�Here at last was the imagined but never fully realized place leaping into real life.�

--from William Golding�s Lord of the Flies--

Sesshoumaru was right in front of her.

The infamous Lord Sesshoumaru.

Needless to say, Kagome was at loss for words as her lips parted in surprise. She knew there was a demon presence nearby, but how on Earth was he able to get into Kaede�s perfect barrier? Hell, he was the most dangerous demon around, save Naraku (no, including Naraku), so why in Kami-sama�s name was he here?

She mentally groaned. He was sure to have recognized her, and it was only a matter of time before she was reported to Inuyasha as a mermaid. No, a hime, if Sesshoumaru had been eavesdropping just seconds ago, and she wouldn�t have put it past him that he was, with that demon hearing of his.

And of all demons, it had to be him; it just had to be one of Inuyasha�s biggest rivals and greatest enemies. Sesshoumaru was a strong demon, so strong that she couldn�t purify him much if he were to attack her, unlike what she could do to any other demon. Her miko abilities weren�t skilled in the slightest, but she had still been able to wound demons and drive them away, mostly if she had her arrows with her. Mermaids didn�t have powerful magic either, whether it be offensive or defensive, so if Sesshoumaru was to prove troublesome�

And what about the fact that he was just as still as she? Why wasn�t he moving away? Why was he just�staring at her like that? Why wasn�t he attacking her or smirking at her or anything? Hell, he wasn�t even walking away from her, like he would do if he didn�t care. He just�stood there, staring.

All the same, she, unconsciously, stared back into those beautiful, golden eyes, frozen with surprise.

Sesshoumaru was in shock himself. How had he been so stupid enough to reveal himself to her like that? Ano, he did want to approach this beautiful mermaid tonight, but how had it been so easy when he wasn�t thinking about it?

As if the shock and embarrassment (which he refused to admit he felt) wasn�t enough, those damned hormones of his had to come out right at this moment. As soon as their eyes met, hers wide with emotion and his exactly the same, lazy and emotionless, Sesshoumaru�s breath caught in his throat. He had seen her eyes from afar, just a glance of them, but now at the eye contact, they were more breathtaking that he thought possible.

And those were just her eyes. He couldn�t help but marvel at her entire innocent beauty, her hands clasped together below her neck in surprise and her position awkward, yet full of natural grace. Her hair flowed in those gentle waves, a few soft strands resting on her breasts perfectly. The dark water hid her fin, but the elegant navy curves on her stomach were visible. Just looking at them made Sesshoumaru want to tremble with excitement, his mind filled with images of his delicate claws running along those symbols--

He stopped himself quickly. He didn�t want to have thoughts like these because of this mermaid, let alone in front of her.

Instead, he continued staring at her, all thoughts now gone from his mind, including his fears and desires to speak to her. But he did want to speak to her�but how did he come about doing that? Just watching her, he didn�t have a clue what to do. He didn�t know how to move, how to breathe�

Luckily, she saved him from permanently freezing at her beauty and his awkwardness that refused to show.

She spoke.

�What are you doing here?�

At first, Sesshoumaru ignored the tingles that shivered up his spine as he relished the fact that her beautiful voice was meant for him, and only him. At least, that was the pleasure he endured before realizing that he had yet to answer.

Why was he here? Well, it was obvious, but how did he put it into words? He wanted to see her again? Hai, but she wasn�t supposed to know that he was watching her last night. He wanted to speak to her? Alright, but even now, as she opened conversation for him, he was unable to speak.

He wasn�t speaking.

He was immediately filled with embarrassment that he had never felt before, which he hated, knowing the fact that this princess made him like this in a mere two nights. Although his uncharacteristic shyness did not reflect, for he had mastered the technique of hiding emotions, he felt as though the mermaid�s gaze bore into him so deeply that she knew just how vulnerable he was feeling, not to mention that she had asked that questions many seconds ago, and he had yet to answer.

What a baka I am�

Embarrassed, he found he couldn�t face her, and he turned to walk away, back through the barrier. However, her lovely voice made him stop in his tracks, although he did not turn to her right away.

