Chapter 15: Caught
"Lord Sesshomaru returns today!" exclaimed Rin happily, dancing around the soft patch of grass where they sat.
Looking up at her words, Sae's heart skipped a beat. "That's right, I completely forgot," she lied, beginning to fidget with the floral necklace she and Rin had been creating. "When does he usually come see you when he returns?"
"Almost right after he arrives," Rin beamed, coming to sit back down next to Sae. She crossed her feet in front of her and arranged her kimono around her legs; looking very much like the little lady she was. "He usually wants to show me the gifts he brought for me."
"Ah," Sae nodded, smiling at the pretty picture the little girl made. Rin may be young and not always the ideal companion for one such as herself but Sae would never tire of having her around. It was extremely heart lifting having the young child in her company. Rin was one of the only humans Sae felt normal around. Not just a slave, or a fellow servant, or even a lowly species. Just Sae.
"Sae," Rin said, handing another flower over to her. "Do you think Lord Sesshomaru misses me when he leaves by himself?"
Sae took the flower and proceeded to tie the stem onto the half completed necklace. "Of course he does," she answered, feeling confident speaking on his behalf. At least about Rin. "How could he not? He probably thinks about you the whole time he is gone."
"I wish he could take me with him every time," Rin sighed wistfully, leaning her head on Sae's shoulder. "That way I could always be by his side."
"Yeah," Sae murmured, unsure what to respond to that particular sentiment. Not that Rin was expecting a reply. In mere seconds, Sae could feel her breathing even out into a slower and deeper pattern and her small frame relax against her. Rin had fallen asleep, her little hands still holding onto the assorted flowers she had collected.
Chuckling lightly, Sae gently took the flowers from her hands and softly adjusted the little girl so her head rested on Sae's lap. Rin made a small mewing noise before promptly falling back to sleep, her tiny face relaxing peacefully as she dreamed. Sae brushed Rin's hair back from her face, feeling a swell of affection for this young child.
It had been five days since the lord had left for his travels and Sae had spent the time with Rin tagging along after her every task. She'd become such a constant part of her day that Sae had begun to expect to see her youthful face every morning when she was escorted by Jaken for another day of chores. It was actually the thing Sae had come to look forward to the most.
Not that anyone could ever really resist Rin.
Even Jaken had caved into the little girl's request to spend a few hours of the day with just her and Sae. When Rin put her heart into it –including her adorable pouty look- she could make anyone eat out of the palm of her tiny hand. Including the impossible little green demon whom only seemed to worship Lord Sesshomaru.
Sae couldn't complain, however. It was because of her that Sae now had a few hours a day just to relax and spend the time doing whatever it was Rin wanted. They were usually simple, endearing things anyway. Today had been Rin's wish to gather a variety of different flowers to make a few woven necklaces. To what end Sae was uncertain but it had been the much better option than having to go down to the dungeons and scrub clean every speck of blood from the walls, floors, and chains.
She shuddered, grateful again to have escaped that particular task.
It would have brought back too many memories. Memories that Sae would rather leave buried in the back of her mind. Where she did not have to remember the pain or misery that had once consumed her entire life. Or her brother's …
"Youhei," Sae said softly, the wind seeming to carry her voice through the meadow.
The familiar ache spread in her chest at the thought of her twin. She missed him terribly. Missed him like a piece of her was gone. Sae knew he was better off where he was. Free. The chance to live the life he deserved before they had been captured to serve at the lord's castle. But still … she ached to see him again. To joke, laugh, and smile with him. To once again feel as if no matter what happened, she would always have her brother there to support her. That she would never be completely alone, because he would always be there to keep her company.
For so long it had just been them two, since the day her parents had perished in that fire. Relying on each other for their survival, pushing one another when the other was at their weakest, and supporting each other when everyone else seemed to turn their backs on them. It had become a way of life. Sae could not recall the last time she had ever thought of herself as just being on her own. Youhei had always been a part of the package. There was no Sae without Youhei and no Youhei without Sae.
But now, Sae felt her chest tighten, There had to be.
