Chapter 5.

Please Review.

No Flames.

Demon Realm.

"Sesshomaru." a male voice said.

The voice reminded Sesshomaru of death itself, or perhaps regret and despair. It was all those dark emotions mixed into one. It made the hearer of the voice overwhelmingly burdened with whatever memories that the hearer had not let go.

It was the voice of one of Sesshomaru's young half brothers, Jūra. Although the sound of his voice did nothing but annoy Sesshomaru, there was a small prickling feeling in the depths of himself that made him uneasy.

Reluctantly, Sesshomaru turned to face Jūra. Jūra, a tan-skinned demon of average height, short black and white striped hair, muscular built, tall, very narrow slit-like golden eyes, looked to be in his early 20s, and in his usual outfit, on his arms, chest, and back a black armor with a gold trim, black boots, a tiger-print pelt around his waist and what appears to be a giant set of tiger paws an his shoulders, and a gray hakama and sash. There was a smug grin upon his face that unsettled Sesshomaru but he didn't let it show.

"What do you want?" Sesshomaru asked.

Jūra's grin only spread, covering the expanse of his face with his wide, thin lipped smile. His sharp, yellow teeth showed brilliantly even in the dimly lit corridors.

"I only wish to enlighten you of the circumstances surrounding your birth." Jura said.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "Back off, Jūra." he said with no emotions.

Jūra didn't reply, but instead reached his right hand out to touch Sesshomaru's left shoulder. Jūra was fast and Sesshomaru had not expected him to touch him, so he could not dodge in time. The moment Jūra's right hand touched Sesshomaru's left shoulder, a searing, icy pain traveled through his body like a pinch.

Sesshomaru growled again but this time slightly, grabbed Jūra's right hand with his left hand and squeezed tightly until he felt all the bones within it disintegrate. Even with Jūra on his knees. Even with the pained moans that were escaping his brother's mouth, it didn't please Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru kept his left hand on Jura's right wrist and sank the tips of his nails into his skin and with a mighty tug, ripped his left hand clean off his right arm. There was no blood that came from Jūra' arm, only dark energy.

"Don't ever touch me again." Sesshomaru said, growling. "The only reason you are not dead, is because of father."

"I only wished to show you something." Jūra said, sputtering.

Sesshomaru continued to not show any emotions. "You wished to cause me annoyance. Save your deceit for mortals, halfling." he said.

A small silence passed while Jūra held his right arm and Sesshomaru looked down on him in disgust.

"I know who your mother was." Jura said.

Sesshomaru showed a little bit of curiosity from his emotionless face. The only thing that his young half brothers knew could effectively get to him was the origins of his birth mother.

"I'm not in the mood for games." Sesshomaru said.

Jūra shook his head for a moment. "Not a game Sesshomaru always knew. Just never told anyone. If you don't believe me, just ask father." he said.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes a bit. "Alright then, tell me." he said.

A slow, smug grin manifested itself on Jura's face. In his eyes, Sesshomaru could see pleasure and mockery and many other things all mixed into one. Sesshomaru had seen that look before, when he was young and his younger half brothers would annoy him.

"Your mother, Sesshomaru, was a full blooded dog demon, but despite her being full blooded she was weak. A slut. A whore. She had slept with many men is why father bedded her. Once she had conceived you, he devoured her soul." Jura said.

A sickening laughter filled Sesshomaru's ears. The sound of Jūra' mockery was loud, like the banging of a brass bell.

All the while, Sesshomaru could only watch as Jura did. The anger didn't register, nor did anything else. Sesshomaru had always felt different from all of them because he was the only full demon among them but he it didn't bother him and he had to mold himself into a cold dog demon like most of them.

"It's just so funny, isn't it? You have always walked around here looking down at us as if we are the ones of low blood, but really, it's you. You're a filthy demon pup. I always wondered why I couldn't stand the sight or the smell of you." Jura asked.

Sesshomaru smirked. "It does make sense, doesn't it?" he asked.

Jūra frowned but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Yeah. From now on, we're not afraid of you anymore." he said.

Without a word, Sesshomaru turned and walked away. Sesshomaru felt his anger rising and he couldn't direct it at anyone other than his father. The fact that his father had kept that hidden for so long and never even bothered to mention it made Sesshomaru angry beyond belief.

The mother Sesshomaru had never knew and always imagined in the back of his mind was a mere demon whore's child. Just that, shook the very foundation on which Sesshomaru's had placed his entire life. His entire identity. Without it, what would he do? How could he still hold his head up high without the shame of his birth haunting him?

"Let me in." Sesshomaru said, growling to the doorkeepers.

Without a word, they moved aside and the fire that blocked the entrance to his father's room dulled. Sesshomaru passed through, heaving a sigh as the warmth of the flames heated his body.

Inu no Taisho looked as he always did when he came into his room. Inu no Taisho's head was turned to the opposite side so Sesshomaru could not see his face. Without a word, Sesshomaru sat where he usually did, near his father's bed.

"Father." Sesshomaru said.

Slowly, Inu no Taisho's face turned to him. His eyes were shut though.

"I feel like you came to visit me recently. Don't you have important things to do with your time than to entertain an old demon?" Inu no Taisho asked.

Sesshomaru didn't reply. He found that he couldn't reply or else he would impulsively yell out what he had just been told. He needed to pace himself.

"I've come to find out about my birth mother." Sesshomaru said.

Immediately, Ino no Taisho's eyes snapped open as they stared deeply into Sesshomaru's as if searching for something, which he probably found. With a sigh, he shut his eyes again.

"I see you've been talking to Jūra. If you're asking me about the truth of his words, then, yes, they are true. Your mother was a full demon who was hard to control." Ino no Taisho said.

Rage filled Sesshomaru's heart as he clenched his fists.

"Everything is the truth?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Ah, no, not really. She was not a whore. She had the powers of a witch, actually. She summoned me one night and I was impressed because female demona normallycannot just summon male demons easily. I fell in love with her." Ino no Taisho said.

Disbelief was now raging through Sesshomaru's mind. Fell in love?

"Demons do not fall in love." Sesshomaru said.

Inu no Taisho shook his head for a moment. "Ah, but they can. It just takes the right person. In all the centuries that I have lived I only loved one person and that was your mother." he said.

Sesshomaru didn't reply. He couldn't reply. His entire life had been tipped over in just a few minutes.

Rarely did Sesshomaru lose control over his emotions. Often times, he forgot he had any. Nothing ever moved him.

That is, except finding out that his mother was a dog demon with witch abilities. A mixture of witch abilities were inside of him. Sesshomaru's blood was pure but it also had a mixtures of unnatural demon powers.

Human Realm.

Konohagakure.

Morning.

By the time Sesshomaru's mind was clear, he was a long way from the kingdom of hell. His heritage of his mother's witchcraft blood must have drawn him to this place. As Sesshomaru looked around, he knew that he was not just anywhere in the human realm, but in a room that sported a poster with a group of men he didn't recognize.

There was no dark red haired girl though—not in the room, at least. Sesshomaru could sense that Crystal was near and if she paid attention, she would also know he was there.

In the next few moments, Sesshomaru contemplated leaving, after all, he had no real reason to be here. Yet, Sesshomaru made no move to leave. Every muscle in his body went taut the longer he stayed there. Just then, Sesshomaru heard small steps. Her steps. Crystal was coming to her room. This was the last moment for him to leave.

Sesshomaru didn't take the opportunity.

The next second, the door opened. Before Sesshomaru saw Crystal, he smelled her. Crystal smelled sweet. Refreshing. Cool.

Crystal stood still as she became nervous as her red glass covered eyes widened and fastened on Sesshomaru's golden-yellow eyes. Crystal's shock amused Sesshomaru and before he knew it, his lips had curled into a smirk. Crystal opened her mouth as if to say something, but then closed it as if thinking better of it. Crystal closed her eyes at the same time, maneuvering her hands close to her chest.

Sesshomaru's eyes flicked to Crystal's chest, where a long rose colored towel covered the intimate areas of her body. Crystal's hair wet as her very long ran down her body. Although Crystal's chest was flat, the towel did little to hide her curves from his sight. Sesshomaru let his eyes slide down the length of Crystal as her legs reminded him of porcelain but he imagined they felt more like silk.

Sesshomaru lifted his eyes to Crystal's face, to see that a deep blush was rising from her neck to her cheeks.

"Wh-what are you staring at...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru's face became emotionless again. "It is quite obvious what has my attention, wouldn't you agree?" he questioned.

Crystal bit down on her bottom lip, something that only made her look all the more sensual. Crystal was like a rosebud that hadn't blossomed yet. Sesshomaru could only imagine how Crystal would look once she did. Or rather, to be the one to help her blossom.

"I-I may have entered into a covenant with you... b-but that doesn't give you the right to leer at me..." Crystal said, shyly.

Even though Crystal seemed genuinely irritated on the inside, she was too flustered to make her voice sound as though she meant business.

"Ah, that's right. You did trade yourself for your parents. Such a devout daughter." Sesshomaru said. "Such loyalty makes you all the more sweeter."

When Crystal's back hit the wall, she made a small noise. Sesshomaru wasn't satisfied, though. Sesshomaru wanted something more from Crystal. Sesshomaru wondered if Crystal knew how much her frightened, red glass covered eyes pleased him.

Sesshomaru lowered his head so that his lips rested on Crystal's right earlobe. "You do not have to look so frightened. What do you think I will do to you?" he asked.

Crystal neglected to answer, but Sesshomaru could practically hear the rushing of blood through her veins and the sound of her distressed heart.

