Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the story or characters of InuYasha, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I make no profit from writing this fanfiction.
A/N: I've had a little more time to work on this during this holiday season so you get another chapter. Yay! I will likely average normally about a chapter a month from now on. I hope that won't be too agonizing to my readers. Between work, me being a slow typer, and a bit of a perfectionist this may take a while.
Don't worry, things will pick up soon in the story. I think...
Blood, Power, Words
Sesshomaru watched Kagome and Jaken walk into the mansion house but didn't make himself known. He was pleased that she looked so well but he wanted to know for certain. He turned to where the two had come from, and soon he was entering the healer's hut. He was fortunate to find the doctor was the only one there to greet him.
"Two visits in one day, I am honored," the old demon said with a smile and a bow.
"What is the priestess' prognosis?" Ever to the point.
The demon considered his lord for a moment. "She will make a full recovery, and at the rate she is healing that may be as soon as tomorrow. I didn't even have to sew her, she was already beginning to knit when I got her cleaned."
Sesshomaru was greatly surprised but didn't let it show. "How do you account for that?"
The doctor shrugged. "She is unique among the humans I have seen. For one thing more spiritually inclined. Perhaps you should ask her how she heals so fast," he added slyly. There was the expected non-response from his lord that made him smile. "By the way, let me examine your burns."
Sesshomaru's head snapped up. "Burns?"
"Yes, I saw you carried the miko and had a considerable amount of her blood on you, not to mention she was pressed to your chest for a time."
"Your point?"
The doctor was beginning to get frustrated by his lord's stubbornness. If his lord's wounds were anything like what his hands had been like he would at least need a poultice. "The power she possesses, through her blood, burned my hands severely so I know you must have sustained some damage."
The demon lord was shocked. "Your hands appear fine."
The elder blew out a sharp breath. "Yes, yes. She healed them as soon as she was awake. Now, come, show me your chest."
Sesshomaru had removed his armor earlier, for he rarely wore it in his own citadel, so it was an easy task to open his haori. The doctor looked at him in awe. There was not a scratch or burn on any inch of his chest and abdomen.
"Did you heal?" He had to know.
"No. There was nothing there."
The doctor was baffled. The armor would have protected some but it was lacquered bamboo, blood would've soaked through. Besides, he'd seen his lord's haori, it had been soaked. He had no explanation as to why Sesshomaru hadn't gotten hurt. "I-I'm sorry, m' lord. I was sure..." he swallowed, "Perhaps this is another thing you should ask Lady Kagome."
The lord fixed his top and grunted before he swept out the door.
The doctor shook his head again. He hadn't seen such behavior from his lord even when Sesshomaru had been a pup. The Great Dog General himself would be delighted if not a bit baffled at his eldest's behavior – and towards a human miko at that. Perhaps it was her power that drew him. All he knew was it was going to be a fun show.
#~#
Sesshomaru opened the screen to Kagome's room, having sensed she wasn't laying down. He found her facing away from him staring out the window, lost in thought.
Kagome had heard the door open but assumed it was one of the servants come to check on her. She wondered when or if she'd see the lord of this place again before she was kicked out.
"Should not you be resting?"
Kagome was startled by the voice of the very demon she was thinking about. "Lord Sesshomaru." She turned to face him. "You have a beautiful home," she gushed honestly.
He was unexpectedly pleased that she was pleased, but only dipped his head in acknowledgment of the compliment.
She surprised him by giving him a deep bow. "Thank you for your kindness in having my wounds looked after. I am fully aware you didn't have to, I don't know how I'll be able to repay you." She straightened again to look at him. He hadn't moved far from his place just inside the door. He was staring at her intently, not saying anything and she began to get nervous. To calm herself she looked around the room again, her eyes landing on the sleeping mat that lay on the floor between them. She blushed despite herself and glanced away.
Sesshomaru didn't know what to make of the expressions that came and went on her face, he could hardly keep up. When she blushed he looked at what had caught her eye. The bed roll? How could a woman of her years still be this innocent? She could be playing coy but he didn't think her capable of such subterfuge. He heartily approved of her purity and let out a small growl subconsciously.
Kagome heard the sound and quickly looked at the demon lord. Had she angered him? Not by the expression on his face – not that it was easy to read by any means. She swallowed thickly and the room seemed to get ten times hotter.
He saw that she'd heard and for some reason was blushing again. "Should not you be resting?" He hated repeating himself but it was already out of his mouth. What was wrong with him?
She nodded. "Ye-yes, thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."
