InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Enter Nadeshiko ❯ Enter Nadeshiko ( One-Shot )

Author's Notes: Okay, since Laura completely fixed this up and I have NO time to see if there's anything wrong, blame Laura if something's messed up. -_- I hope all of my very-few fans enjoy this. We are currently working on a sequel to this, for this was written over the summer, but we took a short break from that to write a really cool AU. You might see that sometime. FIFTY-EIGHT PAGES ON WORD!!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: If I or Laura owned Inuyasha would we be writing FANfictions??!!

Enter Nadeshiko

"Lord Sesshomaru, where are we going?" asked Jaken holding on the reins of Ah and Un.

"Some where far, far away from all the madness," the usually stoic demon said, rubbing his temples, trying to fight back the coming headache.

"Lord Sesshomaru are you not feeling well?"

Sesshomaru gave the toad demon of "The Glares", while Rin bounced happily in place.

Jaken took this to mean be quiet now or else.

Rin was getting bored fast. Bouncing wore you out and was also boring. So she went with poking. POKE! Right into the toad demon's spine.

"Ahh!" cried Jaken.

Rin giggled and poked him again.

"Ahh, stop it!" he said.

Sesshomaru growled. "Rin."

"Sorry Sesshomaru-sama." Rin instantly stopped the prodding motions.

Above them to eyes watched them. Hmm human or demon. Well he is rather handsome. . .perhaps I should take this chance to find out. A lady landed in from of them

Sesshomaru growled. "Jaken." His eyes were currently shut and he noticed they had stopped. The gasp from Rin set him off and his eyes shot open.

This lady was rather attractive she had amber orbs for eyes and silver hair in a high pony tail no bangs in her face. She had on a robe of some sort all black velvet with faux snow leopard thick trim on the cuffs and long collar. Her shoes were black as well.

Sesshomaru raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "What is it you seek?"

She held up her hand to her face her nails or claws perhaps were a blazing hot pink! She remained quiet studying him.

Sesshomaru growled and glared at her. "Speak!"

She giggled a bit. She shook her head back and forth her pony tail glistened.

Sesshomaru, thanks to the headache, was quickly looking his patience. "Speak or be killed on the spot." He put his hand on the hilt of Toujikin.

She drew her katana made by the fang of another demon and pointed it at Sesshomaru she jumped back her robe fluttered. He could notice her robe was 8 inches above her ankle.

Sesshomaru drew his blade and snickered. "You chose the wrong demon to mess with poppet."

She beckoned him as if to say come and get me.

Sesshomaru charged with uncanny speed, wielding the blade as it's true master.

Amazingly she blocked him!

Her katana clashed with Toujikin, sending promising sparks. "So, what's you name?" he said as if they were taking a walk in the park.

"I'll whisper it in your ear after I win." she had the most beautiful voice Sesshomaru had ever heard.

Sesshomaru was taken aback by her voice. He was surprised she was not a song bird. Sesshomaru fought her. It seemed the battle would really have no victor. She twirled around in a circle and to the side so again her blade was pointed at she Sesshomaru, while Toujikin slipped forward! Sesshomaru growled and countered her attack, well tried to. He managed to get a sizable gash in her shoulder. She was hurt as bad as he now.

"That's it!" she seemed to hiss. She twirled wildly with her katana and slashed Sesshomaru diagonally across the chest! "No one cuts my robe!"

"No one cuts ME!" Sesshomaru swung his foot, knocking her feet out from under her.

She flipped in the air and alighted on her feet!"

Sesshomaru snarled. "You're a really pain." Truly, Sesshomaru knew he could kill her right there, but this was fun.

She smiled, it was very kawaii!

Sesshomaru felt his heart flutter but quickly pushed the feeling away.

"Well?" she asked.

"Well what?"

"Come and get me, I think I now know who you are."

"Oh really? Who?" Sesshomaru attacked her and managed to rip her robe and stomach, nearly cutting off all of her clothing! Sesshomaru made a `tut, tut' noise.

She was furious and sliced the top part of his robes off with a few cuts to finish it off.

Sesshomaru laughed. "Oh dear. I'll simply die now." His full chest was exposed, showing it's well-toned torso and shown with masculinity.

She ignored it.

Sesshomaru sheathed his blade and bowed. "It has been fun but I'm afraid I have business to attend to." Being the Lord of the Western Lands, he could easily have he killed for picking a fight, but he cared not.

"I was right!" she laughed.

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Sure, but you must tell me your name, for you already know mine."

She threw her katana high in the air caught it the blade facing downward twirled like a baton and sheathed it.

"Tell me your name, I could be wrong though I never am."

"Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands."

"Oh please." she rolled her eyes obviously his title failed to impress her. "Still I was right you are Sesshomaru, son of Inu no Taisho, and brother to Inuyasha a hanyou!"

Sesshomaru snorted. "He is no brother of mine."

"I see." she replied.

"What vile inu youkai mated with a neko youkai?"

"Don't you dare say that!" she hissed again.

Sesshomaru chuckled. "You are amusing."

"And you're annoying." she turned to leave.

Sesshomaru snorted. "Where have I heard that before?" He mused himself before looking at her. "Are you going anywhere sp--RIN!" Rin had hopped off and was running and laughing after the strange woman.

She seemed to ignore Rin. "Miss! Miss! May Rin ask your name?" Rin hand started to lightly pull on the woman's robe.

"RIN!" Sesshomaru called under his breath.

She kneeled down pulling her tie belt tighter where her sword was. "Children." she said looking at her.

"Rin would like to know that name of the lady who almost beat her lord!" she said with a grin.

Sesshomaru was rubbing his temples again.

"One moment Rin dear. . ." she walked back to Sesshomaru. "Not that I care, but what is wrong with you?"

"She is driving me nuts. I can't believe I have a dau--" Sesshomaru caught himself. "companion who's so. . ."

Rin piped up, "Inquisitive m'lord?" Sesshomaru nodded.

"Hmm." she began to leave once more.

Rin pouted. "Miss! Rin did not get your name!"

"Perhaps you might know when we meet later, child. It seems the lord doesn't care what it is."

Rin skipped over to Sesshomaru. "Lord?"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Please give her your name so I can get on with my life."

"I will, not this time but perhaps later." she said smiling with her deep scarlet lips and left.

Rin sighed. "Sesshomaru-sama?" He shook his head. "No, Rin, we must continue on." To get things moving faster, he picked Rin up and set her on the dragon, for she was having trouble getting on. "Jaken."

"Impudent woman! Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Go." Was all Sesshomaru had to say. Rin was back to being bored.

Where my lord?"

"I don't care."

Jaken was helpless to decide for himself what to do, he just stood there waiting for Sesshomaru to tell him what to do.

Sesshomaru was getting angry again. "Follow the demon girl then!"

Jaken did as he was told.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin whispered. Sesshomaru gave a small nod to tell her to go on. "Do you know that lady? You looked at her funny."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "No Rin, I do not know her."

She wasn't far off, when she heard Jaken close by,

"Oh why does Lord Sesshomaru ask me to follow her. . ."

She seemed to come out of know where "I could kill you, but tell your lord I have no business with him." she showing her claws.

This was all Jaken needed to go back to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru raised a regal eyebrow. "What is it?" Rin's eyes scanned the area.

"She says she has no business with you m'lord."

"Who says I have business with her? I just happen to be going the same way.

Rin gave a giggle as she saw something through the thick forest.

"What does she see master.?" Jaken asked.

Sesshomaru had not looked around so he just looked at Rin, who hopped off Ah and Un and ran to the supposed thing. "Hi!" she said coming up from behind the woman.

"Hello, Rin, child why do you follow me?"

"Because you're pretty and I like you." Rin stated matter-of-factly.

She smiled and laughed a bit. "But aren't you Lord Sesshomaru's companion?

"Can't you still be pretty, just because I'm Sesshomaru-sama's companion doesn't mean Rin can't like you." Rin said with a smile.

Sesshomaru sighed. She was with the demon woman.

"Yes and you flatter me, but you should follow him not me."

Rin sighed. "But Sesshomaru-sama doesn't have a lady companion Rin can talk to."

"You're asking me to join but I must decline."

Rin sighed and nodded. "Rin understands. Sesshomaru-sama can be kind of rude, can he not?"

The lady tilted her head an shrugged.

Rin bowed respectfully and started back.

She turned to look at Sesshomaru and started on her way.

Rin sighed and clambered back onto the dragon's back. "Rin is sorry for defying Lord Sesshomaru-sama's wishes." Sesshomaru nodded.

"Are we following her master?" Jaken asked.

"Just keep going in the same direction. I couldn't care less if it's following her or not.''

She was now far ahead of them and stopped by a pond to clean herself after the battle.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin whispered.

"What is it Rin?" Rin pointed to herself. "Rin feels grimy." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Jaken, to the nearest clean water source."

Jaken took them to the pond while she was still there.

Rin bounced off, stripping the clothes off happily and ran into the pound with a defiant "Wheee!"

"You again?" she asked as if she wasn't too happy to see them.

Rin stopped, shoulder-deep in water, who had spoken? "Oh! Lady Mystery! You're here!" Sesshomaru sprayed out the liquid he was drinking at the name Rin had given her.

She laughed at him.

Sesshomaru wiped it off his lips. "Rin," he said warning her, but not for calling out to the woman, Rin was going too far into the pond. "Sorry Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin swam back closer to the shore and giggled as she pulled a fish out the of the water with her bare hands.

The lady smiled "Sake too strong for you Sesshomaru?" she asked slyly.

