Disclaimer: I do not own anything Inuyasha but the character Cree is solely of my imagination.
Chapter Seven: Planting seeds Part two
-For what I'm worth-
I scrubbed myself too hard this time she thought, as she removed the rag and seen the redness that colored the pale skin of her arm, She was so immersed in the
thought of washing the scent of him off that she hadn't realized. She studied it for a moment before slipping below the warm water of her bath until only her eyes and
nose were visible, Naraku.. she fought back tears as the vision of there earlier meeting rushed to her, when he lay her serenely across his desk as if he was a gentle
lover, kissing every inch of her skin before claiming her body once again, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly shaking her head trying desperately to push him from
her mind, and then without warning another face crept in. Fallen angel she heard his voice so clear she had to open her eyes to look around to be sure it was just in
her head, Sesshomaru she whispered emerging from under the water and leaning against the wall of the bath, who was he really? Ever since the first night they
bumped into each other at Mirokus, he was the comfort she found in her darkest times, the vision of him gave her ease, the memory of how he held her as she fell
gave her the comfort that she needed, even before they had officially met. Why? She asked herself, placing her hand over her submerged stomach as she felt that
same feeling that washed over her earlier under his golden gaze, what is this? She breathed deep through the rush of unknown symptoms, turning to watch the sun
through her bathing room window, as it slowly descended from the sky, painting the world in oranges and reds. It was almost time for her arrangement with the
silver haired and golden eyed stranger, Sesshomaru.
"Cree" she turned from her vanity to see kagome sliding in through her screen and closing it tightly behind her, "Kagome-san, where you able to talk to kikyo?" she
asked in a whisper as kagome took a seat beside her, "Hai" she answered "She says she stands behind me 100% and since I stand behind you, so does she."
"Arigato" Cree smiled feeling nothing but Grateful for her allies in the cause. "So." Kagome added standing and retrieving the hairbrush, she began styling Cree's
tresses, "Kikyo says she has some intel for you, you know since her main client moved away she had a lot of free time so she's been driving Naraku around lately,
and she says he's been visiting a lot of high end Business men, You think it could be for that thing you saw in his schedule book? "Hai" Cree answered putting the
finishing touches on her makeup as kagome brushed her long silk strands into a high bun, "It has to be, but why make such a big thing about it with a ball and
everything?" Cree added curious, "You know Naraku, always searching for the highest bidder and he knows he is in for a fortune when it comes to you Cree, this
party must be a way to show you off, people come from all over Tokyo to see you dance imagine how much will come for this and how many of their business friends
they will tell?" Cree felt a strong feeling of nausea come over her just at the thought of all those men lusting over her, greedily placing bids for something that she
wasn't willing to give, it was overwhelming. "There" Kagome smiled placing a red and gold comb in her friends hair, complimenting the deep dark red kimono she had
chosen for their arrangement, the sleeves were long almost entirely covering her hands as they widened at the ends, the fabric was tight up top clinging to her chest
and the curves of her soda bottle shape, and flared out at the bottom flowing like red silk covering her feet, golden flowers lining the seam. "You look stunning Cree",
"arigato" she replied finishing up as she traced her lips with a deep red stain. The two girls headed down the hall toward the exit, "Are you nervous?" Kagome
whispered remembering the passion in Cree's voice when she spoke of Sesshomaru earlier, she had never heard Cree talk about any man until now, It was hard to
feel anything or for anyone in the business they were in, to most they were simply an object of Entertainment and lust and it turned them numb, This was especially
true for Cree. She could remember the very first night she lay across the hall and saw Naraku entering Cree's room, only to exit hours later leaving the young girl
sobbing uncontrollably, The way he use to look at her and watch her, she knew what he had done. Aside from some perverted petting, Naraku wasn't one to pluck his
own flowers except for Kagura who practically threw herself at him but Cree was special, his prized possession and he would have her any way he could. Kagome
couldn't imagine how Cree must feel, torn out of her mother's arms so young and forced to live a life that didn't belong to her and forced into his bed, the only thing
to look forward to was being in many other beds with many other men, most just like Naraku but the way she spoke when she talked about this sesshomaru guy,
seemed as if she was starting to believe her future could be brighter. He must be something special kagome thought watching the blush spread across Cree's cheeks
at her question, "A little" she whispered with a slight smile twiddling her fingers, Kagome laughed lightly; it was refreshing to see her act like a normal girl. Kikyo
waved to them as they walked out into the night, opening the limo door playfully bowing to Cree "Your chariot awaits." Cree felt so thankful to Kikyo and kagome for
their support, they were always there for her as much as they could be but this time they chose to put their lives on the line, along with Sesshomaru they gave her
the hope she needed to look toward something good for the first time in her life.
