InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Botanist and the Beast ❯ A Tail for You ( Chapter 16 )

Disclaimer: I don't own, Sesshou, Rin and all other inu char's Takahashi Rumiko does. The characters from Alice in Wonderland belong to Lewis Carroll. All of them are used here without permission… if you made it through all the other chapters then you know who, what belongs to, if you just popped onto this chapter randomly, read backwards.

 

The Botanist and the Beast

 

Chapter 16: A Tail for You

 

Dear Alice,

 

I shall explain it one last time: Five nights are five times warmer than one night and they are also five times as cold, by the same rule. Just as I'm five times as rich as you are, AND five times as clever! It is a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.

 

-The Queen of Hearts

 

The first day was awkward as initially all my inquires about our destination and itinerary were met with stoic silence. So I gave up and our time traveling that day was therefore spent without another word between us. We stopped for the night in a cave, and he left me for several minutes as I prepared a fire and a small meal of herbed rice and dried mushrooms. When he returned he said nothing, merely laid a dead rabbit he place near the fire.

 

“What are you going to do with that?” I asked, looking from the rabbit to him speculatively.

 

“Baka, ningen, it is for you to eat.” He replied exasperatedly.

 

“Uh, Thank you, I think, the meat is appreciated but my rice is adequate. There was no need for you to inconvenience yourself for my sake.” I mumbled, avoiding his eyes to mask my confusion.

 

“You will need the nourishment meat provides to continue on this journey, ningen, the cold will sap your energy quickly. I will not have you become a burden by consuming only rice.” I considered asking him to explain, but his refusal to discuss the journey thus far halted me. I only nodded as I focused on preparing my meal and I felt him move away to watch me from a corner of the cave. Hesitantly I took the gift and began to prepare it for cooking.

 

The oppressive silence continued as I ate, cleaned, repacked and settled down next to the fire to sleep. The cold quickly seeped through the layers of cloths, douchuugi, cloak and blanket making it hard to find sleep. Exhaustion and preoccupation with my own discomfort distracted me so thoroughly that I did not notice Sesshomaru had moved until I felt the familiar furry mantle wrap around my body and I was enveloped in warmth.

 

I turned to his crouched form to thank him, but the inscrutable look wore stopped me, “What's wrong, Sesshomaru-sama?” I asked instead, scrambling quickly to a sitting position.

 

“Baka, ningen it is nothing, sleep or you will be useless tomorrow.” His rude retort annoyed me, but not wanting to lose the warmth of the fur I only frowned before settling back down to rest.

 

The next two days followed the same pattern of silent trudging through the snow, dinner of rice and meat followed by fur shrouded sleep. I had offered a story or a song the second evening, but it was rebuked, “Leave me in peace, ningen, and go to sleep.” By day four it was obvious his attitude was deteriorating even more and though he was even less communicative than ever, his every gesture and stance radiated a dangerous aura of annoyance and short tempered wrath.

 

Travel had become arduous due to the ever deepening snow and freezing winds we encountered in the ever increasing altitudes. Several times I wanted to ask Sesshomaru why we were walking, but prudence kept me mute. Instead I endured in silence and prayed that my numb limbs would continue moving sluggishly forward. I also hoped that it was the weather conditions and not some disrespect of mine that had darkened Sesshomaru's mood. If it was my attitude, there would be no one to carry me when I collapsed.

 

That night when he returned with a small rabbit I confronted Sesshomaru on his behavior as I arranged my meal. “If we are to continue traveling like this for much longer Sesshomaru-sama, would you please, grant me the courtesy to know what it is I have done to put you in such a foul mood?”

 

“Baka, ningen, you have done nothing wrong.” He growled dismissively.

 

I sighed, Time to face the lion in its den, I moved to his side and placed my hand on his, the action caused him to glare at me. “Then please, tell my why you are so cross.” I begged gently.

 

Obviously it's because he hasna slept a wink in five days lass. Sitting only inches away from his face it was evident from the rings under his eyes and his slumping posture Uacteran was more observant than me, he was clearly exhausted.

 

“It is none of your concern, ningen. This Sesshomaru does not need you…” But I interrupted his vexed diatribe.

 

I tightened my grip on his hand, “Sesshomaru-sama, just tell me why you have not been sleeping and I swear I will never broach the subject again.” I pleaded.

 

“Yokai do not require the constant amount of rest you weak Jinrui do.” He scoffed.

 

His off handed manner annoyed me, “I understand that, Sesshomaru-sama, but it is obvious you need at least some sleep, and I wish to know why you have allowed yourself to come to such a disgraceful state.” With an angry roar he raised his arm forcefully flinging me back against a nearby wall as he stood.

