Thanks so much to those who have read and reviewed this so far! I really appreciate the feedback. Not to mention it makes me write faster lol. Seriously, you guys are great motivators. This chapter allows us the first glimpse into Aiko's mind and a few hints at her powers. YAY! This part is a little bit scary for me because you guys get to really take a good look at my OC (nerve wracking, I tell you!). I want to make her into a character that we can relate to but I also want her to be flippin' awesome! So I'm walking a fine line here. Anyway, enjoy!

"There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don't need a bedroom to prove my womanliness.I can convey just as much sex appeal, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain."
— Audrey Hepburn

"That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfeast cereals based on color instead of taste."
— John Green (Paper Towns)

"The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only."
— Victor Hugo (Les Misérables)


CHAPTER START

Aiko wasn't too worried about removing her weapons. She had sensed mild hostility coming only from the wolf demon when she first stepped into the cave, but it had dissipated quickly as she introduced herself to him personally. She knew few people, human, demon or otherwise would bother to resist the pull to trust and calmness she had put into her voice. She winced inwardly. She didn't like using that particular skill of hers, especially on those she considered allies. But the demons were all on edge and she didn't want to risk discord among such a newly joined group. She took comfort in knowing that lulling someone into a calm state was all it would or could do with that level of compulsion; and that it was fairly easily broken if one actually bothered. She knew most didn't though.

Even with the mild compulsion though, she was slow to remove her cloak. It was doused in an old handy piece of magic that concealed her scent while worn. Aiko's personal scent had a tendency to be attractive to those with sensitive noses; part of the allure of the forest in her. But, as she had discussed with Kagome only days before, demons didn't like it when they couldn't smell something they could see. So she risked it . . . and realized the effects almost immediately. Kagome and Inuyasha were ready for it, so nothing much from them. The mated pair, Daichi and Kotoko she recalled, found it pleasant -much in the way humans like certain fragrances- but nothing more.

The unmated males in the room however were the concern. The wolf demon -Koga- definitely smelled something he liked, but it was dampened by guilt.

Probably still getting over Kagome. Aiko thought.

Yes she knew the story. She and Kagome talked often and had relayed stories of travel, love and heartache. He wouldn't be much of a problem, but it would still be a good idea to keep her professional face on around him. Men had the most peculiar way of interpreting a kind smile or a friendly word entirely the wrong way. Koga's reaction was fairly standard. Part of Aiko - the part that hated complications - silently bemoaned the source of her powers, and wished a naturally chaotic world wasn't so attracted to that which maintained natural order.

When her emotional feelers turned their attention to Sesshomaru about a half-dozen red flags were thrown up. His reaction was unusual to say the least. And down-right frightening if she were truthful. He had been attracted to her the moment her hood had come off; his reaction to her voice was especially strange considering she had put no compulsion into it when speaking to him. His emotional state was calm and calculating. She could handle that without compulsion. But she wasn't ready for the waves of attraction, possessiveness, and confusion from the naturally cold demon.

Much the same thing happened after she removed her cloak, only about ten times worse. Her logical side reasoned that smell was a particularly important sensory input for dog youkai and his over-the-top reaction was normal for him. Part of her was quickly calculating whether or not she could keep him at bay should he attack her. And the very feminine part of her - she wished she could say a small part, but no - relished in the reaction she could get from this powerful, attractive demon lord.

Aiko inwardly frowned and firmly smacked her hormones.

I've been living on my own for way too long.

Nothing would come of it. She could sense his confusion and determination to ignore her more feminine qualities. Aiko's hormones scoffed at her and seemed to decide right then and there that they would do everything in their power to snap his control. Aiko groaned inwardly when she recalled what she had decided during her recon earlier that day.

This is really going to suck.

Almost as though she had projected her thoughts to her friend, Kagome chose that moment to ask her what she had found out. Aiko saw Kagome smirk out of the corner of her eye. A horrifying thought occurred to her in that moment.

She knows.

God, that miko could be so evil sometimes.

CHAPTER END


Shorter, I know. But the last chapter was longer than most of them are going to be so I guess it all pans out. I suppose you've all noticed by now, but I plan on using both the English and Japanese terms for certain things like titles (youkai, demon, Taiyoukai, demon lord). Let me know if that gets confusing. I've seen it work in other fictions and it feels right to me, but I am a bit biased in this. How are you all liking Aiko so far? Just an FYI I do plan on both Aiko and Sesshy being particularly stubborn in this (less so than Inu and Kags, but still . . . )

Stay tuned for the next installment! We will be getting a little more into the plot next time.