Chapter 2: Binding of the Souls; Heart, Body, and Soul

By: LeSinner

. . . . .

"Welcome back, Master."

And there the demon lord was, waiting for his new master in the dark, shirtless and kneeling on the floor.

Kagome was startled to hear the smooth and disturbingly humble baritone of one inu youkai.

So startled was she, in fact, that before she could process her own thoughts, her hand moved on its own and reflexively sent her purse flying towards Sesshoumaru's head.

What made it worse was that she had unconsciously coated her purse with very faint miko ki.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry! You surprised me and – well, no, it's all right, please sit upright!"

My god, this is really embarrassing. And damned if I don't feel any more awkward with Inu-yasha's demon lord half-brother kowtowing at my feet.

The taiyoukai did as told and sat upright, eyes downward. Though his hair was cropped shorter than was appropriate for a youkai of his standing, he felt a small measure of relief that his bangs were long enough to shade his eyes.

Kagome sat before Sesshoumaru and his… ye gods. It's that horrible, red, velvet cushion. It practically screams "sex object". It's amazingly large enough to accommodate Sesshoumaru even as he bows his head to the cushion.

She lightly shook her head to dispel her rambling thoughts. Her chair was comfortable and large enough for her to lounge in as she took a deep breath and calmed her nerved to observe Sesshoumaru.

The first thing she noticed was the collar latched onto his strong masculine neck. There were matching bands on his wrists and feet that covered the maroon stripes that seemed to be paler than she remembered. The bands were slim and appeared tasteful. Like a fashion statement. And he looked like a rocker.

His hair was cropped close to his scalp, making Sesshoumaru seem smaller than she remembered. His clothes were – oh my, he's shirtless, shirtless! – lacking. Rather, he only had a pair of hakama and a sash, with nothing else upon his body but the markings of his heritage and the thin velvet-like bands. She followed the slash of a maroon stripe dip from his toned belly to his hips, no doubt continuing beyond the band and sash of his low slung hakama. His nails, she noted, were short and trimmed, almost human looking; she hesitated to call them claws. His skin was flawless, like white marble. His ears were partially hidden by his silver strands, but she could faintly see the pointed tips. His lips were thin, but well formed and beautiful, suiting his strong, bruised jaw.

Bruised?

Kagome nearly lunged to hold Sesshoumaru's face in her hands to examine the bruise on his face. She could feel that it was merely tight control that kept Sesshoumaru from flinching away and Kagome fought the need to apologize. Kagome tipped Sesshoumaru's head to peer into his muted, golden eyes.

Kagome knew that nothing can harm a taiyoukai like Sesshoumaru just like that. It would take a great deal of effort – and power – to even bruise him.

"Did I do this to you?" She was aware that her miko ki was strong enough to provide a stinging buzz, especially at the level she dispensed it at, but not to bruise…

Sesshoumaru exerted great effort to keep his eyes respectfully down.

"Forgive me, Master, for my untimely greeting." He was putting the blame on himself. Kagome intuitively understood this.

But still, how on earth was Sesshoumaru so easily bruised! Kagome felt that this information was part of the puzzle.

Kagome leaned back on her chair. She didn't know how to proceed. She wanted to free him, or something, but the possible consequences of such an act could prove to be fatal, especially for her.

Quickly, Kagome sought to center herself. Panicking would get her absolutely no where.

Kagome chanced a look at Sesshoumaru's form on the large, red cushion.

For now, Kagome decided, she would play it safe. She will not deceive him… she will allow him to come to his own conclusions. Then and there, she decided not to tell him of her involvement with the past. It would be for the best.

"What may I call you?" The polite query took Sesshoumaru aback. He was not used to being so politely addressed by his masters.

"Sesshoumaru, Master." Kagome started to think that she would be eternally bothered by that humble, obeisant, submissive tone.

Submissive, submissive, submissive. Submissive and shirtless. Kagome's fingers minutely twitched.

"And I am Kagome Higurashi. Call me Kagome."

. . . . .

Kagome woke to a bright morning. She had a pleasant rest, and nobody disrupted her sleep. Hopefully it was because of thoughtful consideration to the time Kagome and her Aunt made it home. At worst… at worst, the household must have assumed she'd be busy with her new "companion."

