Last time on Cursed
Sesshomaru and Miroku have their first mini-argument in the hot tub and then make up. Sesshomaru teaches his vassals a lesson in cowardice and appoints his lowliest vassal to his deputy. Miroku finds out that the servant Sesshomaru appointed to wait on him is mated to Sesshomaru's personal servant and accompanies to all meetings, including the one he was not allowed to attend…
"So," Miroku said casually, "Sesshomaru was displeased with his vassals this morning. I wonder if he saw fit to execute any…" Miroku rubbed his chin.
Aoi leaned in. "Yes sir! He executed all his top barons, including Hideo! And he appointed his lowest ranking baron to his deputy!"
"Doesn't sound like the Sesshomaru I know…" Miroku rubbed his chin again. "…wonder why he did that."
"Well sir, he asked the vassals to explain themselves, and Tsuyoshi was the only one who spoke up! He said that Hideo told them to hide and that Lord Sesshomaru ordered them to obey him so they had no choice."
"Bold of this Tsuyoshi character to make such a statement."
"And that's not all sir. Sesshomaru called him to the front and…" The whole story spilled out. It was almost as if he were there witnessing the action.
"Interesting…" Miroku said, rubbing his chin again.
"Yes sir and…" suddenly she trailed off and a look of horror had crossed her face, as she just realized that she was inadvertently committed espionage.
"Oh God…" she began to tremble, knowing what it would mean if her master ever found out. "What have I done?"
"Shhhh, shhhhh…" Miroku soothed her, gathering her into his arms. "I promise that the conversation will never leave this room. Trust me Aoi."
For some reason, she did trust him. She couldn't explain why she was so endeared to him, but she knew he would protect her from her master's wrath.
"I know you have risked much for me. Tell me, what can I do for you?"
Aoi thought on that question. She didn't need money and she was happy with her position. She had no answer.
"Just think about it, OK? Let me know."
She nodded and left.
Later at Dinner
"So," Miroku said nonchalantly, "how did the meeting go?"
"Well enough. I taught my cowardly vassals a lesson."
"I trust they'll not shirk their duties again."
"For their sake, they'd better not."
Miroku nodded and took a sip of the wine from his goblet. As he made to finish his dinner, Sesshomaru eyed him suspiciously.
Miroku raised his eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I thought you might inquire further."
"Would you tell me if I did?"
"It doesn't concern you."
Miroku closed his eyes for a moment and took a calming breath. He knew that tact and consideration for others' feeling weren't among Sesshomaru's strong suits. He had to be patient. He could feel Sesshomaru's eye's on him.
"Is there a problem?" Sesshomaru asked, a bit puzzled.
"Not at all." Miroku refused to meet his eyes.
Sesshomaru knew this was a lie, which irritated him to no end. What was the monk hiding? Before Miroku could blink, Sesshomaru was upon him. "I'm not convinced."
"It's nothing." Miroku made to get up, but Sesshomaru held him down.
"I'll ask again. Is there a problem?"
"I said nothing. Now please," he moved his arms in Sesshomaru's firm grip. "Let me go."
Sesshomaru's eyes softened as he complied with Miroku's request. He watched Miroku leave the room. He was truly puzzled. Did I say something to upset him? He asked himself, but decided against it. It couldn't have been him.
Miroku took in the cool night breeze on his balcony. What is wrong with me? he asked as the gazed out into the night, looking at nothing in particular. This is the second time today that I have started an argument for no reason. Sesshomaru is not used to communicating on an intimate level. I have to be patient.
"It's cool out here. Come inside." Miroku turned to see Sesshomaru standing in the doorway.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"No." Sesshomaru stepped closer to the monk. "You're shivering."
Miroku could feel that familiar irritation rising up again. He knew he was being unreasonable. Sesshomaru was just concerned. Calm yourself, Miroku admonished himself. Sesshomaru stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Miroku. As Miroku molded his body into Sesshomaru's, he felt his irritation melt away. He sucked in his breath as Sesshomaru brushed his lips against the back of his neck.
