Ice and Snow, Mind and Heart

Chapter 16: Family

As Sesshomaru reached the edge of the castle grounds, Yuki caught up with him.

"Hey, Sesshomaru-" She began, and he cut in without looking at her: "Why did you hide it from me?"

"Huh?" She asked blankly, and he glanced at her briefly before looking back to the front as he repeated: "Why did you hide that you become mortal on the nights of the full moon?"

"Oh... well..." Yuki stammered, taken aback. It wasn't that she was thrown by his inquiry; after all, it was quite a legitimate question given the circumstances. But she was surprised by his tone, which seemed borderline gentle and genuinely thoughtful.

"I'm just not used to sharing that information." Yuki answered slowly. "And I guess... I don't know, I didn't think you would take it too well."

He glanced at her, and she added defensively: "Well, you do make your hatred of humans, aside from Rin, and weakness in general, pretty well known."

"Hn." He replied and then continued to walk while looking ahead. Yuki trailed by his side, looking up at him curiously.

"Did it bother you?" She wondered, and he answered curtly: "You were foolish."

She sighed, before she was taken aback as he continued: "You said you wished to protect Rin, but if you do not let us know that you yourself will be weakened, then how will you protect her?"

"Well." Yuki said uncomfortably. "I was planning to tell you, some day, just maybe, you know, later."

"You were going to run away." He said flatly, and she snapped, annoyed: "All right, yes, it was because I was a coward. Happy?"

"No." He answered, and she muttered under her breath: "You're never happy."

At that moment, she tripped over a root on the road and started to fall with a small yelp. But before she could face-plant into the ground, strong hands wrapped around her arm and yanked her back up. Yuki started as she found herself against a hard body, and she looked up in surprise as Sesshomaru looked down at her.

"Hm." He said as he released her while she turned beet-red in embarrassment and mortification, her heart beating wildly, when she noticed the tiny amused glint in his golden eyes.

"Shut up, it's only because I'm human right now." She grumbled, but she was surprised when Sesshomaru snorted softly.

"Did you... just laugh?" She asked, her heart beating for a different reason, but he answered flatly: "No."

"You did, you just laughed." She said numbly, and he replied sharply: "I did no such thing."

Yuki's lips curved up in a smile, but she let the topic drop, knowing his pride was too strong for him to admit to something he considered to be shameful. But she did tug on his empty left sleeve to get his attention once more, and he glanced down at her with a slight scowl on his face.

Yuki checked her amusement, simply giving him a genuinely warm smile as she said: "Thank you, for saving me."

He blinked, taken aback by her sincerity and the way her smile softened her features and warmed her eyes. He quickly turned away, saying carelessly: "It was nothing. I merely wished to test my sword."

'Sure, you did.' Yuki thought with another smile, but she didn't say it aloud. 'Him and his pride.'

"And don't expect this to happen again."

Yuki rolled her eyes, thinking he was talking about saving her, but she was surprised when Sesshomaru half-ordered: "From now on, when it is the full moon, you will stay with Rin. A-Un will protect both Rin and you, Yuki."