He turned to leave. "A servant will fetch you for the evening meal."
She let out a small 'thank you' as he closed the door behind himself.
#~#
Kagome hadn't intended to sleep but her wound had taken it out of her. She woke in the evening wondering what had awoken her. She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, that was when her stomach announced itself – loudly. She covered her belly with her hand, embarrassed though she was alone.
There was a light rap on the screen. "My lady, the meal is being served," came a female servant's voice.
Kagome looked down at herself. "Could you come in please?" she asked as she stood up.
The female demon came in timidly, her head down as she knelt on the floor. "Yes, Priestess?"
Kagome smiled. "I would like to know if my clothes were being repaired and if they're done yet."
The servant's eyes widened though she never stopped staring at the floor. "I don't know, Priestess. I do not know the status or whereabouts of your clothing."
Kagome bit her lip. "Is there anything I can borrow to wear to dinner other than this too large haori?" She lifted her arms to show the flapping sleeves.
The girl seemed to settle when she realized she wasn't going to be punished for the loss of Kagome's clothes. "Yes, Most Honored Priestess." She stood and walked over to a wall and slid a panel, behind were several gorgeous kimonos and other more simple attire.
'Sesshomaru sure does treat his guests well,' Kagome thought as her eyes raked over the clothes. The servant girl pulled out one of the kimonos and Kagome's eyes bulged. "Oh no. I couldn't possibly wear something so fancy, I'd be afraid of getting it dirty."
The demon girl covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, but nodded and pulled something else out. It was a royal blue hakama (incidentally the exact color of Kagome's eyes) and a white haori with matching trim on the neck and sleeves.
"Perfect," Kagome said with a nod. The girl insisted on helping her dress and so she was ready in no time. When she was fully dressed she took a minute to admire the clothes as they sat against her skin. They fit her well and were of much finer materiel than she was used to. She sighed, she wished she could get used to things like this.
The servant girl led her through the castle to the dining hall. When Kagome walked in she found the room deserted and the table set for only two. A trill went through her at the thought of eating with Sesshomaru.
She was just about to sit down when the door opened and she looked up in anticipation, but she had to adjust her gaze downward to see Jaken hobble in. "Jaken, are you joining me for dinner?"
The imp nodded as he sat across from her. "Master wanted me to keep an eye on you during your meal."
Her face fell a little. "So he won't be joining us?"
The demon curled his lip. "Lord Sesshomaru does not eat human food," he stated with a note of disdain.
Of course Kagome already knew this but she thought he might at least come and sit with her. Just as antisocial as ever. A minute later the meal was served, all of it hot and flavorful. Most of it Kagome recognized but some she didn't – those she suspected were taken from demon dishes. Though all of it was good, it was more than she'd eaten in some time.
"Is Lord InuYasha going to miss you if you dally for long?" Jaken's voice broke the relative silence.
Kagome frowned, she wasn't particularly keen on rehashing this topic, especially with Jaken. "No. Not likely. He's used to me being gone for extended periods of time."
"Did you two have a fight?"
Her brow twitched in irritation. "No, we didn't have a fight. We parted amicably."
"But you were always with him, and he seemed more than willing to protect you. I cannot see how he would let his woman traipse around the country unaccompanied." Jaken's voice rose as he spoke.
Kagome laid down her chopsticks and shut her eyes with a sigh. "Listen, I would rather not discuss InuYasha if you don't mind." She gave the imp demon a firm look.
He was about to ask another question but the expression on her face and the slight bit of her own aura she put into it shut him right up. He looked down as he shoved some food into his mouth, he was sweating profusely.
She felt bad about doing that but truthfully he was ruining her meal. Now she just wanted to finish, collect her things, and be on her way.
The dessert course – she supposed that's what it was – had finally been served when the doors at the end of the room opened and the lord of the manor strode in.
Kagome had just stuffed a larger than normal bite of sweet bun in her mouth so nearly choked at his appearance. She tried to stand but he motioned for her to stay seated. She was embarrassed as she tried to swallow the sticky confection.
Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table ignoring her consternation and sudden fluster. "Is the food sufficient?"
She coughed a little to clear her throat. "More than simply 'sufficient', it was wonderful," she smiled.
He nodded and silence descended on them for a few minutes. Sesshomaru was thinking about how much better she looked now than she had previously. She had pinked considerably, maybe even to the point of rosy.