She would not risk escaping again. For two main reason. First being that she couldn't do it without the clever and strategic mind of her twin. None of the other servants, especially Daichi, knew what it took to try and escape from the castle. It wasn't as simple as sneaking out at night. There had to be a plan and a good one at that. Secondly, because Sae would not jeopardize her brother's freedom by selfishly trying to gain her own. Should Sae actually succeed in breaking out, she knew the lord would stop at nothing to retrieve both of them.
Lord Sesshomaru would not let her go so easily, now that she had strangely become his property. Sae had no illusions that he felt anything other than materialistic ownership over her. But she did know that it had more to do with pride than anything else. The lord had little room to forgive those who dare go against his wishes.
Which meant that Youhei and Sae would end up paying dearly for their actions.
Lord Sesshomaru may have let Sae's last attempt go lightly –if you considered harsh chores light- but that was only because she had somehow redeemed herself by warning him of harm. At least, that was the conclusion Sae had come to. Why else would he have spared her punishment? Sae was positive that he didn't actually have any affection for her but then why …?
Sighing, Sae felt the familiar twinges starting to throb at her temples. As before, she knew trying to figure out why the lord did what he did was pointless. She would never understand and he would never explain. Hence, it was futile.
Rin murmured in her sleep, her little eyebrows scrunching together before settling back down quietly.
Plus I can't leave her, Sae thought, her heart swelling just a bit. She brushed another strand of dark hair behind the little girl's ear. The more time she spent in her company, the harder the thought of leaving became. Perhaps it was her loneliness talking or how much she missed her twin, but Sae had come to look at Rin as a little sister of sorts. One that happened to love the man Sae abhorred. She did not hold that against her though. How could she? The lord had become like a father to Rin, who was an orphan and had been left with no one else. Sae, being an orphan herself, could understand the adoration and devotion Rin felt for the demon who treated her like a princess.
"Lucky girl," Sae said, with a smile.
"Indeed," a new voice replied, his tone cold.
Gasping, Sae's head snapped up. "My lord," she choked out, starting to rise but then remembered the sleeping Rin resting on her lap. Sae settled back on the grass, looking down at her burden with chagrin. "She uh- fell asleep," she tried as an explanation, feeling her neck burn.
Lord Sesshomaru towered over them, his stance one of a man familiar with power. "And why were you two out here alone in the first place?" his tone warned Sae that he was not pleased.
"Because," Sae sat up straighter, not going to be bullied into regretting her time with the girl. "Rin wanted to. She was hoping to make several necklaces out of flowers."
"That does not explain why you are here," the lord pointed out rudely, his face placid. "Rin is allowed to do whatever she pleases. You, on the other hand, are not. Did I not leave you your duties?"
"Yes," Sae gritted out, disliking the reminder. "But she specifically requested that I join her."
"Where is Jaken?" he asked, ignoring her explanation. "He was left in charge of your supervision."
"Back at the castle. He is attending to A-Un," Sae answered, having no qualms of giving away his location. She relished the idea of that frustrating little imp getting reprimanded by the lord. Even if it meant she would get in trouble first. "He said he'd return in an hour."
"Is that so," his eyes moved from Sae to the little girl, her face still set in a serene mask as she slept on. Sae couldn't be sure but she thought she caught a slight softening in his eyes as they roamed over Rin's tiny features. "How long has she been sleeping?"
"Only for a short while," Sae replied, slightly surprised by the change in topic.
Lord Sesshomaru stayed silent for a few moments longer, gazing down at the young girl with –what Sae could only assume- tenderness. It was a bit of a disconcerting moment for her. She'd known the lord treated Rin better than he did anyone else in his life, but seeing this … warmth was throwing Sae off kilter.
Was he even capable of such emotion? Of any emotion for that matter?
"When she awakens you will give her this," the lord finally spoke, holding a small box wrapped in silk ribbons. He tossed it at her feet. "And then report to me immediately after, understood?" He waited for no reply and smoothly turned to walk in the direction of the castle.
"Wait!" Sae called out, before she had time to think. "Does that mean … I can stay with her for a little while longer?"
Lord Sesshomaru stopped but did not turn around.
