-Love For A Demon-

That night.

Mio leans over placing a cool rag on Rin's forehead, she sighs saying: why aren't you waking up, she folds her hands on her lap poking her lower lip out in slight annoyance. She looks toward the kitchen door, Lana had been working on cleaning a chicken for the last hour, Mio looks down when her stomach growls.

"I'm hungry…" she mutters looking at Rin again, seeing Rin this way made her wonder, if Rin was in this condition what about Aya. Mio even knew that Aya didn't know her limit, she pushed and pushed to find something that no one else could see but her. Mio had been very young when Aya had first come to Yurime, she could remember the villager's reaction to the snappy demoness, they didn't want her to stay but she was so hurt. Blood trailed behind her and her eyes were darkening with the shadow of death, Mio had thought Aya so strange. One moment she hated them and the next she craved their attention, Mio remembered the day she and Lana had befriended Aya. Their mother had cooked a large meal so Lana wanted to bring some to the demon who lived in the shed at the end of town.

"No Lana don't she might hurt you!"

Lana yanked away from her and trudged through the autumn leaves to the demon's keep, Mio only trailed behind because while she was afraid she was also curious. Lana tapped lightly on the door, now Mio could see her trembling, she was afraid as well but for some reason she wanted to reach out the pariah of the town.

"What is it?"

Aya opened the door peering down at the girls with harsh eyes, her nose was turned up and lips in a taught line, without a word Lana lifted the food up to Aya who for a second lost her composure, she sighs saying: thank you child. She takes the bundle of food sniffing it shortly before letting out a noise of disgust, Lana lowers her head saying: my mama made it, Mio nods saying: mm hmm. Aya sighs saying: then…, she hands it back to Lana, she puts her hand to the door saying: you keep it, she turns to close the door but Lana rushes in. Aya pauses saying: you…what do you want, Lana looked on the brink of tears now.

"A-aren't you hungry?"

Aya shakes her head saying: no, Lana walks around her touching Aya's stomach gently but Aya slaps her hand away.

"Don't."

Mio whimpers saying: Lana please….

Lana lowers her head saying: I am sorry, Aya glares at the girl but then she looks at Mio, her eyes turn sad.

"You are sisters?"

Lana nods and Aya falls to the floor looking at her hands, she points to the door saying: please go, Lana frowns saying: your hair, Aya had come to the village with gorgeous raven locks, hair that would make the very gods jealous but now it lay at her chin and her bangs were long and covering her eyes slightly.

"You wouldn't understand child."

Lana cocks her head saying: mama cuts my hair every few months…says so it can be healthy, Aya looks at her with obvious disdain, she snatches the bundle away saying: are you happy now? Lana nods saying: I hope you enjoy it my mother is the best cook in town, Aya nods saying: all children believe that about their mother's, Lana blushes and Aya sighs saying: thank you. Mio grabs Lana's hand whispering: let's leave Lana, Lana shakes her hand away and Aya grabs their hands, she places them back together saying: treasure one another…you never know how much time…you have left together. Lana looks down at Mio and Mio at Lana, Lana nods to Aya and they move toward the door holding tight to each other, Aya watches them go with tears filling her eyes.

Months later, Lana and Mio lay in Aya's lap crying for their dead mother, their relationship grew from there. Aya took on the role of mentor, sister, and sort of a mother.

Mio looks at the kitchen doors again, she could tell that Lana was feeling it as well, maybe even worse. Lana had so much love for Aya, she looked up to her though they bickered every now and then. Aya was the usual demon at times, but most times she showed them warmth that they only had ever felt from their mother. Mio buries her face in her hands when she feels tears beginning to surface but she pulls her hands away abruptly when she hears the chopping in the kitchen stop.

"Ay where are you," Lana sighs looking at the butchered chicken before her, she didn't understand. Aya had gone on her trips and sometimes disappeared for months but for no one to know where she was…. Lana looks at the window before her, hopefully the demon lord could find her.

All of the mistakes I've made.

Maybe…

Maybe I've been given a chance to make them right?

Aya looks at the sky, snow fell steadily from it and began to cover her body, the airy feeling was disappearing and being replaced by guilt and she didn't know why. The high she'd been on was fading and now the world was just becoming a colorless mess, she shudders letting out a sigh. The night had become her time to think, to try to sort out everything that had been happening to her, one moment she was hurt and angry…the next hopeful…and now she was hurt…angry…and sad.

I thought that having Mio back would fulfill me….

But I….

In these past years I've created a new life for myself….

One that for some reason…she does not want a part of….

"Oh Lady Inukimi where do you think he is!?"

