Rose stood in her room in her demon form. Nothing had changed there; it was as if she had never left the palace. She had sent for Yuki earlier to bring her fur dress and was currently waiting her arrival. Rose had also bathed, since she had been sleeping for an entire day, and now held a blanket about her nude body as she chose to pace the room.
A knock on the door brought her attention. "Enter," Rose called. The door opened, and Yuki stepped in, carefully carrying Rose's dress. Rose took it and put it on, handing the damp blanket to Yuki.
"Anything else, mistress?" Yuki asked.
"No, Yuki. Thank you," said Rose as she quickly ran a comb through her hair. "Why don't you go rest? I give you permission to sleep in tomorrow; I'll take care of the overseeing."
Yuki bowed. "Thank you, mistress." She then left the room, closing the door behind her.
A sigh escaped Rose's lips as she thought of Yuki's actions. Rose had earlier discovered that Yuki had been made head servant in her absence and was working very hard to match Rose's success, but it was tiring the human out. It didn't help much emotionally to now be forced to serve her best friend as well as her lord. Rose decided then that tomorrow she would make Yuki her personal servant thus easing some duties of Yuki's shoulders as well as the fear of Sesshoumaru's rage.
After blowing out the candle by her door, Rose left her room and headed to Sesshoumaru's chambers. Outside the door to his room, she stopped and sighed. 'This is it, the moment that could mean everything.' Rose changed to her human form, smoothed her nightgown against her skin, and knocked. No answer came, so she silently opened the door. The room was empty of the demon lord but another stood to the back of the room, waiting. The baboon pelt of the infamous Naraku was easily seen in the well it room; something told Rose that this was no puppet.
Naraku turned away from the window and lowered the head of the pelt. His crimson eyes took in the sight of Rose as she stood in the open doorway. "Close the door," he commanded. Rose did do as he said, stepping into the room and closing the door. She did not care why he was there, she only wanted him to say what he'd come to say and leave. She held a look of determination and pride in her expression as she faced Naraku; this only made him chuckle. "I see you are walking about in your human form. So he knows?"
"Thanks to you!" Rose snapped.
"Yes, I did tell him. He seemed quite distraught at first, but apparently it wasn't enough to make his feelings waver." Naraku gave a shrug as if it didn't matter.
"Stay out of our relationship, Naraku, or I will never help you again," Rose warned.
"Fine, fine."
"Why are you here?" Rose calmed some.
"I told you I would come," Naraku told her, locking his eyes with hers. "You are strong, Rose, stronger than any of my incarnations. You can fend off Inuyasha with little difficulty. As payment for your sword..." He gestured to the corner where Ibara lay with Tokijin and Tenseiga. "...I ask that you guard the shards of the Shikon no Tama that I've collected." Naraku extended his hand to her, palm up. In it lay the nearly complete Shikon upon a necklace.
Rose stared in awe for she had never thought she would see the jewel close up, even after she had gotten used to this world, let alone be offered it. Her gaze quickly shifted to the smiling Naraku. "Is that all? Guard it from Inuyasha and other demons?"
"Mainly, yes." Naraku nodded. "I will send one of my Saimyosho with any new shards or if I need shards for my...entertainment. Once all are gathered, I'll be taking the two you posses. Do we have a deal?"
Rose nodded. "I'll do it."
Naraku approached her to put the necklace around her neck, but Rose stopped him by taking the jewel from him. At first, Naraku was surprised but then nodded in understanding. Before Rose knew it, he was gone. Rose sighed and moved to Ibara, tucking the jewel in its sheath for safe-keeping. Then she went to the bed, laid down, and awaited Sesshoumaru.
It wasn't long until she heard his voice outside the door, commanding Jaken. Rose could hear that Sesshoumaru was making it absolutely clear that they were not to be disturbed. She heard Jaken run down the hall and the door opening. She quickly feigned sleep.
Sesshoumaru entered the room only to see Rose sleeping. He sat down on the side of the bed and traced his fingers over her face, earning a smile from the faker. "Someone's not asleep," he cooed. Rose opened her eyes and sat up, giggling slightly at his teasing. He kissed her gently like he had done before, with much more caring felt within it. Rose was disappointed when he pulled away. "Your human form is just as beautiful as your demon. But answer me this: which form do you feel most comfortable in?"
"To tell the truth, my demon," replied Rose as she looked down at her body. "Anymore, my human form feels like a disguise."
"I thought so." Sesshoumaru placed his hand over her chest, above the place of the first shard. "The shard that gives you the form has fused with you, making your demon form truth and your human form a lie. Even in this form, you have the scent of a demon." His face went grim. "I'm afraid that if the shard were ever removed, you would die."
Rose gasped and backed away some in fear. Naraku's words ran through her mind, ' Once all are gathered, I'll be taking the two you posses.' But her fear washed away as she felt Sesshoumaru kiss her once more. He gently lay her back upon the bed, not breaking the kiss. When he pulled away, he smiled down at her, now straddling her hips.
"Come, forget what I have said. We have more recent issues to attend to." Sesshoumaru spoke in a seductive tone, the smile on his lips matching it. He bent down to kiss her again but was stopped.
"Wait, it doesn't feel right." Rose changed back to her demon form and smiled. "Now you can continue."
Sesshoumaru smiled and kissed her again. His kisses became more needy and passionate as he trailed kiss from her lips to her neck were he gently nibbled upon her skin. Rose moaned in pleasure only to have her moan cut of by his lips on hers again. Sesshoumaru parted her lips with his tongue and explored her mouth before massaging her tongue with his; Rose enjoyed ever minute of this, and was disappointed when he broke the kiss.
Sesshoumaru ignored her playful pout as he spoke to her. "Before this continues, I want to ask you. Rose, will you be my mate?"
"Of course I will," Rose replied with a smile.