Time Traveler Katsumi

Together Forever

"What's the matter, Ah-Un?" Katsumi asked as they were walking. She noticed the dragon had been giving her looks ever since she returned. "Aren't you glad to see me?"

"It may have something to do with your armor," Sesshoumaru said. Katsumi looked down at herself. Her armor was primarily made of faerie steel and dragon scales.

"Oh," she said, seeing his point. "Don't worry, Ah-Un. My cousins assured me this armor was cruelty-free."

"Cruelty free?" Rin asked.

"It means no dragons were harmed in the making of this armor," Katsumi replied. "They said the scales were collected after they were shed naturally." Ah-Un's expression lightened considerably after that, and he let Katsumi pet him.

They walked along for some time, enjoying the peace and quiet. Rin hummed softly to herself while she rode Ah-Un. Sesshoumaru caught a scent in the air. Katsumi's nose twitched. They both sensed the eggy smell of an onsen.

"Hot spring!" Katsumi said excitedly.

"Where? We haven't bathed in warm water in ages!" Rin said eagerly.

"It's over that way!" Katsumi said, pointing off to the side. It wasn't visible through the trees, but they knew it was there.

"..." Sesshoumaru was on the fence about stopping. Katsumi and Rin were looking at him with sparkling eyes. "You have twenty minutes."

"Yay!" the girls said and promptly rushed off to bathe. Jaken sighed.

'How do they get away with it?' the imp wondered.

"The water feels great, doesn't, Katsumi-nee?" Rin said, swimming around a little.

"You said it!" Katsumi said, leaning back. The sulfur tickled her nose. Rin splashed her. Katsumi stood up and splashed her back.

"Oh-ho?"

Katsumi froze. Her eyes slowly slid over to look at the source of the sound, where she saw none other than Totosai. She realized he had a full view of her.

"Kyaa!" she cried immediately covering her chest. Thankfully the water came up above her hips. The sulfur must have been interfering with her sense of smell more than she thought, not to have sensed him coming.

"Uwah!" Totosai cried out, as if he were equally startled. Katsumi had nothing to throw, so she stunned him with a faerie shot. It was at that moment that Sesshoumaru appeared, sword drawn. Katsumi froze. Sesshoumaru took in the scene before him. It was pretty obvious what had happened. Totosai was lucky Katsumi had already dealt with him. He put Tokijin away and looked at Katsumi. His eyes were drawn to her back. Her hair was pulled to one side, and he could see it fully. There was scar with an intricate knotted pattern that almost looked like a stylized tree. It was hidden from view when Katsumi suddenly plunged back down into the water. She sat there with it up to her neck, face red, avoiding eye contact. Clearly embarrassed.

"What's wrong, Katsumi-nee?" Rin asked innocently.

"... Your twenty minutes are up," Sesshoumaru told them, then turned and left.

"?" Katsumi was a little surprised that was all he had to say on the matter. He seemed just as composed as always. She didn't mean to show off, but she was a little disappointed that he didn't react at all. It suddenly felt stupid to be the only one embarrassed. Katsumi sighed. She and Rin got dressed and rejoined the others. Katsumi pulled Totosai along behind her, letting him drag on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked her.

"Well, I get the feeling he wasn't just there by coincidence, so if he was looking for me for some reason, maybe I should hear him out," Katsumi reasoned. "If he can't give me a good reason for being there, I'll pulverize him." That seemed fair to Sesshoumaru, maybe a little too fair. He thought it wouldn't be too late to hear Totosai out after a beating had loosened his tongue. It was probably better not to kill him while he could still be of some use.