Blood Blades

Kin

    "Sniff, sniff..." hmm...I smell dragon. Faint and still far off, but it is on the wind...
    "You smell it too, sweetheart? We are getting closer." She opened her eyes and lifted her head. The sun was just touching the horizon in a gorgeous sunset kissed with pinks and reds, but Karuma barely noticed...there is something else...Not a scent, just a strange feeling. "What is it, princess? You seem on edge."
     "I...don't know. I feel something...and it isn't the dragon." She looked ahead into the gathering gloom. A dense line of dark trees could be seen far off...the forest. Wow...it looked huge...and black. A deep stain in the encroaching darkness. Ominous. She felt a shiver run down her spine...fear or excitement? Something was there... "There..." she pointed to the southern edge of the trees, "it comes from there. Head to that tree line over there, love...please. I don't know...something is at pulling me."
     She felt him tense up, on edge now as well as he scanned the trees ahead and scented the air. He must feel her tension, she was shaking a bit...but, oddly, she didn't feel scared...what the hell is that? She touched his cheek, his eyes coming to hers. "It's okay, Sesshomaru, it doesn't seem threatening...at least, not yet."
    "Erect your scent barrier, Karuma. We need to tell the others." She complied as he dropped down to Inuyasha and the wolves. Coming to a landing in front of them, Inuyasha came to a skidding halt before he bowled them over.
    "Dammit, you two! What the hell!?...appearing outta nowhere like that..." the pup's voice dropped to a mumble as he grumbled. Karuma chuckled at him and hopped out of Sesshomaru's arms, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
    "About time you woke up, half demon." Koga spoke up, stepping closer to them and smiling. "Feelin' any better, princess?"
    "Yes, I am as a matter of fact, thanks for asking...can you boys smell it in the air?"
    "Yeah, we are getting closer...I smell trees too, really old ones. Your elven forest I'm assuming?" The wolf asked. Karuma nodded in answer.
    Her head turned toward the dense forest. "Along the southern edge of the tree line is where I'm bound. Something is there...I wish to know exactly what it is. I need no worries once we enter those trees."
    "Right. Let's go see what it is." Koga said, grinning at her and eager to help.   
     Karuma grinned back and nodded, then, surprising Koga, she flipped backwards into the air, landing lightly on her toes on Ah-Un's back. Sesshomaru climbed up behind her, she sat and leaned into him with a contented sigh, snuggling into his fur. "That way, boys." She pointed to the southern edge of the trees that they couldn't quite see yet in the gathering darkness from the ground. They took off, Inuyasha running beside them with Myoga.
    "How do you know something is out there, Ruma? All I smell is dragon and moldy, old trees."
    "Not a scent, Inuyasha. A presence, I feel it." Faint, but a feeling can sometimes hit harder than a scent. On your insides...like a ghostly touch.
    "How can something be there without a scent?"
     Her eyebrow shot up. Seriously, Inuyasha?...think boy, geez...always thick sculled. It was definitely not an elf ability. This has dog written all over it. What's more...a dog like her. "Can you smell me, pup?" She felt Sesshomaru tense up again.
    "What are you saying, Karuma?" He asked loud enough for his brother and the flea to hear. They listened intently for her answer.
    "That kin other than the elves may be lurking here. This creature can mask it's scent, just like me. It doesn't seem aggressive as of yet, just keep on your toes, loves." Sesshomaru's arms wrapped around her, hugging her tightly as he scanned the surrounding area.
    "A demon dog like you, Ruma? But, I thought you were the only one."
   "The hounds of my race still live, Inuyasha. But, you are correct, none are like me." I stand alone. But, breed and creed mattered not. With her background and Sesshomaru's love...her power far outweighed the power of both races that made up her. With her betrothed...my god, betrothed, that sounds sooo good...she had nothing to fear...bring it on!
   "Yes, princess. You are definitely one of a kind." Sesshomaru whispered in her ear, melting her insides. A smile spread across her face. Even if there were others like her, Sesshomaru would still say that. There were none like him either...her prince...
    "Thank you, love, although when I was younger I wished it were otherwise. It can be pretty lonely being the only one." His arms squeezed tighter.
