Marking of Property

Chapter Two: ^ Sleepwalk ^

written by: Madness

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A/N: Next chapter to 'Marking of Property'. I must tell you, though, it's really short. But I hope it's all good, as I never seem to get anything done with school on my back. It's a start, ne?? ^_~ Also, this chapter focuses on Tasukete and Sesshoumaru, and...uh...it's very short, but it happens to be an important chapter (and later you'll see why).

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Sesshoumaru hesitantly wrapped his arm around Tasukete, who in turn had her head buried in his clothing, her mind in several places at once. She had been confused for such a long time, whether she had been rightfully Naraku's or Sesshoumaru's....except Sesshoumaru didn't mark her as his, which made it more difficult for her to choose. She loved Sesshoumaru, but he rarely showed an emotion that displayed even the slightest care for her. Soon...he said those three heart-stopping words to her.

"Don't die Tasukete."

She had awaited for an 'I love you' actually, but with Sesshoumaru, those words couldn't have gotten any better. It showed that he didn't want her to get hurt! To Tasukete, those words were a lot more powerful than if any person said 'I love you' to her. Some phrases mean nothing depending on how it is said or the person who says it. If Sesshoumaru were to ever say 'I love you' to Tasukete, she would promptly die.

"Sesshoumaru-sama..." she whispered, but her words were muffled. He pushed her away slightly, his eyes having that same emotionless feel in them. Of course he would look the same as he always did - calm, relaxed, and unfeeling. Indifferent.

"What is it?"

She bit her lip in fear. She wanted to tell him about the marking Naraku had done to her so long ago; she wanted him to know and, hopefully, to accept it.

If only his eyes weren't looking so cold!!

"I, eh....." She placed a hand on her lower belly. Though her clothing was concealing the mark, she still felt as though everyone could see it clearly. It was burning then...as it had always burned. "Um...."

"What is it?" he asked again. A touch of annoyance was detected in his tone. It was that tone of his that changed her mind in the last second.

"Nothing, Sesshou-sama. Just...a bit tired."

He released her then; it saddened her...he never usually liked coming into contact with her. They always remained distant.

"Get some rest." he told her calmly, then walked away from her and to a tree, where he sat beneath it rather comfortably.

"Oh. Okay." she quipped and went to sit under a shady tree as well, only a short distance away from Sesshoumaru.

She stared at him from across the plain of grass beneath a crowd of shady, looming trees. He was sleeping, something she was far from doing. She was too anxious to go to sleep - needless to say, she wasn't looking forward to getting sleep anyway. Naraku was constantly on her mind and in her dreams, persistantly reminding her that she was his, persuading her debauchedly.

Tasukete sighed inwardly. 'Trauma.'

Still, Sesshoumaru kept sleeping. He was quite a lovely sight; he always looked so calm and peaceful. Without fear...without much emotion at all, actually.

"Sesshoumaru.." she said to herself aloud, not taking her eyes off of him.

'He probably only *tolerates* me enough so I could be with him for a bit. But he'd never like me in that way.' she reasoned, but soon felt herself pushing herself from the ground and heading over to him.

"Sesshou-sama?" she asked softly after she kneeled in front of him. But he didn't hear her. She sighed again, gathering up her courage before she pressed her lips to his softly, and she didn't want to let go...even though Sesshoumaru's eyes had opened surprisingly from the contact.

Finally, though she did not want it to end so soon, she pulled away from him slightly. "G...gomen...Sesshoumaru..." She looked away from him in embarrassment. "I didn't....I mean....that was.."

Her words were cut off as Sesshoumaru raised his hand and placed it behind her head, pulling her into a kiss of his own. It was a soft kiss - his lips were cold and smooth, lightly brushing over her own in what was, perhaps, curiosity. Nothing could have been more surprising than this.

After a few moments, Sesshoumaru spoke. "Get some rest, Tasukete."

She stared at him in confusion for a second, and then sat down beside him, resting on the fluffiest, most comfortable part of his outfit. 'Sesshoumaru-sama....don't you even know what that is...or what it means to me?' she thought of saying to him, but fell asleep before she could force herself to do so.

And from a distance, Naraku felt Tasukete's moment of happiness and began to wonder about it. 'I need to remind her of whom she belongs to.'

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A/N: Next chappie coming soon (....maybe if I get reviews - hint hint). Oh, and by the way, the beginning of the story just takes place in the middle of nowhere. There's no specific reason as to why she's hugging him; she just is. Cuz she's moody like that. :P

~~R/R onegai!