A/N: I know I promised regular updates, but I ended up having a falling out with my step dad. I had to move into a close friends house so it took me a while to get accustomed to the change. But seeing as this environment is some much more relaxed than at my family's house, I should be able to dish chapters out a lot quicker.
It took a long while- after all, it was not an easy thing to be taken from one's family- but Kagome was finally able to stop her crying and calm down. She almost immediately felt guilty. Sesshomaru was glancing back at her every few moments or so- obviously worried about her. Whether it was worry for her well being or worried that she would try and run because she was so distraught, either way, she felt terrible for making him worry. Perhaps an apology was in order? She didn't even get the chance to voice one when he spoke.
"Are you afraid?" he growled in a low timbre.
"No," she replied almost instantly. For it was the truth, she hadn't been afraid of him since the very first moment that she stumbled upon him full of blood. He simply hadn't given her a reason to do so.
"Good," he replied after a moment and said nothing more. Kagome thought once more about apologizing for her behavior but stopped. She wasn't going to apologize for missing her family and if he didn't understand that then it was just too bad! Still though…She didn't think she was being fair to him. He really was just concerned for her, or at least he made it seem that way- she still wasn't sure what he really thought of her, since he almost never said anything- and he healed her mother. There wasn't any possible way for her to repay the kindness he had done for her. She would have been devastated if her mother had died.
Kagome sighed quietly and chanced a glance to her side. The blur of trees and rocks moving so quickly almost immediately made her dizzy. They were going even faster than yesterday's trip! Trying desperately to blink away her sudden vertigo, Kagome quickly averted her eyes from the nauseating scenery and focused on the silver tufts of fur that were gripped tightly in her hand. If she never traveled like this again, it would be too soon. A day and a half of travel and they still hadn't reached Sesshomaru's home…wherever that was.
Sesshomaru had stopped a few times to hunt for her and to give her a few hours sleep, but other than that they had kept riding on. Yet again another kindness Sesshomaru had done for her. She was positive that he knew she could hunt for herself and he had hunted for her anyways…Thinking on that now she felt a little awful for thinking about him so ungratefully. She was just so confused though! Why did he need her to come live with him in the first place? Was he that lonesome or was there something that she was missing?
Farther away sat Kagura, glaring into her scrying bowl-the tool that, when filled with water, allowed her to see anything her heart desired- anger might have marred another woman's beauty, but any who might have looked on would agree that anger only made her more becoming.
Three more years, three more years, just three more and Sesshomaru would be hers. Who did this little village nobody think she was to interfere with her spell. The only reason she had left the chance for him to escape her spell in the first place was because her father demanded it be so. He claimed that she was killing humans too quickly, even for their kind. She had thought she found a way around that little order by making him so fearsome looking that no sane girl would have gone near that monstrosity, though she hadn't planned for one so obviously touched in the head to approach her beloved.
Why should they have to bend their ways be cautious for humans. Her people were the ancient ones. The one's who ruled the earth long before the filthy humans had ever come into existence. She wasn't a sorceress has her love obviously assumed. No, she was much more powerful than that. If only her cursed father hadn't interfered! She would smite that little wench where she stood had she been able to-her father's own magic prevented her from interfering as such.
She continued watching the little ink-haired cur through her scrying bowl. She wasn't anything special. Kagura was sure that the first sign of Sesshomaru turning feral the girl would turn tail and abandon her promise to Sesshomaru. Just in case, there must be something that she could do to alter the playing field a bit. She hated losing so.
Her ruby red eyes thoughtfully made their way over to the shelves that hung by her work table. Everything from, powerful artifacts to simple mundane ingredients littered those shelves. She fingered few vials that glimmered with a multitude of colors and the promise of a painful death. A poison would make quick work of the little wretch and the right poison would ensure that she spent days suffering for interfering with her spell. But that would be too simple…Shaking her head, she then turned and grabbed and amulet. Immediately a menacing light shown from the black opal at the center of the disk, a curse would also make quick work of the girl, but it still lacked that certain something… No this girl needed something that would tear her apart from the inside. Something that would make her betray Sesshomaru in the worst possible way so that she would hate herself, but also to ensure that Sesshomaru would never again trust another woman but herself.
Did she even own anything like that? She tapped her full bottom thoughtfully as she looked over the items at her disposal. Her eyes fell on a candle. A simple tallow candle that had absolutely no magical properties of its own, she only used candles of that sort when she stayed up late reading. It was so simple…and yet…it was so perfect.
Big. That was the only thought to enter Kagome's mind as Sesshomaru approached the large castle. How could such large building even exist? Not only was it huge, but the stone was a kind Kagome had never seen before. It shone like silver whenever the sun touched it. Not only did the windows hold more glass than she had ever seen, but the glass itself came in an array of colors the depicted pictures as well. What a magnificent sight it made! This couldn't possibly be where Sesshomaru was headed!