�Don�t go!�

Kagome didn�t know why she did it, at least not right away. Why did she call out to him like that? Didn�t she want him to leave her alone? Yes, she did, but that could become a significant problem, if he left her there. What could she have done if he, now knowing what she was, sniffed out Inuyasha, woke him, and gave her identity away? She was being paranoid, yes, but in her current state (being that she had no legs to reach Inuyasha in time, not to mention that she couldn't exactly leave the water), she would be helpless against Sesshoumaru's word of her whereabouts.

Despite the uneasy thoughts drifting in Kagome's head, Sesshoumaru�s heart thudded in his chest. She wanted him to stay with her? Surely this was all a dream, a never-ending dream that he drowned in as his stomach filled with butterflies. He was invited to remain with her; it was just as he wanted. He turned to her slowly, as if she would suddenly disappear if he moved to quickly. He said nothing, just stared at her, a strange, attracted look in his eyes that Kagome could not understand.

�Onegaishimasu�� she whispered, knowing he could hear her. �Kudasai, stay?� She swam until she was right in front of the cliff, and she couldn�t help but hold her hand out gracefully, palm up, wanting him to take hold of it to reassure herself that he wouldn't leave and retrieve Inuyasha.

Sesshoumaru stared at her offering palm. Was she really�? Did she honestly want him with her? This marvelous beauty wanted him to sit with her? And he would get that chance to speak with her, for he had yet to do so.

Slowly, as if unsure at the sudden friendliness he had never received before, he put one foot in front of the other, gliding gracefully toward the mermaid. He paused at the edge of the plateau, where she floated above the water, her hand waiting for him to hold. He knelt down slowly, balancing on one knee. His breathing had completely stopped at the close proximity between he and the onna he had dreamed of since last night. Hesitantly, he placed his clawed hand above her soft, small one, and he held her hand affectionately, although he made sure she wouldn�t be able to tell the difference.

He gulped hard as her warm, smooth skin brushed against his own, cold and silky. Unlike what he expected, her skin didn�t feel the slightest bit wet from the lake water, but it wasn�t dry, either. It was�a texture he had never felt before. Holding back a schoolboy blush, he mentally scolded himself for acting and feeling so strangely. Kuso, just holding her hand made him yearn for her so intensely!

He looked up from their grip on each other to look at her beautiful face again, close up for the first time. He was surprised, not knowing himself that her flawless face was so close to his. A mere two feet separated them, and he was unable to break the gaze he held with this mermaid.

If he thought she was beautiful before, he was mistaken, for she was surely the most breathtaking creature he had every even dreamt of seeing.

Her facial skin was a beauteous ivory, and the smoothness and perfection gave him the hidden desire to caress her cheek, not much unlike the yearning he felt as he gazed at those pink, pouting lips, which he so wished to taste--

�Now,� she said, her voice stern and hesitant all at once, �onegairu, tell me why you�re here.�

He was suddenly very thankful for her voice as it brought him out of his reverie. Had she waited any longer, he was certain he would�ve leaned down and claimed those lips as his. He didn�t know what was coming over him, but somehow this mermaid gave him such carnal desires he couldn�t possibly explain.

And, shimatta, he didn�t even know her name!

He didn�t know how he was able to do it, but he answered the beauty before him, his voice soft and hazy. �How can I, if I do not know myself?�

Kagome was speechless. Sesshoumaru was acting so�strange, so different. Was he ill or something? Why was it that he wasn�t trying to harm her? Why did he accept her hand? It didn�t matter to her, for some reason; at least, not now. All that did matter was that he was here, right now, and they were acting civilly, and she was somehow, in the back of her mind, content with that. If he was indifferent to her, then asking him to keep her secret wouldn't be such a hard task.

She tilted her head cutely, and Sesshoumaru�s gaze snuck a peek at the graceful arch of her creamy neck. There was a pause as the two just watched each other, but again Kagome broke the silence, hesitant and nearly stuttering.

