"What do you mean, she doesn't want to see me?" Sesshomaru demanded, outraged. He had been waiting hours for a response he was sure would be positive. He had half expected Kagome to come herself. "I must see her!"
The guard stood mutely during Sesshomaru's outburst, his dirty chain mail reflecting the lackluster expression on his face. When he finished, the guard spoke evenly. "She doesn't want to see you ."
Sesshomaru seethed with anger and paced back and forth, his manacled feet allowing him only to shuffle along the ground. He turned back to the guard, repeating, "I must see her!"
The guard remained silent, an amused grin on his face.
"Wipe off that smirk, damn you!" Sesshomaru growled.
The guard smiled wider, showing his teeth.
Heathen bastard!
Sesshomaru shot forward, diving, and rammed his head into the guard's chest. The man's chain mail bent beneath the impact as he doubled over. Sesshomaru was dazed for a moment, but as the guard grunted heavily and went down, he hurriedly shuffled for the tent flap and lurched –
- into the arms of three guards standing outside. They slammed him to the ground, one of them pinning him firmly with a knee to his back.
" Priestess!" Sesshomaru cried out, before a guard clubbed him into unconsciousness.
Sesshomaru's head pounded. He wished he could rub it, but the manacles that bound his wrists to a stake in the ground would not allow him to reach his head. Did they think he would chew through the metal links? He wanted to laugh, but his head hurt too badly.
She doesn't want to see me, he thought. His lips twisted in a grimace. She was no virgin. How could she be, with an army of men following her? The sight of her smooth buttocks and those spread thighs as she rode her horse would drive any man mad with lust. At least half a dozen men had probably had her by now.
He shook his head in disgust. I should have killed her, he thought.
He sighed, lying down in the dirt. The tent flap was closed, but through the slit of the opening Sesshomaru could see the glimmer of a small campfire from somewhere outside in the dark.
When he had regained consciousness, he'd discovered a tray of bread and cold duck beside him. Even though he had no hunger, he had eaten it to keep up his strength. He had to stay strong for his escape.
Suddenly, his senses came alert. There was movement outside the tent and the soft crunching of footsteps on the dirt…someone who was not armored; the footsteps were too light. Through the slit between the flaps, a shadow moved to block the campfire. The person was short, too short to be a guard, too small to be a knight.
Sesshomaru boosted himself up on his elbow, his brows furrowing. The flap opened and the figure entered the tent, clothed in a ragged brown cotton tunic and black hose ripped at the knee.
Anger and fear fought for control of him, tightening his stomach, thinning his lips. "Rin," he gasped.
The smile slid over the girls's face easily. "I'm here to free you," Rin said, brushing a lock of black hair from his eyes. "I haven't figured out how, but I will."
Sesshomaru reached out to her, but his manacles jangled and yanked his arms short of grabbing the boy. "I want you out of here. Now."
Rin's lips turned down and her small head tilted slightly to the side. "I can't leave you here."
"I told you to go to the rear of the army. Weren't you listening?" Sesshomaru demanded, his anger rising to drown out his fear.
"I did. And then they ran," Rin replied in disgust. There was stubbornness in her large eyes, a determined set to her small jaw.
She won't run. I taught her that, a voice inside Sesshomaru reminded. But he was becoming panicked at the thought of this small girl in the enemy's camp, risking her life to try to free him. "You must leave now," he commanded, angry with himself for not being able to throw her out of the camp.
Rin scowled at Sesshomaru. "I won't leave without you."
Orders never worked with me, Sesshomaru knew, and it would never work with the child. Sesshomaru fought to bring his emotions under control. "Listen to me, Rin," he stated, his jaw tense, "you are just a child. You cannot battle an entire French army alone."
"I have you by my side," Rin said simply.
Sesshomaru raised his hands and the manacles clanked and sparkled in the light from the campfire outside. "I am bound. I am of no help to you."
"I'll free you," Rin insisted.
