InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Time to Heal ❯ Questions for Sesshoumaru ( Chapter 12 )

A/N - Can someone explain to me how computers know when to go on the blink to piss you off the worst? I swear if it's not one thing it's another with these things. Then add in an editor who said he sent me the chapter but two days later it still hadn't come in, I swear he's out to get me. Just kidding Matt. Anywho, on with the story. ~morganlefey~

Disclaimer - I only own Riona/Ume. If you wish to use her please ask.

Chapter 12 - Questions for Sesshoumaru

Riona lay in a daze under Sesshoumaru for a moment. Suddenly she realized what had startled the taiyoukai. "Sesshoumaru let me up."

"No."

"I have to answer that, it might be my agent," Riona insisted.

Sesshoumaru, realizing how his actions appeared, released her. As soon as she was freed, Riona dashed for the phone.

"Rio," she said as she answered.

"Woman…"

Riona held up her hand for him to stay quiet.

"That sounds great, I'll see what I can do on this end… Can you let the producer know that I've narrowed it down to three shrines and I'll start submitting proposals in about a week… No, I ran into some old friends and since I'm here at my own expense, I'm going to hang out for a week at least… I know… No, I wanted to reschedule that anyway… I would've been back for less then twenty-four hours after being on a plane for at least that long…Babe, come on. When was the last time I took a real break…? Hon, trust me. I will make sure everything's taken care of… I am not changing my mind… I haven't seen these guys in ages… I understand that… Yes, I know… Sweetie, let me pull a diva moment just this once…You're the best… I'll get back to you next week… Love ya, babe."

Sesshoumaru watched as Ume seemed to speak to herself. If it wasn't for his inhuman hearing he would never have heard the masculine voice responding to her. Having heard a male speaking in what seemed to be an extremely familiar manner was causing him to growl softly. Realizing what he was doing he stopped.

`What am I doing? She proved unreliable in the past, why would I be protective of her now?' He glared at Ume, `She is human. She still seems to be a huntress so she could turn against me. I know I want a subservient mate and Ume was never subservient. If she was, we would not be in our current situation.'

Sesshoumaru snapped out of his musings as Riona hung up with her agent.

"Woman, who was that?"

"Why do you care?"

"Your pledge to the Western lands still stands."

"Oh, yes, that's it, yes, my pledge versus what happened a moment ago. The great Lord Sesshoumaru could not be jealous now, could he?" She threw at him.

"Woman…"

"Don't you woman me. If you absolutely have to know, that was my agent. I just got my schedule cleared for the next week so I can help you."

"What is this agent?"

"He takes care of the business end of my career. I still have full control but he does all the tedious stuff," Riona explained over her shoulder.

"I understand."

"Is that all your going to say?"

"It explains why you and he are so familiar. You work closely with one another."

"So you were jealous?"

"My heir will be full-blooded youkai," Sesshoumaru monotoned.

"Of course, Sesshou-chan. By the way, can you explain two things to me?"

"It depends on the questions."

"First thing is why were you growling when I was on the phone?"

"As your pledge to my father still stands so does his pledge of protection. That male seemed to have been too familiar with you."

"Okay, whatever. Second question: Explain your reaction to both the kiss and what happened after."

"…I have no idea what you are referring to," Sesshoumaru refused to answer.

"Let's see. First of all, you definitely got into that kiss. Secondly, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then why did my ass end up on the floor under yours?"

"I told you, I was honor…"

"Don't even start on that "honoring old pledges" bullshit. There was something there and I will get you to admit it if it's the last thing I do."

"Be careful or it will be."

"From what I can tell, you supposedly could give a shit about me. Why would you care if I died?"

"As you said, my honor requires…"

"DOWN!!!!!!!!!" Sesshoumaru found himself none to gently embedded in the floor once again. "I told you to cut the bullshit!" Riona screamed.

"Let me…"

"No," Riona said simply. "Sesshou-chan, you don't know what this is doing to me. I've waited for you all this time. In my heart, I couldn't believe you were dead. Now… now I don't know how to feel. I still love you, Sesshoumaru, but even I… even I have to end it." She finished brokenly, eyes shimmering with tears that she refused to shed over the stubborn youkai.

Though she had her back turned to him, Sesshoumaru could still smell the salty tang he knew was tears. "What would you have me do, Ume? Many can attest to the fact that I have no heart. I cannot give you something that does not exist."

"I believe you still have a heart, Sesshou-chan. You just hid it well enough and long enough that even you can't find it anymore," Riona said turning around to look at him.

"And you believe that you can find it?"

"Not on my own. You need to be willing to look as well."