Sesshomaru's lip curled. "How would you feel if your companion called out happily to a new-found opponent? He preceded to start drinking again, rolling his eyes at Rin who was racing the fish. "Rin you need to use SOAP." he called. Rin nodded and ran back to the shore to gather some soap. Only little girls her age wouldn't mind running around naked as the day she was born. Soap in hand she went back to the water, practically diving in. She loved the water.

"So we are enemies now?"

"No, opponents. There's a difference." Rin giggled happily, now covered head to toe in soap bubbles. Sesshomaru sighed. "Rin either clean yourself properly or I'll have to come in there and do it FOR you."

"Clean?" she looked at the dirt spots, and the undressed wounds.

"I'm not bathing in front of you!"

"Oh c'mon Sesshomaru-sama! We can have loads of fun in the water!"

"I mean how could you clean her when you cannot not even clean yourself or dress your wounds?" she pointed out,

"I heal very fast."

Rin's eyes widened. "Sesshomaru-sama cleans very well. Too well." She remembered the last time Sesshomaru had to clean her. He scrubbed HARD. Her shin was red for the entire day.

She laughed her wounds we already dressed and he was perfectly clean. she rested against a boulder.

Rin went back to scrubbing her own skin. The problem was she was scrubbing the same spot over and over. Sesshomaru sighed and stood up, removing his armor, fluff, shirt and boots and went to go clean Rin.

"No! Stop I'll do it." she said. Rin seemed to not like the fact he did too good a job.

Rin heaved a sigh of relief. Sesshomaru shrugged and went to the opposite side of the pond to clean his own skin, after all he was already wet, might as well get clean.

"There you are." said the lady as she cleaned Rin. As Rin dried off the lady undid her hair and began to comb, it seemed a mess of tangles.

Rin smiled happily.

Sesshomaru sighed as he watched the woman and his "package". If only he had a mother figure for his daugh-- er companion.

She put it back like it was and rested against the boulder again.

Rin's hair now looked especially beautiful.

Rin played happily with a little bird that had come near her.

Sesshomaru sighed again as he finished washing up and went and sat near the lady. This wasn't easy. "Thank you for cleaning Rin and brushing her hair."

"Someone had to." she said simply.

Sesshomaru nodded.

Rin whistled a song to the little bird.

She looked at Rin and sighed, how wonderful to be young and carefree.

Sesshomaru was watching Rin. Smiling. That's right SMILING!

"Well look at you." she said.

Sesshomaru looked back at her. "Huh?"

"You can smile."

"Oh. . ." Sesshomaru looked down. "Guess I can."

"Why do you seemed so depressed about it?"

"Probably because I don't normally smile."

"Oh well, then I never saw it?" she offered.

Sesshomaru chuckled.

"You laugh too?"

"Sesshomaru-sama laughs all the time!" Rin called out.

"Rin, I don't think she means evil laughs. Just normal ones."

"Ohhh, you laugh?"

Sesshomaru put a hand to his face and shook his head. "Don't do it, she didn't know."

"Well I suppose I will take my leave now. Oh one more thing how much of a rivalry do we have?"

"Common."

Rin ran up to her to bow.

"Oh." she sounded a bit disappointed. She then patted Rin in the head.

"Farewell Lady Mystery. Thank you for the wonderful time."

"You want more?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I thought it was more."

"I don't need any more enemies."

"We aren't enemies, we are opponents." she whispered to Rin "You're welcome."

Rin smiled and ran over to Sesshomaru and crawled into his lap. "Is she leaving so soon, Sesshomaru-sama?"

He nodded.

She seemed to frown and she turned to leave.

Rin waved. "Good bye, Miss!"

"Farewell."

"Uhh. . . "Sesshomaru called out. "W-would you like to stay with u-us for a while?"

Rin grinned up at Sesshomaru

"Why?"

"Err. . .Rin would enjoy it and I could have an adult to talk to.''

"Isn't he" she pointed to Jaken "an adult?"

Rin squealed with laughter.

"Him?!" Sesshomaru said through laughs.

She looked at him.

Sesshomaru absently bounced Rin on his knee. "Jaken is no fun."

She closed her eyes and then opened them. The she folded her hands together as if to pray and brought them to her deep scarlet lips and bowed her hear. She had to seriously consider this.

Rin watched her with glowing eyes as she bounced up and down.

Sesshomaru was watching her too.

She wasn't happy with him, but part of her didn't wan to refuse him.

Rin's smile was starting to slip and Sesshomaru whispered something in her ear and she sighed, and nodded, keeping the smile up.

"Hmm, that may not be the best idea." she said. "But I don't know what to say."

Sesshomaru nodded and rubbed Rin's back who had lost all hope of ever having a mother. Rin was not usually so sad, Sesshomaru was wondering why.

She looked at them.

Rin looked back at her.

Sesshomaru had rested his face in Rin's hair, like the end of the world was coming. Well, it kind of was for her.

"I suppose. . ." she began.

Rin gnawed on her bottom lip, anticipating what she was about to say.

". . .for a bit."

Rin grinned.

Sesshomaru took his face out of her hair and looked at her. "Really?"

"Don't sound too excited Sesshomaru, I may leave as quickly as I have come. I don't take well to groups."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Okay. But I'll blame you if Rin breaks down if you leave." He picked Rin up in his arms.

She rolled her eyes.

Rin was grinning. "So what IS your name?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Remember I'll tell you after I win Sesshomaru." she said in a most alluring tone.

Sesshomaru sighed. Rin rolled her eyes and jumped out of Sesshomaru's grasp. "I want to know her name so fight!"

"I wouldn't mind a rematch!" she laughed her deep scarlet lips formed a smile.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Fine." Rin ran out of the way.

She drew her katana and jumped back.

Sesshomaru drew his own blade.

She beckoned to him.

"Ladies first."

"Come and get me!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and did a little foot thing and managed to get behind her and slashed at her.

"Ah!" she arched her back. She whirled around and slashed him deeply across his chest, his armor fell.

"Oh!" Rin called. Who's side am I supposed to take? she asked herself.

Sesshomaru laughed and gave a wild stab and hit her in her right shoulder.

She got his stomach, his shirt fell in pieces to the ground.

"Damn it that's the second today!" Sesshomaru swiped at her with his claws, getting her face.

"You ass!" her katana got his neck.

Sesshomaru took the hit by surprise and fell to the ground.

"Sesshomaru-sama!"

She pointed katana at his neck..

Sesshomaru held his hands up in defeat.

She got down on a knee after sheathing her sword "Nadeshiko." she whispered in his ear.

Sesshomaru smiled as Rin came up to him. "Are you alright Lord Sesshomaru?" He nodded.

Nadeshiko offered her hand to him, it was her injured arm.

Sesshomaru looked at it. "And risk making it worse?"

"Take it!" she said.

Sesshomaru took it and stood up. "Happy?"

She was quite and took some cloth she had and cleaned his neck wound not caring about the blood streaming down her face. The cloth she used had a bit of antiseptic on it and burned.

Sesshomaru winced but didn't say anything. Rin was happily making something out of the fabric that was once his shirt; she never let anything go to waste.

"Stop fidgeting!"

Sesshomaru stopped instantly. "Yes Mom," he said sarcastically. Rin looked up from her needle and giggled.

"Good boy." she replied and finished.

Sesshomaru sigh and rolled his eyes. "Rin what're you making?" She looked up again. "Dress."

"Lie down?" asked Nadeshiko.

He gave her a weird look but did so.

She tended to all of his wounds but not to her own.

"What about you?"

"I'm fine."

"You're bleeding."

"It'll stop." she didn't want to fix her face as she assumed it would be a scar and all this time she took such care of it and was never cut there not once!

"Not if you leave it alone."

"Just forget it." she said.

"You took care of me and you expect me to leave you to scar?"

It doesn't matter." she whispered.

Sesshomaru scowled at her. "Let me fix you."

"No, don't." she protested

Sesshomaru pursed his lips. "What's your problem with me helping you?"

`You wouldn't understand!"

"Please Lady Nadeshiko?" Rin asked. "Let Sesshomaru help you."

Nadeshiko felt her face get hot.

Sesshomaru took the chance and started working on her cuts before she could protest any further.

"Please stop it" she said.

"No." Sesshomaru had finished with her shoulder and back and was now working on her face. He had such concentration it's like he didn't want to hurt her.

She closed her eyes tightly.

He carefully dabbed at it until the blood was gone and he dressed it up. "Now that wasn't so hard was it?"

"I don't like it."

"Why?" his voice was soft, much to his displeasure.

"Because you can smell it for one thing!"

Sesshomaru frowned.

"Smell what Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked.

"Go on tell her." Nadeshiko said.

Sesshomaru sighed. "It's not that big of a deal, she's part neko youkai part inu youkai."

Rin's eyes grew wide and she ran over to her. "You mean you're part kitty?" her voice was filled with excitement.

"If I recall correctly your exact words were. What vile inu youkai mated with a neko youkai?"

Sesshomaru looked down at the ground.

She looked away.

"I'm sorry." He pressed his lips together. He felt so stupid for saying that about her family.

"It's not like I haven't heard it before."

"I'm still sorry."

"Don't be Lord Sesshomaru." she put her hand to his cheek. She quickly drew it away this wasn't her, and why on Earth did she call him lord, she didn't care about that!

Sesshomaru walked over to Ah and Un. "Let's go." He tried to put the stoic appearance but a small smile slipped through to Nadeshiko.

She was quite and followed.

Rin had put her innocent smile back up and followed as well.

"This is a bad idea to have her with us." muttered Jaken.

Sesshomaru hit Jaken. "Shut up."

Jaken was quiet.

"Where were you headed?" he asked Nadeshiko.

"Truthfully, no where." she looked off in the distance.

Sesshomaru laughed. "Oh really? We were going to the same place." he said sarcastically.