 

“I told you it is none of your concern, ningen; do not presume to meddle in my affairs.” He growled as he towered over my prone form and my heart tried to retreat from my trembling chest in an effort to save itself.

 

Yet, while I attribute with many good virtues to myself, restraint is not one of them, and his behavior had made me angry. My voice dripped contempt and an icy indifference I didn't feel, “Honestly, this is getting old I would rather jump naked into the nearest lake that meddle in your affairs. But when you drag me out into the middle of the frozen wilderness and then endanger my life by being an egocentric dumb-ass, you really leave me with no other choice! Now, are you going to tell me or am I going to have to find that lake, because I am more likely to survive hypothermia than your brainless antics.”

 

I had made it to my knees during the rebuke and my fear was subsiding as I rocked back onto my feet; standing, I defiantly glaring into his irate, red-rimmed eyes. After several tense minutes his hand went to rest on his furry stole, “My bibu is a part of me, I cannot sleep without it.”

 

Bibu… Bibu… The word eluded me for a moment; my eyes widened in shock when the meaning finally came, Jesus H. Christ, all this time I've been cuddling up to an Inu-Daiyoukai's tail! The revelation was startling, a bit disconcerting and drained the last of my aggravation. “Oh” I answered slowly unable to find a reasonable retort to his bewildering admission; I let my eyes drop. Slowly I moved back to the fire and resumed my work on the rabbit nervously.

 

Sesshomaru eventually returned to his seat and the silence dragged as I ate my meal and cleaned up. Thoughtfully I repacked by dinner things and pulled my blanket from the pack. He watched intently as I banked the fire and settled in on his left side. His expression was unreadable, but I did my best to ignore it and the pounding of my own heart as I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to claim me. “Ningen, this is not an appropriate position for you to rest in.” I heaved a heavy sigh and opened my eyes to glare up at him.

 

“First and for mostly, it is painfully obvious that it is too cold for me to sleep directly on the earth, otherwise you would not have allowed me the use of your…” I hesitated with the word still finding it hard to come to grips with the idea I had been cuddling an actual physical part of his person this whole time a blush crept un bitted into my cheeks as I pressed on, “…bibu in the first place. Secondly I have told you before, I find this position quite comfortable, and thirdly I do not wish to relive my brief occupation as your nursemaid. To that end I would appreciate it if you held off on objecting to this arrangement until the morning when you have had some rest and appear less like death warmed over.” Looking into his haggard, displeased gaze I hesitated for a moment before adding beseechingly, “Please, Sesshomaru-sama.” He turned from me with a wordless grunt, but I felt the familiar weight of fur as I was enveloped and pulled towards him. Warm and safe, I fell asleep content that I had won, for the moment.

 

The next morning I woke with the pattern of his armor imprinted on my face and a stiff neck from sleeping on the unyielding surface. That's what I get for arguing with him, I thought contritely as I my companion stirred next to me. I quickly pulled away from the intimate pose, but my downy covering was slow to release me as his stunning yellow eyes opened and gazed down at me with considering scrutiny.

 

“Your rest has not improved you appearance, Donella-san.” His remark was rude but it was the first time he had used my name in six days and the sudden effect banished my aches.

 

“Funny I was just going to comment on the vast improvement sleep had made on your own appearance, but since the enhancement has not extended to your boorish mien the compliment seems unjustified in retrospect.” I know my words were only a mask to cover my discomfort, but the combination of my name from his lips and his physical closeness were causing me to reconsider kissing him again and I was desperate to derail that hazard bound train.

 

My peanut gallery wasn't helping either, Aye lass tell him ye'd wake up pretty as ye please if'n he'd sleep without the armor, A barking chuckle followed and I realized where Uacteran was going a second be fore he said it, or the cloths fer that matter.

 

I pushed roughly away from Sesshomaru and stood as I grumbled back at Uacteran, “I need neither sarcastic repartee nor vulgar suggestions this early in the morning, seanathair, I would thank you to be silent.” It was Sesshomaru who answered, however, as I realized I had uttered my rebuke aloud.

 

“I believe speaking to yourself is considered abnormal behavior even by Jinrui standards, ningen.”

 

Leaning down to retrieve my blanket I paused in picking it up and allowed my eyes to meet his. “So it is, but so too is traveling back in time through a whole in the ground, befriending hostile yokai and having the souls of your dead relatives inhabit your jewelry. Therefore, by human standards I am already damned; muttering to myself is inconsequential by comparison.” I was careful to avoid touching his fur as I picked my blanket up and began to fold and repack it neatly. For some reason the revelation that the furry mass was a part of him made me even more sensitive to the idea that touching it was a trespass on his person.