    "Oh, sweetheart... you have me, and your family. They want to keep you almost as much as myself. You are not alone anymore Karuma." Tears filled her eyes again. No, definitely not alone anymore. My family wants to keep me. It is an awesome feeling being wanted and loved. Belonging.
   "I know, my love...and I couldn't be happier, or more grateful. Nothing compares to the feeling of belonging right where I am supposed to be." My heart couldn't be happier. "It's an amazing thing, to belong."
   "Yes, Karuma. You belong here...this..."His arms squeezed her again, hugging her close to his heart. "This is home." She sighed and practically melted into him, leaning back and turning her face up to his with a soft smile. His eyes came to hers. "Beautiful..."
    Now she grinned, fangs showing. "Stud muffin."
    He burst out laughing. "What!? What on earth is that?"
    "A very sexy demon I could eat for breakfast." She answered, laughing, and wiggling her eyebrows up and down. He laughed again, she leaned closer. "You think I jest?...because you look incredibly tempting indeed...makes me want to take a bite." She nipped the side of his neck.
    "Mm. Damn...focus, Karuma, we don't need a distraction right now, what with that presence you sense. Later, sweetheart...we camp again soon."
    "Mmm...That's a promise, love." She whispered. He groaned, leaning down and kissing her softly, sweetly. He lifted his head again, setting his forehead on hers.
    "You are too tempting by far, elf...but we are almost to the trees, they loom ahead. Do you still sense it?" He asked as he lifted his head again and nodded in the direction of the trees...which appeared as a splotchy, black ink patch in the encroaching night. Eerie.
    "Yes...it's here. Somewhere near the tree line." She pointed ahead. The trees...they seemed to call out to her...this forest is ancient...rooted deep in the sands of time. Respect was required here...or else one may never come back out again. I'd like to know how that dragon managed to pass through...unless he was more powerful than the forest itself. She shuddered.
    "You alright, sweetheart?" Sesshomaru asked, feeling her shake.
    "I'll be fine...just wondering how the hell Ryokomo managed to pass through this forest. Unless he is more powerful than the might of the ancients rising out of the night over there. This forest is old and deep rooted. The trees would've most likely rejected that dragon if they had had the power to do so."
    He nodded, looking toward the trees again. "Hmm...and what about us, princess? Will we be able to pass through?"
    "If we show those trees the proper respect they deserve, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. So, no burning of live trees, just deadfall...if we have a fire. Might not be a good idea though, to draw attention to ourselves like that so close to that dragon...other than that presence I feel...oh, I don't know...it seems those trees are aware of us, watching us intently. Waiting to see if we slip up. An anger rests among them, most likely stirred up by that damned dragon and his underlings...but, who knows? If the trees figure out that we are trying to eliminate the threat here...they may help us out."
    "It matters little if they help us, Karuma. Just so long as they don't hinder us." He said this, eyeballing the trees with suspicion. She could feel his tension radiating off him, his aura on edge.
    "Relax, baby. If I can sense your uneasiness, so can those trees. They cannot move from where they have been rooted for untold millennia, so they gauge the world through what is felt in their roots...and their reach is far and deep. If you are on edge, so are they." If anything, she knew trees better than most beings that walked freely upon the land. They were her first friends when she was young...living among them for centuries...she also knew that mushrooms helped relay messages to trees such as these as well. Looking toward the ground, she could see their soft caps spreading far and wide. These trees definitely had a long reach indeed.
    Not necessarily demons, but so old and wise...and knowledgeable...their powers of perception far exceeded that of demons or angels. A power of the earth...another child of Mother Earth and Father Time. The 'newer' elves had learned from them...how to live and grow. Now, ancient sentinels begging to tell their history to those that knew how to listen. Karuma could spend an eternity here, and still have more to learn. The elf in her was positively bursting to spend time here. No, now is not the time.
    They came to the edge of the trees. "Stop here, Ah-Un." The beast slowed, then landed, jittery, they shook. "It's alright, loves." She petted their scales as the others came to a halt beside them. She addressed everyone. "Do you see anything, boys? I can literally feel that creature everywhere. We are right on top of it." So hard to calm those around her when she literally shook in anticipation herself. This feeling...it is different than anything she had ever felt before...and yet...it seemed so familiar...
