I do not own InuYasha I have no rights over the characters yadayadayada I wish I did because then Id be filthy rich, yadayada

Yeah.

You get the point.

"I am leaving tonight, Sesshomaru." I kneeled before the great dog demon, my head bowed.

"So soon? Why not wait until after the full moon?"

"I need the light to travel. I am sorry." The wind blew, harsh. My long blonde hair fluttered around my face, and a chill ran down my spine. Bundling my fur cloak around my shoulders, I tried to warm the cold, unsettling lump in my heart.

We both looked at Rin, asleep on Sesshomaru's own cloak.

"And what of Rin. She will miss you."

And you will not? "Rin will be fine. She has learned much from me. She can take care of herself now." I stared into the yellow eyes of the demon I cared so much for. I was searching for something, anything. Any kind of feeling or emotion beyond those stubborn eyes. I stood, brushing specks of dirt from my white kimono. "Goodbye, Lord Sesshomaru."

He stood, merely watching me go.

And I left, never telling him why.

I made him believe it was because of Rin, that she needed to learn for herself now, to fend for herself. Yes, that was part of the reason, but not all. The other part, the major one, was because of my secret, my curse.
I lifted the sleeve of my kimono, past the white glow of my skin in the moonlight to my forearm, tainted purple through bruises. My curse. Yes, I had left because this condition of mine had stayed relatively the same. I had hoped that, somehow, he might have been able to lift the curse.

So many good reasons to have left, yet none of them were why at all. I could have left solely because of Rin. Because it was time for her to learn how to be a woman on her own. Time for her to take care of herself. I could have left because I was tired of the constant battling between him and InuYasha, his half-brother. They were constantly at it and, as a half-demon myself, I found I could not pick a side. While I owed my allegiance to Sesshomaru, I sympathized with InuYasha. I almost felt angry, myself.

"Damn that InuYasha." Sesshomaru would say. "Curse his half breed blood. I am ashamed to be related to one with such tainted blood."

Doesn't he know that I am always behind him as he says these things? These comments that I found to be irritating and offensive. I could have left because I was disgusted to be around someone with such a hatred for my kind. But that is not why I left. No, despite all the hatred and cold-heartedness, I loved him too much.

And with every passing instant that he did not love me back, my pain increased, my curse flourished. What he did not know, what no one knew, was that this curse had entirely consumed my body, of course, with the exceptions of my hands, feet, and face. This was to symbolize how my pain would forever be locked away, kept inside where no one can see. And no one did see. Yes, there were times when people would see the atrocious bruises on my arms, but it was easier to let them believe I had one bruised arm than an entire bruised and broken body.

I had been traveling for days upon days. At night, I would sleep in the branches of trees. It was not the most comfortable, but it felt safe, and that was very important to me. My legs had become weakened, as the bruises had already hurt my legs so much. Yet, finally, I reached my destination. I had known where I was going all along, and yet, not known.

I passed through the red arch, entering the grounds of the castle. The instant I had set foot on the main dirt path, the sky changed from blue to red. I no longer heard the birds singing. The servants of the castle vanished into thin air. I looked back at the red arch, tempted to turn back, but it was too late The forest had turned into a black abyss, and I was trapped.
Something cold pressed against my neck. It was sharp, and I felt the blood trickling down my neck.

"What demon dares to enter the grounds of my castle?" A voice boomed.

The sharp object left my neck, and I immediately dropped to the ground, on my knees, bowing my head. I was so scared. Do not be frightened. Do not forget why you have come. You must forget him. This might alleviate your curse. It was easier to think such words to myself than to believe them.

I could feel the presence still behind me. It was Kohaku, I knew, with his weapon drawn. That poor, wretched boy.

I bowed my head lower, watching as the blood dripping from my neck formed a pool on the ground in front of my knees. As I counted the drops of blood, I mustered the courage to speak.

"I am Kitsauma." Be brave! I raised my head to see the great white baboon standing before me.

"Kitsauma. What is your business here?" the harsh voice demanded.

"Are you the one called Naraku?" I dared to look up at his face. I could see the hint of a smile under his mask.

"You have not yet answered my own question." The blade Kohaku was wielding pressed into the back of my neck.

"Forgive me, but my business here can only be shared with Naraku." What was I doing? I knew it was him. Or, at least, a puppet of him.

"Kohaku, enough. " The blade disappeared once more. "I am Naraku. Now state your business."

I smiled, I could not control it. I dug my nails into upper arm, through the kimono, pulling my shikkon jewel shard out of my body. I had been using it to relieve my pain, but now I needed it as a token of respect. Take this offering, accept me. I placed the jewel, dripping blood, on the ground, edging it close to Naraku's feet. Instantly afterward, I placed both arms on the ground, trying to lift myself up. The pain was unbearable. I only wanted to sink into the ground and die. The pain reverberated throughout every inch of my body.
"I have come to offer you this as a symbol of respect."

Naraku picked the jewel off the ground, examining it. "This jewel is not pure. Nor has it been tainted with hatred. You have tainted it with your sorrow. How very interesting."
"My Lord Naraku, I offer you this token, and hope you will accept me as your servant."

Silence. Only silence. Had I offended him somehow? I bowed my head, nearly pressing my nose into the dirt. I heard him crouch down. Hands reached out to cup my face and lift it. The demon behind the mask stared into my amber eyes, searching for some detect of a lie. Not finding any, he dropped my head and stood. "I accept."

And so it begins.