The Servant of the Demon Lord

~Chapter 14~

Mayu sighed as she let Sesshomaru's hand go. She dragged him out to the royal gardens where Rin really like to play. There was a large pond full of colorful fish, many flowers, places to sit, and more.

"We haven't even been here for a full day." She whispered before reaching up and fixing her hair. She simply braided it this time due to the celebration being over, though, she still wore Sesshomaru's hairpin. Sesshomaru was silent, though, Mayu supposed that was better than a growl or bark. She lowered her arms and turned to Sesshomaru, his eyes making her hesitate once more. She sighed once more crossing her arms and looking to the side.

"Well, your door is now shattered, and I'm expecting your mother to come anytime now. However, there is good news. I know how to contact Haha tsuki thanks to your mother." Mayu started expecting Sesshomaru to tell her to go on, but he still said nothing.

"Sh-She said that a week after the Obon Festival, we must make it to the highest peak to contact her when she is well-rested after releasing the spirits of our ancestors to reunite with their loved ones." Mayu finished. Silence. This was bugging her, why was he silent? Was he angry at her for dragging him off? Then why would he let her in the first place? Mayu jumped and quickly looked up when she felt something touch her cheek, he was touching her cheek.

"S-Sesshomaru-sama?" Mayu stuttered out, her face growing a little warm. His hand itself was warm as well, it was nice compared to the cool air of the night. 

"Are you hurt?" He finally spoke, his voice was so hushed Mayu nearly didn't hear him.

"N-No?" Mayu muttered. Sesshomaru's thumb carefully traded her cheek making her close her eye afraid his claw would poke it, but he was ever so gentle. Mayu looked up at his eyes again, they didn't change back, but they held a soft gaze.

'I am your lord, you may be my servant but you are my subject none the less, it is in my duty as a lord to protect you.' His words played in Mayu's mind. She slowly brought a hand to rest over his as she closed her eyes.

"A week after the Obon Festival?" He asked making Mayu look up at him again.

"Yes. Though, I am unsure of where the highest peak is." She muttered calmly.

"I do, it is fine." Mayu nodded. There was silence yet again, then Mayu sighed softly lowering her hand and moving from Sesshomaru's touch.

"I'll leave you to yourself." She muttered before walking past him, however, something soft wrapped around her making her stop. She looked down to see his Mokomoko-san carefully holding her waist. She looked over her shoulder to see Sesshomaru looking at her.

"Come." He simply said before walking, his Mokomoko-san unwrapping itself as he did so. Mayu hesitated but did as told and followed. They walked for a short amount of time before they came upon an outdoor couch swing that was round, with many pillows and blankets, if Mayu could admit, it looked more like a bed than a couch. Was it a bed? He walked over and took a seat leaning back getting comfortable. He let out a deep breath before motioning for Mayu to join him. Mayu nodded and walked over sitting beside him, though, she didn't lean back as Sesshomaru did.

"My anger was not justified, I know that." He spoke up making Mayu look over, he was still tense, eyes still demonic.

"Him questioning your love of your people was not justified either." Mayu spoke softly. Sesshomaru's gaze fell on her before sitting up once more.

"We have a week until the Obon Festival, so we have no choice but to wait for two weeks. Two weeks more of suffering." He muttered. Mayu frowned.

"You should make an announcement, tell them you're trying. I'm sure they'll appreciate your concern." Mayu said with a gentle smile. Sesshomaru nodded, then looked ahead. Mayu thought for a moment then put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"You should rest, Sesshomaru-sama, you're tense." She spoke. Sesshomaru glanced over, then closed his eyes.

"I suppose." He whispered. Mayu glanced over and saw the clasp to his chest piece. She reached over unlatching it taking it from him making him flinch. It was awfully heavy, but she managed to set it on the ground below. She then reached over and unclasped the next three that took off his full chested armor piece, thankfully it wasn't as heavy as the first one.

"Better?" She asked with a warm smile. Sesshomaru stayed silent as he laid back once more. Mayu let out a silent giggle before she looked at one of the many blankets. She grabbed it and spread it open to cover him making him look over at her.

"There. Now, I need to check on Rin." Mayu said in a gentle tone as she was about to get up.

"Amaya has Rin, take the night off." Sesshomaru muttered. Mayu sighed, once again, he wouldn't take no for an answer. With this thought in mind, she finally laid back next to Sesshomaru.

"Until the two weeks, what do we do?" Mayu asked looking over.

"Unsure." Sesshomaru muttered.

"Well, we need resources right?" Sesshomaru nodded.

"Hmm, do we have allies to trade with?" Mayu asked.

"No, out kind have stood alone for as long as I remember." He said.

"Well, let's change that." Mayu said turning over making Sesshomaru look over at her.

"We have the village who I'm sure could use a hand or need something we have in bundles. Maybe Kagome knows someone willing to trade as well." Mayu suggested.

"Possibly, but I cannot leave, not now." Sesshomaru muttered.

"How about this, I can go with Rin, A-Un, and Jaken to talk to them." Sesshomaru thought for a moment.

"Have you spoken to Amaya before today?" He asked.

"No, I haven't." Mayu admitted.

"She will go with you, I want you and Rin protected." Mayu perked up at this. She nodded gently.

"Want us to leave tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yes, I will discuss it with Amaya in the morning." He said before closing his eyes. Mayu smiled before looking over at one of the wooden poles holding the swing up. She reached over with her foot and pushed gently to make them swing every so gently as she got comfy and closed her eyes.

'How odd you can be, Sesshomaru. Trusting a human servant you hardly know over your own people.' She took one more peek at him for a moment.

'Then again, everyone but Rin, Eri, and possibly Amaya seems to be so harsh on you. Criticize you when you ask for aid, calling it weakness.' She closed her eyes again.

'No one's perfect, I just wish they knew how worried you really were.' After that thought, Mayu drifted off. When her breathing slowed, Sesshomaru opened his eyes and looked over.

'Motherly, the one word to describe you.' He carefully turned over facing her. He brought his hand over and moved a stray lock of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.

'You care for others, yet, sometimes you forget yourself. Like Rin, no wonder you two get along.' His eyes slowly bled back to their normal colors.

'Why do I even care?' He though as his gaze softened.

'I think your father's past is clouding your mind Sesshomaru, you know you don't have to be like him. Right?' His mother's words spoke within his mind making him close his eyes tightly.

'No, I refuse to make the same mistake.' He opened his eyes once more when Mayu moved. She curled up more, a shiver running through her frail body. Sesshomaru sighed and took the blanket she had put on him moving it to cover them both, it was so large it nearly touched the ground below. Sesshomaru closed his eyes once more as a couple of droplets fell from the sky, a couple more, and a couple more. Thankfully, they had the wooden roofing attached to the wooden poles holding the swing up to keep them dry and they both fell into a peaceful slumber. Little did they know, they had a pair of golden eyes watching them as they slept.