    "Come, my love. Let's have a look around." She leaned forward and hopped off Ah-Un, Sesshomaru right behind her, his eyes darting around, trying to see anything that might seem out of place in the gathering darkness. Ah-Un groaned, looking straight ahead into the shadows of the trees, where a darker shadow stood, with nothing to cast it. Two blue pinpoints, like blue flame candles stared back at her from the trees. The strange feeling intensified as Karuma's eyes met the creature's within the darkness...incredibly blue eyes...just like mine.
    "Sesshomaru...over there." She spoke quietly, pointing in the direction of the shadowy, four legged beast. When their eyes had met...a connection was there. Something, she knew, was about to change drastically. What on earth was this creature to her? And why did she feel this instant connection?
    Sesshomaru was instantly on guard, a low growl rumbling from him as he moved in front of her protectively...his hand moving to his Bakusaiga as he stared the creature down menacingly. Then...all her boys moved in front of her...all growling at this potential threat. Even Ah-Un put her behind them, a low rumble bubbled in their belly as they stoked their fire, smoke rising out from their nostrils.
     A warm feeling embraced her as her friends and family stood their ground to protect her. The threat was minimal to nonexistent, but the kindhearted gesture brought tears to her eyes none the less. Nope, not alone anymore Karuma...
    Her eyes followed the shadowy figure as it emerged from the trees, knowing he had been seen, he came out of hiding. Black, longish, wavy fur with a thick ruff at his withers, flowed like shiny silk as he moved closer cautiously. He sat just out of the reach of their weapons and watched her closely, expectantly.
   "Who are you?" Karuma asked, showing no fear as she stepped around her bodyguards and walked closer to the creature.
   "Be careful, Karuma." Sesshomaru spoke up beside her, keeping close to her side. The dog's eyes shot to him...if a dog could scowl, that would be it. She put a calming hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder.
   "He means no harm, love. Please, let him come to me." She knelt down, looking into the beast's eyes, she beckoned him forward. His blue eyes shot to Sesshomaru again, who still stood with his hand upon his sword. Karuma spoke up more forcefully. "Stand down everyone...now, please." They looked to her with uncertainty, seeing she showed no fear whatsoever though, they relaxed their guard. Only Sesshomaru now stood by protectively, but asking him to stand down and relax would be impossible. He would protect her...always.
    Karuma now nodded to the beast, then sat cross legged in the grass beside the trees, waiting for him to approach her. Sesshomaru sat close beside her, watching the creature start to move toward them again. He stopped and sat close beside her, his eyes locking with hers, so incredibly blue...like looking in a mirror. Reaching out slowly, she petted his silky fur beside his ear...his head tilted into her hand and he closed his eyes, a quiet growl rumbled his chest.
My god...It can't be...can it!? Could it be possible? It is very common for dog demons, after all...her father must not have known...known about...her brother...
   "Holy shit..." she whispered, loud enough for Sesshomaru and her brother, to hear. His blue eyes opened and met hers again as he nodded to her...yup, this is real, I have blood kin! A brother!...no wonder I felt such a strong connection.
   "What is it, princess?" Sesshomaru asked, concerned...his hand inching toward his sword again.
   "My...brother." She spoke louder, so everyone could hear. Then, surprising the half demon sitting next to her, she threw her arms around his neck, burying her fingers in his ruff, and crying into his fur. He stiffened, his eyes going wide, then, slowly he opened his black wings up, wrapping his strong, sinewy arms around her. Gruffly, he spoke quietly to her.
   "I was told to stay away, my one condition for your safety. But, you found me...I wanted to come to you so badly, but the demon hounds said no, and in no uncertain terms, threatened your life...the elves only knew of one, not two...as long as I stayed away, we would both remain safe...So, my way of protecting you from afar, was to guard that door, so no elves returned to pursue you. The demon hounds placed me here long ago, after major bloodshed, warring with the elves...because of their hunt for Mother, a princess among her own kind and highly respected as well, despite her choice of a mate. The demon hounds had no choice but to protect her, killing many from both sides...and my punishment for my birth was to guard the door only I can see. But, I did so gladly, to protect you, Karuma."