But low and behold, Sesshomaru had trotted right up to the large wooden doors-many times bigger than herself or even Sesshomaru- and pushed the heavy wooden doors aside. The inside was decorated so marvelously-on every wall hung the most life like and beautiful paintings she had ever seen, every surface of furniture glittered so that Kagome was positive that it had been dipped in gold, the tables that lined the walls held pottery so beautiful and fragile looking that she was sure they would break if she even attempted to handle one- Kagome was sure this had to be a palace for some king. Why else would something this fine exist?
She had been so busy gaping at all the finery that she had failed to notice that Sesshomaru was laying on the ground, patiently waiting for her to get off of him. Apologizing profusely Kagome leapt off his large furry form and followed him as he wondered down one of the halls.
"Is this all yours?" Kagome asked continuing to stare open-mouthed as they kept passing buy knew things. As soon as she got the chance she was going to explore every inch of this castle. She snapped out of her small trance when she heard an odd noise from Sesshomaru, she could have sworn it was the sound of him laughing at her. She narrowed her blue eyes at him as she tried to discern whether he really had laughed at her or not. Unfortunately, she was that great at reading emotions on a dog's face.
"Of course this all belongs to me, silly girl. Where else would it have come from?" Kagome gaped at him in surprise. Not because of the castle-though that was a shocker- but his voice seemed to come easier to him in a way that it hadn't before.
"Your voice!" Kagome near shouted. Her eyes widened when she heard her voice echoing back at her-telling her exactly how loud she had been. She covered her mouth with an 'eep' and blushed, but his voice really had changed. His voice was still very gruff but it didn't hold that animalistic quality anymore nor did it sound like he was in pain.
"It is the castle," Sesshomaru replied easily. "I am tied to this place. The farther I am from my home the more difficult it is to retain those human aspects of myself." He watched bemusedly as Kagome's brows wrinkled in thought. 'Human aspect?' she thought puzzled.
"My lord," a new voice cut in, startling her. It was a man. He was the first person she had seen in the great palace. For some reason she found herself surprised that he was human. To be honest, she had expected the castle to be run by magic or even strange creatures. Now she felt a bit silly for thinking that.
"Kagome," Sesshomaru said nudging her shoulder with his nose. She looked up, from the way they were looking at her she guessed that Sesshomaru had been trying to get her attention for a while now.
"Sorry," Kagome said blushing profusely. "What was that?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her. She noticed that his teeth were a tad more visible then they were a moment ago. Seemingly, he didn't like repeating himself.
She watched, a bit warily- she would admit, as he closed his eyes and shook his head. An audible huff could be heard, like one would here from someone who was watching a particularly annoying child and was trying not to lash out at it. She glanced at the strange man, hoping to see if he could help her out a bit, but no, he only stood there grinning at her like she was the most amusing thing he'd ever seen. Great, Sesshomaru that she was annoying and the stranger thought she was an idiot, albeit an amusing one.
"Miroku is to show you to your rooms and give you dinner. I will see you in the morning for breakfast. Do not get lost," and with that Sesshomaru was on his way. Kagome watched in disbelief as he rounded a corner and disappeared into one of the endless hallways of the manor.
"That's it!" Kagome said angrily. Miroku would later swear that she practically had steam coming out of her ears. "He's just brings me to his castle in the middle of who knows where and all he says is 'don't get lost'! Who does he think he is?"
"Don't be too hard on him," Miroku stated looking as calm as he could, he was trying so hard not keel over from laughing. He hadn't seen a girl this fiery in a long time.
"It has been a long time since he's actually had any sort of real company and I'm afraid he's a bit out of touch with his socializing skills." If he had any to begin with, Miroku thought to himself, that guy is as stiff as they come. The comment did seem to mollify the girl a bit, just a bit.
"I guess that's alright," Kagome sighed, she was still annoyed, however. Kagome didn't want to be in this place all by herself, no matter how magical it was. She started when Miroku chuckled quietly. "You've a happy nature, don't you?" Kagome said with narrowed eyes. She didn't enjoy being laughed at.
"Of course, how else is one expected to keep his sanity in a place so dreadfully boring," he said with a sigh and a dramatic sweep of his hand. "But never mind that, my lady. You must be tired after such a long journey, hungry too. If you will follow me I will show you to your chambers and have some dinner sent up to you."
"Oh, you really don't have to call me 'lady', Kagome will do just fine please," she said blushing and waving her hands in front of her. Honestly, the thought of someone like her being called a lady was almost laughable.
"Nonsense," Miroku grinned. He grabbed one of her still flailing hands and kissed it, forcing another blush on Kagome. "In the eyes of a simple servant such as me, a beautiful lady like you will always be considered nobility."
