Living in the Moment

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru's actions were not as odd as they seemed. Although many non pack species would misinterpret, the dog demons that made up his fortress merely snickered and went about their day as the events were passed on.

Makoto, although she was a different breed all together had worked here long enough to understand as she had spent many years with her coworkers. Although it was startling news none the less, there were more important matters to bring up to Brigantia now that she wasn't busy with a wolf Lord trying to court her.

But she didn't dare enter their Lord's personal quarters. Fidgeting and nervous, she had to go with plan B. Tell Sesshoumaru. Sighing in dismay, she turned away from the entrance to the pavilion and walked towards the Archives. He was standing on the bridge across the small pond and he ignored her until she bowed before him. "Sorry to disturb you, my Lord...b-but...it seems that Fumiko...is missing." She had expected some sort of reaction from him, but his low hum was only thoughtful and she bit her lip before continuing. "Some are saying that they had seen her leave with Lord Ryuu."

That caught his attention, and as Sesshoumaru's eyes landed on her she tensed and bowed her head low. But he did nothing, another hum in thought and he waved his hand at her in dismissal. "She will not be needed for quite some time. You can teach Brigantia the basics, can you not?"

Makoto could. She didn't want to, but she could. Biting back the sigh she nodded her head, bowed again, and left him alone to whatever he was doing.

Moping, it seemed like...but that was ridiculous. Lord Sesshoumaru didn't mope!

---
((Never been good at guiding your characters, but just did a little filler for the moment until you sort things through.))

[Birdie]

Hitoshi had left not long after the others. Once the food was gone there was nothing left to keep his attention. The extreme boredom had him walking listlessly about the estate until he decided he should probably head back to his favorite place, the archives. As he treaded down a path with a more direct route in mind, his eyes caught something that would make for intriguing gossip. Fumiko left with that spoiled dragon, Ryuu. How very silly and delightful. Though the real question was, would she ever be coming back?

He laughed lightly to himself, the distraction causing him to veer off path slightly and walk around the discover a hundred other tiny things that were of no consequence but were much more interesting than work. As much as he absolutely loved being around the old scrolls in the archives he simply did not enjoy the working thing.

This series of procrastinating walks caused him to spy another juicy bit of gossip. The little hanyou was snuggling up with the wolf lord. Cute. He wondered how long it would take for Sesshomaru to show up. Certainly wasn't long. A huge smirk covered his face. Oh the buttons he could press! The scene which unfolded before him was more delicious than anything else that had happened that day... Obviously he had forgotten the death at this point, but when one was this old a certain amount of senility could be allowed.

Hitoshi decided to wait, let everything settle down before he went about stirring the pot again. So he spent a little time at the archives looking over reports that had been made in his absence from the estate. Mostly it was finances, which it seemed had been kept under good control. There were just a few tiny mistakes here and there, which he fixed. His correction would have to be seen and approved by Sesshomaru. What a perfectly lovely excuse for going to tease the master.

Luckily he didn't have to go far. Jovially he came to stand next to Sesshomaru on the bridge. "I've got a few corrections in finances for you to go over, my master." His words were meant to have been said with the utmost seriousness, but the red panda was unable to contain his smirks and knowing smiles. "So... Fumiko has run off as she? I certainly hope she has a great amount of fun on her rendezvous. Have any of our other staff chosen to abscond? Perhaps with a new friend? Lover maybe?" Innocence. Feign innocence and seriousness.... The panda was so very bad at it.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Stiffly Sesshoumaru snatched the stacks of papers Hitoshi held and skimmed over them silently. He did his best to ignore the demon that was here more for drama than for his job. But he couldn't always ignore Hitoshi completely. He was the closest thing he had to a confidant that he could speak to openly. "Lord Ainu will be visiting a lot more frequently than before." He switched papers, continuing to go over the notes that Hitoshi had made on the finances. He spoke as if he was talking about the weather and although the panda tried to sound serious Sesshoumaru was too used to the being standing beside him. Rarely had he seen serious from Hitoshi, but when he did he was sure to remember it's mark that was left on the demon's aura and posture.

[Birdie]

Hitoshi raised in eyebrow. Oh was he now? And was Sesshomaru was just going to let this happen? Did the wolf lord just plan on showing up uninvited? And for a little hanyou (granted a cute one) none the less. This situation was what he craved. "I see, I see," he replied, nodding his head and wearing a rather scrunched, serious expression on his face. It did not last long and the smile forced its way back. "Why is it that the wolf lord plan on returning so often?"

Hitoshi gasped loudly, covering his mouth with his hand and taking a step back from Sesshomaru. "It can't be! He's fallen in love hasn't he!" He gave a lengthy pause for dramatic effect before saying, "Lord Ainu has finally fallen in love with you! I just knew it! No man could act with so much feeling with out being..." He hoped the comedy and ridiculously of this statement would at least cheer his lord up a little. He waited a moment before straightening himself out. Now Hitoshi leaned against the railing of the bridge, staring down into the pool of koi.