Kagome twitched in bed. If even one maid – one! – giggles just like the last time I had a guy over, I will be very displeased.

Nothing happened last night. She sent Sesshoumaru to bed and told him they would discuss things in the morning with the excuse that she was tired.

And she was tired. But grateful. The light of the morning banished the cobwebs away from her mind and she felt more ready to deal with a submissive, short-haired, handsome, submissive Sesshoumaru.

As she prepared the arduous task of leaving her bed, she wondered where Sesshoumaru was. Last she saw him, was when she left him in the ante-chamber of her room, motioning him towards the adjoining bedroom.

. . . . .

Sesshoumaru waited patiently in his room, on the floor by his bed. He noted last night, how his new master seemed to eye his cushion with something he could not name; distaste, disdain, disgust? It certainly caused his master some discomfort.

He did not sleep much, and instead watched as the sky outside his window gradually lightened.

He washed his face and groomed himself with the toiletries provided and found himself more confused than ever.

A light meal was brought to his room but he did not touch it. No servant eats before the master, no matter where; either in his presence or without.

He was puzzled, when he realized there were no guards waiting in this wing. Nobody in this household knew of the spells that protected the master from the slave, and yet there were no safety precautions in place. Being a former strategist, this bothered him to no end.

At first, Sesshoumaru thought this was for privacy. And if it were for privacy, then he would be expected to perform for his master when she arrived.

And so he waited for her in the dark of his master's ante-chamber. He was shirtless and resigned, expecting a lusty woman.

But no! His master was surprised to see him there. He loosened his hakama and sash, for easy removal, and yet his master did nothing even remotely of that nature. With sharp eyes, he took in that the woman who is his master was the woman with power the other day.

Even as a slave, he disliked not knowing. He could have sworn the man from last night in charge of his settling in hinted that he, Sesshoumaru, must show his gratitude to his new master for his new life. The "gratitude," of course, would be of a certain nature involving privacy. Of course, in what other way was he to show his gratitude in so short a span? This life of servitude couldn't possibly be any different from his last life of servitude, but, he kept silent on the matter.

"You there, come along. Don't even think of running; you would not make it past those doors if you do."

He didn't run of course. If he did, going about master less, he'd have died without anything to anchor his soul and youki. That, and the fact that he was still tightly sealed within himself; he was no better than a young human pup.

"The young Miss went to certain lengths to ensure your safety with the Sumiyoshi-kai. The other clans wanted to destroy you and the trader."

In his weakened and sealed state, there was no doubt that were there any altercation, he'd have died.

"And you better be grateful, man. With a kind master like hime-sama, you'd be living a good life."

Sesshoumaru kept thinking on the man's words last night. Hime-sama. He was pleased his master was female. Sesshoumaru's body had enough resistance to physical blows, but sexual abuse? It was much better, he decided, to sleep with females.

. . . . .

When Kagome moved to her dressing room, she noted the time to be well past ten in the morning. Alarmed, for she did have a taiyoukai she should be looking after, she grabbed her night robe and with an almost breathless speed, moved to where she hoped Sesshoumaru was: the adjoining bedroom.

Kagome rapped softly on the bedroom door before entering and calling out to Sesshoumaru.

"Master," Sesshoumaru greeted from his prone position on his floor.

She idly noted the room to be much smaller than the rooms she had, but large enough to have a fire place with high back chairs and a coffee table for company.

And yet, Sesshoumaru chose to kneel on the cold marble floor.

"Good morning…" Kagome wasn't sure how to proceed. "What are you doing on the floor?"

"I sat where I knew you to appear, Master. This one did not think it appropriate to move the furniture you have so graciously and generously provided."

Kagome felt rather silly in her bathrobe, standing as Sesshoumaru once again bowed lowly on the floor.

Sesshoumaru imagined that this was his chance to "show some gratitude," if his Master's apparel was anything to go by.

She nixed that thought out the window, though.

"Sesshoumaru, don't you have a shirt?" Sesshoumaru's eye flicked to the folded shirt on his neatly-made bed.

"And is that your breakfast?"

Kagome really had no idea how to proceed. She had the most annoying internal struggle that had her making decisions.

OK. Just deal with him like normal. He's yours now, and treat him like you do any other person… just forget about the kowtowing. Jesus Christ, we need to discuss this. Kagome, take responsibility!

