A Perilous Web

Haruki lay still as the female by the name of Kagome dressed his wounds. There also happened to be a young fox demon that he met by the name of Shippo. Sesshoumaru stood to the side silently, watching. He had been introduced and Sesshoumaru had prodded for any useful information regarding Naraku. Of course, the bastard had covered his tracks.

 

They stayed and camped with the assorted group that evening for convenience sake.

 

Haruki had joined in the conversation by the fire, all but Sesshoumaru relaxing. The demon was standing off to the side, looking into the forest.

 

“He must be hard to travel with,” Kagome spoke softly, looking to her Inuyasha.

 

“Actually, it isn't. He's fair and,” Haruki paused, looking to his demon lord. He didn't want to speak out loud how fond of Sesshoumaru he had gotten. He knew their relationship, barely one as it was, could not last. His expression fell.

 

Kagome frowned at the sorrow that filled the demon's face. It was one she was familiar with. He often held the same expression regarding another hard headed dog demon.

 

They started laying down to rest, and Sesshoumaru went off deeper into the woods. Haruki watched him go, a spark of unease settling in him. He didn't feel safe with this group. Not nearly as much as he did with his demon lord.

 

Haruki got up, nodding a good evening to his new friends, and walking into the forest after Sesshoumaru. He did so silently, not expecting to sneak up on the youkai, but not wanting to drawn attention to himself either. He stepped on a twig that snapped under his weight and was suddenly slammed into a tree, a clawed hand at his neck.

 

Sesshoumaru visibly relaxed his hold on the demon once he realized who he was preparing to shred. Haruki reached up to touch his throat, the demon lord still standing right in front of him, their clothing touching. He had no idea how much more guarded his lord was around others. It then made him realize how much more relaxed their evenings together were.

 

The demon lord took a seat under a large tree, resting with his back to it. Haruki came to rest beside him, and he soon fell asleep against the larger demon's side. Where he wanted to remain. It hurt him more and more each time he had to go back to Naraku. To the point where he just couldn't do it anymore. Regardless if he was running out of time to enjoy his freedom.

 

Haruki awoke splayed across the demon lord's lap, sun shining down on him. It was much later then they usually started their day.

 

“I'm sorry,” he spoke groggily.

 

“It is alright. You looked like you needed the rest,” Sesshoumaru spoke.

 

Haruki stretched and got up, walking back to where the others were.

 

“Don't be long,” he heard Sesshoumaru say.

 

He said a quick goodbye to the group, and then went off after his demon lord. He felt wonderfully rested, though it still pained him to think this situation was only temporary.

 

He had allowed Sesshoumaru to travel ahead though as the day went on, and he remained with Kanou, walking beside his mount who traveled with a light limp.

 

And he soon found himself facing a familiar Kagura.

 

“He wants you to kill him, or you will be living a life worse then death.” she told him softly before disappearing.

 

His stomach dropped, and he rested a moment against Kanou's neck before he regained himself. There was so much more he wanted to do before having to return to his personal hell. He made it to where Sesshoumaru had stopped for the evening, and was rather withdrawn. Even the demon lord was eying him.

 

“Let us relax in the spring,” Sesshoumaru spoke, and Haruki followed him. “Perhaps we have been pushing too hard with your injuries.”

 

Haruki didn't say that his injuries were nearly healed. He simply undressed and entered the warm waters. Waters that on a normal night were usually relaxing. Sesshoumaru came to him, taking hold of his face.

 

“What is the matter?” he questioned softly, and Haruki was taken back by the concern of his usual icy lord.

 

His face contorted into an expression of pained sorrow, and he closed the space between them. The muscles in Sesshoumaru's back were at first rigid, but soon they relaxed, and he returned the embrace by wrapping a strong arm around Haruki's back. The dark haired demon looked up, eyes glossy as he pressed his lips to the demon lord's. Sesshoumaru pulled him tighter, deeper into him.

 

Sesshoumaru quickly pulled away from the kiss, though did not loosen his hold on the smaller demon. Haruki had expected the demon lord to toss him away at any moment, but he then realized that amber eyes were focused on something in the forest. Sesshoumaru growled a feral warning to tell that he did not like his personal matters intruded on.

 

He stepped from the waters, pulling Haruki with him. The pair dressed quickly, but Sesshoumaru did not take his eyes from that spot in the trees. He took off then in that direction, but came back a few moments later.

 

“It was one of Naraku's puppets,” Sesshoumaru told him, looking to the worried expression painting his companion's face.

 

“Come Haruki,” the demon lord then spoke as he turned and made it back to where they were settled for the night.

 

Sesshoumaru sat down against a tree, holding his hand to the smaller demon. Haruki took it hesitantly and was guided down against a solid chest. Strong arms wrapped around his back.



“Relax. I will not let anyone harm you,” Sesshoumaru spoke with the confidence only a demon could possess that had slain hundreds of enemies.

 

If only his fear wasn't that Sesshoumaru didn't have the ability to protect him. Rather, he feared the day that Sesshoumaru chose not to stand beside him.

 

He fell asleep like that, but woke some time later. Sesshoumaru was still awake. Haruki lifted himself up slightly.

“Is something still out there?”

 

“I cannot be certain,” Sesshoumaru told him.

 

They stayed like that for a while, just listening to the sounds of the forest, nestled close to one another.

 

Haruki was mainly focused on the stoic demon lord. His sculpted features. His demon markings. His intent amber eyes that were so much different from his brothers.

 

Eventually Sesshoumaru got up and put his armor back in place. He looked that much more dangerous with it on.

 

'Please Sesshoumaru, when you find out, just kill me.' He thought to himself, taking a solemn expression as he turned to seek out Kanou.

 

-

 

It was later that day that Sesshoumaru caught the sent of another demon. He was gone before Haruki could even register what was going on. The demon didn't smell of Naraku, to which he was thankful. He lifted himself onto Kanou by the animal's crest, and set off after the demon lord.

 

Haruki was intercepted along the way by a certain red haired demon.

 

Kanou reared, sitting back on his hind end and striking out in agitation.

 

“I do not have time for you!” Haruki snarled. He didn't want to play games, and he sure as hell didn't like the way this demon was looking at him.

 

The demon lifted a fist to his lips, and Kanou's knees began to buckle. And then suddenly the large animal was making contact with the ground, crushing Haruki underneath him.

 

Haruki struggled out from under the large beast, patting him on the neck as he did so.

 

“What the hell did you do?” Haruki snarled as he came at the annoying demon. This time, Ryuu didn't seem to be playing with him, and they fought intensely for several minutes. It was when Haruki felt a small prick, followed by a numbing sensation in his legs, that he knew he was in trouble. As he collapsed, he came to the realization that this man was probably going to return him to Naraku. He was probably never going to see Sesshoumaru again.

 

“Don't worry. It will wear off shortly,” Ryuu spoke reassuringly as he picked the lighter demon up.

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