Beta Reader: animefollower101


Chapter 09 - Orders

Even though I said I would pass dinner, my body decided otherwise and I woke up to the growling of my stomach. I sat up and looked around my room. Sesshoumaru wasn't here, so I decided I would go downstairs to see if he's there and also if there's some chance for me to get something to eat. I reached the kitchen and the first thing I noticed was that mum was somewhat angry.

"Is something wrong?" I asked and mum jumped in surprise.

"Kagome, don't scare me like that, I thought you were sleeping." She was looking at me with wide eyes, as if she saw a ghost.

"Well, I was, but my stomach decided I won't get anymore sleep until I eat something. By the way, do you know where... uhm... Nori is?" I asked with smile, but in fact I just wanted to slap myself. I almost said his real name. Though, my thoughts were interrupted when mum grew only more upset. Now I at least knew that for whatever reason she was angry, it was somehow connected with Sesshoumaru.

"Kagome..." She said slowly in a low voice. Not a good sign. "You forgot to tell him to listen to our orders as well. With you it's natural because of the bonding spell, but he won't listen to us unless you tell him so. After he told me that you were sleeping and that you wouldn't come for the dinner, I wanted him to help me with something, but he just told me that I'm not his master and that he doesn't have to listen to me." Mum finished in a huff and I had to hold back the chuckle.

She was right, I completely forgot about that fact. Not that I was about to set it right. I was actually glad that I was the only one who could give him some order and I didn't want anyone else to be ordering him around.

"I didn't forget about it." I lied with smile. "But I don't want anyone else giving him orders. I might do an exception for a short time in special occasions, but nothing permanent." I told her and I expected her to be complaining about it, but she did nothing like that. She was just watching me for a while and then sighed.

"Alright. I understand." She said and then smirked. "Though, I didn't think you would become so possessive about him, especially so quickly. But I can't blame you, I would probably act the same way if I was in your place." She winked at me and I looked at her shocked, but then I smiled, glad that it went so smoothly.

"Thank you, but why didn't you ask Kei to help you?" I asked, suddenly noticing that I didn't see her since we returned from the market.

"She is useless." Mum snapped. "I sent her to the basement otherwise I would have to kill her. She really brings more trouble than help." She was almost growling as she was saying that and I had to keep myself from frowning.

She again sent Kei to the basement. It was mum's way of punishing her, to send her down there and let her wait until mum released her. I remembered the time when she left her there for almost two weeks and then fetched her only because she needed her help. I couldn't be sure how long she would be there this time.

"I see." I said simply, not knowing what else to say. "Could you tell me now where Nori is?" I asked then to change the topic back to the start. She just pointed towards the living room.

As I entered the living room, I spotted him almost immediately. He was sitting in the corner, cross legged, with crossed arms and closed eyes. I was amazed how even in this situation he managed to look so graceful and it made me smile. Though I quickly put my smile away as I remembered something which was bothering me. I decided I would try to find out if I was right about my suspicions.

When we were talking in my room before, I had the feeling as if he still remembered at least something from his past, but considering the rules in this reality, he just wasn't sure if he should tell me. I knew normally the masters wouldn't want their slaves to remember anything. That's why I didn't insist on my question, but I wasn't like the others and I wanted him to know his past.

The most surprising part of our conversation was, when he suggested not to apologize to each other, which I believe any other slave, for example Kei, would never do. On the other hand, maybe I was just imagining things and that suggestion wasn't anything unusual at all. Maybe I just really wanted him to remember the past so much and this was all just a hope which couldn't become real. But still, it was a hope.

I walked up to him and when he noticed me, he opened his eyes and started to rise up.

"Don't bother standing, I'll be quick." I told him and he nodded, sitting back.

"I thought you said you don't need to sleep." I stated then.

"I wasn't sleeping, I was resting." He answered calmly, as if it should be obvious and I almost sighed.

"Yeah, that makes sense." I said sarcastically.

"By the way, I heard that you refused to help my mum." I said, waiting for his reaction.

"She isn't my master. I have no reason to obey any of her orders. If you wish for me to do that, tell me so and I will. Right now you are the only one whose orders will be fulfilled." He explained. I gave him a genuine smile.

"Actually, I like it the way it is now. Though, if I won't be around and someone from my family, that means mum, grandpa or Souta, will need to help with something, I would be glad if you helped them. It's not that you have to, it will just be appreciated. Ok?" He just watched me for a while and then nodded.

"Good. Now I'm going to eat something and then I will go back to my room, so you can continue in whatever you're doing." I turned to go back to the kitchen and when I glanced back at him, he had already closed his eyes again.

"Helping us, but only if he wants? I don't think this is the right way how to be dealing with him." Mum started right when I entered the kitchen, but instead of an answer I just glared at her.

"Ok, ok, I get it. He is yours and you will do as you wish, right?" She quickly added and I smiled.

"Exactly." I grinned and she sighed. I quickly ate the dinner she handed me and then returned to my room. I took a quick shower and then went back to sleep. Though, because of the nap I had before, I couldn't fall asleep and it gave me time to think.

I would have to start to think about Sesshoumaru with his new name. Today I almost said the wrong name in front of mum, and if I didn't stop myself in time, it could become quite an awkward moment. Not to mention if it somehow reached to Naraku…

Sesshoumaru... no, Nori didn't do anything out of ordinary this time and I started to wonder if I really just began to see things which didn't mean anything.

There was no way that Naraku would let him go if he still remembered something of his past, and I couldn't imagine him to be acting like this if he did. It would require perfect self control, which he, no doubt, had, but it still seemed to be impossible to me. I could imagine he would be able to deceive me, but Naraku?

Either way I would need to find out if he remembers something or not, and if he does, then what, but without proof I can't confront him about it. I know that I could probably make him to tell me the truth through order, but I don't want to be giving him orders when it's not necessary, and this isn't really that important as to call for an order.

…or is it?