"Sesshoumaru, please wear your shirt," if you don't I'm afraid I'd be quite distracted, "I'll wait for you in my room, and please take your breakfast with you."

Sesshoumaru nodded and gracefully stood from his prone position. Kagome idly noted the tone body to be drool worthy.

Enough of that. Kagome abruptly turned to her room. I've got to look at this objectively and treat this like business.

Yes, like business. I've got all the cards anyway. She gracefully motioned Sesshoumaru to take his seat, but when she turned, she noted he was kneeling on the carpeted floor with his tray of food to the side.

"Won't you rather take a seat on the sofa, Sesshoumaru?"

Another kowtow, "I am much comfortable here, Master. I am hardly your equal."

Kagome thought of what she should say. There were so many things she wanted to know! How did Sesshoumaru come to this? And last night! He bruised last night! And his hair! His glorious hair was gone!

"Explain yourself," she virtually barked.

Sesshoumaru tensed.

Kagome tensed.

The room was tense. Well, no. Tension just pulsed through the walls.

She was so mortified that it was with only her newly found self restraint that kept her from covering her face with her hands. Before she could put conscious thought into how to go about handling this delicate matter, her mouth did it for her!

"I – Master? This one is but your humble servant, and unworthy to sit level with you like an equal."

Thank goodness then. At least I can still salvage what my traitorous mouth has done.

Quickly fibbing, Kagome tried to cover up her ill-timed brain disconnection.

"Not that. Tell me about yourself, Sesshoumaru. You don't feel human. Ah… and call me Kagome."

Sesshoumaru exhaled lightly, utterly shocked his Master was so intuitive. Then again, she did throw a light, energy-charged projectile at him last night. Perhaps his Master had connections to old power.

"I am not human, Kagome-sama." Sesshoumaru carefully scented the air to judge what his Master was thinking. These introductions were always the most troublesome.

Kagome was still. I'm almost 100% sure that if I didn't already know that, I'd be far less calm than this. Kagome continued to play it cool. She was, well, the master here, and she was in control.

"Then what are you?"

"Youkai, my lady." Sesshoumaru answered without missing a beat.

"I thought so."

Sesshoumaru was treated to a piercing stare.

"How did you get yourself in this position, Sesshoumaru. Correct me if I'm wrong, but youkai are generally stronger than humans." Well, of course they are, most of all you.

"And look at me when you speak, Sesshoumaru, I'd rather not be conversing with your hair." A bit harsh, but time's a wasting.

Sesshoumaru would have blanched, but obliged. The spells that kept him subservient were always activated.

"I was tricked, Kagome-sama. These bands were steeped in magic, and now fed by my youki. They suppress me. Master, I must ask you to complete the binding spell. I can only truly be yours if this spell is finished."

"How do we break the enchantments on the bands?"

"I cannot break through these enchantments, my lady. They were specially crafted for my power. It insures subservience to my master and further insures I will not turn against him."

Kagome frowned lightly.

"I'm asking how to break them, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru wondered why on earth Kagome-sama wanted to know, but answered as truthfully as he could.

"To my knowledge, Kagome-sama, there is no breaking of these enchantments; only my natural death would allow this."

Kagome was silent as she contemplated this.

"And if I allowed you to go free?" She wanted to know. Not that she had any intention of letting loose a taiyoukai that could be hell bent on revenge.

Sesshoumaru was somewhat loosing focus. I don't want to die, Sesshoumaru thought. He should have welcomed death, but he did not want to die yet.

"I would slowly die, Master."

Kagome understood right then. Her teacher in the feudal era taught her about these barbaric practices.

"Your soul needs an anchor, doesn't it, Sesshoumaru?" came her horrified whisper.

She was appalled. For a brief time, she was captured and enslaved. The only reason she still had her freedom was that her restraints were not strong enough to hold her power, and were certainly cheap enough not to be keyed to her. Going without a master was painful, incredibly painful. She continually thanks her teacher for training her.

Sesshoumaru nodded with slightly widened eyes. He wondered how his Master knew these things. It was a youkai art, and she was definitely no youkai.

"Yes, Kagome-sama. My soul has been wandering at night for the past three weeks, Master. Last night, when your guard claimed me in your name, my soul was held tighter to me."

