InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Problem ❯ Discord over Accord ( Chapter 5 )

It's dark and brilliant

Like a thunderstorm in mid July

Only it's winter and the snow is deep

And I watch you and can only deem

It's strong and profound

It's like a dream.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I can only dream of that happy, happy day.

 

 

Chapter 5: Discord over Accord

 

As I had predicted, I was awoken not two hours after returning to bed by Sesshoumaru. Much like Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru seemed to be all for using daylight to the fullest. I grumpily added yet another morning person on my envied-list…not that I actually had one.

When he called me a second time, his voice probably more unwelcome than Inuyasha's at this hour, I finally cranked open an eye. I immediately regretted doing that as his unfriendly face came into my field of vision, imparting that if I did not wake up and wake up soon, there would be dire consequences.

Groaning and grumbling as though I were crazed, I dragged myself out of bed and up toward the fire.

“Good morning,” I said, trying to keep the grogginess out of my voice. I stretched and waited for answer. Sesshoumaru, now that I was awake, was staring deeply into the fire, clearly so entertained by the rhythmic dance of the flames that he couldn't be bothered to answer my question. Shocked and snubbed, I spun on my heels, ready to leave him in a huff in the company of his precious fire.

“I'm going to go take a bath,” I called over my shoulder, remembering and hoping to teach him how these things properly went. Then, I walked to the most sheltered part of the spring, where I was sure to be out of his view…hopefully still within the sixty foot berth.

I took my bath, loving the warm water compared to the cold air, appreciating it all the more after many a bath in cold, river water. I felt my muscles relax and a bout of morning cheer slowly crept into my body.

Thinking back to a couple of hours ago, I couldn't help but feel a little successful. Though little had been accomplished, I still managed to gather a little hope that Sesshoumaru wasn't downright refusing to answer me. And with Sesshoumaru, that was saying something. Don't get me wrong, he was downright rude, but that was just his style, something I could learn to forgo when dealing with a dangerous foe.

The small amount of hope that I had found, lifted my spirits and I attempted to smile. It was slow in coming, but soon, my lips were curled in their usual smile. I promised myself to try and make more of an effort to get things moving.

I finished my bath quickly enough, wanting to eat something soon as my stomach was already growling and the steamy warmth of the spring making me slightly dizzy. When I got back to camp it was only to discover it exactly as I had left it before, my campfire burning almost dimly while Sesshoumaru sat leaning against his rock, staring at it with the utmost attention. I was half tempted to laugh at his resolute display of emotions (or rather lack of) but thought better of it. For the time being, it would be best to play nice and try and get along.

Within seconds, I had myself a kettle full of boiling water, pieces of bread toasting carefully over the fire, jam, and of course, lots and lots of fruits. Remember, always eat well!

As I prepared my breakfast, I was dimly aware of Sesshoumaru watching everything that I brought out, almost as though he was curious. But that, unfortunately, would be defying Sesshoumaru's reputation of indifference toward all things human, and so, no questions were asked. When I brought out a second cup and plate, however, it became necessary for Sesshoumaru to step in and speak up. Or so it would seem.

“You need two plates and two cups for your meal?”

Honestly, the question was very dumb, but the message was across. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him in an almost pitying move.

“Of course not,” I responded, choosing to be direct instead of beating about the bush. “The second set is for you.”

There was silence then in a carefully pronounced tone, “While your politeness is amusing, I do not wish for your indulgence.”

I didn't stop what I was doing, reaching over the fire to place the toasts in their corresponding plates. Once that was done, I turned to look at him, my face sincere and serious. “It's not really indulgence on my part if you think about it. It's a pet-peeve. You have a problem with it, you should take it up with my mom.”

Finally, further proof that I was completely out of my mind.

I sighed and decided to put it in another way. “Look, doesn't mean just `cause we're enemies and you hate me that we can't be polite. For the time being, we're stuck together. Might as well make the best of it as we can.”

Without further ado, I poured the boiling water into the two waiting cups, continuing to place tea bags in each. I handed him a cup and plate. He merely accepted what I offered him, not even sparing them a glance, his eyes riveted to me. It seemed this conversation was not yet over.