Rin was TRYING to sew a little dress, but let's face it, seven-year-olds aren't good with a needle. Especially ones living with Sesshomaru.

`Rin, need help?" she asked.

"A little. . ."

"May I?"

"Sure!"

Nadeshiko made her a rather beautiful dress out of it. It was a little party dress all white with black trim around the poofy sleeves and hem.

Rin smiled. "Thank you very much!" Sesshomaru smiled, but it quickly disappeared when he realized what he was doing.

"I had to learn quickly how to do it."

Rin nodded. "It's very pretty!"

"Well some people cut your clothes, and some try to cut them off. . ." she looked to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru blushed. "I didn't try to!"

"What makes you think I mean you?" she replied.

"You looked at me!"

"Yes, I did."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and Rin giggled. She still thought he intended to.

"Don't worry Lady Nadeshiko, I am not a hentai like that monk!" Sesshomaru laughed.

"I'm not a lady."

"Do you not want me to call you Lady Nadeshiko? What would you like Rin to call you?"

"All I am saying is I have no title unlike you, I am just Nadeshiko."

"I do not have a title either. I'm just Rin!"

Nadeshiko looked at Sesshomaru, for a response.

Sesshomaru shrugged. "She's just Rin. That's all she's ever been."

"And me?" she asked.

"I don't know, do you? I only know you as Nadeshiko."

"Well that is all I have ever been Sesshomaru." she said.

Sesshomaru nodded. "I see."

Sundown was soon upon them. Rin yawned and Sesshomaru looked at her.

"She's tired should we rest for the night?"

"Sure." Sesshomaru motions for Jaken to land in a good clearing.

Jaken mouth dropped open Sesshomaru was listening to a woman???

"Just do it Jaken. Rin's tired."

"Yes m'lord."

Rin smiled and silently thanked Nadeshiko.

She patted Rin on the head.

Rin smiled up at her. Sesshomaru watched them with a amused smile on his face.

She looked up and looked again at his fluffy thing.

Sesshomaru gave her a weird look.

She cocked her head and still looked at it.

"What?"

"That." she pointed to it.

Sesshomaru looked at it. "What about it?"

"You must be quite wealthy."

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Comes with the territory."

She sat down.

Sesshomaru sat down near her and Rin was sitting in Sesshomaru's lap.

She undid the belt on her robe and it slid off her shoulders.

Sesshomaru was playing with Rin, not even watching his other friends. Yes. Friends. He was throwing her up in the air and catching her. "Whee!" Throw. "Whee!"

She took out one arm then the other.

Sesshomaru glanced over at her.

She brushed some hair back.

Sesshomaru kept glancing at her. What was she doing?

She let her robe fall.

Sesshomaru's eyebrows shot up and he nearly missed catching Rin. "Whe--oof!" He set her down after that.

"What?" asked Nadeshiko. she was wearing a black skin tight black elastic like material it went half way down her arms.

Sesshomaru's eyebrows were still raised and he shrugged as Rin ran around, slowly getting more tired every second.

She stood up and the elastic went just above where her robe stopped

Sesshomaru kept his eyes on her and the Great Lord Sesshomaru was blushing. A little while later Rin hand all but passed out on her little futon.

Nadeshiko drew her katana.

Sesshomaru looked at her blade with an odd look on his face.

She began to practice by the fire light. She moved so elegantly.

Sesshomaru sighed and leaned against a tree, closing his eyes.

Nadeshiko looked at him a bit, he was still handsome, but she didn't feel right being around him.

Rin was not yet asleep, she was watching the two adults near her, her little eyes following Nadeshiko's moves and Sesshomaru's calm face.

After about an hour she sheathed her katana and tied her robe back around her.

Rin yawned, making them aware she was still awake. Well, until now, she was fast asleep. Sesshomaru opened his eyes and watched her. The only reason Nadeshiko practiced was because she thought Rin was asleep. She began to file her claws, still a blazing hot pink. Sesshomaru sat straight up now and was watching Nadeshiko with interest. She didn't notice.

He let out a defiant sigh and laid down, looking at the stars.

"Ah perfect." she said quietly.

Sesshomaru laughed a little. HE didn't know why, he just did. And that was NOT how Sesshomaru was SUPPOSED to act.

"What is so funny?"

"Wish I knew.''

"My filing my claws?"

"Why would you filing you claws make me laugh?"

"Most demons don't."

"Still. It's hardly funny."

"So do you disapprove of my. . .blood?"

"Not really. At least you're not a hanyou."

"Still half and half." she replied.

"Still a demon."

"I suppose. Why did you really want me to join?"

Sesshomaru had to think of something fast. "Rin needs someone she can look up to, even if it's only for a little while." Okay, so it was partially true.

"I said really, I want the real reason." she said.

"That IS a real reason!" He wasn't about to tell the woman he just met he felt something for her!

"You said a, you mean the is more the one hmm?"

"Sure."

"What are the others?"

"Who says I'm going to tell you the other or others?"

"I do."

"I don't."

"How can I get you to?"

"You can't."

"You are like all other men!"

``That's what you think."

"Then why can't you tell me?"

"Because it's my own thoughts and feelings."

"Uh!" she put a hand to her head. "So unbelievably stoic!" she sighed.

He nodded in agreement.

She shook her head

He stared at her.

She stood up.

He kept his eyes on her, wondering what she was planning.

"I am so like my mother, when I think about lying down."

"Is there something wrong with your mother?"

"She passed away along with my father, it is just now I see her in me."

Sesshomaru nodded. "And are you ashamed of seeing you mother in yourself?"

"I am proud to have her blood!" she said bravely.

"Then why are your fretting about it. You must be tired, you should sleep.''

"I have a reason to fret about it, you."

"My name's not you it's Sesshomaru."

"I know. I am just saying, you Sesshomaru are my reason to fret."

"What have I done?"

"I know your history."

"Oh? And what history is that?"

"The war."

"Which one?"

"With the neko demons. That is the only actual war correct?"

"Officially."

"That is why I fret".

"What about your father? Was he not a inu youkai?"

"He was."

"Then why fret? I do not wish to harm you. Far from it. . ."

"My mother was the neko."

"That does not mean I wish to attack you.''

"She laid down stretched out and curled up just like a cat.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and soon fell asleep as well, in a very hard tract so if even a leaf rustled he'd be awake. Not very comfortable, but it kept him alive.

When the fire warmed her, she purred.

Sesshomaru opened his eyes. "Damn cat actions." he muttered before going back to sleep.

She blinked "Did you say something?" she asked.

Sesshomaru's eye opened again. "No." and he tried to go back to sleep.

She fell asleep and purred again, it was a rather relaxing sound.

Sesshomaru drew in a mad breath before pulling his fluff over his face.

The next morning she was still asleep purring louder now.

Sesshomaru had learned to work out the noise but was still awake earlier than everyone else.

She woke up and the purring faded away, as if she was morning person she stretched out.

Sesshomaru grumbled. He wasn't a morning person. "Good morning sunshine." he said with false sweetness.

"Go back to bed if your going to be so grumpy! I can take care of Rin, and Jaken, and that dragon thing." she said proudly

"You. Take care of Rin? Not a whole ARMY of women could take care of RIN in the morning." Sure enough Rin came bouncing around, singing a little child's song. Sesshomaru had blown Rin WAY out of proportion.

"Good morning Rin!" she picked her up. "Want breakfast?"

Rin nodded happily. "That sounds lovely!"

"Then I'll be right back! Unless you want to come with me!"

"Sure!" Sesshomaru muttered something about sleeping `til noon.

She made Rin a cheese omelet. Rin adored it!

"Mmm, you are a very good cook. Sesshomaru-sama only ever makes me meat he catches with his hands.'' Sesshomaru, who was still asleep, snorted as if he'd heard them.

"Well youkai do like raw meat. I better catch some for Jaken and Fluffy." she giggled. "I mean Sesshomaru, don't tell I called him that ok Rin?"

Rin nodded. "I'm sure Sesshomaru-sama will rather catch his own though. He's weird that way once I caught a rabbit though! But he ate poor Carrots."

"Well he is sleeping now." she caught many fish and skinned them, she gave some to Ah an Un a couple to Jaken, ate some herself and saved the rest for Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru sniffed the air. "Fish?" Rin giggled happily and ran over to him with a few fish which he ate.

"Yes you are so right a poor woman like me can't to anything, but take care of everyone and catch your breakfast!"

"Listen I've being doing this well over a year now and a need a break!"

"Just don't ever tell me because I happen to be a lady youkai I can't handle things! You don't know me as well as you think you do."

"And you don't know ME as well as you think!"

"I think I know you quite well want to quiz me?"

"Are you a stalker?"

"No you are just pretty easy to figure out. the history I learned form my father, I spent a lot of time with him, being a well. . ."

"Okay. But some of these questions even Rin wouldn't know. Now what type of questions to you want? My history, which I barely know myself, or more personal?"

"I don't care."

"How old am I?"

"Over a hundred." said Nadeshiko.

"What's my favorite color" What IS my favorite color? Sesshomaru thought.

"Hmm, I would say white, silver possibly"

Sesshomaru snorted as he remembered. "Blue, that's what my whole room was when I was a kid. Anyway, what is Rin to me?"

"What do you claim she is or what is she really?"

Sesshomaru blushed. "Next question."

Daughter. she mouthed she out her hand up to the side of her mouth so Rin couldn't tell.

Sesshomaru could nearly feel the heat of the blush radiating off his cheeks. "Who do I fancy?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Nadeshiko felt her cheeks get hot. "As what?"

"As more than a friend," he said his own blush slowly disappearing.

"I. . .I think that is open to discussion."

"What's to discuss?"

"I mean no one for sure right now."

"I like someone."