"W-why are you here...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

As if cold water had been poured on him, Sesshomaru flinched. What was he doing? Sesshomaru moved away from Crystal. After the news about his mother, thinking about Sesshomaru's sudden desire for this stick more than disgusted him. Why did his mother have witchcraft powers?

"S-sesshomaru-sama...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru flinched again, both from Crystal's soft touch and quiet voice. Sesshomaru regarded Crystal, wrapped in her towel, any dampness on her skin long evaporated. Crystal's long red hair damp laid behind her. Her cheeks were still rosy from the heat that had rushed there earlier. What seemed to skewer him in place though, were her crimson red eyes that shimmered with genuine concern and shyness.

"A-are you... a-alright...?" Crystal asked.

This time, Sesshomaru neglected to answer. Instead, even as Sesshomaru berated himself for it, he drew Crystal into his arms. Sesshomaru ignored the look of extreme shock on Crystal's face. Crystal probably saw her own shock mirrored on Sesshomaru's face. All Sesshomaru knew at the moment was that having Crystal in his arms, kept those thoughts at bay as he needed this.

Sesshomaru lowered his head again, this time placing his lips on the left side of Crystal's jaw as she felt like heated silk under his lips, which only made his reason recede further from the forefront of his mind. Sesshomaru cradled Crystal's face with his hands and drew her in for a kiss. Crystal's lips too, felt like heated silk.

Sesshomaru expected Crystal to push away, or to scream or something, but she didn't. Crystal's small fists clung to Sesshomaru's torso, giving him the illusion that this was right, but it wasn't. Sesshomaru stared down at Crystal, feeling a heavy weight upon his shoulders.

Sesshomaru was a powerful demon who had been alive for centuries, he knew what he was falling prey to as he had heard stories and witnessed other yokais fall prey to it and come to regret it. it was different for demons han it was for humans. Demons aren't as fickle as humans. They aren't as forgetful.

Once Sesshomaru and Crystal fell prey to it, there was no going back. It would slowly destroy Sesshomaru. Humans and Yokais were never meant to be together. They were like water and oil.

Sesshomaru had a choice, but he could barely register it. Having Crystal in his arms only made Sesshomaru want to fall prey to it. There was no choice. Indeed, Sesshomaru was already falling, but he should have known. Sesshomaru assumed the pull he felt towards Crystal the moment he first laid eyes on her, was because of the prophecy. Sesshomaru had been wrong. Those innocent red eyes of Crystal's had found what small compassion part of him he had.

Sesshomaru noticed a blush rising to Crystal's face, as he assumed she remembered that she was only wearing her towel.

"S-sesshomaru-sama...!" Crystal said, pleading shyly.

Before Crystal could say more, Sesshomary released her. Crystal quickly hurried to the other side of her room. Crystal's rush too get away from him secretly both amused and annoyed Sesshomaru, but he remained silent. Sesshomaru was sure Crystal would not like the idea of a demon wanting her in such a way. Even though, Crystal had let Sesshomaru kiss her, he was sure it was because she was in shock. But that didn't deter Sesshomaru, because of the covenant, Crystal was his, after all.

"Y-you're acting so s-strange... A-As your master, I-I demand you s-stop..." Crystal said, shyly stuttering.

Sesshomaru rose his left eyebrow, wondering whether he should be amused or annoyed. At Crystal's words, Sesshomaru secretly felt a small tremor go through his body, despite being extremely shy she had a great deal of will behind her words. It annoyed and surprised Sesshomaru that Crystal would do that, when all he really did was kiss her. Not to mention, Sesshomaru was momentarily confused, because of Crystal's lack of specificity. On the other hand, it was quite amusing that Crystal was so serious despite being really shy, yet the command failed.

"Is that so?" Sesshomaru asked.

"H-h-hai..." Crystal said, shyly.

Sesshomaru smirked for a moment. "I will give you a few pointers for the next command you give me. First, it must be specific. No matter how much will you put behind a command, if it is not clear, it is useless. Secondly, commands are serious. Never use them unless you really need them. Thirdly, your will was lacking. Next time, I really expect better." he said.

Crystal sighed softly. "W-why a-are you h-here...? I-I didn't even call you..." she asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru's amusement fled as his mind automatically found the answer to Crystal's question. Sesshomaru shrugged as he showed no emotions.

"It is no matter. I came because I wanted to." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal sighed softly, picking up her phone from its place on her bed with her left hand. With a click, the display came on and with another, it turned off.

"Well... I'm going to be late for the Chunin meeting... C-can I have some privacy please... d-do you want to come to school with me too...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru didn't make any expressions. "Is that so? As tempting as that sounds, I'd rather not babysit you." he asked.

Crystal didn't say anything as she just clutched the top of her towel with a sad face. Sesshomaru decided he would go away.

"Just remember that just like I can look human, others like me can do the same. Do not be fooled. If you are in danger, summon me immediately." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal quickly nodded. "H-hai.. I.. I understand..." she said, shyly.

Without another word, Sesshomaru disappeared.

...

1 hour later.

Academy.

Crystal, in her usual outfit, made it to the academy. Even though it slightly annoyed Crystal that she was about 15 minutes late. Luckily, her former teacher, Iruka didn't mind it as they didn't discuss the meeting yet. Iruka excused Crystal because she had never been late before, without good reason. So Crystal sat off to the side, close to the door as it was the only seat available that would draw less attention to her. At least in theory, because Crystal was sure the entire class of chunins stared at her. It wasn't until Mr. Umino, in his usual outfit, resumed his lecture that the attention gradually shifted away from Crystal.

Crystal glanced around the room, searching for no one in particular, but her gaze landed on a guy with straight black hair. Crystal's breath tangled in her throat as Bankotsu's dark blue eyes met hers. Bankotsu, in his usual outfit, grinned and winked at Crystal conspiratorially. The gesture was as carefree as Crystal would expect from Bankotsu and it warmed her heart. Before Crystal could make a fool of herself, she quickly turned her head back to the front, blushing furiously for a moment as her heart hummed. Crystal did her best to ignore it, after all, he was Bankotsu. After what happened last time, Crystal was sure Bankotsu thought she was a freak and extremely shy. All because of Sesshomaru.

"Huh...? Sesshomaru...!" Crystal thought, that name was the same to Sesshomaru-sama.

Crystal felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise, as she remembered what Sesshomaru looked like. Sesshomaru looked human enough to Crystal, but he also looked similar to Sesshomaru. Crystal refused to believe that Sesshomaru had paraded around as a human, pretending to be innocent, and even acting weird toward Bankotsu.

"W-why would he do that...?" Crystal thought as she would definitely have to confront Sesshomaru-sama about that. There was a limit to how secretive Sesshomaru can be. "W-w-why did he always have to be so secretive...?"

Crystal sighed softly as she would never understand Sesshomaru-sama as he was a yokai, yet he didn't seem so evil.

If Sesshomaru was, wouldn't he have tricked Crystal about the covenant and still took her parents' souls? No, Sesshomaru was secretive and even quiet, but he was honorable.

Crystal was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of shuffling feet as she looked around to see the chunins moving around the room. It was too early for the meeting to be over, so Crystal assumed it was on break. Before Crystal could move, someone plopped in the seat right next to hers on the right side.

Crystal turned to the right side to see Bankotsu grinning at her. Crystal shyly smiled back as Bankotsu moved closer to her.

"You looked like you were spaced out. Everything okay?" Bankotsu asked.

Although Bankotsu still had an easy expression, Crystal could detect the glimmer of concern in his eyes.

Crystal nodded. "H-hai, I'm okay... I'm just a little tired..." she said.

Bankotsu only nodded. "Alright, now that you're in your groups, I'd like for you all to pick one of the topics on the board to present about on Friday. No 3 groups can have the same topic, so once you've figured out what you want, let me know."

Crystal carefully the topics that were written on the blackboard. She didn't even think about topics such as the 'cause of the First Shinobi World War', 'how the Land of Iron is different from the 5 Great Nations', 'the creation of Konohagkure', or 'the Depression of the Land of Waves.'

"What about the Creation of Konohagakure? That's always an interesting topic." Bankotsu asked.

With a final glance at the other topics, Crystal nodded. The Creation of Konohagakure was a better topic to talk about than the Depression of the Land of Waves.

"O-okay..." Crystal said, shyly.

"Mr. Umino!" Bankotsu said, waving his right hand to get Iruka's attention.

Mr. Umino, with a slight frown at the way Bankotsu was waving him down, came over to their joined desk.

"Alright, what topic have you two chosen?" Iruka asked.

"The Creation of Konohagakure." Bankotsu said.

Mr. Umino nodded, seeming to be pleased by the choice as he wrote it down on his notepad.

"Crystal is a great kunoichi, you're lucky to be paired with her Bankotsu." Mr. Umino said as he maneuvered to another group.

Bankotsu turned to Crystal with raised eyebrows. "I had a feeling I hit the jack pot." he said then winked.

Crystal blushed and shook her head.

Bankotsu nodded, already flipping through their history book to the appropriate chapters with his right hand.

Crystal took out her own history book and flipped to the page Bankotsu was on with her left hand and began skimming for the notable events, such as the Warring States Period, the Valley of the End, and the notable battles. Afterwards, Bankotsu and Crystal looked for notable shinobi, such as the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

By the time they finished writing down the details to most of the notable event, the sound of Mr. Umino's voice made them pause.

"If need be, you may take it home and work on it." Iruka said.

It seemed like the entire class of chunins let out a sigh of relief. After all, having only about 15 minutes to work on a presentation was not enough.