“You wish for us to co-exist?” The words were spoken calmly and carefully as though he was being extra sure that absolutely no emotions or thoughts were betrayed. That, of course, in itself was enough of a betrayal.

“For the time being,” I answered back neutrally.

He chose to remain silent henceforth.

Not wanting to push it or anything, I retreated back to where my sleeping bag still was and spread some jam across my toast. I didn't look up to see what Sesshoumaru was doing, hoping that he would stop arguing with me against this. It's not like I was asking much.

After that, not much else was said. Sesshoumaru was already as much of an extrovert as a rock, and as for me, frankly, I was too chicken to do much else than to concentrate on my food. I mean, judging by the quiet crunching of toast from across me, I had already accomplished the impossible. To do more would be to enter into a foreign land that could hold death at any turn.

If ever there was a grim image in my mind, this would be it.

---

 

“You know what,” I said looking forlornly at the grey sky above my head through the canopy of trees, “I don't much like the look of those clouds up there.” Normally, Inuyasha was a walking weather vane, so I turned my head to look expectantly at Sesshoumaru. “Do you suppose it'll be raining today?” It was lame, I know, but I wanted to make an effort to stick to my earlier promise to myself. Plus, the weather was probably the one subject that was safe. Nothing offensive about it.

In spite of that, I honestly didn't expect him to answer, though in my damaged head, I found that the conversation was essential if not slightly comical. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Sesshoumaru, the demon meteorologist! You get the point.

…you know…sometimes I worry for my sanity…

We had hardly talked over breakfast, and my `good morning' had been promptly ignored. So I was a bit surprised when I actually did get an answer this time. “It will make little difference,” he said without turning around to look at me.

Stifling my `humph' of indignation, I jogged to catch up to him, not wanting to look like the obedient servant for any longer than necessary. He didn't react to my cropping up to his right, but continued to mechanically march westward (I wasn't dumb; after two years of travelling in the wilderness, I was able to tell my direction by the sun).

I wondered silently, if I were to hit him in the face with a two-by-four…would he be just as dismissive?

“That doesn't really answer my question you know,” I pointed out, finding that I had to alternatively jog and walk in order to stay shoulder to shoulder with him due to his much longer strides. I could already predict that I'd be dead beat by the time our mid-day break came around and my legs would be sore the next day.

He spared me a fleeting glance, his eyes seemingly immune to my struggles. “You ask too many questions.”

This time I didn't hinder my indignation. “And I'm assuming you think that's a bad thing, right?” It sounded lighter than I had meant it to be, but whatever.

His eyes were back on the road ahead now and he made no response whatsoever.

This time I sighed. “Come on, it's not like it would kill you to answer a couple of questions.”

Again no response.

“…I mean,” I snorted, “that would be a pretty lame way to kill you. Kinda befitting though.” I don't know what was going up there in my head to make me say something so … ridiculous, but I'm sure I loved it even though I had just probably shortened my own life span considerably. I felt myself wanting to giggle at my own joke. Sesshoumaru, however, seemed to be taking it the wrong way…ahem, surprise!

Once more he spared me a glance, and I noted the annoyance in his eyes. I smiled disarmingly, hoping to neutralize the effect of my words. We were already on shaky grounds; I'd hate to see it get worse. I don't think it worked though. Soon, he had turned back to looking at the shrubbery, which I'm sure, he found a hell of a lot more tolerable than myself. But he seemed suddenly tense again.

Okay, time for a new tactic, in other words, reverse psychology. “One good thing about travelling with Inuyasha is that he can always give us warning when it's going to rain or snow at least an hour before it does so that we can find a good shelter.” Not that he would actually ever let us wait out the rain, I added silently in my head. I made a mental note to `sit' Inuyasha the next time I saw him.

He came to a sudden stop, his eyes piercing as he scrutinized my face. I, too, stopped and in turn looked innocently at him. After years of travelling with Inuyasha and trying to manipulate him to follow my wishes, I had perfected my acting skills. Apparently not enough though, for Sesshoumaru was currently looking at me with a look that told me that he wasn't fooled for a minute.