"Oh." she said, she glanced away and went right back to his eyes.

Sesshomaru didn't break their gaze.

"Excuse me for a bit please." she left. Oh Nadeshiko don't be stupid! she told herself.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Sure."

She went to the lake where she had caught the fish and began to clean her face and robes.

Rin ran after her. "Miss Nadeshiko what is wrong?"

"Nothing Rin."

"Yes there is, you don't realize what Sesshomaru-sama was getting at."

"Please he will have to tell me himself you don't tell me anything ok?"

Rin smiled and nodded.

She had fixed herself up and she was even more beautiful. Her robes looked brand new. Sesshomaru was restraining from staring like a common dog. She sat near him and without realizing it she was so content she began to purr.

"Do you always purr?"

"What?" she asked surprised.

"You're purring. Do you always purr?"

"No not always only at certain times."

"And what are those certain times?"

"Well when I fall asleep, it depends I can't control it." She was not going to tell him the other reason which she purred, it was when she was content!

Sesshomaru nodded.

"Sorry if it annoys you so much I can go."

Sesshomaru shrugged. "No, it's alright. It's kind of calming."

She blushed she was embarrassed, "Like I said I am like my mother, I can hiss too."

"Better not make you mad then.''

"You already heard me hiss."

"I know."

"Is there anything you wanted to know about me?" she asked.

"Not particularly, do you want to tell me anything?"

"No, I just. . ."

"Just. . ."

"Never mind, Sesshomaru." replied Nadeshiko

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." she seemed to be a little sad.

"You can tell me anything you want."

"Why would I want to?" she asked.

"You just seemed a little sad.''

"Sorry."

"Why are you saying sorry?"

"I'm not sad."

"Oh."

She was quite. Sesshomaru had slowly scooted closer to her. She was looking intently into the fire. They were shoulder to shoulder now. She couldn't look at him. Sesshomaru was looking at her hand, her perfectly filed claws.

Why did she want to stay but at the same time get the hell out of here she couldn't understand.

Sesshomaru looked up to her eyes. She was concentrating on the fire.

Sesshomaru's face softened. "Nadeshiko. . ."

"Yes Sesshomaru?" she said not really being there.

"It's you.''

"What is?" she said a bit lost as she looked at him.

"W-who I l-like.'' Gods that sounded so cheesy. he thought.

"How can you like me'?"

"I can't answer that. I don't know why. I guess because you're the only one who hasn't given a damn about my title as lord and I always wanted to meet someone like that.''

"You can be a lord and still be a jerk, titles never meant anything to me. But what do you know about me?"

"I know you are beautiful, have a lovely voice and are a great fighter.''

"And my personality?"

"You're nice to Rin, and you don't take shit from anyone."

`You haven't begun to scratch my surface. All because of my past, and they say hanyou have it hard!"

"They do. Inuyasha takes a lot of beef from everyone."

"You should of been there when I was a child. Remember how I said I spent a lot of time with my father?"

"Yes."

"I had friends, but once they saw my parents abandon me! After that they could just smell and I was exposed. I spent time with my father who trained me in using my claws, and my katana. In fact this katana is made from his fang!"

"Sounds like Inuyasha but a happier tale. Inuyasha had no one. I almost feel bad for him."

"My friends lasted less than a day. And afterward they all hated me."

Sesshomaru sighed and nodded. "Yeah, no one liked Inuyasha either. I was the only one he had and I just pushed him away. He trained himself.''

"I had to fight or else I would have been killed."

Sesshomaru nodded with a bit of amusement. "Man you and Inuyasha are sounding more and more alike. He's fighting to stay alive, same with fighting for the woman he loves.''

"And what are you fighting for?"

"Who says I'm fighting?"

"Me."

"So you think Inuyasha and I are fighting?"

"We were."

"That doesn't mean Inuyasha and I are or ever were fighting.''

"I never said you were, I just asked what you, Sesshomaru are fighting for?"

"That's a very good question. I think you'd be surprised, VERY surprised by the answer.''

"Then surprise me."

"I'm fighting for people like you and Inuyasha.''

"What? How?" Poor Nadeshiko, her how sounded a lot like a meow.

"How? By fighting for treaties. To convince people anyone other than a pure demon has a right to live.''

"Then why did you fight me?"

"To test if you were one of the ones worth fighting for."

"And I beat you. However the first time you stopped."

"Because I needed to do some business.''

"Which is?"

"Rin needed something.''

"Oh can I get it for her?"

"It doesn't matter, I just thought she'd like a doll or something. A hair brush, too. Just some stuff."

"The seconded time you didn't let me win did you?"

"Why?"

"Tell me!"

"You caught me off guard with the slash in my neck.''

"But did you let me win?"

"No.''

"Good if I ask for a rematch I never want to win because some let me. She brusedh a bit of hair our of her face which still had 3 sharp gashes in it, they had now turned pink.

"Sorry about your cheek. I was going for your neck.''

"Sorry about calling you an ass, and slicing your neck."

Sesshomaru snorted. "I've had MUCH worse from Inuyasha.''

"Inuyasha sounds like he would be a challenge for me."

"Depends if he used the Tetsusaiga.''

"Oh and by the way thank you for not using your poison claws. I would like to fight him with the famed Tetsusaiga some day,"

"I didn't want to mar your pretty skin.''

"I couldn't believe it happened, I've never got my face cut before." she sounded cross with herself.

"You've never had a fight with me before either. Well, besides the one we had earlier," he said with a laugh.

"Yes, I knew who you were pretty quick. And to think I thought you might be human."

Sesshomaru faltered. "Human?! Couldn't you smell me?!"

"As high up as I was no."

Sesshomaru pursed his lips. "And the fact I was ridding on a two-headed dragon didn't spark anything?"

"Human have ridden special neko demons. And only Rin was ridding. You were rubbing your temples.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and nodded. "You have a good memory. I probably wouldn't remember if I wasn't fighting a headache at that time.''

"I asked you what happened! You said it was Rin! If you would have said a headache, I could have helped."

"It doesn't matter.''

"It did to me."

"Why?"

"Because, I want to help people even though they usually turn their backs on me."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I see.''

"Anyway it's too late."

Sesshomaru nodded again.

"So what are we to do?" asked Nadeshiko

"Huh?" Sesshomaru said, breaking his gaze on her, he had completely forgotten what they were talking about.

"So what do we do now? Traveling together fighting side by side isn't quite my style."

"You think it's MY style?"

"Well you want me to stay?"

"Yes.''

"Then we'll have to travel together!"

Sesshomaru nodded. That was as plain as the nose on his face, it's not like he didn't know that's what they were going to do. "So why do you want to stay?"

"Why do you think? Hard as it may seem I don't intercept just anyone I intercepted you for a reason!"

"Would you mind telling me why?"

"Want to fight me for it?" she smiled.

Sesshomaru frowned. "I'm tired of fighting you, besides you've already won against me.''

"Sorry but you your best challenge I ever had, I'd even be fair, I wouldn't use my sword."

"Oh, gee now with your katana out of the way I might have a chance." He snorted, if he wanted to, he could take her down, katana or no.

"By the tone of your voice you didn't fight me to the best of your ability!"

"Bravo for figuring out that impossible puzzle."

"Why because I'm a girl?" her eyes flashed

"No, because you're Nadeshiko."

"If I want a rematch I want you to fight me. I can't believe you let me win." she sounded disappointed.

"I didn't let you win. I just didn't use all of my weapons.''

"Nor did I but it was still a false victory."

"No it wasn't.''

`If you would have fought me like you mean it I would have lost!" she crossed her arms."

"No. You would have DIED. And I wouldn't of lived with myself if had killed you with my own hands."

"I doubt death would have come so swiftly, and to think I would have taken on your brother, he would have forced me down with one stroke!"

"He's not that strong!"

"You said he has won battles against you and then I am sure you fought you the best of your ability!"

"Sometimes."

"How am I supposed to get better if people don't fight me." she seemed more puzzled than anything.

"Then you better fight with someone who wouldn't be heart-broken if they did any major harm to you.''

"Remember we are youkai we heal fast!"

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't be upset!"

"Please, I want to know your skill."

"Then how about I use it on a tree, I don't CARE about trees."

"Come on Sesshomaru I have a perfect prize for you."

"What is it?"

"Well you'll have to fight me to find out." her amber eyes glinted black.

"I'll get it no matter who wins, right?"

"There are two prizes!"

Sesshomaru nodded. "But if you get seriously hurt I can stop, right?"

"I won't trust me."

"I know it's VERY unlikely, but if by some freak chance you do, tell me you won't get mad at me for stopping."

"You won't have to Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Fine. But I can use ANYTHING right? As long as a don't scratch your face," he said with a wink

"You can if you aim for it, so are our full demon form usable?"

"No."

"Why, out of curiosity?"

Sesshomaru frowned. "I don't want to scare Rin, she pretends it doesn't bother her but you can smell the fear come off her. I love her too much to take in that smell."

"You'd be a bit freaked out by mine." she sighed.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Nadeshiko, I've only once been scared once in my life. I don't scare easily.''

"Trust me this would do it twice!"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Let's get this fight over with so I can get my prize."

"All other powers are game right?"

"Yes. But I'm not using my poison."

"Should I hold back anything?"

"I don't know any of your powers. But feel free to hold back what you wish.''

Hmm. . . she thought. I don't want to cause too much pain. . .

Sesshomaru was taking off Toujikin from his belt and tossing it on the soft mat Rin was sleeping on earlier.

"No swords? Fair." she took off her katana.

"No Toujikin, you can keep your katana."

"Only if you keep the Toujikin."

"I'm not keeping it."

"Then I'm not keeping my katana!"

"Fine."

