Natsu pov:

After Sesshomaru and I had spent some time alone in the lake, he said he was going back. I asked him to send Kaito and Rin so I could give them a bath. A few minutes after he left, Kaito and Rin had come running through the bushes and had jumped into the water.

They were very difficult to control since they were splashing each other with water, but I managed to scrub the dirt off them and get them clean. I just stayed in the water for a while watching them as they played.

When I felt they had played enough, we all got out of the water and got dressed in the fresh clothes that Sesshomaru had bought us in a passing village. The clothes were of the finest quality and I felt so special being treated with this by Sesshomaru.

Once we were ready, I paused and looked around me again. The forest did look familiar. But I had never left the castle….so how could it look familiar?

Then it hit me. This was the same lake I had passed by when I first came to this world! Which meant, the place where the plane had crash landed was just beyond these trees! I bit my lip as a smile made its way to my face. I looked to Kaito and Rin who were waiting for me and watching me curiously.

“Why don’t we go for a small walk?” I asked them and they cheered. They didn’t realize it was because I wanted to find out something and I felt slightly guilty about it. But I couldn’t be helped.

I moved the bushes apart and walked through the forest, trying to take the same path I had walked from my crash site. I heard a twig snap and I narrowed my eyes. I rushed Kaito and Rin to get behind me and they trembled slightly at the noise. I made sure they stayed close to me and I continued to advance to the site.

Several of the trees rustled and I gasped and cursed when a bunch of bandits landed around us. “Shoot!” I cursed and they gave dirty grins while looking at me from head to toe. I felt very uncomfortable and there were too many to fight off alone and at the same time protect the kids.

I gasped and screamed when Rin and Kaito were grabbed from behind me and now 2 of the bandints had them in their hold with a sword near their neck. I cursed and clenched my fists. “If you come with us quietly, the kids wont get hurt.” The men grinned and chuckled and I could do nothing but let my guard down. One of them came to me and I felt sick to the stomach as he touched my shoulders and licked my cheek.

“I like this one. She smells sweet.” My fists were so tightly clenched at my sides that my knuckles had turned white. The man holding me tied my hands behind my back and we all started to walk farther away from the campsite and the crash site. I just hoped that Sesshomaru would realize that we had disappeared and would find us before something bad happened.

We were dragged to where a bunch of other bandits were and I felt nauseous. This was bad….real bad. Knowing how messed up bandits were in the head….if Sesshomaru didn’t get here soon we were goners.

I was suddenly pushed and I fell on my front. “Look what we got boss! She’s sure a beauty! She had the perfect body for pleasure! I’m gonna have her first!” I clenched my jaw and shut my eyes tightly as I tasted bile in my mouth.

“Get off her! And let the 2 kids go! If any of you lay one finger on her again, I’ll rip your limbs off!” I blinked. “Huh?” Why did the boss sound so angry? Ok this was weird….and how come he was asking Kaito and Rin to be let go too? I looked up from the ground, but then I was helped up and the ropes around my wrists were cut off.

“Natsu! Are you ok?” I looked to the side and I met 2 worried and flustered eyes. “Rei?”

Sesshomaru pov:

What was taking them so long? I had left her to get the children washed up but shouldn’t they be done by now? I had to leave early because staying with her like that, I was losing my control. But I had made up my mind not to take her until she had changed into a demon by taking the elixir from the eastern kingdom. This Sesshomaru would not father half demon offsprings.

I frowned and narrowed my eyes when I smelled the filthy smell of bandits. And with them, I could smell Rin, Natsu and the half demon child. “Jaken.” “Aye mi’lord!” He followed me as I followed their scent and I reached a group of bandits.

I look and spot the half demon and Rin sitting close to each other. They looked a little scared, but the bandits didn’t seem to bother them. My eyes glowed red in anger and I looked around for Natsu. When my eyes landed on her, I went stiff. Next to her was that wretched demon general of the eastern lord! The bandits were addressing him as their boss and I felt anger rise as Natsu sat next to him and they spoke.

I walked closer to where they were, hiding my demonic aura so that I could hear what they were talking. Jaken followed close behind and I growled lowly when she smiled at him.

Natsu pov:

“So….you’re a bandit now?” I asked while watching the flame in front of us. All the other bandits were surprised at Rei’s outburst and stared at us and whispered to each other. “What happened to being a general?” I turned to him and smiled.

He shrugged. “I don’t know….I….I ran away half way through the war between lord Sesshomaru and the eastern lord. I realized lord Sesshomaru was just a bit stronger and had the upper hand in the war. I wanted to keep my head on my shoulders….and I felt that my life was more important than my pride at the moment.” I chuckled. “I thought we were taught to value our pride more than our life.”

He sighed with a smile. “That’s back in our world. I don’t wanna die here not having anyone know of my greatness.” I coughed and then laughed loudly. “Pssh! Greatness you say? That’s odd coming from someone who gets his butt kicked by a girl….especially by me.”

He glared playfully but then chuckled, earning more curious looks from the bandits who were sitting opposite to us. “True….I suppose that’s one way to put it. Besides….you’re here too and I promised to protect you, remember? I’d rather live pathetically as a bandit and survive this place rather than die and not be able to protect you.” He paused for a minute and then deadpanned. “And I’d really like to go home.”