“Such feeble attempts will not help you with me,” he said and his voice belied a warning. “Do not let it be repeated.”

I looked at him contemplatively for a while, biting down on my lip to keep my smile from spreading, knowing that it would not end pleasantly. I don't even know why I had such an urge to smile. He'd been just as cranky as the day before, but all morning, I found myself with a new, happier spirit. I guess I had really taken his words seriously last night, and was actually depending on the hope that it brought me. Maybe then there actually was a way to lift the spell so that I could resume my life. Maybe I could visit my mother sooner than it seemed likely at the moment. Maybe this was why I was suddenly so giddy.

Giddy or not, you don't mess with an already irritated Sesshoumaru; it could very easily end in your death. Yeah, right, as if my mind would actually be able to follow its own logic.

Suddenly the smile that I had been trying so hard to hide slipped somehow or other from its bounds and curled my lips. The gleam of shock in his eyes at my boldness only made me smile wider and I had to break eye contact for I was sure to burst out laughing at any moment now. Now that really wouldn't have been good.

Taking the growl that issued from his throat as a sign that I may be just be over-stepping my bounds, I decided it was best to continue on our way, my reason finally catching up with me. “Er… sorry,” I muttered as I turned west again, and started walking. I cleared my throat and readjusted my jaw to remove the smile that would not go away. Only then did I notice that Sesshoumaru wasn't following and that his growl still hung in the air.

Aw…man…

Cautiously I turned to see what was keeping him behind.

I had less than a second to mark that the forest about me had gone stock still, knowing that there was an angry youkai about whose wrath was best escaped. I had little time for much else as I suddenly found myself suspended in the air, held there by my throat by a striped hand as the angry owner of said hand glared full-force at me.

Either he was over reacting here or I had gone overboard. I was more inclined to believe that the former was true. I gotta tell you, a mood swing was only imminent on my part.

I set my eyebrows in a determined frown. A skill taught to me by non other than Inuyasha, it was only appropriate that I should use it against his much adored brother.

“I thought I previously told you to mind your rank,” he growled inches away from my reddening face.

“Oh, I'm so sorry,” I said with great sarcasm even though my voice came out very restricted due to the pressure on my throat, “I didn't realise I was being friendly. Or rather, I didn't realise who I was being friendly with. I won't make the same mistake again.”

His jaw tightened and the annoyance in his eyes ever more apparent. “You try my patience woman.”

“Oh no!” I mocked. “I have angered His Fluffiness! Heaven forbid!” I figured if I was going to die, I might as well do it with a flare. Don't get thrown off by my seeming detachment; I was scared shitless at the moment. Who wouldn't be? In fact, at this very moment, I was seriously considering admitting myself into an insane asylum as soon as I got back home…if I ever do…

Once more shock raced across his beautiful face, but I didn't have the mind to rejoice in it. Then, his growl only growing in volume, I was brought closer, his nose inches away from mine as his eyes pierced through me. It was as though I was a book and Sesshoumaru was reading it with his nose stuck to it, though still unable to understand the contents of the page.

Then, without so much as a warning, I was let go and I found myself plunging fast and hard to the ground. I let out an `oomph' of pain, mindful of the fact that this was possibly the second time he had dropped me on my ass in the course of all this. I had no idea why I had just been spared, but I wasn't about to question it. That didn't mean I wasn't pissed though.

Over my surprise on this sudden turn of events, I looked up angrily at Sesshoumaru, his form towering unnervingly over me since he was so close. It suddenly struck me that I was down at his feet. Not liking the implications of that one bit, I practically jumped to my feet, glaring with my current, full well of hatred. Didn't he get it? I was not going to buckle. “What was that for?!” I forced out between tightly clenched teeth, having to crane my neck to be able to see him properly.

We were inches away from each other, neither of us wanting to be the first to back down.

“You are impertinent,” he growled back. Somewhere in the back of my mind I noted that he no longer came off looking unaffected. He was pissed…thoroughly. “You will be taught to show respect.”