Bankotsu leaned back in his chair and stifled a yawn. Crystal put down her pencil to give her left hand a break. The meeting was almost over anyway.

"So, why were you late, cherry?" Bankotsu asked.

"Cherry...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

It was odd for anyone to call her that but instead, Crystal felt her chest flutter as she liked it.

"Yep. I think the name fits you." Bankotsu said, and then placed his right hand on the left side of Crystal's face. Bankotsu caressed the left side of Crystal's face with his right palm facing upward and his thumb smoothing over it.

"Your eyes looks like cherries. If it attracts me, I couldn't help but wonder if it attracts others as well." Bankotsu said.

Before she could stop it, Crystal felt a furious blush make its way onto her face. At the sight of it, Bankotsu chuckled and pulled his right hand away from Crystal's face.

"Okay, since Mr. Umino is giving us more time to work on it, you want to finish it up at my house? I can order from Ichiraku Ramen." Bankotsu asked.

Crystal froze as she had no idea why her vocals just suddenly wouldn't work than usual. Crystal was sure Bankotsu didn't mean anything by the invitation. It was not a date. It was just academy meeting work. Bankotsu was not interested in Crystal.

"H-hai... that would be nice..." Crystal said, shyly.

Bankotsu smiled. But this one Crystal could swear was different than Bankotsu's usual smiles. This one was a genuine one. A smile that warmed Crystal, all the way down to her toes.

The bell rang and chaos erupted.

Crystal stood up and began to gather her things with both hands as Bankotsu moved his desk back and did the same. In just a few moments, Crystal would be walking with Bankotsu to his house. Crystal was nervous as she is extremely shy and it was only a project.

...

Later.

"It's... really beautiful here..." Crystal said, shyly.

For the last few minutes since they left the academy, from left to right neither Bankotsu nor Crystal had spoken much. Most people would feel uncomfortable by the silence but Crystal had no such complaints. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was a companionable silence. A silence that Bankotsu and Crystal shared, rather than experienced. It was a breath of fresh air-it gave Crystal time to organize her thoughts and her feelings. The nervousness she felt just 10 minutes ago was gone.

Crystal smiled softly, and looked at the sky. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was lodged up in its usual place in the sky. There were lots of wispy clouds that would shelter them from the unyielding heat of the sun from time to time. Besides them, there was no one else on the street, which was a bit weird because they were not the only walkers. Then again, as Crystal noticed the direction they were headed, it was nearly the direct opposite of where neighborhoods were.

"It is..." Crystal said shyly, curiously looking around.

It occurred to Crystal that she didn't know the way they were going. That fact disconcerted Crystal because they lived in a large village, there weren't many places she didn't know of.

"Y-your house is this way...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Bankotsu didn't look at Crystal. "Yeah. It's kinda out of the way. Sorry, I didn't think about telling you that. We're almost there though." he said.

Crystal didn't say anything, and instead continued to look around. The further Bankotsu and Crystal got, the stranger everything looked. Crystal could see further up ahead, where the paved road became dirt and the woods surrounding them became thicker. Crystal felt a cold shiver, as her mind began to wander. Crystal wasn't oblivious to cases where girls were killed by crazy rouge ninjas, or kidnapped and no one knew where they were. Why didn't Crystal think to call her parents before she left?

Crystal put her left hand in her left pocket and pulled it out her phone. Crystal stole a glance at Bankotsu, who seemed to be simply taking in his surroundings. Crystal felt a pang of guilt for thinking so negatively about Bankotsu, but she had to be safe. After all, Crystal didn't know Bankotsu well. Crystal looked back down at her phone and had the right mind to throw it into the woods. It was dead. It failed her. With a sigh, Crystal placed it back into her left pocket with her left hand.

"You okay?" Bankotsu asked.

Startled, Crystal looked up to find Bankotsu's dark blue gaze upon her. With the sun at the angle it was at, it made his eyes look like mysterious. Crystal was sure she could get lost in them.

"H-hai... I was just going to contact my mother to tell her where I was... so she wouldn't worry but my phone's dead..." Crystal said, shyly.

Bankotsu nodded. "Oh well, I think my phone is still on. Wanna use it?" he asked.

Crystal nodded, relieved. If Bankotsu was a kidnapper, or meant her harm, Crystal was sure he wouldn't let her use his phone. That would be counterproductive, right?

Bankotsu reached into his right pocket with his right hand and handed Crystal his phone, which she took gratefully with her left hand. Bankotsu and Crystal stopped walking as she input the number with both hands and started writing her text.

"This is not something I expected to see." Bankotsu said.

Crystal's heart all but burst out of her chest as she froze for an instant, before she whirled around. There, just about two yards away, was Sesshomaru in his humanoid form. Crystal could have fainted on sight. Was Sesshomaru trying to ruin Crystal's life? Bankotsu would definitely think Crystal was crazy now as there was no hope for her. Crystal might as well get shipped off to another village.

Crystal glanced at Bankotsu and frowned at how tense he looked. Bankotsu looked as if he would bolt at any moment. Crystal looked back at Sesshomaru, whose gaze landed on her for a few moments. Crystal could detect no emotion, just the usual cool, measuring gaze Sesshomaru usually regarded her with.

Sesshomaru began walking toward Bankotsu and Crystal, with an emotionless face, like he always did. All the while, Sesshomaru's eyes remained on Bankotsu. When Sesshomaru was but a yard away, Crystal stepped in between him and Bankotsu. Crystal had no idea what was going on, but she wouldn't allow Sesshomaru to hurt Bankotsu. Sesshomaru was a yokai after all, maybe he wanted to kill Bankotsu and take his soul. Crystal wouldn't let that happen.

Crystal looked up at Sesshomaru worried, determined not to waver, even as his cool gaze regarded her in barely contained ire. For a brief moment, Crystal felt her determination wane in the face of Sesshomaru's fiery gaze, but she remained. It was a wonder that Crystal's legs were able to hold her up. They felt like water.

"Move." Sesshomaru said.

It was a command. A guttural command. Crystal didn't obey, even though every muscle in her body screamed at her to do so. Sesshomaru was a giant compared to Crystal, and she knew that with the slightest flick of his wrist, he could end her. Crystal also knew that Sesshomaru wouldn't harm her. Whether because of the pact or not, Crystal wasn't sure.

"N-no-" Crystal said shyly but was cut off as the rest of her words died in her throat, as a steely right hand grabbed her neck in a death grip. Crystal choked and gasped for breath, but the right wouldn't loosen its hold. Crystal dropped Bankotsu's phone as she clawed at the right with both hands, but it was practically made of steel.

Crystal looked up at Sesshomaru, who looked enraged. Crystal wondered why Sesshomaru looked that way. It wasn't as if the person Sesshomaru had regarded as a friend was choking Crystal as she felt the sting of tears in her eyes, both from the lack of oxygen and the realization that Bankotsu was choking her.

Crystal thrashed against Bankotsu as the last bit of oxygen left her lungs. Before the black spots interrupted her vision, Crystal was sure she glimpsed Sesshomaru lunging. Crystal was sure she felt herself falling, but the ground never came.

Rage.

That was what Sesshomaru felt when the bastard had the gall to use Crystal as a shield, but he had her to think of. Sesshomaru could have easily incapacitated Bankotsu, even with Crystal standing there, with her innocent eyes filled with hurt and the sting of betrayal.

Sesshomaru could not bring himself to do the bastard in with Crystal watching. Sesshomaru tried to convince himself that it was because he didn't want to hurt Crystal, but the truth was that he loathed what she would think of him. If Crystal saw Sesshomaru take the bastard down, then she would know he was every bit a demon as he looked. It was circular logic, though. Crystal already knew, and didn't seem afraid of Sesshomaru. But Crystal had never seen Sesshomaru kill before. Crystal had never witnessed Sesshomaru lusting for blood, that was his true nature. Crystal would be afraid.

And when Crystal's head hung to the left side, Sesshomaru's chest tightened and his palms felt moist. Fear. It was only for a moment though, because Sesshomaru didn't feel a severance of the connection they had. Once Sesshomaru realized that, his rage pour like an uncontrollable fire.

In a flash,Sesshomaru's right hand gripped Bankotsu's neck and his left arm, he held Crystal carefully.

"Oh? What's this? Sesshomaru, powerful Inu Daiyōkai, in love with a human?" Bankotsu asked in a fake angelic voice, as a slick smile curled his lips.

Sesshomaru growled and without much effort, shoved Bankotsu with enough force to send him flying into a nearby tree. There was loud crack, whether from Bankotsu's back or the tree, Sesshomaru didn't know or care.

Sesshomaru looked down at Crystal as there were slight red marks around her neck, which only made his blood boil more. Sesshomaru should have just killed Bankotsu right then, but he had been afraid. Sesshomaru felt disgusted with himself, but as he looked down at Crystal, those negative emotions seemed to flee.

Sesshomaru bent to cradle Crystal in his arms. Crystal was so light and so fragile. Sesshomaru could feel Crystal's fragile bones and was overcome with a maddening urge to protect her. Hell, Crystal couldn't protect herself as she obviously had a horrible sense of discerning people. Crystal needed Sesshomaru, or was it he who needed her?

Sesshomaru grudgingly laid Crystal down on the grass, away from where he would spill Bankotsu's blood. As Sesshomaru left Crystal lying there, he did not look back. Sesshomaru couldn't, lest he be disarmed by her.

