A giftfic for Katarzyna. More drabble than anything :3 Colin and Catie did the honors as usual. And someone else, whom I forget. thank you ;o;.

It's cold. Not winter yet, but you can feel it approaching, like the faint aura of a youkai, slipping up behind you. It makes the back of my neck prickle, a faint chill slide down my spine. I inhale deeply, the cool air almost hurting the back of my throat.

Lips press against my neck, and I smile, tilting my head to the side.

"You're late." It's a teasing, soft remonstration, and I nod a bit, acknowledging the truth of his statement. His voice is smooth and deep, and it makes me want to shiver again. "I got distracted."

Sharp-taloned fingertips caress the fading red mark on my cheek gently, and I wince a bit as he reawakens the slight, stinging pain. "Really now?"

I laugh, a bit wryly, turning my face to kiss his palm. "Old habits die hard."

He strokes a finger across my lips, and I look up at him. His eyes sparkle a bit with repressed laughter. Even now, it's a bit odd to see that, the warmth in them, the faint creases in the corners as he struggles not to smile.

I grin, unrepentant, even as he tries to look severe, and then lean in to nuzzle his neck. His hand drops to my shoulder, pulling me back gently.

"You think I should forgive you that easily?" He raises an eyebrow, frostily.

Pushing aside his hand, which moves easily, I toss my arms around his neck, kissing him, an almost-clumsy motion. His arm slides around my waist, fingertips trace my jawline slowly, as he takes the kiss over, deepening it.

"Still mad?" I breathe when he breaks it, kissing the corner of his mouth, which has softened into a half-smile. He pauses for a minute, then shakes his head.

"I never was."

I share his smile, grinning almost wickedly, and he caresses my cheek again. The pain is a bit less this time, and I barely notice it.

"This is fading slowly," he notes, with a frown.

I shrug, covering his hand with mine. "Sango. She's really quite a bit stronger than she looks."

"Ah." He pauses, and I can see a ghost of darkness flicker in his eyes. I wonder what he's thinking.

His fingers entwine with mine, pulling my hand away, and he leans down to kiss the handprint, a whisper of lips against my skin, and my nerves tingle, not sure whether to feel pain or tickle. It feels like fire. I close my eyes.

He slides a hand through my hair, pulling it out of its tie, then steps back, tugging at my hand. Smiling, I open my eyes; follow him as he pulls me deeper into the woods.

It's quiet here, except for the soft murmur of a stream, and the low cries of birds. Far different than the company I just left. Sesshomaru prefers not to speak needlessly. It's a relaxing change. I sit down on a boulder when he beckons me to, watching him curiously.

He dips a square cloth in the clear water, which looks like it must be freezing cold, then comes to me, brushing it against my cheek. I smile, carefully not laughing at the gesture, which though ineffective, is almost sweet.

"Thank you."

He ignores the statement, instead humming softly. "How did you get away?"

I shrug, not wanting to explain that I provoked a fight with Sango-chan so that I'd have a reason to slip off for a while.

"I've got my ways," I say instead, mysteriously. He rolls his eyes, an uncharacteristic gesture that makes me smile. Or want to hit him.

He's been opening up to me more every time I talk to him. Not in words, but in actions. His reserve slips, allowing me small glimpses into him. It's a rare pleasure that I'm slowly becoming addicted to. That's why I keep coming back, meeting him more and more frequently.

I wonder, sometimes, why he allows these meetings. Is he looking for information? His brother's weaknesses? My betrayal?

His lips slide over mine and I sigh into the gentle kiss.

"Do you trust me?" he asks, later, and I draw in a breath, startled at the sudden mirror of my own thoughts.

"I..." Trailing off, uncertainly, I see a slight frown shadow his forehead. His fingers stroke my chest, which is now bare, as I lay with my head on his thigh. I let my eyes shut.

I shake my head, more a motion of confusion than an answer, and sigh, trying to put my thoughts into words. "I don't... really know. I have to question your motives sometimes.

He stares at me. Though I can't see it, I can feel the intense gaze in the way his fingers stutter on my skin. I catch my breath, waiting for a response. Then he laughs, and I feel his hair fall over me as he leans down, to kiss my forehead.

I look up at him, curiously. He's amused, and I'm not sure why. I frown.

"What is it?"

He shakes his head, trailing lips down my cheek. "You're still here."

My breath catches, lips parting slightly, and he takes advantage of this, kissing me deeply, making me shiver, reaching up to slide fingers through his hair, which falls around me like a curtain.

When he breaks the kiss, I'm breathless. So instead of speaking, I nod, leaning up to kiss him again.

Some things don't need words, I suppose.