Disclaimer: I don't own, Sesshou, Rin and all other inu char's, Takahashi Rumiko does. If I did, we all know how the fight over Tesseiga would have ended... The characters from Alice in Wonderland belong to Lewis Carroll.
The Botanist and the Beast
Ch 20 Swords and Sweethearts
Dear Alice
Do remember, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!
-The Red Queen
As we loaded up that morning I contemplated my feelings for the stoic youkai and how my opinion of him had changed. When we had first met, he seemed callous and unfeeling, unable to see or care about the needs of others. Yet, even in the beginning, his devotion to Rin was undeniable. Now, after all two years, I found I had complete confidence in him and his abilities.
Often times he would leave us alone, or attack the greater enemy leaving us to fend off the lesser danger, not because he did not care for our well being, but because he also had confidence in our own abilities. I smiled thinking about this and felt a deep flush of satisfaction. I have come such a long way since I fell through that hole, I thought as I let my eyes rest fondly to the back of the creature that had so stealthily changed my life and stolen my heart.
Aye, that ye have lass. Uacteran replied, and the pride I felt from both my ancestors lightened my steps even further, but his next words cause me to stop walking completely, Yer mamo an' I would leave ya if we could. Our time is getting' short, but if'n we could give ya that time with yer stocach now we would.
"But.." I said out loud, confusion and the sudden pain of loss stupefying me. I had found them burdensome, but I also had come to love them dearly and rely on them. Grandmother interrupted before I could say more. Garinion, heart of me heart, don't ye worry, the time is not yet, but it is comin'. We would jest like ye ta know that we are fadin' and while we still have our strength we want ya ta know how proud we are of ye. Ya carry our name well, lass, and we can go to Tir-na-n-Og knowin' that the world has a strong and true champion when the time comes.
"But..." I said again, this time words failed me entirely, but they could feel my sense of loss and fear for them and the future. Confidence, pup, Uacteran encouraged. Ye do the family proud, be bold and lift yer head, yer worrying your stocach. The last was said lightly, but it had it's desired effect and I raised my eyes from the earth before my feet to find that everyone had stopped to look at me apprehensively and Sesshomaru had silently moved to stand in my path.
"Donella-san?" The use of my name, so rare and new, as well as the note of inquiry in his tone pulled me back from the internal reverie and I straightened my back and met his gaze, "My apologies, Sesshomaru-sama, I am fine, and," I flicked an eye to where Jaken and Rin stood next to the supply laden Ah-Un and adjusted the weight of my pack before continuing, "we are ready to depart." He gave me one last considering glance before turning and wordlessly walking towards the gate.
Sesshomaru thoughtfully set a walking pace, keeping us on the ground and away from the frigid air of upper elevations. The weather was also kind to our little pack, staying mild and sunny through the day and the snow after two days of melting was easily navigated as we headed down into the plains. A twinge of melancholy touched me as we passed the shiro gates for what I knew would be the last time. It had been a good winter, monomaniacal demonic deceptions aside, and there were many a good memory created within those walls. To distract myself from sad thoughts I focused on continuing the story of Alice in Wonderland as we traveled, much to Rin's delight. I barely completed the tale by the time Sesshomaru stopped us outside a large cavern to set up our evening camp. Rin happily pretended to play what she imagined as croquet and randomly yelled, "Off with her head!" while swinging a large branch cum croquet mallet, as Jaken and I busied ourselves unloading Ah-Un. It was only when we had finished that I realized Sesshomaru had disappeared into the forest.
This was not unusual behavior, in fact, while on the road his nonattendance had become normal, yet I felt a small, irrational pang in my heart nonetheless. "Rin, please put the stick down and go help Jaken gather wood." I called absently as I began gathering rocks for our fire pit, her cheerful assent was lost to me in my rumination. It seems as if when it rains, it pours, I had yet to really process the idea that Sesshomaru might, beyond all reason, care for me and here my uninvited mental house guests were telling me they wanted to leave. It was all a bit to much to process. At least, until they leave I have time and space to wrap my mind around what I should do about Sesshomaru. I thought warily, but apparently too loudly, for my Grandfather replied.
