"It appears that the wound has already been cauterized."
Sesshomaru had taken Nazoki to a nearby river to clean her up. He did not want Rin to have to see the woman's injuries, so he opted to dress them himself. The pair sat on the ground together, in near silence. After a decent amount of annoyed convincing, he managed to get the woman to remove the upper half of her yukata. She covered her chest with her arms, as he inspected the wound. The woman also supplied a sufficient amount of light for him to examine the damage. Will-o-wisp hung in the air around the pair, gently illuminating their figures with soft blue and white light. It appeared that her wound was just claw marks; deep puncture wounds. Nazoki seemed too uncomfortable to offer any words in return as he explained the situation.
"His nail broke off in your injury..." The lord stated, and the vixen shifted her gaze to the rushing water of the river. Without warning, Sesshomaru dug his nails into her flesh to remove the fragment in question. Nazoki gripped his shoulder, voicing her pain as he quickly pulled the piece from her wound. After removing it, he gazed up at the woman who was still clutching his yukata. She sighed as if her breath had been held for centuries.
Almost out of nowhere, Sesshomaru leaned towards the vixen. From his position on his knees, he moved over her lap. Nazoki froze in place as the man slowly inched towards her lips. Her heart started to race, and the woman's eyes closed. She could almost feel his lips against hers. The stagnant will-o-wisp around them started to dance in the air, seeming to form some sort of game. They took on various intensities, some dim, some brighter than before. Each took its own turn in joining the others in their dance.
The pair remained in place for a moment; Nazoki waiting for the contact, and Sesshomaru watching the woman's reaction. She had slightly tilted her head to the side, seemingly open to the idea of a kiss. The grip on his shoulder lessened, growing gentle, and the man barely moved towards her; leaving mere centimeters between the two.
"We need cloth..." Sesshomaru murmured. Opening her eyes, the woman frowned at him in confusion. His golden eyes seemed to pierce her, and she held them with her own. He was so close that she could feel his words. To Nazoki's surprise, he tugged at her sleeve. As stated, cloth was needed to wrap the woman's torso, and he did not want to use his own.
The man pulled away, and Nazoki frowned down at her arm.
"Wh-"
"We need to wrap your wound." The lord stated. Revenge; what a wonderful way to exact it. When Sesshomaru pulled the fabric away from Nazoki's arm, she clutched it.
"No! This is important! You can't use it!" She protested, attempting to take the sleeve back.
"And why is that?" Sesshomaru asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman.
"I need it to finish my task!"
"Which is?" The lord inquired, indifferently. In all actuality, he was toying with her. He knew exactly what she was talking about. If he wasn't logical he wouldn't be that Sesshomaru, he would be a different one.
Growing embarrassed, Nazoki snatched the sleeve away. To her surprise, and possibly panic, the corner of Sesshomaru's lips tugged up.
"Are you denying this Sesshomaru?" He asked, and she shifted her gaze.
"Uh,well... When you say it like that..." Falling silent, Nazoki tried to think of a response.
"You do not need that sleeve. It is only-"
"I do!" She insisted. "My skirt... We can use my skirt..." Sighing, Nazoki gripped the bottom of her yukata. Since the fabric was long enough to drag on the ground, there was enough to spare. Of course, she would not be able to get another. Not like the one she was wearing at least. The only way to do so was to return to her clan; which she would never do.
"Your belt." Sesshomaru suggested. Peering up at the man, Nazoki nodded. Good idea. The man moved behind her and tugged her yukata loose. The man offered her one end of her belt, and together they worked to wrap it around her torso. Nazoki tied it in front of herself, and Sesshomaru stood up.
"Why did you not tell this Sesshomaru that you are being hunted?"
Nazoki glanced up at the man from her spot on the ground. She didn't seem to want to answer him, and he watched her stand up.
"I... Well, I didn't want you to know... I figured you would accept the ring and something else, and send me on my way..." The vixen sighed, also standing up. She turned her back to the man, holding her yukata closed. Moments passed, and Sesshomaru nodded.
"Forgive me."
Ignoring her apology, Sesshomaru walked behind her. It was obvious that she would have to clean her clothes. For that reason, he offered his own shirt. Without a word, he draped it over her shoulders and started away. Despite the fact that there was blood on his shirt, it was a welcome gesture. Nazoki peered back at the man, who was now wearing a white undershirt and carrying his armor in his hand. After vowing to clean his shirt for him, the vixen allowed her green yukata to fall to the ground, and slipped her arms into his. Leaving her red underskirt in place, Nazoki tied the bottom of the lord's shirt around her waist, and picked up her yukata. Without a word, she followed behind Sesshomaru.
After catching up to the man, she gently grabbed his wrist. He turned to look at her and she shifted her gaze.
"I know you've been thinking about it... So, I want you to take this..." He watched the woman curiously, as she cupped her palms together, and a small indigo flame sparked. The fire died almost as quickly as it had appeared, and in Nazoki's palm rested a slender black ring. It appeared to be carved of stone, and she offered it to the lord.
"Why do you not wear the ring, if it is effective?" He asked.
A coy smile curled the Kitsune's lips as she peered up at the man.
"It is improper for a lady to wear her own ring. Only when her mate offers his can she wear one..."
The statement caused Sesshomaru's eyebrow to rise. Slightly frowning, he spoke in his usual smoky tone.
"So this is intended for your mate?"
Nazoki nodded slowly, and her grin fell. The woman dropped her gaze, grief twisting her features.
"It was. However, my chosen mate has perished. Now I've not a single soul to gift my ring to. If you take it, I can know that it is safe. Know that I do not expect anything to come of this, it is simply to return your deed."
The man nodded, and offered his hand. Holding his armor for him, Nazoki gazed at said hand; studying the dark stripes on his skin. As the vixen slipped the ring onto his ring finger, it tightened around the lord's skin. He studied it curiously, wondering how stone could move in such a manner. Power immediately surged through the man, resembling a lightning bolt. He could feel it buzzing in his limbs, and a form of intoxication seemed to wash over him; escaping the man in the form of a sigh.
Knowing that the ring had taken effect, Nazoki moved past him and towards the camp. They arrived at the same time, and Jaken appeared to be sleeping. Rin was wide-awake though.
"Nazoki!" The child exclaimed, a wide grin curling her lips. She jumped to her feet, and ran towards Nazoki and Sesshomaru. Of course, she only hugged Sesshomaru. Soon the girl inquired about the change of clothes. Sesshomaru told her Nazoki slipped and cut herself.
After offering a slight smile to the girl, Nazoki walked to A-Un. Setting his armor down, Sesshomaru picked Rin up. The girl snuggled into his Mokomoko, and he sat down against the wall of the cave. Silence fell over the group, and Nazoki sat beside the dragon's two heads. They, in turn, placed their heads in her lap. Smiling, Nazoki pet them both.
Sesshomaru's Mokomoko spread out on the ground, and he laid Rin on his fur. The man also laid down, which was slightly odd. Then again, he knew who Nazoki was, so he could let his guard down a bit. If she were to go insane and attack him or Rin, he could easily kill an injured fox. The man also needed to rest before leaving again. In the morning, he would set out to find what was called the Celestial Elixir. Rumored to be locked out of sight in a tower. It was also said that by simply cleaning your blade with it, it would more than double your sword's strength. He would find out for himself. Last Sesshomaru heard, a selfish ogre was guarding it, but that would be no task for him. With everybody comfortable, the group fell to dreams.