 

“You need to bathe, ningen.” Like most of his bald statements, this one did not have the air of an insult, just a clinical statement of fact, but it cut me.

 

“I apologize if my trekking through the snow for five days without a change of cloths or a chance to bathe has finally offended your delicate nose! It's a shame that I find the smell of wet dog so enticing, otherwise I would understand your suffering.” I remarked drolly, sarcasm dripping from my voice. I pulled a small jar of nuts from my pack and strapped the satchel securely to my back.

 

“That is indeed a blessing for you, ningen.” He remarked coolly as he left the cave to begin our day's hike. Great, he's pissed; this is going to be a very long day. I thought as I hurriedly doused the fire and followed him into the white expanse while munching on my meager breakfast. He set a steady and difficult pace for me. The snow had become deeper in the night and the wind was a brutal and fierce adversary, threatening to blow me from the stark landscape. The fight against the two elements and my struggle to maintain his pace was exhausting. My day passed in a fog of anesthetized, dogged movement.

 

It was nearing sunset when, panicking I realized the white blur of Sesshomaru's immaculate cloths against the matching snow was no longer in front of me. Relief flooded my frozen brain when I heard his voice call out from behind. “Ningen, where are you going? There is a storm approaching and you have passed the shelter.” I turned on numb feet to find him standing, rather impatiently, back the way I had come. I was too numb to be irritated, or mount an argument, I just sluggishly moved back towards the sound of his voice.

 

Moments later I was at his side as he preceded me into the cave. Warm, steaming air hit me and the sudden change in climate was a shock to my frozen system. I collapsed in a dizzy slump within only a few feet of the entrance. I labored weekly with irresponsive fingers and resistant vinyl to take my backpack off, but quickly gave up and just sat there, eyes closed, soaking up the warmth and praying I'd never have to move again.

 

A derisive snort alerted me to Sesshomaru's presence and I slowly opened my heavy lids to look to him. He was still only a few feet ahead of me and I realized he must have turned when I collapsed and had seen my comical tussle with my pack. “I suppose you find this amusing.” I tried to sound sarcastic, but the sore, rasping, whisper that escaped my throat was almost unrecognizable to me.

 

He turned back and knelt at my side. Face to face I could see that he was obviously still annoyed, Geeze, crack one wet dog joke and suffer for the rest of your life! He reached for my pack and after several failed attempts he managed to open the clasps that shortened the arm straps and relieve me of most of my burden and I reached for the buckle at my hip. When the bag finally fell onto the packed, earthen floor with a soggy thud he said, “This will not do, ningen.”

 

I looked up from my now free waist to his disapproving glare, “I suppose you want me to apologize?” My voice was getting stronger, but the damp heat was giving me a serious case of the sniffles and I couldn't muster the indignant air I was hoping for.

 

“I do not understand you, ningen, most Jinrui I have encountered are obsessed with their own needs and comfort and yet you insistently cause yourself discomfort, injure and put your life in peril when I am not available to aid you. How am I to keep my word to Rin to safeguard when you seem determined to destroy yourself?”

 

I was too tired to start a fight with him and not waiting for a reply, he started tugging at the laces of my boots. Fearing for the livelihood of the fragile bonds against his sharp claws I batted at him as I dove forward with trembling hands to release the knots myself. Yet the thick gloves I wore encumbered my progress, “Here let me get those, if you ruin my laced I won't have anything to wear on my feet,” but, while I numbly tugged at my gloves he went for the ties again.

 

“I am quite accustomed to this sort of fastening, I assure you I can manage a few strings,” Using the tips of his claws to loosen them enough to fit his fingers through the laces, he efficiently pull the knots lose without running the razor edges of his claws against the fraying cords. I was surprised at how delicately he handled the knots, especially since he was so obviously annoyed. My fascination at the gentle work was soon interrupted however, when with a rough jerk, he pulled the first boot free using enough force to knock me backward onto my discarded pack and invoke a yelp of protest.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, please, I am not an invalid or a doll, as soon as I warm up a bit more I will be perfectly capable of removing my own shoes. This abuse is uncalled for.” He ignored me, opting to strike at the remaining shoe in silence as I mounted protests to the undignified behavior and toiled, unsuccessfully, to convince my frozen limbs to evade him.

 

My remonstrations were cut short when he removed the first, damp, half-frozen sock from my foot and the blue appendage was struck full force with the heated air of the cave. I cried out in pain as my foot seemed to catch fire and the muscles cramped painfully. Not waiting for me to recover, he brutally ripped the other sock free. Helpless tears of pain and stifled whimpers escaped me as he began to vigorously chafe the damaged limbs with his long fingers.

