Summary: Now that I have been freed from the geisha house, I can continue my journey with the fearsome Sesshomaru. However, it's no picnic. Demons are after me because of my abilities I have just recently discovered. Including Hisao, a demon I thought was dead.

Name of Chapter: Anxiety

…

That night I couldn't sleep. I couldn't, despite my exhaustion from battling the raccoon demon by myself. I was anxious, learning Hisao was alive. I was so stupid. Why didn't I stab him again after I got out from under him? I didn't double check he was dead and now I am going to pay for it.

I tried to sleep. I lay on the ground next to the fire and closed my eyes but I didn't fall asleep. My thoughts raced and I became alert of my surrounding. The crackling of the fire, Jakens' snoring and shuffling as he turned in his sleep. I didn't hear anything from Sesshomaru, as usual. But I knew he was there.

I lay there, staring at the dark sky, watching the stars until the sun rose. I got up and ate a small breakfast to appease my growling stomach.

I winced, feeling pain in my right shoulder. After Sesshomaru confirmed my worst fears, he had insisted on tending to my wounds. He cleaned and bandaged it, his strong hands touching my skin. I felt my face turn warm and my heart beat quicker. I tried not to watch, not because I was afraid of blood, but because I wanted to throw myself in his arms.

Curse his excellent hearing, I had thought as he inspected his handiwork and a small smile appeared on his soft lips.

I wanted to kiss him right then and there, even with Jaken in the area. But I knew I couldn't. I needed to keep my distance from him, as I don't belong with a demon.

Jaken was waking as I finished my small breakfast and Sesshomaru rose from his spot against a tree. I felt his eyes on me as I aimlessly sorted through my knapsack. My breath hitched in my throat as I felt shooting pain in my shoulder. I ignored it, knowing I have had worse pains.

"I'm ready to leave," I say, standing up. My shoulder throbbed in pain.

"Good, I don't know why we stopped for this long," Jaken grumbled, kicking dirt over the fire. "If you were a demon, we wouldn't need to stop."

"Enough, Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded. I glared at Jaken. As if I wished to be human.

He has been awake for a few minutes and he was already pissing me off. This was going to be a long tiring day.

…

The late afternoon autumn sun bore down on us as we continued walking through the forest. Exhaustion ran rampant through my body, as I have been up for over a day. Factor in battling a demon, having this weird power come from me, and learning that Hisao was alive made me feel like I have been awake for over three days.

I yawned and blinked furiously. I was beginning to feel anxious as the sun sunk lower into the sky. I rubbed my forearm because it was something I did when I was anxious.

I stumbled over my own foot but I corrected myself. I sighed, I was so tired but we were hours from making camp.

"We are making camp for the night," Sesshomaru said suddenly. I blinked, noticing we were in a clearing.

"What," Jaken's frog like voice said. He looked at me with a glare and pointed an accusing finger at me. "If it weren't for you, you insolent human, we wouldn't have to stop so much! Why don't you leave now that you are able to live on your own? Stop following us demons."

"Do you think I wished to be human, Jaken," I shot back, my heart racing and my eyes burning. "And don't blame this on me! You are the one-grr!" I stomped my foot and clenched my fists in anger. My eyes were burning with oncoming tears. I needed to get out of here before I broke down or collapsed from exhaustion.

"You know what, never mind. I will leave, Jaken." I glared at him and I turned to Sesshomaru. His golden eyes were wide. "Thank you for everything, Lord Sesshomaru. Jaken is right, I must depart from your company. A human has no place by your side."

I ran into the woods before he could say anything. My heart beat fast and tears fell from my eyes.

I ran until I could run no more. I jumped over and ducked under branches. I only had one thought on my mind: I needed to get far away from Sesshomaru.

…

"Serves that wench right," my servant said as we watched Misa disappear into the woods. The scent of salt water was mixed in with her scent and my heart pounded in my chest. My chest ached and I had to stop myself from grabbing her.