I shook my head with a chuckle. He was always so fun to be around. I had missed his company. And even more, I was so glad that he was alive. “So what are you doing so far from the western castle alone? I mean, besides the kids….”

I sighed. “Actually I’m here with Sesshomaru. Oh and another thing, don’t yell….Sesshomaru and I are kinda together.” I peeked at Rei and his mouth was open and his eyes looked ready to bug out. I rolled my eyes and lifted his chin to close his mouth fo him. “Close your mouth before you catch flies.”

I turned to look ad Kaito and Rin. They were sitting close to each other and just looking around slightly nervous. “He’s chasing Naraku, and he didn’t want to leave us behind in the castle. As to why I was by myself…..this place looks way too familiar.”

“Familiar? How so?” “I bit my lip. The place where I crashed is just past these trees.” Rei looked at me with wide eyes. “No way!” I just nodded and we were enveloped by silence. “Lets check it out. I’ll come with you.” Rei got up and I felt a little surprised at his sudden eagerness. He called 2 of the other bandits to accompany us and I called Rin and Kaito to me.

We were halfway through the forest to the crash site and I stiffened when Sesshomaru walked out of the bushes with Jaken. He looked angry and he was glaring at Rei. Oh dear….this looks bad. I thought. Sesshomaru looked at me and I saw his fist clench tightly. “Wench! Are you choosing another demon over this Sesshomaru?!” He growled and I flinched at the hostility in his voice.

I walked up to him waving my hands. “No no no! Its not how it looks! I can explain Sesshomaru.” He grabbed me tightly by my arm and I winced when his nails dug into my skin. Darn it….I knew demons were really possessive, but I didn’t exactly think he’d get this jealous and angry.

“Let her go! You’re hurting her!” Rei yelled and rushed to us. Sesshomaru pushed me away and I fell to the ground. The next moment, I heard clashing of swords and I gasped when I saw Sesshomaru and Rei blocking each others swords. Kaito and Rin looked really scared and I huffed in annoyance. I got off the ground and ran to the two of them.

I got in between and held Sesshomaru around the chest. “C’mon guys! Stop it! Rei stop fighting!” I yelled and he glared at Sesshomaru again. “Well he started it!” I rolled my eyes. “Well, you end it doofus! Stop acting like a brat!” Rei tch’d and jumped away from Sesshomaru who was growling at him. Rei sheathed his sword and I looked up at Sesshomaru.

I cupped his face and he looked at me with a glare. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me up against him. He kissed me and I sighed as I kissed back. “Get a room guys….” Rei muttered and I blushed, pulling away from Sesshomaru. He still held me against him and I struggled, but he held tighter and my back was starting to hurt.

I sighed. I guess it was time I told him the truth. “Look, Sesshomaru….there’s something you need to know. Rei and I have been best friends since several years, and there’s nothing more between us ok? I love you…..not him.” Sesshomaru was watching me now but he still didn’t seem convinced by my words. And to add to it, Jaken had begun insulting Rei and the 2 bandits who were with us. In fact, the 2 bandits looked pretty freaked out by Sesshomaru’s appearance.

“Look….I’m sorry I hid truth from you, but I think its time I told you. We’re not from this era. We’re from a world 500 years in the future. Both of us are humans….but when we came here, I don’t know how Rei became a demon. and right now, we were going to the place where I first arrived in this era.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “So you’re just like the wench who travels with my half breed brother….” I furrowed my brows. Oh! I guess he was talking about that girl in the sailor uniform. I nodded a little and he just stared. I was starting to feel awkward since we had audience and thankfully Rei brought Sesshomaru back to the present.

“So are we going or not?” I sighed. “Please Sesshomaru. I promise we wont take long.” He let me go and clenched his fist. But he nodded and I smiled. I held his hand and we continued walking to the crash site. Rin and Kaito had come to walk beside Sesshomaru and me and Rei was grumbling and walking behind us.

When we reached the place I assumed I had crash landed, I looked at the huge mass that had creepers growing all around it. I let go of Sesshomaru’s arm but he grabbed it again and walked with me as I went to get a closer look. I stopped in front of the mass and forcefully pulled my hand away from Sesshomaru. He growled but I tried to ignore it.

I cut through the creepers with my dagger and pulled them off. I came in contact with the aluminum fuselage and I smirked. “Is that it?” Rei asked and I nodded. “Yup this is the plane. But it completely covered by the vines now….first lets get inside and see if we can contact the control tower.”

I started to walk around the fuselage to look for the door. But before I could get close enough, a bunch of demons with horns jumped down from the top and surrounded us. “Who are you? How dare you trespass on our territory?” The one who spoke looked pretty flashy and I assumed that he was the leader of the clan.

Sesshomaru stepped next to me and Rei on my other side and they both glared at the demon. I sweatdropped at the tense atmosphere. “You’re general of the Lord Yuudai!” One of them sent an accusing finger at Rei. He held up his hands in defense and shrugged. “Don’t look at me. She dragged me here.” He pointed to me and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, go ahead and blame it on me, moron. Jeez! You’re a demon! Besides you wanted to come here too! So take half the blame and protect me! You’re so useless sometimes….” I grumbled and the demons narrowed their eyes at me. I took the initiative to sound friendly so I smiled.

