Note: Bold = Beast
Falling Rain
Chapter 3
It had taken nearly half a day running before the citadel had risen before him. He glanced down to the little priestess in his arms and gave a mental sigh. She had yet to move even an inch from her place curled into his chest, though every so often he had felt the warmth of her tears seeping into his shirt.
It hadn't taken much to realize who had done this to her. While the rain had washed away many ill scents, one remained on her, clinging strongly to her more natural scent. His wretched half-brother had damaged her, but to what extent he was unsure. He intended to find out once she was healed enough to discuss such things, but he was no fool; he knew that the trauma she had endured would have lasting effects on more than just her body.
If he wanted her to talk, he would first need to gain her trust. But what use did he have for such a thing? He was Sesshoumaru! He could take from her whatever information he wanted!
Don't be brash. You can't make her talk, not like that. She is broken. Her spark is gone. She won't be able to stand against you but you'll break her more.
Sesshoumaru shook his head lightly, still not comfortable with the voice inside his soul. Shortly after Naraku had been defeated, his beast had broken several chains of his mental cage and began to speak freely instead of remaining as the quiet observer within. No matter how hard he had tried to put him back in his place and strengthen the broken chains, the beast would not budge.
The most disconcerting of all was the simple fact that the beast did not observe the world. It observed her, it spoke of her, it thought of her. Only the priestess ever made the beast stir. Sesshoumaru had accepted this strange twist and moved on but with her presence, he wasn't sure that he would be able to ignore the unfailing loyalty his beast gave to the priestess for long.
He walked at a brisk pace through the gates of the citadel, offering no greeting to his guards beside the small incline of his head, thankful for the cover of the rain that kept his guards attention away from the bundle he carried.
Upon entering the main greeting room, Sesshoumaru found himself in the company of a female servant, bowing low and respectful.
"Welcome back, my lord. Your trip was successful I hope!"
He caught the quick glance the servant sent to the female in his arms and he took the opportunity to motion for her silence when she righted herself.
"Where is Takara?"
"In the study for young Rin, watching over her lessons, my lord"
"Summon her to the infirmary immediately"
He did not wait for confirmation that she would carry out his orders. It was simply an order to be done and so it would be.
His feet carried him down several corridors until he reached the heavy wooden doors of the infirmary. He pushed his way inside and stood in the middle of the large room, a desk in front of him with another of his servants behind the desk, though this particular person was closer to one he might call friend.
Sesshoumaru glowered at the raised eyebrow and the clear amusement sparkling within his friend's deep violet eyes.
"Well, my Lord, I would never have expected you of all people to barge so rudely into my infirmary. To what do I owe this great pleasure?"
He nearly scoffed at the flurry of a bow Daisuke offered before his gaze drifted to the girl held securely to his chest.
"Ah, would it have something to do with the female in your arms then?"
Daisuke's laughter grated against his nerves. He watched him walk around his desk, the long dark braid of his hair swishing around behind his back.
"Do not play games Daisuke. You know very well she requires aid. She reeks of blood"
"Come now Lord Sesshoumaru, you know I only jest. She has power and can heal herself, I can feel it. Why does she rest within your arms?"
Sesshoumaru growled low, pulling back slightly when Daisuke reached out to touch her forehead. He stopped moving at the look he received after that.
"She seems to have closed her mind, likely due to the torture she endured. Her powers will be useless at this time. She seemed willing to accept death easily, Daisuke"
"Ah, but she is human Lord Sesshoumaru. Are not all humans quick to end themselves as such?"
Sesshoumaru looked down to the face of the sleeping female and watched her brows furrow together. Whatever his brother had done to her, it was enough to change even her forgiving soul.
"Not this one"
His intense study of her ensured that he did not see Daisuke's shock at his words or the way his eyes hardened in determination.
He felt the girl being lifted from his arms and could do nothing more than watch as his most trusted healer placed the frail human on a cot and began to gather the tools needed to examine her. He noted the way her body stayed limp while being moved and the way her breath left her body in a pattern that indicated deep sleep.
At least she would sleep for a while; there were arrangements that needed to be made.
"Treat her well Daisuke"
Sesshoumaru turned to leave just as a light knock was heard at the door. He opened it to reveal a petite demoness with soft brown eyes and long dark hair. With a nod to Daisuke, Sesshoumaru left the infirmary, gently closing the door behind him.
*FR*
Daisuke watched Sesshoumaru leave before looking down at the small woman on the cot beside him. He very carefully removed the blood-stained haori and what was left of the cloth that he assumed had once been her clothing.
When the full extent of her wounds met his eyes, he clucked his tongue and shook his head, his eyes softening with pity as he stroked back the bangs clinging to the girls face.
