Unliving

Chapter sixteen – … and forth

When Kagome opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Inuyasha's face. He was still asleep by her side, holding her hand and breathing shallowly. She looked at his peaceful face and wondered how they managed to screw up their relationship. There was a time when she loved him beyond belief. There used to be a time when Inuyasha loved her like a maniac, he couldn't have enough of her, and he seemed to breathe her as much as she did him. As Kagome looked at her former lover she saw that that time was forever gone. It was gone for a long time now.

And to make it even worse, she'd been with someone else already. But, no, she didn't regret it; she would never regret it, because there was simply no point in doing so. Why? Sesshoumaru had given her maybe the most exciting few weeks of her life. And even if only for one night, he'd given himself to her. That was a memory she wanted to hold on to.

Inuyasha's eyes slowly opened to Kagome's sad face, and she didn't even realize he was watching her.

"Yume?" Kagome focused her eyes on him, and she smiled a little. He would always call her by that silly name!

"It's all so stupid, Inuyasha…" she said, and he thought he'd never heard such strange morning words in his entire life. But then, she was Kagome, and there was nothing ordinary about her.

"Tell me." he whispered, his voice a little husky, and his gold eyes half open. Kagome caressed his cheek.

"Where is our love, Inuyasha? What did it turn into?" He closed his eyes for a second, and took a deep breath. He knew it was coming, this talk, but he'd hoped it wouldn't hurt this much. So he just raised his eyebrows for a moment and kissed her on her forehead.

"I don't know, Yume. But I'll always care for you, you have to know that." Kagome's eyes filled with tears. She felt like she'd lost them both now.

"Sure I do, and you'll be here forever, Inuyasha." she placed a hand on her own chest, as she fought to keep her cheeks dry. But sadly she couldn't.

"Don't cry, Yume." he said, and embraced her limp body. Kagome fell against his chest and welcomed the comforting, hiding her face into his clothes. She cried silently, but this time it was of relief. She'd never wanted to hurt Inuyasha; she'd never wanted to hurt Sesshoumaru… but what of herself? When would the hurting stop for her? Inuyasha's embrace felt warm and soft, and she could feel him forgiving her for who she was, for all her weird behavior, for her temperamental outbursts, for her selfishness… And she felt small, insignificant in comparison to him.

She took in a deep breath, and parted from him, wiping her face clean.

"Okay, enough." she said.

"This is just… enough." Kagome concluded, very decided. It wasn't quite like her to mope around like that, and she figured nobody liked a whiner. She didn't want to be a burden for Inuyasha. So she collected her strength and smiled at him.

"Thank you." He stood up on one elbow and smiled back.

"No problem. When you wanna break up next time… I'm here." They both smiled, a little bit forcefully, but that would pass… they hoped.

Inuyasha stood up and gave her a mindful look.

"You okay?" he seemed worried about her despite her smile. Kagome sat up and nodded.

"I will be." the look about her was off, Inuyasha thought, as if she were in a bigger trouble than her usual troublesome career requested of her. But he wasn't a pusher. She would tell him. After all they were friends now… He smiled sadly at the thought. This new status was too weird, although it wasn't really new. Maybe just realizing it made all the difference.

"I'm gonna go wash up." he said, and Kagome nodded silently, stretching her arms above her head. She felt somehow better. Somehow. She still couldn't forget about him though, and she doubted she would ever be able to. Mostly because she was convinced she wasn't supposed to, and that she didn't even want to. She still wanted to save Sesshoumaru, the immortal, the distant, the cold vampire who's just appeared into her life out of the blue. She loved him, there was no question about that. Was her love so insignificant that it couldn't save him?

Kagome tried to ignore the Prophecy, and searched for some other way to help him. There had to be… She would have gone through with that damned die-revive-die-revive thing, if he would have asked her to. But he hadn't, because he didn't love her. He didn't care enough, and it wouldn't have worked… It wouldn't… Kagome froze, as her mind cleared all of a sudden. It was so like her to think fast, then settle down and think it over again, only to come to a completely different outcome.

His cold stance, the way he refused to talk to her, to even consider her love, her feelings… She knew he couldn't be this cold, this uncaring, he'd proven it to her on so many occasions, he had to be feeling something for her, and she would be damned if that something was not love. She simply refused to think he felt nothing. He wasn't entirely dead, after all!

