A/N: Just drabbling….I felt like I needed to do this, so here it is.

OOOOOOOO

Calli leaned into Sesshomaru's body, trying to stay warm but not overcrowd him. Sesshomaru put his hand to her forehead and felt the heat coming off of her skin.

How can the mere sun hurt her so bad? Sesshomaru thought, sliding his hand down the curve of her face.

The demon took in her angry red skin. There were little blisters popping up there. They were hot and bleed red, all over her back, neck and arms.

Calli looked up at him sheepishly. "It looks really bad, doesn't it?"

Sesshomaru held her gaze. "You know better than to go out in the sun for long spanses of time. Without protecting yourself."

Calli grimaced as some pain hit her burned nerves. "Be nice, Sesshomaru. I may have forgotten, okay? I've got a lot on my mind lately."

"Oh yes." His eyes narrowed. "Your male harem."

Calli rolled her eyes and pushed away from him. "I don't have a male harem! And even if I did, they probably could manage themselves without my interference." She shook her head. "What's going on with me is about keeping this sunburn out of my parents' radar while my baby sister recovers. Among all the other things that are going kaboom with my health."

Sesshomaru watched the darkly dressed girl move away from him and her sofa. She wore very little on top because of the burns. The only time she wore more was when people were around and that was only when she went out in public. Clothes were very painful for her and he wasn't complaining.

"You are human," Sesshomaru said, looking at her. "It's a shame that you're not a demon. Then you would be stronger."

Calli waved him off, grimacing again when her skin pulled taut. "I'd never make a good demon. Too many mental problems. And I really don't want to be the psycho demon, running around here." She frowned. "You already had to deal with enough of those."

Sesshomaru nodded, remembering. "I prefer you as you are. Though to lose you to age and death…that is not in my preferences."

Calli sifted through her stack of hooded sweaters. "I'm sorry that my life span is not as great as yours."

"It could be."

"We are not going to go there, Sesshomaru. Drop it before you even get started."

Sesshomaru frowned. Only Calli really had the courage to defy him. His brother and Kagome were just nuisances that got in his way. He cared very little for them and much more for this girl.

"You are hurting and -"

"No. I'm not going anywhere near the Jewel. Okay?"

Sesshomaru glared at her. "It would help ease your pain."

"And corrupt my soul. So, no!"

Sesshomaru rose to his feet and moved over to her as she picked up her Halloween hooded sweater. He plucked it out of her hands.

"What? Why'd you take that?" Calli demanded, glaring up at him.

"You know that putting this on will hurt you more than you'd like." Sesshomaru wouldn't back down to her glare. "You will not be putting this on."

"You're bossy," Calli muttered, crossing her arms and wincing at the action.

"You're cute when you're trying to be angry."

Calli shook her head. "Nope."

"Do not argue with me about this, Calli." Sesshomaru held the sweater high out of her reach. "You are cute…for a human."

"Grr!" Calli growled, turning away. "You're annoying for how cute you are."

Sesshomaru followed her to the kitchen. Calli picked up a bottle of aloe. She made a face at it.

"I hate this sticky stuff. It's a gross feeling." She held it out to him. "Will you put this stuff on me? I can reach everything it needs to go on without hurting myself."

Sesshomau placed the sweater of the reach of his mate and took the bottle. Calli only hissed once when the aloe was spread over her angry red skin. Sesshomaru was impressed. He had figured that she would put up more of a fit at being touched there.

She's stronger than she appears…if she were a demon…

Sesshomaru looked at her when she turned around and saw the tears sliding down her cheeks. Blood trickled from her bottom lip where he had bit down on it. The sight nearly broke his heart.

"Calli…"

"It's all right," she murmured, shaking her head. "I need to lay down. Will you stay with me?"

Sesshomaru nodded and followed her to her bedroom. Calli crawled onto the bed and laid down on her stomach. Sesshomaru laid down next to her and stared at his mate, amazed by her strength. She closed her eyes and took in a slow breath.

The demon lord didn't move from his place by her side until he was certain that she was in a deep sleep. He left the room and went to the hall closet.

Jaken was there, stuffed away where he wouldn't bother anyone. The little demon underling looked up at him with adoration.

"Jaken…I need for you to go retrieve someone for me," Sesshomaru said slowly.

"What is it, my demon lord?" Jaken asked. "A weapon? A talisman? Anything is yours, my lord."

Sesshomaru knew that Calli would not like his request. "Go get an item that will heal Calli and give her demonic powers as well."

Jaken frowned. "Why would you waste such a valuable item on…her?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to say that she is not worthy of my affections, Jaken?"

Jaken quickly shook his head, bowing repeatedly. "No! No, m'lord! Mistress Calli is all worthy! She is! She is!"

Sesshomaru looked coldly at his servant. "Then go do as I have said."

Jaken turned and hurried from the home. Sesshoamru folded his arms over his chest and gazed at the pictures on Calli's wall.

"She will learn to forgive me in time," he decided, hoping that his words were true.

OOOOOOOOOOO

A/N: Not very long. I'm sorry about that. But maybe there will be a second part someday. -Scarlet