9

Satomi sat in silence in the hot springs. Everyone was marveling of her powers and yet they feared her for it. The blood on the ground still haunted her, it was hard to look anywhere without having a memory shadow into the present. What happened didn't feel like it was happening, just as if she was watching the entire even unfold. Hibiki was there for punishment and Hayate was also there to kill one of them. However, plans had changed when Satomi's power unleashed. Since then, a full week had passed and the only one who treated her the same was Rin. As if nothing had happened. Sesshomaru played at indifference, but since the day they found out she was a deity he had avoided her. Was she really so awful? Everyone else looked at her much like they did Sesshomaru, in awe and fear. How she longed for the days of her youth with her family, things were so much simpler then.

Her hands glided across the water as the thoughts plagued her. Feeling the heat setting in, she thought it best to leave before she became light headed. Her mind hurt enough without having to worry further. Since no one was there, even the bath keeper had stepped away calmly, she stepped out and slowly dried herself and put on a fresh yukata in a crimson red with white lily silhouettes at the sleeves. The color brought flashes of the fight as she remembered cutting Hayate's arm off. Shaking her head, this was ridiculous, it was them or us… but it still didn't help.

Almost running out of the baths, opening the door she was surprised to see Sesshomaru who was standing there with widened eyes for only a moment. Sliding off to the side, she bowed politely. Her hair was still up and droplets dripped at the small hairs at the top of her neck and the temples of her face. She felt completely unprepared and he looked the same. "I'm sorry if I startled you," she said feeling the silent tension grow. "I'm done if you wish to use it, my lord."

"Are you unwell? Your face is pale," he asked calmly noting how she darted out of the door. Her heart beat was erratic at best, and her face hadn't smiled since that day when the deity unleashed some of her power. He also sensed nausea as he noted the scent even more. "It's not my business if you don't wish to answer."

"I am… scared," she said after a moment of thinking as tears formed. "I don't know how I did what I did or why I knew how to do those things. All I know is that since the meeting with the demon lords I feel so lost. I know the reason you keep me here is to protect Rin and that will never change, but I… I feel helpless." Feeling the hot tears roll down her face, she tried to wipe them away before he could see. "I feel like you don't trust me anymore except to do the one thing I was told to do. I don't know why."

The woman before him, he felt uneasy as she called him out on his distrust. Distrust was a strong word for it, more so that he didn't know what to think and he was always one to calculate. There was no calculation, the deities hardly ever came to be known so there was nothing to go from no matter how hard he investigated the ancient scrolls or stories. Just that they were powerful beyond any knowledge and the small tale with his father.

"Protecting Rin is the priority. There will be another meeting soon, but I will be going to the South for more answers. I feel it best you two come with me. There is a barrier there that we must go through and no demon before has breeched it. Also, the demon lord wishes to see you. He has a seeress that he keeps in his employ there and he's curious," he said as he turned and started out of the gardens the opposite direction of the bath he seemed to just be going to.

It was obviously not up for debate, but she smiled and followed him. Maybe he came to check up on her, although that didn't seem much like him to do such frivolities. He didn't seem to mind her following either as he kept the same pace to his study. He opened the door to invite her in and slid the door shut behind her. There was a map of the four territories on the table as he invited her to sit across from him. "Hibiki and Hayate were once of the Southern territory given their water control. Even the woman with the pike had the inclination and seemed to use her powers as a conduit for the electricity. Hayate's sword is obvious. Another reason for us to go and talk to the demon lord there. He seems to have taken a liking to you, so I trust you can help make this go smoothly."

"Diplomacy isn't your strong point," she pointed out innocently enough and almost laughed as he glared. "No harm meant, just stating the obvious." Even though she was nervous around him before, she didn't seem all the nervous now. Almost as if someone else was toying with him and she was there for the ride. "You want us there not only to be sure Rin is safe, but so that the demon lord is more trusting of the conversation. The seeress though? What's the meaning of that part?"

Sesshomaru looked away for a moment, the woman looking at him wasn't just seeing him, she was reading him. Many people couldn't, and he took pride in that. However, she was peeling him apart. The human side would not have before, she was becoming braver and that made him wonder if this was a good idea after all. He saw himself as a demon lord who could hardly afford someone who could see through him, especially not a woman.

