"Energy source?" I could not hide the surprise in my voice. I had not expected anything like this to develop that night. However, my mistake could not be undone. My fate had been sealed as soon as I set foot inside the forest.

"It means that you will have to 'feed' me on a regular basis. My kind are spiritual creatures that require sustenance in order to survive." He explained it so easily for something that sounded so primal and painful.

"And how would I do that?"

Sesshomaru paused for a moment.

"Through contact." As he explained, he sat down cross-legged on the floor of the cave. "I can absorb your energy through skin to skin contact. That is how this contract works. In return for providing energy, you gain my protection."

"Protection?"

"I become a guardian of sorts," he elaborated, "watching over you." By now I could understand what he was saying. The contract was one of mutual gain: he would gain power and I, safety. Although, I was more worried about my safety if I refused than if I accepted.

"So, do I have a say in this?" I had hoped for a favourable answer and a way to get out of this mess.

"I'm afraid that the contract has been made. Whether or not you or I object, we are bound together." He stood up and made his way over to me while shrugging the fur pelt and his haori onto the floor. He leaned down and grabbed my chin with his hand, his chiselled chest muscles now exposed. I blushed.

"What are you doing?!" I howled in protest as he edged closer, forcing me onto me back.

He answered with one word, "energy."

Paying no more attention to my grunts of objection, he firmly positioned his lips on top of mine, silencing me. His hand slid from my face down to the collar of my kimono and slid inside. I jumped at the sensation of his touch on my bare skin as he slowly pulled the collar open, leaving my upper body fully bared to him. His tongue slithered into my mouth, intertwining with my own. He moved his head down to my neck and let his tongue glide over my flesh. I shivered.

"It tastes good." He murmured causing vibrations to course down my spine.

He nuzzled into the crook of my neck and slowing began to rub his body against my own. I could feel his muscles tensing and relaxing as he did so. The feeling of his body skimming my breasts forced me to let out a breathy moan.

"Ah!"

His torso went rigid. All too quickly, he lifted himself to his feet, leaving me panting and retrieved his haori and pelt from the ground.

"That is enough for now."