No, Sesshoumaru drove her away because he loved her, not because he didn't at all. Kagome shook her head, and grew more and more convinced that she was right. She shouldn't have left. Or, maybe it was a right call after all, because now she knew where she stood with Inuyasha.

"Uh!" she sighed and caught her temples. She had to go back… but, how will she explain it to everyone? Then again, why should she explain anything? She'll just tell Inuyasha where she's going, and then call her boss at the magazine to ask for some days off. Or, more like say she's leaving for a few days…

Once her mind made up, she couldn't sit still. She jumped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom. She bumped into Inuyasha on the way, and he was amazed at how different she looked.

"Kagome?"

"I'm going back." she said, her face all shiny and determined. He knew that look. It was the look that said she didn't accept "no" for an answer. Sesshoumaru was in big trouble, whatever their unsolved business was. Inuyasha smiled in the corner of his mouth.

"You do that." Kagome returned his smile, and kissed him fleetingly on the lips.

"Baka!" she whispered as she entered the bathroom, and Inuyasha resumed his previous thought: Sesshoumaru was in big trouble.

:---:

"But, honey you just came back from England, can't you just…" the high pitched, feminine voice rang in Kagome's ear, but she neither had the time nor the patience to explain, or even give a proper apology for her sudden departure. Her boss was all to annoying as it was!

"No, this is urgent. I'm sorry, but it cannot wait. I'll talk to you in a few days… or so."

"Or so?!? Kagome..."

"Ja-ne!" Kagome said and hung up the phone, taking in a deep breath. The airport was crowded, but she really didn't care. She just had to reach Muncaster faster.

'I'm coming back, you cold hearted bastard, and this time you'll have to do better than I don't love you!' she thought, and her heart picked up pace. Sesshoumaru's face swam around in her head, and she knew she wasn't ready to give up on him just yet. Maybe he didn't believe in himself, or her, but she had faith enough for both of them. She was sure she did, and he couldn't escape this time.

Kagome frowned as she sat on her seat in the plane, and thought about dying. And then coming back… because he will bring her back. Because the damn bastard loved her, and there was nothing that could convince her otherwise.

:---:

Sabrya stood in the middle on the large living room, staring at her boss. Sesshoumaru was calm as always. One wouldn't have said that he'd just asked his personal assistant to arrange his departure.

"Would you please repeat that, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"What was not clear, Sabrya? I am leaving Muncaster for a while. I will be traveling for a while; this place begins to tire me."

The few days since Kagome had left had been agonizing. Every corner of the castle cried out her presence… or the lack of it. Sesshoumaru felt like he would go crazy if he was to see this woman's ghost one more time, at the table beside him, in the armory room holding his sword with her thin hands, in the dining room drinking from that glass of wine… in the bed, her dark hair spread over the crimson sheets, and her violet eyes piercing through his skin, digging into his soul, ripping him apart. He had to leave.

"Make it as fast as you can. Somewhere cold, a northern country maybe, or even Alaska. I do not care." he made a gesture with his hand that stated what he had just said. Sabrya could tell he really did not care where he was going.

"Of course, Lord Sesshoumaru. It will be done as you wish." she bowed and turned swiftly on her toes, in that practiced move she had perfected over the years. Her Lord had no patience for delays, and she was efficient, fast in her actions and witty. She was the perfect assistant for him.

For a few years, when she'd first come to work for the exigent Lord, Sabrya had thought, hoped that she could become more to him. She remembered how she tried to gain his affection, and a sad smile appeared upon her perfect features, disturbing their calm. She had come to the conclusion she wasn't fit to smile, she looked awful. Her face was still, and it looked perfect that way. She didn't need to smile, nor did she have any good reason to. Of course, she would indulge in a polite conversation, but she never knew how much joy to show, or how much caring, interest, and she felt like she failed miserably every time. Either that she was too distant, or too joyful.

Resuming her previous track of thoughts, Sabrya took a turn to her own office in the castle, and began to search for soon departures to northern countries. She'd pictured Finland or Norway… she wasn't gonna send him to Alaska, although he wouldn't have cared anyway, by the looks of him.

As she made the last hour reservations on the phone, she again concluded that being who he was, Lord Sesshoumaru would always have a place somewhere, actually everywhere as it turned out. She'd made the reservations for the flight and the hotel with only a few hours in advance, which would probably be impossible for any other person. Sesshoumaru-sama had a place everywhere… she thought, and rested her chin in the palm of her hand, as she looked over the route.