�Sesshoumaru--�

She didn�t know exactly how to say what she wanted to, but she knew what she had to ask nonetheless. She needn�t have worried about that, though, for Sesshoumaru was unaware of what was going on.

Unwanted shivers threatened to travel up his spine as he heard her say his name. But�

How? His mind was blank.

�How did you know my name, when I haven�t the pleasure to know yours?� He voiced his thoughts, adding the hint of a flirt into the question, which laced delicately into his curious voice. All the same, his facial features remained impassive and emotionless.

Kagome was stunned. He�he didn�t know who she was! He undoubtedly knew the name of �Inuyasha�s wench�, as Inuyasha and her friends had called it out in his presence numerous times, but then that must've meant that�he didn�t recognize her!

She just knew Kami-sama was watching over her now.

�You�� she started, her hand still captured by Sesshoumaru�s, �you wish to know my name?�

Sesshoumaru stared into her eyes, drowning in them. �Why would I not wish for the name of such a beautiful creature as yourself?� What? He was stunned. Why had he said such a thing? It was stupid and idiotic; just the sound of it made him want to roll his eyes. He blinked, refusing to show his embarrassment and stupidity at such feeble words.

Kagome could barely find the words to reply, staring up at the taiyoukai from her position in the water. Sesshoumaru, the Lord Sesshoumaru, said she was beautiful. And�was he flirting with her? Her lips turned up in a smile that, if it had not been her, could have been called egotistical; her pink blush lit up her cheeks and nose bashfully. Perhaps him not knowing who she really was could turn out to be beneficial (especially if she was going to be complimented by the usually stoic demon, she snickered).

Sesshoumaru could barely breathe at her grin. She wasn�t just smiling, she was smiling at him.

�I cannot tell you my name,� she flashed a playful smirk as she spoke quietly.

Sesshoumaru was still. �Yet I have asked to hear it.�

Another smile leaked out. �I cannot tell you my birth name. The other merpeople call me by my other name, and it is that name, and that name only, that I am permitted to tell you.�

Sesshoumaru paused shortly. He truly did want to know this beauty�s name, for it was probably as lovely as she. But all the same, wasn�t it well enough that she would give him her name as her people knew her? After all, he wasn�t a merman, so perhaps she was interested in him enough to give him the privilege that anyone other than the merperson species didn�t have?

He nodded once, wishing to know the name she possessed.

Kagome smiled, gently pulling Sesshoumaru down by his hand so she could whisper in his pointed ear. After all, if he could flirt with her, surely she could flirt back. She nearly laughed aloud at her devious thoughts; she was never one to really flaunt herself around school, back in the future, nor was she one to play with a man's heart, but she couldn't resist such a chance as to make the taiyoukai of the west grovel at her feet. She half-forgot the real reason she asked Sesshoumaru to stay with her as she wallowed in her mischievous plotting, but she uncharacteristically shrugged it off. She supposed that her desire to act seductive and manipulative was coming into place, now that she was a mermaid; it was not uncommon for the females to act as such. �My name,� she whispered, a smile on her face, �is Kohana.�

Sesshoumaru held back a shudder of pleasure as her name brushed against his sensitive ear, the mermaid�s breath gently caressing it. However, he let his eyes flutter shut, since she couldn�t see them at the moment, but he snapped them open once she pulled back, her hand still remaining in his.

�Kohana�� he whispered, as though trying out her name to see if he could do so, for it was such a beautiful and perfect name for her, he felt as though it were sinful for an unworthy being like he to say it. It never occurred to Sesshoumaru that he thought himself unworthy for the first time in his life. ��Little flower�?� he guessed at the meaning of her name.

She smiled up at him softly. �Hai, and yours, I believe, would be �killing perfection�, ne? Or perhaps it is �killing blade�, or maybe even �destroyer of life�?� Her grin widened. �I can never be sure which one your name truly means.�

Sesshoumaru refused to smile back, although he found it quite hard to conceal it. �Perhaps all of them?�

�Perhaps,� she agreed. �All three would suit you, would they not?�

Sesshoumaru looked down at the grass, noting the colorful flowers dotting the field; he saw, particularly, a few stray cherry blossoms, their petals a pretty pink with white edges. It seemed as though he was so absorbed with this hime, Kohana, he had never noticed the few sakura trees surrounding the clearing.

