AN: I think it's safe to say that from this moment on the Rating M will take it's due place, not because of smexy times but there- *sigh* I'd wish, but I'm really shy about writing these things, even writing kiss scenes embarrasses me… maybe in the future

I don't remember Sesshoumaru talking so much- sorry if that bothers anyone, tried to keep everyone in character as much as I could but I barely remember the show.

The silence only grew heavier as the minutes passed between them. The only sounds that could be heard were the flutter of the leaves of the trees surrounding the area along with the occasional chirping of birds. But apart from the nature sounds the only thing that resounded on his ears was the sound of his own heartbeat and his ragged breaths as he tried to contain himself.

Why did it hurt so much?

How could he become so attached that just thinking of leaving that girl tore at his heart? He had been with them for barely ten days, it shouldn't hurt this much but he felt as if his heart was being clenched tightly and he couldn't seem to even breathe as he remained frozen on the lake.

Desperately wanting to turn around and leave but knowing that if he left the water, his nakedness would be in complete display to the eyes of the Dog Demon -both physical and emotional- he remained still and waited, pulling his arms tight around himself.

Why did he speak when he was completely naked? He thought ruefully. Kanan was right; he didn't have any sense of self-preservation at all.

The silence dragged on for another moment and he vaguely pondered if the Lord had finally become tired of him and had decided to leave him on the woods to fend for himself.

Curiously turning around he startled when he found the other standing a few steps away from the water's edge, staring intently at him. Squeaking in surprise, he flailed for a moment before quickly moving his arms to cover his chest and yelped when he accidentally brushed a hand over a tender nipple. What the fuck?! He thought in mortification as his face contorted in horror. Why am I sensitive all over?! Even my nipples hurt!

Fuck it, I'm gonna drown myself. That would save me from the embarrassment. He considered for a second but Sesshoumaru must have noticed him intently eyeing the water because he said, "Get out of the water," in a blunt manner making him sputter.

"W-what? I'm not- I'm not clean yet!" He hastily refused partly because he really needed to bathe and also because he wasn't looking forward to being anywhere near the Dog Demon.

"Won't have this conversation whilst you are in such a state of undress." The Demon spoke immediately and added without missing a beat. "Such a shameless thing would bring disgrace to this Sesshoumaru's bloodline."

But carrying me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes won't be disgraceful to you, isn't it? Haru thought bitterly as he flushed in both anger and embarrassment.

"Can't you just ignore me then? Delay this conversation until later?" He asked hopefully even if he perfectly knew that the other won't. The Lord didn't spoke much, but damn if he hadn't learned to pick up things on these past few days. He had to for his own safety considering he was treading unknown territory with him. So in these pasts days he had found himself paying attention on the way the Lord carried himself and taking account of every minute shift on his posture in case of any sign of hostility to his person or his 'charge' (as Sesshoumaru called the small human girl).

Furthermore, it helped that the other was pleasant to look at- but he certainly wasn't going to go there!

He flinched when the other scowled, "Alright, I get it!" He exclaimed with his arms still pressed against his chest like a young maiden, "Just- Can you… can you please turn around?" His face felt extremely hot and was almost certain that he was as red as a tomato.

The Dog Demon barely stared at him impassively for a moment before he turned around and walked away giving him some resemblance of privacy.

Swallowing nervously, he waddled towards the shore and hurriedly dried his body with his old clothing, trying to stubbornly stifle the hiss of pain whenever he rubbed a sensitive area and mentally cried in despair wondering if that was going to be a permanent thing regarding his body. Everything hurts, dammit! Even his belly button was hurting! WHY?!

Throwing the old kosode away in annoyance he patted the bundle that Sesshoumaru had laid on the ground and inspected it staring in surprise at its contents, noticing that there was more than a just a piece of clothing.

A white obi laid on top of a bluish grey kimono that was folded neatly and underneath it laid a second kimono with a pair of black hakama pants along with black arm plates and leggings.

Picking the blue kimono, he got dressed and was surprised as it fit around his body comfortably. He paused as a feeling of relief and contentment rushed him, thinking that this was the first time he didn't have to struggle to adjust his clothing to make it fit his small frame, then flushed in embarrassment thinking that he should make a hole for his tails… pausing on his dressing he rushed towards his old clothing as a thought crossed his mind and fiddled with it with clumsy fingers, and yep, there was a hole. Luckily it wasn't as big as he thought but it definitely was there.

The fabric of his old kosode was so tattered that the black tails had bursted through the cloth, which meant-

He had a hole on his ass.

He blanched in mortification. He basically paraded himself around demons with a hole on his ass.

Taking a deep breath to compose himself he took off the kimono before he reached out to the back and with a lengthened claw he cut a little of the cloth before he quickly dressed, pushing his tails through said hole and hastily fastened the obi around his waist, making sure that the sash covered any gap his tails hadn't covered.

He was adamant on ignoring his mortification as he swiftly donned his zori sandals but nonetheless he took a few calming breaths before he called out to the Dog Demon.

He didn't had to wait for too long as only a few seconds passed and the Lord was now standing in front of him. Staring.

Avoiding his gaze, he tried to keep himself from fidgeting and keeping the shameful thought that he had a hole on his clothing -which he had to make for his tails- and that at any moment his bum could be presented to the world.

Uncaring of the other's nervousness, Sesshoumaru quietly regarded him for a few seconds before he spoke.

"Running off when you don't even know what you are is dangerous and stupid. Where, pray tell, would you ran off to?"

Haru quickly looked up in surprise and hesitated on what to say. He was right, he was alone now and with his newfound Yokai status it would be harder to find a safe place not to say people he could trust.

Humans were fearful on demons as most Yokai were ruthless and bloodthirsty. He knew he couldn't count with the help of other Yokai, at least not in his state. Not even knowing anything of his species or how to protect himself. He shuddered, he was lucky that he had found Jaken and Sesshoumaru. They, at least, were courteous enough.

"I gave you my word and at the instant you found us you became my responsibility. In the short time you have been with us Rin has become attached and I believe it's the same for you." The Lord paused as he regarded him with a strange look in his eyes. "If what you fear is harming Rin then be at peace, there is no chance that will happen."

Haru immediately stared at him in confusion.

"At the very moment of your transformation you became wild and lost control but as soon as you saw her, you sensed her distress and reached out to calm her. You never intended to harm her.

Haru quickly interrupted in "But I could-!"

"You could but you didn't because your instincts keep you from harming a kit."

Blinking in confusion, Haru stared at him.

"Your change was highly difficult and strange." He explained. "That night was a New Moon. A night were half-yokai, or Hanyou, are forced to show their mundane side and weakened. But you," he paused as he inspected the supposedly half-breed in front of him, "somehow endured a transformation on that same night. We think that the reason might be the suppressants that you were given for years, thus making it increasingly painful for you."

Listening intently in apprehension, Haru took a few breaths to calm himself before he asked in an almost inaudible voice, "What am I?"

"Nekomata." The Lord spoke, "Cat Demon. Possibly the last of your species."

"Were you in pain?"

"Last night? I felt I was burning alive!"

"When you mentioned leaving, I could smell your distress." The Lord trailed off as he listened intently to his surroundings before focusing on the young demon in front of him. "Nekomata were extremely protective of their young, making them fierce guardians in the face of danger to their families."

"You mean Rin…"

"In your change, you claimed her as yours."

AN: Boom baby!

Let's pretend I wasn't gone for a month *sweats*