Sesshomaru has settled on referring to his caretaker as White, and that's why I kept changing how I referred to him in the last chapter. In this chapter, White is starting to help Sesshomaru recover, and turn into who we know today. But Sesshomaru is just starting to come out of shock, and isn't clamming up yet.

Water

White glanced through the traveler's wares tiredly, there was hardly anything worth buying. Catching a glimpse of white and red, he pulled that kimono out of the pile. It wasn't a flower pattern. But he couldn't really be too picky. So he paid the traveling merchant for the kimono, and gently wrapped it up so that it fit in his bag.

Returning to where he had left the sleeping teen, he bristled at the feel of demons nearby. They might not be a threat, but they could also be searching for the son of the Lord of the West to seize his title. Honestly, he couldn't tell if the young man was sleeping or back into oblivious mode, like he had been, on and off, for the last few days. Suppressing a sigh, White shook him gently by the shoulder.

Sesshomaru started, suddenly aware that he had dozed off, or at least lost focus on his surroundings. Sitting up quickly he almost collided with White, who had leaned calmly out of the way. Sesshomaru blinked, and reminded himself that he would have to be careful now that…

He stopped, and withdrew from that thought slightly.

But, suddenly, he realized he was standing, and he blinked at White.

The wolf lead him into the mountains, and, near noon, a hot spring emerged from rock. Sesshomaru almost fell into the hidden pool, to lost in thought to notice, but White had stopped him short with a hand on his shoulder.

When it finally registered, Sesshomaru looked over in shock, to see that White had already laid out a new kimono, and a towel for him. Sesshomaru watched as the other double checked everything, then headed back over the rim. Startled into action, Sesshomaru almost followed him, but forced himself to relax as the wolf settled into a seat, looking out away from the hot spring and the rock wall behind it, clearly planning to act as guard.

Sesshomaru hurriedly undressed and slipped into the spring, he didn't want to stay dirty any longer than he had to.

After scrubbing himself clean and drying off quickly, Sesshomaru slipped back into his clothes. It was hardest to pull on the new kimono, instead of the one he'd worn for so many years, but the almost identical pattern of red on white eased the passing a little.

He glanced at the singed sash in mild revulsion, but didn't have another choice, so he tied it around himself without thinking about it to much.

When he was finished, he looked up to see White still seated on the outer wall facing out. Sesshomaru froze, he'd have to call him, wouldn't he. The necessity of that act startled him awake, and he shook his head, to avoid his reality a little longer.

"I'm finished," He managed quietly, and, to his surprise, White heard him and turned to check before jumping down.

The wolf gathered up the discarded kimono without a word and slipped it into his bag, something that hurt to see, for some reason. Then he turned to Sesshomaru and gave him a small, sad smile, as he reached out and fingered the edge of his sleeve.

Sesshomaru blinked as White turned away. The wolf hadn't spoken, but for a moment he'd thought he'd heard a gentle voice say "It looks good on you."