Just as Sesshomaru approached the middle of the road, the Bankotsu came flying out of the woods. In his right hand Bankotsu held his Banryū , a gargantuan halberd, which was aimed skillfully at Sesshomaru's head.

Sesshomaru dodged Bankotsu's attack with ease, and as he continued to fly by because he was going so fast, Sesshomaru grabbed both of Bankotsu's arms and the back of his neck with both hands. Summoning all the rage he felt, Sesshomaru used his own superhuman speed momentum. When he was satisfied with the distance from the ground, Sesshomaru slammed Bankotsu into the dirt road.

Before he could recover, Sesshomaru placed his left boot on the back of Bankotsu's neck to keep him down. Sesshomaru held up his left palm and didn't watched as his sword,Tōkijin materialized in it. It was a flaming sword-emitted an intensely red evil aura.

Sesshomaru grinned for a moment before he became emotionless, as Bankotsu began to squirm, but he was no match for Sesshomaru as they both knew that. Bankotsu should have ran when he had the chance. There was no way in hell Sesshomaru was letting him escape now after he hurt Crystal.

"I'll add you to my collection of yokais who were a few centuries too early before they challenged me. How does that sound?" Sesshomaru asked.

Without anymore prologue, Sesshomaru thrusted Tokijin in Bankotsu's back. That was the spot that was the weakest point on any spector. Sesshomaru would not be a demon if he didn't exploit that first. With a keening wail, Bankotsu began to squirm again, but to no avail. Sesshomaru stepped off of Bankotsu's neck, but kept his left foot firmly planted on his back. With another swing of Tokijin with his left hand, Sesshomaru decapitated Bankotsu. A sword bathed in the flames of hell was one of the sure ways to kill a spector. The fire tainted them and spread through their body like poison.

With an air of calmness only Sesshomaru could muster after a fight, he put his sword away before he walked back over to Crystal then stopped. For a moment, Sesshomaru just stared down at Crystal's lovely form as her hair was the darkest red he has ever seen almost close to black. It lay around Crystal's head like dark red cherries. Sesshomaru kneeled down and began to pick Crystal up with both hands, but paused at the sight of his left hand near the right side of her face. Sesshomaru's skin was well tanned and burnished from the fires of hell, but Crystal's skin was fair and as fine as silk. Sesshomaru was so captured by Crystal's and it was worrying. When had Sesshomaru become like this over this girl? With a resigned sigh, Sesshomaru picked Crystal up with both hands, cradling her in his arms again.

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth as Crystal's scent invaded his senses. If it wasn't Crystal's face, it was her hair, and if it wasn't those things it was her scent. Sesshomaru needed help as he always knew he had superior self-control, but the need that just rocked his body, almost made him wish he didn't have such self-control.

There were suddenly 3 more specters. One was a bald adult male that looked to be in his late 20s, pale skin, purple marks that runs up each side if his face and a pointed mark in the middle of his forehead, enlarge the irises/pupils of his brown eyes, and in his usual outfit, a blue kosode with a reddish-orange breastplate with a single strap over his left shoulder and 4 kusazuris over his legs. a purple sash around his waist, off-white hakama, netted arm bands, two kyahans around his shins, and a pair of black tabi over his feet, one had a short man with a portly build, looks to be 70, has large black eyes that are squinted and is missing several teeth, red circular markings around his eyes and near his chin, and in his usual outfit, an off-white robes with a white matching bandana and handkerchief that hangs over one side of his face, purple arm guards underneath his robes, a gray hakama and waraji sandals, and the last one looked to be in his late 30s, had spiky dark green hair and bloodshot, beady eyes, under his eyes are a pair of dark blue stripes, yellow skin, black eyes, has teeth that are rather sharp, jagged, and near demonic in appearance. His most distinct physical characteristic is his abnormally large body, and in his usual outfit, a red skirt with a white trim on the bottom edge. a yellow sash tied like a belt around his waist, blue chest pads as a form of armor, and two black pads on his shoulders, a black headband around his head to hold back his short green hair, no sandals and walks around barefoot.

The one to the right that looked to be in his 20s seemed completely composed. He was definitely the leader of the three. The one on the left seemed to be shaking in barely restrained anger.

Sesshomaru remained where he was, watching. Just the fact that Crystal was in his arms, made him hyper aware of their every movement. The one on the right didn't seem as though he'd attack him, but he couldn't say the same about the one that looked to be in his late 30s. Just as the thought occurred to him, the one that looked to be in his late 30s took a menacing step forward. Before Sesshomaru could do anything, the one that looked to be in his late 20s stepped in front of the guy.

"Don't be foolish, you're no match for him, Suikotsu." the male specter in his late 20s said.

Suikotsu sneered. "Maybe, but with us together, we can defeat him, Renkotsu." he said.

Renkotsu shook his head. "No. It's impossible." he said.

With a cry of rage, Suikotsu shoved Renkotsu and took off into the air. Within a blink, he was gone. Sesshomaru kept his eyes on Jude.

Renkotsu turned to Sesshomaru as he had black eyes, that seemed dark and broody-these did not seem to be eyes that belonged to the specter. Renkotsu's gaze lowered to Crystal. It made Sesshomaru's skin crawl. Sesshomaru choked down the urge to hide Crystal from Renkotsu's gaze. Fortunately, Renkotsu's gaze returned to Sesshomaru's.

"If what happened is what I assume happened, then I cannot blame you for protecting her." Renkotsu said.

Sesshomaru didn't say anything as he continued to look at Renkotsu.

"She is your woman, after all." Renkotsu said.

Sesshomaru almost choked on air, but for the sake of his reputation, he didn't let the comment outwardly effect him. Let them think he claimed Crystal as such, maybe they'd leave her alone.

Renkotsu bent to pick up his fallen comrade, Bankotsu. After watching him for a bit, Sesshomaru took off.

Crystal sensed, more than saw, that she wasn't alone. Crystal couldn't yet open her glass covered eyes. It was as if Crystal was waking up from a long sleep, and her body hadn't caught up yet. Crystal felt wind against her skin and could hear the distant sound of birds chirping. Besides that sound, Crystal could make out nothing else.

"Where am I...?" Crystal thought.

Crystal remembered being choked by Bankotsu. The thought shocked Crystal and slightly disappointed her. Bankotsu seemed like a good guy, but if Sesshomaru appeared in all his humanoid form, then Bankotsu was not as he seemed. Obviously.

Crystal opened her eyes and saw nothing but sky. Frowning, Crystal sat up and her entire body refrained from moving. Crystal's mouth hung open as she took in her surroundings. The sun was setting, and Crystal could see it clearly at her vantage point. Crystal was atop a flat roof of a really tall brown building that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Crystal could barely make out another building in the distance. The view enchanted Crystal though. It was beautiful, with its mixture of oranges, pinks and blues.

"A bug will fly in your mouth if you keep it open like that." a male voice said.

Crystal closed her mouth and turned toward the sound, which was slightly behind her. Crystal didn't trust herself to stand, because she was sure she would end up tumbling to her death.

There, just a few feet from Crystal, was Sesshomaru standing with his arms crossed as he had an emotionless expression on his face. That emotionless expression that usually gave Crystal no answers. Instead, Crystal felt a strange sense of relief. Maybe because Crystal was grateful that Sesshomaru showed up when he did. As Crystal stared at Sesshomaru, she found she had no serious reply.

Sesshomaru's gaze turned to the sunset behind Crystal. As always, Crystal could not understand the emotion.

"It's... beautiful..." Crystal said, shyly.

Crystal said it quietly though, almost like a whisper. Crystal didn't expect Sesshomaru to hear it. But when Sesshomaru's gaze returned to Crystal, she knew he did. Sesshomaru's gaze was intense, and Crystal knew that he could probably hear her heart racing in response. Crystal quickly looked away at the left side, pretending to find the tiles on the roof to be interesting. Even with the lost eye-contact though, Crystal's heart was still beating furiously because she could feel the heat of Sesshomaru's gaze on her. Crystal felt it everywhere, almost like the caress of a lover-or how she assumed that would feel, the virgin that she was.

"Come here." Sesshomaru said.

The phrase was more than an invitation, or a request. It was a gentle command. And for some reason, Crystal couldn't deny Sesshomaru. Crystal looked back up into Sesshomaru's gaze, and felt a fresh wave of heat caress her body. Sesshomaru's eyes seemed almost brighter; like live flames hungry for wind or wood. What amazed Crystal, was the fact that it didn't frighten her as it intrigued her and it drew her, like a moth to flame. Crystal felt this strange urge to experience this flame. Would she be consumed by it?

Crystal found herself rising to her feet, oblivious to the former fear she felt of the height. Crystal knew Sesshomaru would not let her fall. And with that knowledge, Crystal found she walked to Sesshomaru with confidence for the first time. Within a few steps, Crystal was only a few inches away from Sesshomaru.

The heat that always calmed Crystal, wrapped around her like an embrace. Crystal sighed in contentment. Had Crystal always felt this way? Crystal did, but she had always been too afraid. Crystal had been afraid of Sesshomaru but also of herself and her reaction to him. At the moment though, Crystal didn't care.

Crystal leaned against Sesshomaru's right hand that caressed the left side of her face. It was gentle, betraying Sesshomaru's true strength. Crystal didn't know what happened to Bankotsu, but she somehow knew that Sesshomaru did away with him. As Crystal looked into Sesshomaru's smoldering gaze, she knew that she'd never want to be his opponent.