'But what about a home?' Sabrya questioned herself. The last few weeks, since that human woman had arrived at Muncaster, had been somewhat strange, seeing as her Lord was occupying an awful lot of time with her, and sometimes in the detriment of his business. Sabrya knew of his peculiar nature, she knew that he could suddenly take interest in all sorts of things, but she'd never seen him so drawn by a woman. Women had never been one of his vices.

Come to think of it, he only had one flaw, and that one he couldn't help. Sabrya had often found herself hating whoever it had turned Sesshoumaru into that horrible creature and cursed him to such an ingrate and undignified life for a taiyoukai. She'd never told him she knew of his curse, but she knew for quite some time now, ever since that shelf in the library shifted under her weight and she'd found The Book of Nod. It didn't take her that long to figure it out, and her suspicions had been proven correct when one time Sesshoumaru appeared to be hurt by the mere appearance of the sun, one morning.

She could clearly remember how he frowned, and sat up from the desk, not even allowing her to finish her last report for the night, excusing himself very politely – he was always flawless in his manners - and leaving.

Sabrya had never even thought about asking him about this, she was not going to invade his life like that, and she was often grateful she got the chance to just talk to her Lord. The many years since she'd begun her service had taught her some things about Sesshoumaru-sama. First, he was very powerful, but in more ways than most would imagine. The extent of his power laid deep within his nature, his mind and spirit. The young hanyou woman knew he would eventually find a way to escape this curse. Secondly, he was very lonely. Again, there was far more to his solitude than just arrogance. Sure, he was arrogant most of the times, and he could hurt feelings to the point of no return without even flapping an eyelash, and without remorse, but he was fair, and nobody got a punishment they didn't deserve, from him.

She had to admit, maybe he did exaggerate sometimes… but even Sesshoumaru couldn't presume to be perfect… even if he really did. Sabrya smiled, and was very surprised by it. She sighed, and resumed her work, arranging his departure. She'd given orders for his luggage to be taken care of, and she trusted that all would be in order in an hour or so. The plane was scheduled to take off in two hours, so they were running against time. It was a little past seven, but the sky was dark and clouded as if the middle of the night would have knocked on their door. Sabrya shook off the eerie feeling she got from the trees bending outside, under the wind's violent blows.

:---:

Only half an hour later, Sesshoumaru received Sabrya's confirmation of his plans, and the information that he was flying to Finland. He's been there before on several occasions, and he knew his way around Helsinki. It would be a good this to leave, he tried to convince himself. Alexis was, as far as he knew, still in his immediate proximity, and Sesshoumaru didn't care to fight against him anymore. He didn't care for anything, truth be told. He just wanted some peace, and since he could apparently have none in his own haven, he'd decided to find it someplace else.

A knock on the door made him turn from the window, as he gave permission to enter. Ethan stood in the doorframe, giving a bow, then announcing with his usual solemn tone:

"Sir Alexis asks to see you, Lord Sesshoumaru." The white haired demon frowned, but decided to talk with Alexis after all; making a promise to himself that he would keep it concise.

So he just nodded to his employee, saying nothing. Ethan backed away, and a minute later returned with Alexis. The door closed silently behind the green eyed vampire, who simply stared at Sesshoumaru for a few seconds, before even nodding slightly to him. Sesshoumaru could sense some amount of hostility in Alexis' stare, and he would have none of the vampire's scenes tonight. Tonight he would leave this place.

"Good evening." Alexis said, seeing as Sesshoumaru refused to be the one to start the conversation. He was rarely in that position. As a response Alexis, got a nod, and a narrowing of Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. The youkai knew this would bring nothing good, and a strange spark in his Sire's eyes confirmed his suspicions. Nonetheless, he waited. Patience wasn't one of his virtues although his indifference was often mistaken by it, but it was sometimes necessary.

"I see you are leaving." Alexis stepped closer to Sesshoumaru, who had his hands behind his back, in a calm but still imposing manner. His chin was slightly lifted, as it always was, giving him that arrogant look, a look enhanced by the immobility of his face and his aristocratic features. Sesshoumaru had been born royalty, and it showed through his every pore.