    She lifted her head from his shoulder, and caught her breath. Wow!...holy shit! He is definitely a head turner. Although the exact opposite of her. Where she was fair skinned and pale, he was dark...raven black silky hair hung passed his shoulders, behind his pointed ears...black wings hung open around him still...but his demon marks matched her own, when she had them anyhow. His skin was darker, tanned golden, his brows matched his dark hair...the blue of his eyes stood out gorgeously with his dark features...a black tail hung behind him. He matched the true darkness of their breed...like their mother...his outfit dark as well, blending into the darkness around them...the garb, she knew, was a secret among the demon hounds, and changed like a chameleon depending on the surroundings...dark now to match the darkness surrounding them.
    "You know my name...but I do not know yours. What is your name, brother?"
    "Himitsu...a secret well kept." Wow. Perfect. She reached out and touched his cheek, tears filling her eyes again. She swallowed passed the lump in her throat.
    "Himitsu...a secret no longer. Your place is beside me, brother, from here on out...if you wish it, that is." His hand reached up and cupped around hers...his eyes filling with tears as well.
    "I have wished it for centuries, Karuma...dreaming of this day, and what I might say to you. I'm sorry you had to face this world alone...I should have been there beside you."
    "I am not alone anymore, Himitsu. And my family only keeps growing...welcome to the fold, brother." She turned her teary eyes to Sesshomaru and smiled, grabbing his hand. "Himitsu, this is my intended mate and husband, Sesshomaru."
    Himitsu's blue eyes turned to Sesshomaru, a look passed between them. "The Lord of the West. I have heard much about you, demon...and not all good things either. What makes you think you deserve Karuma?" Woah! Karuma was instantly on guard, holding Sesshomaru's hand tightly, she felt him shake, anger rising.
    "What gives you the right to ask me that!? What makes you think you deserve her any more than I? You were too weak to defy orders and simply come to her when she needed you. If not for Father, she would have died...alone. You were not there to protect her...if not for my brother, again, she would have died, alone. And...if not for me...she would have died, alone. So, again, I ask you...what gives you the right to ask me that?....to me, you are still weak...and we deserve her far more than you." Wow. That wiped the look off her brother's face. He stared Sesshomaru down with a scowl, then slowly nodded his head.
    "You are correct, Sesshomaru, as much as I hate to admit it. And, if you will allow, I would like the chance to prove that I do deserve to be her brother." He spoke quietly, contrite.
    "I am skeptical, half demon...but, Karuma wouldn't have it any other way. We pursue the elves and then, that dragon...you will help us, correct?"
    Himitsu's eyes widened upon hearing their intentions. "I will help, but I don't think that pursuing the elves is such a good idea...I was set to guard that door for a reason. The elves can be ruthless...more so than demons."
   "Then I shall simply kill them all. Fear not, Himitsu."
   "Your confidence is astounding. The elves are no weaklings, Sesshomaru."
   "Neither am I."
   "And neither are we." Koga spoke up. "Sorry to interrupt, but are you gonna introduce us, Karuma? We should hunt down dinner before it gets too late."
    Inuyasha pushed his way between the wolves. "Back off, Koga. You..." he pointed a finger at Himitsu, kneeling down...he stared down the other half demon with a classic Inuyasha ugly look, his hand gripping the handle of his sword. "Karuma may trust you, but that don't mean that I do. You slip up just once and I will take great pleasure in running you through with my Tessaiga... whether you're her blood kin or not, it don't matter to me. No one hurts Karuma...she has been through enough suffering...you ain't gonna add to it."
Oh Inuyasha... "Umm...Himitsu. This is Sesshomaru's brother, and my foster son, Inuyasha."
    "Ahh. The outspoken half demon. I have heard much about you as well, Inuyasha...you have made quite a name for yourself. I will heed your warning and will not cross you, you need not worry, boy...I have waited an eternity for this day to come to pass. I only wish to help ease Karuma's burdens, not add to them. You have my word that if I do happen to hurt her in any way, I will willingly expose my own neck to your sword, and allow you to lop off my head. Is it a deal?" He extended his hand to Inuyasha, who looked at his outstretched hand in disgust.
