Sesshoumaru loved storms. He loved the booming thunder and flashing lightening but he especially loved the rain. The harder it came down, the better. He sat just outside the entrance to his father’s den, wearing nothing but a lightweight yellow kimono, and getting thoroughly drenched. This had always been his favorite place to be in a storm, even when he was a little boy. It was a habit he’d inherited from his mother, who used to love to let herself get soaked, no matter what the season. She’d sit in the rain or snow with her son in her lap, and the two of them would giggle as they got sopping wet. Storms were the more benign times his mother had revealed a sense of humor. The other time was in battle, when she was soaked with the blood of her enemies. She’d laugh then, too. Foolish woman had to pick a fight with the wrong demon, Sesshoumaru thought with a miserable sigh. If his mother hadn’t been such a hothead, he wouldn’t have to put up with a simpering, weakling human and her manipulative servant.
        "Huh. Umeko," Sesshoumaru drew his knees up to his chin and closed his eyes, letting the events of that morning play themselves out again. He stopped the memory at the point where he had her half naked and pinned by her wrists to the cabinet and let his mind’s eye savor her skin and his mind’s nose remember her scent. He really could have had her, couldn’t he? It didn’t matter what he thought of her or her mistress if all he wanted from her was his own pleasure. But how might that have bound her to him? Would she think she had some influence over him because she’d shared his bed? That would be just like a human! With an irritated grunt, he shook the memory of Umeko’s offer out of his head. Was that how Shinju had ensnared Lord Nishi? With her female wiles? He sighed, knowing the seduction had been the other way around: Nishi had sought out Shinju. Why, Sesshoumaru had no idea.
        He heard Lady Shinju before she spoke, but the rain drowned out her scent. "Lord Sesshoumaru?" She asked carefully. From the sound, she was standing just inside the entrance to the den, out of the rain.
        "What is it, My Lady?" Sesshoumaru replied in a neutral voice, mindful of his father’s warnings about his attitude.
        She hesitated, then asked in a puzzled tone: "Why are you sitting in the rain, My Lord?"
        "Because I like it."
        "I gathered that," she muttered under her breath, but Sesshoumaru’s keen ears picked it up, even over the sound of the driving rain. Thunder rumbled overhead, and she sighed. "I like the rain, too, especially thunderstorms. My father and I would sit on the porch overlooking the courtyard and watch the lightning turn the clouds to fire. I wonder if he’s watching the rain now and thinking of me as a living girl or a dead one."
        Her words surprised Sesshoumaru, and he didn’t reply right away. How odd that her childhood experience should mirror his own. "He had a funeral for you yesterday, My Lady," he replied simply. Did she like to sit in the rain, or had she and Lord Yomitora sheltered beneath a roof? He tried to remember the courtyard from yesterday’s reconnaissance. Yes, the porch was covered.
        He heard a rustle of cloth, the soft whisper of silk puddling on the floor, and she said in a hard voice: "If I am dead to the Yomitora, then they are dead to me."
        Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder with a start at that to find her in just her bare feet and underkimono, walking across the wet grass toward him. She stopped next to him and turned her head up to the clouds, letting the rain turn her makeup into colorful streamers. She reached up and wiped it away with her sleeve, not caring about staining her clothes. It was then that Sesshoumaru noticed she was trying not to cry. "All I am to my family now is an excuse to throw themselves to their deaths in a foolish war against the Great Demon! I thought my father was a wiser man than my grandfather but now I see that same pride will destroy my clan." She sat down with a splash, two handsbredths away from him and mimicked his fetal pose.
        Sesshoumaru stared at her for a few moments, wondering what his father would do when he found his mate sitting in the rain in her underwear. The thought of it made him smile but he turned his head so she wouldn’t see it and think he was making fun of her. "So you agree with us that your father is a fool?"
        "No," she retorted coldly, "I do not agree that my father is a fool. I agree that his actions are foolish and that he is obviously blinded by his pride."
        "And that doesn’t make him a fool?" Sesshoumaru pressed her carefully.
        Shinju rested her chin between her knees with a ragged sigh and sniffled. "I guess, perhaps, it might, My Lord, but I can’t bear to think of my father in that way. Even if…"
        "Either disown him, or don’t, My Lady," Sesshoumaru told her quietly. "He hasn’t disowned you, only declared you dead. I thought that was the usual reaction humans had when their children married outside of their own race."
        "I suppose it is," she replied.
        They were quiet for a long time, then. Sesshoumaru no longer found the storm invigorating now that he was having to share it with his father’s mate, and yet… He cast a glance at her out of the corner of his eye. She seemed like an ordinary girl, sitting there in her underkimono with her hair plastered to her face and her makeup gone. She could be a peasant’s daughter like this, rather than the daughter of a Lord and wife of a Great Demon. How old was she, he wondered. She didn’t look to be older than sixteen, if that. Was she afraid here in Lord Nishi’s den, surrounded by demons, the only human being her serving girl? Hm. Did she know Umeko was a spy? He couldn’t ask her, or he’d risk revealing their plans. He was positive she knew about Umeko’s early-morning escapades, however, and felt safe asking what she thought of her maid’s actions.