"I am." he decided to answer, but made no other attempt at engaging into a conversation with Alexis. The latter almost rolled his eyes back. Instead he tensed and felt anger sting at his nerves. Alexis had always been easy to provoke. He was too susceptible of giving in to his emotions, which was an uncharacteristic feature for a vampire. Sesshoumaru had asked himself an several occasions how the beautiful kindred managed to live this long, because Alexis was at least 1000 years old, as far as he knew, maybe even older. And yet, he still moved around in high circles, as opposed to the other vampires of his age, who preferred to seal themselves out of their people's sight, and seemingly indulge in bloody acts which lengthened their lives at the expense of their humanity.

Very old vampires were rumored to be using their childer to feed, practically absorbing all the childer's blood which was definitely against one of the Traditions, and to draw power from their bodies. Often, childer of an elder were forced to drink their Sire's blood on regular bases, thus turning them into slaves, due to the blood bond between the two. The elders were paranoid when it came to their rank, status in the society and they were constantly under the impression than one of his childer seeks his status. Alexis wasn't like that at all, although Sesshoumaru knew for a fact that the green eyed kindred now standing before him had other childer beside himself. He was wondering why Alexis had grown so fond of him, but decided it was not the time to think about that.

"Why have you come, Alexis?" Sesshoumaru asked slowly, his voice as steadfast as his stance. Alexis shook his head, walking to his childe and stopping only when Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in an obvious warning not to come closer.

"I heard you were all alone for a few days. Did the human finally die? Or did you Embrace her and you keep her out of sight?" Sesshoumaru couldn't tell if Alexis wanted the first to happen more that the latter. Either suited him, come to think of it, but the gold eyes didn't shift from their menacing expression. Alexis smiled, shadows lingering on his beautiful face revealing his cruel nature. Sesshoumaru was getting ready to cut this meeting short, when Alexis said:

"I think neither, my dear Sesshoumaru." The spark inside his evil stare made the demon clench his teeth.

"You broke the First Tradition, Sesshoumaru. What do you think our Prince would say about that? A kine is out there, knowing everything…"

"What do you want, Alexis?" Sesshoumaru cut his sentence, knowing that Alexis couldn't care less about the fact that Kagome knew about the vampires. He was far too selfish and guarded to care. The demon was right, his Sire did want something.

"How much do you value your life, Sesshoumaru?" Alexis asked, crossing his arms over his chest and shifting his weight on one leg. Sesshoumaru didn't answer right away, but dug his stare into those poisonous eyes.

"Not much, apparently." the youkai answered, knowing that Alexis had sensed this, anyway. The older vampire took another step, and Sesshoumaru raised his chin a little, but didn't back away. Alexis traced his clawed index finger down Sesshoumaru's throat, looking deploy into his eyes.

"I cannot believe you love her." Alexis said, after a long silent moment in which the depths of his childe's eyes had screamed the truth at him.

"I believe that is your own problem. My business is my own." Sesshoumaru replied coldly, trying not to start Alexis' rage. He knew who would come to suffer from this, and he had no intention of allowing any of it to happen. He would have to break another Tradition before he would see Kagome killed by his Sire. Nevertheless, he did not want another vampire's blood on his hands. He'd done enough killing already. Enough.

"Will I have to ask again, before you answer, Alexis? Why have you come?" Alexis stared at Sesshoumaru's mouth for a few seconds, in which the demon almost feared an outburst. His Sire would always start by trying to manipulate him, to convince him into another kiss, but without being disgusted by the thought, Sesshoumaru didn't love Alexis. Not in that way, not in any other way. He couldn't even pity him. He4 didn't know exactly what it was he felt for Alexis, but this was a bad time to ponder over a thing like this.

"I thought maybe you wanted to see me before you left, and before I left as well. I came to say goodbye." Alexis said, his calm voice somewhat surprising Sesshoumaru. Alexis rested his palm on the youkai's chest, tilting his head to one side.

"Are you going after her?" Sesshoumaru huffed on his nose. So this was his real question.

"No." Alexis was a little drawn back by this answer. He licked his lips and formed a shadowy smile with his lips.

"Do you not love her?" Sesshoumaru pressed his lips together, the only sign he showed that he was disturbed by the direction the conversation was going in. It was a subject he didn't care to get into with Alexis… or any other person.

