Noro stayed out in the woods all night as the transformations overtook her body, sometimes seeing the dead during her lucid moments. It was only after the moon had begun to set, that she was able to become normal without fear of changing again.

Exhausted, Noro found the nearest stream and washed up, watching the blood lift from her clothes and mix into the running water.

Noro checked over her own body for wounds while she washed, and though she was pleased that she only retained a few minor scratches, Noro was not surprised. She could never if she got injured in her state, but if so, it always healed before the sun rose.

She put on her clothes, and slowly made her way back to camp, the moon fading to the light in the east making her aware to the waning night. She felt a chill.

"Well this is interesting. What are you?"

Noro whipped around, and beheld the wind woman Kagura. "What the hell do you want."

"Your name first of all."

"Norowareta. Leave me alone."

Kagura smiled. "How fitting that your name means cursed."

"Thanks. Now I repeat, leave me alone."

Kagura stepped out of the shadows. "I am curious. Earlier I had questioned why Sesshomaru would allow yet another human to attach itself to his entourage, but now I know that you are anything but. Tell me, does he know what you turn into at night?"

"That is not your business." Noro turned, and began to walk away.

"I hope so. Sesshomaru isn't kind you know," the witch called out after her. "No matter what you think of him, he is a killer!"

"Yeah well, so are the both of us as well," Noro muttered. She didn't even bother to look behind her.

🍂🍂🍂

Sesshomarus sharp nose picked up the smell of Kagura the instant she had arrived. He was aware of Noros absence, and knew that she would return.

He lay still, eyes closed, his ears keeping him aware of Kaguras presence and movement.

He could smell the blood on her clothes when Noro returned, both human and yokai, and overheard their conversation.

"Are you so sure that you won't attack them," Kagura asked. Noro stopped in her tracks, and Sesshomaru could smell the anger rolling off her.

"Listen lady," Noro said, "I don't know what you think you know, but you are way out of line, and extremely stupid if you think that I'd hurt one of my own friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes!"

"What about Kiba Shinzo?"

There was silence, and Noro sucked in a breath.

"Leave now," he heard Noro say darkly.

He could practically see Kagura smile. "I am. But I'll be keeping an eye on you...Norowareta. Goodbye."

Sesshomaru heard Noro curse the wind woman as a gust of wind signaled Kaguras departure, and his ears told him that Noro was approaching. He stayed extremely still, knowing that the woman would think he asleep.

"You know, you can keep your eyes closed Sesshomaru, but I think that you've been awake for a while now."

The demon lord was surprised, but his face remained still. He did not answer, and the swift rustling of grass told him that Noro had kneeled down near him. He would've tensed, but she was not going to kill him. She wasn't stupid.

"I know you won't answer me, but I wanted to tell you, I'd never hurt Rin. Or Jaken. Or A-Un. Or you."

"I don't know why, but I'm sure of it. I'd never hurt any of you."

Sesshomaru heard her stand back up, and listened as she walked away and went to bed. It was only after he heard the heavy, even breath of sleep, did his eyes spring open.