A/N: Sorry it took so long, but as you can see this one is extra long. Plus I got caught in a mild case of Spock-love. Did you see the Star-Trek movie? I've got to tell, you, I've never seen the shows but I loved this movie! And I don't care how horribly geeky it makes me, I luuuuuurve that version of Spock. He just so cold, and stoic and secretly vulnerable! (Sort of like some other fictional character we all love.) Ha ha. No seriously, he's totally Big Girly Sigh worthy. All right, I'll stop now. Here's chapter nine! Hope you enjoy. Also, to keep you titillated (hehe, I love that word), next week's issue will contain a little adult-type touching. Probably... Well, almost certainly. I'm pretty sure. We'll see how Sesshomaru takes my prodding.

Nine

"And then he threw me in the water!" I threw my hands up in the air to express my disgust.

"He…Sesshomaru threw you into the water?"

"Yes! And then he growled at me to finish bathing and left!" I huffed indignantly. "I don't understand him at all." I kicked my bare toes in the grass. I was still wrapped in Sesshomaru's kimono. Kagome and the others had shown up not too long after I had finished bathing. Which is a good thing because I hadn't seen the pompous ass around at all since the bath episode. Honestly, did he expect me to just obey whatever he said? I would think he would want me to make sure he didn't end up dead were someone trying to kill me. I didn't see what the fuss was about. After all, he had been the one to find out how he could be rid of me in the first place, I thought grumpily.

"Heh, poor baka!" Inuyasha gleefully interjected. "He's all turned around! This is perfect!"

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked. She was busy taping a bandage on my neck. Apparently, the bottomless pit she called a backpack also contained a first aid kit with everything from menstrual supplies to suture needles and morphine. It was a mystery where she got the morphine. I had refused her offer to put ointment on the wound. I had magical demon spit after all.

"His instincts are messing him up! He's mated to Kodi and his Inu instincts aren't letting him forget it." Inuyasha then proceeded to laugh like a loon.

"I still don't understand."

"He's an inuyoukai. Inu demons are notoriously possessive…" Miroku murmured thoughtfully.

"Especially concerning mates," Sango added.

"So even though a part of him doesn't want Kodi as his mate…" Kagome said.

"His Inu side is fighting him about it and trying to take care of you because it thinks of you as his mate," Sango sighed.

"It's sort of romantic," Kagome mused.

"No it's not," all of us save the monk and the children answered her.

It wasn't romantic at all. I chewed viciously on a strip of beef jerky. In fact it was kind of insulting. What was I? Some kind of ratty old dog toy Sesshomaru couldn't get rid of simply because he was a possessive prick? Well speak of the devil. Said possessive prick stepped silently out of the trees, two bundles wrapped in cloth under his arm. The girls chatter stopped dramatically when they noticed his change in attire, or rather his lack of it. His thin inner kosode did nothing to disguise the fact that he was fit as hell underneath his usually bellowing clothes.

"Oh wow. Kodi you weren't kidding," Kagome breathed next to me. I flushed and hoped Sesshomaru didn't hear her. Or at the least that he didn't understand. Of course I had told the girls how nice (hot) Sesshomaru had looked while in his white, damp inner kimono. I sensed a furious growl from Inuyasha as Kagome eyed his brother. Sango merely cleared her throat and looked away. Rin toddled out of the trees after him with Ah-Un and the rest of his… er, pack.

"Er, what are these?" Sesshomaru had dropped the bundles in front of me and seemed to be waiting for something. I rolled my eyes and unwrapped them. Ooh! New Kimono. My inner girly, girl squealed as I looked it over.

It was a light gray this time. With bright yellow flowers bordering an elegant black crane on the left side. Another cluster of the flowers were scattered along the neckline. Again, I had no idea where he had gotten such a nice kimono but I didn't really care either way. The other bundle was just as good. Food! Red bean buns, and sweet pork filled onigiri. I was halfway through one of the buns before I realized Sesshomaru was still standing over me. Except now he had an impatient scowl on his face.

"Er… oh! Sorry, thanks for the new clothes and the food," I took another bite. Sesshomaru merely lifted and eyebrow and waited. I brushed absently at the crumbs that fell on the pristine, white sleeve. White… pristine… not mine. Oh, right.