    "Teh...you expect me to accept you so easily? Trust is earned, Himitsu..." Inuyasha spat out his name... "and so far, you ain't done anything to earn it. In fact, your actions in doing absolutely nothing...your absence her entire life, says a lot. Were it not for the fact that Karuma wants you by her side, I would kill you here and now. So don't push me, elf...you deserve nothing more for all the nothing you did."
     Himitsu's hand dropped as Inuyasha turned away from him. He was definitely going to have to do more than speak eloquently to win Karuma's brood over. Boorish creature...but she obviously cares about him. She had raised him after all...his eyes turned to the wolves. Barbaric animals...Karuma certainly keeps some interesting company. The beast traveling with them groaned to Karuma, coming to lay beside her. A two-headed dragon horse!? Interesting company indeed...the beast eyeballed him as it laid down, a grumble issuing from it's belly.
    "It's okay, Ah-Un. Relax, loves." She petted their scales affectionately, leaning over and taking armor off from around their necks and setting it aside, with a bright smile. Damn, sister...you are beautiful. His eyes traveled to Sesshomaru again, who had edged closer to Karuma, his eyes watching her closely until she finished with her task, then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back into him...her smile grew wider as she cuddled into him. She seems really happy...What right do I have to intrude? Her eyes landed on him, she cocked her head to the side as her eyes met his and she directed her beautiful smile his way.
    "I have so many questions for you, but I do not want to overwhelm you. I want to know all about you, Himitsu."
    "Please sister, overwhelm me. I wish to know all about you as well...you obviously have quite a story to tell." She is so comforting...accepting of me. No one has ever accepted me so quickly and without question. An instant connection...it is said that twins share a strong bond...
   "Hang on a sec...Koga." A young wolf, taller than the other two, stepped forward. "Himitsu, this is my friend and ally, Koga, leader of the demon wolf pack from the northern mountains. Ginta and Hakkaku are his men." Ally!? The dog demons and wolves had been at odds for centuries...and they are allies? Huh, Karuma is something else, if she can bring old enemies together in friendship once again. A diplomat...and a damned good one at that. He nodded to the wolves.
   "Myoga, I don't care who the hell he thinks he is...I ain't gotta be nice to him. Karuma deserves better than that, and you know it." Inuyasha barked out, seeming to talk to himself.
   Karuma cleared her throat. "Koga, I grow hungry, my friend. Can you boys go track down supper for us?" Starting to feel weak again...gotta eat and Serenade soon.
   The wolf smiled at her and nodded. "Sure thing, Karuma. You rest and catch up with your brother, princess. We will return shortly."
   "Just be careful in that forest. Be nice and respectful to the trees and you shouldn't have any problems." Koga nodded, and took off with the other two wolves into the darkness within the trees. She spoke to Himitsu once again, after the wolves had gone.
   "Do you Serenade, Himitsu?" I need to, and soon. The pressure is building again. Her body started to shake, sweat slicked her skin.
    Sesshomaru felt her shaking. "Are you alright, Karuma?"
   "No. I must Serenade, that's why I asked." No time to explain why to her brother.
   "Inuyasha...Karuma needs us. Now, brother."
   "Right." He came and sat beside them. "Ready when you are, Ruma."
   She immediately brought her spheres out, combining the flute, violin, and acoustic guitar. She started humming and swaying with the music, her boys joining in a step behind her. Yes, better already...
   Himitsu's eyes widened, hearing the demons join her. He could and did Serenade...he had to, to keep the demon at bay...but demons joining in!? His jaw dropped...this is completely unheard of and unexpected. Unbelievable...he acutely felt the power flow she was channeling...and knew that he could add to it.
   "Damn, Karuma..." she looked to him, smiling...her eyes glowing. She nodded to him, doing a come on motion with her fingers. He smiled and nodded back...and started humming along with them.