If'n yer needing a list, lass, I'd be happy to supply one. Though from what we've seen yer
perfectly capable of making yer own. He snickered.
"Oh for Pete's sake! That isn't the problem!" I exasperatedly exclaimed to him, my mamo, the empty clearing, and half of Japan to here. Another mental snicker came to me as Jaken and Rin raced into the clearing, a trail of twigs and branches falling from their arms in their haste.
"Donella-sama, are you all right?" Rin asked, concern furrowing her little brow.
"Yes, Haturo, just thinking a little too loudly. Thank you for the firewood." I smiled and resolved to put my confusing love life and the impending loss of my mental house-guests out of my mind for the time being. Sesshomaru's return, just as we sat down to dinner brought me a perfect distraction in the form of a bleeding, battered and unconscious boy.
"Kohaku!" Rin as cried out; rushing forward as the stoic youkai placed the boy before me. "Rin, my bag." I ordered, waisting no time I began removing the child's armour and inspecting his wounds. As my hand reached for the boy's neck Sesshomaru's hand shot out and pulled my wrist away. I looked to him with a frustrated noise. What the hell is wrong with him, bringing me wounded kid and then stopping me while I help.
"There is a corrupted shard from the Shikon no Tama in his neck which sustains his life, do not touch it." He warned frostily as I pulled my wrist from his grasp angrily and went back to work. This time, I was mindful not to touch the boys' neck. Much of my work was just cleaning the wounds, and mopping up blood. The boy was already healing at a remarkable rate and I wondered at the power the jewel must have when whole if one shard could make a human boy heal as quickly as Sesshomaru does.
I was dressing the boy in my spare yakuta when he woke, violently. He started back, looking around frantically, most likely for his weapon, until he caught sight of Rin and calmed as she spoke, "Kohako-kun, you're safe what happened to you? Are you alright?"
"Rin," The boy smiled gently, but continued to watch me warily, as I went about putting my supplies away and gave them room. "There was an ogre." He paused as he he moved to a kneeling position with Rin's help. "Sesshomaru-sama saved me. Domo arigato gozaimashita, Sesshomaru-sama," The boy bowed forward on his knees in obeisance to the indifferent youkai.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru replied offhandedly as he moved to a tree and sat.
"Rin thought Kohaku was at his village. What happened?" The Girl asked, eagerly taking a seat next to the bowing boy. He sat up and began to relate his doings. Which could be summarized as wandering the country, looking for Naraku and killing demons. I snorted derisively as I spooned the remaining rice and vegetables into a bowl with the last fish. The boy had basically outlined the major occupation of most everyone I had met in the last year.
"My apologize, my lady, we have not been introduced, but thank you for the cloths and the assistance." The soft spoken boy addressed me formally and it was obvious as he bowed again that he had been raised to be very polite. Rin interrupted me before I could reply.
"Oh! That's O'Conghaile Donella-sama, she's my new mamma!" Rin announced proudly as she bounded to her feet, rushing over to take my hand and drag me back to her friend's side. "She is the best healer and cook in the whole world and she can make anything I'll show you my dolls she made them for Chrisssmass and.."
"Rin, please," I interrupted the excitedly babbling girl and she quieted immediately. Though I was a little taken aback by being introduced as her new mother I was more concerned with my patient's recovery to dwell on my feelings just then. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kohako-kun, Rin has told me much about you. How are you feeling?" I asked gently.
"Very well, please, don't worry about me, O'Conghaile-sama, I will heal quickly." Kohaku assured me blushing.
"Yes, I noticed, but you will heal faster with food in your belly, a fire to warm you and rest. So take this and sit by the fire with Rin and Jaken." I ordered kindly.
"Yes, my lady, thank you." The boy murmured as Rin took his hand and returned to her babbling diatribe by the fire. I gathered the damaged armour, the dirty dishes and went to the river to start my evening cleaning ritual. Surprisingly, Sesshomaru followed.
"Are we in danger, Sesshomaru-sama?" I asked as I knelt down and began cleaning my pot.