He gently released the mermaid�s hand, seeing as he only had one since Inuyasha cut his arm off, and he leaned over slightly to pick up a fallen sakura blossom. The one he picked was beautiful in itself, filled with an inhuman grace and perfection. He cradled the blossom with his clawed fingers, raising it up to place it behind his mermaid�s ear, leaning closer to her to do so.

�Maybe so,� he whispered, gazing into Kagome�s eyes, �but our names certainly hold their truthful meaning, �Little Flower�.� He allowed his claws to gently run through the silky, smooth hair of �Kohana�, slowly bringing his hand downwards through the tangle-free waves.

Kagome held her breath, unable to look away from Sesshoumaru�s golden orbs. She didn�t understand why, but she liked the feeling of his fingers running through her hair. His touch was so soft and gentle that she didn�t notice the longing and affection it held. She mentalled scolded herself; she was the mermaid, and it was her idea to allure the demon, not the other way around!

Kagome smiled beautifully nonetheless, although not entirely sure why Sesshoumaru made her do so. �Sesshoumaru�� she let pass her lips, grateful and touched by his � dare she say it � romantic action that she had never even imagined coming from someone like him.

Sesshoumaru had nothing to say to the stunning mermaid, so he, instead, gave her what he could:

He smiled.

It wasn�t a large one, nor an evil one, but a true smile that was barely noticeable. All the same, it was still there, and Kagome�s eyes twinkled with thankful revelation.

And they sat there together for many moments, staring into each other�s eyes with their own smile on their face. They were absorbed with each other (although in a slightly different manner, with Sesshoumaru's infatuation and Kagome's mixed feelings), and for them, time seemed to stop, although neither of them knew why. Neither of them cared. They didn�t even notice.

Time passed quickly, and by the time Kagome�s eyes gazed toward the moon, they realized how long they had been staring, Sesshoumaru�s hand still caressing her hair, although he immediately pulled away when he came to.

He cleared his throat, pushing away the blush that threatened to adorn his cheeks, and he looked away. He didn�t regret his forwardness in the slightest, but he feared the rejection �Kohana� was sure to give him.

Fortunately for he, however, Kagome herself fought a blush of her own, so she didn�t notice Sesshoumaru�s nervousness. She had always hated awkward moments.

�So, Sesshoumaru,� Kagome smiled back up at him, throwing back the uneasiness of the situation, �tell me of your companions.�

Sesshoumaru looked back up at her, stunned. �My�companions?�

�Hai,� she nodded, �you have wards, do you not? A youkai, a dragon, and a girl, ne?�

�How is it that you are aware?� he raised an eyebrow. �If I remember correctly, you knew my name as well, and I am quite certain tonight is the first we�ve met.�

Kagome mentally shook her head. He�s wrong if he believes we�ve never met before now.

�Well, then?� he swallowed. �How was it you knew?�

Kagome looked back up at him, the blush delicately remaining on her cheeks. �Well, I�m a mermaid, aren�t I?� she tried coming up with a lie. �Mermaids can use magic. Need I say more?� She added a smile, unknowingly causing the Taiyoukai to relax. �Now, tell me about your wards, or do I have to ask a third time?�

Sesshoumaru nearly chuckled at her innocent eagerness, but he held himself back. �There is not much to tell,� he admitted, for he was so used to his wards that he couldn�t find much to say of them.

�Well, then,� Kagome bit her bottom lip, not knowing that Sesshoumaru saw and was currently fighting his inner youkai that lusted for her just for that simple act, �what about Rin, the ningen girl? How old is she now?�

Sesshoumaru gulped before answering, pushing down the sudden arousal he felt wash over him as the beautiful ojo attended to her mouth in the way he so wanted to do himself. �Nine years of age, I believe.�

�Where is she now?� Kagome tilted her head to the side, her hair caressing her bare shoulders, and the sakura blossom still behind her ear.

