A/N: Um… I'm sorry? No really, I feel awful about taking so long, but what with work and school and reading Tail of the Moon (amazing manga by the way, that and Red River is very good as well) I've just been very unmotivated. The only thing that pushes me to finish this well is all the reviews all of you send. It doesn't help that we're very near the end and I've planned out everything that's going to happen already. In my head the story is already over and it's just a matter of getting it down on paper, which I swear on all that is good and sexy in this world to do. So no worries there. Besides, I've started bringing my laptop to work and now have oodles of time between movies (I'm a projectionist at a theatre) to write! So here's chapter eighteen!

Chapter Eighteen

"Please?" His lips barely brushed mine and I had time to realize he tasted of cinnamon and made my lips tingle pleasantly (must be the acid in his saliva) before I was unceremoniously shoved off his lap.

His pelt released my arms only to wrap itself around my nakedness. I stared up at the inu female. She stood just beneath the trees, looking all polished and cool.

"Lord Sesshomaru… I came to confirm… that is, surely you know you needn't go to this human to have your needs met?" I pushed myself up and gaped at the bitch. Really? Did she really?

Sesshomaru had stood as soon as I had fallen off his lap and now he merely looked at Meruinu impassively. He must have dumped me off as soon as he heard the woman approach. I gurgled unintelligibly. I had never been so frustrated. I didn't really know what to do with all the excess, so it came out as another gurgle.

Sesshomaru looked down at me incredulously, "Hnn."

Meruinu seemed to take this as encouragement. She stepped out into the dusky light and looked up at Sesshomaru, "I am always available to assist you in whatever manner you require," she murmured to him.

She completely ignored me. I lifted an eyebrow at Sesshomaru. Good lord. Sesshomaru's eyes flicked to my scornful gaze, and I thought I saw the barest hint of a blush wash over his cheekbones. It could have just been the fading light of sunset of course. I rolled my eyes and stood.

"Well, since you're here to take over this chore, I'll just be on my way," I said scathingly.

Sesshomaru bristled at the slight. Meruinu looked smug. Well fine, I wasn't going to whore myself out just to compete for Sesshomaru's attentions. Unlike some people I could name, I had a little pride left. I shoved down the little voice in the back of my head, telling me that I couldn't compete with her anyway. I smiled (although it probably looked more like a grimace) and turned to walk back to the village. I did the best I could to ignore the weakness in my knees as I walked. I was still very… sensitive, and the strong, "I don't care" stride I was going for was rather hard to manage with my knees wobbling.

"The village is in the other direction ningen," Meruinu called out. I stopped and my shoulders slumped for a moment. I tugged the pelt closer around my shoulders.

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Sesshomaru felt his chest inexplicably constrict as he watched the girl shrink in on herself. She looked so small wrapped in nothing but his pelt. He watched her straighten resolutely and turn around to walk back to the village. He felt his ire rise when he saw how her face was tight and fragile as she averted her gaze. His beast wanted nothing more than to bite and snarl and protect his mate. He shoved those instincts firmly aside and watched the girl leave. It was better this way.

His claw twitched as Meruinu placed her hand on his shoulder. He eyed her in disdain and not a little annoyance. One did not interrupt a taiyoukai during intimate moments. Ever.

He released a punishing wave of his youkai and the bitch promptly backed off with a yelp.

"My lord! I apologize! I merely thought I could offer my assistance. Surely you wouldn't prefer that human child!" the bitch groveled. He growled.

"Is this because I followed the wrong trail trying to find you? I assure you that I am still among the most powerful youkai!"

Pathetic. Did she really think this was about her following the wrong trail? He couldn't care less that she had followed the trail he had left when he had gone after Naraku. This stupid bitch was overstepping…

…the trail. He had left it when he was following Naraku back to his lair. He had left a trail, strong enough that he had noticed it himself earlier today. A trail that led straight. To. Naraku. He couldn't control the feral grin that twisted his lips. Meruinu shivered and hurriedly stepped farther away.

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I was not happy. I found the village easily enough once I was headed in the right direction, but the fact that I arrived wearing nothing but Sesshomaru's pelt was irritating to say the least. Were he and Meruinu really going to have sex? I supposed it was logical. She was very pretty, and Sessho wasn't really interested in me, he had been merely trying to prove a point before. It wasn't important.

"Who cares," I muttered to myself, ignoring the voice screaming in the back of my head 'I do! I do, damn it!' "Hmmph."

It really was none of my business. He wasn't really my boyfriend, or husband, or mate, or whatever. He was just some guy who I was temporarily stuck with, like a bad haircut. I bared my teeth and growled at one of the villages watch dogs when it barked at me. It gave me some satisfaction when the canine whined and ran to hide behind the hut it was guarding.

"Erm… Kodi-san? What are you doing?" I turned my glare to the monk, daring him to comment on my state of undress. He didn't notice the mean eyes I was sending him, he was too busy ogling me. Pervert.

"I finished my bath early and forgot my things," I muttered, stepping past him toward Kaede's hut. My modern clothing was in there. Or what was left of them anyway. They would do. I didn't feel like wearing Sesshomaru's 'gifts' anyway.