 

After several, excruciating minutes my torturer released me, “It does not appear that you have caused any permanent damage to your feet, ningen, show me your hands.” Still numb from pain and shock I obediently held them out for inspection. He took each in turn and scrutinized them intently before giving a short nod and standing. “The storm will be upon us soon, I shall attempt to find you sustenance and fuel before then. While I am away you will bathe and change out of those soggy garments.”

 

His haughty command irritated me, “Now see here mister high and mighty Inu-…” I started, but he had already vanished and I was left yelling at aloof, echoing stone.

 

Looking around the cave I realized that Sesshomaru's lithe figure had been hiding an underground hot spring from view. To my left, dryer air entered the chamber from another low tunnel. This must be a series of caves; I wonder how far back they go.

 

Slowly venturing forward in my bare feet, I realized the stones beneath me were also warm. This cave must be above a lava tube. I mused, searching my memory for the name and location of Japan's active volcanoes before I realized that my information was four hundred years away from being useful. I suppose several volcanoes on the main island have gone dormant since the Sengoku period. I wonder if Sesshomaru knows anything about cartography, do they even have maps yet? I wish I could find a way to figure out where I am. I continued to speculate for a while longer, but my knowledge of Japanese history and development was miniscule and could not provide me with any usable answers so I abandoned the endeavor.

 

Deciding there was no help for it, and wanting a bath more than I wanted to defy the pompous yokai, I quickly stripped and lowered myself into the steaming water. The warmth after so many days of being cold and dirty was intoxicating. Modesty be damned I never wanted to leave this blessed pool ever again! I went through the motions of scrubbing, washing, and rinsing the last five days from my body while arguing with my incorporeal family members, who were apparently alerted to my good humor and felt the need to crush it.

 

Ack, gal, ye should thank that pup of yers fer letin' ye get close ta him last night smellin' the way ye do! The whelp is either in love or his nose is completely useless.

 

“The pup isn't mine and he's not in love.” I groused as I scrubbed my arm more vigorously.

 

Then why'd he let yer stinkin' carcass curl up next ta him last night? Uacteran asked smugly.

 

“Because he was exhausted and I was pushy.” I replied gruffly focusing my vigorous ministrations to my grimy hair.

 

Believe what ye like, lass, my mate has the right o' it an' denyin' the truth is only hard on ye. Donella chimed in.

 

“You two are really putting a damper on the only nice event of this miserable, Japanese mountain tour. He despises most humans and it's taken almost two years for us to establish even a rocky friendship. There is no possible way that, even in the vaguest stretch of the imagination, this could ever be more than that.” I sighed as I dove bellow the tepid water to rinse.

 

Ye wanna make it morn' than that, lass, and all we want is fer ye to be happy, my mamo mollified.

 

Well, an' fer ya ta finish absorbin' our energy so we can finally move on ta Tir-na-n-Og. T'aint no picnic fer us sittin' in this make-believe field an' watchin' the outside world got ta hell while ye muddle on through it. Uacteran griped as I surfaced and took a deep gasp of the humid air.

 

“And, exactly what do you want me to do to speed that along?” I asked piqued by his accusing tone, but again the mollifying voice of my mamo answered.

 

We only want ye ta practice while ye have this break, garinion.

 

I sighed heavily as I propped myself on the edge of the pool and let the soothing water melt the tension form my muscles, “Mamo, tonight? I'm exhausted.” I protested wearily but already giving in to their demands.

 

Nay lass, tomorrow will do. That storm outside is gonna be a fierce one and ye'll be stuck in these caves fer the next three days at the least.

 

Plenty `O time fer yer leisciuil thoin ta practice, me gal, Uacteran added rudely.

 

“My Lazy ass has been pretty busy getting beaten up by annoying yokai and hiking through snow covered mountain ranges in January, you jackass.” I groused as I angrily pulled myself from the water and toweled off. “Not that you have been any help, pushing people around with my mind, seeing into the past, erecting barriers and blowing things up are all pretty nice tricks, but I wish one of them could keep me a little warmer out there.” I pulled my spare kimono from my pack and began to dress hurriedly, “I would really like to know why we are mountain-goating around here in the first place; it doesn't really make a lot off sense.”

 

“If I use any other mode of travel, ningen, then my quarry would be alerted to my presence and know that I yet live.” Sesshomaru's icy voice made me jump as I fumbled with my obi. Damn it! How long has he been back? Why didn't I feel his aura, how the hell did he sneak up on me?