"Come inside," Miroku could feel Sesshomaru's warm breath in his ear. He shuddered as Sesshomaru traced the outer part of his ear with his tongue. "I want to show you something."
Elsewhere, far away
"Finally," Kagome said as they reached the outer edge of the village. "I'm exhausted!"
"Wait!" Shippo cried out, sniffing the air. "Do you smell that?"
Kagome couldn't smell anything, but an incredible sense of foreboding had suddenly come over her.
"I smell it too," Jaken confirmed. "It smells like…blood. Human blood and lots of it."
"Maybe we shouldn't go in," Sango said, reaching for her Hiraikotsu. "I've got a bad feeling too."
"Do you think the village has been attacked?" Kagome asked.
"It's very likely," Jaken replied. "I detect the scents of those same horrible smelling demons who confronted us before."
"Then they were probably looking for…" Shippo trailed off, finding that he couldn't finish.
"Us," Jaken finished for him. "We need to get back to Lord Sesshomaru, quick!" Jaken knew that he must protect Rin at all costs. He was feeling very uneasy about all of this.
"We can't do that," Sango replied reasonably. "It would take us days to get back, and it's too dangerous to travel at night. Our best bet would be to hide somewhere for now. And it's a war zone back in the west anyway."
Jaken looked doubtful, but he could see the reasoning in the plan. It made perfect sense.
"Where should we go?" Kagome asked.
"We passed some caves on the way back. Let's head back there," Sango suggested.
They all turned and headed back in the direction that they had come, all too distracted to notice that they were being followed.
In the Western Lands
In Susha's new fortress (a castle of one of his prisoners), sat Susha, his deputy, and a female demon, deep in concentration.
"So can you do it?" Susha asked her.
"The monk yes," she replied. "But Sesshomaru will be more difficult."
"The monk is all we need," Susha replied. "If you get to the monk, it will most definitely affect Sesshomaru. I hear he has a new deputy."
"Yeah," Susha's deputy piped up. "Some neophyte."
"Interesting," Susha observed. "Their resilience will be put to the test. My agents have scoured the village, but Inuyasha's and Sesshomaru's companions had not returned yet. They will be on the lookout for them. They will provide excellent motivation."
In a cave somewhere
"Let's hope they don't think to look for us in here," Shippo said hopefully.
"In any case," Sango said. "Mask your energy, and no talking. We don't want to make it easy for them."
"Too late," a sinister voice sneered.
At Sesshomaru's place
"Sesshomaru," Miroku pleaded as he attempted to squirm out from under Sesshomaru, who was planting kisses on his neck. "Stop that!" Miroku exclaimed as Sesshomaru's hands crept inside his robes, traveling up his thigh.
"Make me."
"Maybe I…OH!" Miroku cried out as Sesshomaru tickled his jewels. "Was this what you wanted to show me?"
"No. After," he said as he untied Miroku's robe.
In the cave
"Well, what have we here?" sneered one of those horrible smelling demons. "It looks as if Sesshomaru and his hanyo brother left their pets behind."
"Watch your tongue!" Jaken exclaimed indignantly. "And that's Lord Sesshomaru to you!"
The ugly looking demon cackled. "Well he won't be Lord Sesshomaru for long. Now come along with us."
"No!" exclaimed Rin.
"Ah, a cheeky one eh? Now be a good girl and do what I say," he revealed razor sharp claws. "Let's go."
Kagome closed her eyes. Inuyasha, help me!
Back at the castle
Two days with nothing to do. Inuyasha was starting to get bored. Sesshomaru refused to let neither him nor Miroku know what was going on. He was seriously considering heading back to the village with Kagome and the others. All this lounging around in this comfy bed and hot bath was making him too complacent.
Inuyasha, help me!
