Rain soaked through Juuroumaru's wispy clothing but Juuroumaru made no move to leave the clearing to seek shelter. Even when the thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, Juuroumaru still remained kneeling. Caked mud and old blood streaked off of him in ugly rivulets mingled with a few tears he had unknowingly shed. Still in the same kneeling position, he gazed at his pale, iridescent hand, marred with forest cuts and grime. He began to scrub at it with handfuls of rain, doing the same to the rest of his body and rubbing his violet hair determinedly. Even the small act of untangling his thick mane brought a flood of memories of gentle hands and delicate fingers that made Juuroumaru cry out and shake. Torrents of emotion and memories threatened to break him down as the rain did to the soil around him.

Slowly, unconsciously his hand was sliding up under his thick mane of drenched, rain soaked hair, to a slightly raised, jagged mark on his neck. He clutched it desperately, his eyes sliding shut to the on-slaughter of memories, good and bad, that assaulted him.

He remained in the same spot until the end of the day, and a good portion into the night as the storm raged on. No stars winked down at him for the dark clouds obscured even the brightest of them.

Finally, after hours of rain and tears, he stiffly got up, letting his hand fall away from his neck. He took a step, feeling his legs nearly give out beneath him, as he wobbled in the loose dirt. Shuddering and straightening, he raised his pale face, sniffing the hair, straining with his ears, and scanning the forest with his eyes.

He took off.

With the combination of the violent weather and his imperfect health condition, he was unable to move as quickly as his mind willed him to, but he was still straining forward with all his efforts. For what seemed like hours he ran through the thudding rain and muddy, lonely forest. Fear nearly overtook him when he began to wonder if there was any end at all to the rain-soaked forest. Was he simply running in circles? Frightened, he increased his speed and forced himself to look straight ahead.

And then, by instinct, he knew. Heavier rainfall, fewer trees- he had nearly reached the end of the forest. Nearly collapsing in relief, he skidded to a halt. Panting and hissing at the cold that even now chilled him, everything fell into place with undiluted severity. Here he was. He stood now, at the divide between two lives. Ahead lay the uncertain, behind stood the simple.

He began to walk forward unsteadily, with slow, pained steps.

Ten steps. The open skies greeted Juuroumaru with harsh pelting drops.

Twenty-eight steps. The forest was behind him.

Fifty-seven steps.

The manor was in view.

Sesshoumaru watched the rainfall through his thick double-paned windows in his chambers. Rin was out there. Rin was somewhere in the pouring rain, as was… no one. There was no one else out there for which Sesshoumaru was concerned. Even though he repeated the small mantra over and over in his mind, he found himself lifting his gaze to scan the forest, hoping for a hint of life among the trees but there was no one out there and he knew it.

He was alone. He had frightened his mate away five some years ago, and had driven Rin from him. And now…

Sesshoumaru deserted his place by the window and climbed into his massive bed. Tucking his pelt below his head, he let his eyes fall shut for the blissful oblivion that would be brought by dreamless sleep.

Tentative hands caressed his chest and arms, and long fingers tipped his chin up into a chaste kiss. Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, trusting that lust was raging in them as he pulled the slightly smaller from over his own till his body was completely covered with the other's. Juuroumaru made a delighted sound against Sesshoumaru's chest and playfully nipped at his collarbone. Sesshoumaru himself chuckled, and wrapped his arms around Juuroumaru in caging, warm embrace. However, as he did so, Juuroumaru froze and then began to tremble. Frowning Sesshoumaru looked down at his mate to find Juuroumaru gazing back in horror and fear. Sesshoumaru stared back in shock. Suddenly, Juuroumaru was desperately squirming out of his arms, whimpering and thrashing. Sesshoumaru refused to let go though and Juuroumaru was soon screaming and tearing at Sesshoumaru's chest and arms with undivided conviction. "Not the chains! Please, I was being good, wasn't I? Sesshoumaru, please don't…"

Sesshoumaru's eyes burst open and he sat up gasping, nearly crying out. Sweat soaked his brow and his whole body was shaking. His window was open and banging against the walls with loud insistent thuds. Rain poured in onto his thick red carpet and thunder and lightning rumbled and split the sky just beyond. Still shaking at the memory of his disturbing dream of his mate in such pain, he got to his feet and numbly crossed to the window. He collapsed on the sill, closing his eyes and trying desperately to rid himself of the thoughts swirling in his mind. Juuroumaru. His Juuroumaru. Opening his eyes, he let his gaze meander out the window to the dancing trees and roaring thunder. A crack of lightning.

A flash of lavender.

Sesshoumaru heart seemed to skip a beat. He was on his feet and zoning in on the spot where he could've sworn he'd seen something, someone. Another flash revealed a prone form, face down in the loose soil. Without a second thought, a slight hesitance, Sesshoumaru was perched and the windowsill and then plummeting from his chambers. He hit the ground running, keeping his eyes trained on spot where Juuroumaru had been.