 

He's been there a wee bit lass, long enough ta see ye change fer sure. An' ye dinna seriously believe he canna control his anam do ye? He'd be a poor madra indeed if'n he couldna cover himself enough ta hunt. The awkward thought of him watching me dress, and my mamo's condescending tone made me blush as I turned to face the devious Inu-Daiyoukai.

 

“We are out here looking for Byakuya then?” I asked, frantically straitening my kimono in order to buy time as I calmed my nerves. What the hell! Creepy, peeping stalker! Yokai or human, all men really are the same! I thought irately.

 

“Byakuya is an inconsequential distraction. I am, as always, pursuing Naraku's heart.” I was grateful that his tone was as cool and distant as ever, I found the normalcy of it soothing. If he can act normal so can I. Geeze what is the yokai protocol on nudity anyway?

 

Now there's an interstin' thought lass. Strip down an' find out! Uacteran urged with an evil snicker.

 

Go back to sleep! I thought at him, furiously as I turned my attention once more to the peeping yokai. He was holding an armload of fire wood and wore a distracted speculative look. His disquiet air set me on edge, “What is it now?” I demanded peevishly.

 

“Bring your possessions this way, ningen.” He remarked as he moved towards the adjacent tunnel without answering the question. With a frustrated noise, I grabbed my discarded gear and rushed to follow.

 

The tunnel led to a cooler, less expansive grotto. A serious of large, earthen jars occupied one corner and a small underground stream dominated much of the remaining space. Sesshomaru laid his burden near the water's edge before wordlessly moving to the only uncluttered corner of the small confinement and sitting. Taking this as my cue to start a fire and prepare a meal, I set my gear near him and moved towards the brook.

 

For the next several minutes the only sound that could be heard was that of digging scrapping and the breaking of kindling as I settled into the familiar routine of and reveled in the peace. Not for the first time I found myself thinking about how, in such a short time, I had become so accustomed to the aloof yokai's presence to the point that I found his stoic silence soothing, familiar and incongruously comforting. When he's around I feel…I struggled distractedly to break particularly tough branch as I tried to pin the feeling down in my mind. Protected, warm, satisfied, happy…The branch finally snapped and I muttered audibly, “safe.”

 

“What is safe, ningen?” I blinked at him dumbly for a moment, and realized I must have spoken the last part of my thought out loud; a slow blush crept into my cheeks.

 

“I apologize, Sesshomaru-sama, it is nothing; a stray thought spoken aloud and of no consequence.” I muttered sheepishly as I went to my pack and removed the flint and steel.

 

“Indeed.” He commented shortly and lapsed back into silence, but as I returned to my work my mamo interjected.

 

Darlin', forgive yer old mamo fer lyin' ta ya but I wanna ye ta try somethin' instead O' yer flint.

 

The excitement in her tone made me pause, What do you want me to do? I asked apprehensively expecting it to be another lewd and outrageous suggestion involving my companion, but I was wrong.

 

I want ye ta start yer fire like ye blew up the mock-up th'other day. Thinking about that incident sent a small shiver down my spine and deposit a nervous flutter in the pit of my stomach.

 

Mamo, I'm too tired for that today and I'd rather not try something like that in this closed space, and more to myself than her I added, I don't want to hurt anyone.

 

A soothing, comforting warmth flooded through me, Hush, dear heart, ye won't use near that kinda power this time. Just close yer eyes an' hold out yer hand ta the fire. I felt my body comply, my eyes drooped shut automatically and her presences in my mind became stronger. Now, think o' yer tine lass, think o' your kindlin' an' a small spark startin' in its heart. Think o' that tiny spark getting' hotter, an' hotter; burnin' hot an' hungry ta devour the wood ye gave it. As she spoke her hypnotic voice carried me through the disconcerting feeling of heat spreading through my outstretched hand and pooling in my palm. As she finished talking the vivid image that had formed in my mind burst and my eyes flew open to greet the warmth of the now crackling fire before me. Well done, garinion, remember that all o' the things yer learnin' ta do are just a way ta control the elements: tine, uisce, speir, talamh, an' anam. If'n ye remember that an' let the power flow in ta what ye want; even ye canna foul it up.

 

“An impressive trick, ningen.” Sesshomaru's voice pulled me roughly from Donella's trance. I experienced a short period of disorientation as a wave of dizziness passed over me causing me to grab the cave wall for support. Gratefully it passed quickly and I managed a week reply.

 

“A bit wasteful considering that my flint and steel would have done the job without making me tired.” He remained thoughtfully silent. I gave him a wan smile as I returned to my pack and exchanged my unused flint and steel for my pot and some rice.