"The seeress has been able to see into many aspects that came to be. Powerful storms and demons that have come into our lands and also able to tell when to harvest and wait when most say it is or not time otherwise. The South prospers, and they will not go into a full war without her input. You are the deciding factor apparently," he said almost begrudgingly as he pointed to the stronghold of the South. "We leave tomorrow. Be sure you are ready. You and Rin."

"I see… seems a little superstitious to me, but I am curious on what they want to see before they join the cause. They would be the last to be seen, however, that wouldn't matter to the North. I saw into them, they were either going to die by me or him. Hibiki told me that I would pay for Kinoko. Did I do something to her before?"

Sesshomaru paused and thought of that day. There was nothing besides the blast that would warrant that kind of attention. He shook his head and when he looked up at Satomi her brown eyes met his amber. There was no outward change, but he could notice it. This woman would be the end of him if he allowed his desires and human tolerable side to continue. "No, but it matters not. Now, you should go to sleep. We are leaving at dawn and it is already late."

It was hardly late by any standards and Satomi raised an eyebrow. When his eyes met hers, while there was nothing to show, he saw her differently. Hardly able to hide her smirk, she stood up and bowed before walking out of the room. So, that was the problem, he was warming up to her. A man, or demon rather, like him full of pride wouldn't know what to do with that. Her heart warmed knowing it wasn't hatred but rather the opposite effect starting to happen. He wasn't quite so heartless as much as he tried to lead on.

Finding the sun just barely setting, she did end up going up to her room. She could hear Rin bothering Jaken in the courtyard as she ran from him as he tried to gather her for her own bedtime. He was an interesting little demon, following his master like a pet although Sesshomaru was technically a dog demon. Dogs were considered companions and yet Sesshomaru was more like a wolf. Independent, strong willed, and powerful. His brother Inu-Yasha seemed more dog like when it came to loyalty, human interaction, and his love for humans. Sitting in her window thinking about such things she sang quietly. Loud enough for those outside to hear, but to herself it calmed her under the moonlight.

"Why can't I tell you all of these feelings?

It's so much easier when I'm dreaming

I think my brain's about to short circuit

I really wish I could find the words

And now I'm crying under the moonlight

I want to call to you, but it's midnight

What should I do with all of these feelings

Like a Kaleidoscopic heart

The light that shines down from the moon will guide the way

And once again, it leads me to you"

Rin looked to the door of the courtyard and saw Lord Sesshomaru standing there. Just as she was going to run to him, she could hear her sister singing above them. Her voice hadn't been heard in a week and Rin beamed from ear to ear as she continued to go to Sesshomaru. However, Sesshomaru wasn't looking at her. His face was tilted up in the direction, seemingly in a daze. "My lord?" Rin asked calling his attention back down. It took a moment, but he looked down as if he remembered where he was.

"You should go to sleep. We leave in the morning. Jaken, I leave the estate to you while I am gone," he said as Rin leaped for joy. Excited for another journey, and this time with Sesshomaru without Jaken. Jaken objected before he was met with a glare and walked away further into the courtyard. That shut him up and Rin stuck her tongue out at him. Going up to her room, Satomi was still singing. Something was familiar about her voice, although she couldn't place it. Like a dream of the past. Finishing her song, Satomi smiled back to Rin.

"Well, good evening, Rin. It looked like you were having fun," she said turning her full body away from the window and to the girl. Her mood at brightened significantly, and it was hard not to celebrate.

"Of course, it's always fun to trouble Jaken," she said as they both laughed. Neither could doubt that. Jaken did that to himself with his doubt of humans and his personality being less than friendly. Putting him in his place was always amusing.

"Did Sesshomaru tell you we leave tomorrow?" Tilting her head, she could feel his gaze as she sang. That much she was certain, as if lost she could feel his mind wander to her, it was strange, yet she was sure.

"Yes, he did. I'm excited to go on another adventure. Traveling was may more fun that being stuck in a castle," Rin laughed as she leaped on the bed hardly able to contain the joy that radiated from her. "Jaken doesn't get to come this time. Wait? Does that mean you're going too?" Getting on all fours looking at Satomi, the hope in her voice was hard to miss.

"As a matter of fact, I do get to go," she said with a smile as she went to go sit on the bed and they talked about Rin's adventures before and what was the most fun and least fun. Rin was so excited to have Satomi with this time. It was strange, but it felt like a family trip to her. When Sesshomaru looked up to Satomi it was like time stood still, she could only hope someone would look to her like that one day.