Sae held her breath only then realizing that she might of crossed a line. He would surely see it as-
"Until Rin has dismissed you," he said in a deep gravelly voice. "You will stay with her."
Blowing out a surprised breath, Sae watched as the lord walked away in his usual majestic manner, his long white hair flowing almost elegantly in the wind. The ease in which he held himself was something she had come to envy. There was strength in it. Even, dare she even say, power. With that kind of confidence it was no wonder many coward in his presence and why woman likely flocked towards him.
NOT that Sae would ever do so. But now she could admit she sort of–maybe-kind of saw why females of her species would.
Idiots, she scoffed with an eye roll for good measure; only to realize a heartbeat later that she was blushing at the thought.
By sundown, Rin had finally decided that she was ready to go to bed. After discovering that the lord had come to see her earlier but missed it because she'd been napping, Rin drilled Sae for every detail about what Lord Sesshomaru had said. When Sae had nothing more to disclose to the crestfallen girl, Rin had then proceeded to unwrap her gift.
Which even now, hours after seeing it, Sae was still a little envious.
The green emeralds had gleamed brightly in the afternoon sunlight as Rin had turned the butterfly shaped pendant in her hand. The wings had been crafted by an expensive silver that Sae had only ever seen once in her lifetime, many many years ago. She had marveled at the very rare piece of jewelry, wondering what it would feel like owning something so fine. Rin, on the other hand, seemed rather unimpressed for a girl her age and station. She had stared at it for a few seconds, her face very considerate, before tucking it carefully into the side of her kimono. It was not ungratefulness, Sae knew, that led to the lack of reaction of such a gift, but rather disappointment. Sae knew how exited Rin had been about seeing her guardian.
Which Sae could understand. Somewhat.
Never having received anything close to the extravagant butterfly pendant or having a guardian other than her parents, Sae did not know what it felt like to be showered with presents by anyone. But she could imagine, after having lost everyone she had ever know, that a little girl of Rin's age would treasure the lord's company over costly emeralds.
Sighing, Sae dragged her feet up the stairs leading up to the west wing. She knew she had to face the lord eventually, but throughout the day she had tried to postpone the inevitable as long as she could. Trying to distract her little companion with any activity she could think of. For a while it had worked, the two of them had spent the hours laughing and enjoying their time together. Until finally, her eyes droopy with exhaustion, Rin had called it a day and bid her goodnight.
So Sae was left with no other choice than to make her way back to the lord's chambers.
With each step closer she wondered what he was going to do or say. These days, Sae could no more predict Lord Sesshomaru's next move than she could predict the way the wind blew.
"Enter," the lord's voice said, after she knocked on the large wooden panel.
Taking a deep fortifying breath, Sae pushed the door and entered the lord's chambers. She immediately located the lord by the archway leading to his balcony, easily making out his profile in the moonlight. His back was to her, his arms crossed over his chest, and -in his still state- looking rather pensive.
Thinking of ways to punish me no doubt, Sae thought with a grimace and reluctantly walked deeper into the room.
For what seemed a good while, the lord continued to gaze out into the night in silence. While Sae stood at the center of the room, waiting for whatever it was he had decided to do with her. She would not feel regret, however, for having spent her time with Rin. The past week had been the happiest she'd been in what seemed a very long time. And no one was going to take that away from her. Especially the lord.
"You seem to have a knack for disobeying my orders," Lord Sesshomaru finally spoke, his deep monotone drifting through the air. "It is almost as if you are incapable of taking them."
Sae thought about that for a moment. She wouldn't consider herself particularly rebel-like, but she supposed she was not one to follow the order in which everyone else seemed to obey so easily. It was very likely from her time as a child, when she and Youhei had no choice but to fend for themselves. But being children they had little choice in surviving by honest means. That was where stealing and learning not quite honorable ways of living had come in handy.
"Not on purpose," Sae finally ventured to say, when the lord seemed to wait for a response.
"Indeed," his tone dripped with sardonicism before he turned around to look at her. "Everything you have done since the day you have entered my castle has been designed and intent on defying my every decree."