“And what did I do that was so disrespectful?” I yelled suddenly, incredulous. “I asked you about the weather!”

He blinked suddenly, almost as though he was taken aback. He took a step away from me, though I was far from thinking that I had won. I could see the annoyance taking reign in his eyes once more. “Why?”

It was spoken quietly and very intensely so that the single word was capable of lifting the hair on the back of my neck. That didn't mean I had any idea what he meant by it though.

“Why what?” I asked, my voice a little calmer now in face of my confusion. There was just something about his tone as he'd uttered that word that threw me off balance. I waited for an answer.

Something odd was happening to Sesshoumaru's countenance. He was staring at me most intensely, as though I was from Mars or something (I guess being from the future was enough to warrant such action, but he didn't know about that). But then, to my confusion, though his frown grew more evident by the second, I could not help but think it was less from annoyance than it was from confusion. Was I doing something wrong…again? Now just slightly curious, I repeated my question more civilly.

As it would seem, whether or not I was being civil, Sesshoumaru had already deemed it necessary to ignore me. Barely a second had passed since my repeated question that he began to walk again, his steps sure and concise, not stopping to see if I followed.

I had half a mind to chase after him and force him to answer me (things were just starting to get interesting), while my other half, the one that Inuyasha is seriously scared of, begged me to stay put and once more try and take vengeance for my ruined pride. And I have to tell you, both options were mighty tempting.

Glancing at the back of Sesshoumaru, I searched for a clue as to what to do. He was already some twenty feet away from me. It would seem he never wasted a second. That, I guess, was a quality to be admired.

Last night, he had told me that we were being watched by possibly the same person who had cast the spell on him. He had also said that he didn't know the person. Those were two relatively crucial pieces of information. Grateful that I was to know them, I was not fooled to put out of my mind all the other things that I needed to be told. What was more was that the person who could tell me them was, unfortunately, Sesshoumaru. I had no idea what had induced him to tell me what he did, I still don't. But, as I had surmised last night, I still believed that he was open to letting me in on the secret…however slowly as it may seem.

So…why aggravate him into doing otherwise?

With a drawn-out sigh, I began to follow him again when he was forty feet in front of me. Of course, I made sure to catch up to him quickly, refusing to be the one that's following him. As far as I was concerned, we were on the same level.

He stared almost moodily ahead of him, not even sparing me a glance.

Everything with him always came to a gridlock. There was no way to know what he was thinking or how his mind worked, so there was no way to help things along in the direction that you wanted them to go. Maybe I was crazy - scratch that, it was because I was crazy, but as I walked along beside him, the sun still pretty low in the sky, I made a deal with myself: a deal to try and find out how this demon lord functioned.

---

 

It had been maybe a little less than an hour since my most recent near-death experience à la Sesshoumaru. And I got to be honest…I wasn't all that crazy about him for the moment…not that I ever was. Sure, I wasn't anywhere near as mad as I had been yesterday…or the day before…or the day before that…or - oh screw it! The point is, I wasn't exactly mad. I was just offended. Yeah! That's it! I was offended.

Why, you may ask. Well, because he had all but killed me when I'd asked for the weather. Of course, I had referred to him as `his fluffiness' but that was after he had started choking me - wait…his fluffiness?

…I don't even want to comment on that…

Anywho…back to the helpful description of my current mood. So…not exactly mad…but definitely confused. I mean, for one, somehow or other, I had survived the whole ordeal. That was confusing enough in itself. Logically, Sesshoumaru should have killed me at the first insult. Then again, maybe the spell does somehow protect me from his wrath. I should make a note of that for future reference. Now, confusing thing number two (or two thousand depending on where you want to start) was his question. The why. Why what? I really wanted to know. I could still remember that half confused, almost dazed look that had lit his eyes. It had seemed so…genuine.

Of course, I knew that I couldn't just ask him what he had been talking about, at least not any time soon. Spell or not, he would either kill me painfully and quickly or painfully and slowly. I wasn't looking forward to either of them. But I was still burning with curiosity, almost with more curiosity than had been arisen in me over the spell that had me in this whole mess.