Sesshomaru could hear the woman's banter and he couldn't help but curve the corner of his mouth into a smile. Her song was hypnotic, especially with the moon. Perhaps it was a charm to him, and yet a part of him didn't mind. The melody was soothing and suited her. Her eyes made him panic, even if for a moment but her song made him calm. Truly a strange woman.

"Mi Lord, is she going with you?" Jaken asked cautiously. That curve to his mouth could only mean trouble and yet he never witnessed something so normal. Like a man in… no that couldn't be. Lord Sesshomaru would never lower himself to be with a human, or whatever she was.

"Yes, the Southern Demon Lord demanded it," he said looking to the moon. It seemed so much brighter tonight. "I will be back by morning." That was all he said before flying off, he could sense his mother calling to him. The conversation from before was not done apparently. Usually she not call to him unless she was needing to talk about something important.

"My son, I'm so happy you came so fast." Sitting in her chair, she smiled coyly. "I must say you will probably enjoy this conversation less than last time. However, it must be said." The annoyance on his face was apparent as she stood up and walked to him. "The elders are saying you should find yourself a wife and have an heir. The war could be dangerous, and they were insistent when earned the title and even more insistent now that war is upon us."

"You called to tell me that. I have no time for this right now." He was about to turn around before she stepped forward. This time she wouldn't be dismissed. Her moods like that made him worry when usually he did not.

"If you die in the fight and have no heir we are in the same problem as before. And now I heard that the woman with you has unleashed some of her deity power. Or rather I felt the power up here. If she is with you, then we have time. If she turns against you, I fear for the worst."

"We have a common objective. So long as that stays in effect, there is nothing to worry about," he said calmly as she calmed down in return.

"The girl I presume? What is it about that girl?" Now she was just curious. Her son had never expressed a liking to humans and now he had a deity and the girl, and there was that boy before too. The boy with the jewel shard, if she remembered correctly. He did not answer her, for there was no reason to. Sighing, she sat back down in her chair. "I suppose that is all. I have relayed the message. You do as you will, but as the Lord of the West you have an obligation to the peace of this world. Or make it your wasteland, it's up to you. However, make the wrong choice and many more than the ones you care about will suffer. Your father understood that. You should too."

He left on that note with an annoyance he couldn't quite shake. He had no intention of taking a wife or having an heir. Such things seemed less than important. However, he could see the benefit and how it would make this easier. But he didn't want a wife, one seemed like such a bother. Even in desires there was no guarantee he would want whatever demoness was suitable and he would not take a human even if they were the last beings on earth. The thought… it sickened him.

As he neared the estate, he could hear her. The sound reached a place inside him he long thought buried cold beneath any hope of being recovered. Her white yukata shown in the moonlight as her brown hair glistened with hints of gold. She watched him in the courtyard as she continued to sing and he landed simply to stare seemingly forgetting time.

"When all my feelings reach you,

They'll no longer be mute

For on that day, they'll live in spoken words

From in a dream, when you awake

Into the world you no longer know

If you could only spread your wings and fly away

You said if you could fly,

You would fly far - far to the sky

And you would set your aim

On the clouds – All around

That endless sky"

Her cheeks flushed as she saw him approaching her. Stopping the song, she turned to fully face him as he stopped close enough for her to smell the night air. The alluring smell of something she did not recognize. His hand almost rose from where it lay at his side, but he kept it still. Not knowing exactly what he wanted to do when he saw her, he found himself standing there watching her. Hands having a mind of their own was not what he wanted to do to complicate the situation. He made the mistake of looking into her eyes, this time they were that bright blue again and hair of gold.

"You like her?"

"That is hardly the case, she should have been in bed long ago," he said trying to deny the deity the amusement she sought.

"I doubt that. Your body says otherwise, your hand and your eyes. As I said, I do need your energy once more. Now perhaps is the right time to ask," she said stepping forward nearly closing the gap. She reached forward and stood on her tip toes. Her hand touched his cheek as she motioned him down to her. He didn't refuse as their lips touched.

As her eyes shut, he grabbed her hand gently from his face and pulled her towards him slightly. The kiss deepened, and all he could feel was her aura. Pure and painful and yet hopeful and glimmering. She was a contradiction to him and all he could do was obey her. Her other hand touched his chest as she hummed with desire into his mouth. Using his armor to balance the light headed feeling she had, she could feel something from him in his heart. As if cracks in the ice were breaking off one by one. He was a complicated demon, one by honor and death. Rin made the first purpose possible with her protection. To protect someone was what his father wanted from him, to surpass him and learn of compassion to do so.