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to trespass. Its just that I happened to….um, you could say, drop something very important here. So I came looking for it.” “Drop something, more like crash something.” Rei mumbled and I jabbed his side with my elbow earning a yelp. I turned back to the leader and asked him, “Say, what kind of demon are you?”

“We are the dragon demon tribe. And we suggest you leave….as the leader of the clan, if you don’t leave, I will have you devoured.” I sweatdropped and sighed. “Look, we just want to have a look at this boulder and maybe a look inside it too. Once we’re done with that, we promise to leave.” I gave a hopeful grin and Sesshomaru blocked me with his body before a purple light came my way.

“How dare you try to sneak into our den! I will kill you all!” The guys shouted and I blinked. “So you’re saying, you made this thing into your living place?” I pointed my thumb to the aircraft and they narrowed their eyes. “We have fought other demons and rightfully claimed it as our home! If you want to enter it, you will have to kill us first!”

I stepped out from behind Sesshomaru and held my hands in a t shape. “Waoh woah woah! Time out! Hey, whats your name?” I looked at the leader skeptically. “I am lord Haku!” I nodded. “Ok, lord Haku. I just want to have one look inside your den and then I’ll leave ok? Just one look. And this moron, I promise will not fight.” I pointed to Rei and he yelled at me. “Hey!” “And lord Sesshomaru will not fight either.”

When I mentioned Sesshomaru, they stiffened. I guess they realized who he was and seemed hesitant to keep up their fighting stances.

Haku narrowed his eyes and looked at our whole group. “Very well….but the human child and half demon brat come with us too. If you try something funny, it will cost their life.” He growled and I sighed. Sesshomaru growled too and I touched his arm. “It will be ok, I promise.”

I was pulled by the arm to Haku and Sesshomaru and Rei growled in anger. “If you wish this female to live, you best behave.” I shook my head no and the reluctantly stopped glaring. And as embarrassing as it sounds, I was lifted up into Haku’s arms and he jumped up to the entrance of the plane. He entered the door that was pretty well hidden by the vines and as soon as we entered, the smell of rotting flesh reached my nose.

Rei, me, Rin and Kaito nearly gagged but I was put down on the floor of the plane but still held by Haku around the waist. Sesshomaru looked ready to blow and I mentally cursed at our situation. The other demons glared at us and under Haku’s orders, they held down Sesshomaru, Jaken, Rin, Kaito and Rei.

“Alright, what is it you want to see?” Haku glared at me and I sweatdropped at the female demons who were growling at me. “I wanna go to the front….the small room in the front of this. And I’d like it if Rei comes too.” “That room is forbidden! Its cursed.” I wanted to laugh but considering our situation, I decided it wasn’t the best idea.

“If its cursed, I can un curse it. I have special spiritual energy.” I led. He glared but nodded and few of the demons, men and women followed us while still holding Rei tightly. We were taken into the cock pit very carefully and the demons made sure not to touch anything. When I tried to pull away from Haku he snarled.

I sighed and Rei snickered earning a glare from me. “If you want me to uncurse this place, you’re gonna have to let me go.” Haku narrowed his eyes but let me go. I went to one of the pilot seats and sat down. I reached for the radio communication device and held it to my mouth. “Airbus A 380 flight K1457 to control tower. Do you copy? I repeat, do you copy?”

I waited and nothing happened. “Hello? Anyone there?” I asked again and looked at Rei. He shrugged. “Do you think its broken?” I bit my lip. “I dunno….could be. When I tried using it last time….when I crashed, it didn’t go through.” Rei just looked bummed out and he sighed.

“What are you doing, filthy human? I thought you said you will remove the curse.” Haku glared and I turned back to the glass. It was covered by the vines and I sighed. “Airbus A 380 flight K1457 to control tower. Do you copy?” I called out again and nothing happened. I ran a hand through my hair and got up. I shook my head no to Rei. “Well. Atleast we tried.” He smiled and I just nodded.

“Natsu? Natsu! Is that you?” we both widened our eyes and looked at the speaker. The dragon demons in the room growled and Haku summoned some purple light in his hands. “Professor Takigawa!” Rei and I yelled in unison. “Its still cursed!” One of the female demons yelled and I chuckled.

I went back to the speaker and spoke to the professor. “Yes its me! and Rei is here too!” “Oh my goodness! You two are alive! You’re really alive!” I squealed in happiness and Rei pushed off the demons and ran next to me. “Yes we’re alive prof! Damn its good to hear a known voice again!” Rei yelled and we couldn’t help but hug each other.

I gasped when I was grabbed by the neck by Haku but before he could do anything, Sesshomaru came barging in and knocked him to the ground. He growled at me too while pinning Haku to the ground with a hand on his neck and I flinched. Rei stood in front of me and I held his arm.

“Natsu? Whats that sound?” I speaker sounded and Sesshomaru’s eyes went blood red.