"No." He answered shortly as he folded himself to sit on a nearby boulder. I suppose it should be reassuring that being attracted to me hasn't made him act much differently towards me. I sighed, Always twenty bloody questions. I smirked, "So, is this how an Inu-daiyoukai courts a lady? Bringing her half-dead, human children and watching her perform menial tasks? Or, is this something unique to you?"
He made a noncommittal noise, I shrugged in response and continued about my work, periodically warming my hands under my arms as the water numbed them. Several minutes passed, but when Shesshomaru spoke again it wasn't to me, "Rin, deliver the bowl and return to camp." He addressed the night, and nearby a a bush giggled and shuddered in response, depositing the sheepish child into the open.
"Sneaky girl!" I laughed as she wordlessly handed me the bowl I had give Kohaku. With a cheeky grin, sprinted back to camp and I laughed as I began cleaning the final dish.
"You gave your portion to the boy." Sesshomaru eventually remarked and it made me chuckle.
"The boy needed it more, and I had some rice before you arrived, you do not need to worry about the fullness of my stomach, Sesshmaru-sama, I appreciate your concern. I will eat plenty for breakfast to make up for what little I did not have this evening." I smiled as I put the bowl on the bank and started to wash blood from the boy's cloths.
"I could not allow a shard of the Shikon No Tama to fall into the hands of lesser youkai. Also, neither you nor Rin would have been pleased if I had left the boy to the Ogre." He elaborated and I nodded, smiling fondly.
"I'll need to acquire another bowl for Kohaku, now that you have brought him to us, I doubt Rin will be happy about sending him away again. Quite the little Orphanage you're starting." I chuckled.
"I am not starting an orphanage." He stated baldly and that made me laugh, which he replied to with a warning growl.
I decided to relent for the sake of harmony, "Forgive me, I am aware of your motives and your reasoning and should not mock you for your generosity. You have done a kind thing. Rin seems very fond of the boy and I am sure she will be happier knowing he is safe with us." I stood, shaking water from my hands and wiping them dry on the hem of my kimono. "Also," I continued, moving to sit at his side, "If he is any good with that weapon he has, it might be nice to learn kusarigamajutsu."
He seemed momentarily startled when I rested my head onto his shoulder, but it only took a moment for his arm and mokomoko to wrap around me. I felt his head turn above me and the next time he spoke it was into my hair. "You are only recently beginning to come into your power and master the wakizashi, now you wish to learn yet another weapon?"
He couldn't see my wry smile, but it was probably obvious in my voice when I answered, "I believe I should familiarize myself with the use of any and all weaponry I may encounter, focusing on one to the exclusion of all others seems to be a bit dangerous. Besides, if I am going to live for several thousands of years, I may as well start to accumulate a few hobbies and I like learning such things."
"I could teach you." He answered.
"You're a good teacher." I murmured, enjoying the quiet moment and the warmth of his presence.
"Donella-sama!" I heard Jaken call into the dark and sighed heavily, moving to disengage myself from Sesshomaru and stand. His hand tightened on my hip and I looked up to argue with him to release me, but my lips were deftly captured by his and my words were stolen. The kiss was brief, gentle and left me wanting much, much more, but he helped me to my feet after the short exchange.
"That is how this Sesshomaru courts you." He murmured into my ear.
"This Donella will be offering you no complaints, my lord." The words escaped me in a happy, breathless voice.
His chuckle was almost drowned out by Jaken's shrill call of my name coming closer. Suddenly, Shesshomaru was gone from my side and Jaken's next use of my name was cut off by a surprised squawk from the kappa. I could not bring myself to be upset on the toad's behalf as I gathered my things from the river bank and made my way back to camp.
The next week was spent heading further into the mountain range following a crystal Jaken held, which glowed when the creature possessing of Naraku's heart was near. As we traveled, Kohaku told me more of his encounters and understanding of the spider hanyou and machinations. We also played a targeting game with me using the kusarigama to help improve my aim with the weapon, spoke a bout his family as much as he was willing and I again told stories and sang songs to pass the time. Occasionally my peanut gallery would make themselves known, but for the most part commentary from them was weak and infrequent. I could feel them slowly leaving and in made me melancholy.