They took a fighting pose "Ready when you are."

"I'm ready, you?"

"Let's go."

Sesshomaru had the whip of light and it slashed through her shoulder.

She tuned into a literal cyclone her claws out stretched making many gashes on his chest then knocking him down incredibly hard!"

Sesshomaru made a little `oof' when the wind was knocked out of him. He quickly got up and took a swipe at her stomach. Facing her really didn't leave much attack places open. He couldn't go for her chest because, well, it's her chest, no face either. Ignoring the fact his chest was bleeding badly he took another aim at her.

She grabbed his arm she was stronger than he knew she jumped up having a hold of he arm and when they were up high, after all she was a cat, she threw him down.

Sesshomaru winced. "You are feisty, aren't you. Remember, you're welcome to go for any part of me and give my poor chest a break." he said, getting her thigh.

Suddenly she went between his legs and knocked him down and got a good scratch with each hand. She did a front handspring off his shoulders and laded in a fighting position again!

Sesshomaru smiled weakly and stood up quickly and whipped her again in the ankle, knocking her down.

She flipped and alighted on her feet, and again knocked him down with herself as the cyclone.

Sesshomaru had officially lost all air in his body and was struggling to get some air in his lungs.

Nadeshiko waited for him to get up.

It was taking all he could to get up, which explains why he fell back onto his heavily scratched back with a small grimace of pain. So he just raised his hand in defeat, Waiting for her to help him to his feet.

She ran to him and held him again she got out her magic strips of cloth and began to put them on him.

He was panting madly. "Th. . .ank. . ..s."

"I should have held back. . ."

He shook his head. "Nice. . .work. . .out. . ." he said with a smile, then winced when she touched a particularly deep cut.

"Don't worry this isn't your prize."

"Thank. . .gods." he said, his speech slowly returning.

"Can you sit up?" his chest looked nearly healed. all the scratches seemed to have disappeared.

With his eyes clamped shut he slowly rose with a bit of her help. "Guess I. . .can."

She put the other strips of cloth there and in very little time he looked completely healed.

"Thanks again, Nadeshiko."

"You deserve it. I went far to hard on you."

"No. Besides I could have, possibly, done the same to you. . . if I wasn't already bleeding badly." Good thing he chose not to use Toujikin, she'd be a bloody pulp with the amazed rage he had.

"I'm glad I didn't have my katana you would be nearly dead if I had."

"Same for Toujikin. And my poison." And practically every other thing I have. . .I guess I could have used Tenseiga on you, though I'd be doing you a favor.''

"I tend to be good a dodging short range sword attacks."

"Toujikin is not one to easily dodge. if I truly want to hurt the person I'm fighting with.''

"Did you really want to hurt me?"

"No, that's why it wouldn't of done me very well."

"Well your pretty much healed."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I can figure that out," he said with a playful frown.

"Then don't pout!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "What's my prize?"

"Wanted to know why I chose you didn't you?"

"Yes." Although he wouldn't of minded a kiss. . .

"Because I found you handsome."

Sesshomaru blushed, doing a very good impression of a ripe tomato. "R-really?"

"`Yes, that why I wasn't saying anything, I was studying you."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I. . .see. . .''

"Then you pulled the Toujikin on me."

Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose. "Sorry."

"Oh no I found you to be a true fighter, and handsome, good points for you"

Sesshomaru felt the blush creep up. "I can't be as good as you, you did beat me after all.''

"I have the power of a neko and an inu youkai. I told you my father taught me, my mother finally did teach me her secret powers, cyclone, cat's claw, energy bombs."

Sesshomaru nodded, though he didn't hear a word she said, he was too lost in her eyes.

"My mother didn't want me to fight, it wasn't until later did she realize I would have been dead if I didn't. So I practiced her secret techniques and my fathers training techniques and got real good."

Sesshomaru nodded again, only hearing her when she blinked.

Her eyes filled with tears. "I have always hated hearing how hard hanyou had it and how easy it was for youkai, when all I got was attacked ,because I wasn't neko or inu. I had to be one or the other! I am probably the only mixed youkai in existence! All my life is based on is battle after battle."

"Do you never listen to me? I told you I'm fighting for your kind. There's a few like you. And hanyou do not have it easy. Just a different type of hatred on them. I have a feeling inu youkai picked on you for the neko, and neko for inu, right?" he didn't wait for an answer. "Inuyasha and all other hanyou are picked on by youkai for their human blood, and humans, stupidly, pick on them for their youkai blood"

"No all youkai hated and tried to kill me! Humans too because they weren't exactly sure what I was. Even the hanyou attacked me! And it makes me so furious tears come my eyes I am weak again, because I am still their victim!"

"You are not a victim!" his voice was stern. "I never want you to think you are weak, you hear me?!"

"Not anymore. But telling you what happened will give you a good idea of why my parents died. Then my demon for was so under powered so small, now it causes true terror at a glance. Tell me Sesshomaru what has scared you?"

Sesshomaru looked down. "My brother nearly being killed."

She nodded "My parents losing dying to defend me, I was their only child all I had was myself to look after." She sighed "Do you want to see my demon form? We can go away from Rin."

Sesshomaru shrugged. "It's completely up to you, if you do not wish to show it, then do not.''

"I am afraid it may scare you."

"Death for my brother is the only thing that will ever scare me.''

"Wait till you see me. It's your choice."

"No, it's yours, you seem upset about it and I do not want to see it if it will make you unhappy.''

"I am upset because of your reaction spectrum, but if you think I can handle it then I'll be fine with it."

"Fine." They soon came to a clearing far away from Rin, but Jaken keeping a close eye on her. "But don't be too put out if it doesn't faze me a bit.''

She closed her eyes enveloped in fire and stars she grew even larger then him. Her body was taller than the tress, her tail was gorgeous but rest of her was not as pretty. Her outline was that of an inu, excluding her neko ears. Her eyes were bigger than one would imagined they were soulless black except for a think rim of amber color. Her teeth were nearly as long as one of Sesshomaru's legs in demon form. Her legs had thick claws if they took one wrong step one would be dead, perhaps they were retractable it was useless to tell! Her roar shook the ground and toppled trees .

Sesshomaru winced. "Do you mind? I like to keep my hearing intact thank you." he said calmly, then beckoned her to lean down so he could get a better look at her.

She seemed to smile as her spine formed spikes as if she was a dinosaur, smoke billowed from her nostril as she spit fire high in the air. she leaned down, those eyes they looked so evil and soulless.

Sesshomaru leaned in so he could look into her eyes, well eye, since it was bigger then him. "I think I like you eyes better in your other form," he said with a nod. "But these are beautiful none the less. Though I'm praying to every god up there you don't roll over on me with those spikes."

She changed back, no fear inspired in you I see." she said.

"Just those damn spikes."

"Yeah, you see when I sleep my eyes will change like that. I was surprised you didn't see it that night my purring woke you up."

"I was too asleep to notice." he said with a laugh. They were so close, if he had enough courage, he would have kissed her right there.

"Now I am contemplating whether you deserve another prize. . ."

"Oh really?" his voice was soft and he looked down at her with so much love in his eyes.

"How worthy or deserving do you think you are?"

"For what? Not being too scared by your true form? How about you decide?"

"No this is still about the battle." she smiled wickedly.

"Oh, I think I deserve a pretty good prize for being able to stand.''

"Ok." she brought him in and kissed him.

Sesshomaru instantly pulled her in, savoring the kiss like there was no tomorrow.

When it was over she just looked at him. Sesshomaru lightly nudged her with his noise affectionately. She felt her cheeks become warm, she never blushed.

Sesshomaru was lost in thought, but he still managed to look at her. "Nadeshiko. . ."

"Sesshomaru I was thinking about what you told me about your business, and have an idea for Rin, tell me is she gentle with her toys?"

Sesshomaru inwardly sighed, he was hoping to tell her how he felt. "Very much so, she treasures them like they're her life line. . .'' he whispered.

"Then I have something for her." she hugged him.

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her. "You don't have to do that, she's perfectly happy with ones I can buy." Sesshomaru took in her sweet scent, he gave a small smile. What a surprise, she smells like flowers.

"This one you could never buy."

Sesshomaru smiled, though she wouldn't be able to see it because his head was on her shouldering, facing her neck.

"To think I only heard how cold and stoic you were. I never knew of this side."

"No one ever has.''

"Perhaps they should." she whispered.

Sesshomaru kissed her neck softly. "It's only for those love."

"Come let us go make sure Rin and Jaken aren't in too much of a disagreement."

Sesshomaru sighed. "But I want you in my arms forever."

She put an arm around him.

"How long have I known you?"

"How long does it seem or how long has it really been?"

"Really been."

"Two days. and we didn't me each other till late yesterday."

"I can't believe it, it took me longer than two days to love my brother.'' he said in a soft, but amused voice.

"We had a head start I could talk." Nadeshiko laughed.

"Yeah, and you didn't bite me either."

"Well, not yet." her deep scarlet lips smiled.

They got back to the site Jaken was lecturing Rin who sat there just smiling. "Mixed youkai are dangerous!" he said.

"May I?" Nadeshiko asked Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru smiled and nodded. "Be my guest."

Rin giggled madly.

She tapped Jaken on the back "Only when we here you talk about us are we dangerous!" she hissed.

Jaken ran behind Sesshomaru. "See my lord, dangerous they are!!!"

Sesshomaru stepped to the left a little so he was exposed again to Nadeshiko. Rin was trying oh so hard not to bust a gut giggling.

"Rin calm down. I want to ask you some questions."

Rin stopped after Sesshomaru had stomped Jaken into the earth. "Yes, Miss Nadeshiko?"

"Do you like me?"

Rin's eyes widened and she nodded a lot. "Oh I do!"