 

I gave the stream a considering look and he answered my unvoiced question, “The water is safe for you to drink, ningen.”

 

“Thank you.” I replied with a sheepish smile before filling my pan and returning to my meal preparations. Sesshomaru continued to eye me strangely as I stirred the rice and some herbs into the boiling water. I, in turn, desperately tried not to speculate why the devious yokai had felt the need to sneak up on me while I was bathing. The certain knowledge of the many vulgar suggestions my unwelcome family members would have on the subject helped a great deal in quickly derailing that train of thought, but the trepidation remained.

 

When I'd settled in to eat my meager repast Sesshomaru finally stood and began to fumble with the ties of his armor. Bewildered by this strange new turn of events, I felt a blush creep into my cheeks as I simultaneously tried to avoid gawk at the undressing yokai and find my meal mesmerizing. Unfortunately rice and rabbit stew has very little fascination value when compared to toned, ethereal magnificence. I had to physically turn my body, until he was no longer in my direct line of sight, in order to keep the food I was mindlessly shoveling from falling out of my gaping mouth. God help me this is so unfair!

 

I finished my meal about the time I heard stylized metal and leather contraption clatter to the floor. The noise made me jump and scramble to face him, “What the hell!” I grumbled as I moved, but I by the time I'd faced him, he was gone.

 

Unsure as to what his aberrant behavior signaled, I desperately tried to find more productive thoughts than those of the bizarre yokai and his inscrutable behavior, his mind numbing physical presence or my growing inability get my hormones under control. I forcefully set about washing my dishes and removing the last five days of travel from my kimono with a mania born of frustration. Why does he have to be so damned… interesting, pretty, intriguing…I thought of a few more adjectives to stave off the provocative mental images that flooded my mind as I viscously beat my kimono into a soapy mess on the riverbank before thrashing it violently into the water.

 

My taciturn companion had still not returned by the time I had finished, so I settled in by the fire to update my journal. I gave into exhaustion with less than a page written and sometime later I woke to find the fire nothing but embers and someone physically attempting to lift me. Incongruously, the antagonist didn't cause any sirens to go off in my foggy mind. I sleepily struggled against the looming form and strong arm that grasped me. I quickly came to my senses enough to identify the season turning smell I associate with late autumn mingled with the equally familiar aroma of crushed pine needles.

 

Recognition of his familiar scent, and his nearness caused me rush, panicked and wide-eyed into full consciousness. “Sesshomaru, what's wrong?” The alarm was evident in my voice as I sat bolt up right in his grasp and tried to focus on the dimly illuminated outline of his face. My gaze was immediately drawn to his golden eyes, which seemed to reflect the fire's dying light and give my racing heart yet one more reason to maintain its frenzied tempo. Anytime I find myself forgetting he isn't human, those eyes will remind me.

 

His arm fell away from where it supported my back his trifling withdrawal caused a few strands of his hair to brush my exposed arm. His hair is damp, but he's too warm to have been outside, I mused as I arranged myself in a more conversational position. Ach, lass the boy took yer barb this mornin' hard and ran off ta bathe. Uacteran provided wearily.

 

Hush you, I figured that out on my own.

 

He chuckled, Aye well now ye canna make those daydreams o' yer's more interestin'. After all, the lad was only in the hot spring yonder naked an'…He was saved my scathing response as Sesshomaru's icy, angry voice interrupted the nonverbal dialogue.

 

“Do not address me so casually, ningen.” His rebuke and my unconscious blushing over Uacteran's words angered me, The freaking nerve of this guy! First he wakes me up and then he's pissy because I dropped the honorific from his name and now I can't stop trying to picture him naked! Why couldn't they let me sleep through this? I gave him and virulent glare before turning to the fire and slowly beginning the task of reviving it.

 

“I apologize, Sesshomaru-sama, but your bizarre conduct made me concerned that there was some danger, I spoke without thinking.” My tone was spiteful and I stressed the honorific vindictively, but I was in no mood to be diplomatic.

 

“Again your voice betrays the insincerity of your words, ningen.” He countered reproachfully. I continued to ignore him as I fed the rekindled flame and prayed he would accept my silence. My karma wasn't that good. He allowed a few, peace-filled moments to pass before he grasped my chin firmly and viciously forced me to face him. “I have been very tolerant of your mistakes and impertinence in the past, ningen, but you will apologize for your disrespect.” His still damp hair reflected the orange glow of the fire as it threw dancing shadows across his face in a macabre and incongruously malevolent pattern.