Aya looks up, she knew that voice. She closes her eyes smiling to herself, they wouldn't find her and if they did…what could they do?

Inukimi sighs saying: my son is such an annoyance why leave and not tell anyone where you were going, she shakes her head saying: and now we're out here in this horrible snow, she sniffs at the air saying: and I smell a demon nearby. Jaken gasps saying: maybe it is the lord, Inukimi shakes her head saying: maybe…smells similar but then again it also holds the smell of that woman he says isn't his mate. She turns her head in the direction of the smell, she gasps when she sees a tall mound in the snow.

"Could this be?"

She walks over to the mound and it moves suddenly, Aya opens her eyes to the sight of an older female dog demon, Inukimi bends down before Aya saying: you are the one aren't you.

"The one?"

Jaken runs over saying: she is, he glares at her saying: the lord is worried sick about you foolish woman, Aya sneers at him but she looks at Inukimi saying: what do you want with me? Inukimi looks her over saying: what are you doing out here this way…are you trying to die, Aya laughs at this.

"I wish…"

She looks at the snow now saying: I must go, she stands turning to leave, Inukimi stands as well.

"Sesshomaru is looking for you."

Aya looks back at her saying: for what…, Inukimi frowns saying: that man you are with…he is not your brother. Aya looks ahead saying: you don't know what you are saying, Inukimi shakes her head saying: it is Uryen…an evil demon who for some reason is fooling you…that demon you are with is not your sister…she is a trick…he is keeping you for a reason. Aya looks down at the snow.

This woman…she speaks nonsense….

Aya begins to walk and Inukimi growls saying: did you hear me, Jaken backs away saying: Mi'lady, Aya ignores the woman closing her eyes.

"You cannot go back to him."

Aya peeks an eye open saying: and who will stop me, Inukimi glares at her now saying: are you challenging me, Aya smiles saying: I feel challenged. Aya turns to her saying: what have you heard about me, she grabs the hilt of her katana smiling at Inukimi, Inukimi shakes her head saying: not much…but that doesn't matter to me, Aya nods saying: and you won't get the chance to…I will show you myself. Inukimi glares at her but her glare softens when Sesshomaru appears behind Aya, he wraps his arm around her waist saying: what are you doing, she turns to him her eyes cold.

"About to take care of the one you sent out for me."

He shakes his head saying: I came for you alone, she tries to pull away now but he holds her steady, she lowers her gaze.

"I suggest you let me go," she whispers, he shakes his head as he looks her over, her kimono was stained with dry blood the same blood that had once been on Rin.

"She refuses to listen," Inukimi says folding her arms, Jaken nods saying: talk some sense into her Mi'lord, Aya snorts saying: please. Sesshomaru looks at Jaken saying: be quiet, Jaken whimpers going to hide behind Inukimi who shakes her head. Sesshomaru looks Aya in the eyes, they were still red and dull but behind them he could see a hint of her usual colors.

"What did he do to you?"

She glares at him saying: he gave me my family back…my happiness, Sesshomaru frowns when she pushes her right hand into his face. A black stone was embedded in her hand, she laughs saying: this…this allows me to be with them, he grabs her by the wrist saying: this is a lie…, she yanks her hand away saying: no…this is what my life was supposed to be. Sesshomaru yanks her closer saying: Aya…let me take it out, she suddenly unsheathes her katana swinging it at him, Sesshomaru jumps back narrowly escaping death, she holds up the katana saying: you stay away from me. He narrows his eyes saying: Aya, she shakes her head putting her katana over shoulder.

"No words from you," she says almost teasingly as she walks past him, Sesshomaru grabs her around the waist again and she growls slouching over slightly.

"You have ten seconds to let me go," she whispers looking back at him, he pulls her against him saying: Rin wants you…home, she turns to him saying: home…tell me Sesshomaru where is that? He doesn't answer her, she nods saying: with my family…now…go leave me alone.

He glares at her saying: Aya, she laughs saying: go away puppy…I have no need for someone like you, she smirks saying: this is funny really…don't think I've forgotten what was said…but to make me listen to you…you're trying to manipulate me into going with you. Sesshomaru growls lightly as if to make her stop but she shrugs saying: time's up, Mio drops from the tree above them onto Jaken. He squeals trying to crawl from under her but she plops onto his back making him scream again.

"Ay you were taking so long," Mio whispers poking the toad demon in the head, Inukimi glares down at her saying: you abomination, Mio quirks a brow saying: what's that? Mio stands allowing Jaken to squeeze out from between her legs, she folds her arms saying: why won't you let her leave, Sesshomaru looks at Mio his eyes turning red.

