Theme 14: Smile

"Aya, what is happening to me?" Sesshomaru asked one day as the group rested after a particularly long journey. Sesshomaru helped slay the Lizard Youkai, such filth were not worth the blade of his father, so he used his claws.

The Youkai went down easily, the slayer and the monk fought well while the fox and the cat herded the women to safety.

The Miko strung her sacred arrows and shot them, their purifying light burned her enemies to a crisp, but she was not a good shot and she often missed. It was at a time while her concentration was otherwise engaged that one of the Youkai attacked her from behind.

Something sparked in his chest.

Sesshomaru got in the way, with Inuyasha's claws he sliced the Youkai down. Glancing at the Miko, he realised she was injured on the shoulder, she would be no more use on the battle field in this condition and he needed her alive. Besides that, something raged inside him, telling him to get her to safety. Usually Sesshomaru would be above such things, but in this useless Hanyou body, even his will was weaker, so he pushed her to the side. "Stay back" he said simply and continued the fight. Within a few more moments, they were all dead.

Thankfully, their fight had ended up fruitful as the Youkai boss had been in possession of one of the sacred shards. It had been most interesting to watch the Miko purify the tainted shared with her touch.

But he could not forget the feeling from the battle.

Aya was silent. The wily Dream Youkai only came to him as she felt like it. But as she communicated though dreams, he could not find her for truth.

He supposed his sudden inclination to save the woman Miko in the village was also a part of that feeling. He was unable to kill Inuyasha's companions, but he did not have to interfere if they are attack by another force. And yet he did. Why?

A little away, the girl giggled.

Sesshomaru looked up "What?"

She seemed surprised he would ask. So he frowned and turned his face away "Forget it, I was merely curious"

"No, it's ok" she said "I was just thinking about how you saved me earlier. Thank you. I didn't think the current you would. It reminded me of the old you, the one that promised to protect me. I'm happy."

She smiled; it was a smile that was so filled with joy and true pleasure.

Sesshomaru felt the insides of his heart tug. But pushed it away, knowing it was not his.

He turned his head away "Please, spare such thoughts, I did not save you because of any sentimental beliefs you may have, I did it because you were in the way and I have need of your eyes than can see the shards."

Her smile instantly disappeared, Sesshomaru was left with a look of anger and hurt. "You jerk" she said and walked away.

REVEIW