 

I suppose, one of these days I will learn to back down when facing a tremendously superior force, but that day has not yet arrived, “Would you have me shed tears for your injured pride? Morn the damage caused to your conceit? Tell me Oh Great Sesshomaru-sama, what penance should I pay for assaulting your precious vanity?” I let the sarcasm and contempt drip from my voice like acid rain as I met his fiery glare with an unwavering intensity born in the heat of my own injured pride and hurt feelings. God damn it all! I thought we'd made more progress! It's been two year! Two years and we always circle back to our original roles, him being the lord of the castle and I nothing more than a cockroach scuttling along his clean floor.

 

An eerie silence filled the cave in the wake of my angry words. I could hear the frightened hitch of my own inhalation as his grip on my chin tightened and he pulled my face ruthlessly forward. Warm breath caressed my ear as he leaned towards me and whispered, “I would have you beg my forgiveness, ningen,” He sniffed and I had to fight hard to suppress the giddy shiver that threatened to break free as that liquid baritone continued to rumble in my ear, “However, that may be expecting to much from such an uncouth creature. I suppose I should content myself with the knowledge that you can at least follow a simple directive. Your odor is reasonably tolerable now.”

 

I snorted derisively and his fingers loosened on my chin. Using the moment I wrenched my head until we were again eye to eye and a cynical smile spread across my lips, “You once told me false modesty and respect would win me no favors with you, and yet you often take me to task over my disingenuous civility. I'll tell you now, if you wish me to say, `please, Sesshomaru-sama, I have transgressed. I beg you to forgive this unworthy ningen,' then I will say the words, but it would take more than two of your lifetimes to make me say them and be earnest in my plea. Frankly, I cannot turn around without scraping that enormously inflated ego you have; so if I let a little air out now and again then it may become that much easier to tiptoe around you! Furthermore, I am not your minion to be ordered about. I bathe when the opportunity presents itself so that I am comfortable, not because it offends your delicate nose.” His reaction to my verbal battery was startling. His hand instantly relaxed its hold on my face, a small smile curved his lips and a roguish glint lit his eyes.

 

My words, my indignation, my very thought process died as my stomach flipped and I was caught in the glory of his countenance like a deer in the headlights of a hunter's truck. Wow; the only word that filled the echoing void of my dumbstruck mind as a chill trembled up my spine. “You must truly be exhausted, Donella-san, if that is all the venom you can muster against me.”

 

I laughed at this sudden change in our old game, So maybe not an insect and maybe not his castle. However, I doubt I'm Cinderella, and though he is a handsome prince, he is less than charming. I returned his miniscule smile with a genuine and broad grin. “I doubt a toxin I could produce in any quantity would be in the least bit effective against you, Sesshomaru-sama. I am convinced that, unlike many others who have fallen to my vituperative wit, you are immune.”

 

“Indeed, Donella-san, yet your feeble attempts to scold are often amusing and your expression when you are angry is,” I frowned at his pause and the gentle way his fingers slid from my face as he consulted his mental lexicon, “intriguing.” Suddenly the look in his eyes, the smile on his lips; his very proximity to me was more than I could handle. Abruptly I stood and went in search of my blanket. The fire projected a fascinating silhouette of his impassive form onto the cave wall before me. As I rummaged I addressed that dancing shadow.

 

. “Geeze, you can be seriously bizarre some times. One second you're a supercilious, pretentious jackass and the next you can be more charming than Don Juan Demarco! For the most part, there is just no way for me to gage when you're being serious and when you are just playing with me.” I gave a short laugh in an effort to lighten the intensity of the moment and alleviate some of the pressure caused by my pounding heart and raging hormones, “Your moods are too haphazard it's no wonder Jaken is such a wreck.” I didn't look at him as I moved to the only unoccupied corner of the cave and settled down to sleep. At least this place is warm enough that I won't need to cuddle him to stay warm. The thought should have been heartening, but it left me feeling a bit melancholy as curled up and closed my eyes. For several minutes after I'd uttered my sarcastic rebuke Sesshomaru remain silent and unmoving.

 

I was almost asleep when I heard the rustle of his cloths as he came towards me. Warily I cracked my eyes open as he claimed a spot against the wall to my right. I moved left to give him some space, but as I did so his tail wrapped around me, impeding my movement and pulling me back the way I had come. I made a frustrated noise and opened my mouth to remonstrate the manhandling, but he beat me to the punch.

 

The sub-zero, perturbation in his voice was something I had heard many times before, directed at Rin and Jaken during one of their protracted squabbles. Yet, this was the first time it was leveled at me, “Donella-san, save you arguments against this arrangement for a time when you have had more rest. There is no other place for me to recline,” The truth to that statement was obvious, but when his arm wrapped around my waist and I found myself pressed into his side.

