A/N: For the 'Linger' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 400 words, no more no less. The next part of the serial "The Nightingale".
All due recognition to Hans Christian Anderson for the inspiration.
Originally posted on July 7, 2009. It won 2nd place. :)
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Ephemeral
She sat in the garden, under the moonlight, and let her toes dip into the pond. The koi breached the glassy surface of the water and created slow ripples with their florescent orange and glossy black fins.
"Why are you not in your room?"
She glanced up at the demon lord that had materialized at the opposite edge of the water. "The ladies of your court keeping stopping by to ask for singing lessons, my lord," she replied. "The music master tells them that he cannot teach them, so they come to me instead."
He nodded. "It is the price of your successful debut."
"No. It is the price of having your attention, my lord," she replied.
Sesshoumaru considered her for a moment. "And yet, I believe you are the only one in this castle that has no wish for it."
"That's probably true, my lord."
"Do you still believe that refusing my favor will set you free?" He raised an eyebrow at her silence. "Or perhaps you fear that I will tire of you?"
She shook her head. "I am not refusing your favor, my lord," she answered. "You have given me gifts greater than any household servant should have, much less a lowly slave. A private room. Fine food. Beautiful clothing." She pulled her feet from the pond abruptly, scattering the koi as she stood. The blue, silk kimono she had been wearing for her appearance in court that night fell back to her ankles, creased from where she had carelessly bunched it. "But you will tire of me, my lord. I will never get so comfortable as to forget that your attention is only mine to lose."
He didn't answer, and she slipped on her lacquered geta which were already scuffed. "I can do little else besides sing, my lord," she said. "If you do tire of me, will you let me go free?"
Sesshoumaru gazed back at her. "Sing for me now."
She didn't hesitate. Her voice was soft but clear as she sang of vast oceans, dark forests and snowy mountains, all so beautiful that he wanted to run and see if he could discover those wondrous places for himself. He didn't realize that his eyes had closed until the last note lingered in the night air. When he opened them, she was looking at him with expectation. "Only when I tire of you," he agreed.
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