"I really wouldn't worry about it, master. Little Birdie does not plan on going anywhere. But, if it is an issue, you could always just make her your own. Place a permanant mark on her that no other man could wash away, just a thought."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru didn't give Hitoshi an answer, only looked at him with the dullest expression on his face. It read 'are you truly an idiot?' but quickly shifted to a face of much disgust to a thought so repulsive. If anything, Sesshoumaru's face almost turned a light shade of purple. Hitoshi's dramatic actions that went with his words only disturbed his lord but was a much needed distraction to his deeper thoughts. He was able to relax, with the only hint of it working was the lowering of his shoulders and the loosening of his grip on the stack of papers in his hands.

It also helped to loosen his tongue although in a more lecturing type of tone. "Such permanency would involve a willing bearer of the mark. Brigantia's intent is to leave, a mark as you speak would force her to be grounded." 'Unless I went with her.' The thought was kept to himself, and he knew he couldn't abandon his post now. The trade in the future looked as if it would go peacefully, but he couldn't be sure.

[Birdie]

Hitoshi shrugged, watching the koi swim about lazily on the pond. He was glad to see his lord at least somewhat calmed and relaxed. He just wished he could get the man to see beyond what was a logical, narrow way of thought. Be broad and expand!

"What makes you think she is unwilling. She would do anything you asked of her, you know?" He drummed his fingers against the railing as he turned a sidelong look at Sesshomaru. "You could always go with her, of course. Butterflies are migratory. I'll stay here and watch over things again." He was used to and most comfortable just sitting around the estate and doing his menial duties. Then again he also liked the adventures he went on outside of this place. "Of course, it could just be that you haven't really given her a reason to stay. have a good talk together. No vague answers, just the honest to goodness truth!" He stood straight and stretched, using the railing and leaning backward to crack his back.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Hitoshi made it seem so simple and he frowned, a heavy rock seemed to force its way into his stomach and it made him feel queasy. If he could name it anything, it was nervousness. And he wanted to argue, including that untrue statement of her doing whatever he asked. If the dramatic moment of her running off showed him anything, it was that she wouldn't do anything he asked. If dressing him was out of the question, than a mark formed in the most intimate moment would...

He didn't even want to imagine her reaction to that. She had run off to the forests. How far would she run then? Sesshoumaru didn't like coming to Hitoshi for counsel. Including for this. It was false hope and ideals he didn't want to feed.

"Impossible." it was a statement and a dismissal as he returned the papers to Hitoshi and left him. The rock in his stomach only made him more uncomfortable and he argued with himself that no, he wasn't going to run and hide in his rooms. He just...wanted to be alone, that was all.

And yet he found himself on the porch in front of the wild garden. And not even alone. As soon as he slid the back door open to the garden he knew she was there. But he decided to ignore her for the moment. What more could he do?

[Birdie]

The long silence made Hitoshi bubble with self-satisfaction. The lord did not deny his attraction to the hanyou, as he would have done in the past. How ridiculous, a full fledged demon falling for half-breed filth! Instead he was actually toying with the thought and went so far as to NOT deny it. The red panda was quite happy with this turn of events. When he did receive an answer it was with a curt dismissal and an arm full of papers. Hitoshi held them against his chest and wanted more than anything to yell "Just woo her then!" But Sesshomaru had turned on his heel and left. It was really too bad. Heaving a sigh and one last longing look at the fishy distraction, he headed back toward the archives to begin on more work or procrastination.

---

Brigantia felt the lord return to his quarters but felt it was probably best if she did not disturb him. Instead she enjoyed the wild music. It seemed that fate would not have them stay apart much longer as his door slid open and he stood near her once again. She smiled brightly at him and bowed. "It is good to see you again, my lord. I hope your evening has been a pleasant one." He seemed somehow agitated. What could she possibly do to allay this emotion? She wanted to feel the calm contentment he usually radiated. Her cool and stoic master. The day would come to a close shortly. It had been filled with so many things, quite a whirlwind of action.

Should she sit? Should she stand? She had straightened herself so she no longer leaned against the door frame. At least she would not appear lazy or too much at ease in front of him. The conduct she should have in front of him at times like this was still uncertain. It was more relaxed than when she was on the job but called for more rigidity than friendship would allow.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru didn't know how to respond to that. Anything cordial would just seem...Not sure how to think on it he kept himself standing, leaning against the door frame and looking out on the garden. Sometimes he could still see Rin's frame as she huddled over a certain batch of flowers. It would probably seem like such a long time ago for a human. The rock seemed to have gotten heavier, and left him feeling sick. He had given away too much to Hitoshi, and now he was alone with Brigantia. Have a talk, Hitoshi had said. How would that even work if Sesshoumaru couldn't even get out a word?

[Birdie]

He stayed standing which caused Brigantia to continue in her straight position. It seemed he did not want anything from her. In fact he did not speak. He did not seem mad though, just troubled. Had she been the one to cause him troubles? Brigantia certainly hoped not. She had caused him such difficulty for a long time now. His unhappiness made her feel nervous. She did not know how to do much. She could clean, but she felt that would not help him. She could mend something, but his clothing seemed just fine. She could sing. Yes, a song might brighten things up. "Shall I sing for you?"