"Rin!" The anger surged inside Sesshomaru again; he could feel his hands clenching into fists. The girl stepped back fearfully. Sesshomaru forced his rage down, his teeth clenching, and sat back on his heels. "It is dangerous, Rin. Everywhere you turn there will be enemies. And I will be heavily guarded. You cannot free me. You must escape."
"I am not a prisoner," Rin said. "They think I am one of the town girls coming to aid in the battle. The guards let me in here so I can get your tray." She grinned, proud of her accomplishment.
But all Sesshomaru saw was the danger the girl was in. What if the Herald of Death discovered her? What if she used the girl to get more information from him? Could he endure Rin's cries from torture, or would he turn traitor to his country to save the child? If she knew his one weakness was standing defenseless in her camp… He looked at Rin, a scowl creasing his brow. "Rin, you don't know what could happen here. You must trust me when I say you cannot stay."
Rin frowned. "I am not in any danger."
"You are. Far more than you realize. And by your being here, you put me in more danger than I have ever been in before."
Rin's brow furrowed, an imitation of Sesshomaru, and she looked at the ground. "I just didn't want them to hurt you."
Sesshomaru's heart softened immediately. He wanted to help the girl, to tell her that what she was doing would have been right had she been an adult. He wanted to tell her that she would make a fine knight someday and that he was proud that she had attempted to rescue him. But he knew if he did that, Rin would see it as a signal to stay and try to impress him further by freeing him. He had to be stern. "Come here, girl," Sesshomaru commanded.
Rin walked up to him, her eyes full of disappointment.
Sesshomaru gently placed his hands upon the girl's shoulders and looked into her brown eyes. "I can take care of myself. I need you to leave this camp and find King Tashio. You must not stay here."
"But I know I can rescue you. I can free you, Lord," Rin said sincerely.
Sesshomaru's frown deepened. Persistent. She was so damned persistent. Why wouldn't she listen? "No. You can't stay. You won't be able to free me. I want you out of this camp. Now." He had never raised his voice to the girl before, but he had to make her leave. "Go on. Leave me here. I will see you at King Tashio's camp." He released Rin and watched her back up to the tent flap, where she paused. "Go on," Sesshomaru insisted.
Rin swiped at the lock of hair that fell before her eyes and Sesshomaru saw the sparkle of tears before the girl ducked beneath the tent flap and was gone.
"Afraid of the Prince of Demons?"
Sesshomaru sat up straight in the tent, listening to the ridicule in the voices.
"Hey, you didn't get the tray!"
The guards. A protective anger surged inside Sesshomaru. He wanted to rip out their throats for talking to Rin with disrespect.
"Scaredy Neko!" They broke into laughter and Sesshomaru exploded, lunging forward. The girl had more courage than the guards could ever dream of having. His bonds caught him and pulled his arms back. Still, he fought to move forward, out of the tent. The guffaws continued to echo in the night air, enraging him. The chains dug into his flesh, pulled at his arms. He fought against the manacles' biting hold, pulling with every last ounce of strength. The chains held fast. Slowly the sounds of the mockery faded. Sesshomaru tried one last time to lunge forward, pulling with his chest and digging his feet into the ground. The manacles refused to move, holding strong against his every effort. Finally he gave up his fight, letting his arms drop. I am chained and useless, he thought. I cannot even defend Rin. He would never forget this feeling of helplessness. Nor forgive those who had caused it.
The next morning, one of Kagome's men came for him, ordering him to his feet and out of the tent. The sun was low in the sky, and Sesshomaru knew it was very early. The camp was quiet and still; only an occasional man strolled between the tents.
The guard led him past the camp borders and through a thick row of shrubbery, deep into the forest. Large trees shot up all around him. The early morning sun peeked through the leaves far above their heads, and bushes and weeds peppered their path. Escape raced through Sesshomaru's mind, but the shackles that bound his wrists and ankles, and the sword the man held to his back, prevented any action. The guard urged him through a small line of bushes and they emerged in a large clearing. Sesshomaru stopped.
She was there.