"My dear girl, what on earth have you been through?"
A quiet sigh was his only response and he quickly began cleaning and wrapping the wounds that covered her small frame. Some of the larger wounds might need cauterizing, but for now he would see if her healing powers could do some work instead. He really did not want to be the cause of such large scarring.
*FR*
Sesshoumaru walked down the hall away from the infirmary, hoping to find some semblance of order before the female woke. Though likely broken, he knew that she would demand answers. He told himself over and again that he did not hope for her to demand such things.
"The girl in the infirmary is a priestess. She has suffered both physically and mentally. You are to guard her, a companion for every moment of her waking days. You will report her health and stability daily. All decisions in her interest are to be made by myself only"
"As you wish, Lord Sesshoumaru. Where will she be staying?"
He heard her voice as she accepted his command, soft and lacking luster, though the tone was of the higher more feminine appeal, a point that he knew she hated.
"The upper west wing. Place her across from Rin"
Though the upper west wing was strictly for family members and honored guests, it would be best to keep her close by. His own chambers were barely a few doors down from the room he assigned to her. Besides, she was pack no matter how extended.
He watched as Takara bowed low at the waist before turning and leaving, presumably to prepare her rooms and whatever else she might need. Once she was out of sight, Sesshoumaru stood for a moment by himself and wondered over the priestess, smirking when he realized that she would be furiously confused when she awoke.
No matter the reason, reaction from her was the most he could do right now. She could not be allowed to lock herself away inside her own mind any longer.
Sesshoumaru turned quickly at the sound of clattering metal against stone and a rasped yell.
He leisurely made his way back to the infirmary and walked inside, not bothering to make his presence known. What he saw was a bit comical actually.
Daisuke stood over a cot with a sheet, seemingly attempting to cover the girl, while the girl wielded a pair of clamps from her sitting position.
"What happened?"
He watched as Daisuke struggled to cover the girl, pleading with her to stay still and explaining to him that she had been startled awake and had lashed out at him, causing herself further injury.
Sesshoumaru walked up to the cot and leaned down over her, causing her body to sink backwards and lay down again. Her skin was permeated with the stench of fear, the clamps she had been holding having long since fallen away and she clutched at the sheet between them. He ran a single clawed finger over her less injured cheek, his voice whispering gently in her ear.
"You have no need to fear. Do you not remember who carried you here? If this one wanted you dead then it would have been so a long time ago"
He noticed her flinch; her eyes closing in response to his words, but as their meaning sank in she seemed to relax and looked up at him again. He listened as her heartbeat slowed to a calmer rhythm and felt a sense of relief wash over him, causing him to stop short.
What had he been afraid of? That she would run away in horror? Hate him for saving her life? What foolish thoughts; the girl was human, not stupid.
Her mouth opened and closed several times, rasping sounds attempting to escape until she cleared her throat.
"Where am I Sesshoumaru?"
Before he could respond, Daisuke pressed a small vial of water to her lips and smirked down at her.
"You are in my Lords home. Welcome to the Citadel of the West!"
Her eye widened comically and she tried to sit up again, resisting as much as possible when Daisuke pressed her back against the cot again.
"A citadel? As in a castle?"
He let out a puff of irritation and turned his attention to the wall where several vials rested for future use.
"It is not the same thing woman!"
"But…who's citadel? How is it different?"
"A castle is a castle… a citadel is a city, sometimes with a castle inside of it"
"Oh"
Sesshoumaru turned back to her, glad that he was not the one to have to explain such nonsense to her.
"Does this one have a castle?"
"In a manner of speaking"
He looked down to capture her eye and smirked at her naivety.
"You are inside my home. This would be considered the castle of the citadel, if there must be one at all"
His eyes remained on her, but he could see Daisuke bow to him before turning away quickly.
"She no longer needs my immediate care. Her bandaging will need changed after her morning wash. I will be retiring now."
The door closed behind him with an air of finality, bringing with it a silence that was awkward and loud.
"There is a room for you to sleep in. Would you like to see it now?"
He watched her hesitate for a few moments before nodding and attempting to stand up. The idea that he would make her walk was foolish.
His arms swept underneath her, noting that her flesh was still bared except for the light sheet that covered her from above. He closed his fingers around her knees and under her arms, allowing her room to move her upper body if she felt the need.
Her eyes sought his and he found that she was worried over something, probably her nudity. He didn't care about her nudity, or her shame. He did not care about her.
*FR*
Kagome took a deep breath and turned away from him, her eyes seeking anything but him. It didn't matter that she was naked in her arms. It didn't matter if she were naked in anyone's arms really. No one would care. But still, he knew.
She was well aware that he had likely smelled what had happened. The scent of Inu—of him must be permeating her skin by now. He knew that she was ruined, trash, used goods if ever there was something good to have been.