        "My Lady, your servant came to me this morning," he said abruptly. "I refused her."
        She looked away. "Please forgive her, Lord Sesshoumaru. She did so without my knowledge or permission. Has your Lord Father not spoken to you about this matter yet?"
        Sesshoumaru nodded. "He has, but I still don’t understand why she offered herself in the way that she did."
        Lady Shinju looked at him in confusion. "How do you mean, My Lord?"
        "She used stealth," he told her, "as if she didn’t want me to know she was there. I found that odd."
        Shinju smiled. "Oh, that," she replied with a little chuckle. "Umeko has always been like that. I think she thinks she’s a cat."
        He narrowed his eyes at her and wondered if she was lying. Surely Lady Shinju of all people would know for certain if Umeko was one of the ninja her father was rumored to keep on hand. Was it safe to ask her directly? Or would she tell Umeko that he was asking and ruin their plans? He decided it was safest to pretend he accepted her explanation.
        "I hope My Lord was not offended," she said with a blush and a shy look out of the side of her eyes.
        "Forget about it, My Lady," he replied and tried to sound casual. "My father has ordered her not to approach me again. Problem solved."
        "Yes, My Lord."
        So meek, he thought in disgust. Lady Dokutsume would have accused him of not liking women, or something equally challenging to her son’s manhood. But little Shinju just accepted Umeko’s rejection with humility and a blush on her cheeks. "Don’t you want me to want your servant?!" He growled at her. "You should be insulted that I rejected her and demand that I apologize—"
        "No, My Lord!" Lady Shinju shot back with equal fire, taking him completely aback. "Umeko acted without orders from her Lady or Lord. It is she who must apologize to My Lord for her terrible behavior. I have commanded her to do so before sunset, or I shall send her back to my father in disgrace. You are My Lord’s heir, Lord Sesshoumaru! My Lord boasts of his son’s courage and skill in battle almost every night! It was shameful of Umeko to approach such a person as yourself without seeking permission from her Lord and Lady first!" She let go of her knees so she could bow to him properly and added: "If she does not apologize to My Lord, My Lord may do with my servant whatever pleases him as punishment!"
        Sesshoumaru recoiled from her in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing. He looked nervously over his shoulder to the den’s entrance and was relieved not to find his father there. It would be just his luck that Lord Nishi would show up just in time to see his wife bowing in the mud in her underwear after that scolding he’d given Sesshoumaru earlier. "My Lady, please get up before my father sees you like this!"
        She sat up and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, as if a few tears made a difference on her rain-soaked face. "Don’t be afraid, Lord Sesshoumaru. I will explain everything to My Lord if he appears, and he won’t be angry. After all, you’ve done nothing wrong."
        Well, thank you for telling me so, Sesshoumaru thought with no small amount of irritation. She was settling right into being the Lady of the domain, wasn’t she? Giving orders and reassuring the heir, himself! Maybe little Shinju had more backbone than he’d given her credit for. He forced himself to smile as he replied: "It was My Lady that I was worried about."
        His meaningful look made her examine herself. "I do look a fright, don’t I?" She giggled. Her kimono sleeve was stained pink from her makeup, while the hem was brown and green from the mud and grass she was sitting on. The whole lot was wet, and her hair was dripping. She pulled the top of her kimono together with a shy blush. "I don’t mind, though. I love sitting in the rain. I used to sneak out of the palace when I was little, just to sit in the rain, but my maids would always make me come inside. My parents didn’t like it when I did that because I could catch a cold. I never did. I’m stronger than I look, you know!"
        "If you catch cold now," Sesshoumaru told her with a smile in spite of himself, "my father will never forgive me for allowing it."
        "It wouldn’t be your fault," she shot back with a mischievous smirk. "My Lord would be angrier if you tried to command me, so it would be all my fault if I got sick because I insisted upon sitting in the rain, despite Lord Sesshoumaru’s expressed concerns for my well-being."
        Blink. Blink.
        "There!" She giggled. "How was that?"
        Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I think My Lady should think about her child when she does such rash things as sitting in the cold and rain."
        The horrified look on her face told him she’d totally forgotten she was pregnant. How irresponsible, he thought. If she got sick, her child might die, and then Lord Nishi would blame him for it, since he’d been spouting curses against mother and child.
        Shinju jumped up and ran back to the shelter of the den’s entrance, and with a reluctant sigh, Sesshoumaru got up and followed her. She was hurriedly gathering up her kimono when he joined her by the door. "How could I forget my baby?" She was muttering as she cried. "I guess I’m just not used to be pregnant yet! How could I be so stupid?"
