The Words Left Unspoken

Stay Unspoken

The moon shone brightly on the earth below, draping the landscape in a mystical golden hue that enchanted and delighted those who had the fortune to see it. The stars above twinkled merrily and danced their mythical dance of the destinies laid out by the Fates. A warm breeze moved sluggishly through the trees, taking it's time along the path ordained to whisper secrets to any who would listen.

Seirou lay awake listening to the music of the night and thinking off the youkai that was sitting up an arm reach away from her, sleeping peacefully. Turning over to face the river and the meadow on the other side of the bank, she sighed and gazed longingly at the stars. The peace from the torment that she mercilessly put herself through was offered so temptingly; she wanted nothing more than to accept but her heart was too stubborn.

Turning over once more, the restlessness in her soul would not be appeased by staying immobile on her pallet. Getting up, she made no noise as she moved stealthily over Rin's nearby form and Jaken's snoring body that was huddled up to his staff. Careful to avoid all contact with noisy objects and Sesshoumaru, she sneaked out of the camp and began to run at a steadily increasing pace through the forest, gracefully leaping over roots and stones in her way.

Sesshoumaru cracked one eye open in irritation as he heard movement in the camp. Planning to attack the intruder, he was surprised to see that it was Seirou making the noise as she tried to sneak off. Closing his eye once more, he followed her movements with his sense of smell and his ears. He had been aware of all her twisting and turning on the pallet so close to him, close enough to touch, to caress.

Thoughts wandering off in the wrong direction, he almost missed her scent as it drifted further away from the camp at a quick rate. The knowledge that she was running flitted through his head and his imagination immediately provided him with a picture of her graceful form moving swiftly through the forest in only a see-through white shift.

Growling deep in his throat, Sesshoumaru got a grip on his roving imagination and regulated his breathing in an effort to calm his raging hormones. Standing elegantly, he discarded his boa and went after Seirou. He was confident that Jaken would protect Rin with his life because Jaken knew that his life really did depend on it.

Moving swiftly and confidently through the foliage, he soared with inherent ease from branch to branch, tracking his errant companion by scent alone. Picking up the sound of her movement almost a mile away on the ground below, he picked up his speed until he was almost on top of her.

Surprise flickered in his eyes, un-witnessed by anyone, as he took in the inhuman speed at which she traversed through the forest. Changing his pace without delay so that it matched hers, he studied her poised figure in appreciation. Had she not been human, she would have made the perfect mate for him and a splendid mother to any children they might have had.

At that dismal thought, a wave of sorrow swept through him, staggering him with its strength. Never had he wanted someone to father his children or be his mate with the force that he yearned for her. Her presence in his life represented a slow change, a change for the better to some but to him a weakness. She was his weakness, she and Rin. However, if asked to choose which of the two that he would save first, Seirou would win hands down. Jaken would be delegated the task of rescuing Rin.

Seirou was aware of the being following her. Her logic shouted that it was a youkai and begged for her to change direction and head back to camp for protection or to stand up and fight. On the other hand, her instincts were clamouring for her to invite the mysterious youkai to join her. Something about the youkai seemed familiar to her and the impulse to hold and be held by the youkai made itself known to her consciousness.

Coming to a clearing, she halted suddenly and stood with her back to the intruder. She sensed when he stopped with her and smirked mischievously. She had a nagging suspicion that she knew precisely who this mysterious character was and wanted to surprise him. Unfortunately she could not let him know of all her 'talents'. The surprise would have to be placed on a back burner. Maybe someday she would be able to tell him everything there was to know about her.

Sesshoumaru landed gracefully on the branch at the edge of the clearing. He had an unhindered view of her nightgown clad form and watched her warily. Her face was hidden from his sight and he could only stare wistfully at her back partially concealed by her long silvery tresses and the entrancing arch of her neck as she held her head cocked, in the posture of one listening for something. The stillness with which she held herself reminded him of a doe aware of being hunted and trying to detect which direction the predator would pounce from.