Feeling her power back to where it should be, she parted their lips only to find his closing the gap once more. Moving further away, he looked at her strangely as she did so. Her face was flushed, and his looked confused. "Too much power could overwhelm her. You, Sesshomaru, have much power. There is much on your mind and I fear now is not the time to allow this from you."

"What have you done to me?" he asked letting her hand go and stepping away further from her.

"The feelings you have of this girl are your own. I need powers to keep fulfilling the promise until she can do so alone, your demonic energy fuels the power until she can be self-sustaining. Anything else you feel is your own. Remember that as you sort through your own matters. You told me to protect that which you hold dear. I intend to do that and so does she. She… finds herself attracted, so the reactions of the body are normal. I hope this is the last time I be involved."

As she walked away, he stood there wondering what he just felt from her and from himself. Foreign feelings fought their way in his body and mind. Just a moment ago, he was sickened by the thought of marrying a human woman and yet he just thought, if even for a moment, of having the woman in his bed. His control was slipping, and she was the cause. However, if she were to think he was leading her on and be upset that he could not do what she needed… he could see the woman's anger being a danger to him and his mother's warning ran clearly.

The woman was attracted to him? Hearing her right, he was sure that was what she said. How? He had been cold and avoiding her and yet her mood today turned much like when she first arrived. Knowing he would have to be careful, he went to go to the baths. Needing to clear his head, he knew that she would not intentionally harm is cause. However, he may be the undoing of his own if he couldn't think straight.

"Satomi?" Rin called out sleepily as she rolled over in Satomi's bed. They had fallen asleep and Maori had left hours ago. "Where did you go?"

"I just needed fresh air and I didn't mean to wake you." Crawling back into her bed, she sighed contentedly. All she could remember was seeing a cloud in the sky before seeing Sesshomaru come home. However, her body was warm and tingled. Almost as if she had been kissed as the feeling radiated from her mouth. Strange…

"Why do you feel so familiar?" Rin asked with her eyes shut, half asleep. "I feel like I've heard you sing a million times and felt your presence all my life. I wonder why? Like a sister or something from long ago…" Satomi's heart jumped before she realized the girl was already back asleep. So, she did feel that too. Even though she didn't outright tell her, she felt like what she had been doing with Rin was reviving memories slowly but surely. Maybe one day she would know too.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

"Jirou, I can explain," Hayate said in pain as his arm still bled from the attack even in the bandage. "The woman with Sesshomaru is no mortal. She has power we can only imagine. She seems more powerful than him. We had to fall back and warn you. Sesshomaru is a worthy opponent, but she will destroy your plans if not kept in check." Feeling the power of her axe, it kept the wound from healing as it also had the ability to purify. His body was doing all it could to not let it advance into the rest of him. Hibiki was in the corner of the room and bowed on the floor. Kinoko wore an eye patch behind Jirou, the eye was a punishment for not listening to him. Hibiki and Hayate were now on troubled ground as well.

"I send you to deal with a problem and excuses are all I get. You're lucky you had something for me, Hayate and Hibiki. The woman we are dealing with, is she his lover?"

"It's hard to say, but it doesn't seem like they are intimate, just something about their relationship doesn't lend much insight."

"Let us plant the seeds of doubt. If we can bring her to our cause, then we can secure our victory," Jirou said as he sat on a low chair with gold surrounding him. The last plumage of a city was successful, his conquest was almost to the East and West border. The North would soon be his and now the rest of Japan would follow suit. Just a few problems to deal with first.

"They protect the girl," Hibiki said rising to sit up. "The girl is the key for them both, but the woman can break the barrier from Kinoko while Sesshomaru cannot. If we capture the woman and then the girl is the leverage for Sesshomaru's surrender."

"Perhaps. Bring the woman to me. I wish to see her for myself, the woman with the Aristocratic Assassin that is now a lord of the demon world. I'd love to know just what got his tail swinging for her." He stood up and Hayate did as well.

"I will go alone this time. I can handle her myself, it seemed that the injury to my arm startled her."

"So be it. Fail me and it will be your last." Jirou said as Hayate disappeared with a small twist of water in the air.