"Just show me to my room please," Kagome flustered as she snatched her hand back. She couldn't tell if he was really flirting with her or if he was just making fun of her. Either way, she was not at all comfortable with his familiarity. Although, she was a little relieved to see that he simply laughed and hadn't taken her actions to heart. He did seem like a nice enough person after all-for all his flirting ways- and if Sesshomaru was going to continue leaving her alone than she should be glad of some type of company.
Silence ensued as she followed him down a hallway. She was once again struck by how large this place was. She was sure that all the houses in her village put together would not even make up a third of this grand place.
"Wait a second," Kagome said suddenly as they rounded yet another corner. "Both you and Sesshomaru said rooms, as in more than one. That was a mistake, right?" Kagome stated looking thoroughly confused.
"No, my lady, you have several rooms that are completely for your own use," he said coming to a sudden halt-so sudden that Kagome nearly crashed into him. He pulled out a key from the pockets of his breeches and unlocked the door. "And these are your rooms," he said with a grin.
Kagome walked in to what appeared to be a large sitting room. A small comfortable looking couch faced an ornately decorated fireplace with large stone pillars. A small cozy fire was already alit in the hearth. On the other side of the room was fairly sized table with chairs as well. She noticed three more doors…inside of her room. Why on earth would one person need three rooms inside of another room?
Taking pity on her, Miroku decided to explain each room, opening the doors as he described them. This one is your bedroom, with a fireplace of its own as well as a book shelf and a writing desk-should you need one. This one is a changing room and is already filled with whatever garments you might need. Should any of clothing not fit properly, please let me know and the problem will be fixed immediately. This one is your bathing room," he said walking in.
A large stone tub sat against the wall in the far end of the room. A table stood next to the tub with an assortment of bottles of soap. A shelf sat against the wall on the left side of the room filled with towels and robes. Large copper pipes came from the wall and sat over either side of the tub though they weren't pointed toward the tub. Instead they pointed straight upwards. Kagome noticed to cords- a blue cord wrapped around the left pipe and a red cord tied around the other.
"If you pull the blue cord down you get cold water. Pull the red cord and you get hot water. I do have to warn you though, when I say the water is hot, I mean it is boiling hot. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have burnt myself and I would hate to see your lovely skin marred by something as silly as a bathing accident," he grinned as she glared at him.
Kagome was nearly dizzy from the onslaught of information. She'd never seen anything like this. The room inside another room she could wrap her head around. It made sense for a palace as large as this to provide their guest with a sitting room and even a bathing room. But this water system was amazing! She'd only ever heard of this from the occasional traveling merchant. Kagome would never have imagined that she would actually get to experience it. Wasn't this a little too much? Someone with her background simply didn't get to have rooms this nice. Maybe she should ask for a smaller room?
Noticing the panic settling in her eyes Miroku decided to intervene before she could begin asking silly questions. "These rooms were specially chosen for you by Lord Sesshomaru. He might not outwardly express it but he is most excited to see how you react to your new rooms. I hope they are to your liking, if only for milord's sake." Miroku may have stretched the truth a tad, but Sesshomaru would be annoyed if Kagome requested to switch rooms. He couldn't allow that to happen because, frankly, the more they got along the more Miroku himself would benefit from this. He watched a touch smugly- he would admit, as the girls features flitted from surprise to guilt.
"I like the rooms, I do!" she said vehemently. "This is just a lot to take in for me," she sighed and gave him a tired smile. Miroku returned the smile with one of his own. He could relate, he remembered the first time he had come to serve Sesshomaru…so many years ago.
Kagome didn't know what to make of this man. One minute he was laughing at her, the next flirting, and now the saddest smile she'd ever seen was upon his face. She wondered he was remembering to make him look so sad. His violet eyes turned up and looked into her own blue ones; she wanted to blush from invading such a personal moment. A smile so bright and mischievous appeared that it made Kagome wondered whether or not she had imagined the sadness.
"My lady," he said taking her hand. She didn't know why, but she was instantly suspicious. "I completely understand how overwhelmed you must feel right now. Should you require help bathing, I should be most glad to assist you. Scrubbing your back, for example," he said wagging his eyebrows at her.
Kagome gasped in outrage and swung her arm at him. The resounding smack echoed in the room. Miroku simply smiled and sighed, rubbing his reddened cheek. "Forgive me lady, but has been a long time since I've seen blue eyes as lovely as yours. I could not help but be bewitched by their beauty," he said apologetically, hoping to mollify her anger. She glared at him a few more seconds but finally seemed to forgive him. He sighed in relief. He really didn't want another slap. She wasn't nearly as weak as she seemed.