    Karuma immediately felt the difference in the Serenade with Himitsu humming along. Another, like herself was joining in the spell...and his voice was amazing, higher than the others, with a touch of that elfin magic. He blended in beautifully, but didn't overwhelm her by trying to take the lead in the spell...he just helped her shoulder the burden a bit...and he soothed her, almost like an extension of herself...he could help her lead the spell when she had more voices to weave into it.
    Yes...it's time. She opened her mouth and started singing along to the music, her voice ringing out into the night. It almost seemed that the trees bent to listen...the rustling in the darkness growing quiet. Slowly, she saw a path opening up beneath them, blue, ghostly flames spaced out along it. What!? What the hell is going on?
   Himitsu stopped humming, looking down the path. "You see it, sister?"
   She nodded to him, the pathway distracting her from singing, although she kept the music playing. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru quieted.
   "What's the matter, Karuma?" Sesshomaru asked, wondering why she had stopped.
   Himitsu nodded toward Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. "The others cannot see it, sister. Only royals can see the path, and open the door. What's more, the pathway can only be seen at night...the blue flames do not light the way under the light of the sun."
    "The veil of light conceals what the darkness reveals." Karuma spoke quietly.
     Himitsu nodded. "Yes, that is the riddle. What it doesn't mention is how to open the path. The Serenade...the trees love the elven Serenade. It puts them in a trance, allowing the pathway to be opened."
    "You see a path, sweetheart?" Sesshomaru asked quietly.
     She turned to look toward him, nodding her head. "Yes, that way." Her finger pointed toward the path leading through the dense forest. "How far away is that door, Himitsu?" Karuma asked, turning back to her brother.
    "It all depends on how deep of a trance those trees are in...a deep trance equals a shorter trip...so, one never knows until they actually reach the door. The trees are very tricky, and don't reveal their secrets easily..."
"Teh...so what you're saying is, you're clueless. Big surprise."
"Inuyasha..." dammit pup.
"Well, we don't have much time, Ruma. You are getting weaker by the hour...and he can't give us a straight answer. After all his time here, you would think he would know more about this path and door. We are wasting time on his ignorance."
Himitsu's cheeks turned pink...the truth ringing in Inuyasha's words...but one thing he had said stood out amongst the rest. "Karuma...what's going on? Why are you weakening, sister?"
Now it was her turn for pink cheeks. They brightened as her eyes dropped...shit. Never thought I would have to talk about my heat with an actual relative. This is awkward...umm, how the hell do I begin?...yeah, I'm trying to fight my instincts so I don't get caught with my pants down, so to speak. Nothing like knowing your own sister is hot and horny with hormones off the charts. Geez...this is embarrassing. Her cheeks brightened a deep red.
    "Karuma?" Himitsu's voice held a note of urgency...he is worried about me, dammit. She pushed back further into Sesshomaru, trying to hide her red cheeks.
     Sesshomaru sighed. "Your sister is currently fighting her heat, Himitsu...the Serenade keeps it at bay, for now. We cannot be rendered powerless until that dragon lies dead. We do have a plan, but in order for it to work, we need more voices...which is why we seek the elves. With their help, we may be able to pull it off."
"Why on earth do you want to take on that dragon!? I saw his passing to the temple...the trees alerted me to his coming days before he arrived...they felt his coming. His power is massive. And, you seek the elves' assistance in defeating him!? Nothing could persuade the elves to help."
"Umm...excuse me for interrupting, but I do believe the princess could convince them...after all, she managed to persuade demons to sing with her...not all the elves wanted to leave this realm. She is the next in line to the thrown...she could liberate them in return for their help."
Himitsu looked around for this new voice coming from the vicinity of Inuyasha.
"That's Myoga, a flea demon and Inuyasha's vassal." Karuma leaned out toward Inuyasha and held out her hand to let Myoga jump on, then brought him closer to her brother.
Himitsu bent to get a closer look, watching the flea take a bow, then sit. "Prince Himitsu, it is indeed a surprise to learn there is more than one creature like the princess...we used to have long talks in the past, and she spoke of how she wished there was someone out there like her. You are literally a wish come true to her."