Kagome's forehead was dotted with perspiration, a broadsword not far from her driven into the ground. She wore an oversized green tunic, cuffed at the sleeves and bound around the waist with a large leather belt. White leggings conformed to her shapely legs, and her black leather boots accented her curvy calves. Desire coursed through Sesshomaru and he silently cursed himself for his lack of control. The sunlight glinted off the helmet on the ground near her feet. Her hair was loose and hung wildly over her shoulders.
"Were you a virgin?" he blurted as he drew closer, the question spilling forth from his lips as if his obsessive attention to it had given it a life of its own. He half expected a slap for his blunt question, especially in front of her man, but when none was forthcoming, he presumed that the guard didn't understand western.
But Kagome did. Her eyes narrowed. "You didn't care when you took me."
"I want to know," he said, as calmly as possible.
"It doesn't matter." She turned away from him, looking toward the trees at the other end of the clearing. "I am not one now."
"Priestess," he said softly, an overwhelming desire to take her in his arms sweeping over him as he heard the anguish in her voice. "You brought me to your tent in the middle of the night half clothed. What did you want me to do?"
"You did everything I expected you would," she said bitterly.
"Then you were not a virgin."
"Why is it so important that you know?"
Sesshomaru watched her closely, listened for the change in her voice. "You could tell me this, at least. After all, I did service you quite adequately."
She whirled, fury burning in those sapphire eyes. "Quite adequately? I bled that night! I owe you nothing!"
"All virgins bleed."
Kagome averted her gaze, a slight blush spreading over her cheeks. Sesshomaru had his answer. "God's blood! Why would you pick your enemy to teach you the ways of love? Why not a Frenchman? Why not one of your own?"
She clenched her fists into tiny balls, her jaw tightening. "Unshackle him," she snapped at the guard in Eastern.
The guard took Sesshomaru's arms and slid the chains off his wrists. As he bent to remove the shackles around Sesshomaru's ankles, Sesshomaru rubbed his chafed wrists, trying to force circulation back into them. His dark gaze never wavered from Kagome's. What is she up to? he wondered.
Again, Kagome spoke to the guard. "Give him your sword."
"My lady?" the guard replied, straightening and turning to Kagome.
"Give him your sword!" Kagome shouted.
The guard hesitated only a second before pulling the sword from his sheath and extending it hilt first to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru glanced down at the sword in the guard's hands, then up at Kagome. He saw that her breath was coming hard.
She yanked her broadsword out of the ground and stepped closer to him.
Sesshomaru's eyebrows shot up in amusement. She wanted to fight him! "I did nothing you didn't want me to." Sesshomaru's gaze swiveled to the guard. He was older and probably experienced in battle, but shorter and heavier than Sesshomaru. He could defeat the guard. And The Priestess was no challenge.
Kagome's words were sweet. "This is lesson number two."
Sesshomaru ached to feel the hilt of the sword in his palm. He knew he could defeat both of them, but he needed to get Angel alone if he hoped to escape. "I'm no fool. Your man would cut me down in an instant if he saw your life was threatened, despite any orders you gave him."
Kagome again spoke to the guard. "Get Kohaku."
"And leave you alone?" he answered.
A grin twitched the corners of Sesshomaru's lips.
"I gave you an order!"
The guard stiffened and turned to leave, the sword in his hand, the shackles slung over his shoulder.
Sesshomaru's hopes faded. His chance was gone. She had already changed her mind about fighting him. Then what did she want with him alone in the forest? To kill him?
"Leave the weapon," Kagome ordered.
The guard turned back to her. He paused to glance down at his sword, then threw it to the ground before running into the forest, disappearing through trees and shrubbery.
Kagome grinned at Sesshomaru, her eyes flashing with challenge. "You have only minutes to overcome me before my army descends on you. Think you can do it?"
"Undoubtedly." Now was his chance. This Priestess was very foolish. But Sesshomaru had to admire her courage. He bent and picked up the sword, a smile on his face. If she chooses to fight me, then so be it. He stared at the blade for a moment, deep in thought about –
-striking at her, which he did without warning, driving his sword forward!
