Chapter 4: Jaken/Palace Life
Shimaru woke up next to Sakirame, who was exhausted from using her powers for the first time. Shimaru rolled away from Sakirame, and got out of bed. She found their room was big and luxurious. They even had a balcony, with a view over the garden.
Shimaru opened the door to the balcony and stepped out to examine the beautiful view. At that time, Sesshoumaru was coming to check on them and found Shimaru dreamily looking at the sky on the balcony.
"You are up early. Did you have a nice sleep?" He asked Shimaru.
"Yes, I slept very well, thank you. Are you feeling okay?" She conversed.
"I do not feel ill. Why do you ask?" Sesshoumaru continued.
"Well, it just seems like you're actually being nice. By what I gathered at my village, you aren't usually nice." She responded, blushing shyly.
~She's pretty when she blushes.~ Sesshoumaru thought, while watching her intently. "I…", was all he got out before they heard Sakirame screaming. They had been talking on the balcony, and they had not seen Jaken come in. Jaken wanted to see what was sleeping in the guest room, and when he removed the covers to see, Sakirame woke up. "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME , YOU UGLY ASS TOAD!" Sakirame screamed at Sesshoumaru's servant. "JAKEN!" Sesshoumaru called to him, " I told you NOT to disturb our guests." " I'm sorry Master Sesshoumaru! I didn't know they were in THIS room! Please forgive me!" Jaken pleaded Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru nodded. "The girl you woke is Sakirame. This is Shimaru." Sesshoumaru said to Jaken. "Sakirame, Shimaru…this is my servant Jaken." he introduced. Sesshoumaru looked at Jaken, "Go fetch them some clothes, and then fix them breakfast." "Yes, milord." and with that Jaken scuttled out of the room. "I shall take my leave and will see you at dinner." Sesshoumaru said with no emotion, as usual.
After everyone left their room, the girls looked at each other and giggled. Sakirame made a face at Shimaru and said, "So I suppose you're going to sleep with him, too." "What?! I've never slept with anyone, and you know it!" Shimaru yelled, getting slightly peeved. "What about the boy in the village?" Sakirame asked smirking about Shimaru's previous answer. "He only kissed me on the cheek! We never touched each other…well other than the kiss on the cheek." Shimaru said defensively. "Anyway, why are you saying that about me after what happened when that young man walked you home. On…, when was it? Oh, Yeah! Not even a month ago." Shimaru said taking the offensive. "Hey!" Sakirame yelled, "I thought he was cute! Plus he and I didn't kiss….we only held hands. Alright?!?!?!" While yelling at Shimaru, Sakirame started blushing a rosy red. After their yelling, they looked at each other and started laughing.
Jaken opened the door to see the girls laughing at each other. ~Stupid hanyou's. Acting like children.~ Jaken thought as he glared at them. Sakirame didn't like the little imp though, and she decided to tell him off, " Hey! What do you want, you ugly toad? Beat it! We don't care what that Sesshoumaru guy told you to do, we don't like you, so go away!" Jaken threw the clothes at them and said, "Fine! Fix you own damned breakfast! I will not take orders from two stupid half-breeds anyway!!!" Shimaru did not like his insults and before he could see her move, she had picked him up with her hand around his throat. Little did she know that Sesshoumaru was standing in the doorway, watching her with an amused look on his face. Shimaru took know notice as she tightened her grip on Jaken's neck and said "I do not want to hear you insult my friend again. Is that understood?" the toad youkai nodded quickly, " I do believe you owe Sakirame an apology." Shimaru dropped him and watched him scuttle over to Sakirame, and say "Please forgive me! I didn't mean it…I was just being stupid and forgot my manners!" Sakirame nodded her head to signal that the apology was accepted. "Now, don't let me catch you disrespecting her again!" Shimaru said while glaring at the imp. Fleeing with terror he ran past Sesshoumaru out the door.
~She's loyal~ Sesshoumaru thought while staring at Shimaru. Shimaru came back to herself and sensed Sesshoumaru's presence. She turned to see him staring at her. Blushing, she realized that he probably had seen what she did to his servant. She bowed, "Forgive me. I did not mean for that to happen." "No need to apologize. Jaken needs to be set in his place." He said. "I only came to tell you that you can search the grounds if you wish." and having said that Sesshoumaru left the girls to themselves.
The next couple of days the girls spent exploring the grounds and causing whatever mischief they could. Every night they attended dinner with Sesshoumaru in the new kimonos they received each day. They didn't have many encounters with Jaken, and when they did, he scuttled on his way away from Shimaru. Despite being captives, the girls started to like being there……