It was a fitting euphemism as he was an accomplished predator and she was of the race from which he normally chose his prey. Had he still been into hunting down the sordid creatures, Seirou as his prey would have made for an interesting and stimulating hunt. Lost in his thoughts of all the possibilities after the hunt, he almost fell off his perch when her voice floated up to him, letting him know that she had perceived his presence.

"I know you're out there. Why don't you come out instead hiding like a hentai."

Bemused at her choice of words, he leapt from the branch and flipped over her to land in front of her.

Seirou's breath caught in her throat as she gazed upon the magnificence that was Sesshoumaru under the light of the full moon with only his trousers on, standing directly in front of her for her eyes' pleasure. The urge to purr and stroke his smooth chest was strong but she controlled it admirably. That, however, did not stop her eyes from taking in the sight before them.

Sesshoumaru gazed at the beauty before him and had the sudden compulsion to blush under her roving night's sky blue gaze. It was the first time that he had stood before her wearing nothing but his pants. It was rather pleasing to note how distracted she seemed by his naked upper body and wondered wickedly just how distracted she would be if she ever saw the whole package.

The thought had to be dismissed as soon as it popped into his head. She would never let him get that far and he doubted that he would ever find the words to express his feelings to her. The impossibility of their relationship had never seemed so overwhelming as it did then and the need to hold her close, if only for a second, was fierce.

Tearing her eyes away from his delectably tempting physique, despair for her situation welled up inside; right there and then all she could see was an insurmountable barrier keeping them apart, one placed there by generations of inhibitions and hate. Longing to tell him how she felt, her tongue was held hostage by the fear of rejection. The desire to be held, to be reassured was strong and she looked up into his eyes.

Their eyes locked and in that instant there was magic. It was a moment made for lovers, a chance given to them by the deities watching over them, to speak the words that would set them free of the anguish they needless put themselves through. All that was needed was one step towards each other and all dreams would be fulfilled.

There was a stillness in the air and not a creature made a sound as the whole forest held it's breath, awaiting the decision of the two beings in it's midst, one human and one youkai. The two beings in question continued to stare into each others eyes, searching for something in the other that only they knew. Time seemed to have stopped and an eternity pass as they made no move forward but did not look away.

Sesshoumaru was indecisive. He struggled within to show his true emotions but over a century of hiding behind his mask of disinterest won out. In her eyes he saw the fear and a longing for something undefined but he could not find the love. The deeper he went the harder it was to discern her emotions.

Seirou could not do it. The fear of rejection was too strong. The one key that she could not hide was the intense longing she had for his acceptance and love, a plea for him to take her in his arms. The lack of expression on his face did not deter her, only left her heartbroken. She continued to stare into his eyes and found a flicker of something that died almost upon being sighted.

Hopelessness swept through them without an ounce of mercy and the moment granted was brought jarringly to an end. Looking away from each other, they both moved a few steps back and the feeling of loss was protruded on their other thoughts of despair and shame. The forest was once again alive but the sounds being made were no longer joyful. The stars' light had grown dimmer and the moon had lost its glow. Everything added to the despondence of the situation.

Mumbling apologies, the two refused to look at each other for any length of time beyond three seconds. Quick glances at the other's face were all the communicating they did. Seirou was the first to flee the scene, disregarding all except her tattered heart. Sesshoumaru stifled the impulse to follow her and offer comfort and instead turned in the opposite direction. Moving away from the clearing, he never once turned back, his heart heavy with sorrow.

Would there ever be another chance at love for these two souls?

How's that for an unexpected ending. I swear that was not how I originally planned this fic out but things happen. I couldn't figure out how to finish this thing in this chapter with them as a happy couple so I changed the ending. If you guys want a sequel where they actually get together, then you'll have to vote. ten votes and more will get you a sequel coming out on March 14.

I also want to say thank you to all who reviewed. It made me so happy. And for those of you who guessed Usagi, you're right!!!

Kage, since your dictionary did not have the word went for separate words and you assumed that it was Rei. I know how happy you are now that you know it's really Usagi. Some of you are really good guessers too. As for Sesshoumaru's attitude, I hope that I didn't stray too far from the path.

Ja now!!!!!!!