The Nightingale by RosieB

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A/N: For the 'Trade' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 200 words, no more no less. The next part of the serial "The Nightingale".

All due recognition to Hans Christian Anderson for the inspiration.

Originally posted on December 7, 2009.

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Protect

"Why does Sesshoumaru-sama wear so much armor?" Kagome asked as she worried over their breakfast.

Jaken scowled. "We are in the wild, girl, complete with wild youkai that possess unrestrained blood lust and no common civility."

She shook her head. "We haven't seen anything that would challenge Lord Sesshoumaru in the least."

"Of course not!" huffed the imp. "As if anything could come close! But even if a demon out there could fight him, you'd never see it. Why do you think he's gone at this moment?"

The girl scanned the otherwise empty camp - Ah-Un had been taken along with the taiyoukai on his regular, morning walk. What she thought was a walk. "Where is he?"

"Clearing the path of anything that could be dangerous to you," grumbled Jaken. "Apparently, he will not trade your life for a morning's peace."

Tentative warmth blossomed in her chest. "He's been doing that this entire time?"

"Lord Sesshoumaru does not commit to anything by halves," the servant returned waspishly.

Kagome thought of the evening on the clifftop, where Sesshoumaru had kissed her but promised only part of himself. She hoped Jaken's assertion was true for the taiyoukai's favorite possession, if not his potential mistress.

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