"Oh," Miroku replied unintelligibly.

I sniffed and steeped into the hut. It was thankfully empty and I scurried into my hopelessly stained and ragged jeans and top. I jerked the pelt from where it was wrapped around me and wadded it into a ball. I threw the fur into a corner and stalked back out into the waning daylight.

The other girls were just coming out of the trees. Rin skipped over to me and grabbed onto the hem of my shirt. Kagome eyed me warily.

"Um.." she murmured hesitantly.

I lifted a hand, "It was nothing. I'm fine." I looked down at the little girl, "Enjoy your bath Rin?"

"Yes! It was much nicer than bathing in cold rivers!" I laughed and smoothed her hair. A rustle from the trees signaled the arrival of the demons in our group. Inuyasha from one direction and the taiyoukai and his… bitch from another. Sesshomaru frowned at my choice in attire. I sneered at him, my hand twitching at my side as the instinct to check my hair hit me.

"Hnn. This Sesshomaru is going after Naraku."

"Sorry to break it to you Baka-sama, we don't know where Naraku is," Inuyasha snarked.

Sesshomaru spared him a disdainful look in favor of continuing. "We will follow the trail I left when I followed Naraku before."

"…You left a trail?"

"Hnn."

"Oh."

Kagome clapped, "Perfect. This is just the sort of chance we need!"

I shivered as I remembered the slimy demon. I had no desire to see him again.

"Meruinu will remain here with the girl and Rin as before," Sesshomaru continued. I said nothing.

Sango nodded, her eyes glinted, "We can leave in the morning."

"How long? How long will it take?" I asked quietly. Sesshomaru didn't even look at me to answer.

"Until the bastard is dead," Inuyasha answered gleefully. I nodded. It looked like I was going to be eating Kaede's porridge for a while longer.

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He could be wrong, but it seemed that they were dawdling. The trail he had left was strong of course, but it would fade given enough time. And they were certainly providing that time. His brother's miko was packing supplies she assured everyone were necessary. His brother was dogging her footsteps, eager to be on their way. The slayer and monk were both very quiet. They sat together and waited for all to be ready. It was very agitating.

Almost as agitating as the girl. She hadn't made eye contact with him since the incident in the woods. He was under the impression that she was very angry over what had happened. That couldn't be helped however. He certainly wasn't going to do anything about it now when they were supposed to be on their way. Besides, it was probably better that she was angry with him, instead of hanging around, treating him like a recalcitrant puppy.

He was not recalcitrant, nor a puppy. Damn it.

He sniffed surreptitiously, unconsciously checking her location. She seemed to be lurking near the well. He stiffened until he smelled Rin as well as Meruinu near her. Besides, she didn't smell guilty, at least not at this distance. He sighed and shifted against the tree he was leaning on. His sigh was sharply cut off however when he smelled something in the air that hadn't been there before. His mate was bleeding. Again.

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Rin was picking flowers again. I had taken a walk while everyone was preparing to leave and she had followed me. I had suppressed a sigh before smiling at her. I hadn't actually had any alone time since I had gotten here, and for me that was very unusual. I had spent most of my time in the modern world by myself after all. I mean, I had taken a vacation to Japan all by myself, it's only logical that I spent the majority of the rest of my time by myself as well. But since I had gotten here… there was always someone right there. If Sesshomaru wasn't breathing down my neck, Kagome or Rin was with me. Even when I was relieving myself (usually in the middle of the woods because it seemed Sesshomaru didn't believe buildings) someone was within earshot. Let me tell you, that is disturbing. Talk about performance anxiety. So, although I loved Rin like a little sister, I wouldn't have said no to a little alone time right then. Besides, I was still buzzing from my encounter with Sesshomaru earlier.

We came into the meadow where the sacred well rested and I sat down a bit away and listened absently as Rin nattered on. I occasionally took a flower she handed me and offered comments on her conversation (mainly consisting of how Ah and Un were feeling that day). I jerked my head up as Meruinu entered the clearing. Why the hell was she here? I squashed a scowl. I was not about to let on that I cared what she did with Sesshomaru. I smiled thinly at her. Rin surprised me by frowning at the woman.

She leaned toward me, "Why is she here? I don't like her!" Rin whispered.

Meruinu curled her lip, "Human, you will show respect to you betters."

I frowned at the demon, "Don't refer to her as your subordinate. She didn't realize you would be able to hear her. Besides, she raises a valid question. Why are you here?"

"I am here so that I can look after my Lord's humans. Although I don't understand why, since everyone knows Sesshomaru-sama hates humans. Perhaps keeping you as pets amuses him? I'm sure he'll kill you when he tires of the novelty."

"Sesshomaru-sama wouldn't kill me!" Rin shouted. Her vehemence seemed to surprise even her because she stilled for a moment before narrowing her eyes at the woman, "He wouldn't. He's more likely to probably kill you because you're ugly and stupid!"