"Do you know why Sesshomaru was heading this way?"

She shook her head. "He said "I have business with a local shop"."

"Well I finished some of his business , and I have something for you, but you must promise you will take very good care of it. Do you promise Rin?"

"Of course! Rin takes VERY good care of anything given!" Sesshomaru nodded in agreement.

She gave her a small bean stuffed kitten about eight inches long.

Rin gasped. "It's so pretty! Does it have a name?"

"I don't know she never told me, I called her something but you won't want that name." Nadeshiko smiled sadly.

"No! I want the real name!"

"I called her mom."

Rin smiled. "Mom it is!" Sesshomaru gave a smile.

Nadeshiko sat near the glowing embers of the dying fire.

Sesshomaru sat oddly close to her as Rin sat there, grinning at her new special toy. "How was your day Mom? How are you feeling? Nice weather huh?" She talked to it and the pauses between the answers were like Mom and answered back, and to Rin, she had.

Nadeshiko stared into embers of the dying fire she was thinking again.

Sesshomaru leaned on her. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

"Hmm why do you ask?"

Sesshomaru shrugged his left shoulder, the one not leaning on her. "I don't know, just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"That cat was the only thing my mom gave me before she you know. . .I held on to it for too long."

"You can never hold onto something like that for too long."

"Yes you can." she said.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I still have something Inuyasha gave me. Even if it was a mockery of me.''

"How sweet, that you kept it."

Sesshomaru pulled out a little plush stuffed with cotton. It looked just like Sesshomaru, except in chibi form with BIG eyes and a BIG fluff.

"Adorable! Inuyasha is quite talented!"

"Too bad he spent nearly a month making it. By then I loved him and couldn't hit him over the head."

"If he spent that long, I do not think it is a mockery of you.

"True. But it's still a chibi. My eyes aren't THAT big."

"Are you aren't that tall either!"

"True. I guess it was a good gesture."

Nadeshiko smiled she had a way with pointing things out, won't he be surprised to see me with you."

Sesshomaru nodded. "He thinks I'm a cold-hearted person." Sesshomaru quietly traced the delicate stitching of his mouth.

"How little he knows." She kissed him.

He nodded. "Yeah." His head was leaning on her shoulder now. His own brother. One of the three people he truly loved, hated him. He felt something prickly in his eyes and he blinked a few times then moisture fell out of his eyes. He never experienced crying before.

She wiped away this tear.

"Sorry,'' he mumbled as another tear fell.

"No, don't be."

"I've never cried before," he said with a sad laugh.

"Everyone should at lest once I suppose, I have tears of anger never of sadness".

"I shouldn't be sad."

"You have the right to be, I could help if you want to save your brother."

"I don't have a right to be, there's people with far more problems than me and they stay strong. And you don't have to help me with him, he'll just yell at you too.''

"Oh my love, that is the whole point!" I play the villain I attack him, and you defeat me."

Sesshomaru's eye ticked. "You? A villain? Me? Defeat YOU?"

"Exactly."

"I'm sorry but I don't think I'd ever be able to defeat you. But we could give it a shot."

"You can, I've seen you act stoic, you act like you will defeat me!"

Sesshomaru sighed. "Whatever you say love."

"This is not right Lord Sesshomaru should be single!" said Jaken. "He has Rin that is enough of the females." Jaken began to pace.

Rin, who was still playing with Mom, didn't notice anything around her.

Sesshomaru was kissing Nadeshiko's neck again.

Sesshomaru you are very friendly aren't you. . ." she remarked.

"Only to you," her murmured against her skin.

"Come I suppose we should go." she said her cheeks were on fire.

He sighed. "Fine, anything for you."

"Do you smell him?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "Course

"We will need to extend an invitation to Inuyasha." she declared.

Sesshomaru nodded in agreement. "That hanyou would never pass up a fight. But watch out for the Scar of the Wind."

"I have my own wind." she replied.

Sesshomaru nodded again. "I know all too well."

"Yeah again I'm sorry."

Sesshomaru gave a little laugh. "It's alright."

"Now, thanks to me!"

Sesshomaru gave her a playful frown but couldn't help but laugh.

"So who should deliver the invitation hmm."

Sesshomaru looked around. "Rin could dress up." Rin's eyes filled with joy at just the THOUGHT of playing dress-up.

"Well that dress I made all white with the black trim would be nice."

"But what would Rin be?" her childish voice asked. "And she'd need something that didn't smell like her, too." Sesshomaru added.

"I have this." she pulled out a small bottle of pink liquid, completely full.

Sesshomaru sniffed it and sneezed. "I think I took in a little too much, but it should work."

Rin was practically bouncing with excitement, her little kitty neatly placed in her arms.

"Orchids." she said and put some on Rin.

"I think we should change her hair. Just talk out the ponytail is all.

Rin grinned. She felt so loved! Sesshomaru nodded and bent down to untie her hair and quickly combed through it with his claws to make it lie flat.

"Who shall write the invitation?"

"He doesn't know your hand writing.''

She wrote a letter worthy of art quality.

Sesshomaru's eyebrows shot up. "Wow, yours is better than mine!"

Rin rolled her eyes. "That's not saying much Sesshomaru-sama."

"Let's just say I had time to practice!" again she didn't notice but she was purring.

Sesshomaru smiled at her. Rin who was currently changing into her new dress and giggled when she got it on. "It's so soft Sesshomaru-sama! No wonder you like your shirts so much!"

"Nadeshiko giggled and how many did I ruin?"

"At least two. Now Rin has a new dress and blanket."

Rin ran off to deliver the message. Rin came up and giggled as she handed the letter to Inuyasha.

What is it Inuyasha?" asked Kagome.

"An invitation for a match."

"Will you accept it?" asked Miroku.

"Feh! Course I will!"

"And is it with us or alone?" Sango mentioned

"Alone, so you better scram.''

They continued on far enough so they wouldn't here him but not too far so he couldn't catch up.

Rin giggled and ran away back to Sesshomaru and Nadeshiko.

"It seems Rin is back and I am on!" she hissed

Sesshomaru smiled and nodded. "When am I supposed to come in?"

"When I am about to kill him"

Sesshomaru nodded. "Ah, well, go on and good luck. . .not that you need it." He kissed her lightly on the lips before stepping back.

She breathed our her breath was shaky.

"Nothing's going to happen."

"That not why my breath came out like that."

"Then why?"

"Forget it." she began to head toward Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru shrugged.

Inuyasha was waiting oh-so patiently. "Well where the hell are they?!"

"You mean me?" asked Nadeshiko.

Inuyasha smirked. "Looks like."

"Half dog hmm?"

Inuyasha stuck his tongue out. "You ready to die?"

"First, what do you think I am can't you smell me?"

"You're inu-neko youkai, so?"

"So I am more like you than you know!" she hissed. "But let me warn you I never lose, Inuyasha."

"Then I'll be happy to be the first to make you lose."

"Come and get me!" she drew her katana.

Inuyasha unsheathed the Tetsusaiga and charged.

She jumped over him and slashed his back!

"AH!" Inuyasha yelled and turned around and managed to get her stomach, tearing her robe.

"Oh, little brother shouldn't of dome that," Sesshomaru whispered to himself.

"No one tears my robe!" she hissed, and whirled around twice getting Inuyasha on the chest twice!

Inuyasha winced and slashed her face.

Sesshomaru's jaw dropped. "He's going to get it now."

"My face!" she slashed his neck and grabbed into it with her claws and brought him face to face with her.

Inuyasha gulped, well, tried to.

"You will die now Inuyasha!"

Sesshomaru smiled. "That's my cue."

Inuyasha was struggling with her hands Sesshomaru came and slashed Nadeshiko in the back with his whip. then preceded to throw her, lightly, off to the side.

She howled in pain! Then, scampered off into the woods.

"Are you alright Inuyasha?"

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Saving your ass."

"Why?"

"Because you're my brother and I don't want you killed."

"Right because if you can't kill me then nobody will?"

Sesshomaru sighed. "Look Inuyasha. I've been a bad brother and I know you think I have no feelings. But you're mistaken.''

Inuyasha glared at him.

"Would you like proof?"

"Like you could offer it?"

"Actually, I can." Sesshomaru pulled out the little plush. It was a little worn down from being with Sesshomaru for so long, but it looked mainly the same.

"Hey. . .I made that. . ."Inuyasha recognized it instantly.

Sesshomaru nodded. "I know, that's why I still have it."

"Really?"

Sesshomaru nodded again. "Really."

Inuyasha eyes widened as if he was little again. He felt like being 5 again he wanted to hug his brother and be with him again, but wait damn it, this was Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru smiled. "You're my brother Inuyasha. And I love you.''

"Can you prove that to?"

Sesshomaru beckoned his brother forward.

Inuyasha did but didn't let his guard down.

Sesshomaru pulled Inuyasha into a hug. It was warm and true.

Inuyasha could here himself years ago "Will you always be with me???"

Sesshomaru was still hugging his brother. "I'm sorry for anything stupid I did in the past.''

"Only trying to kill me so you could take a sword you can't use."

Sesshomaru laughed. "That's what I mean."

"Why did you knowing you can't use it?"

"Honestly? Hmmm. . .I guess I was jealous."

"Still remember I'm a hanyou I need it more!"

"I know. But just because you're a hanyou doesn't mean you're not strong.''

"No it means I have more lessons to teach!"

Sesshomaru nodded. "Brother I want you to meet someone, but promise not to be mad when you meet the person."

"Look one more question who the hell did we just beat?"

"That's who you're going to meet.''

"Oh no!!! I don't want to fight her again!"

"You don't have to," Sesshomaru said with a chuckle.

Nadeshiko was actually hurt pretty badly.