Then, on a desolate mountain path we met the strangest child with bottomless black eyes. It offered a chance at insight into the Meidō Zangetsuha if we just followed him. Of course the whole thing screamed, "trap," but we followed despite that and Jakan's loud arguments against it. Sesshomaru gave me a questioning looks as we went, no doubt confused by my sudden quiet meekness, but I just smiled when he met my eyes and gave him a saucy wink. My flirty behavior, compounded with my obvious trust, earned me one of his rare and genuine smiles. A sense of approval from my ghostly companions met my choice to be silent and follow.
The next few hours were very informative and disturbing. It was, of course an ambush. The youkai involved, for once, did not appear to have been sent by Naraku. Shishinki instead seemed to not only be an old combatant of Shessomaru's father, but he originator of the Meidō Zangetsuha technique. I erected a barrier around myself and the remainder of our little party as we watched Sessomaru fight the arrogant youkai. After a time Kagome and her friends arrived adding Inu-Yasha to the mix.
The over all encounter was harrowing to watch and heartbreaking. Listening to Inu-Yasha, Sesshomaru and the flea demon interact with Shishinki on the subject of their father's true intentions was hard. I completely ignored Rin and Jaken's peanut gallery bickering as I watched the small family drama unfold and considered my own siblings and our relationships. Eventually the flea made a point, probably the most important one, that the technique was too powerful and given to the son with the best ability to control it, but the explanation was discarded by both brothers.
Suddenly, Shishinki sent a multitude of Meidō directly at the two brothers. Somehow, Shessomaru was able at the moment to not only produce a perfect Meidō Zangetsuha, but one larger than the cluster Sheshinki had created. The demon and his holes to hell were consumed and the mountain pass was quiet once more. I did not have time to process the after math. The moment I dropped my barrier Sesshomaru was drawing me to his side, and with a reminder to his brother of his plans to kill him, we were airborne. Ah-Un followed close behind with the others.
We were on the other side of the mountain range and the sun was beginning to set when Shessomaru allowed us to land. I made no commentary about the day's events, opting instead to tell Jaken and the children what I wanted them to do to help prepare camp. I let Sesshomaru make his own decisions about staying or going as I nonchalantly began unpacking dishes and food items for the impending meal. Holding my tongue was almost painful, but nothing I could have said would have helped or changed anything and so I ignored it.
I felt Sesshomaru's eyes on me as he remained where we had landed for several moments, watching. I walked passed him with my supplies to where Jaken was digging a fire pit and as I settled into preparing the evening meal. As if it were any other day. I was placing rice in water when the ice prince moved to recline against a tree outside of the fire's glow. As we sat to dinner I addressed Kohaku. "Sango, seems worried about you, Kohaku-kun. Did you not want to speak to her?"
"Yes," He replied miserably, "I did, I just, don't know what to say."
"Are you afraid she is angry with you or that she will try to stop you from what you're doing?" I asked taking another bite of my meal. The boy wore a miserable look as he stared down into his untouched rice. "Both then, I think." I answered for him after a prolonged silence, the boy nodded. "I understand that. One of the hardest thing an older sister has to learn is when to let their siblings grow up and let them make their own choices. I can tell you though, whatever it is, she's already forgiven you for it. You just have to find a way to forgive yourself, now." My gentle words elicited another sad nod as the boy began quietly eating.
"Jaken-san, when we are done would you mind helping me warm some water to do dishes with? My hands were fairly numb last night and I don't really want to repeat the experience." I asked finishing my meal and gathering the used dishware.
"Of course, Donella-sama." Jaken jumped to his feet to assist and Rin piped up.
"Rin can do dishes tonight while you practice, please?" The offer would not have been out of place when we were at the Shiro, but during the times we had been traveling Rin rarely was allowed near waterways in the dark, I was always very worried of her falling in. I almost told her no, but her pleading eyes gave me pause.
"You may, if Kohaku or Jaken will stay with you. The water here is too cold and too swift for you do to be alone." I offered gently. Her pleading eyes went quickly to Kohaku.
"Please? Rin wants to help!" She declared fiercely and I almost laughed at her eager sincerity. Kohaku agreed quickly and Jaken even offered, in his own complaining manner, to help heat water. The trio made quick work of gathering the dishes and noisy progress the nearby stream where they were hidden from view, but their voices carried easily to the camp. Finally deciding to approach the brooding youkia in our midst I asked, "Have you come to any conclusions yet?"