"Crystal. Crystal." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal opened her mouth to reply, when Sesshomaru lowered his lips to hers. Sesshomaru's lips were hot, just short of burning, but it tantalized Crystal as she found herself clinging to him with both hands, all too ready to receive him. Sesshomaru and Crystal slowly closed their eyes. Crystal felt Sesshomaru's hands slide to her waist, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Crystal felt the muscles in Sesshomaru's arms tense as he brought her closer to him. Crystal sighed softly again, as Sesshomaru's tongue swirled around hers in a seductive dance. As if they had a mind of their own, Crystal's arms wrapped around Sesshomaru's neck. In response, Sesshomaru's hands traveled lower, cupping Crystal's soft bottom and lifting her off her feet.

Crystal gasped and blushed furiously at the sensation of Sesshomaru's hands there, but that too, tantalized her. Sesshomaru's hands held Crystal with just the right balance of firmness and gentleness. As Sesshomaru's mouth left Crystal's and roamed to her left cheek, her jaw and finally her neck, she knew she was lost. Crystal arched her back, the sensation of Sesshomaru's hot kiss on her neck far too much for her to stand. Crystal felt heat pool into her lower belly. With Crystal's mouth free, her sighs quickly became lust-filled whimpers.

"S-sesshomaru-sama..." Crystal said, shyly.

In response, Crystal felt Sesshomaru's kisses slow, until his lips were no longer moving. Sesshomaru simply held Crystal against him, and she could swear he trembled ever so slightly. For a moment, Crystal wondered what was wrong. Had Crystal done something wrong? Did Sesshomaru become uninterested? Was Sesshomaru angry?

Sesshomaru let Crystal down slowly, almost grudgingly. When Crystal was partially out of Sesshomaru's embrace, she stared up at him in confusion. Sesshomaru's eyes were not as bright, but Crystal could still see that hungry flame dancing in their depths.

"Crystal, I-" Sesshomaru said but was cut off.

Crystal frowned sadly. "I-If you're going to tell me that was a m-mistake... t-then w-why..." she said, shyly as tears started to form in her eyes.

Sesshomaru didn't show any emotions as he wiped the forming tears from under Crystal's glasses with his right hand before he pulled away from her.

"No, I was not. Crystal, I can't-" Sesshomaru said stopped as he suddenly growled, and turned his back on Crystal.

Sesshomaru walked to the edge of the roof and crouched down.

Crystal stared at Sesshomaru for a moment as his growl sounded threatening, almost. But Crystal was sure Sesshomaru wouldn't hurt her. So Crystal followed Sesshomaru, but stopped at the sound of his voice.

"You are like the sun, Crystal. You shine so bright, and at first, I thought that I could resist. But as time wore on, the wall I put up to resist you crumbled. At first, I thought it was because you were special to my kind, but-but the more I look at you, I realize that what I feel for you has naught to do with that special part of you." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal's mouth hung open at Sesshomaru's admission. Even after what they just experienced, Crystal never would have thought in a million years Sesshomaru had any special feelings for her. Sesshomaru wouldn't show his emotions to her, but she had always felt drawn to him. Even though Sesshomaru was a full blooded yokai, he was honorable and he never hurt Crystal.

"S-Sesshomaru-sama, I-I've-" Crystal said shyly but was cut off.

"And that's why, we can't let this go any further." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal felt her heart break, which was curious. Crystal didn't think she had felt so strongly about Sesshomaru, but hearts don't lie.

"W-w-why...?" Crystal asked shyly, almost like a whisper.

"Because I am a yokai, Crystal It won't work." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal took a step forward but stepped back, as Sesshomaru stood up and whirled on her. Sesshomaru's eyes burned with an intense emotion Crystal couldn't identify, but he seemed to be trembling again.

Crystal made her hands into fists as she didn't want to back down. Even though Crystal wasn't experienced, she knew she didn't want to lose the magic that happened between them. Surely Sesshomaru could see that there was something there.

"I'm nearly ancient. You're merely 17 years of age. I've seen and done things you could never imagine." Sesshomaru said.

And that's when Crystal realized it. That emotion that burned in Sesshomaru's eyes, however unbelievable, was fear. Sesshomaru was afraid.

Crystal straightened to her full height, even though it didn't matter as Sesshomaru still dwarfed her height.

"Wh-What at are you afraid of...?" Crystal asked, sadly.

As soon as the words left Crystal's mouth, she wished she could put that back in.

Sesshomaru still had that emotionless looked on his face, before his eyes clouded over in some unidentifiable emotion.

"Afraid? I have never feared anything before." Sesshomaru asked, serious.

"M-Maybe..." Crystal said, shyly.

Sesshomaru made a serious look and took a menacing step forward. "You better be careful about your words. Do you remember who you're talking to?" he asked.

Crystal evaluate Sesshomaru for a long moment, but she knew she had nothing to fear. Crystal saw that flicker of light again.

"U-um... I don't know... Y-you don't seem to be right a scary yokai r-right now..." Crystal said, shyly.

For a long moment, Sesshomaru simply analyzed Crystal as she was mostly scared of him in the past and wasn't afraid at his lack of response, but she did feel slightly upset. The light was gone, and was replaced by Sesshomaru's emotionless face.

Within the blink of an eye, Sesshomaru had Crystal in his arms bridal style on the left side. Crystal's eyes widen as she looked up at Sesshomaru in confusion.

"W-w-what a-are y-you d-doing...?!" Crystal asked, stuttering.

Sesshomaru obviously ignored Crystal's question and walked over to the edge of the building. And that's when Crystal realized what Sesshomaru was doing, but it was too late.

Crystal quickly closed her eyes and let loose an ear splitting shriek as Sesshomaru stepped off the ledge. Crystal wrapped her arms around Sesshomaru's neck tightly. The wind whipped all around them, as Sesshomaru and Crystal continued their rushed descent.

"Having second thoughts on me?" Sesshomaru asked.

Crystal quickly opened her eyes and looked up at Sesshomaru, surprised. "W-w-what...?!" she asked, surprised.

"Alright, then. I guess we'll keep falling." Sesshomaru said.

"Okay, okay... Y-you're a scary yokai...!" Crystal said.

Sesshomaru stared down at Crystal and then suddenly, they stopped their descent. Sesshomaru stopped in midair and the next thing Crystal knew, they were soaring through the air. Fear of their height forgotten, Crystal smiled softly, loving the feel of the wind through her hair. It felt so freeing and for a moment, Crystal was jealous of Sesshomaru as he got to experience this whenever he wanted.

Sesshomaru and Crystal began to slow down. Crystal looked around as she and Sesshomaru weren't too far from the building they were just on top of. Sesshomaru and Crystal were in the wheat field that surrounded the place for miles.

"Crystal, you don't fully understand what it means to be a yokai. I don't want to frighten you. One day, I may have to kill in front of you. You will be really frightened." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal looked up at Sesshomaru and however unbelievable it seemed to her, he seemed truly vulnerable.

"I-Is that how you think...? I know that I am not afraid of you anymore... even though I know what you are... however limited my knowledge is... I-I also know that I am drawn to you... T-the only thing that scares m-me is how powerfully I seem to be drawn to y-y-you..." Crystal asked, shyly

Sesshomaru emotionlessly looked at Crystal before sighed, almost with resignation.

"You do not know what you're asking for." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal could feel Sesshomaru's muscles tense as his hold on her tightened. Crystal loved the feeling.

"Already, I can skewer anyone with just the thought of you coming to harm. I hate the mere thought of another male, especially one of my kind, looking at you. In short, you rob me of my reason. My kind are territorial creatures by nature. If you become mine, Crystal...I don't want to frighten you." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal raised her left up and placed it on the right side of Sesshomaru's face. It was hot, as Crystal expected. As if by instinct, Sesshomaru leaned into it, and Crystal knew then, that it was too late for either of them to back down. This was not how Crystal thought things would go, but she'd not have it any other way.

"It's okay... Y-you won't... Sesshomaru-sama..." Crystal said, shyly.

...

Night Time.

A soft smile appeared on Crystal's lips as the gentle breeze weaved through the strands of her extremely dark red hair. Just a few days ago, if someone told Crystal she would be sitting on the roof of a tall building near sunset in the arms of a yokai, she would call their bluff. At one point, Crystal was afraid of Sesshomaru. Afraid of Sesshomaru, but also in amazement. Sesshomaru was a magnificent creature-honestly too perfect to be real, but he was. The intoxicating heat of Sesshomaru's body was evidence enough.

A small squeak escaped Crystal throat as Sesshomaru's warm breath fanned her right ear.

"What is on your mind? You feel far away." Sesshomaru asked.

Sesshomaru's voice, like smooth velvet, seemed to seep into Crystal's very veins and set her blood afire.

Even as Crystal's body seemed to burst in flame at just the sound of Sesshomaru's voice so close to her right ear, she marveled at the reaction. Even though Crystal had next to no experience with the opposite sex, she was not so naive to think this was normal. No, Crystal's body reaction was solely because of Sesshomaru.

"I-I was just thinking how unexpected th-this is..." Crystal said shyly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

A moment of silence passed, before Sesshomaru answered with the withdrawal of his lips near Crystal's right ear, came coldness.

"For you. It is unexpected for you, Crystal." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal twisted in Sesshomaru's arms, turning her body to the right side to see him. "Wh-what do you mean...?" she asked, shyly.

Immediately, Crystal's body lit up in flame under the intense scrutiny of Sesshomaru's hell-fire eyes. Crystal could never shake the feeling that Sesshomaru could see into the depths of her soul. It made Crystal feel exposed, but also empowered as Sesshomaru knew her and could see every single flaw, she was sure, but he always gazed at her with unwavering eyes.