 

Again, I began to mount an objection, but the incongruously pained look that met my affronted scowl stopped me. It lasted only a moment before his icy mask slid back into place, but it was enough to completely dissipate my hostility. In all honesty, the effect that momentary glimpse of despondency had on my physiology was so profound, that I could not bring myself to voice even an unreasonable complaint. Instead I only nodded mutely and let my head rest on his silk clad chest.

 

Once in that position; my body pressed against his side, the silk of his shirt on my face, the warmth of his tail wrapped around me and his steady breathing in my ear, I never wanted to move again. Yet, feeling I could not let him win so easily, I twisted in his grip, leaned up and gently whispered, “Arigato, Sesshomaru-sama, but your scent never resembled a wet dog, Ashikarazu,” into his ear.

 

He gave me an inscrutable sidelong look and I felt his hand tighten on my hip, “Spiteful creature. Go to sleep.” I smiled a happily as I wiggled back into a comfortable position. It took me a long time to fall asleep like that, but as my over worked brain and frantic hormones finally allowed me to drift off, I think one word echoed contentedly in my mind, Safe.

 

A/N: I swear I'll write you all back as soon as I can!

 

Some vocabulary:

 

Japanese

 

Bibu isn't the correct word for Sesshomaru's tail, though it means the caudal end of an animal. The correct word is Shippo which means “animal's tail” and also “silver” but I thought that might be confusing to Inuyasha fans…

 

Arigato: Thank you

 

Ashikarazu: Formal “I am sorry”

 

Jinrui: humans as a species

 

Baka: Idiot

 

Irish Gaelic

 

Tir-na-n-Og: The summer lands, the after life, heaven

 

Garinion: Granddaughter

 

Mamo: Informal Grandmother

 

leisciuil thoin: Lazy Ass

 

Anam: Spirit, soul, aura

 

Madra: Specifically hound, as apposed to just dog. A canine prized for its hunting abilities.

 

Tine: Fire

 

Uisce: water

 

Spear: sky/air

 

Talamh: earth

 

Anam: Spirit, soul, aura

 

 

 

Fin.

 

Ok to everyone: Ta bron orm, I'm very sorry, but my life hit a real shitty 4 months and unfortunately I had no time to do anything until I figured out how to: stay in my apartment, stay warm and eat. I hope everything is more stable now but thanks for hanging in there with me!

 

Tottsiepop: Had ta get ya in here girl, thanks for sending me green things to make my sad life brighter!

 

D-Chan3: I think a longer life can be a safe bet at this point, but for anything cosmetic, I'm not sure. Donella is not gonna get strong enough to kill Naraku on her own or change her shape. However, she is gonna definitely be able to protect Rin, beat up Jaken and help Sessh kick some serious ass anyway.

 

Feathergriffin: The Fiddler on the Roof, hahaha well, unfortunately for some fans Donella and Sessh aren't going to start rabidly ripping each other's cloths off. I Sessh has to get Donella to trust him first, and he's kind of a self involved jerk so that's gonna take some work on her part. But at least she's realized she'd like to rip his cloths off!

 

Closet Oddity: Thanks for the review, if you like dry humor you should read my short oneshot “Fan Girl”. I hear it's funny and it's about Sessh

 

Ritual Noise/ Jenna Thompsom: Thanks so much! Reviews are like crack as is evident that, though my life fell in the toilet these last 4 months I am back righting soon after I can afford to have internet, coffee and my dog in the same place! Thanks so much please keep reading!

 

Ladii Tempest: As always, thank you for being such a loyal fan and laughing in all the right places. It makes me think I don't stink thanks again.

 

Phoenix Nephthys: Always a loyal year thank so much your criticism means a lot.

 

Mmoirai: Well she realizes she want to boink him, but then she's had a 2 year dry spell, may be that monk is going to start looking good too. I kid. ;)

 

Tsubasa Kya: Does Sessh ever do anything randomly? Alas we should enjoy these warm moments he's gonna piss her off again soon…

 

Watterlilykitty: Thanks for your care, concern and support it was rough but I'm back, at least for a little while.

 

Arvael: I'm sorry I lost your email! :(

 

Wandering Hitokiri, Sueariel, InuDstories, firefarire93, Inusbabe, Suki dah Turdle, Miss L. Anyus, , dark eyed demon girl , JamminChick93613, entropy9, HikoCassidy, FulleLover, any anyone I may have missed or reads without reviewing: Thanks so much for your patience and your love! They keep me going in the hard times!!