"Are you okay?" he called out. "Do you want some time to heal?"

She came out of the woods limping still a bit, she almost fell but with her reflexes she stayed on her feet.

Sesshomaru held his arm out to help her. "Sorry if I was a little rough, I had to make it seem real," he said with a frown.

"Whoa make what seem real?" asked Inuyasha

"I'm fine Sesshomaru!" she said.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Inuyasha, this is Nadeshiko," he was keeping his eye on her to make sure.

She bowed to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha she is. . .well, I'm not sure what she is, do you know Nadeshiko?"

"I am an inu-neko youkai."

"I mean our relationship, know what you are?''

She smiled at him her deep scarlet lips pressed together, she was going to make him say it!

Sesshomaru searched his brain. "She's the love of my life."

Nadeshiko's cheek felt hot she even purred a little bit.

"There is no way."

"Well, she is.''

`Since when could that block of ice you call a heart understand love?"

"Since. . . two days ago.''

"And since I taught you a couple of lessons, which reminds me. Inuyasha you need to improve your skills." she said.

"What???"

Sesshomaru snorted with laughter. "Lay off him for now."

"It's true I mean I wasn't even fighting at one hundred percent."

Sesshomaru kissed her cheek. "Are you up to meeting Inuyasha's friends?" Rin was running out of her hiding spot, still in her little dress that she wore to deliver the letter.

"I am always up to anything." she whispered.
They met up win Inuyasha group in a small clearing. Nadeshiko looked at each one, a girl, a fox-demon, a monk and. . .a youkai slayer???

She jumped back and hissed at Sango.

"What???" Sango asked.
"You are a youkai slayer are you not?"

"Wait, Nadeshiko, she is only after one demon, Naraku." cautioned Sesshomaru.

"And you monk? Are you a well known demon killer?"
"My name is Miroku, and I am after Naraku as well after all he gave me the gift in my right hand."

"Miroku. . . I have heard of you form many who have seen you fight, you are the owner of the wind tunnel."

Miroku nodded.
"Inuyasha???" asked Kagome. "Why is it that your brother and, her are here?"
"Apparently. . . ." Inuyasha began. "I am her to make amends, and her name is Nadeshiko!" snapped Sesshomaru.
"Yeah." said Inuyasha, "In fact, we have been doing so well Miroku show them what we found!" said Inuyasha

"From a youkai." Miroku held out a huge pink stone on a gold band.

"Please may I have it?" said Nadeshiko the second she saw it.
"To keep, no way!" snapped Inuyasha.

"No that ring was my mother's I am sure of it."

"There is an inscription can you quote it?" asked Miroku

"An inscription let me think. . .ah yes: To the neko youkai who traversed the 3 barriers space, time , and my heart." Nadeshiko smiled.
"She is correct." Miroku said and handed her the ring.
"It was taken when she died by other demons."

"She listened to the rest of the group talk after that, and she began to notice, she was with a human, a youkai slayer, a monk, a hanyou, and two full youkai, and even a neko demon. No one here was like her. After a while she stood up. "Good-bye Sesshomaru. I need to go now to find my place in the world, though that isn't the only reason."

"Nadeshiko? What do you mean you are leaving why?" he asked.

"If I was captured you would risk everything to save me, that is not right, I have always only had myself and it should say like that no one should risk their life for me.

"But I love you and I'd go to the ends of the earth just to prove it to you".

"You have a bother, Rin, and no matter how I despise him even Jaken they all need you."

"But I need YOU."

"NO, you don't remember what you said you only asked me to stay because of Rin, and I told you that I may leave as quickly as I have shown up.

Sesshomaru worried his bottom lip. "But. . . I love you. . ."

Nadeshiko's eyes filled with tears. "If only I knew what love was."

"It's what makes you heart flutter when you see the special person, you can't blink in fear of them leaving, you can look into their eyes and see their soul and never want to leave, you could hug them for days on end. . ."

She stopped, but didn't turn around "And you feel this?"

"All that and more."

She was quiet now not knowing how to react

Sesshomaru could feel his fangs starting to bite through his lip he was chewing on it so hard. Was she going to leave him? Walk away with her heart in his hand?

"I can't." she looked at the ring once her mothers , the pink stone glittering in the sun. "I am so different from everyone. . ."

"No one is alike. . . but you're different, I know. But I love you. . ."

"Look at me what am I?"

"You're half neko youkai and half inu youkai."

"I am half something half of some thing else. . . I want to be a whole, a whole of anything!"

"But then you wouldn't be you."

"I'd be what I want."

"But what if I didn't love you if you were a full youkai neko or inu? What if the difference in you is what I'm subconsciously attracted to?"

"No I don't care what it is, whether be a full inu like you, or a full toad like Jaken, whether am a true youkai slayer like Sango, or a monk like Miroku, or only a human like Rin or Kagome, all I want is to be whole!"

Sesshomaru stopped his subconscious lip biting when he felt blood trickle into his mouth. "Nadeshiko. . . I know this sounds stupid and hard to listen to, but. . .can't you try and love yourself for who you are?"

"What do you think I've been trying to do???"

"Obviously try and love yourself, but it doesn't seem to have worked. But I love you for who you are."

"How can you know me? I don't even know me"

"I don't need to know you, it could be a plus, but haven't you ever heard of love at first sight?"

"I cannot believe in it!"

"Can you believe in a kiss?"

"When all one has experienced is vile hatred at first sight how can one know love? You were detested with me too."

"Look, it's not like I was loved and pampered my entire life. Around when Inuyasha was five was the last year I was ever loved till Rin came into my life."

"And I was never loved after I was ten, after that all I did was battle! This ring. . ." she held up her left hand. ". . .was pried off after they killed my mother. But why was she killed, and my father as well, they were killed defending me!"

"As were mine, though in a different retrospect. And not at the same time."

"And I can't let anymore people die .or get hurt because of me!!!"

"So you're pushing away the people who love you most. This sounds oh-so familiar," Sesshomaru said glancing at Sango. Even if she didn't know it, he kept tabs on all his brother's friends.

"There are many hanyou, but no one quite like me. Youkai don't mix. So then there is me you will either kill or be killed, something I think Inuyasha understands all to well."

Sesshomaru sighed, exasperated. "I'm going to be killed one day anyway! And it's most likely in war for your kind and hanyou!"

"I am the only mixed one! Why fight for me? There isn't enough to worry about."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. He really wanted to yell at her `Get over yourself!' but didn't. "You. Are. NOT the only one, Nadeshiko true there are very few, but most of the mixed youkai live in slums because the "pure"," Sesshomaru spat out the word "pure" like he had poison on his tongue, "pick on them."

Nadeshiko's eyes flashed with anger. "I beat you Sesshomaru, and I almost beat your brother! How many youkai do you think I haven't beaten?!!! Like I said when we first met" she held up her perfectly manicured right index finger it was shaking "I never lose!"

"You're losing a battle with yourself as we speak." he said calmly, not a bit fazed by her actions. He's had worse fingers directed at him. And right now was probably not a good time to tell her about not trying his all. . .

"What do you mean?"

"You can't decide what to do."

"I know what I need to do."

"And what is that?"

"I need to fight."

Sesshomaru pursed his lips. "You wont trust me to fight for you, will you? I assume that's what I deserve for. . ." Sesshomaru broke off, not finishing.

"Oh and why is that?"

"Because I didn't. . . I didn't give it my all, Nadeshiko."

She didn't give she Sesshomaru the expected reaction. She gave a small laugh. "I think the so-called mixed youkai should fight for themselves, but how can we, when you pure youkai won't even give it your all. I will earn my place in this world. You will learn to respect me, You fight for us you say, though you know not what we must do. How can we earn our place, earn our respect if we give you our all, and you become cowards and do not give us yours."

"You think I don't respect you? I respect you more than I do my own brother."

"HEY!"

"Yes, but you won't give me your all."

"Now, are you wanting my all cheatingly or my all with my heart? I don't think I'd be able to hurt you.''

"All you got." she hissed.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Do you really want it?" Sesshomaru asked, un hooking Tenseiga from his waist and throwing it to Inuyasha.

She undid her katana, twirled around like a ballerina with her sword flashing in the sun make her especially beautiful she stopped and holding it said "I never expected any less!"

Sesshomaru drew Toujikin, ready to fight with everything he had. "When one's about to die we stop."

"If I lose, I rather die with honor!"

"I'm not killing you. You can kill me here if you're expecting me to kill you."

"Well what are you waiting for?"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and with lightening speed caught up and gave her a big gash in the stomach and chest.

She cut open his left arm with her katana and flipped over him and gashed his back very deeply.

Sesshomaru sighed and swung around and got her back as well, diagonally and deep.

She held her sword out to her side and struck him with her cyclone dead on cut on his chest and lower leg with the katana and her claws!

Sesshomaru ducked down and swung his leg around and knocked her feet out from under her and was quickly over her with his sword pressed to her throat. One move, no matter how fast, and she'd be dead.

She dropper her sword "Mother please lend me your power." she whispered crossing her wrists "Cat's claw!" she said and a spiraling wave hit Sesshomaru, it was a projectile! She grabbed her sword and managed to get up with a cut on her neck.

Sesshomaru quickly kicked her in the throat with his eyes closed, then in the stomach, in both places where she had cuts.

"Energy bomb!" she threw a small ball of energy she created at him it exploded, She then formed into a cyclone and hit him back and for 3 to 4 times!" Then she finished her katana was pointed at his throat.

"What a cheesy attack," he said laughing. He gripped the edge of her katana and easily pulled it away, trying not to bend it as he did so. "Whoops. . ." it was only the tip.