"From the moment I first met you, I knew. Your soul is special. It communicates with me in a way that no other human's can." Sesshomaru said.

"Wh-what do you mean...? H-how does a soul communicate...? H-how did you know...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru's lips quirked upward in amusement. "So many questions. The answers you wish are hard for some humans to comprehend. The spiritual realm is superior to this realm. Certain laws that govern this realm are not at work in my realm." he said.

At Crystal's thoughtful frown, Sesshomaru placed his right index finger in the middle of Crystal's forehead. "Your soul." he said, and lowered his right hand until it reached the middle of Crystal's chest. "Is a non-corrupt version of you. It is your perfect self, responsible for inner desires, urges and affinities. Unlike your body, that ages with time, your soul is ageless. It has existed before and will exist long after your current body is gone."

Sesshomaru's words were poetic in a way as they captured the fleeting nature of human life.

"B-but how can you communicate with m-my soul...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

The golden-yellow surrounding Sesshomaru's pupils deepened at the question.

"In order to tell you that, I will have to teach you about the history of both realms. Another time, Crystal." Sesshomaru said.

Another pleasant silence passed between Sesshomaru and Crystal as this was one day that they stole for themselves. A day that nothing else mattered except the two of them.

"C-can I ask another question then...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

Crystal felt Sesshomaru sigh and made an emotionless face.

"Why are you suddenly so curious?" Sesshomaru asked.

"B-because... I'm just wondering..." Crystal said shyly, smiling softly for a moment.

"So what is the question?" Sesshomaru asked.

Crystal review over the question in her mind. "Wh-what is the Demon Realm like...? H-how true is the information already out there...?" she asked, shyly.

Sesshomaru pulled Crystal's body comfortably against him. "Well, the connotation the word itself carries in this world is wrong. There are various words for it across many human cultures, but these only capture a part of it. In an ancient tongue long dead, the place simply means that which is lower. I think the closest word in the English language would be abyss. It is the Purgatory."

"It's dark...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

"Generally, yes. It is a lot darker than what you know to be the Pure Land. The Purgatory is not just hot. The climate there is just as diverse as Earth's. It ranges from extreme hot temperatures to cold, neither of which are found on this Earth. They cannot be tolerated by humans, either. The residents that call these extremes home are especially formidable demons, who are nearly ancient. Among them are the first demons who were apart of the First Conflict. These demons generally have features that are signs of their residence." Sesshomaru said.

An image of his molten-lava like eyes appeared in Crystal's mind and she immediately knew where Sesshomaru was located.

"S-so you live in the extreme heat...? U-um, I-I didn't peg you for one of the formidable types..." Crystal said, shyly.

Sesshomaru tightened his grip on Crystal's waist and leaned closer to her right ear. "Should I show you how formidable I am?" he asked, his voice seemed to flow through Crystal's warming her blood.

Sesshomaru's eyes began to grow with intensity. Crystal's skin prickled and tingled in response and she felt a shiver run down her spine. The sensation was unnerving, but intoxicating.

"A-are you doing that...? M-my body feels strange... Th-this isn't the first time I've felt this way, e-either..." Crystal asked, shyly.

"Yes and never intentionally. You are feeling my energy, at least, the fraction of it that I have allowed to seep through my human form." Sesshomaru said.

"Energy...?" Crystal asked shyly, curious.

Sesshomaru fell onto his back. "So many questions. Come." he said.

With butterflies flying around in Crystal's stomach as she obeyed. Crystal fell into Sesshomaru's outstretched arms, with her head lying on his left shoulder, and her body pressed against his.

"All creatures have energy, or a force within them that is unique to them. In creatures like me, this energy is amplified and directly correlated with our attributes. That is, the more of this energy a demon has, the stronger that demon is. Energy can be taken, given and exchanged, but that is not something I wish to talk about right now." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal did her best to nod, despite the awkward position and it felt more like she was rubbing her head against Sesshomaru.

"Y-you said that you allowed it to seep through your human form... So you can control it...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

"Yes. If I was unable to control it, being in the human realm would be tough. Even the most skeptic human would sense my demonic energy and be affected by it in some way." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal didn't immediately respond. Instead, Crystal closed her eyes and focused on the mixture of heat that radiated from Sesshomaru's body and the cool breeze that caressed her skin. The air should have been cooler, but with Sesshomaru's heat, it was pleasant. The sun was mostly gone now, with just a few clouds reflecting its light.

"You will be 18 in just two weeks." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal sighed softly as the statement made her think about everything that changed in her life within the past few months. A small part of Crystal wished that everything would go back to normal. That yokai, specters, and angels were really just creatures that were real to believers. Immediately though, Crystal felt repulsed by that thought. If that were the case, then Crystal would never have met Sesshomaru. Of all the things she wished to change, that was one thing Crystal didn't want to change.

Sesshomaru was perfection, almost too beautiful to look at. Crystal had never seen Sesshomaru without that strange, yokai armor, but she was certain that he wouldn't disappoint. Crystal could easily imagine the muscles that hid underneath Sesshomaru's armor. From Sesshomaru's silver-white hair to his finely shaped body, and his mesmerizing eyes, Sesshomaru was an artfully made creature. Crystal could only imagine what Sesshomaru saw in her. She was cute-pretty, even-but for a human boyfriend. He was out of her league, she was sure. But she was also sure that when Sesshomaru looked at her, it was with an unwavering intensity that no one else had.

"Are humans able to visit The Purgatory...?" Crystal asked, shyly.

The question came out of Crystal's mouth before she could stop it, but it was a distraction from those thoughts.

Sesshomaru tensed for a moment. "No." he said.

Crystal frowned and sat up to face Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru stood to his feet, avoiding eye contact. "Let's go. You need to return home." he said.

Crystal stood up too, confused. "Wh-what's wrong...? Why did you react that way...?" she asked, shyly.

Crystal started when Sesshomaru pinned her with a furious gaze as his golden-yellow eyes seemed to glow in the growing darkness.

"Why are you suddenly so curious about The Purgatory? It is no place for humans, let alone a little girl like you." Sesshomaru asked.

Torn between confusion at Sesshomaru's sudden anger and her own indignation at being called a little girl, Crystal remained silent.

"I-I'm only curious... Up until a few months ago... I lived a normal life... Now all of a sudden I find out that I'm cursed... my parents signed a contract with a powerful yokai and sold their souls... and I had to enter a covenant to protect them..." Crystal said. "A-and I'd like to know more about the demon who is holding my parents and my life in the palm of his hand..."

The darkness had grown even more. Save the humble light of the moon, there was minimal light to see by. Sesshomaru's eyes, now closer to Crystal's, seemed like two floating flames. Warmth spread through Crystal as Sesshomaru's left hand brushed her cheeks.

Crystal's lip trembled slightly at the tender touch. "I-I don't fully understand what you want with me... You entered into a covenant with me, and exchanged me for my parents' souls... A-am I so valuable...?" she asked.

Crystal felt Sesshomaru tilt her head and moments later brushed her lips with his own as it wasn't a passion-filled kiss like the ones they shared most often. This one was soft, and almost shy, as if Sesshomaru was afraid Crystal somehow disappear. Crystal felt Sesshomaru's sensual heat seep into her blood stream, and she barely held back a moan. Sesshomaru slipped his right hand around Crystal's waist and pressed her against his body gently. Sesshomaru gently bite one last time on Crystal's bottom lip, before he pulled away.

"Yes, Crystal, you are." Sesshomaru said.

...

Demon Realm.

Darkness all around. No light and no heat. Crystal, in her night clothes, could not recall anything other than this all encompassing darkness, and the cold. Crystal could feel the chill down to her marrow. Crystal hadn't moved since she gained consciousness, but she could not remember how long ago that might have been.

Strangely enough, there was no fear. Only a vague sense of befuddlement greeted Crystal upon her awakening. A continuous barrage of unanswerable questions assaulted Crystal's mind.

"Where am I...? How did I get here...? Was I dreaming...?" Crystal thought.

The more time passed in this thick darkness, the more fractured Crystal's reality became. Crystal could swear she heard her parents' voices calling to her, and even Sesshomaru's. Crystal could constantly sense a presence somewhere near her.

A sudden, jarring sound reverberated throughout the darkness. The sound was grating, and covering Crystal's ears did nothing to help. Immediately following the noise, light flooded the darkness. Crystal quickly covered her glass covered eyes in agony, hunching over like a barbarian unfamiliar with civilization. Crystal remained crouched, moaning, even as she heard footsteps entering the room.

"It's time." a husky voice said, resounded through the darkness.

Crystal flinched away at the rough hands that grabbed onto her arms and hair, but they held on unmercifully.

"Get up." the disembodied voice said, growling as the hands forced Crystal to her feet.

Crystal stumbled after the man, squinting her eyes against the abusive light.

"W-where am I...?" Crystal asked.

Crystal swallowed past the dryness in her throat as her sense of reality came slamming against her like a tidal wave. This was real. Crystal couldn't remember how she got here, or when, but she knew this was not a dream.

Crystal tugged against the man's biting grip on her wrists, only to receive a harsh tug in response.

"Wh-where are you taking me...?" Crystal asked.

Crystal's only response was a non committal grunt and she looked around, finally able to take in some of her surroundings.

There was mostly darkness around Crystal. They were in some kind of dark tunnel or corridor, with a bright white light at the end of it. For one moment of insanity, Crystal wondered if she was actually dead and entering the after life. Crystal shivered, both from the thought and from her surroundings. Crystal couldn't be dead. Although Crystal had no memory of before the cell, she was sure she couldn't be dead. Would she still have this sense of smell and touch? Possibly.