"Myoga...I spoke in confidence that what was said would travel no further. Really bug, you have a big mouth for such a tiny parasite." Geez...damn bug. Himitsu smiled sheepishly, looking up at her.
"I am so sorry, sister, I at least knew of your existence...and it gave me comfort knowing I had you alive out there. You had no one...dammit, I really am a bastard, aren't I?"
"Teh...bullseye..." Inuyasha mumbled...and Sesshomaru's head nodded slightly in agreement.
Karuma sighed. "Himitsu...please don't feel guilty...I have you now, correct?" He nodded. "You can help me now, brother...I felt your power in the Serenade. When I have more voices to weave into my spell, help me lead them. I can feel it...you possess the power to do this. The energy must be converted to be used as a weapon...just follow my lead Himitsu, we can do this, together brother."
"How the hell are you so strong, sister? I had no idea it was possible to use the Serenade as a weapon, or that demon power could be harnessed through it...you are amazing, princess."
"It's a long story, that involves a lot of hardships...and dragons..." she looked back at Sesshomaru. "But, my happiness far outweighs all the bull shit that I've had to go through..." His golden eyes met hers. "I wouldn't change anything if it meant having a different outcome."
"Oh, sweetheart..." he whispered, ignoring everyone, his lips came down on hers in a tender kiss that melted her heart. He lifted his head again, leaning toward her ear and whispering. "I love you, Karuma."
"Mmhm...I love you too, baby."
"Karuma?"Himitsu spoke up, a note of wonder in his tone. She turned back to him. "How do you keep the Serenade going like this when you are so obviously distracted? Full blooded elves can't even do that...it usually requires concentrated focus...and the music. I've heard the flute...but not the other two instruments that accompany it. It sounds beautiful, sister."
She chuckled. "Again...it's a long story. But thank you for the compliment, brother."
   "You're welcome...I hope to hear all your long stories, Karuma...when we have time, that is. But, I do wish to know why you pursue that dragon...especially if your heat is looming." Her cheeks brightened again. "We just found each other, sister..." he spoke quietly, "and to be completely honest, the thought frightens me. I don't want to lose you now...maybe I am weak."
"I pursue the dragon because I have to. Believe me, I have no desire whatsoever to face off with this foe...but he threatens all I hold dear. I cannot back down now, no matter how much I wish I could. And I must destroy him quickly...after supper tonight, we follow that path...Myoga, can you perhaps stay with Himitsu? Fill him in on what you know, my friend..." The flea nodded and hopped on Himitsu's shoulder. "Thanks, Myoga...now..." she did a sweeping motion with her hand and her spheres disappeared, as did the path. "We will get the wolves to help open the path when they return, and perhaps it will shorten the way considerably. As of now...I need to rest again, I feel weak, so I must move away...my scent barrier disappears when I rest, and we cannot have that around anyone right now."
    Karuma leaned away from Sesshomaru and stood up, looking behind at him with a smile. "Care for a walk through the woods with me, love?" She spoke softly to him. "I would like to take a look around before I rest." He nodded and stood as she turned to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, tell Koga to howl when he returns please. I do need to eat...I will return."
"Okay, Ruma." He gave her a one sided grin and a raised eyebrow. "Get some rest, sister."
She chuckled, her cheeks turning pink. "Oh, I intend to, pup. Be good to Himitsu, please. I want him in one piece when I return."
"Feh...it all depends on how he acts. I ain't making no promises."
Karuma rolled her eyes... "please, Inuyasha...I don't need to stress about this, boy...I got enough worries as it is."
"Yeah, Okay...whatever, I won't kill em." She smiled brightly at him.
"Thank you, pup."
"Why do I get the feeling I've been had?" He mumbled...Sesshomaru chuckled behind her.
"I will return, Himitsu...meanwhile, you and Myoga talk." She said, turning to her brother again.
"Okay, sister. Enjoy the trees, it's a different world beneath them. I feel at peace every time I step under them."
Sesshomaru reached out and took her by the hand. "Shall we, princess?"
Her eyes came back to his as her head turned to him...a bright smile on her face, for his benefit. He sucked in a quick breath. "Yup, I'm ready handsome." They walked together under the trees...