"Fine" she said. She sunk her claws deep into his neck. This was the pain of dying. She took them out. "It's over."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Don't "-cough- "be so dramatic," he said, Punching his fist through her stomach to the other side, twisting it around as he did so. As he pulled it out he broke into a coughing fit. Maybe he shouldn't of talked with a scratched neck? But he quickly recovered.

She barley managed to get up "I wasn't going to kill you the same way my parents died!" she shouted she kicked him down with both her feet as if she was doing a round off!"

Sesshomaru coughed again. "Well either you're going to have to kill me in a cheated moment or not at all because I'm not going down period." Sesshomaru kicked her stomach again and again. Fighting her was not easy. He was trying to come up with 100% but kept coming up empty-handed with 98% to 99.9%. Now he felt bad. She wanted his all and he was TRYING to give it to her. . . but that's not a easy as it looks.

"I just defeated you I never killed I'm not starting now! MOTHER FATHER LET ME BET THE TRUE YOUKAI I HAVE BECOME!!!!!!!" she began to glow, turned into a cyclone it glowed as well her claws slashed Sesshomaru like he had never be cut by anyone or anything before, deep painful gashes! As she stopped she felt she forced herself to get up as the glowing faded, she was bleeding horribly, but she was still ready to fight!

Sesshomaru pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ow?" He took in a wavering breath then thrust his blade deep into her heart with a painful look on his face. Most of it was from all the rips and tears on his body, most of the rest was because he'd given the final blow, and a little bit of it was because she'd ripped nearly all his clothing off.

She fell "Thank you, all I am sorry for is disgracing my mother and father this way, and. . .all the other half youkai you say are out there." she whispered closed her eyes as her heart stopped beating.

"He killed her." said Miroku mostly in disbelief.

Sesshomaru bent over double in a large coughing fit, blood coming out on his hands and he motioned for Inuyasha to bring the Tenseiga over.

Inuyasha brought it to him, she said to kill her if she lost don't bring her back she doesn't want it." said Inuyasha sadly.

"Let me ask you this," Sesshomaru said, his voice quavering from the blood loss. "Put yourself in my shoes, Kagome in hers, would you bring Kagome back?"

"Depends on what she wanted."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes to think. Too bad he nearly fainted from doing so. Maybe he should close his eyes, his body would pass out with him still standing. "I-I. . .I don't know what to do. . ."

Miroku opened his mouth to speak but only Sango putting her hand on his shoulder stopped him from saying anything.

Sesshomaru knelt down to pull her into his arms. "I love her. . .but I don't want to make her unhappy!"

"Do what ever you think is best." Inuyasha finally said. "You have a heart now search it."

Sesshomaru snorted. "I'm going to take the one time you admit I have a heart and savor it. . ." But what is he supposed to do. . .he felt selfish for only wanting her back for him when it'd most likely make her sad for coming back to life.

"Well damn it Sesshomaru you said you have a heart use it!" snapped Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha! This is literally the biggest decision I've ever made!"

"Yeah and you need a heart to make it!" he left and sat down next to Kagome.

Kagome sighed and leaned against Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru had made his decision. If it was a wrong one and she'd be mad, he could always offer to kill her again. . . right? He sighed and stood up, Tenseiga in his hand. The world around him turned a dark shades and he looked for those pesky minions and killed them.

She opened her eyes. "Where am I?" she whispered.

Sesshomaru closed his eyes. "Nadeshiko, I'm sorry. . . I know you wanted to be dead. . .or you made that impression. . ."

"I am alive?"

Sesshomaru nodded.

"Why. . .oh wait the Tenseiga?"

Sesshomaru nodded again, but flinched as a large scratch on his throat re-opened.

She was quite he brought her back to life how could she yell at him for that plus she was still in pain it was so hard to talk.

Sesshomaru quickly pulled his hand to his mouth and had another fit of coughing. When he took his hand away he wiped the blood from his mouth onto the small bit of clothing that hadn't been torn to shreds.

"I am sorry. The small vile in pocket will stop the coughing."

Sesshomaru gave a small smile and pulled it out, taking a bit of the content. "How come you lost yet you came out with less tears to you robes?" he whined. He was now wearing dusty boots and bloody, sheared pants.

"What do you mean?" she winced.

"You're covered. You have like three rips in you robes. I'm down one boa, set of armor, and a shirt. You're missing a sleeve."

"Ah why am I not injured badly?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Dunno. I guess it didn't take much for you to go down." he joked with a small smile.

"She closed her eyes, "I had the chance I could have won when I had your neck, but I went as how do you say it soft?"

Sesshomaru chuckled as he laid down next to her, ignoring the dirt getting into his cuts. "You give some mean blows, Missy." His thoughts lingered on the battle. "Remind me to bend your katana back to normal when I get the strength.''

"It is not metal it is my fathers fang it will get normal in time. Yet. . .I lost, so much disgrace. Monk M-M-Miroku?" she asked.

Miroku looked up and slowly walked over. "Yes Lady Nadeshiko?"

"Thank you for this ring of my mother, but please take it back?"

Miroku blinked, confused. "A-are you. . . sure? Why?"

"Please take it."

Miroku frowned. "I have no use for it, it's better on your hand than in my pocket or on my finger."

"I have disgraced my family I cannot keep it!"

"You haven't disgraced your family a bit!" Miroku protested.

`I have." she was quite serious.

"No, you died with honor and you, now alive, will stand by Sesshomaru's side and defend your kind with this ring on your hand.''

"I disgraced them because I lost. I promised them I never would."

"I doubt it can be considered disgrace when it was to Sesshomaru." That earned him an odd look from Sesshomaru. Wasn't this monk against him?

"It is for no matter how I feel about him he is still a pure inu youkai."

Miroku was losing. He didn't want to take this ring that BELONGED to her.

"Please, monk Miroku it is longer mine."

Miroku scratched the back of his neck to stall.

"PLEASE!" said Nadeshiko.

"I can't take it. It's the only tie between you and your mother. You'd be disgracing her if you gave it to me."

Nadeshiko's eyes filled with tears.

Miroku turned away.

"I'm sorry, but you'd have to shove it down my throat." Miroku paused to think. "Then I'd cough it back out and hand it back," he added in an after thought.

"I can't do it, I can't kill anyone, if I could I would have won. But I can't ever kill anyone, not ever since I saw my parents die. So it is time to give up."

"You're not gonna give up." That remark hadn't come form Miroku, but Sesshomaru.

"It's over!" she said and actually managed to get up.

"Nothing's over until I say so!"

She stood up and bowed before him "Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru growled. "No, you shall never address me by my title, you are my equal!"

"Not any more Lord Sesshomaru I have lost."

Sesshomaru growled again and turned and walked off. "When Nadeshiko, the one I fell in love with, comes back, feel free to return."

She fell to her knees and began to cry. What could she do, she couldn't be the same girl any more. "Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru turned around. "Yes, Nadeshiko." he was back to the cool, calm, stoic voice.

She walked up to him "The Nadeshiko you knew will miss you, I can't be her, for I have lost I will miss you she kissed him, and slowly but quickly disappeared in the distance, if Sesshomaru loved her and wanted her he could go after her."

Sesshomaru didn't even glance back to the others as he raced after her. "Nadeshiko, stop this right now! You need to get over yourself for loosening right now! Everyone loses once in a while. Inuyasha, me, YOU."

All of a sudden Nadeshiko landed in front of him the just like the first time they met "I don't lose Sesshomaru." she said in her overconfident voice.

"Of course you don't," he said with a smile.

"I will fight you again, and I will win." she said.

"Keep dreaming."

"And that time I will finally fight one hundred percent."

"Maybe I will too," he said absently, walking past her.

"Well considering I didn't this time."

"Same here, stupid." he said, still walking. If she wanted to follow, he wouldn't stop her.

She tackled him to the ground and hissed in his ear "Don't ever call me that again or you'll have more than a tackle to worry about, so-called Lord of the Western Lands." She did a back hand spring off his shoulders.

Sesshomaru snorted. "Okay beautiful."

"Much better, I hope to see you again soon." she said as she took out her needle and thread."

"You're. . . leaving?"

"We will meet again but look at my robe I need to fix it. While you show no signs of stopping, I am guessing you, Rin and Jaken and your pet dragon are continuing on."

"We have nowhere to go at the moment."

"Then sit and give me you clothes."

Sesshomaru pealed off the torn rags and sat down. "I don't think you can get anything out of those."

She sewed them and then she handed them back to him looking new again.

Sesshomaru held them out at arm's length. "Damn," he muttered and pulled them back on.

"Sorry, shall I rip them again?"

Sesshomaru laughed and shook his head. "You're too perfect."

"You can say that when I fight one hundred percent and beat you!"

"HA! I'm not fighting you again! I'm already going to have plenty of scars as it is!"

"Oh haven't you noticed how good I am at picking fights? There are only now two people better than me."

Sesshomaru stuck his tongue out. "Sure you'll like me once I form a nasty scar from that damn katana of yours? Well. . . it might only be a slight line considering my demon blood, but still.''

"Don't think your Toujikin will be flawless after I'm done with it!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and kept walking, he'd yet to stop after she'd repaired his clothes. Sure it was in a big circle, but he was never one to stay in the same spot more than a night.

"There." she fixed her robes and while Sesshomaru's back was turned she poked just so he could feel it with her katana. "Tag your it." she giggled.

Sesshomaru growled but smiled. "I have better ways of tagging you, Missy," he said, giving her a very un-Sesshomaru-like grope on her butt before sticking his tongue out and running for his life.

"MIROKU!" she said just like Sango and chased after him and tackled him again. "Who beat you this time?"

Sesshomaru kissed her quickly on the lips. "You win, love."

"Right like I said I never lose, except when I let you win."

The End