Two days had passed, and there was still no sign of Sesshomaru. The entire time Nazoki could not help but think of Rin's words. The vixen had contemplated her very being, yet found no answers to her questions of life. The only thing she was sure of was the fact that Rin had a point. Her mother would not knowingly set her up to marry an evil man. Accusations, directed at herself flooded her mind, yet she did well in hiding that fact. This particular morning, the group sat in a clearing of the forest. Low murmurs of the lord hung in the air, and Jaken and Rin did a fine job in countering any negativity the other presented.
It was not until a gust of wind passed that Nazoki and Jaken glanced deeper into the forest.
"What?" Rin asked. Instead of answering, the two peered at one another.
"Do you smell that?" Nazoki asked the toad. He nodded, and they peered at Rin. Before Jaken could move the vixen was on her feet.
"Stay here." She commanded. Rin offered a slight, worried nod, yet Jaken preferred to argue.
Ignoring the Youkai's protests, Nazoki took to the surrounding forest. She was positive she smelled Sesshomaru, and blood. The smell was not far, and she leaped past the thick trunks of the surrounding trees. Though it seemed a bit silly, she could not help but feel as if she should try to assist the man if he was as the scent in the air suggested. If he was injured.
It only took a minute to reach the source of the smell, and sure enough, Sesshomaru was bleeding. But he was also in the middle of a fight. With a bolt of energy, he sent an enemy flying back. The ogre shot straight towards Nazoki, and she shifted to avoid being hit. The lord's eyes fell upon her, yet he move straight past the vixen, and to the Youkai. With a single swipe the monster was annihilated. Nazoki had turned to face the man, and shifted back to her original form. Sesshomaru stared down at her, frowning. The woman sat on the ground, trying her best to hold his eye contact. She wondered if his stern expression stemmed from confusion, but then again, he looked a bit too angry to be confused.
"What are you doing here?" Sesshomaru asked in a tone which was less than friendly.
"I... I smelled your blood." Nazoki stammered, shifting her gaze.
"And you left Rin's side, under the false pretense that you could help this Sesshomaru?"
His words caused uneasiness to settle in Nazoki, and she stared at the ground. She could not help but feel that he was right. If there was an enemy that he couldn't beat, most likely she would not have been able to do anything. Apparent annoyance crossed the man, and Nazoki stood up. Sesshomaru started towards the vixen, to her dismay. Between his expression, and the odd scenario, most likely, that was not a good sign. Bright red flames engulfed her hair and tail, only furthering her discomfort. The lord halted for a second, and confusion crossed him. Soon he continued, not swayed by her nervous demeanor.
Trying to avoid the conversation, or the Sesshomaru's intense gaze, she opted to try to walk back the way she came. However, with Sesshomaru approaching her from that direction, that seemed to be a horrible decision. The lord's intentions were unclear, and Nazoki backed away. The flames around her seemed as if they would never fade.
"Stay back!" Wide eyed, Nazoki stared at the man. He was obviously angered that she had left Rin and Jaken. If only she had listened to the toad. Or thought about whether it made sense to try to help Sesshomaru. The man stared at her blankly, and raised an eyebrow to her.
"You would dare to command this Sesshomaru?"
Shifting her gaze, Nazoki sighed.
"Uh... No, M'lord. I mean no disrespect; I just don't want to burn you..."
Sesshomaru stopped only a step away from Nazoki, and a gust of wind interrupted them. Staring down at the vixen, he maintained a blank expression.
"You couldn't burn me with those weak flames." The words caused Nazoki to frown. It was unclear whether the lord's intentions were ill. Alarmed, she backed away, only to find a tree blocking her path. She allowed her hands to fall to the bark on either side of her; digging her nails into it.
With a single step, Sesshomaru had her trapped. Nearly. Nazoki leaned to the side, intending to escape, but Sesshomaru rammed his hand into the trunk of the tree; blocking her.