"Finally, now we can continue on with our journey, Lord Sesshomaru, without that lame brained human." Jaken began walking away. I stayed where I was, my blood boiling at his words. I wanted to slice his head off at his words. How dare he call my Misa lame brained?

"Jaken," I said coolly. "Have you not noticed that Misa is no ordinary human? Surely you have witnessed her in battle."

Jaken swallowed, looking at me with fear in his yellow eyes. "L-l-lord Sesshomaru, you are upset with me?"

I turn and begin walking in the direction of Misa's delightful scent.

"Do not follow, imp," I said as I heard Jakens feet scrape the earth. There was not something right about Misa today. She has not been herself since learning Hisao was still alive and she didn't sleep the previous night. I knew because I listened to her breath and it did not become soft and even, as if she were in sleep. I observed today she has been jumpy and when we rested midday, her eyes kept closing then popping open again.

After seeing her stumble, I knew she needed rest.

Doesn't she know I will protect her, I thought. I assumed this had to do with Hisao. He wanted her as a mate and he will most likely still be seeking her. Or planning to kill her.

…

I gasped in pain as my foot sank into the earth and I face planted into the dirt. I looked at my left ankle and saw it was in a hole surrounded by leaves. I bit my lip, muffling my cry of pain as I slowly removed it from the hole. Gingerly, I felt my ankle and felt it was already beginning to swell.

Just my luck, I thought. I felt tears come from my eyes again. I left Sesshomaru, I'm weary, anxious, and I feel like I am starting my monthly curse.

I whimpered, standing up and put some weight on my foot. I let out a sob at the pain and as it radiated my foot.

"I can't walk like this," I whispered out loud, sitting down against a tree. "What am I going to do? I can't go back to Sesshomaru. Jaken was right. I should have left a long time ago." I brought my legs up to my chest and rested my head. I knew I would be better after some sleep, but how could I sleep when I just left the person I care most for?

"Jaken is an imbecile." My head snapped up at hearing Sesshomaru's voice. My heart beat a couple times at the sight of him.

"W-what are you doing h-here?" I stuttered as he knelt next to me. "I left, and didn't expect you to follow me." I looked down, not letting him see the hurt in my eyes. "I'm just a human."

"You called me Lord," Sesshomaru said and I looked at him. I couldn't help myself but I started laughing. I laughed so hard I snorted like a pig. I wrapped my arms around my stomach as laughter racked through my body more. I felt more tears flow from my eyes. My laughter slowly turned into sobs.

"Misa." I looked at Sesshomaru. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs, careful of his claws. His golden eyes spoke to me, urging me to tell him what was wrong.

"I couldn't sleep last night," I began, breathing to calm myself. "I'm worried Hisao will show up and kill me. I just keep waiting for him to show up and kill me." I looked at Sesshomaru. "I have a feeling the next time we meet him; I will not survive."

Sesshomaru brushed my hair back, careful with his claws. I savored this feeling of him being gentle and caressing my skin.

"Do you not remember what I told your mother, Misa," Sesshomaru asked as his golden eyes held my hazel ones. I shook my head. I think back to the day I left my village after my illness.

"It is my understanding that my only daughter wishes to travel with you." My mother says, cutting straight to the point.

Sesshomaru nods, glancing towards me. I inwardly groan.

"My only request is that you protect her with your life." My mother states, smiling and her hazel eyes glossy. I am stunned by this. "If she dies in your care, don't ever come back to this village again."

"I will protect her with my life." Sesshomaru says. As he says it, his gaze is locked on mine.

"I will protect you with my life," Sesshomaru echoes now.

Then, just like before, I knew he meant it.

To Be Continued…

Well, I wanted to update Because Of A Wish and have most of the chapter done but I needed to get this chapter done! Eyes Of Sorrow is officially complete so I now have time to work on this and BOAW. And maybe an idea I have floating around in my head. Oh and good stuff happens next chapter! Stay tuned!

R&R please!

Drama Kagome