The Forbidden Ward

Chapter 1

Close. The scent was really close. The Lord of the West looked around the place with distaste. He detested and despise human. And being surrounded by them was by far the worst case scenario he could be in with them. But there was this particular sweet smell that's been bugging him since they pass the slave market. He can't put his finger on it so he decided to just leave it be, but the scent just won't leave his mind. And for some unknown reason, it seems very familiar. Out of curiosity, he decided to go and check it.

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Jaken, the demon toad-like servant of The Lord of the West, was happily following his master. Amidst the happiness he didn't notice they entered human territory, until he was surrounded by crowds of them. Jaken knew his master loathe humans and entering a gathering of humans was simply the most unbelievable act his master had ever done. But whatever it is that must have pushed his master this far must be of great importance, that or his master ate something poisonous this morning that compel him to do such thing.

Either way, he took a look around and found that they were inside one of those slave markets. Not an ordinary one, it was in fact an Auction slave market where people use people as goods. Now, why would his master went inside such a place? Its not like he need another servant, he has many of them back in the palace. Jaken, could not take it anymore and decided to ask his master.

"Sesshoumaru-sama—" the room suddenly came quiet. Jaken stiffen as he noticed those human eyes turn to them and regard them both in fear and anger. The auctioneer was slightly shaken in front.

"W-well, what do we have here? What is a demon doing, attending a slave market?" the auctioneer asked. Jaken snap a nerve at this.

"You foolish human! Do not address the Lord of the West in such manner! Be grateful to even be in his presence without losing some of your parts."

There was another murmur and whisper surrounding the room. The auctioneer was sweating a lot.

"W-well, what can I do for you?" he asked nervously.

Sesshoumaru took one step forward and scan the items (slave) displayed in front. Being the lord of the Dog Clan, Sesshoumaru possess a keen nose for smell, no matter how faint the scent is he could easily track it down just as long as it is within his range. And in this case being just a few meters away from the target he doesn't need to use his keen smell to know what it is.

"That girl on the last line for 10 pieces of gold."

Everyone almost choke down on the unbelievable price, even Jaken was left flabbergasted. All of those gold, for a slave? Preposterous!

"S-Sold! The last item to the Lord of the West."

Jaken watched as one of the assistant unshackle the slave. With his height he could not see what that slave looks like until it was shoved in front. His eyes look like they were about to fall off, it was a girl and by the looks of her, she barely even passed ten! What on demons world could have posses his master? Could it be that he's—Jaken tried to shake out such thoughts—but then—he look at his master who took a pouch that contains the gold pieces hidden inside his breast plate and hand it to the slave trader. The slave traders' smile was from ear to ear as he pushed the girl to the demon lords' direction.

"She's all yours."

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Sesshoumaru look at the child in front of him. She was small with long black hair dressed in a dull kimono with visible dirt on them and is standing barefoot. Without saying anything, he decided to walk out of the place with the child following close behind.

Once they were out of earshot and sight and away from those loathsome gathering. Sesshoumaru stop on his track.

"Go, you're free." He said and without even giving the girl a slight glance he started to walk ahead leaving the girl who was still staring at her feet.

Jaken followed his master and then after a few minutes look back. Even though they were in a far distance he could see the girl looking at them. Jaken look at her until she was out of sight, and then look back at his master then to the road in a deep thought.

First, his master enter a crowd he most despised then bought a slave for an outrageous price but in the end decided to free that slave. It was inexplicable.

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It was already near dusk when Sesshoumaru decided to take a stop near a river and sat at the root of a huge tree.

"Jaken."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken squeak, he was just about to sit down, and was surprise when his master called.

"Catch some fish." Sesshoumaru ordered in his commanding tone of voice.

That order caught Jaken off guard. Why would a great demon lord order something as catching—"Pardon me My Lord, but fish? Surely you'd want something like—" he received a cold glare from that and Jaken instantly stiffen. "—ri-right away My Lord!" he bowed and instantly dash off towards the river to catch some fish.

After a couple of minutes which turned into almost and hour, Jaken finally caught two medium size fish. He was about to ask what he was going to do with it when he was ordered instantly to cook it. It took only less than a minute to set a fire, being a demon who knows how to wield fire, it was the easiest task. After he pierced the stick to the fish he started to cook it fast, when he suddenly heard a loud rumbling sound. He look up at the sky, he could still see the stars.

"Well, it must be going to rain soon." He mumbled to himself when suddenly the sound came off again, this time much louder and longer than the first and Jaken knew where it came from. He stared at his master who slowly stood up.

'It can't be, Sesshoumaru-sama was—' He suddenly throws himself to the ground and bowed repeatedly. "I'm very sorry Sesshoumaru-sama, I didn't knew."

"Come out." Was his icy words.

Jaken instantly look up to his master to apologize again when he realize that his master wasn't talking at him. Sesshoumaru was looking past him. Jaken slowly stood up and look behind, and suddenly caught a glimpse of hair and slight movement behind the bushes. That human! He thought, then slowly his thought was proven by the girl who slowly crawled out of the bushes.

She stood up and dusted her knees, which Jaken find laughable, seeing her attempt of cleaning herself up when she still clearly looks un-presentable. Suddenly he heard a loud rumbling sound. He watch as the girl fell down on her knees clutching her stomach. Jaken gasped, It was her! Why this— his thoughts was cut off when he saw his master approach the girl with the fished he just cook in his hand.

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Sesshoumaru look down at the girl. He had sensed her long before they made their stop. He knew she was following them the whole time after they left her.

Seeing her in state of hunger he slowly handed her the fish. She look up at the fish then to him then back to the fish, then slowly she took it with her small hands whilst bowing before she finally gobble it up. When she was done she put the stick down, and to Jakens' distaste, rub her hands on her kimono, and bowed to Sesshoumaru again. This time, her eyes remain looking on the ground.

"Name." the way Sesshoumaru said it was more like a command than a question. Either way, the girl just stared at him blankly. Jaken rolled his froggy eyes.

"You stupid human girl, are you deaf? Lord Sesshoumaru just asked you of your name."

Instead of answering, the human child just shied away.

"You insolent human. Answer, when you're being asked." Jaken barked.

"Jaken." It was a quick but ferocious call that stoned Jaken to the ground. "The child is mute."

Jaken look from his Lord master then to the timid girl. "Well, that explains a lot." He whispered to himself.

Sesshomaru scan the sky for a moment and notice dark clouds close behind. Looking back at the girl, he was pondering on whether to stay or leave her. But seeing that look and in her condition he can't help but make the greatest choice he had. He turned around and pick up the child, to Jakens' disbelief.

"Jaken, we're leaving." He declared tonelessly and started to lift his feet from the ground. Seeing what his Lord was about to do, Jaken grab and hold on to his lords big white pelt.

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A/N: And so, here it is…my first SesshouRin fict. I hope you like it and please do read and review, then tell me what you think about it, constructed reviews are welcomed. Thank you very much! Until the next time! (^w^)/