�She stays with Jaken and Ah-Uhn not far off,� he admitted. And probably harassing Jaken as well, he thought to himself, jumping on him, annoying him, shoving that stone she found this morning into his squished face--

The stone. Sesshoumaru couldn�t believe he had forgotten the stone that reminded him so of this Kohana!

�Rin found something today,� he veered off topic, which didn�t go unnoticed by Kagome. �A painted stone with a hollowed hole inside it. And it looks just like--� he ran his claw gently over the navy star-shaped marking on her forehead, �--this.�

Kagome wanted to close her eyes and relax into Sesshoumaru�s touch � although she did not know why � but when she processed what he said, she paused and stared up at him. �A�stone?�

�Hai.�

�Ah!� Kagome blinked, thinking aloud. �I was wondering where I�d lost it�� She immediately looked up at Sesshoumaru, aware of how greedy she sounded.

�It belongs to you?� he asked, his voice still emotionless, so Kagome wasn�t able to tell if he was upset with her for claiming Rin�s happiness.

�Well�� she muttered, �hai, but your ward can have it.� She smiled happily, no regret in her request. �My okaa-san gave it to me long ago. She had my otou-san�s most skilled artists underwater to paint it and mold it for me, that way I was always reminded of my heritage, no matter where I went.� She trailed off, nearly revealing the fact that she was also part human, for if Sesshoumaru knew, he would surely hate her every being, not to mention that one thing could lead to another, particularly the fact concerning Inuyasha. �But,� she found herself continuing, �if Rin likes it so much, she�s welcome to have it.� She smiled. �Call it a gift, from me to her.�

Sesshoumaru was stunned. This stone�was it not important to this hime? Why was she so willing to give it to Rin, a girl that � he believed � she had never met before? He voiced his thoughts, asking �Kohana� for an explanation.

�Ano,� she answered, �I was so very happy when the stone was given to me. Just the thought of something that beautiful made me so glad. This is why I�d like Rin to keep it: she must be very happy, as most children are, to find something like that. I couldn�t possibly ask for it back! How selfish I would be to take away a child�s happiness for myself. I have had my turn with the stone, and now I shall pass it down to her as her keepsake.�

Sesshoumaru couldn�t help but smile. This onna, this mermaid, was so kind-hearted�so very unlike he. Her innocent care for others, especially Rin, made his heart feel light and airy with contentment.

�Just, onegairu,� she laughed, �make sure she doesn�t lose it. She�s welcome to pass it on herself, but I�d feel it�d be safer with her. I can tell she�s very trustworthy, and I�d much like it for her to keep it, not just have it.�

�I shall be sure she does so, then,� the Taiyoukai nodded once.

�Right, then,� Kagome grinned.

Suddenly, she felt a light burst of power pulse through her veins. Sesshoumaru obviously didn�t notice, but she, as a mermaid, recognized the feeling. This pulse only occurred when a merperson wanted to contact another one, and at the moment, a mermaid � Nayida, she recognized the feeling of this particular pulse, for the aura around each call differed depending on who called � wanted to speak to her.

Kagome turned her head out to the waters of the lake, unable to catch any sight of red or orange that proved Nayida�s presence. All the same, she was certain her friend was calling her from somewhere�

�Gomen nasai,� she frowned and turned back to Sesshoumaru, who watched her curiously, �but I believe I must go.�

Sesshoumaru�s eyes nearly widened with surprise, and he nearly called out for her not to leave him. He had only spent a few hours with her, and most of that time was spent staring into her eyes, although he did not complain at doing so. He wasn�t ready to depart from her so early. For the past two nights, he had yearned for the chance to speak with her, and now she had to leave.

He should�ve known, though, for everything had to come to an end. Still, he didn�t want her to go away. He wanted to stay with her forever and a day, but here she was, saying she had to leave. He wanted to hold her now, begging her not to abandon him there, and to desperately convince her to stay.

�Why so suddenly?� he said instead, his heart aching at the thought of her departing from him.