Leading her back into the sitting room he prepared to take his leave. "Dinner will be up momentarily. Breakfast will be here as well, but after tonight, dinner will be held in the dining hall where milord will join you." And with that he left the room.
Looking around the room, feeling awkward and out of place amongst all this finery. Kagome decided to explore a bit. Remembering that Miroku had mentioned a shelf full of books she wandered into the bedroom. She was delighted by the sight of the book shelf. She had expected small shelf, but it nearly took up a whole wall all by itself. She nearly laughed at herself then. She should have known better than to expect anything to be small in this place.
She'd never seen so many books in one place before. Really the only books she ever saw were the ones that her teacher had provided her with and the ones that her slightly more wealthy neighbors kindly lent her. These were much finer quality than any she'd seen. The paper was much smoother and finer than any she'd ever worked with, and the covers were so artfully decorated that Kagome was near tempted to frame them and hang them.
Resignedly deciding that she would have plenty of time to read tomorrow, Kagome went to inspect the changing room. Again, Kagome was impressed by the sheer quantity of everything. Aside from a changing screen and a large mirror, the room was filled with clothes-dresses more specifically. All of it made of such fine quality cloth that she was almost afraid to touch it for fear of ruining it. Kagome would never have been able to pay off one of these gowns at home. She'd have to admit, the thought of having to wear dresses again was a little bothersome.
Ever since her grandfather had become too weak to hunt some odd years ago, Kagome had taken to wearing men's clothing-breeches and a tunic. It was easier to move around that way, not to mention a lot more comfortable. She had gotten some odd looks from the local villagers but they all knew she was out hunting and gathering so they hadn't spoken a word about it.
She'd gotten so used to the clothing that now she felt uncomfortable at the thought of having to wear dresses again. Reaching out to the simplest dress she could see, Kagome held it to her own body and looked in the mirror. She could almost laugh at herself for how ridiculous she looked. Almost like a toad trying to wear a dolls dress. Maybe once she had a bath she wouldn't look as laughable but for now Kagome simply shook her head and put the dress back where she found it.
Stepping back into the sitting room she was surprised to find food already laid out on the table. She hadn't even heard anyone come in! Then she was hit by the most delicious smells she'd ever encountered. Forgetting about her silent guest Kagome eagerly went to explore the dishes.
A hefty serving bowl sat in the center of the table filled with beef stew. Beside it was a platter of thickly sliced bread. A crock of butter and a jar of jam sat next to the bread. Kagome noticed two pitchers and peered inside them. One was filled with wine and the other with fruit juice. Mouth watering incessantly Kagome served herself some stew and bread and immediately dug in. It wasn't until about halfway through her meal that she even remembered the fruit juice, so she poured herself some and gulped it down. Kagome was sure she looked like a pig but she was hungry and everything was so delicious that she didn't care.
When Kagome felt that she was gonna burst she put the spoon down and drowsily went in search of a night gown. Finding one Kagome forced herself to step into the bathing room. The food had made her so sleepy but she would feel terrible if she soiled the bed with her filth. Tentatively working the pipes in the bathing room Kagome filled the tub with water, being mindful of the hot water. The warm bath was so relaxing and coupled with her full stomach; Kagome nearly drowned herself by falling asleep. Scrubbing herself quickly Kagome exited the tub, dried herself off and put the night gown on and finally sank into the fluffy bed.
The soft crackling of the fire in her room quickly put her to sleep. It could not have been more than a minute later that Kagome awoke to the fire and candles suddenly being blown out. Still exhausted Kagome nearly ignored it in favor of sleeping again…until she felt someone climbing in bed with her.
Now wide awake Kagome tentatively asked, "Miroku?" She almost prayed it was the perverted servant.
"Nhhnn," was the deep and sleepy sounding response she got back. That was most definitely not Miroku. She tried to tell the man that he had the wrong rooms but the only reply she got back was a soft snore. Kagome shook the stranger to no avail, he slept like the dead.
Too annoyed to be scared now, Kagome stomped her way to the door- intent on sleeping on the sofa until she could confront the stranger in the morning, but the doors were locked. She turned the knobs this way and that and even banged on the door but it would not open.
Kagome clumsily made her way through the dark trying to find a candle, maybe she could find a key or something to let herself out, but no- those were gone as well. Kicking the ground angrily she made her way to the bed. This was her bedroom and she would be damned if she slept on the floor. For a moment she was tempted to push him off the bed and leave him to his own devices on the floor, but her mother hadn't raised her to be so rude- no matter if other people who couldn't even be bothered to walk into their own bedrooms were. Staying as far away from him as she could Kagome did her best to relax and sleep, trying to convince herself that as deeply as he slept the stranger probably wouldn't get up to harm her in her sleep. Never the less, it was a long while before she was able to fall asleep.