She turned to face away from him and instead looked toward the garden. Without waiting for an answer, she closed her eyes she opened her lips and let a soft, quiet song come forth. It had no words. She harmonized with the wild garden in front of her. She had not been certain on what to sing and so did the first thing she could think of. Or rather, the first thing that held her attention. The song was never ending and after a few minutes she decided to place an ending tune.

She turned her face back toward him, but kept her body away. "I hope that was satisfactory..." Reaching up her hands she toyed with her hair, eyes finding the wild wood again. Nibbling her lower lip she thought about how she would change soon. This may create some bother. "I... When I change should I stay hidden here through the night?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru expected them to spend the rest of the time in silence. and was too bothered to be concerned with idle chit chat. He hadn't even really heard her question and only snapped out of his thoughts when she began to sing. It was helpful, and he began to relax again. Tangled in a blanket of security, his gaze stared lazily at the floor, eyes half lidded.

The troubles of the world seemed to melt away...until she brought up her transformation tomorrow and it all came rushing back to him. Giving into the urge to sigh, he leaned back his head against the railing. "That would be best." He decided, still not looking at her.

There was no threat to her for turning human. All his subordinates had become so used to Rin that another human wouldn't phase them. He was more worried about another certain hanyou. If he allowed the knowledge to spread of half demon changes, would Inuyasha be at risk?

[Birdie]

She nodded. It made sense. She had wondered if he would want to send her away or hide her someplace deep with in the earth so as not to smell her human-y scent. Just staying in the room would be enough, it seemed. It calmed her to know she would not be buried in the ground or something even more scary.

So she sat quietly, fingers picking at her kimono, straightening the cloth, or braiding her hair only to unbraid it. She began to think on ideas of things she could possibly give to Ainu. She knew not what a man would want from a woman. What could she possibly make that would be useful to him everyday. And she had nothing to even begin to make those things with. She was not paid and could not hope to purchase goods. It was extremely frustrating. Brigantia frowned slightly. Under no circumstances would it be a good idea to ask Sesshomaru for anything. Maybe she could borrow money from Matoko and do lots of extra chores and things to pay her back. The idea did not settle well with her. Maybe Takehiko, but that idea felt even worse.

Since this whole thing was causing her a headache she forced herself to think on something else... anything else. This of course brought the feeling of death to her mind again and she only became sad now. 'Just stop thinking, how about that!' But this was impossible and she found herself spiraling downward into more sad thoughts. She wished very much to be active now but could not bring herself to move from the spot in which she stood. Hands moved up to her hair again.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The longer that brigantia sat there working herself into depression, the more her mood affected Sesshomaru. This was no peaceful silence. It was filled with haunted thoughts and unspoken wishes. It was too much to bear. But he didn't want to bear it alone. Muscles wound tight in agitation as he leaned stiffly, he turned accusing eyes on Brigantia. The blame was hers.

"Speak." The command seemed a little much and probably so vague it made her confused. Letting out the breath he was holding that slowly unwound his body, his eyes narrowed but with not as much of a glare as before when he had spoken the demand. "You have something on your mind." he accused.

"Speak it." He found that when you had too much contained in your head it overwhelmed and became distracting. Thoughts let out in words always gave him some sort of relief. It was why he was always so uptight since the only time he spoke his thoughts out it was to Hitoshi and only a sentence or two.

[Birdie]

She jumped as Sesshomaru pulled her out of her deep thought process. Wide eyed she stared at the youkai, absolutely confused. What did he wish her to say? Was she just to talk about anything? She opened her lips to hopefully say something he would like to hear but was thwarted as he spoke again. She closed her lips and brought her eyes down to her feet. Had she been so transparent? A light flush dusted her cheeks as she tried to formulate a way to tell him what was going on in her spinning mind.

"I could not help but think of Lord Ainu going away. And of the death that occurred on your lands. And the deaths that I saw when we first met. It is nothing much really. Just morbid thoughts. I am sorry if it has bothered you." She began to play with her hair again as her brows knit. Brigantia's body wanted her to cry, to weep and mourn the losses in the life she knew. But her mind stayed strong this time and directed her to behave herself and not act the part of the foolish child.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru regretted having her speak. This was a situation where a woman would need comforting. He was not a man of comfort or sympathy. But the one thing that stood out from her words was Ainu. Frowning, he pushed himself from the railing and stood above her. "I have no sympathy for the dead." He stated simply. Brigantia probably didn't expect it from him, so he continued.

"But let me give your mind something else to think on." Crossing his arms, his eyes narrowed. "Pack breeds such as dogs and wolves speak in action more than words. Action has meaning that can not be misinterpreted." He sneered.

"That is, unless you're ignorant." That statement fell on almost all of his new subordinates who were quickly taught in different demon cultures and their species. "Ainu licked you. Why?" He bent down his back slightly, hovering over her and his silver hair pooling over his shoulder. "And more specifically, why there?" Even the subtleties meant different things.