In human legends, mermaid flesh and blood could grant eternal youth and immortality. But that was a lie. More often, mermaid flesh and blood turned people into monsters. Only a rare few could truly gain an ageless, undying life like a mermaid's. And mermaids themselves had to devour human flesh to preserve their youthful looks. Each preyed upon the other-that was the relationship between mermaids and humans.
Han had always been searching for a treasure that could grant humans a long life. Especially after witnessing the unspoken understanding between Kikyo and Inuyasha when they were together, she had made up her mind to give Kikyo an ageless life. Only then could Kikyo and Inuyasha stay together forever. Forever was so long that, gazing toward it from where one stood, one could not even see its end. A human life, brilliant but fleeting, could not receive time's blessing.
Han kept her thoughts hidden deep in her heart and told no one, except Granny Medicine when she sought her advice. She told Granny Medicine that she hoped a human could receive such a blessing. Perhaps it was not a blessing. A long life often foretold something other than a happy ending. But she would leave the choice to Kikyo-at least give her the chance to choose. The Shikon Jewel might be a supreme treasure, but she did not believe that deceitful jewel could truly bring happiness.
Even from a distance, she could see the ominous bloody aura surrounding the jewel on the altar where Kikyo enshrined the Shikon Jewel. Kikyo had seen it too. Yet all Kikyo did was work harder to purify it. No one can make the Shikon Jewel truly disappear. That had been Han's thought the instant she saw it. It was a demonic jewel that brought tragedy.
Granny Medicine warned her that, according to demon legends, the Dragon Pearl could extend a human's life indefinitely and preserve their youth forever. But that was only a little more credible than human legends; in the end, it was still a legend. A true Dragon Pearl was difficult to obtain. The Dragon Race was not friendly toward demons, and in the memories of the demons still living, no human had gained immortality through a Dragon Pearl. Of course, mermaid flesh and blood was even less suitable. Granny Medicine told her with absolute certainty that mermaid flesh and blood brought a cursed immortality. Even if a human who ate it was fortunate enough not to become a monster and gained a longer life, those extra years would inevitably be tragic. So Han's only chance still lay with the Dragon Pearl.
A warm campfire blazed within a low enclosure built of gray stones.
Deep in the night, the cold crept in, and the firelight gradually faded, leaving only blackened ashes.
In the ink-dark sky, the silver moon hung like a luminous pearl, shedding a cool glow.
The woods were silent.
The silver-haired Dog Demon rested against a tree trunk with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling gently with his steady breathing. The dense branches and leaves of the honeysuckle tree cast dark shadows over his handsome face, yet did not diminish its beauty in the least. In the chilly night breeze, the insects' chirping gradually subsided.
The girl sleeping peacefully beside him gently opened her eyes. By the cold moonlight, she edged closer to him, quietly, ever so quietly.
The little rabbit in her arms stirred. She soothed it back to sleep, then carefully set it aside on a thick bed of leaves.
This was the first time she had looked directly at his face from so close.
His thin lips, usually pressed tightly together, were slightly parted in natural repose. His eyes were shut, concealing their piercing gaze. His proud brow had eased a little, losing its sharp severity. A Demon Moon marked his forehead, and demonic markings adorned his cheeks.
Leaning over the Dog Demon, the girl moved her right hand, almost reaching out to stroke his face, yet hesitation kept stopping her.
She could almost feel the air flowing softly in and out through his nose.
She gazed into his golden demonic eyes. Their uncanny beauty seemed enough to stop her breathing.
At some point, the Dog Demon had awakened and was silently watching the girl as she stared at him.
"What are you trying to do?" The Dog Demon's voice was unusually hoarse just after waking, low and alluring.
The girl's watery eyes widened in surprise. Her pearly teeth involuntarily caught her tender lips, and she suddenly felt the embarrassment of someone caught by the owner while attempting mischief. A faint blush spread over her delicate, pale cheeks, but in the end, she still said nothing.
The age-old ice in the Dog Demon's eyes had long since melted. With an almost imperceptible trace of amusement, he looked straight at the bashful girl.
His eyes darkened. His large hand clasped her hesitant right hand, while his other hand slipped behind her head and gently drew her down.
Half-kneeling before him, the girl looked into the dark golden eyes mere inches away, and even her heart seemed to stop beating.
All she could still feel was her right hand, which he had clasped without her noticing, and their lips pressed together. His burning warmth heated her hand and lips, chilled by the cold night.
As though suddenly realizing that this was the most intimate embrace and kiss between humans, the girl's flushed cheeks grew even hotter.
In her daze, she felt him gently lick her lips, followed by a soft nip of his fangs. That faint sting made her part her lips involuntarily and slip out her little tongue, wanting to lick a wound that did not actually exist.
The Dog Demon's nimble tongue caught hers. Amid their lingering kiss, he breached that sweet, forbidden place gently, yet without leaving any room for refusal. He danced with her tongue, allowing her no retreat, pressing her back step by step until all her defenses fell. Her body seemed about to burn, yet all that escaped her mouth were embarrassed little whimpers.
The girl's left hand rested weakly on his powerful arm, almost within reach of his long, furry tail. But she noticed none of it. She could only stare blankly at the Dog Demon before her, her mind utterly empty.
Sesshomaru watched the girl's unfocused eyes and crimson cheeks. The demonic nature lurking within his body seemed to surge uncontrollably out of his heart. He licked his lips, reddened from rubbing and brushing against hers, then bit a small, bloody mark into the corner of her mouth. "Like this?" he murmured. He left a wet kiss beside her pale ear. "Or like this?" His lips and tongue met hers again. "Or like this?"
Suddenly, the world spun. Against her back, she could feel the supple resilience of the grass, and the stars filling the sky were reflected in her moist eyes.
The Dog Demon looked down at her from above.
"No..." the girl murmured. She did not know what she was refusing.
But when the Dog Demon lowered himself over her again and she felt the burning heat of his body, a sudden flutter of fear rose in her heart.
The silver-haired Dog Demon lifted himself away. His usually composed face bore an expression of almost unbearable restraint.
After a long silence, the Dog Demon sat up again. He raised his head to look at the full moon and starry sky, then sighed softly.
"I'm sorry." It was probably the first apology Sesshomaru had ever offered in his life.
The girl braced her hands against the ground and sat up too. She swayed a little, but shook her head, the blush still lingering on her lovely face.
Sesshomaru held out his hand, and the girl placed her right hand in his with the same trusting ease as before.
A smile of utmost tenderness appeared on the Dog Demon's face.
With a gentle tug, he drew the girl, still weak all over, into his embrace and wrapped his right arm around her.
The girl leaned meekly against his chest, as though she could still feel his scorching warmth through his clothes. Yet, for some reason, she felt utterly safe. Her eyes drifted half-shut, and her delicate hand lightly caught the front of his robe. Soon, her breathing gradually steadied.
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