"Aya…you are not going with her," he growls pushing Aya aside, she laughs saying: what are you going to do, Inukimi's eyes dart around the small clearing, this did not seem to be making itself into a good situation. In fact things seemed to be going down an ugly road. Sesshomaru draws his sword saying: Aya don't get in my way, she glares at him saying: wha-, before she could finish the eerie calm of the clearing is interrupted by a loud clangs and grunts, Jaken is the first to realize what had happened.

"You evil wench how dare you!? Mi'lord? Mi'lord?! Are you ok!?"

Aya stood above Sesshomaru with her blade embedded in his shoulder, she yanks it out saying: I told you to stay away, Mio chuckles saying: told you so…. She shakes her head.

Sesshomaru rises to his feet wincing at the pain in his shoulder, Aya glances at him from the corner of her eye.

"I suggest you keep away Sesshomaru, next time I won't miss."

"You evil witch!"

Jaken rushes toward her but Sesshomaru knocks him away, Aya sighs.

"It is not fatal but it could have been," she mutters when Mio walks over to her, Mio glares up at Sesshomaru saying: he's so silly…she does not want anything to do with you.

"Sesshomaru you shouldn't hold back not now. You care for her? Take care of her and nurse her back to health when all is said and done," Inukimi says glaring at Aya now. Aya cocks her head when Sesshomaru glowers at Inukimi. She sighs saying: the silent strong type hmm, she sheathes her katana saying: look…we don't have to fight. Mio looks up at Aya in confusion, Aya presses her hand against Sesshomaru's shoulder and she smiles when he flinches.

"You're in pain…admit it."

She sighs lowering her head.

"Just say what is on your mind you silly man," she mutters with her eyes darting across the ground.

"Ay?"

Aya looks back at Mio who now tugs at her kimono, Mio points to the sky saying: morning will be here soon…don't you think we should be getting back to Kize. Aya nods saying: yes, but as she goes to turn Sesshomaru reaches out for Mio, Aya drops to her knee jerking her steel fan into his stomach opening it, the blades of the fan dig deeply into his stomach. Sesshomaru lets out a choked breath when she rips her fans out of his body Inukimi growls at Aya saying: Sesshomaru either you handle her or I will.

Aya stands turning to him, he now looked absolutely angry but his eyes were on Mio who now hid behind Aya's leg, she grimaces when he falls away from her.

"Tell me. Why do you not fight back?"

She walks around his body bending down next to him.

Though he has no color.

I feel differently about him…it's strange really.

One minute it's hate…the next…something else.

If only he would stop attacking us though.

She sighs saying: take care of yourself, she stands taking Mio's hand, Inukimi growls when Aya and Mio disappear into the morning fog. She turns to Sesshomaru saying: look at you…hurt…over some woman, she walks over to him dropping down beside him.

"Though you look pitiful, I've never been so proud of you."

He looks at her and she nods.

"All of this…for a woman. One you claim you don't care about. One that just could of ended your life but did not. I would say that this is a two-way road of strange feelings."

She laughs saying: and to think I almost chalked it up as you being one of the strange ones, he glares at her and she laughs even more.

"Jaken get your love-sick lord some medicinal herbs so that we may take him to get himself together."

"No."

Sesshomaru struggles to sit up and Inukimi gasps saying: no you lay back down right now, he ignores her getting slowly to his feet.

"Aya…is with him now…I cannot rest."

Inukimi sighs saying: you know Sesshomaru…I've seen men do the craziest things for love but this is madness, he shakes his head saying: I have to put an end to Uryen…we have our own battle.

Inukimi purses her lips.

"You must learn to lie better."

She stands to her feet saying: what will you do, Sesshomaru looks at the sky saying: that castle is around here somewhere I just need to find it. She sighs saying: at least let me dress your wounds, he goes to protest but she shakes her head saying: don't be a fool. He sits down again and she nods saying: I will return soon, she grabs Jaken by the ear pulling him along.

Sesshomaru watches the sky trying to ignore the pain in his torso, he snorts when he thinks back to Inukimi's earlier words, he owed no explanation to anyone. He and Aya had their own conversation to have, away from the prying eyes and needy ears of the people that surrounded them. If only he could get close enough without her snapping at him, it would be hard but he needed to get rid of that small shadow. The one masquerading itself as Aya's sister, once that was done he'd go after Uryen, with Aya's help or not but he would not allow her to stay that way. Even if he had to chain her to the wall in the tower of his castle….

Sesshomaru curses to himself.

"She is right…all of this…over one woman."

Next Chapter: Perversion.