TEN

The miko smiled at his reaction and Sesshoumaru felt something tug at his chest, once again the daiyoukai found himself confused, this woman is stirring alien emotions in him and she's a human for crying out loud!

Inuyasha's roar snapped him out of his daze, "Kurenai! I don't like how this looks!"

"I found a spell that can help him out in great grandma's spell book." Kurenai looked at Inuyasha, "If I can do that, then why not?"

The hanyou can see the determination in her eyes, it's one of the things that he admired about her and he knew there's no way he can talk her out of what she intends to do, he can only sigh and watch.

Seeing that Inuyasha will keep quiet, Kurenai re-focused on her task. A golden glow once again gathered on her palms onto Sesshoumaru's crippled arm as she began chanting.

The daiyoukai can feel the familiar warm tingle at the tip of the injury which steadily escalated into a searing heat. He clenched his jaw in efforts to fight down the pain.

Relax... I'm not purifying you it's just your arm regenerating.

The miko's voice reassured him. He glanced at her, he didn't hear her voice come through his ear, more like it echoed within his mind. He heard her voice again and this time, he was sure she is speaking to him telepathically because her lips didn't move.

- Just breathe...- she said, trying to soothe him and he did as she said through closed eyes. That, along with her gentle voice made the pain bearable with each deep breath he took.

The others in the room watched in utter awe as they saw a golden light crawl out of Sesshoumaru's empty sleeve shaping out to be his hand.

-There we go. Just a little bit more...- she continued to encourage him but her voice sounded strained and it prompted him to open his eyes. He saw beads of sweat on her forehead, some have even trickled down her face but her concentration never wavered. All the magic she's been using is taking its toll on her body and yet she's pushing herself to regenerate his lost appendage.

A few uncomfortable moments passed before the heat started to die down then finally, he heard his healer let out a slow breath from where his eyes were closed. He can also feel his left arm once more and after what seems like eternity of being without it, he slowly lifted his newly restored arm, opened his eyes and flexed it. Though it didn't show on his face, it was surreal to him that it's finally back.

"Wah! Lord Sesshoumaru's hand grew back!" Rin cheered through the silence.

"Unbelievable." Miroku gasped.

"Well, is it in good condition?" Kurenai asked, her eyes feeling a lot heavier.

"Hn." Was the daiyoukai's only response.

All of a sudden, Kurenai's form slumped forward and due to reflexes, Sesshoumaru caught her. Who would've guessed that the first time he'll use his newly returned left arm be to catch the human who gave it back to him? But it seems very fitting.

"Kurenai!" they cried out and they heard the clatter in the kitchen and Ren's quick footsteps.

"What happened?" he reached for his sister from Sesshoumaru's arm and tapped her cheek gently.

She opened her eyes which are glazed with exhaustion, "My eyes just got a bit heavy." she rasped.

Finally Inuyasha can't take it anymore, "That's because you pushed yourself to bring back this bastard's arm!" he pointed at his daiyoukai half-brother who responded with a sharp glare.

"Inuyasha…" she weakly reprimanded, "Please, I'm alright. When I saw that I have what it takes to give him his arm back, I wanted to do it."

"You didn't have to do it right after performing incredible magic spells on multiple people!" he hissed.

"I know, I'm sorry." Kurenai smiled at him apologetically, guilty that she made him, her brother and everybody else worried.

Inuyasha can't say anything, not when she has those pleading eyes and 'I'm sorry' smile. He crossed his arms on his chest and looked away, "As long as you're sorry." he said and Kurenai's smile brightened in relief.

"Why don't you sleep for a while, sis? I'll deal with Ryan." Ren said as he brushed his sister's hair back.

She pushed herself up to sit, "Nah, I'm fine. I can't exactly miss helping design the rooms. Is the food ready?" she asked and her brother can only sigh in defeat.

It is beyond Sesshoumaru how Kurenai is sitting up talking to them after the amount of magic she just used. If it were a different person, they would have already passed out much earlier and will not be able to open their eyes for a few days or even forever. The woman is impressive, he admits to that.

"Just a little bit more with the pork chops. Change your clothes in the meantime." he looked up, "Help her please Sango, and you guys, follow me." he got on his feet and led the guys to the guest bedroom to change.

Sesshoumaru didn't follow instantly and instead looked at Kurenai with one of his rare intense gazes, "You have this Sesshoumaru's gratitude." Cold and brutal he may be but she felt the sincerity in his words.

She gave him a weak smile and a small bow, "You're welcome. You won't get to enjoy being here if you only have one arm, there's so much to see and do. Although 'enjoy' might be a word you're not familiar with." The red-eyed teased.

"Oh, this Sesshoumaru enjoys killing." he told her coldly before turning around to join the others.

"Oh yeah. That." She chuckled.

Sesshoumaru walked away bewildered by her nonchalant reaction. How can this woman laugh at what I just said? Does she not fear for her life? Well, he does owe her his arm so he will not cause her any harm in the name of his honor but still, he just said he enjoys killing and she laughs? This woman is such a puzzle and he's tempted to solve it.