"There is someone I must speak to." He replied standing and I sighed.
"Of course there is." My derisive tone did not escape him has he closed he short distance between us.
"You have been remarkably quiet regarding today's events, ningen, and now you use a mocking tone. I would have you say what you wish and be done with it." He commanded and I felt a warning note thrill through me from my peanut gallery. Everybody's a critic, I thought grumpily.
"I apologies for my tone. If you are looking for castigation, reprimand or argument, you won't be getting such from me. Go speak to who you must we will wait for you here." I replied amiably as I boldly place my hand to his face and ran my fingers down his cheek, "You will be missed, in your absence." I smiled fondly into his eyes.
As I withdrew my hand he took it in his and pressed a kiss to my fingers, "I will be back tomorrow," he said softly, then, he was gone. Stubborn, dog headed man, talking to him about this would have been a waste of my breath. I sighed again as I settled down to update my journal and listened to the rest of my small family arguing over the dishes.
It was rounding on noon the following day when Jaken began complaining of Sesshomaru's absence. His complaining added to a pensive and uneasy feeling that had begun to grow within me and then I had a vision. A man, in blue, with black hair and soulless eyes approached upon a dark cloud of poison. The image faded quickly as the feeling of a powerful youkai moving swiftly towards us. I somehow knew he was after Kohaku. "Jaken, take Rin and Ah-Un, go find Inu-yasha and Kohaku's sister, NOW!" I commanded in a voice the Kappa and the child immediately recognized and sent them scrambling to obey. "Kohaku come stand next to me, quickly," I ordered the boy as I drew my sword. He drew his kusarigama and the moment he reach my side I formed my barrier around us.
"There is something evil approaching, my lady, I feel the jewel with me becoming tainted by it's presence." The boy's voice carried a frantic tone and added more to my jangled nerves and sense of impending dread.
"Hold fast Kohaku, whatever happens, fight until you cannot fight anymore and I want you to know you are not alone and you are not to blame. " I reassured. My preparations came just in time as the creature from my vision made his appearance.
"Kohaku, it has been a while," The dark haired youkai laughed as he sauntered into the clearing. Oh, child! This is not a beast ye are prepared to beat, hold steady help will come." My grandmother cautioned as the darkness from the monster before me rolled forward. I wanted to do nothing more than to grab the boy and run, But I knew whatever it wanted him and we had to stand our ground as long as we could to keep the others safe.
"Naraku! Did you come to take the shikon shard?" I was proud of the boy, I could feel him trembling beside me, but his voice showed none of his fear.
Best help the boy kick the hornet's nest, I though fatalistically as I raised my voice to be heard. "Naraku?" I chuckled Letting my sword drop and forcing my body to relax as I maintain my barrier, "I though he'd be taller. Isn't he like some sort of flea or ant youkai or something? My apologize, but you don't look very intimidating. I sort of feel as if you should be trying to sell me a used Pontiac." I smiled toothily at the freak show who would probably kill me.
"You! I wondered if I would meet you. The gaijin ningen helping Sesshomaru. Byakuya tells me so many interesting things about you. Tell me, what Sesshomaru has offered for your services, I an certain I can do better." The slimy hanyou offered and I forced myself to laugh.
"I collect hearts, Naraku, I would be most interested in yours, would you like to trade? Your heart for my services?" I laughed again and winked at him. I expected the attack that came, but the onslaught of it was harrowing. Hooked tentacles, shot from his arms; their needle-like points stabbed at my barrier painfully. The barrage lasted several minutes and then he changed tactics, and the air around him began to change. It's poison! Ye will have to drop the barrier and pull the wind to ye ta keep it off. Uachterans voice brought words to my actions as I shoved Kohaku towards the trees as I done the opposite discretion and caused the air around to cyclone, pulling dust into the air and moving the miasma away from me harmlessly.