Inuyasha heard Kagome's voice in his head as loud as if she had screamed it in his ear. Kagome and the others were in danger. Perhaps he should have escorted them back to the village. But he was so anxious for some action that he didn't even consider it.
He leapt out of his bed and snatched open the door. "Hey you!" he called to a servant who was scampering down the hall.
Inuyasha ran out of the castle and into the night. Hold on Kagome, I'm coming!
At the cave
Hold on Kagome, I'm coming!
Kagome sighed in relief. I knew he would hear me, she thought. One of the twelve ugly, smelly demons was watching her.
"What are you grinning about? You think that hanyou's coming to save you? You'll probably be dead by the time he gets here."
Rin was almost frightened. But she knew that Lord Sesshomaru would come to save her. Lord Sesshomaru always came to save her.
At the castle
Sesshomaru was lying on top of Miroku, with both of their robes open. He had both of their aching members in his hand, squeezing and stroking; both of them unable to suppress the erotic sounds that were escaping their lips. Sesshomaru leaned down as kissed his monk. Not a soft, tender kiss but the lewd kiss of a horny lover. As Miroku sucked on his tongue, Sesshomaru positioned himself to…
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! "Lord Sesshomaru! Emergency!"
Sesshomaru instantly jumped up and tied his robe. Miroku heard him mutter what he was certain were curses in his native tongue and something about ripping someone's throat out. He turned to make sure Miroku was robed and motioned for Miroku to go next door to his adjoining suite. Miroku walked to the doorway and went not further. Sesshomaru glared at him, but said nothing. He flung open the door and grabbed the quaking demon by the throat.
"Give me a reason not to kill you," he growled at the frightened demon. His face was thunderous and his normally cold eyes were ablaze.
"My Lord, I have an urgent message…" he gasped for air. Sesshomaru's grip tightened.
"I'm not satisfied." He squeezed the demon's throat tighter.
"…gaahhhh…" The demon could no longer speak.
"Sesshomaru," Miroku whispered quietly. Sesshomaru knew what he was going to say. He dropped the demon on the floor, which choked and coughed as he tried to get air into his starving lungs. The servants had drawn lots and he had lost, meaning he had to deliver the message and ruin his master's evening. Sesshomaru kicked the little demon.
"Speak. Your life still hangs in the balance."
"Sir, Master Inuyasha has left the grounds. He said to tell you that Lady Rin and the others are in danger and may have been kidnapped."
"Sango," Miroku whispered softly. Sesshomaru's ears twitched. Miroku knew he had heard him
The little demon saw a look on his master's face that he had never seen before. He quickly looked down, hoping his Lord hadn't noticed that he was staring at him.
"Did he say where they were?"
"He thinks they may have made it to the village-"
"You may go." Sesshomaru slammed the door in the little demon's face. He turned to see Miroku with a most displeased look on his face. "What is it now?" Sesshomaru asked as he hurriedly changed his clothes and gathered his weapons and armor. "And don't say 'nothing'. We will discuss this upon my return."
"I'm coming with you."
"No."
"They are my friends too, Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru glared at him. "This is about that slayer, isn't it? I heard you whispering her name."
"It's not just about her-"
"I do not have time to deal with this right now. Wait here until I get back."
"I will not."
Sesshomaru was gone in a flash. Miroku hurried to this room to dress and retrieve his staff.
The Forest
Inuyasha whisked through the forest, unable to pick up Kagome's scent but able to detect those foul smelling demons from earlier. He followed the scent to their village. He didn't find Kagome and the others, but he did find that the rest of the villagers…dead. He couldn't worry about that now. It was clear that Kagome was not here. As he traveled back into the forest he paused. All of their scents were converging on this one spot. He followed it to a set of caves. Kagome had been in the caves with the others and were taken from this spot by those rotten-smelling demons. They appeared to be headed west, but along a different route. He knew Sesshomaru had gotten his message, and knew that he would be along shortly if he could tear himself away from Miroku for a few minutes. Since Rin was involved, Inuyasha was sure he would come.