        She dropped one of her many kimono, and Sesshoumaru picked it up for her and draped it over her shoulders. "My Lady, you should dry yourself in your chambers before you do catch cold."
        "Of course," she nodded, "you’re right. I’m sorry I’m such a bother! Lord Nishi is going to be so angry with me!"
        "I’m sure he’ll forgive you," Sesshoumaru told her through clenched teeth. Of course he’d forgive her. All she had to do was whatever it was she always did to wrap him around her finger, and everything would be just fine. "Here, let me carry those for you." This kindness was going to be death of him, he thought sourly as he took her clothes from her and draped them over his arm as they walked toward Lord Nishi’s wing of the den. Yes, his father was going to be pretty upset that he’d allowed Shinju to sit in the rain as long as he did before telling her to get inside. What a rotten day he was having.
        Lord Nishi was in his chambers talking with his vassals when Sesshoumaru and Shinju dripped into the room. When they saw him, son and wife immediately bowed their heads, and Shinju quit giggling. The vassals quickly excused themselves and started filing out of the room, each one giving Sesshoumaru a sympathetic look for the punishment they were sure was in store for him.
        "Gintsuki," Lord Nishi commanded, "summon Umeko."
        The cat demon bowed, then followed the males out of the room.
        When the door slid shut, Lord Nishi took his Lady’s kimono from Sesshoumaru with a curious glare. "I’m sure there is a logical explanation for this…?"
        Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, all too aware of the mess he was making on his father’s floor. Before he could speak, however, Lady Shinju sneezed, and Lord Nishi hurried her off to their bedchamber and dry clothes.
        "Stay there, Sesshoumaru," he warned over his shoulder.
        Sesshoumaru nodded. Now that he was indoors, he wanted dry clothes. He didn’t think his father would mind if he got Jaken to bring him something to wear, especially since Lady Shinju was probably explaining everything to her husband even now, absolving Sesshoumaru of any guilt. Lord Nishi knew how much he loved sitting in the rain, but Sesshoumaru wondered if he’d even suspected how much his Lady enjoyed it, as well. How odd, Sesshoumaru thought with a little smile as he pushed open the door to call for Jaken. To think he had something in common with the human he hated most.
        Umeko arrived just as Sesshoumaru opened the door. Sesshoumaru stepped aside to let her pass, amused that she wouldn’t look at him, then he called for Jaken. He watched Umeko walk across the room and open the door to his father’s bedroom. She paused, sensing his eyes on her, but still didn’t look at him. Then she passed through the door and closed it behind her, and Sesshoumaru went back to watching for Jaken with a low chuckle. If they weren’t planning to use her as a spy, Sesshoumaru would have hoped Umeko would defy her Lady and refuse to apologize to him, so she would have to be sent home in disgrace. She’d already apologized once that morning, but since her Lady had ordered her to do it, she’d just have to apologize again. Sesshoumaru hoped Umeko would find the experience extremely humiliating.
        "Hmm," he looked over his shoulder at the door through which Umeko had just passed and sniffed her lingering scent, which was mixed with jasmine this time. She’d worn no perfume earlier, which seemed even more suspicious now that he smelled jasmine on her. He wondered if she had a mark on her breast where he’d scratched her before, then berated himself for even thinking about it. His father had commanded Umeko to leave him alone, but hadn’t commanded him to leave her alone…
        "Bah!" Sesshoumaru cursed and shook his head, trying to clear it of such thoughts. She was a repulsive human, a mere servant, unworthy of any kind of attention from him! And yet…it had been a long time since he’d been with a female… He cursed again, startling Jaken who appeared at that moment and thought his master was angry with him. "Bring me dry kimono and a towel," he ordered the little toad demon in a sharper tone than he’d intended. Jaken scampered off to obey him,
        Sesshoumaru closed the door and wandered over to sit by the fire. He started to take off his kimono, then remembered the women on the other side of the door and abandoned the idea. He’d just have to wait until Jaken returned. As he rubbed his hands in front of the flames, he thought about his mother again and all of the times they’d sat together in the rain. Lord Nishi had always laughed at them when they came inside, soaked to the skin. Why wasn’t it funny when Shinju did the same thing? Lord Nishi hadn’t looked angry, really, just…impatient. He probably thought Shinju was silly, too, for risking a cold that could harm her unborn child. An image leapt suddenly into his mind of Shinju sitting in the rain with her child in her lap, just as his own mother had done with him, and began to see a glimmer of what his father saw in the girl. Perhaps, in a small way, she reminded him of a Dokutsume who wouldn’t get herself killed in an ill-chosen fight.
        As the thunder rumbled outside the den, Sesshoumaru angrily wiped a tear from his cheek and wished for his mother.