"Sorry! I'll change really quick," I dashed into the trees and slipped on the new kimono. It slid against my skin like water. Ah, nothing like luxurious silk. I shook out the folds in Sesshomaru's kimono and walked back into the clearing.

"Its still a bit damp," I handed the kimono to Sesshomaru.

He curled his lip, "Hnn." He took it while holding it between his fingertips like it was something dirty. I rolled my eyes at the drama. It was hard to take offense at someone after they had showed so much (weird, and completely absurd) concern for you. Not to mention the sponge bath, even it was abbreviated by him pushing me into the water.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at me, "We will be leaving tomorrow morning."

"Oh? Where are we going now? Is there somewhere else I need to get injured? Some new giant deformed thing that needs to try and eat me?" I asked as I walked back to the group around the fire, careful to keep the hem of my kimono from dragging.

"Hnn," Sesshomaru replied noncommittally. Apparently, he wasn't feeling talkative tonight. I glanced around the field. If Sesshomaru was here and we did seem to be going somewhere else tonight, then Jaken… ah, there he was.

"Yo! Jaken, whats the plan His Mighty-Ass-ness seems so eager to share?" Jaken blinked at me like a green dear in headlights. I smiled gamely; unaware of the unwavering "tell me now lower being" glint I was sending him. Jaken shot a frantic look at Sesshomaru who turned away and flicked his fingers negligently, which Jaken apparently took as acquiescence.

"Th-there is a demon near here. His powers may be helpful with your er… m-mating."

I shot a baleful glance at Sesshomaru. Like that was so hard to say?

"What kind of demon is he?"

"Snake," he answered quickly and then busied himself with toad lackey stuff.

"Kodi? I really like having you around. Its so interesting!" Kagome smiled gaily. Inuyasha "keh'd."

I smiled and smothered a yawn. Rin had sat down near me. She leaned her head against my arm and I slipped her a red bean bun. And we busied ourselves with catching up with each other as the sun sank in the sky.

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"And then we played fetch!" I gestured grandly and Rin burst into giggles. Probably caught up with the image of Sesshomaru chasing after sticks. A low growl warned me Sesshomaru was getting annoyed with my slightly exaggerated tales of doggy heroics. I smiled and subsided with a tired sigh. The ache in my neck had dulled to a throb, but it was also now accompanied by a persistent itch as it healed beneath its scabbing faster than was normal. Inu spit, who knew? I tugged at the bandage, ignoring the disapproving frown Sesshomaru flashed me as I tugged at it. Kagome and the rest had long since settled down in their respective sleeping bags and trees. Rin had been very awake however so I had stayed up with her. The stress of the day had been wearing on me however and Rin was still going strong. I smothered a yawn in my fist as Rin chattered on about her day. I rubbed my hand over my neck and smiled down at her. I blinked and suddenly Sesshomaru was right there. He crouched over me as the world tilted drunkenly.

"I think its time for me to sleep," I mumbled. Rin nodded and scurried over to her sleeping spot.

Sesshomaru gave one short nod and sat down against a nearby tree. Obviously a creature of habit.

"Do you ever sleep lying down?" I mumbled as I pulled myself up and curled up near him on a blanket.

"Hnn."

I rolled my eyes and pulled the collar of my kimono higher up around my ears in a bid for warmth. I yelped as the weight of Sesshomaru's pelt was thrown over me.

"Thanks," I muttered.

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"Wow, isn't this a little gauche?"

"Sesshomaru-sama's home is ten times more grand than this," Jaken answered promptly.

I grimaced and looked up at Sesshomaru, "Is it really or is he doing that flattery nonsense he likes to do?"

Sesshomaru looked down at me as we came to the entrance of the estate. He ignored my question, "You will not disrespect me while we are here ningen, do you understand? In fact it is best if you don't speak at all."

"Not speak? Why not?"

"You are human, and you are female, and you are prone to say unnecessary and impertinent things. That is reason enough."

"Female?" I ignored the rest for now. "Female? What does being female have to do with it?!"

Sesshomaru's answer was cut off as a servant appeared from down the hall, but I thought I saw something resembling amusement in his eyes before he turned away. I scowled and followed. We came into a receiving room and I blinked at the man sitting on cushions before us.