Sesshomaru picked up Inuyasha's scent even before he left his castle. He made a beeline for the forest, following Inuyasha scent. I am much swifter than Inuyasha and will probably run into him, he thought. His thoughts drifted back to Miroku. What was that sharp look he gave me? Why is he still going on about that slayer? Perhaps I should have ended her back in the woods when she supposed herself to challenge me. Miroku and I will have to have a long discussion upon my return, these petty arguments are starting to irritate me.
He thought back to the task at hand. Inuyasha's scent was beginning to converge on those offensive smelling demons they had encountered a week ago. A week? Had it really only been a week since he and Miroku had…Never mind that now. He had to get to Rin and wring that little toad's neck.
Suddenly he froze in his tracks. He smelled blood. Miroku's blood. Damn that monk! I told him to wait upon my return! His mind was in torment, he had to get to Rin but Miroku needed him. I put Rin's life in your hands Inuyasha, Sesshomaruthought. He turned and sprinted back towards his Miroku.
Earlier in the Woods
Miroku made his way through the woods, burning with indignation. Ever since he and Sesshomaru had started this…whatever they were doing, he was reluctant to let Miroku out of his sight. At first he had been flattered by the attention but now it simply irked him. Did Sesshomaru think that he couldn't take care of himself? He doesn't even keep Rin on as tight a leash as he does with me. And she's a child! He fumed, so lost in his thoughts that he was caught off guard by the half a dozen demons that encircled him.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Sesshomaru's doxy," one of them sneered.
Miroku flinched.
"Oh, I think you've hurt his feelings," another one said.
Miroku tightened his grip on his staff.
"What are you going to do with that?" another jeered.
Miroku swung, and caught the insolent demon upside the head.
"Son of a bitch! You're gonna pay for that!" He shrieked and ran his needle sharp claw down Miroku's face. Miroku felt a stinging and his blood ooze from the cut, which was sure to get infected.
"Remember what the boss said," one of them reminded the group as the circle tightened. "We can maim him but don't kill him."
"Don't worry. I knew exactly how many times to cut him."
Damnit Miroku cursed to himself. Where's that Kazanaa when you need it?
He felt a tingling in his right hand. What the…? He looked down; even in the dark he could see and feel the void opening up in his hand. He didn't stop to think about it. He darted out of the circle and turned the wind tunnel on his opponents. This feeling, he used to get, the pain, the aches, it wasn't there.
All of a sudden, the void closed on its own, leaving no traces that it had even been there. Miroku needed to do some serious meditation on this. But it would have to wait. There was still one demon left.
"Nice trick," the demon complimented. "Too bad you missed one."
Miroku reached for his staff, but the demon stepped on it. "Unh, uhn, uhn. Now be still, and this won't hurt as much."
Miroku removed a talisman from his pocket. Before he could make a move, a claw out of nowhere ripped the demon into shreds, before dissolving him completely. The sharp smell of poison burned his nose.
"Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru stepped forward, his eyes were blank, but Miroku could feel his anger. "I told you to wait for me in the castle."
"I told you I was coming."
"You're hurt. This may get infected," Sesshomaru said, his voice clearly expressing his concern. He reached out to touch Miroku's face.
Miroku grabbed his wrist. "I'm fine," he said coldly.
Sesshomaru was clearly shocked from Miroku's reaction. "Why are you acting this way?" he demanded.
Miroku turned and headed back towards the castle. Sesshomaru grabbed his arm in a firm grip, firmer than usual. Miroku tried to pull away, but it was no use.
"Let me go please," Miroku said calmly, his voice edged in steel.
"No," Sesshomaru replied simply. If Miroku couldn't be trusted to remain at the castle, then he would just have to come with him.
Oh dear, the pot is about to boil over. Why? Has Miroku misunderstood Sesshomaru's motivations? Is Sesshomaru being unreasonable? Are the others OK? Find out as Cursed continues!