She easily knocked it aside. "If that is the best you can do, this will be a sadly easy defeat."
"I've already put my sword into you once; don't make me do it again."
Kagome's face softened with hurt and Sesshomaru took advantage of her vulnerable moment to attack, bringing his sword in low and up in a dip, the point heading straight toward her stomach.
Suddenly, Kagome's sword came to life and caught his swing. With a twist of her wrist, Sesshomaru's sword spun into the air and then landed on the ground two feet from him. She stood for a moment with her sword tip to his neck.
Shock paralyzed Sesshomaru before he masked it with a forced grin. No one had ever done that before! I have been toying with her, he reassured himself. But he had not anticipated such a lightning-fast defense. She was good. For a woman.
She smirked. "Is that the best you can do?"
"You should be thankful your swordplay is better than your seduction," he retorted.
"Pick it up," she said.
It is time to teach her her place, he thought, and moved for his sword. He picked up the blade and turned to face her again.
She smiled full out. She thrust quite unexpectedly, and when he parried, she brought the blade high and down. They locked swords and she grabbed his wrist.
The feeling of her small hand on his skin sent tingles up his arm. Angry, Sesshomaru tore his wrist free and pushed off.
Kagome swung her blade around to the side.
He expertly blocked it and came back with a blow of his own. "Why so bitter, Priestess? I gave you what you asked for."
Kagome deflected the attack. "Do all men finish so quickly?"
"If you hadn't acted like a bitch in heat, then I might have acted more politely."
"To an enemy? You wanted to hurt me. Just like you want to kill me now."
"Killing you now would be too easy," he said.
"Don't flatter yourself. You're not as good as you think," Kagome answered, and swung the large blade again.
Sesshomaru blocked her strike and counter-thrust. She raised her sword and sparks flew as the metal blades collided. His face was inches from hers, and he stared into her blue eyes. "You are good, Priestess, I will admit that." Her full lips were so close, so inviting. He put his weight against the sword, moving his face closer and closer. She fought valiantly, but vainly. He was stronger than she was and his lips drew nearer to hers. "I get what I want, Priestess. Surrender to me."
"Never," she whispered, her hot breath fanning his lips.
"Kagome!" a voice shouted from the distance.
Sesshomaru pushed himself away from Kagome and turned toward the trees where the voice had come from.
"Put down your weapon," Kagome advised in a hushed tone.
Sesshomaru glanced at her. Was that concern in her voice?
"Kagome!" the call came again, this time closer.
Sesshomaru looked toward the voice, then quickly turned to look the other way. The branches of the trees on the opposite side of the clearing swayed in the breeze as if beckoning to him, but he knew he would never make it. Not with the stiffness in his legs from being confined for so long. An arrow in the back would bring him down before he could hide himself in the woods. He turned to look at Kagome. She watched him with those clear blue eyes, her sword arm relaxed at her side, as if she were waiting for him to make a move. His first impulse was to put his blade to her throat and hold off her men by threatening her life. He took a step toward her and grabbed her wrist. Much to his surprise, she didn't resist. He knew he could take her and she would let him. For an instant, the realization confused him, and he hesitated. Voices echoed in the clearing. By the time he had made up his mind to take her, the trees seemed to magically part and a large group of men burst forth, shouting angry words and brandishing weapons.
Sesshomaru released her arm and quickly dropped the sword. He held up his hands and backed away, but a tall man tackled him to the ground. The other men surrounded him and began pounding on him with their fists, lashing out with their feet. Sesshomaru kicked and heard a satisfying thud as his foot struck Eastern flesh. But there were too many of them. He tried to bury his face protectively in his arms, but a boot caught him in the back of the head and his vision blurred for a moment as pain hammered his skull. Hot agony flared in his stomach as another foot struck him.
Sesshomaru's vision cleared and he looked out through a haze of pain to see the glint of a polished sword poised above his abdomen.