, it has been a while." A male's voice called behind them. He turned, glad for the distraction and saw a tiger youkai he'd grown up with walking towards them. The tiger slowly circled around them then knelt in front of them, fixing his green eyes on Melissa, orange and black streaked hair hanging loose to his waist.

"So this is the woman everyone is talking about?" He scented the air. "At least one of the rumors is false, she doesn't smell pregnant."

"No, she is not." Sesshomaru replied, not elaborating. "Her name is Melissa. Melissa, this Kin." They both inclined their heads in greeting.

"So my lord, are you up for some sparring, or has the care of a woman made you soft?" He taunted with a grin.

"Do not assume this Sesshomaru has suffered a similar fate to yourself. Tell me, when your wife weaned the cub did she maintain her milk for your nourishment?" He asked with a similar grin as he rose to his feet.

"You may taunt me, my lord, but I have two sons now. You have yet to impregnate your woman."

"She is not my woman, she is merely a friend."

"Is that a fact? Why not? She's attractive, and I doubt you'd keep her if her personality was displeasing to you. Perhaps your interest is in men, should I be worried?"

"My interest is not in men, but if it were you would still be safe, your wife is more likely to be taken for a man than you."

Melissa grinned as she followed the two men to a wide open feild. It was so rare to see him even attempt to interact with another and here he was joking and teasing with this guy.

At the edge of the field Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder at Melissa. "Stay here. You may watch if you wish, or you may go back to the gardens, but keep out of the way."

She nodded and backed up a few yards and sat down under the trees. She hadn't had much opportunity to watch him actually fight, his few opponents hadn't had a chance to fight back. It was actually quite a sight to see. The way they moved, strike, dodge, counter, it was like a dance.

"I used to love to watch his father spar." Melissa hadn't realized Kimiko and Kumiko had walked up behind her. Kimiko sat down beside Melissa in the grass and they both watched Sesshomaru and Kin spar. Sesshomaru was wary of his mother being near Melissa and Kin took full advantage of his distraction, he wasn't winning by a much as usual.

"Once Sesshomaru started training with his father it was hard to know who to cheer on, my husband or my only son? Unfortunately Touga died before Sesshomaru could become strong enough to match him. Sesshomaru will never admit it but he was crushed. He hid it well, but I am his mother, he can never hide his true feelings from me."

"He speak of his father before. Say he was very strong."

Both women fell silent for a while as they watched Sesshomaru and Kin battle. Both had remarkable stamina. Then Kimiko chuckled, "You know he lost his first milk tooth against his father."

"His father hit to hard?"

"No, actually. They were not exchanging blows. Sesshomaru was not yet big enough to begin training and he never struck him outside of training. Even when Sesshomaru misbehaved, he bought him to me so that I could spank him. I believe he was afraid of hurting him.

"No, they were playing, wrestling. As a puppy Sesshomaru was a biter, and he was not above biting his own father when he couldn't over power him. I am not sure how he ended up in such a position, but he sank his little teeth into his father's right buttock and when he let go he left one behind." Sesshomaru heard his mother recounting the story and as Melissa started laughing he looked at them in horror, giving Kin a chance to knock him on his ass.

"Hmmm, it appears we are a distraction to my son. I suppose I should leave. Would you like to accompany me? I could tell you more stories without distracting my dear little boy." Melissa nodded and rose to her feet to follow her. Sesshomaru watched them go, he wanted to stop Melissa. To keep her away from his mother, but had no good reason. He again paid for his inattention to the battle by being knocked to the ground.