Chapter 40

Inuyasha's decision




The next morning…

Mai rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms. The sleep deprivation was killing her. She spent the whole night on some kind of staring-contest with Sesshomaru. With him being a demon, the girl was at obvious disadvantage. Mai kept herself awake waiting for him to fall asleep, faint, drop dead, anything that would enable the escape. She berated herself for being so stupid and waiting till he gets better. Now he was all healthy and back to his charming self – with his "obey me or die" attitude.
The girl wanted to sneak out of the cave, but every time she moved during the night, he opened his eyes and glared at her. Even now she could sense his stare on her back. Mai brought her knees to the chest as her stomach rumbled. She didn't realize till now, how hungry she was. Yesterday she ate only two mushrooms. She turned her head, when she heard a noise behind her.

Sesshomaru stood up and ripped the bandage on his chest. Now only a slight mark was in the place of the terrible wound, a mark, that will probably disappear till sunset. He fastened his white fur on the shoulder, and the swords by the hip, looking for his clothes and armor.

"It's all ruined." Mai offered an explanation, pointing at the shattered pieces of black armor, lying in the corner of the cave. Sesshomaru shot a quick glance towards them and stalked to the girl. She looked up and yelped, when the demon grabbed her arm and pulled her upwards. Acting on instinct, she began to struggle him, as he led her towards the entrance o the cave, but she was weak from hunger and didn't put up much of a fight.

When Sesshomaru dragged her out of the cave, he stilled, turning his head abruptly in eastern direction. He let go of Mai's arm and grabbed the hilt of Tokijin. Instinctively, the girl hid herself behind his back. Carefully, she peeked to see what caused the demon to react so. Some youkai? Naraku?

She saw two shaped flying towards them. She squinted her eyes to discern them and her eyes brightened.

"Inuyasha!" she called happily, waving her hand. God bless the hanyou! She was saved!

Mai's hand stilled, as Sesshomaru sent her angry glare over his shoulder. It might have been too early to celebrate the rescue. The girl noticed, that Rin and Jaken were also with Inuyasha. The hanyou jumped of Kirara's back and landed, unsheathing Tessaiga and assuming a battle stance.

The group landed and Ah-Un trotted to his master. Mai sent a threatening look to the dragon, but the beast glanced at her innocently. Jaken ran on his short legs.

"Sesshomaru-sama! You are all right!" the imp exclaimed. Rin jumped of Ah-Un's saddle and followed Jaken.

"Sesshomaru-sama! Mai, you're back!" the kid shouted and darted straight to the girl, putting her little arms around Mai in tight embrace. "I missed you so much, Mai!"
The girl hugged the child back.

"I missed you too, kid." She said, ruffling Rin's already messy hair. The child laughed happily and glued herself to the girl.

"Inuyasha." Said Sesshomaru with hatred, glaring at the hanyou. The half-demon clad in red kimono smirked at his older brother, looking at the youkai's injury.

"Feh! I see you got quite a beating, Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha said and turned to Mai. "Mai, get yourself over here!"

The girl freed herself from Rin's grasp, ignoring the child's protests and slowly made her way towards the hanyou, not losing Sesshomaru of her sight. The demon followed her with his eyes, visibly pissed, but did nothing to stop her. Apparently he still wasn't in state to fight Inuyasha. Mai finally reached the hanyou's side.

"Did he do anything to you?" Inuyasha asked Mai. The girl shook her head.

"No, I'm fine." She answered. The hanyou furrowed his brows and sniffed her, searching for the scent of blood, but found none. He didn't see any visible injuries either. Inuyasha arched his eyebrow, as though he was surprised. "He didn't try to kill you?"

"Not really." Mai shrugged her shoulders. Well, she told him the truth – however, she decided not to mention the little incident with Sesshomaru pining her to the cave floor – that was just too embarrassing.

Inuyasha looked at Mai for a while and then his attention turned to Sesshomaru. Finally the hanyou sheathed Tessaiga and sighed.

"Mai, sorry for that." He said to the girl. She opened her mouth, about to question him, what did he mean by that, but didn't make it, as Inuyasha grabbed her shoulders and violently shoved her towards Sesshomaru. The girl gave out a small surprised cry and stumbled. She would have fallen, but the demon swiftly grabbed her by the waist, supporting her. Shocked, she stared at Inuyasha. Why would he toss her to Sesshomaru?

"Inuyasha!" Miroku shouted, running towards the hanyou. The demon-slayer did the same.

"What did you do, Inuyasha?" Sango questioned him, surprised by Inuyasha's action. The hanyou sighed and looked at Mai with determination.

"Mai, from now on Naraku knows that you are important for us and will try to kill you. You are already involved in the fight against him and your life will be in a constant danger. I can't protect both you and Kagome. Stay with Sesshomaru, he will keep you safe." Inuyasha told her seriously and turned to his companions. "Come on, we're going back."

Mai stared at the hanyou dumbfounded for a longer while, almost oblivious to the fact, that she was still tightly pressed against Sesshomaru's chest. Did Inuyasha just give her to the demon? She couldn't believe it! The hanyou was supposed to save her, not happily shove her to the sadistic bastard!

"Inuyasha!" she screamed, clawing at Sesshomaru's hand, that held her tightly. "Don't leave me with him! Inuyasha!"

The hanyou turned his head away from her and walked over to Kirara. Mai stopped struggling, when she finally understood that he really didn't have any intention of helping her.

"Miroku, Sango, come on." Inuyasha said quietly, ushering his companions on Kirara.

"Don't leave me." Mai whimpered, as the tears began welling in her eyes. She counted on their help and now they were abandoning her like that?

Miroku and Sango hesitantly mounted Kirara and Shippo tried to argue with Inuyasha, but the hanyou sent him a warning look, that made the little fox, demon silent. Before climbing on the cat-demon's back, Inuyasha turned around.

"Sesshomaru, take care of her." He said and jumped on Kirara behind Miroku. The cat-demon leaped into the sky and Mai watched, as they vanished into the clouds, leaving her behind. Mai broke in tears. She just couldn't believe it – how much bad luck can one person have? Now, she would die as Sesshomaru's servant!