I was gratefully for all the elemental training my ancestors had insisted on as well as Sesshomaru's grueling training. I had to split my focus between maintaining the whirling wind aground me and using my sword to fight off more tentacles. Kohaku also helped divide the monster's attention with a flanking attack with his kusarigama, but eventually Naraku's seemingly endless ability to regenerate began to win out as we became more exhausted and the tentacles moved in to remove the jewel from Kohaku's next.
I saw a sharp tentacle hit Kohaku's next and then a blinding blue light at Naraku recoiled in pain and surprise. I took the opening and focusing fire into my sword and I sliced onto Naraku's exposed chest and then released. Much like the straw practice dummies, months before the hanyou exploded into thousands of pieces as did the blade of my sword. Don't turn yer back lass, the bugabo isna done yet. Uacteran warned as I rushed to Kohaku's side.
Before my eyes, the man began to reform like an evil clay-mation doll from hell as I pulled Kohaku to his feel and we regrouped at the edge of the clearing. I knew, somewhere deep in my soul reserved for well founded fears on things that go bump in the night; out running him was foolish. Unarmed, bruised, and bordering on exhaustion, I pulled my barrier around us again and waited for Naraku's finishing blow as the poisonous air crept towards us once more.
"You should run, Donella from the future," Naraku mocked, "This isn't your fight, you don't belong here. Help me, remove the boy's head and I will send you back to where you came from. The boy is fighting me, but it won't take long, I don't need to touch the shard to corrupt it, soon he will remove his own head, help me and I will help you." The hanyou crooned and I laughed.
"You need to work on talking to women, Naraku, you suck at offering them what they want. Will that be your wish when you complete the jewel? Do you want to learn how to talk to women? Are you a virgin, Naraku? So much power and the only woman who will touch you were paid to do it. You are pathetic." I mocked, hoping to distract him and my words obviously cut deeply. The inarticulate rage that came from the reformed hanyou were almost deafening as his tentacle struck my barrier with enough force to almost make it crumble and me to fall in the first blow. Sweat rolled down my back and tears formed in my eyes as the painful assault continued. Then so many things happened at once.
"Kohaku!" Sago's voice rang out and he answered with, "Aneue," Then my barrier fell and I passed out. When I woke up, there was a crater in the ground that suspiciously looked like a Meidō, Rin in my lap crying, Jaken screaming incomprehensibly and all of Kagome's friends standing around talking in worried voices. Eventually I came to the understanding that, unbelievably, just after I passed out fighting for my life: Naraku left, Sesshomaru arrived and he and Inuyasha engaged in a fight which Byakuya had transported to someplace else. I groaned loudly and tried to stand.
More histrionics from Rin and Jaken ensued from this obvious sign I was alive until I growled for them to be silent and assured them I was well. Kagome rushed to help me sit up as I hear the monk, Miroku idly remark, "It certainly carved out a lot of earth," as he examined the hole in the ground.
I would like to point out, that at this moment in my life in this crazy past world I had found myself in, my encounter with new, and ridiculous creatures had not been quite this frequent or plentiful. I did not know if I should have been grateful to Sesshomaru for guarding against such encounters or angry at him for leaving us all alone and exposed to them. The arrival of an ugly old man on a three eyed cow was almost too much for me. I laid back and listened vaguely to conversation of the Tenssaiga and Tessaiga becoming one sword and was too tired to speculate as to what it all meant as I drifted back into unconsciousness.
I dreamed of a the field I had met Donella and Uacteran in. It was empty now, except for the sound of wind blowing in the grass and a feeling of approval and hope. I fell too my knees crying. I knew they were gone and I was once more facing my uncertain future alone. Unsure if I would ever see Shessomaru again and when the next time his need for vengeance and power would leave me alone to inadequately defend our little family. Pack. The word came to me from wind and stirred a feeling of deep protectiveness and loyalty. They are yours. Fight, defend, protect and you will triumph. The words brought certainty and confusion.
I woke to the glow of firelight and my head cradled in Sessomaru's lap, still drained, but awake, and aware my mind was entirely my own again. I pushed the sad ache in my heart that knowledge gave me as I struggled to sit. "Donnel.." Sesshomaru started and I cut him off sharply.