I choked on a laugh at the look on Meruinu's face. My amusement quickly vanished however when the demon's eyes narrowed. I jumped in front of Rin seconds before she struck. I was glad of it too, since the blow meant for the child threw me to the ground. I pushed myself up and jumped back in front of Rin, in case Meruinu decided to try again.

I firmed my jaw, ignoring the trickle of blood sliding down my cheek.

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Sesshomaru sped into the clearing, taking a moment to access the situation. Kodi's cheek was quickly turning purple and her skin had split over her cheekbone. She was standing between Rin and Meruinu. He snarled. What the hell was going on here?

Kodi didn't look at him. Her eyes were trained firmly on the youkai before her.

"Your will not attempt to strike Rin again Meruinu, no matter the provacation. Do you understand?" Kodi's voice was even and icy cold. Sesshomaru marveled at how steady she was.

Meruinu snarled at the girl, "Little human you forget you place."

"You have forgotten yours bitch! You have been tasked with protecting the child!" Kodi sneered, "That you could lose control because of a few words… it's pathetic."

Sesshomaru allowed a growl to escape him, low enough so that the demon would be the only one to hear him. Surprisingly the growl brought Kodi's eyes to him as well. Her gaze was flinty, the usual warm brown hard as stone. Other than that she didn't react to his presence at all. Meruinu however startled; her eyes were red rimmed and panicked.

Kodi eyed him, "Sesshomaru, back down. This is not your concern," Sesshomaru nearly snarled at the girl's audacity, but she continued without giving him a second glance. She looked down at Rin.

"Rin darling, please apologize to Lady Meruinu. We mustn't say hurtful things about people no matter how we may feel about them," she hummed as she lay a comforting hand on the wide-eyed child's shoulder.

Rin lowered her eyes and delivered an obviously insincere apology. Kodi smiled thinly.

"There now. That settles that problem. However, you will not raise your hand against the girl again," Kodi murmured icily. Her words were bitten off and filled with unquestionable authority. And that was the only thing that saved her from the youkai's anger. Meruinu was a beta to the core, and when faced with that level of cool command, her instinct was to obey without question. The youkai bitch hesitated, her instincts warring against each other. On one hand, the human was weak and the inu would have no problem tearing the girl limb from limb, but that glare, that cold stare, even as blood beaded on her cheek…

Kodi tilted her head and eyed the woman for a moment before giving her a dismissive nod of her head. She turned and guided Rin back to the village. She walked straight past him without pausing. Sesshomaru watched her go before turning back to bitch left standing in the meadow. She jerked around at the sound of popping knuckles.

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By the time the Sesshomaru returned to the village, Kagome and her pack were prepared to go. Meruinu was suspiciously absent. Kagome was busy fussing over my cheek, "Did Sesshomaru hit you!?"

"Oh, for goodness sake, no! For the last time he didn't hit me!"

"Not that this Sesshomaru isn't tempted to do so on a hourly basis," Sesshomaru murmured as he slipped inside Kaede's hut. I hissed as Kagome jumped in surprise, inadvertently bumping my bruise under it's bandage.

"You're a miko, shouldn't you have sensed him coming?"

"Sorry," Kagome frowned and fixed the edge of the gauze on my cheek. "He's just so damned quiet!" she muttered petulantly.

I fixed an annoyed look on the sneering dog, "I know. He needs a collar with a bell." I watched contently as the self-satisfied sneer melted into bristling indignation. A lesser man would have spluttered.

He turned his glare on me, "This Sesshomaru will heal your wound."

"No this Sesshomaru will not. Kagome already took care of it."

"Your cheek is not healed, only covered."

"It'll heal on it's own," I crossed my arms irritably.

Kagome sidestepped out the door flap, murmuring as she left, "I'll just… er, yeah."

"I will not allow your weak human body to sicken and die because of such a wound!" Sesshomaru snarled, ignoring the other girl's departure.

"You know very well something like this isn't going to kill me! So you have no reason to heal me at all!"

We glared at each other in silence for a moment, before Sesshomaru straightened abruptly.

"Hnn. It is of no consequence to this Sesshomaru. I am here to tell you that Meruinu will not be here while I am away."

I sneered, "Why? Are you taking her with you? Wouldn't want to leave your bed buddy behind." I mentally winced at the bite of bitter jealousy in my tone. Sesshomaru didn't seem to notice however. He opened his mouth to answer, seemed to thing better of it and "hnn'd" instead.

"Hnn. Yeah, whatever," I snarked and stalked out of the hut.

A/N Cont'd: Now I know it's not as scintillating as some of the other chapters but it was necessary to the progression of the storyline. Not to mention I hadn't been planning to put any confrontation between Kodi and Meruinu in here at all. But Kodi read one of the reviews about her losing her alpha position and threw a fit until I gave her a chance to get her own back. And when Sesshomaru heard about it… well, no more Meruinu. I know most of you were disappointed about how the scene with Sesshomaru and Kodi not progressing all the way. I was disappointed too. It was just getting good! That could be another reason I loosed the dogs (no pun intended) on Meruinu. I was a bit annoyed with her.