Kagome was thinking how awkward this was. She'd spent so much time in this demon's presence but knew so little about him. She blushed about stuffing her face when he came in, then her thoughts fell as she considered where she'd go when she left here. Maybe she'd head back to the village she'd just come from and see how the people were faring.
"Are you needing to lie down?" Sesshomaru asked when he saw her slight frown.
She looked at him and put on a smile. "I'm much better, I was just thinking," she said as explanation.
He wasn't sure what to make of her misdirection so he let it pass.
"I thank you for the use of these lovely clothes," she brightened as she motioned to her outfit. "I promise not to damage them before you get them back, and I will do that as soon as my clothes are returned." She dipped her head in deference.
Sesshomaru shot a glance to his retainer who gave a shrug. "You are mistaken." Her eyes snapped to Sesshomaru's. "Your garments were destroyed beyond repairing."
She blinked owlishly. "I didn't bring a back-up I'm sure I can patch it long enough to get home."
He narrowed his eyes. "You do not like those This Sesshomaru has presented you?" He was affronted that she wouldn't accept his hospitality.
"Ungrateful woman!" Jaken shrieked shaking his head.
Kagome's eyes widened impossibly far. "You're giving this to me?" her voice went small as she plucked at her sleeve. "A-and the others in my room?" She thought of those gorgeous kimonos.
His scowl lessened as he gathered her misunderstanding. "Hn," he intoned.
She swallowed around her dry tongue. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru." She bowed her head, not wishing to look at him in her embarrassment. She took a sip of her drink to stall further conversation.
"Miko," he wished her to look at him again, and refrained from speaking until she did. "There is something This Sesshomaru wishes to discuss with you, but you shall rest tonight and we will speak of it in the morning."
Her mouth opened to say she hadn't planned to stay that long but she shut it, not wanting to seem ungrateful again.
Kagome was a little more subdued after that as she finished her meal, said goodnight to her host, and as another servant led her back to her room. She tried to ponder what Sesshomaru might want to talk to her about. She barely registered when the servant left her and she readied for bed. Though she'd just awoken from her nap her body was still recovering and she soon drifted off to sleep.
Kagome woke groggy and grumpy the next morning. Much like on her former journeys with the jewel hunting group this was how she was until she'd gotten food or at least a bath. She noticed a basin near one wall and she crawled over to it. She splashed some water on her face then ran a rag over the same, including her neck. She pulled out a comb from her bag and unsnarled her hair before putting it up in a loose bun.
She felt more refreshed and ready for the day. Kagome opened her door and stepped into the hallway, a servant was kneeling near the door and she nearly tripped over her when she came out. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"It is alright, Priestess. No harm was done," the girl said with a smile.
Kagome recognized her as the same servant who'd helped her dress the day before. "Kimiko, wasn't it?" Kagome asked with a smile of her own.
The girl looked surprised and pleased that she'd remembered. "Yes, m' lady." The girl stood. "Are you hungry? I hear humans need to eat regularly." Kimiko had been talking excitedly but when she'd finished she realized that the lady might be offended so she immediately looked ashamed.
Kagome laughed and simply touched the girl on the shoulder to reassure her. "You are right most humans do but with such a large meal last night I'm still full." She patted her stomach. "And you don't have to worry, I don't get offended over things like that. Is Lord Sesshomaru available to talk to now?"
The girl looked infinitely more relieved as she nodded her head. "Yes. He wished to see you as soon as you were ready this morning." She motioned down a hallway and the two set off. They traveled back down the way Kagome had originally come in and they passed the front doors then continued on. The length of another wing had passed before they stopped outside a door.
Kimiko bowed her head and went to her knees before sliding the door aside. Kagome stepped into what looked like part office, part library. Sesshomaru sat at a desk to one side writing something with a fine brush.
Kagome hadn't thought of Sesshomaru as a writer, or a reader for that matter. She could have deduced that he'd have to at least do some being a lord, but she wasn't sure how common literacy was among demons. There was still so much she didn't know about them. Then the thought came to her that their written language might even be different. The thought intrigued her.
After a minute he finished and looked up at her. She sucked in a breath, he looked relaxed. There wasn't a definite change in him, it was hard to pinpoint exactly, but she could tell. He looked good.
He motioned her to sit before him and she complied with a smile. She settled and looked at him as he was watching her. "I wanted to thank you again for helping me, Lord Sesshomaru, and of course for your hospitality. I'm so glad to see your home, truly honored." She chuckled a bit. "I'm sure you'll be happy for me to get out of your hair though."
He blinked at her. "My hair?" He ran his fingers through his snowy locks.