"So Cree-san.." kikyo began, making eye contact with her through the rearview window as they drove toward her destination. "As you know I've been driving Naraku
around for a week or so and he has been visiting a lot of high end clients, but Kagura has been really busy too, she hasn't really been at plucked flowers lately." "Hai"
Cree agreed, she hadn't seen kagura as much for the past week, usually she was nosing around plucked flowers or following Naraku around like a love sick puppy but
she was absent more and more, the only glimpses of her Cree got was late night or early morning but for most of the day she was gone. "I've driven her to a couple
places as well.. Some with Naraku, looks like she is helping him recruit new flowers." Cree felt the familiar wave of nausea as kikyo spoke, New flowers? She thought
to herself, it did make sense, now that her birthday was approaching she would soon be considered an escort no longer just an entertainer, the only one left would be
Kanna, Naraku would be looking for more young girls to mold into flowers. Naraku she thought as an icy tingle ran up her spine, it was horrific to think of how many
lives he had already destroyed including hers, and to think he was trying to destroy more. "We can't let that happen" Cree spoke, She finally realized how great his
hand of destruction stretched, not only gripping her and the other flowers lives up into his grasp but many more girls and people to suffer from his greed and
dominance, this was bigger than she had first thought, there were many more lives and futures resting in her cooperation. "I know" Kikyo chimed in "He's definitely
looking to extend the business, using your birthday and this ball as a footstool to get him started, with the selling of your virginity no doubt he will have all the funds
he needs to make it happen." The young girl sank back into the fine leather of the limo seat as she felt a wave of fear, the truth was.. The responsibility of their
success or their demise rested with her. "It's going to be okay Cree were all here for you" Kikyo spoke trying to comfort her as she glanced through the mirror,
watching the young girl bring her knees to her chest, her eyes rimmed with tears, "And kagome told me about Miroku-San's friend Sesshomaru, that you said he was
an expert at this kind of stuff, that he promised to protect you right? His golden orbs flashed into her mind as they had many times before at kikyo's words, "Yes" she
whispered, hearing his consoling phrase in her mind once again but not with the same effect as it usually had. His words gave her the strength in her toughest
moments but coming to terms with having so many people depending on her, Gave her a powerful feeling of dread, what if she failed? "Were here." Kikyo announced
as they finally came to a stop in front of one of the most popular hotels in japan, Crescent moon. "Your arrangement is in 722, good luck" Her fellow flower spoke as
she opened her door with a smile, Cree slipped out trying hard to mask her emotion, "I'll be back to pick you up at 11." She walked quickly through the hotel, all the
thoughts swimming in her mind causing a wave of dizziness as she stumbled onto the elevator and pushed the button to the 7th floor, she breathed deep leaning up
against the wall more than happy to be alone as she tried to console herself, if you had a chance to get out would you take it? She heard mirokus voice echo in her
mind with only more to follow, I want to be just like you when I grow up! (Kanna), soon all you will be is a mouth and two holes (kagura), Naraku knows he's in for a
fortune when it comes to you Cree.
(kagome), he's looking to extend the business and with the selling of your virginity he will have the funds to do it (Kikyo), My
Flower
(Naraku). She screamed, tears streaming as the whirlwind of voices played over and over, she pushed the floor button many times again in a panic, desperately
trying to escape
the moment. The lift doors finally opened and she quickly shot out, darting down the hall reading the door numbers hastly as she began to feel lightheaded.
Sesshomaru she whispered his
name through sobs as she reached her destination, banging on the door that read 722, she closed her eyes in a last attempt to help find the breath that seemed to
easily leave her,
until she heard the door
open. "Cree?" she looked up meeting his eyes, the same amber orbs that saved her so many times before, without hesitation she threw her arms around his neck,
clinging to him for an ease she felt only he could give, until her vision faded to black.
End Note: phew, done and done. I really enjoyed writing this chapter though it was sort of difficult going into so much detail; I know it was necessary so you guys could have better understanding. So I hope I did a good job..Reviews are welcomed but please be nice! Until we meet again Arigato for reading. (Bows)