And this would be why I was cranky at the moment. I desperately wanted to ask, but knew I couldn't. I had settled for listening to my mp3 player, hoping the music would distract me, which it was doing to a certain point. But Coldplay isn't a miracle worker. Still, I turned up the volume and concentrated on walking.

It was then that Sesshoumaru once more came to a stop. I was walking right beside him, so I noticed his stop almost immediately and there was no need for any embarrassing accidents like walked straight into his back. I stopped with a sigh and turned to see what the matter was now. I was sure I hadn't done anything wrong this time.

He was staring at me again, one silver eyebrow raised in what was becoming a familiar gesture from him. Clearly, I was doing something odd again. But I had only been walking and my walking can only be so weird; I frowned.

“What?” Even I didn't think my voice was at its politest.

His eyes lingered on my face, and I could just see that confused curiosity in his eyes again. Did he know his eyes were giving him away? Anyway, at the look in his eyes, my own curiosity was piqued; I was hoping it would lead to some answers for my many questions.

He opened his mouth and said something, but I couldn't make out what he said; the volume on my mp3 player was too high. So I paused to stop the song then looked back up at him. “Sorry, I didn't catch that. What did you say?”

His other eyebrow rose up along his brow before, together with the other one, it was pulled back down to form the smallest of frowns. I paid close attention, wanting to catch all and any hints as to what was going on through his head. His eyes traced along the wires of my headset to fall on the actual mp3 player. At his actions, I suddenly thought I knew what had been bothering him; he must have heard some of the music. I fought down an amused smile.

“Did you want to ask about the music?” I asked, lifting the player.

For a second, he looked surprised, but quickly turned his face in a deeper frown, his eyes narrowing. Was he surprised that I had guessed correctly?

In any case, I took his actions as a positive response. “Don't worry, it's pretty harmless. Unless you always listen to it at max volume. Then you can go deaf with time.”

He looked at me with tamed disbelief. Then he decided to speak. “It comes from your homeland?”

Immediately, I felt uneasy at the slight referral to my origins; it could be a dangerous piece of information in the hands of the enemy. But it would be best to pretend that it was of little importance so I answered as promptly as I could. “Yeah.”

I could tell by the slight shift in his countenance that he was more curious now. I mentally chided myself for using the player in front of him. for him, that was advanced technology that he could not brush as the result of a spell as a flashlight could be. I waited nervously for what was to come.

“Your home,” he asked, his face now carefully blank to hide away the curiosity that I had caught before, “Where is it?”

Okay, time for some modified truths. “Uh…in Inuyasha's forest.” It was true.

Sesshoumaru was silent for a few moments, as the contemplating the truth behind my words. I could see his expression fading more and more by the millisecond. “Perhaps you are unaware,” he began in a tone hauntingly reminiscent of the one he had used just before he had grabbed me, “but this Sesshoumaru does not appreciate your lies.”

His features were now outright cold; apparently he was angry…again. God, he has a worse case of mood swings than me…or maybe he's just always on the brinks of anger.

I sighed, not wanting to get into yet another fight with him, and looked up at him with weariness. “Listen to me this one time and believe me,” I sounded annoyed, “I'm not lying. My house really is there. You just…can't see it. It's…protected.”

I looked earnestly at him, hoping to convey my honestly. I was telling the truth after all, just not the whole of it. He just continued to stare at me, his eyes as intense as before, each orb swimming with something that was definitely beyond my grasp. I was never really good at deciphering people's thoughts and feelings by reading their actions. Take someone who rarely ever showed any reactions, other than perhaps through the eyes, and I hardly even had a chance.

I wished to steer clear of the subject of my time - badly - so after his continued silence, I gave a shrug and made a move to turn away.

“Why?” The word drifted in a hushed tone out of his mouth, not betraying a single feeling, and stopped me dead in my tracks. There it was again. Was it the same why? I hardly knew whether I should breath or not.

“Why do you not fear me?” I could feel my eyes opening in astonishment.

Silence spread between us again.