Kagome swallowed and almost lost her train of thought as she watched the progress of his digits. She remembered the first time she'd seen him do that, and even though she'd been terrified at the time it still had struck her as orgasmic. "Oh, uh, it's an expression. It means you'll probably be happy when I leave and you don't have to worry about me anymore." She tugged on her clothes self-consciously. "Not to say that you worry about me..." She snapped her mouth closed to stop her babbling.
Sesshomaru was amused. This was the girl he remembered traveling with his brother. "You are no burden, Miko." She froze at his words. "You will stay until you are healed."
Her back went ramrod straight. "Now, you, wait just a minute! I'm fine. I was going to leave today." She waved her hand in the direction of the door.
His eyes became hard and his yoki flared slightly. "No."
Her powers responded before she realized what was happening and a wave escaped before she could squash it back down. She took a few deep breaths with her eyes closed so she didn't see his bleed red briefly. "No? Am I a captive now?" she asked as she opened her eyes.
She had to remind herself which brother she was talking to. InuYasha could push all of her buttons like no other, but this wasn't InuYasha. Sesshomaru didn't know her well enough to know what would upset her.
"You are not a prisoner other than you are to heal fully before venturing out again. You will get yourself killed."
She was highly offended, was he patronizing her? "I've done well enough on my own for some time now. I don't think it's necessary to baby me, I'm not your ward."
She knew she shouldn't have said it the second it was out of her mouth and she cringed to see his reaction. His yoki flared again, and she could tell he was royally pissed. She clamped down faster on her miko powers this time before they could respond.
"From what This Sesshomaru has seen perhaps you do need a guardian. Your behavior says you either possess a death wish, or you are too ignorant to perceive danger when it is right in front of you," he snapped at her.
Her mouth dropped open. Was he lumping himself in as part of the 'danger in front of her'? She was about to fire back a scathing remark when the door suddenly slid open.
Two armed guards entered the room warily. "My lord," the first one asked as he looked between the two seated figures, "is everything well? Are you in need of assistance?" They had responded to their lord's agitated state and the burst of miko energy.
Sesshomaru glared at them. "Out. Do not disturb This Sesshomaru again."
The guards bowed and hastily fled, shutting the door behind them.
Kagome sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She tried to disregard the fact that he'd just called her an ignorant child before they were interrupted. "I don't see why you care. What I do, and how I go about it, shouldn't be any concern of yours." He sat silent for a moment so she looked at him.
"I do not "care", as you put it, This Sesshomaru is merely being a proper host. If you left here and were injured due to not being fully healed than it would reflect badly." Was that the truth or was he lying to her and himself about why he wanted her there? He didn't want to think on that too deeply.
"Would it set your mind at ease if I showed you my injuries, to prove that I'm definitely healed?"
He contemplated what she'd asked for a moment but before he could respond she stood. "Miko," it was a mixture of question and warning. She had not been dismissed! She didn't leave though, she loosened her haori and slipped it down one arm. He was gobsmacked, he had no idea what she was doing, it instantly brought him to his feet.
She wore breast bindings which did a fair job of containing her full bosom but left bare the expanse of her neck, across her clavicle, and down her arm. Her skin was tanned and smooth and the muscles of her arm were well-defined.
She ran her opposite hand in the space below her breasts and above her hakama. "See, all healed."
His eyes were fixed on the spot her hand had been. She didn't even have a bruise or a scar from the wound she'd received yesterday. He took a step forward and reached out to touch her side, running his fingers along her warm skin.
She sucked in a breath, she wondered what she'd been thinking. Not thinking clearly, that was obvious! She'd been angry and had wanted to put him in his place. Show him up a little. She never thought in a million years he would touch her! She could feel a tingle on her skin as her powers responded to his. Thought was made impossible at his proximity. Oh, kami, he smelled so good!
Sesshomaru inspected her skin, it was truly blemish-free. It was amazing that she'd healed so fast. Then he remembered what the doctor had said about her powerful blood. "Priestess, This Sesshomaru wishes to know how you are able to heal so quickly, and how you are able to heal demons. Are you part demon?" His eyes had never left where his hand still stroked until she didn't answer.
He glanced up to see her eyes wide as she watched him. Her breathing had quickened, as well as her heart rate, she also appeared flushed. He unconsciously took a small step closer and wrapped his hand to grip her side. She was tiny in comparison to him, much shorter and the length of his fingers extended to nearly the middle of her back. Easy to dominate.