"Sesshomaru-sama, I think I am very, very angry with you right now, but I am far too tired to summon suitable tirade to adequately express my rage. Please, just help me sit up and don't speak for a moment." My soft words did not elicit a death threat or result in me being dumped to the ground. It was a testament to our changing relationship that he remained silent while he did as I asked and is easy complacency eased some of the hard knot of anger I was feeling.
Once up, I realized we were in a large cave system, either similar to the one we had resided in when Byakuya attacked or a continuation of the same one. Rushing water could be heard, and the stones around us radiated warmth. A small fire illuminated to sleeping forms of Kohaku, Rin and Jaken, One of Ah-Un's heads watched me as the other slept, the hour felt very late. "Are they all right?" I asked, resisting the urge to wake my little family and inspect them for myself.
"They are concerned for your health, but they remain well." He replied shortly. I struggled to stand and he was there, strong arm at my back helping me without comment.
"We need to talk, but I don't want to wake them." The words were barely out of my mouth before I was lifted against him and we were moving quickly through the pitch black caves. We came out into a circular grotto open to the night sky but sheltered all around by cavern walls. Moss and flowering vines my brain idly identified as some form of Fabaceae pueraria in the dim moonlight covered the walls and floor surrounding a steaming pool of water in soft curtain and filled the air with a sweet, relaxing scent. Sesshomaru set me down and kindly waited to make sure I could stand on my own before removing him to the far side of the grotto. "Tell me, what happened." I asked wearily as I gingerly sat.
I didn't need to elaborate more. It was the most verbose he had ever been, but he was still stiling and taciturn in his explanation. Byakuya sent an illusion to him with a piece of Kanna's mirror, which Sesshomaru used to steal Tessaiga's power. He knew it was a trap, but also saw it as a learning experience and a sort of fact finding mission. He had not known about Naraku's attack or seen me unconscious until after he had challenged Inu-Yasha and returned from where Byakuya had sent them. "I would altered my plans if I had known of Naraku's attack, I behaved rashly.." I interrupted him.
"Don't please, no explanations, no apologies. You did what you needed to do as did I." I sighed, "I could not beat Naraku, but I held out until help came and Kohaku's jewel shard is still safe. Ironically we are both sword-less now." My anger had died watching him while he talked. Sesshomaru sat in the shadows, as far as he could away from me and spoke softly. Like a dog waiting to be beaten for it's bad behavior. The thought finally stole my rage. "It's like the torque, but worse now. As long as Kahaku remains with us Naraku will not stop until he gets that final shard, but at least Naraku is scared and a frightened opponent is easier to defeat."
"You believe he is frightened?" Sesshomaru asked from the dark. I smile as I stood and walked around the pool of water to him.
"He waited, long after you had left us, to make his move. Naraku sent Byakuya with the mirror shard to delay and distract you. It was an effective, but obvious trap. He's terrified of facing you," I concluded as I finally stood before him and he made a noncommittal sound, "Having an effective weapon is important. Finding the purpose behind the forging of Tenseiga and Tesseiga is important. As long as you live, Naraku will spend every night in terror knowing his end is coming for him. With Kohoku and the shard with you, he will eventually reveal himself again." I stepped within easy reach of his good arm and felt the fur of his mokomoko brush my leg. "I am no longer angry, I am not hurt, and I am not leaving, a chuisle."
"You are speaking nonsense again." He chided, but he met my eyes and his arm wrapped around my hip and drew me close.
"In the words of my ancestors, a chuisle means my pulse, you are the beat of my heart, Sesshomaru-sama. I may not be your equal in power, but all that I have is yours and I will stay by your side no matter what." I murmured into his hair as I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him close.
"I will not leave you alone again." He assured and I pulled back to meet his eyes with my stern gaze.
"We are both fighters, warriors and you will do what you must to see this end. A man who did less would not deserve my heart." He nodded solemnly before we kissed. I drowned in that kiss, letting his lips, his tongue and his arm around me take all the fear and anger I had felt. Without knowing quite how, I found myself straddling his lap with one hand on his shoulder to steady myself and the other tangled in his hair as passion stole reason. I pulled back gasping for air and whispered hoarsely, "I believe, we are very much alone, my lord." That was the last coherent sentence I would be able to form for several hours as his eyes widened with comprehension and a wicked grin spread across his lips.