I stared openly at him, unsure of how to take his question. I had been so curious about what the question might have been that I never stopped to think what answer I would be forced to give. I lifted a hand to my neck and robbed it to ease my discomfort. “Uh…I'm not sure what you mean…”

That was a lie. The question was pretty straight forward.

Somehow or other, Sesshoumaru chose to elaborate. “You openly defy and insult me. When in battle, you have no qualms over attacking me. You make it your business to aggravate me whenever possible. All this you do knowing that you are a human and me a demon. I am left to believe that you do not fear me.”

Okay…that was… detailed. I guess there was no dodging the question now. I cleared my throat and turned an earnest look on him. “I am afraid of you.”

He frowned, looking possibly even confused now.

“I just might even be more afraid of you than Naraku.” It was true. I made a decision. Squaring my shoulders, I looked boldly at him. “But there are some things that are more important than fear.”

I could see his eyebrows draw back slightly at my words. He seemed genuinely surprised. I blinked back a sudden rush of emotions then continued.

“When you endanger my friends, I fight back. When you are arrogant and conceited, I fight back. And when you disrespect me, I fight back. It's all very simple.”

The surprise was now gone, replaced by his growling but I ignored it. Though not wanting a repetition of what happened before I decided to tone it down a bit. No use dying here just when I'm starting to get my point across.

“I know I'm rude too and probably by your standards, a downright nuisance. But at least I try and be nice at times. For the time being, we're stuck together. We might as well try and make the situation as pleasant as possible.”

I must have blinked as I spoke. During the time it took me to blink, Sesshoumaru's face had suddenly switched back to being completely blank again. In the pit of my stomach, I felt an ominous feeling quickly growing.

“You fear me?” he asked again, only it wasn't so much as a question as it was out loud musing.

After a moment's hesitation, I nodded. I didn't like how I was unable to discern the look in his eyes anymore.

“But you still wish to improve our situation.” Again, it was a statement.

I swallowed warily, not sure what was to happen next.

He stood tall and impenetrable; he held beauty in his stance. “Then you would not object to some…,” he cast around for the word then concentrated back on me, “ground rules?”

I must have been frozen I was standing so still. I was hardly even breathing. Was he negotiating with me? I didn't even know that was possible for him.

“Answer.”

“So long as they're logical and fair,” I answered, quickly melting back, mentally choosing the priorities on my list of demands. It was best not to stall and lose the opportunity. I was glad though that he was willing to negotiate with me. Glad and surprised.

“Good,” he said, and I couldn't help but think his posture just seemed a little less tense. “What do you wish of this Sesshoumaru?”

I looked at him, again surprised that I was to go first but ready to state the obvious.

“I hope you are aware,” he stopped me before I could even begin, “that your questions regarding the curse will be ignored, at least for the time being.”

I pursed my lips and growled ever so slightly, my resentment spurred on by him referring to being stuck with me as a curse.

“Fine,” I said, deciding to move on for now…again, but hey, that's what it means to compromise. “For one, I would like to be treated with more respect.”

“Provided that you show me the respect that my station demands.”

“Fair enough. Secondly, I need you to answer at least some of my questions. I can't be left completely in the dark. I have a life to live.”

He raised his eyebrow almost as though the idea of me having a life of my own was a questionable matter. “You may ask your questions. I shall answer them as I see fit.”

I did my best to hinder further resentment on my part; after all, this was Sesshoumaru. So I sighed and continued. “I need to know where we're going.”

“That question has already been answered.”

Putting my hands on my hips, I glared at him. “I mean, I need to know what we're getting, where we're getting it from, and how we're going to be doing that.”

There was silence, and then, “We are going to retrieve both my retainer and my charge from where I was forced to leave them behind. As to the how, you may use your imagination.”

I looked at his neutral face in surprise, completely putting aside most of his answer. “Your charge?”

He nodded.

“As in that little girl that Naraku had kidnapped before?”

Again, he nodded. Sometimes, I guess when he wanted to be, he could be patient enough.

Suddenly I found myself ready to burst out laughing.

“Why are you suddenly so happy?” he asked, his eyes betraying his confusion.