"Don't move." Though he had succeeded in intimidating the vixen, the lord commanded her softly. Obvious panic crossed Nazoki, and shifted her gaze. The woman's flame turned a deep shade of indigo. Not a single warning was offered before Sesshomaru retracted his hand from the bark of the tree, and reached towards Nazoki's jaw; into the flames. When the man retracted said hand, and peered at it, the pace of her heart increased, and an inaudible whimper escaped the woman. As stated, the flames on the lord's hand burned for only a few seconds before dissolving. He noted that the ring she had given him seemed to be warmer than her flames. Sighing the man focused his gaze on the vixen.
"You need not be afraid; this Sesshomaru will do you no harm."
Nazoki lowered her eyes to the grass beneath her feet; her flames still not dying. After a short moment of silence, it became apparent that she did not believe him. Another low sigh escaped the lord, and he returned his hand to the fire. With a single finger, Sesshomaru lifted her chin. Forcing Nazoki to hold eye contact he repeated himself.
"This Sesshomaru will do you no harm..."
Alarmed, she stared up at the man unsure of how to react. Ever so slowly, the fearful flames around her died, and the pair studied one another. Nazoki's eyes strayed from his, opting to focus on his lips instead. Shifting her gaze, she bit down on her own; attempting to suppress the thoughts that seemed to invade her mind. The motion grabbed Sesshomaru's attention, drawing his eyes to the single fang pressing against her lips. Murmuring a slight excuse, Nazoki started to slink by him; shying away from his touch.
"Wait." Sesshomaru placed his hand on the vixen's opposite arm, pulling her back into place.
"What were you looking at?"
The only answer he received was silence, and annoyance sparked within him. Not wanting to repeat himself, he urged her to respond.
"Well?''
Nazoki locked his golden eyes to hers of emerald, seeming to be lost in though. A moment passed and a coy smirk curled her lips.
"It would be easier to show you..." She murmured. A slight frown creased Sesshomaru's brow, as Nazoki slowly inched towards him. When she was only a breath away, the lord vowed not to let her fool him again. He pushed his lips to hers, meeting the woman with a harsh passion. Despite the unanticipated force, the vixen returned his motion; clutching the man's blood stained shirt. He moved her back against the tree, placing his hand on the bark to steady himself. An arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer; increasing the force of the kiss. Sesshomaru lightly grazed his tongue over her lips, and she readily granted access. He allowed himself to be drawn closer, leaving almost nothing between himself and the woman. One of her legs slid up the side of his, sparking excitement within the lord. An almost inaudible moan from the vixen snapped the two from their spell of lust, and the kiss slowly died down. A hand softly slid along the man's jaw, and into his hair. Nazoki started to pull away, barely grazing her lips against Sesshomaru's twice. In response, the lord slightly tilted his head, studying her reaction to the contact. He also noted his own.
"Are you finished?" Sesshomaru asked, and Nazoki shifted her gaze. His words seemed to clear the haze in her eyes, allowing discomfort to immediately surrounded the woman.
"Uh... Yes, M'lord..."
To Nazoki's surprise, the man seemed to have no reaction to the kiss. He held his usual stern, blank expression, and leaned away. After taking a short moment to stare at the vixen (in a manner which seemed to be overly intense) he started away. Wondering if she had upset him, or made a mistake, Nazoki watched the Lord. It didn't take long for her to follow him, and when she did, he didn't even bother to look at her. Awkwardness settled over the situation, yet Sesshomaru seemed oblivious to it. Mentally kicking herself, Nazoki spoke.
"M'lord..."
When Sesshomaru stopped, she shifted her gaze. He peered at her over his shoulder, and she bit down on her lip. The ghost of the contact between them lingered, and Nazoki raised her hand to her mouth as if she could cover the sensation. Immediately bowing, the vixen found she was unable to decipher the man's silence.
"Forgive me... I- I was not thinking clearly..."
The fact that she blamed herself for the interaction became apparent, yet Sesshomaru did not respond. He watched her for a moment, before continuing towards the group. What Nazoki didn't seem to understand was that Sesshomaru could not be forced into anything he did not want. Actually stopping to gaze at her in itself was unusual.
A/N: Hi all :)
Credit for the awesome stuff leading to the kiss goes to the lovely NonieBee (4352183) Check out her stories, she's an amazing writer! :)