"Is that what you meant to ask me, Alexis? Or was it: do I love you less that I love her?" Sesshoumaru's hand reached for the other vampire's palm and removed it from his chest. He didn't enjoy being touched. Alexis laughed nervously.

"Indeed, you always could read me, Sesshoumaru."

"It does not take much to read you, when it comes to your feelings towards me, Alexis."

"Of course. You should know." Alexis looked down at the floor, making Sesshoumaru wonder what he was thinking. He looked almost normal… like a human. A rejected human, who'd come to terms with his defeat. It was awkward; Alexis never cared to admit defeat.

"Have a safe trip, Sesshoumaru. I'll love you when you come back, as well. I trust you know this." His face was clear of any evil intent and his scent as well. Sesshoumaru thought he was being sincere. Alexis turned to leave, but Sesshoumaru had a twinge of heart at his last words.

"Wait." the demon said, as Alexis turned his back. The vampire looked the demon in the eye, smiling weakly, but with intent.

"Why?" Sesshoumaru asked, and Alexis frowned a little.

"Why do I love you?" the vampire raised his eyebrows and turned around again, facing his childe. Sesshoumaru nodded, not moving from his place. He was curious, now that Alexis seemed to let his guard down a little. He was curious why did he love him, why did Kagome love him? What was in him desirable, that another would love him for? Sesshoumaru could never understand why others found him attractive, he thought that the way he looked had something to do with it, but that didn't make sense, since he was aware of the fact that his personality was meant to discourage any further attempt to gain his affection.

He was always throwing judgment, he was arrogant, he knew it, he talked less than it was requested in order to be considered a pleasant company, and he always had a sarcastic and cutting reply at hand. His looks couldn't possibly make up for all that! It's not like he hated who he was, he was quite content with it actually, but that was just because he couldn't care less about the fact that he hurt others so often. Another wave in his personality less that agreeable to people… in general.

"Don't you know?" Alexis continued his ghostly smile. Sesshoumaru didn't think this question was meant to be answered.

"You're nothing like me, Sesshoumaru. So wise, and yet so naïve. So old and yet so young… So strong and yet… Tell me, how long before you will rid yourself of this weakness? Until this human woman dies? I would kill her if that would make you stronger, Sesshoumaru. But it won't. Neither her death, nor her life will strengthen you. Both hurt you constantly, equally and unwaveringly. Can you not see?" Alexis passed his fingers through Sesshoumaru's white tresses.

"You've ran from this so long, and now that you've realized your mistake, it is too late. I want to love you, I want to be with you because you are so different" his hand traced Sesshoumaru's still lips, and his chin "… because you are so beautiful it hurts to look at you, because you are the only one that's ever made me think twice… Because when I'm with you, I am better." Alexis came closer, but Sesshoumaru didn't make any gesture to stop him or to back away. So the Sire kissed his childe on the corner of his perfect mouth, as his heart bled at the stillness of Sesshoumaru's body. Alexis would have given anything in this world for the beautiful Lord to kiss him back, by his own choice. But Sesshoumaru never did, not ever, and especially not now that he loved that woman.

Alexis rested his forehead against Sesshoumaru's, whose gold eyes were half shut with sorrow. Alexis shivered once, strongly, and closed his arms around Sesshoumaru's form. The demon thought his Sire was crying, but his reason rejected this thought. Still, he stuck his fingers into Alexis' long thick hair, and his other arm came to rest on the vampire's back. This embrace was a little more than Sesshoumaru would have thought to be proper, but Alexis seemed very distressed, and Sesshoumaru knew nothing but this would soothe him. It was just a fool's play though, because the Lord had no intention of going any further with it.

Just as Sesshoumaru began to part from him, Alexis searched for his mouth, his eyes closed and his lips slightly parted. His entire body craved for this kiss, the kiss that Sesshoumaru had never given him freely. The Lord backed a little, but Alexis stuck his claws in the back of his neck, moaning silently. Alexis whispered, fire raging out of his words.

"You never loved me." Sesshoumaru felt something break inside himself, like a mirror falling onto concrete, and shattering into millions of bits and pieces. Alexis' pain was real, his love was real, and Sesshoumaru didn't know how to react to it.

"I never pretended to." he finally said. Alexis let his mind scream at him, let his rage slip away, and passed his fingers over Sesshoumaru's mouth. His green eyes made a powerful contrast with the black hair over his face, and the Lord found himself staring at those green depths, without even knowing why. He stared more and more avidly, losing the track of time, losing his will and his words inside those eyes.