Giving in, I allowed my smile to spread across my face. “No reason at all. So anyway, back to our deal.”

I found it rather funny to see his eyebrow climb back up along his forehead, but did a fair job of pretending I saw nothing. Instead, I concentrated, making sure I had everything covered.

“Well, I think there's just one more thing left,” I said. “This one's more of a favour.”

Maybe I was just getting used to reading his eyes after all, or maybe he was letting on more emotion than he was aware of, but I could clearly see the gleam of interest in his eyes.

“I have this pet-peeve where - well, let's not get into that. The point is,” I trailed off, trying to find the right words so that I wouldn't offend him but get the message across.

He gave me a few minutes to think, but seemed to lose patience (I guess I spoke too soon about him being patient when he wanted to be). “Speak your mind, woman.”

I spared him an annoyed glance, but otherwise continued to think.

“Well…it's like this, since we're gonna be stuck together and we have no choice about it, we should…you know…try and get along?”

He was quiet, his face still though many unfathomable expressions fleeted across his golden eyes. I decided to elaborate.

“I mean, I know you're a great demon and all and I'm just this stinky, puny human. But maybe if we were, you know, more accepting of each other, things wouldn't be so bad.”

I stayed silent now that I had said all that I could think of. I didn't know what his answer would be, his face was doing a good job of keeping me out of his mind. In fact, were it not for his ever remaining, acute stare, I would have thought he hadn't even heard me. But his eyes bore into me, and I fought to keep from buckling. To my chagrin, I could just feel a blush coming on.

“There is but a few hours remaining till noon,” he said in a voice oddly quiet as though it was purposefully made so, though just as deep and smooth as ever. “Unless you wish to forgo your rest, we will continue our path.”

With that, he turned and led the way westward to Rin and Jaken.

There were several things to note here. I had to remind myself that this was Sesshoumaru. That he had just willingly struck up a deal with me to bring on a momentary truce between us. That was major progress if there ever was any. But most importantly, he had mentioned `my rest' which could only mean that he was openly acknowledging my needs. I believe, therein lay the answer to my proposition.

Once more, my smile was back over my features, coming to me far less effortlessly than it had when I had awoken.

 

 

XXX

 

T_T…you guys make me cry!!!!!!!!!! And blush at the same time. You're so nice and I love your reviews and I can positively avow to you all that at this moment, my ego is at its biggest. So thank you all so much. Thank you all so much. To Zorro-chan, man, I love your name. I laughed so much when I saw I had a review from THE Zorro. And by the way, if anyone wants to take a crack at guessing what the conditions are, please do. It's fun to see what you guys think. Oh, and in one review…someone said you can win awards for these fanfics. O_o Is that true?!!! Oh, and Kyra, I'm going to take you up on that flying Pepsi (even though I don't like Pepsi…or any pop…but whatever). I'd like to know how you can make it fly! And to all whom remain…thank you all so very much. I am very humbled by your reviews. Yes…I do realise I just contradicted myself.

And those of you who helped me out with how to answer to my reviews…thanks so much. I tried answering to as many of my reviews as I possibly could. I owe you guys so much.

Now, to be honest, I had a little more difficulty getting this chapter out of my system as I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it, like what point I wanted covered at this point. And once I did figure out what I wanted, I trouble come from several other places. For one, I had to do my mom's project for her and had to do some serious work to finish it before the due date. Then there was (and is) my sister's computer which has gone completely wacko on us, and therefore so has my dad. On top of all that aaaaaaaaaaaaand my own studies and work, I had my brother to help out too. So it was really hard getting this down. I'm not really all too happy with it.

OH! I found my favourite fanfic author of all time the other day and I was so happy that I finally managed to find her since I'd lost track of her (…or him…you never know) years ago. And now I'm all happy.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand, no offence to any one who is from Calgary…but the Canuk's win was long time coming; it was only delayed by Clutier's absence. Sadly however, I missed the Toronto game since it was pay per view…curses!

Once more, thank you forever for your reviews.

 

PS. What do you guys think of the quotes so far?