He had silver hair also, but instead of the almost white of Sesshomaru's hair his was a dark steel grey. He was slim but not effeminately so. He smiled at us and sharp fangs glinted at me. I self-consciously tugged on my curls and smiled back. Sesshomaru shot me a startled look before looking back at the snake.

"Sesshomaru-sama! What brings you here my Lord?" the snake asked, still smiling. He shot me a considering look and I quickly averted my eyes from where they were ogling the exposed vee of chest the snake was revealing in his loose kimono. Sesshomaru frowned.

"Ayame, I've come to call in a favor."

"Yes, well, I suppose I owe you enough," Ayame grinned and motioned for us to be seated. I folded myself into the formal kneeling position as Sesshomaru did the same. Another servant came in to pour tea and artfully arrange plates filled with pretty little cakes. "Does this favor have anything to do with this little girl you've brought with you?"

My head shot up and I narrowed my eyes at the obnoxious man. Who was he calling little? The snake was grinning at me.

"Hnn. This girl and I have been mated. I want the mating to be broken."

Ayame's gaze grew considering, "Really? How interesting." He stood and came around the low table to stand over me. "Do you mind?" He held out his hand to help me to my feet . Once I stood next to him he tilted my head to the side and held my hair back. I felt his thumb run over the tattoo. I had removed the bandage this morning. Sesshomaru's healing methods were amazingly affective and although the skin was still pale and sore in some places the mark was already visible once more.

"How interesting," Ayame murmured again. "Rather primitive isn't it? Practically a brand of ownership. The spell itself seems to be very simple, but the results…" Ayame turned to Sesshomaru, his hand still rested on my neck and I shifted awkwardly, "Will you stay here tonight? I may need time to figure out how to go about breaking this spell."

"Hnn," he answered slowly. He was looking at Ayame's grasp on my neck with an supremely bored look on his face.

Ayame smiled, "Lovely. Well, lets eat then shall we?" He released me, but not without allowing his fingers to glide across my shoulder.

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He was decidedly uncomfortable. Agitated without due cause. Ayame was not doing anything untoward toward the girl. There were no obvious overtures or innappropiate touches. In fact, his mate and the snake were sitting rather far from eachother, on opposite sides of the table. Their plates were'nt even touching. It was only that Ayame kept making the girl smile! Once, he had even caught the girl blushing at the snake.

Uncomfortable, he was merely uncomfortable. After all, the girl was not a girl to be possessive over. Furthermore, she was a ningen with no great beauty when compared to the female youkai him and Ayame both knew. Her coloring was strange for a human, as were her facial features. Ayame would certainly never be interested in pursuing the… a quiet growl vibrated the tea he held. Ayame had just laughingly wiped a rice kernel from the girls lips with his napkin. And the girl was blushing again!

Ayame had glanced up at the growl. It had been to low for Kodi to hear so she merely continued shoveling her rice into her mouth. Ayame cocked his eyebrow with a grin. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes in return. Ayame wisely retracted his hand, even if he was still smiling.

"Ah Sesshomaru-sama, here it is. I had my cook prepare some meat for you. I know how you like the beef here," Ayame waved the servant over and she set a large platter onto the table. It was absolutely piled with artfully arranged strips of red meat. The meat itself was raw and thinly sliced. The mixed smells of meat and herbs wafted from the table.

"Hnn. My thanks Ayame," he gracefully caught a slice between the tips of his claws and raised it to his lips, enjoying the burst of flavor when he bit into it. He grew uncomfortable when he realized the girl was watching him avidly. Her eyes were gazing at his mouth and her lips were parted slightly. He frowned and she snapped her eyes back up to his own.

"That smells really good," she said.

"I was under the impression that humans prefer their meat to have the flavor cooked out of it."

"Actually, that just depends on the culture. Also, where I'm from lots of people eat their meat rare, which is a when it is seared on the outside to infuse the meat with the flavor of the spices and herbs and whatnot, and leave the inside red and juicy. But this looks good too. It seems the herbs were made into a paste of some sort? To help it to adhere to the meat. Ooh, and I smell lemon in there!"

Sesshomaru couldn't help but to blink incredulously at her sudden burst of words. He sniffed discretely; yes, there was lemon.