Sae bit her lip, feeling an automatic retort begin to rise. It was an exaggeration, to be sure, that everything she'd ever done had been merely to oppose the lord. Nevertheless, there was some truth to his statement. She had been trying to escape Lord Sesshomaru's domain for a while now, therefore, had been disobeying his dictation far longer than most would dare.
"It occurred to me that perhaps you really do suffer from a damaged brain or other," the lord continued, unfolding his arms and casually making his way towards her.
Sae stiffened, as much from the insult as from his approach.
"But then, I recalled the fact that you were able to get past my guards and free your brother from the dungeons all the while without having me notice your disappearance," he had a very intent look as he slowly advanced. "That takes strategic intellect, if at least very complicated thinking."
Sae tried to stand very still, averse to showing any signs of nervousness. He would only use it to his advantage. Or worse, enjoy it.
"So that left the dauntless courage you seem to possess," his voice came out flat but silken to her ears. "And it begs the question as to how exactly one like you came to acquire such an imprudent trait."
"Just lucky I guess," Sae couldn't help but quip, beginning to feel her heart pick up speed. He was so close, she could almost imagine she could smell his soap. A very beguiling blend of newly fallen rain and fresh lemon.
He began to circle her, his shoulder brushing her as he leaned towards her ear. "I most certainly wouldn't call you lucky, female" his warm breath tickled the hairs in the back of her slim neck. "A tempter of fate, perhaps. A courter of disaster, most certainly. But lucky? No. Only those deserving of it, get that."
"And I am," Sae said defiantly, fighting the reactions her body was experiencing having him so near.
"Oh and why is that? Because you have the audacity to defy me? You think that makes you deserving?" he mocked, his voice coming from behind her. "Think again female, you are nothing but a lowly servant."
Her anger ignited, Sae whirled around, ready to tempt fate as he just proclaimed-
But he was a lot closer than she had assumed.
She stumbled into a large, hard, hot male body.
She swallowed a gasp as sensation flooded her, searing skin, tightening nerves. Her lungs seized; her knees suddenly felt weak. She felt flushed and skittish. All along her front, she could feel the muscled solidity of his body all down the length of hers. Her breath strangled in her throat.
Eyes wide, she glanced up –and met his golden eyes.
Close, so close, those eyes saw too much; they searched hers, then passed slowly over her face … lingered on her lips.
Time stopped.
Stretched.
Her lips throbbed.
The sound of a wolf howling in the distance broke the spell.
Blinking, Sae took a step back and began to turn away. "I-"
Then he moved.
She had no chance to gasp, to scream. Lord Sesshomaru's hand closed about hers, he swung her to face him, backed her towards one of the banisters holding the bed. A heavy trunk lay at the end of it; she stumbled as, eyes wide, fixed on his, she backed into the long slender column.
He caught her other hand, lifted both, steadying her as, instinctively, she stepped further back- her shoulders and hips hit the wood.
She caught her breath, opened her lips-
He raised her hands on either side until they were above her head, then pressed them to the banister- and deliberately stepped nearer.
Leaned nearer.
Caged her.
Trapped her.
She could barely breath, didn't know if she dared. His strength surrounded her, held her –imprinted itself on her senses. No more than an inch separated their bodies; she could feel his heat against the length of hers.
Because of his height, he needed to lower his head to look into her eyes. His gaze locked with hers. His features could have been hewn from granite. "As I said, nothing but a lowborn slave of my lands to do as I wish."
Her temper returned with a vengeance. She let it burn in her eyes as she tested his grip, more out of instinct than expectation. His fingers tightened, just enough for her to feel their steely strength, to know she couldn't break free. She didn't dare shift her body away from the banister along her back. If she did, she'd move into him.
"Never!" she spat the word like a curse into his face. "Not even if you were the last man on earth!"
By sheer luck, she hit a nerve –touched tinder to his temper; she saw it in his eyes, saw his lips thin.
"Is that so."
Every word was growled menacingly.
Sae raised her chin, "Yes."
His hard features remained frozen on his face as he looked coldly furious, his eyes roaming deliberately down her small frame. After a long slow perusal of her body, his golden eyes reached back to her face.