She realized then that he was only being courteous to her by letting her stay, healing her as a courtesy. He probably did it out of some misplaced honor as a previous ally and would send her off into the wilderness to die when she was better. Maybe he could point her in the direction of the well though so that she could at least see her mother again.
Once they stopped, Kagome looked up to find a small female demon staring at the ground in front of them. She hadn't missed the glance the female gave her though before Sesshoumaru had looked her way. Even the females would think horrible things about her.
"Everything is in place then"
She looked up to his face to watch him as he interacted with his staff. She found tears building in her eyes again with the onslaught of everything, the heaviness of simple things weighing her down.
"Yes My Lord, everything is done. The maids brought supper"
She turned to see this room they were discussing and found herself lost in a haze of confusion. This was no mere healing room; this was fit for a queen!
"Priestess…"
Kagome blinked and turned her face to see him staring down at her.
"Would you like to walk from here?"
Her brows furrowed and she looked around for a moment before snapping out of her daze.
"Yes, oh my gosh I'm so sorry. I was…distracted"
Her words trailed off as he gently set her feet on the ground, one of his hands resting lightly on her lower back while the other remained poised in the air from where she grabbed it to find her stability.
As they walked in, Kagome glanced at the sliding door behind her and noted the dog demon in its true form howling at the sky, wispy clouds delicately painted in to accompany the canine. She looked down and noticed the polished floor, the way her feet glided over the fine darkness of it, not a single snag to catch a splinter on.
The walls were painted stone, a soft blue, bright but gentle and very calming. A set of glass doors had been carved into the stone siding at the back of the room and led to a balcony overlooking what appeared to be either a park or a very large garden; she wasn't sure which really.
She turned to face forward again and continued walking with the help of Sesshoumaru, her eyes landing on the large bed at the back wall almost perfectly centered, it's large headboard littered with very comfortable looking pillows. It was not the type of thing she expected to see in this era at all.
She noticed a wooden trunk at the end of the bed, carved delicately with images like the one painted on her door. She wondered what was kept inside and if it would be alright if she peaked to find out.
The crackle of a fire caused her to turn her head just as she reached the side of her new bed. It was warm in here, but not too hot. She sat on the edge of the bed and ran her fingers over the smooth, rich silkiness, admiring its touch all the while perusing the intricate designs around the hearth of the fireplace in front of her.
The room was very nice and the fireplace was perfect, casting warmth and a comforting glow into her room. She noticed a few pillows set a safe distance from the fire and several other small details like paintings and flowers. All in all she felt very comfortable and was hard-pressed to deny the small smile that found its way to her lips.
"You enjoy your accommodations then?"
She turned her eyes from the room and looked up to find Sesshoumaru watching her, tears immediately springing to life then, though she refused to let them fall.
"It's beautiful, but I don't deserve it. I don't deserve anything"
She heard him scoff and it made her smile. Of course he would disagree with her. She was human; he would disagree with her for that simple reason alone.
"You are a guest of the Western Citadel, my personal guest"
"Careful Sesshoumaru, your reputation might be damaged by letting me stay here anyhow"
She noticed his pinched look and wondered what he was thinking. How could he let her stay here? His name would be sullied just because he knew here now!
"There are more important matters to discuss"
Kagome felt herself sink against the bed and decided she was ready to sleep. She pulled back the covers and sat on the sheet lotus style with the blankets over her lap, the sheet from the infirmary keeping her top covered.
*FR*
Sesshoumaru noticed her guarded look and forced back a sigh. He needed to know what had happened so that he could understand the why behind everything. His brother was a moron, there was no mistaking that, but he was loyal to this woman to a fault. Something had to have happened to cause this change and he needed to know what it was.
Unfortunately, she was already retreating into the safety of her mind as if she knew what he was going to ask. Logically it wouldn't take much to figure that out but it still grated against his nerves that she would deny him answers even now.
With few options available, he chose the path less traveled this time…for him at least. He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling to him and resting it against his cheek. His eyes bore into her through the entire action and, even with her limited ability to understand her instincts told her that he trusted her and in turn she could trust him.
His body fought against him, against the touch of a human, but his beast and his instincts eventually won the battle. He needed to assure his pack-mate that she was safe with her Alpha.
Once her attention was sufficiently captured and her mouth dropped open in shock, he asked her the question that needed to be asked but at the same time he didn't honestly want to know the answer to. And it was not because he cared about her, because he didn't. It was simply because he needed to ascertain the degree to which his extended pack had fallen so that he could save them…again.
His voice was kept low as a calming rumble rippled across her awareness.
"Kagome, what has my witless half-brother done to you?"
*FR*