Fawks wandered aimlessly in the castle garden, Sakura petals drifted lazily on the breeze.
"You come here a lot, koi..."
She turned, "Sessho-maru..."
The demon lord approached her, his golden eyes emotionless, Fawks lowered her gaze.
"...Will...you be joining me tonight, My lord?"
"...I'm afraid not, I have some business to attend to..." Sessho-maru replied tonelessly. Fawks lowered her head, nodding solemnly.
"...I see..."
Reaching up to the sakura tree, Sessho-maru plucked one perfect blossom, placing it behind Fawks' ear.
"Fear not, my darling. I will be back as soon as possible"
Leaning down he kissed her softly, Fawks kissed him back fervently, but he pulled away. Turning he left her alone in the garden, Fawks sighed.
"My lady!"
Fawks turned to smile at her companion as she stumbled and tripped to get to her. The clumsy kitsune fell on her face before her lady, her brown hair in a tangle.
"Hane-chan! Are you all right?!" Fawks cried. The young girl bounced right back up with a smile.
"...H...Hai!! I'm fine Milady! Please don't worry about me!"
Fawks smiled back, the girl peek behind her.
"...Sessho-maru-sama?"
"...Let's be off..." Fawks said softly.
"My lord, has been gone a lot lately..." Fawks said absently. Hane looked up at her, her amethyst eyes conflicted. She opened her mouth then closed it looking away.
"...You wish to say something...Hane-chan?"
Hane looked up, she began to stall.
"...My lady...It... may be a little bold but...I care for you...like a younger sister..."
"...Not at all, Hane-chan, I feel the same about you" Fawks smiled taking the young girls hands with a smile. Tears welled with in Hane's eyes, she closed them.
"...Lord Sessho-maru has been...sleeping with another woman..."
Fawks stiffened.
"...I'm sorry, my lady, but...I followed him one night...it's Sachiko-san, that neko-youkai that started work in the castle several months ago..."
Fawks laughed coldly, "...I thought as much...I've seen the way he's looked at her, like a dog eying a piece of meat..."
"...That's where he's been going, My lady..."
Hane was cut off by the sound of heavy footsteps coming down the hall.
"...It's the master..." she whispered.
"...come slinking to my bed, most likely" Fawks hissed. Turning, she began to undress, "Tell him to go away, Hane-chan"
Hane trembled slightly, sliding open the screen just as Lord Sessho-maru stopped in front of it.
"...M...My lord...Fawks...sama is a bit...under the weather...she...she wishes to be left alone tonight..."
"...Is that so?" Sessho-maru raised an eyebrow, pushing past her.
"...M...my lord!"
Fawks glared as Sessho-maru approached her, pulling her kimono back over her shoulders.
"I thought Hane-chan told you I was indisposed"
"...What is wrong?" Sessho-maru asked taking her face in his hand.
"...I...I just wish to be by myself tonight..." she whispered, trying not to recoil from his touch. Sessho-maru gazed at her for a moment before kissing her cheek softly.
"Then I wish you a goodnight, my lady mate"
"...Goodnight..." Fawks called back coldly as he left the room. Hane let loose the breath she had been holding in, sinking gratefully to the floor. Fawks let her kimono slip from her shoulders, standing in front of the mirror, she gazed at the violet crescent moon that adorned her chest.
' ...His mark...' She closed her eyes, a single tear ran down her cheek.
Sessho-maru looked up as Fawks entered the room, Hane at her side.
"...I've been waiting for you..."
"Forgive me, my lord, I had a late start..." Fawks replied seating herself at the table. Sessho-maru raised an eyebrow, "Since when do you address me as 'My lord?"
Fawks was about give a smart retort when she noticed the sickly sweet scent in the air. That was when she noticed the shamefully attractive neko-youkai laying out the dishes on the table. Her long blonde hair was held back in a loose braid, her skin was lovely and pale, quite a contrast to Fawks' naturally tan skin. Her eyes were a gentle blue, looks wise, this female was everything Fawks was not.
"...What is she doing here?" Fawks growled.
"Her job, she is a servant after all" Sessho-maru replied. Fawks didn't miss the way he observed her movements or the little seductive smiles she would give when their eyes met. Fawks clenched her teeth, her hands balled into tight fists underneath the table.
"...Fawks-sama..." Hane whispered. Sachiko drifted gracefully over to Fawks, setting her food. Sneaking her condescending glances, when she thought she wasn't looking.
"...My lady? Are you alright?" She purred, touching her shoulder. Fawks snapped, she grabbed the girl's wrist so tight, the bones cracked. Sachiko winced.
"...Don't you DARE touch me, you skank!" Fawks snarled.
"Fawks!" Sessho-maru began, rising from the table.
"My lady!" Hane cried.
"...You touch my mate, laugh about it behind my back. Don't you DARE think you have ANY right to touch ME!!!!" She roared. Sachiko glared at her with hateful eyes, this only angered Fawks further. Bringing up her other hand, she put it to the girl's face, the heat of her anger burned her creamy, pale and perfect flesh. Sachiko screamed in agony, Sessho-maru rushed at Fawks, who stilled him with a deadly glare.
Fawks pushed Sachiko away from her in disgust, the girl screamed, clutching her face. Sessho-maru ran to Sachiko, Fawks turned abruptly, leaving the room.
"Hane-chan!"
The young girl trembled, following behind her.
"What has gotten into you?!" Sessho-maru bellowed, storming into Fawks' room. Hane shook with fear, Fawks gazed at him impassively.
"...She'll be fine, her face will heal completely...I just gave her a little taste of what I would do to her if she continued to displease me..." she replied, holding up her hand, a tiny flame dancing in he palm.
"What has she done to displease you?" he growled.
"You know exactly what she's done!!" Fawks hissed. Sessho-maru held his tongue, his uncaring mask back in place. Fawks clenched her teeth, her temper flaring, "Hane! Leave us!!"
The kitsune trembled, hurrying from the room.
"I'm not a fool, Sessho-maru, I know what you've been doing with that whore"
Sessho-maru looked away, Fawks turned to him, tears in her green eyes.
"How could you? You were who asked me to stay with you! I gave up everything for you, you selfish bastard!!!" she yelled. He said nothing, hurting Fawks more then if he had told her why. She turned from him, "Get out of my sight, better yet, go tend to your whore!"
"...I'm sorry..." was all he said before leaving her alone in the room. Fawks legs trembled beneath her until they gave way, she fell sobbing to the floor.