In a whirl of silver hair and fine, silken robes, he was at Juuroumaru's side. Grabbing the limp body, he hauled it up to eye level. It was indeed Juuroumaru; his head lolling back unresponsively against Sesshoumaru's arms. Using his pelt, Juuroumaru bundled Juuroumaru up, pressing the emaciated frame to his chest. Leaning down, he pressed his ear close to Juuroumaru's body, listening for signs of life. A faint thudding caused a crash of relief in Sesshoumaru's mind as Juuroumaru began to stir and Sesshoumaru could feel Juuroumaru's eyelashes fluttering against his cheek.

Sesshoumaru pulled his face away from Juuroumaru's, regarding the hazy sapphire eyes with concern. Juuroumaru's eyes widened in recognition followed by fear, love, pain and others. Sesshoumaru smiled down with a bittersweet sort of happiness. His Juuroumaru. His mate.

He carried Juuroumaru into his home, taking him straight to bathing chambers, all the while holding a shivering Juuroumaru against his chest. Juuroumaru never once uttered a sound, quivering soundlessly against Sesshoumaru.

Gently, he made to set Juuroumaru down but Juuroumaru clung to him with the utmost resolve. "Juuroumaru…" whispered Sesshoumaru gently. He pried Juuroumaru's hands away from his clothes, and quickly removed Juuroumaru's threadbare clothing. Juuroumaru's smaller hands were immediately clinging to him again and he patiently took them in his own, squeezing them in an indication to let go. Juuroumaru did so slowly.

Sesshoumaru shed his own clothes as well and lifted Juuroumaru into the spring, lowering himself in after. Juuroumaru's arms were around him again and he ignored the instinctive inclination to pull away from Juuroumaru's icily cold body.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around Juuroumaru, hoping to warm Juuroumaru up as quickly as possible. Juuroumaru responded well, leaning up against Sesshoumaru and seeking all the warmth he could. Unwilling to untangle them again, Sesshoumaru began to lather Juuroumaru's hair even as Juuroumaru remained clinging to him.

By the time he had finished, Juuroumaru had seemingly fallen asleep, curled up in a tight ball, one hand having ventured out to grasp Sesshoumaru's.

Gently, Sesshoumaru lifted his mate from the water, gaining a soft, upset groan as he did so. Juuroumaru's eyes were open again and a shockingly bluish tinge to his lips and red stains on his cheeks caused a crease of worry between Sesshoumaru's snowy brows. Juuroumaru had… a fever? Sighing he quickly maneuvered them to the large bed, submerging Juuroumaru in a sea of pillows and down-covers. Juuroumaru was compliant enough, resisting only once when it looked as if Sesshoumaru was preparing to leave. Only seconds later did he sigh with contentment as Sesshoumaru returned with a bowl of soup which he began to feed Juuroumaru with the utmost care.

Juuroumaru received the amazing, caressing attention with a hungry sort of desperation. Sesshoumaru's every touch made him want to curl up and remain in Sesshoumaru's protective, caring arms forever. Sesshoumaru didn't seem at all upset or angry with him and that was Juuroumaru's greatest relief. In fact, Sesshoumaru's almost paranoid sense of protection further endeared Juuroumaru to him and Juuroumaru compliantly allowed Sesshoumaru to maneuver him closer in a caging embrace. For a moment, Sesshoumaru stilled, seeming to have doubted his own protective gesture. Juuroumaru nuzzled under Sesshoumaru's chin and Sesshoumaru seemed to relax again, tightening his arms around Juuroumaru.

The youkai(s?) remained curled around each other for the rest of the night, lying in the stilted moonlight that had finally overcome the storm. Neither youkai was truly sleeping. Sesshoumaru remained in a contented, blissful half-slumber while Juuroumaru's elated, giddy feelings kept him from sleep.

Sometime in the earlier hours of daybreak, Juuroumaru shifted closer, ghosting a soft breath against Sesshoumaru's neck. Sesshoumaru purred and placed his lips against Juuroumaru's brow. Juuroumaru breathed in deeply.
"Sesshoumaru," he whispered in his hoarse, soft voice. Sesshoumaru covered the pointed tip of Juuroumaru's ear with a chaste kiss.

"Love you." He murmured against Sesshoumaru's neck.

Sesshoumaru buried his nose in the fragrant lilac tresses, lapping at the jagged scar on Juuroumaru's neck. Juuroumaru moaned softly, mouthing Sesshoumaru's name mutely. Sesshoumaru bit down lightly before moving towards Juuroumaru's face and finally sealed their lips.

When Sesshoumaru moved away, his golden, honey colored eyes were half-lidded and showing depths of love of protectiveness. Juuroumaru's lips curved upwards in a soft smile.

"You will keep me forever, mate?" murmured Sesshoumaru with an almost imploring look.

"Forever."

A/N- wow. That was crazy long. Omg it's amazing it's all done now… well, thanks to my reviewers and faithful readers, to the people who got pissed at me and told me to write more, and to the very generous comments I received. I love you all and promise an epilogue. Hehe well, my plane leaves in a few hours so I need to get going. Au revoir!

Oh, and look out for a possible Naraku/Sesshoumaru AU eventually. (possibly)