"You may try it if you wish," he offered. This was a test as he didn't really think she would. She was human after all and from his experience humans tended to balk at trying new things, especially when they considered those things distasteful, such as raw meat. She immediately extended her hand and picked up a piece between her fingers, attempting to mimic how he had held the meat between his claws. He waited for her to find a way out of it and was surprised when she slid it into her mouth without hesitation. He watched her white teeth (also unusual for most human peasants, but on this point he wasn't complaining) bite through the center, her tongue darting out lick away a speck of spice from the corner of her lips. It grew unaccountably warm. He watched her eyes close and her lips curl in pleasure. A quiet sound of delight hummed in her throat as she chewed and swallowed. Warmer, much warmer.

Her eyes popped open, "That was so good. My compliments to you chef Ayame." Her gaze swung back to Sesshomaru and narrowed in concern, "Are you OK Sessho? You look a little flushed."

He frowned and addressed the safe portion of that question, "Do not call me Sessho."

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"Ah!" I fell backward and rolled across the blankets, a gleeful laugh bouncing off the walls. A bed! A real bed! Well, a futon, but still! It was soft and had pillows and it was inside, and there were no disapproving sometimes amber, sometimes red eyes to disapprove criticize me. So I rolled around and laughed. A quiet cough jerked my eyes up to meet the eyes of a stern faced servant.

"Um… have you tried these beds? They're amazing!" I smiled gamely. The servant remained stone-faced, "Er, really soft…" I sighed and sat up, " Never mind, I'll stop."

"No, by all means milady. It is your prerogative to loll around your futon like a dog."

I cocked my head to the side and considered becoming offended. Then I pictured Sesshomaru 'lolling around' and a snort of laughter escaped me instead.

"You're right!" I laughed and threw myself back into the pile of blankets, giggling like a loon.

"Yes… I shall leave your sleeping garments here. Also Master Ayame has requested your presence as soon as you're changed. A servant will be waiting outside to escort you to his rooms."

"Oh? What does he want?"

"I would not presume to guess milady."

"Hmm, well, I'll just go as I am though. No reason I need to go in a thin sleeping kimono."

"As you wish. This way please."

I hurried after the woman, barely managing not to trip on the hem of my kimono. She led me into another part of the house and knelt before the shobi door, announcing my presence. I giggled and she shot a glare up at me. It was hard to be intimidated when I had Sesshomaru, king of glares trying every day. She slid the door open and I walked in. Ayame smiled from a pile of cushions. I couldn't help but to smile back. He was so friendly! It was refreshing after so much time with Sesshomaru.

"My dear, thank you for joining me. Won't you sit?"

I looked down at the cushions. They were situated rather close together. I shrugged off the vague discomfort this caused as I was sure Ayame wouldn't try anything and was merely trying to work on the spell. I sat down and cocked my head.

"So, what did you want to see me about?"

"You mating spell of course. I've been trying to understand it, but its truly baffling."

"How's that?"

"On the surface, the spell itself seems very simple, but your and Sesshomaru-sama's auras are more deeply entangled with each other than many I've ever seen."

"Oh… sorry." I shifted uncomfortably. While he had been talking Ayama had reached up proceeded to play with a lock of my hair. He tugged on the curl and watched it spring back with a smile playing on his lips.

"Um, don't do that," I brushed aside his hand and shifted farther away. He grinned and lean into me.

"I know you find me attractive darling. I can smell it on you. There's no need to pretend."

I cringed. Yech. "That doesn't matter, back off."

He ignored me, "What I don't smell, is Sesshomaru."

I batted away his hand, which had been trying to settle on my waist, "Seriously back off! I'm here because you might be able to undo the mating. Nothing more." He grabbed me and held me still when I tried to move away. Holding me in place with the ease a cat would pin a bug. An annoyed huff puffed from my mouth.

"There is a very faint hint of Sesshomaru-s scent, but that's all. You and him haven't truly mated." He leaned in very close to my pale face. "I believe that makes you, well, not quite fair game, but certainly open to pursuit."

I squeaked as he pushed me down, "Stop it! I-I'll yell for Sesshomaru!"

"If he hasn't touched you dear, I truly doubt he'd mind if I serviced you."

"On the contrary snake, this Sesshomaru minds very much," the sibilant growl rumbled over the room freezing Ayame with his hand edged under the collar of my kimono. Ayame jerked his head up and stared at the red eyes shining from the still quivering shobi door.