He paused and was at a loss. He had never had a master who did not claim him immediately. The last month was the first time he experienced pains of the soul.

"Master, I am already partially yours," finish it and claim me wholly, were the unvoiced words. Even half-claimed, his soul would still be liable to wandering.

Kagome was torn. She was compassionate enough to want to spare Sesshoumaru the soul-ripping pain, but she was not sure she could stand someone being bound to her so intimately. His soul would be anchored to hers, intimately linked to hers, and it was too much like a violation of privacy. Yearnings, sentiments and other strong emotions would be shared. She was quite sure not even thoughts were safe!

She thought there was some object that kept Sesshoumaru behaved and enslaved! She was expecting some metaphorical leash, damn it. She was only 19, and if she allowed this to happen, she would be responsible for him.

Sesshoumaru sat silent, feeling, intuitively sensing, and smelling the emotions his Master was burdened with. He had a feeling Kagome-sama knew much more about a soul-anchor; otherwise, how could she have known how to treat such a grave situation?

Kagome closed her eyes and forcibly calmed herself.

I'd be responsible for him; heart, body and soul. And not in the romantic pocketbook sense either. I'm sure his masters didn't know what accepting a soul-bond like this entailed. He'd be my faithful servant, but in exchange, I attend to his welfare, I provide for him, care for him and... guide him. How long, I wonder, has he suffered from an unfulfilled soul-bond? If he truly did belong to the heartless Xuanzong… I'm sure he suffered greatly.

"He is yours now, Kagome…"

Kagome's eyes snapped open when her Aunt's words from last night came replaying with alarming volume within her mind.

Fine, then.

"How is this done, Sesshoumaru? How do I…" here she hesitated the correct term from her lessons in the past. "How do I… claim you?"

Sesshoumaru withheld a shiver as he could feel his soul calling out to his new Master's. Her soul was warm and barely confined within her small frame. This had never happened before, and it only further confirmed the knowledge that Kagome-sama knew what being his master entailed, was able and willing to form the bond with the promise of fulfillment.

"My collar, Kagome-sama." Kagome thought it looked more like a choker… same difference, she supposed. "Your blood will bind me to you."

Sesshoumaru hesitated over the final part of the ritual. None of his other masters did this, as none had the capacity to finish it.

"Your blood and a bit of your soul must be forced through the collar. Then you take your soul back with a piece of mine, Kagome-sama, through my heart, and weave it into your own."

Yippee. Again, there's something with my soul. It's always about my soul. Kagome couldn't keep back the snarky comment from forming in her mind.

"Then I will be bound to you forever." Sesshoumaru had such a hopeful look at finally entering a fulfilling bond, but the statement only managed to creep Kagome out on how similar it was to the more demented claims of the youkai in the past.

Kagome rearranged her night robe over her body and rose to meet Sesshoumaru. As she neared him, he presented his neck with the collar and an open mouth.

Kagome stilled. Wha – ?

"Sesshoumaru, I can't reach your collar with your mouth wide open."

Sesshoumaru was somewhat abashed to have forgotten to mention that the blood had to be spilled willingly on both sides with his fang.

"… OK." And just like that, Sesshoumaru's new Master carefully held his jaw and positioned her thumb over his sharp canine.

Kagome steadily pressed her finger, while preparing to tear a piece of her soul to stuff into the collar.

This is gonna fucking hurt, I just know it.

. . . . .

Remarks: Yay! The second chapter complete! It was supposed to cover much more, but I thought that it would be better to end here. It is significantly shorter than the first chapter as the first one needed to lay the foundation of the story.

Notes on this chapter: Here's some insight into Sesshoumaru's character. He's been enslaved in unfulfilled bonds for nearly half a millennia. And by unfulfilled, it is meant that the masters were either unwilling, or unable to commit to a bond with Sesshoumaru. Due to this, Sesshoumaru is significantly subdued. He is still honorable and noble, but his arrogance was stripped from him. His being a slave, combined with the exertions on his soul from an unfulfilled bond left him almost hopeless and tired. His dignity is somewhat scrapped. He believes his only saving grace is that he was born with excellent lineage, and the perks that come from such a lineage (his sharp mind, his natural power and his good looks).

Next chapter: Sesshoumaru and Kagome go out on the streets.

Comment on this chapter. Tell me what you think about this Sesshoumaru. :D