Her eyes grew into wide dark pools, easy to read, easy to define. She was caught, whether she admitted it to herself or him; Tempted … fascinated.
He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent. Her skin was heated, courtesy of his nearness; her essence, fresh, elementally exotic and like a blooming rose, heightened and wreathed his senses.
Their faces were close, as were their bodies –close enough for her to sense the change in his intent. Her eyes widened fractionally more, then her lids fell as her gaze shifted from his eyes to his lips.
He closed the distance between them, slowly, predatorily.
Their lips brushed. Touched.
Met.
Fused.
The power flared –like a spark set to dry grass, it flamed, then raced, taking them both, drawing them in, sucking them into its heat.
It was like nothing she knew. No kiss she had ever dreamed of experiencing had caught her as this did, held her attention so completely, so effortlessly, so focused on him, on his lips, on his mouth, on the dark thrill of sliding deep, on the sensual mating of their tongues.
She followed his lead, matching step for step, fearless in her innocence.
She couldn't form a coherent thought. Couldn't reason. Couldn't draw back from the conflagration.
Sae had stopped thinking some instants before their lips had met. The knowledge that he was going to kiss her was enough, of itself, to focus her mind on one thing and that alone.
Him.
She wished it weren't so, to fight it somehow but lost. Her mind, her senses –her very heartbeat –seemed to be his to claim. And no matter how much she might argue with herself later, she couldn't hold back from this part of his game.
Dangerous.
The word whispered through her mind but she couldn't quite make herself care at the moment. He might prey on her mind and lay waste to the defenses she'd erected against him, but while in this moment with his lips on hers, she knew and understood, only one thing.
Pleasure.
He hadn't released her hands; instead, his fingers had locked, not painfully but his grip unbreakable, his forearms outside hers against the banister, holding his weight from her. For an insane instant, she almost wanted his weight on her. And could not understand why. Her whole body had come alive, heated, nerves afire. She wanted him against her, chest to chest, thighs to hips. Craved it.
She helplessly arched, touched him. For one bewildering instant, she let her body caress him.
Sensed his immediate and surprised response – sensed the depth of a fire she didn't quite understand. Felt him pull back from whatever enchantment had come over him.
He broke the kiss.
Sae was breathing rapidly, her eyes fluttering open as she took in a much need breath.
Simultaneously, it seemed, they lifted their eyes; their gazes met, held.
His dark gaze gave nothing away, even as it roamed over her features. She felt as if he could see into her soul. Read exactly what was going on in her mind.
She swallowed back her emotions. "Release me," she said, hoping she sounded unshaken.
Although his eyes flashed for a moment, he surprisingly released her and stepped back.
Inhaling a deep breath, Sae sagged against the bed in relief, feeling rather light headed. She raised a hand over her thumping heart, trying to calm her nerves. A million and one thoughts raced through her mind so fast she couldn't hold onto a single one for longer than a second.
"From now on you will be Rin's primary care taker," Lord's Sesshomaru's voice rung coldly, not a hint of emotion from a moment before. "Despite your lack of sense for my orders and a failure as my personal servant, I think you are the best candidate for the job. Rin does seem to favor your company over any of the others, although they be more qualified than you. Therefore from now on you will be sleeping in the east wing, in a room connecting to hers. So you may be at her beck and call. Is that clear?"
Astounded, Sae still had the sense to nod.
"You will be leaving tonight," Lord Sesshomaru stated coolly, striding towards the exit to the chambers. "I will be informing the other staff to prepare for the arrangements. Gather the clothing you use and be ready in 10 minutes."
Feeling as if it were surreal, Sae nodded again. "Yes, my lord."
Lord Sesshomaru paused halfway out the door. "Let us hope you are a better caretaker than you were a pathetic excuse for a personal servant." And with that left the room.
In the abruptly silent room, the moonlight streaming in, Sae touched her fingers to her swollen lips, the tingling sensation the only evidence of what had just felt like her first real kiss.
But with that thought came another. She was, absolutely and definitely, in more danger now than she had ever been from the Lord of the Western Lands.
*Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. Any violence, perceived abuse, or negative behavior should not be taken literally. The plot is for entertainment purposes only. This author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material.