"Love me, Sesshoumaru." Alexis whispered, over the demon's lips. Sesshoumaru heard a far cry inside his mind, a sorrow coming from somewhere far away and tearing at him not to give in. He couldn't understand it, but something drew him back. Alexis was looking into his eyes, and it burnt him, it called to him to do as his Sire asked. Love him… but how? A feeling wasn't born like this! He couldn't simply will himself into loving Alexis.

"Kiss me." the words made Sesshoumaru want to follow the order, they made him want it, although in some amount, he knew he hadn't before. He realized what Alexis was trying to do, and didn't break eye contact, but he didn't show he'd realized it either.

Slowly, he raised Alexis' chin, catching his jaw with his fingers. He passed his thumb over the full lips, and closed the distance, licking Alexis' mouth slowly, with the tip of his tongue. The older vampire shivered under Sesshoumaru's touch, but remained still. Sesshoumaru caught his lips gradually, and slid his tongue inside Alexis' mouth rapidly, pulling the vampire towards him almost violently. Alexis whimpered at the sudden movement, but responded to the kiss. It was all he wanted. Finally, Sesshoumaru had given into his wish.

But as he pulled back, Sesshoumaru whispered over Alexis' mouth:

"Don't you dare hurt her." The bees stung at Alexis' heart as he saw how much his childe cared for a human. A vessel, nothing more. Alexis pushed Sesshoumaru back and licked his lips.

"I'll try." he answered, as his mind was racing. He wanted to find some way to get rid of the woman without Sesshoumaru realizing it had been him the one who killed her. For now, Alexis was content with the improvement in Sesshoumaru's attitude. He had a pot to build from. Maybe Kagome wasn't useless, after all. She could be the point zero for his relationship with Sesshoumaru. Maybe. The vampire saw hope for his dreams, and smiled. Sesshoumaru, however, still had a firm grip on his neck, and was waiting for a suitable answer.

"Alright. I won't kill her." Alexis said, and Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. Again, that awkward feeling that Alexis was being sincere.

'Strange.' Sesshoumaru thought, as he let go of his Sire. He didn't have a choice but to take Alexis' word for it, but he decided to keep an eye on Kagome anyway, at least for the time it took her to lose interest in him, for as long as it took her to forget Sesshoumaru-sama, the one who knocked her life upside down. Sesshoumaru almost hoped that time would come soon, for her sake.

Alexis backed away from Sesshoumaru and nodded.

"Goodbye for now." Sesshoumaru didn't answer, so the dark haired vampire turned and left. The silence behind him fell heavy on Sesshoumaru's heart. He thought about the reason of that kiss. He'd kissed Alexis again, more or less against his wish. Did he pity his Sire? Had that been the reason? Did he want a guarantee that Kagome will be safe, and so he manipulated Alexis? Sesshoumaru didn't know. Maybe a little of both.

He closed his eyes and turned to the window, his head downcast. As he looked outside, he felt the sudden urge to see her face again. To hear her voice. To smell her tears, anything if that meant she was here. But she was gone, and it had been he who drove her away.

"All for the best." he said to himself, and leaned against the window frame, his forehead caught in his palm.

"We must leave, Sesshoumaru-sama." Sabrya's clear voice came from the open door. Sesshoumaru nodded without eying the young hanyou woman.

"Of course." he whispered, so silently that Sabrya couldn't catch his words. But she did catch the sad look in his eyes as he passed by her and into Muncaster's dark hallway. His shoulders weren't as stiff; his head wasn't as high up as always, and his walk not as determined.

Sabrya wanted to tear these people to shreds. They pretended to love him, but they only killed him little by little. Sesshoumaru's life was a constant torment due to this woman and now this… man. She had the impression Alexis was a vampire as well.

As she drove the car to the airport, Sabrya snuck peeks in the rearview mirror at the silent Lord, who hadn't said a word since he'd exited the castle. She hated the expression on his face. He was sad; he was brought down and tired. She could cry because of how he felt like. But he never said a word.

The car sped up on the road, and the rain began to pour down ahead of them, hitting the windshield with rage. Sesshoumaru's eyes were focused ahead, but he saw nothing, and heard nothing on the stormy night.

:---: