CHAPTER FOUR: COMPROMISE AND TRUST
Kikyo waited patiently for Sesshomaru in the public bath house. She had had Rin go into his room and collect a fresh haori and hakamas, and they had draped them outside on a large boulder to warm them. Kikyo was really impressed by Sesshomaru's refined tastes. His clothes were of the finest silk; the set she now held was a light, soothing, mint green with forest green leaves along the hem. The obi that accompanied it was pale blue and red, adding an appropriate contrast of color. Inuyasha had easily adapted to modern clothing, but for some reason Sesshomaru withheld a truly elegant tradition as the future ruler of Demons' Nook.
At last Kikyo glanced up and saw Sesshomaru coming out of the thick mist that engulfed the many baths. He had dried himself already and had a towel wrapped around his waist. There was something very primitive, almost seductive, about the stoic demon clad so scantily whilst his silver hair still hung wet. He eyed her suspiciously, causing Kikyo to shake herself from her observations and hold out his haori and hakamas to him.
"For you, Lord Sesshomaru," Kikyo said respectfully, bowing quickly while Sesshomaru continued to eye her.
"What inspired this gesture?" he asked her. He still did not accept his clothes from Kikyo, so the teenage girl stood up straight and clutched them to her chest.
"I wanted to thank you for what you have done for me," Kikyo replied honestly. "I know we didn't get off to a great start before, but I still think that we've no reason to absolutely hate each other. A simple indifference would be-"
"I've given you no reason to believe I hated you," Sesshomaru said firmly.
"You haven't been particularly kind to me either," Kikyo insisted.
"That is my indifference."
"Whatever it is, I'd like it to stop," Kikyo said exasperatedly. "Let's be pleasant from now on, alright?" Sesshomaru at last accepted his kimono and moved to remove his towel. Kikyo was quick and turned around patiently while Sesshomaru dressed himself, and then Sesshomaru marched passed her out of the baths. Kikyo followed.
"No weapon?" Sesshomaru challenged nonchalantly as they walked down the vast corridors together.
"I don't need it," Kikyo explained quickly.
"Oh?"
"Right now I'm shadowing you, the great Lord Sesshomaru."
"Are you mocking me?"
"No," Kikyo said. She hesitated for a moment. "You were worried about me."
"It's that thing around your neck, Kikyo," Sesshomaru suddenly snarled. "With it, demons will try to challenge the Inu no Taisho's authority, my authority. Despite their efforts being futile, I will not tolerate them. That is why I rescued you today." Kikyo drew back, stunned.
"I was only being nice," Kikyo protested. "I don't know why-"
"As for you," Sesshomaru interrupted. "Know this: False favors do not impress me. If you desire anything of me, whether it be kindness, or love, or simple indifference, you will have to beg for it." With that Sesshomaru marched ahead of Kikyo and disappeared. Kikyo had initially been shocked by the demon's sudden change in behavior, but she planned to win, whether it be through compromise or fierce battle. Motivated, she stormed off to find Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was a complex demon, but Inuyasha understood him, and more importantly, Inuyasha had no reason to sugarcoat the truth about him.
Kikyo found Inuyasha in his chambers, and she let herself in. Before finding him, Kikyo had gathered up her bow and arrow from her room. Inuyasha still hadn't earned her trust with the way he lusted after Shikon no Tama. Inuyasha was sitting in front of a large window with some supplies to clean and sharpen the blade he now held.
"What's this?" Kikyo asked Inuyasha, taking a seat before him. Inuyasha beamed proudly, sitting up to give Kikyo a better look at the sword in his hand.
"This, Kikyo, is Tetsusaiga," he declared. Kikyo couldn't help but smile.
"A gift from your father?" she asked.
"Yes," Inuyasha replied. "It's said to have the power to slay a hundred demons in a single stroke. I've seen Inusan use it before. It's amazing!" Kikyo detected tremendous power from the sword, that was certain. She gently ran a finger along the blade's surface while Inuyasha watched her carefully.
"You've polished it well," Kikyo told him. Recognizing the blade's power and Inuyasha's qualities as a half demon, a thought occurred to her. "You have to master the Tetsusaiga before you can use it to its full advantage, don't you? The same way Sesshomaru must master the Tenseiga to use it."
"I imagine so," Inuyasha replied. "I haven't thought that far- What are you doing here anyway?" Kikyo laughed.
"Right," she said, recalling her initial purpose for being there. "I want to talk to you about Sesshomaru. I want to better understand his harsh nature so that I can find a middle ground."
"Oh?"
"I've only been here a few days, and it seems already that your brother hates me. I've no idea why either. I haven't really done anything, and though I greatly appreciated the both of you rescuing Rin and me, it wasn't necessary. I really don't require anything of Sesshomaru other than this marriage to fulfill Inutaisho's wishes. I just...want to compromise."
"Kikyo, Sesshomaru is a dog," Inuyasha reminded her. "More than that, he is a dog, a demon, and a lord; all of these things make him instinctively possessive and demanding of respect."
"Well yes, but-"
"If there is any reason Sesshomaru is angry with you, it is because he desires your ultimate submission to him," Inuyasha explained. "He commands the submission of all of his subjects...but you're different."
"How so?" Kikyo asked, sitting up. For some reason she was absolutely grateful for this advice and insight.
"You're a gift from Inusan," Inuyasha said boldly. "That makes you Sesshomaru's property."
"That's flawed thinking," Kikyo huffed. "Sesshomaru is awfully arrogant-"
"You could say the same of your father." That's when it struck Kikyo. Since the day her father gambled her to the Inu no Taisho, her existence as a human had been nullified. She was property, traded goods. The thought both angered, saddened, and enlightened the teenager.
"It's also possible that Sesshomaru is attracted to you," Inuyasha suggested. "Perhaps his only way of expressing those feelings is through domination. It makes sense if you continue to use the same reference. A male dog will simply mount a female, he doesn't-"
"Couldn't you have found a more appropriate word?"
"But that's what they do!" Inuyasha argued. "And regardless, Sesshomaru wouldn't mount you without warning."
"I'd kill him."
"Right..."
"Inuyasha," Kikyo scolded, growing impatient.
"Think of it this way," Inuyasha continued. "You're like Tenseiga. Until you choose to work for him, Sesshomaru will want nothing to do with you." Kikyo sighed and stood. She patted the half demon on the head lovingly and left him alone once more. Women... Inuyasha thought, shaking his head.
Kikyo didn't know how to beg, and she certainly didn't intend to do so. However, she could compromise. She decided to humble herself just enough to please Sesshomaru, and with time, if he came to like her, he wouldn't desire that submission so much anymore. This plan had suddenly become more urgent as Inuyasha's words began to make her paranoid.
"Have you come to beg, then, Kikyo?" Sesshomaru asked once he heard her knock at his bedroom door. Kikyo let herself in cautiously, immediately setting her weapons on the floor. Sesshomaru was sprawled out in bed, shirtless and dissatisfied, and had clearly been anticipating Kikyo's arrival.
"I'm not much of a beggar," Kikyo replied, startling the arrogant demon. He frowned at her, his body tensing.
"What?"
"I came to ask a small favor of you," Kikyo told him calmly, approaching his bed. She suddenly remembered how comfortable that bed had been. Hesitantly, she sat down on the side of the bed and dared to look deep into Sesshomaru's eyes. She was pleasantly surprised to find curiosity in them rather than animosity.
"What is it, Kikyo?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I want to go to Tokyo to see my sister," Kikyo began calmly. "I was hoping you might come with me. I don't know my way out of Demons' Nook, and I would greatly appreciate it if-"
"No."
"Please," Kikyo "begged".
"No." Kikyo edged closer to Sesshomaru on the bed and took his hand. The curiosity in his eyes morphed into fury.
"It would mean so much-"
"No."
"Look, I can't...beg you, Sesshomaru," Kikyo told him firmly. "I have too much self respect for that. However, I have humbled myself and asked you kindly, pleaded with you. I'm not asking for much. Just think of it as a walk." Sesshomaru glanced down at the hand Kikyo now clasped in hers.
"There is one small thing I would like to see," he consented at last, sitting up. Kikyo smiled weakly.
"What is that?" she asked, curious.
"I'm interested to see what sort of fool would gamble away his own daughter." Kikyo sighed.
"Can you be ready in five minutes?" she asked instead, ignoring the blatant insult. Quite frankly, her father deserved it, though Kikyo imagined it was her duty to defend her father.
"I suppose so," Sesshomaru replied, climbing out of bed.
"Good, I'll be right back," Kikyo said, darting out of the room. Sesshomaru was pleasantly surprised by Kikyo's excitement, but he didn't understand it. Nevertheless, he decided to indulge the teenage girl.
Kikyo met Sesshomaru outside of his bedroom and found him in modern clothing. It was unusual, inspiring a small giggle to escape her slender lips. Sesshomaru then appeared perturbed by Kikyo's amusement, but for that brief moment Kikyo couldn't look past the dark, boot-cut jeans and a black T-shirt. He was holding her bow and quiver, and he thrust them out for Kikyo to take. She did so unaffectedly as her eyes remained intent upon him. Sesshomaru watched Kikyo eye him before she spontaneously started off down the hall. She glanced back at him briefly, her smile unconsciously bearing a seductive beckoning. The dog-demon quickly followed after her, suddenly longing to understand this change in behavior.
"It won't matter how much you try, priestess," Sesshomaru said firmly. "You won't tease me." Kikyo frowned, genuinely puzzled.
"Tease you?" she wondered. "To be honest...I'm not quite sure how I would do that in the first place."
"You've never had a boyfriend?"
"No."
"I suppose I'm not surprised." Kikyo huffed, but she managed to control herself as always.
"Why do you say that?" she asked calmly. Sesshomaru didn't respond.
"What is that in your hand?" he asked.
"Oh, it's a small comb that Rin had bought for me," Kikyo replied. "I wanted to gift something to my sister, Kaede."
They left the castle, and Kikyo immediately drew in a whiff of fresh air. She hadn't been outside of the castle and therefore hadn't had a chance to see the Demons' Nook, but now that she had she was pleasantly surprised. It was very much like Tokyo, glittering and busy, but it was much cleaner. Of course, all of this Kikyo determined at a distance. The castle was situated high up on a mountain, and the long, winding pathway led almost immediately to the gate that divided Demons' Nook from Tokyo. Even so, Kikyo then realized after pulling her eyes from the dazzling greenery and polished city that their walk would be exceptionally long.
"I didn't realize-" Kikyo then noticed Sesshomaru climbing into a black SUV. She sighed and invited herself into the car, casting Sesshomaru a scolding glance once she settled and buckled her seatbelt. Sesshomaru maneuvered the car down the hill toward the gate. Guards were there waiting for them.
"No demon lords are permitted to leave the city, my lord," one said after both had stopped the vehicle. He appeared exceptionally nervous. Kikyo didn't blame him; it must be a difficult job, denying one's master of anything.
"Can't you tell?" Sesshomaru said with a satisfied growl. "I have special permissions." He pointed to Kikyo. The other guard approached her window and peered inside, instantly recognizing Shikon no Tama around her neck. He then knew exactly who she was.
"Are you guarding him then, priestess?" the other guard asked.
"Yes," Kikyo replied firmly, gesturing to her bow. The guards hesitated a moment before allowing Sesshomaru and Kikyo through and into Tokyo.
Kaede and Bakuto sat quietly at the table eating lunch. Bakuto had been having a particularly hard time recovering from the absence of gambling in his life. In fact, as he suffered through physical reactions to the loss of his favorite passion, Kaede had to constantly remind him that they hadn't heard from Kikyo since she had left. Watching her father deteriorate before her very face was difficult enough for nine-year-old Kaede, but her sister's absence was too much. She adored Kikyo and missed her dearly. It was all she could do to keep from crying. She knew that she would hear from Kikyo soon, that Kikyo was okay. It was simply a matter of waiting.
The father and daughter heard a knock at the door, and Kaede immediately jumped up to answer it.
"Kikyo!" Bakuto heard Kaede's voice down the hall and went to inspect. There he found Kikyo standing beside a tall, silver-haired demon with yellow eyes. It then occurred to him that this was the demon he had given his daughter to. He swallowed heavily. The demon's eyes were cold, disapproving, and lacked any affection toward Kikyo. Have I made the right choice?
"Kikyo, I'm so glad you're alright," Bakuto said, grasping her arm lovingly. Kikyo snatched it away; she needed that arm to give Kaede her present.
"A new comb? It's so pretty!" Kaede exclaimed joyously, darting back inside the house. "Come eat! Come eat!" Kikyo grabbed Sesshomaru's arm and dragged him inside the tiny apartment.
"It's small," Bakuto agreed, noticing Sesshomaru's disappointed gaze. "But it's cozy. Castle living could never be as warm and loving." Sesshomaru had his own opinion in regards to this statement but kept his mouth shut.
Kikyo finally looked at her father seriously and realized that his separation from gambling was eating away at him. Still, it meant he was trying, and that made Kikyo happy. She kissed Bakuto on the cheek calmly, set her weapons on the couch, and led Sesshomaru further into the apartment. He sat down on a suede loveseat.
"Kaede made some lovely dishes if you're hungry, Lord Sesshomaru," Bakuto offered.
"I'll have nothing," Sesshomaru replied, sizing the frail man up.
"I'll help Kaede make some tea," Kikyo said, heading for the kitchen.
"Well, Lord Sesshomaru, what do you think of my daughter?" Bakuto asked nervously once Kikyo was out of earshot.
"Of Kaede?"
"Of course not!" Bakuto said laughing. "Of Kikyo. You have spent the last few days with her after all. Does she please you?"
"Please me?" Sesshomaru asked, slightly confused. "In what way?"
"In any way," Bakuto continued. Sesshomaru stiffened. "Do you at least enjoy her company?"
"I never enjoy anyone's company," Sesshomaru replied coldly.
"Well yes, but-"
"As for Kikyo, I would prefer she were more submissive," Sesshomaru continued. "But I-" Kikyo and Kaede entered the room, Kikyo with a tea tray, and Kaede with a tray of pastries. They set both trays on the coffee table, and Kikyo took the other available space on the loveseat next to Sesshomaru and began to serve him some green tea. Sesshomaru watched her, expressionless, as her behavior blatantly contradicted the information he had just given Bakuto.
"Are you ready for it?" Kikyo asked.
"What?"
"Or do you want it to cool first?" Sesshomaru simply pointed at himself silently and waited for Kikyo to hand him his teacup. She did so obligingly and set to work serving everyone else.
"So you're a dog demon?" Kaede asked Sesshomaru after they all had their tea. Sesshomaru glared at her, but she didn't lose her resolve.
"Yes."
"What sorts of terrible powers do you have?"
"Terrible?" Sesshomaru inquired. "Kikyo, what have you been teaching this girl?"
"That all demons are dangerous," Kikyo replied nonchalantly.
"That is only if they are not master of their primitive instincts," Sesshomaru challenged.
"Oh, if only all demons could be like you," Bakuto said. He had already taken note of the tiny connection between the two. Perhaps he had made the right decision after all.
"Yes, if only," Kikyo agreed sarcastically.
"I didn't imagine that you would dress this way, Lord Sesshomaru," Kaede pointed out.
"He's usually shirtless," Kikyo muttered. Kaede exchanged a confused glance with her father, who shrugged. It had left her lips as a sort of complaint, but in truth Sesshomaru's body was impressive to look at. She realized that she didn't mind that he was usually shirtless, and that she secretly enjoyed it. She had never really taken an interest in men before, but Sesshomaru was very different, incomparable with any other man. Kikyo glanced up at Sesshomaru uncertainly, trying to fathom this sudden surge of feelings. Sesshomaru could instantly tell that Kikyo was thinking of something that had to do with him, but he didn't know what. So he simply returned her uncertain gaze until many minutes passed and he realized that they were staring into each other's eyes. He sighed and looked away.
"How's school, Kaede?" Kikyo suddenly asked, startling both her father and younger sister. Kaede and Bakuto exchanged a glance before looking back at Kikyo.
"Fine," Kaede replied. "Everyone keeps asking about you."
"They are?"
"Mostly Kagome, but some of my friends too."
"Kagome?" Sesshomaru muttered, sitting up.
"Have you...heard of her?" Kaede asked.
"Yes."
"Oh."
"She was Kikyo's rival for Shikon no Tama once, wasn't she?" Kikyo nodded.
"We attend school together now," she muttered. "She's constantly belittling me and trying to make me feel horrible for-"
"You're whining," Sesshomaru scolded.
"Don't patronize-" Kikyo silenced herself.
"I'll take the trays away," Kaede announced.
"I'll help her clean up," Bakuto said, leaving the living room with his daughter.
"Explain your obliging attitude to me," Sesshomaru whispered.
"It's for my sister," Kikyo whispered, placing her index finger on his lips. Sesshomaru started at her audacity, but for whatever reason he couldn't bring himself to protest. Perhaps the tingling sensation he felt from the feeling her of flesh against his lips was too precious to ruin. "I have to be guarded and suspicious and consistently lonely to protect the jewel, but Kaede is young without obligations. She has so many more opportunities in life, far more than I can every dream of and...I love her so much. Still, I find her trying to imitate me...and I don't want her to..." Kikyo sighed and turned away.
"What don't you want?"
"I don't want her to grow up like I did," Kikyo replied at last. "Can...can we go?" Sesshomaru saw tears begin to well up in Kikyo's eyes and frowned, puzzled. As Bakuto and Kaede entered the room, Kikyo drew in a deep breath, the tears practically vaporizing altogether, and she put on a happy smile for her family. Sesshomaru was aware that he had seen a side of Kikyo that no one else had.
Kikyo hugged her sister and father lovingly and hurried Sesshomaru out the door.
"Let's go straight home," Kikyo said. "I had been planning to show you around but-"
"Home?" Kikyo remained silent the entire ride back to Demons' Nook.
"Sesshomaru, can I visit?" Kikyo asked, sticking her head around his bedroom door. She watched him toss a log into the fireplace before sitting down on his bed. "Oh, I knew you would have one." Kikyo let herself in eagerly.
"Lock the door," Sesshomaru told her, relaxing in bed. Kikyo froze until she watched Sesshomaru pick up his book. He wasn't even looking at her. She closed the door behind her and locked it, approaching the fire.
"Cold?" Sesshomaru asked suddenly.
"Strange wind came in," Kikyo commented loosely. She climbed onto his bed and lied down on her stomach with her face towards the fire. "This fire feels good though. And I wanted to thank you for keeping your mouth shut about the tears. I've never let that happen before, and I promise it never will again."
"Well, good for you." More minutes of silence passed.
"Do you have another book I can read?" Kikyo asked, breaking the thick silence. Her voice was almost like shattering glass. Sesshomaru glanced over at his nightstand and pointed to a stack. Kikyo crawled across his massive bed and settled beside him, helping herself to the stack of books. She selected one peacefully, crawled back across the oversized bed to face the fireplace, covered herself with a throw blanket, and began reading.
When at last Sesshomaru glanced up at the priestess again, he realized that she had fallen asleep uninhibited without her weapons.
Trust is a strange thing...