He purred out a subconscious low growl. She must have heard him because she trembled slightly. All at once he let go and turned from her as he hid a small smirk. He sat down again at his desk as if nothing had happened.
Kagome blinked then looked away, she had never been more embarrassed. She slipped her arm back into her haori and tightened it around her. She sank back to her knees to sit in front of him, still unable to meet his gaze.
"Answer," he rumbled, making her jump.
She had to wrack her brain to remember what he'd asked. "Oh, uh, I suppose it all has to do with the Jewel of Four Souls. You may have noticed I'm not as weak as I once was but when injured I sometimes go into a trance-like state to heal faster. It's a defense mechanism, I don't really have control over it but it only happens when I'm fully out of danger. As for healing demons I believe it's due to the souls in the stone, some of them are demons so I have a bit of them as the root of my power. I'm not sure."
He nodded, it seemed logical. "Still, a week is not out of the question for recuperation." It wasn't posed as a suggestion.
She didn't know what to think. Part of her was screaming to get as far away from this demon as possible, another part of her was curious as to his odd interest in keeping her here. She glanced at him to find he was watching her closely. She swallowed thickly. "I-I suppose I could spare a week."
He nodded once and the topic was closed, at least for him.
"But."
He glared at her addendum.
"I would like the freedom to look around your home. I couldn't spend a week stuck in a room with nothing to do."
He was amused. "As long as you stay within the outer walls, have a guard when not in your chambers, and you stay out of This Sesshomaru's servants' affairs."
She smiled, expecting as much. "Agreed."
His eyebrow rose, it hadn't been a negotiation, but was pleased she would fall in line. He picked up his brush again and resumed working on his correspondence.
Kagome remembered her earlier question as she watched. "Lord Sesshomaru, do demons have a separate language from humans?"
He was startled at her question, then he remembered that when they'd all traveled together he seen her not only read but write in different languages. He pondered for a moment then lifted the parchment for her to see.
She took it from him, mindful of the wet ink. She was surprised that she could read it easily. It was ancient calligraphy and some of the kanji were unfamiliar but she got the gist of the epistle. She handed it back. "Thank you, it seems we have very similar base alphabets." She chuckled. "I wonder what historians would say to that?"
He raised his eyebrow but made no comment to that.
She looked around and wondered what was in the many tomes that lined his shelves. "Do demons have stories?"
"What do you mean?"
She looked back at him. "Do you have writers who write stories that aren't necessarily true but are to teach a lesson or entertain?"
He thought about that, hyperbole was a human trait. Demons spoke truths to instruct and rarely had time for frivolities. "Most of our writings are of history, and records of events or dealings. Demons are not prone to flights of fancy."
She was wowed, an entire culture didn't rely on "fairy tales" to teach and inspire their young. It was unfathomable to her. She dipped her head. "Would you allow me to read from your library during my stay?"
She wanted to read for pleasure and entertainment? Intriguing. "Is there something in particular that you are interested in?"
She shrugged a shoulder. "Anything, really. I'm just curious."
He thought for a moment, should he let her? On one hand he'd be letting her see potentially sensitive documents, but on the other hand he supposed this is one way to keep her occupied. He wasn't sure he'd even have anything that would hold her interest and he didn't honestly think she was the type to use whatever she read against his kind. "I consent to it. There may be times you will not be allowed in here, inquire of a guard or a servant for access."
She brightened. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru." She rose and went directly to the shelves, there were far more than she'd originally noticed.
He observed her quietly. She was such an odd creature, full of dichotomies. A puzzle to be solved.
Her hand brushed over scroll after scroll, there were larger bound volumes and some written on everything from bamboo strips to fancier ivory plates. She looked back at the demon, he'd returned to his scroll and she sighed. Finally one moderately sized scroll wrapped with a yellow ribbon caught her eye. For some reason the yellow made her think of Sesshomaru. She carefully took it down and headed back to the desk.
"Thank you," she said again with a short bow. He didn't acknowledge her and she smiled and shook her head. She moved to the door and left quietly, shutting it behind her.
A/N: Okay, an awkward stopping place once again. Apologies, if I don't stop here this chapter would be overbearingly long. The next chapter picks up immediately where this one leaves off.
Some things you may not have noticed in my writing:
-When Sesshomaru is thinking or speaking the complexity of the vocabulary goes up.
-Also when he is uncomfortable, stressed, or in formal settings (or just generally being pompous) he tends to refer to himself in the third person more. Conversely when fully relaxed he drops it completely.
-Kagome is really the only one that uses contractions in speech.