Crystal shivered again and sighed softly as her breath came out of her mouth in a puff. Crystal shivered again.

"Wh-why i-is it s-s-o c-cold...?" Crystal asked, stuttering.

It seemed that the closer they got to the bright opening, the colder it got.

Crystal's captor grunted again.

Crystal's body began to tremble with the effort to generate enough heat as she noticed that she could barely feel her toes anymore or her fingers. Crystal wondered with a growing sense of bewilderment, how it was possible to become so cold in under a minute.

Suddenly, Crystal collapsed on the ground in a ball.

Crystal's captor growled and flung her over his shoulders. Crystal sighed a little bit as his heat seeped into her body and relieved her of the extreme cold.

"P-please tell me... W-where am I...?" Crystal asked.

"You ask many questions. You'll have your answers soon." the unknown male said.

As soon as he said that, Crystal was falling. With a painful thud, Crystal fell to the floor. Moving her hair out of her face with both hands, and straightening her spine, Crystal noticed her new surroundings.

Out of the dark corridor, Crystal was in a large room with high a ceiling. It looked as if the walls were carved of stone. Crystal turned to the middle of the room, to see sheer red curtains falling from the ceiling.

"Come." a male voice said.

The voice came from behind the curtains. Crystal looked back at her captor, who only nodded impatiently. Crystal slowly stood up cautiously, not wanting to provoke him into flinging her over his shoulder again.

This room was freezing, but just enough that Crystal could bear it as her body still trembled, but not so violently. Crystal hugged herself, trying to maintain her warmth.

"Quickly." the voice said, growling. It seemed to echo throughout the room, and even whisper into Crystal's ear.

It scared Crystal as she felt her hear stutter, and her stomach felt as if it had been squeezed. Crystal found herself wishing for Sesshomaru.

"Why hadn't I called him...? Would it work...? Was I dreaming...? Sesshomaru-sama...?" Crystal thought.

Crystal moved passed the sheer red curtains, her skin crawling as the material slid across her skin. Crystal slapped her right hand on the back of her neck suddenly. Crystal took a deep breath to calm her accelerating heart as she thought she felt fingers brush against the skin on her neck. Of course, there was nothing there.

Crystal continued past the curtains, and was able to make out the outline of a tall, dark figure. Crystal took a deep breath, and continued on. As Crystal came closer still, she noticed that the figure seemed inhumanly tall and slender.

Crystal stopped again as she did not want to see this figure. Crystal felt bitterness emanating from this figure. It was all around Crystal, but the focal point was this figure. The small hairs along Crystal's arms and neck straightened. Every atom in Crystal's body screamed at her to turn the other way. To run. But despite Crystal's better judgement, her foot moved forward. The followed soon after.

Crystal moved the last curtain away and immediately, her body stiffened in fright. Crystal was staring at a creature that had to have been at least 8 or 9 feet tall, with a sickly muscle body. Crystal could see bones protruding. Its face was something from nightmares, with dark, golden eyes and brown lips. There short black and white striped hair on his head.

The unknown male smiled. Crystal cringed.

"I hope your stay was comfortable enough." the unknown male said.

Crystal cringed again.

The unknown male chuckled. "Don't be afraid. Come. Sit." he said.

Crystal looked at the seat that it gestured to. It was a fashionable looking chair, that looked ancient and hand carved. Before Crystal gave it any more thought, she felt herself gravitate toward it. Before Crystal knew it, she was seated, looking up at this creature.

"Where a-am I...?" Crystal asked.

Crystal cringed again at the sound of her voice. It sounded forced and fake.

The creature leered at Crystal. "So you are the girl from the prophecies." he said, ignoring Crystal's question. "There is nothing special about you."

Crystal clenched her teeth. The unknown male's words seemed to dig their way into the deepest parts of Crystal's mind, nibbling away at her insecurities.

"And yet, my brother finds something interesting about you." the unknown male said, his eyes took on a malicious glint. "Perhaps I should figure this out?" darkly, stalking toward Crystal.

Crystal sunk into the chair, but it did not increase the diminishing distance between them. It was inches in front of Crystal within seconds. Crystal locked eyes with the unknown male.

"Don't put your hands on her, Jūra." another unknown male said.

The unknown male, Jūra, moved away from Crystal as she released the breath she hadn't known she was holding. Crystal turned in the direction of the voice to see another figure emerge. This one, unlike Jūra, was not so frightening.

This one was not misshapen. He was tall too, but had a tan wiry frame. His hair was a thick mane of waist-length silver-white hair, and his eyes were golden with slit like pupils. Crystal felt burned by his gaze.

The unknown male turned to Jūra. "I hope you weren't about to put your hands on her." he said.

Jūra drew back. "What does it matter anyway, Inuyasha? There's nothing special about her." he asked.

Inuyasha growled. "How do you not sense the strength of her essence? Being this close to her makes me restless." he said then looked back over at Crystal and grinned. "And not only is she the female from the prophecy, she is Sesshomaru's little toy. Imagine what it'll do to him when I make her my slave."

Jūra looked at Crystal too. "But you said you'd share." he said.

Inuyasha waved Jūra off with his right hand. "Be quiet. I maybe the youngest but I deserve this. With the power than I can obtain from draining her, I will usurp the throne." he said.

"Go keep watch." Inuyasha demanded.

Reluctantly, Jūra disappeared beyond the curtains. Crystal locked eyes with Inuyasha again, and felt a pit of unease gather in her stomach. Being alone with this new one was no better than the last.

"Wh-where am I...?" Crystal asked.

Inuyasha chuckled. "In the Purgatory. I'm surprised you haven't figured that out yet." he said. "From this moment on, you are mine."

At those word, Crystal felt her stomach churn in disgust. Before she realized what Crystal was doing, a glob of spit flew into Inuyasha's face. For just a second, Inuyasha and Crystal both were stunned. Crystal watched as almost in slow motion, Inuyasha's expression of shock turned into thunderous anger.

"I-I'm really sorry... B-but I am not y-yours..." Crystal said, shyly.

Crystal had no idea where that inner strength came from, but she was happy it arrived.

Inuyasha's already angry expression intensified as he opened his mouth to retort, but was interrupted by the sound of a mangled yell.

Inuyasha growled. "I'll be right back." he said.

Inuyasha disappeared past the curtains.

Crystal quickly got up as she had to find some way to escape, but how could she escape from the Purgatory?

"Was there a door somewhere...?" Crystal thought as she whimpered.

The only way Crystal could escape was if Sesshomaru appeared, but it didn't seemed as though he could hear her.

"Sesshomaru-sama..." Crystal thought.

Crystal sank to the floor, feeling hopeless.

"Wh-what could I do...?" Crystal thought.

Crystal tensed at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching as she shut her eyes tightly in fearful anticipation as she prayed for a quick death.

"Stop that. I am here." a familiar male voice said.

"Sesshomaru-sama...?" Crystal asked, opening her eyes.

The sound of Crystal's fragile voice unsettled the beast within Sesshomaru. It was hungry for the blood of Crystal's captors. His own younger half brothers. Sesshomaru knew in that moment that he would kill every single one of them.

"Come." Sesshomaru said.

Without hesitation, Crystal threw herself at Sesshomaru as he could feel her trembling as she clung to him for dear life. Sesshomaru clenched his jaw, imagining the pain he would soon put Inuyasha and the rest of his half brothers through.

"Wh-what h-happened...?" Crystal asked, between her tremors.

Sesshomaru thought back to the cowardice of his half brothers as he had gotten one hit in, before Jūra fled. Inuyasha took one look at Sesshomaru, and fled as well.

"Nothing. We need to get you out of here. It's not safe." Sesshomaru said.

"B-but-" Crystal said but was cut off.

Sesshomaru lifted Crystal in his arms bridal style on the left side, effectively silencing her protests. Crystal snuggled against Sesshomaru's chest, and he could feel her worries slipping away. Strangely enough, Sesshomaru felt the same sensation happening to himself. Sesshomaru pulled Crystal closer, and placed his lips on the top of her head.

"I-I want to stay with you, Sesshomaru-sama... P-please... don't take me home..." Crystal said.

Sesshomaru remained silent. Crystal was not going to stay with Sesshomaru, while he sought the heads of his half brothers, but he did not want her alone again. Although Crystal was human, and humans generally did not come here, they could. It was just extremely dangerous. The longer they remained in the Purgatory, the greater the risk to the purity of their souls, or their very lives.

But Crystal? She was different. The purity of Crystal's soul would remain intact. Sesshomaru would not have to fear that the dark energy would consume Crystal. However, Sesshomaru could not keep Crystal here. Crystal was too pure for this place. Also, no matter how unique Crystal was, at the end of the day she was still human. The Purgatory was no place for humans, with or without the protection of a demon such as Sesshomaru.

...

Konohagakure.

Uzumaki Clan compound.

Ryu and Kimi's House.

Crystal's Room.

Night Time.

Moments later, Sesshomaru and Crystal materialized back in the human realm. Sesshomaru felt the surge of disappointment Crystal felt the moment she recognized the room they were in. Sesshomaru placed Crystal down gently on her bed.

Sesshomaru knelt. "The Purgatory is no place for one such as yourself." he said.

Crystal frowned. "I-I am your master aren't I...? Y-You need to do what I say... P-please d-don't leave me..." he asked.

