"Nazoki." Sternly speaking the kitsune's name Sesshomaru waited for her to reveal herself. The moonlight barely passed the numerous leaves overhead. Though darkness swelled around Sesshomaru, he could see clearly. It only took a few minutes for a delicate nose to emerge from the den in the ground. The woman barely stuck her head out, and Sesshomaru stared down at her.
"Did you think that you could hide from this Sesshomaru?"
Nazoki slowly walked out of the den, and sat down a few feet away from the man. He watched her as she shifted into a human, appearing to be tired.
"Forgive me, M'lord..."

A moment of silence passed, before Sesshomaru stood up.
"Let us return." He stated, starting away. Nazoki allowed him to continue ahead of her a few meters before following after him. For some reason Sesshomaru still smelled blood, but it was not stale. The man turned to face the vixen, slightly frowning.
"You still bleed?" He asked in a low tone, and Nazoki shifted her gaze.
"Aye M'lord, but it is nothing serious..."

Though her response was spoken in a reassuring manner, he did not believe the words. Instead, Sesshomaru stopped, and waited for her to reach his side. Nazoki halted a few meters away, watching him.
"Why do you maintain such a distance? Do you fear me?"
It sounded as though her breath caught at the question, and she averted her gaze.
"I do not." Moments passed before she offered her answer, and Sesshomaru started back towards the woman. It seemed that when he was only a few steps away Nazoki froze in place. The man leaned towards her, intent on sniffing out the source of her blood. Nazoki watched Sesshomaru wide eyed. He was only inches from her, which was undoubtedly too close for comfort. Dogs and foxes do not get along. Moreover, the fact that he was a man was no help either. She stepped away from him, and he peered up at her curiously.

For some reason the woman was obviously flustered. He didn't understand why.
"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked, and Nazoki continued to stare at him wide eyed. The thought of repeating himself irritated Sesshomaru, and he took another step towards her. To his surprise, the woman let out a nervous squeak and burst into blue flames which illuminated the forest around them. He could not help but frown in confusion as she shifted into her fox form and darted past him. Wondering why she was so nervous, the lord stared after her flaming image before continuing back towards the camp.

Of course it didn't take long to reach the group's resting place. Nazoki arrived only seconds before Sesshomaru. The fox was digging a new den, and he sat on a rock only a meter away from her.
"Nazoki. Come here."
His command caused her to freeze in place. The fox slowly turned to face the Lord who was blankly staring at her. A moment of hesitation passed, and she trotted to his side. Silence surrounded the two, only to be momentarily interrupted by crickets, or the soft, steady breathing to Rin, and Jaken.
"Shift." Sesshomaru instructed, slightly annoyed that she had not done so already. Once Nazoki was in her human form, the vixen continued to shift her gaze; looking at everything but Sesshomaru. Her discomfort puzzled the lord, yet he chose not to ask yet. He would save that question for a later day.
"Where are you injured?" The man asked, and despite her obvious nervousness, she motioned to the sleeve covering her left arm.
"It's a simple acid burn, M'lord. It seems that the web already had a sort of venom on it, which came in contact with my arms and side. Yet my right arm is unscathed." Offering a slight bow, Nazoki started to move away from the man. He was not finished speaking, so he grabbed her sleeve. Due to the fabric being unattached to her yukata, it slipped down her arm, and Nazoki turned to face Sesshomaru. He curiously stared at the fabric in his hand, holding it up to study it.

Almost out of nowhere Nazoki combusted. She was covering her newly exposed arm with her opposite hand, and gazed at the man wide eyed. He peered up at the woman, who was engulfed by blue flames. Apparently this was some sort of nervous habit of hers, but he didn't understand what would lead her to be so on edge.
"What causes you to do that?"
She shook her head, averting her gaze. After murmuring a light apology, Nazoki seemed to regain herself. The flames died down, and she sighed.

"M'lord. I hope you do not mind my inquiry, but please indulge me. What is it that you wish for? I can bestow a small bit of wisdom, or power... Luck or riches. Though, for my life, I will grant you two requests."
A certain word piqued Sesshomaru's interest, and he raised an eyebrow to the woman.
"What is this power you speak of?" He asked in his usual calm tone.
"It is a ring. It provides strength, and vitality; yet there is a sort of downfall, as you may see it." She responded, and a sly smirk graced her fine features. Slightly frowning, Sesshomaru urged her to continue.
"Such as?

Now the woman's demeanor completely changed. Instead of her being nervous, and shying from his touch, she took a step towards the man, donning a mischievous expression.
"You will gain strength, yet emotion as well. Pardon my bold statement, but you do not seem to be in tune with your feelings, or maybe you lack them? It affects every man differently, so there is the possibility of little to no change in you... But then again, such a thing cannot be predicted."

Her words hung in the air, and Sesshomaru gazed at her still holding a neutral expression. Mystery always grabbed the lord's attention, especially when coupled with the proposition of gaining power. The two remained in place, neither speaking as he considered her statements. The crescent moon on his forehead was barely visible in the night, yet Nazoki focused her gaze upon it. It felt as though they had watched one another for hours by the time he spoke.
"You will play with Rin; keep her entertained."
After nodding, the woman flashed him an amused smirk. She bowed her head, maintaining the expression.

"Very well, M'lord. Though keep in mind; you've still one more favor to ask of me. I've a journey to continue, a task to complete. My life cannot end until I accomplish what I've set out to do."

Conversation died at that point, and Nazoki walked away. Now, more than ever, Sesshomaru was slightly suspicious of her past. And her mission as well.