�Someone is calling for me,� was the reply. �I know you must not believe me, but it�s a mermaid�s instinct. I must tend to my people.�

Sesshoumaru looked away, his eyes hiding his disappointment. She really did have to leave. �Hai, I understand,� he said, �but I would like to ask you�� He looked up at her, realizing that he was still kneeling on the edge of this cliff and not even noticing the tiny pricks of pain in his frozen joints.

�Hai?� Kagome asked patiently.

Sesshoumaru wasn�t used to feeling nervous, like he felt now. He was afraid once again, unsure if she would allow him to� He swallowed his fear and spoke his courage. �May I return tomorrow?� he asked sincerely, gazing at the beauty before him with a hint of emotion in his eyes, a first for him.

Kagome was stunned for a few seconds, but she regained composure, unable to hide her wide grin as she nodded. The longer she spoke with him, captivating him along the way, the easier it would become to make certain that her secret was safe. �Hai, of course!� she laughed. Sesshoumaru couldn�t help but compare her laughter to the tinkling of bells.

He relaxed drastically, content that she wanted to see him again, as he did she. �Matta, ashita?� he let out another tiny smile.

Kagome nodded, not realizing the close proximity of their faces, although he certainly noticed and tried not to blush with longing. �Ii desu ne, ashita no ban.�

Kagome felt another pulse through her veins, so she quickly fingered the flower in her hair that Sesshoumaru gave her, magic pouring through her fingers to make sure it remained behind her ear, even underwater. She didn�t know why, but she didn�t want to lose the gift at all, even if it was Sesshoumaru who had given it to her.

Feeling the need to repay him, Kagome smiled at him as an idea came to her. �Stay here, just a second, okay?� At his nod, she dove underneath the surface of the water, able to breathe easily. Reaching the bottom of the lake, she felt around, underneath a niche in the cliff. Feeling the familiar texture, she pried off a small, glimmering item and smiled.

Another pulse attacked Kagome, and she quickly shot up to the surface and saw Sesshoumaru still in the same position, watching her with a look she didn�t understand.

�Here,� she whispered kindly, holding out her empty palm to grab onto Sesshoumaru�s. With her other hand, she grasped onto it as well, placing her gift into his palm before releasing her grip on his fist.

�I must go now,� she said, her hand resting on his forearm gently, unaware of the pleasurable tingles she left there with Sesshoumaru. She didn�t know what overcame her at this, but she found herself raising herself from the water, her hand supporting her weight on the edge of the cliff. She quickly brushed her lips gently against Sesshoumaru�s cheek in a kiss before going back to the lake and swimming away, diving underwater.

Sesshoumaru watched her swim away, stunned and frozen.

He could still feel her soft, smooth lips pressed against his skin, which was now numb with pleasure. He raised his hand to hold it to the spot she kissed him, but he remembered that he was currently holding something�something �Kohana� had given him.

Looking down at his closed fist, he slowly opened it to view his present. As soon as he saw it, he held back a tiny gasp.

In his hand was a blooming lily, blood red in color and beautiful. But there was something different with this particular blossom:

It was glass.

And yet, it was still a real flower, living until it was picked. Its texture was smooth and unreal, and Sesshoumaru was in awe at the obvious flower and symbol of the mermaids. Staring openly at the flower in his hand, he remembered when he gave Kohana the sakura blossom, for her name meant �little flower�. Now, two words filled his mind, the two words that his name, Sesshoumaru, meant:

Killing perfection.

Kagome swam quickly, deeper and deeper into the lake, whose color was perfectly clear, and not a dark blue, like thought. The lake, from above, didn�t look nearly this deep, but it was filled with magic, and it was a hundred times deeper than it seemed.

A flash of red and orange finally caught Kagome�s eye, and she swam closer to her friend.

�Nayida!� she called out. �What is it? Is something wrong?� She stopped swimming as she came to a stop in front of her companion, the pulse now completely stopped.

�Ano,� Nayida fidgeted nervously, �it would depend.�

Kagome frowned. �What do you mean?�

�Princess Kohana,� she whispered, �your father wants to see you.�

--TBC--