Sesshomaru felt the command reverberate through his body, and his muscles tensed in response. The amount of intent in Crystal's words was unmistakably powerful. Much too powerful to have come from the mind of a mere human. Sesshomaru's chest tightened in carefully restrained pleasure. Crystal was powerful. Sesshomaru could smell it on Crystal. It wafted off of Crystal in waves of intoxicating heat. Each day closer to Crystal's birthday she became more powerful. Crystal didn't know this though. From the uncertain gleam in Crystal's eyes, Sesshomaru could tell she was unsure if her command had worked.

"As you wish." Sesshomaru said.

Before Crystal could say, or do anything else, Sesshomaru unclasped the armor, kimono, and hakama. It was a garment commonly worn in The Purgatory by Nobles. The top of the fabric fell, and lay limp at Sesshomaru's waist.

Sesshomaru watched as Crystal breath hitched and her eyes widened ever so slightly. There was the faintest hint of a blush rising from Crystal's collar bone.

"W-what are you doing...?!" Crystal asked, nervously. "I-I said don't leave me... n-not undress..."

Sesshomaru had an emotionless face. "Calm your heart. It sounds like a million butterfly wings beating at supersonic speeds." he said.

Crystal took a deep breath, but then choked on air as Sesshomaru unclasped the side, and final clasp to his garment. Crystal squealed and covered her glass covered eyes as it hit the floor.

"Wh-what are you doing...?! P-please put your clothes back on right now...?!" Crystal asked.

Sesshomaru continued to make his emotionless expression as he did not feel the powerful impulse rock his body again. "It seems as if you do not desire me to." he said.

"A-are you kidding me-" Crystal asked but was cut off.

"Give me your hands." Sesshomaru said.

"N-no... w-why...?!" Crystal asked.

Sesshomaru neglected to answer Crystal's question. "Trust me, Crystal." he said.

Moments passed, and Sesshomaru could feel Crystal's melt. Crystal trusted Sesshomaru, completely. It was rather naive, to be sure. But not wrongly placed.

Crystal slowly gave Sesshomaru her hands, but refused to look at him.

"Look at me, Crystal." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal bit down on her bottom lip, and seemed to have to summon her courage to look at Sesshomaru. The reaction Sesshomaru's own body had to Crystal's powerful gaze took his breath away. Sesshomaru was completely disarmed by this shy and fragile, human girl. Sesshomaru could hardly believe it.

"Lift your arms." Sesshomaru said.

Hesitantly, Crystal did so. All the while, the furious blush rose to Crystal's face. Slowly, and deliberately, Sesshomaru relieved Crystal of the night gown she wore. Within seconds, Crystal stood before Sesshomaru naked. Crystal was nervous, but beautifully powerful. If only Crystal knew the power she held over Sesshomaru, she would not be so nervous. Sesshomaru took note of the rosy tips of Crystal's breasts, and the delicate curve of her hips. The scent wafting from Crystal's most intimate place set Sesshomaru's blood boiling. Sesshomaru felt, more than heard Crystal's breathing increase in response to the lapse of control over his demonic energy.

Sesshomaru pressed his lips into the palms of Crystal's hands, feeling the most afraid he'd ever been in any moment of time. Sesshomaru loved this woman, more than Crystal would ever know. More than Crystal could ever fathom. Sesshomaru's love for Crystal would surpass time, lives, realms, and dimensions. Crystal was Sesshomaru's, and he had not even claimed her yet. Sesshomaru was Crystal's, most assuredly. Crystal had already laid claim to Sesshomaru's heart in his dreams. Sesshomaru wanted to day the words, you are mine, but Crystal was not ready to hear them. Not yet. Not until Crystal was ready to be thoroughly devoured by Sesshomaru as his chest tightened in anticipation with the mere thought of her in the throes of unfettered passion within his arms. Patience.

With those final thoughts, Sesshomaru led Crystal to her bed, and stretched out. Sesshomaru opened his arms. "Come to me." he said.

Crystal did with hesitation and some uncertainty. Sesshomaru and Crystal laid there, tangled within each other's arms, as if they had just finished passionate love-making. Sesshomaru kissed Crystal's forehead, transferring a bit of his energy into her body as he did so.

Crystal gasped softly, as the current traveled into her body as it completely restored her chakra reserves.

"I am restoring your energy. Any of what you lost while you were gone." Sesshomaru said then looked into Crystal's eyes. "I am sorry for failing you. Forgive me. I had not noticed our connection was interrupted until I heard complete silence."

Crystal shook her head for a moment. "B-but you came... T-that's all I care about right now... How long was I there...?" she asked.

"No more than twenty minutes." Crystal said.

Crystal frowned sadly. "I-It can't be... It felt like... like-" she said but was cut off.

"Hours? Months?" Sesshomaru questioned.

"H-hai..." Crystal said.

Sesshomaru felt a surge of anger as he began to explain Jūra's mind games. "That one can make anyone go crazy. He has the power of illusion, and can make five minutes seem as long as five centuries." he said.

"W-who were those... creatures...?" Crystal asked.

Sesshomaru sighed. "My young half brothers. They want to take you from me." he said.

Crystal was silent for a moment, searching Sesshomaru's unreadable eyes. Sesshomaru made an effort to relax, and let Crystal read him.

"F-for who I am...?" Crystal asked.

"Partially. They also wish to cause me pain, and get me off of the throne. I am the Lord of the Western Lands." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal's eyes widened for a moment. "Lord of the Western Lands...? That's an actual thing...?" she asked.

"Yes." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal smiled softly for a moment before she blushed furiously. "Interesting... S-so... I-If you really only wanted to... r-restore the energy that I lost... then how come we had to be n-naked...?" she asked, shyly.

"Some say energy transfer is much easier when like this." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal continued to blush furiously for a moment.

Sesshomaru leaned in, carefully restraining himself as his placed his lips on Crystal's. Sesshomaru knew that his lips must be hot, but the quiet moan that escaped Crystal's mouth pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. Crystal's lips were soft, but firm, and pushed back against Sesshomaru's as he explored the intoxicating texture of her mouth. Sesshomaru's muscles tensed with the effort it took to control himself from pressing Crystal into the bed sheets.

Sesshomaru began to pull back, but was pulled back in by Crystal's tongue's shy dance against his. Crystal shyly pressed herself further into Sesshomaru's chest, and unknowingly began to grind her hips against his. Sesshomaru was sure Crystal had little clue how much those little movements affected him. Crystal's natural, womanly scent wafted up to Sesshomaru in seductive waves. Crystal was attempting to kill Sesshomaru as he rolled over on his back, taking her with him.

Slowly, the passionate gleam in Crystal's eyes faded, as she opened her eyes and noticed the new position they found themselves in. Crystal was straddling Sesshomaru, with her womanhood just a few inches away from his aroused manhood. Sesshomaru would have thought he would see nervousness, or fear in Crystal's eyes when the passion faded. Surprisingly, Crystal seemed to be mostly curious and excited, but also shy. Sesshomaru was glad to see it. Perhaps, Crystal was not as unready as Sesshomaru thought she was.

"You do this to me, Crystal." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal's eyes shimmered with the threat of un-shed tears as her perfect, bow-shaped lips quivered just the slightest. "U-um..." she said, shyly.

"What are you afraid of?" Sesshomaru asked.

Crystal took a calming breath, and delicately laid herself down on Sesshomaru's chest. "E-everything... S-something feels wrong... Sesshomaru-sama. I-I don't know what it is... but there's this sudden distressing a-anxiety in my chest... I-I can't get rid of it..." she said, shyly.

Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around Crystal tighter. Whatever Crystal was feeling, Sesshomaru felt it too. A deep, distressing sensation in Sesshomaru's essence. Crystal was right. Something was wrong. Sesshomaru would have to figure it out soon and he could not let Crystal get hurt again.

"Sing for me." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal sat up again and gave Sesshomaru a little shy smile. "R-remember the last time I sang for you...?" she asked.

"Yes. It caught my unawares. The sound of your voice is like the sound of a quiet stream, or the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. You cannot understand the effect it has on my kind." Sesshomaru said.

Crystal laughed softly for a moment. "O-of course..." she said.

Moments later, the lilting melody that flowed from Crystal's mouth floated around the room, and filled Sesshomaru's head with peaceful nothingness. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and felt his body relaxing in what seemed to be the first time in forever. Sesshomaru felt the energy of Crystal's voice entering his body, and mingling with his very essence. Sesshomaru breathed in deeply, focusing on the mingling of their energy. Never had Sesshomaru exchanged energy in such a way. It left Sesshomaru's essence naked and exposed-something he was not at all accustomed to, but this too, gave him so much pleasure that it robbed him of any thought except Crystal.

"Crystal." Sesshomaru thought.

Sesshomaru lazily cracked open his eyes, to see Crystal was shyly staring down at him as she smiled softly, but kept singing, never taking her eyes off of him. Crystal's gaze was intimate-almost as if she could see every single part of Sesshomaru that he had kept hidden. Sesshomaru wondered if Crystal knew that was how she stared at him.

Suddenly, Crystal's body tensed and she yawned softly.

"Sleepy? You've been sharing your energy with me." Sesshomaru questioned, taking off Crystal's glasses with his right hand and placed on his right side of the bed. "Sleep. I will be here to protect you."

Crystal's breathing slowed immediately as she probably had not even heard Sesshomaru's response. Sesshomaru ran his hands through Crystal's silken locks all the down to the roundness of her hips. Crystal was truly a masterpiece. All Sesshomaru's. In time, Crystal would know this. Not a second would go by that Crystal would feel unclaimed by Sesshomaru.

In time.

End of Chapter 5.

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