Author's note. Only the second part of this chapter contains a lemon.

I will mark the lemon with: *********************************************

Now remember! ****************************************

Anybody under 17 should not read beyond this marker. ****************************************************

I am not kidding now. This is what marks the SEX. *********************************

Got that? Huh? *snickers*

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it characters.

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Chapter 8: Sour to sweet to bitter

The pain did not disappear. His owner had lied. Wallowing in agony, Sesshomaru lay waiting in a pool of his own blood. It hurt...It hurt so much. Through uneven heatbeats, his body jerked sporadically.

The miko left him. From what his dulled and damaged senses could tell, she had walked out of the room.

For what length of time the youkai could not determine, he shook and convulsed.

The room spun in dizzying circles. With great effort, he moved his head and tried to establish his bearings. His arms and legs refused to move on command. Painful tremors were the only motions his mangled flesh and muscles would allow.

He wanted to fall away, to leave this place and this torment.

But that was not possible.

For the first time in Sesshomaru's life, he shed a tear. He began to whisper between his cracked lips which were smeared with coppery stickiness. "Make it stop......please make it stop.....she said it would stop.."

His whispers turned into loud groans as the pain began to increase. The flesh on his back began to burn. The smell of purifying magic seeped up into his clogged nose. The dog demon whimpered. She had left him here......to suffer.

Suddenly, it felt as if the flesh on his back was melting. A thousand stabs of fire began to needle their way into the wounds on his back. It increased in mounting degrees. Soon he would not be able to bear it without crying out. He parted his lips again to rasp out a weak, pleading call to his owner. "Please......Make it stop......Please.....I beg you...."

A moment later he was howling. "Please!......Make it stop!.....Mercy!... .Master!

Through the blistering agony, he heard the sound of faint footsteps coming near.

At that moment, the searing pain spiked then consumed him.

Something within snapped and he forced out a blood chilling scream. "Kill me! I want to die! Please! I AM BEGGING YOU! KILL ME!"

The unmerciful agony blinded him but did not allow his mind to shut down.

Very strong hands picked him up and he twisted involuntarily in their hold as the motion caused splintered bone to pierce and slice into his insides. He screamed again. Something clamped over his mouth. He gagged, trying to cry out again as blood welled up in his throat. He felt himself being carried then dropped. When the cover on his mouth slipped away, he let out an ear splitting howl.

But his cry was cut short.

He had been tossed into water.

His lungs filled with hot liquid. As he went limp, his world ebbed away into submerged numbness.

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Sesshomaru woke with a start. He was laying on his stomach. The soft bed underneath cradled him. The demon had the desire to get up. But when he tried to move, he flinched.

A small female voice soothed beside him. "Please, stay very still...It will only hurt more if you move."

He let out a groan and buried his nose in the warm pillow. His mind despaired in the knowledge that death had not come for him.

Light touches caressed his back. It felt as though a gooey paste was being rubbed on his flesh. The potent balm reminded him of forest herbs.

Sesshomaru turned his head to the side where the voice had come from.

The female spoke again; she sounded as if speaking more to herself than to him. "I didn't think you were going to make it. At least you are healing now. You must be a very powerful youkai for wounds such as these to heal so quickly."

A deep breath earned him a stabing pain in his chest. But he clenched his eyes shut to counteract it and rasped out a question. "How long have I been asleep?"

The female sighed. "Two days. My lady was not very pleased when you would not wake. She left the minute Shi'an placed you on your bed."

With his senses returning, he now realized that the female nursing him was the servant; Liana.

His mind took a turn about. Shi'an?

Did not the miko call her pet panther by that name?

The girl rambled. "I made you a fire. If you want, I can bring you something to eat. Would you like some meat broth?"

While trying to turn more to see the young female, he winced. With some concern, he asked another question. "When did.....When is.....my owner....coming back?"

The young girl moved to his line of sight; the worried light in her eyes showing clearly. "My lady said she would return in six days."

He closed his eyes and buried his face in the pillow again. "Leave me."

The rustling of her servant robes told him that she had stood up.

The girls light footfalls tapered off as she left the room and walked down the hall.

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For the next two days, he did not move. From time to time, the female servant would come and tend to his injuries. Even though the girl tried to get him to eat, he refused. But, he did accept water.

By the end of the second day, he sat up with some effort. Taking great care not to reopen the gashes in his back, Sesshomaru eased over to the night table where a covered tray had been laid. His stomach spoke to him and he lifted the covering to find two roasted pheasants. Very carefully, he reached over to the tray and pulled it onto his lap. The dog demon ate slowly. After he had finished, he picked up the tray and placed it back on the table.

He moved and laid down on his stomach then let out a weary breath.

Some time later, the young female entered the room.

He watched as she checked the fire.

She turned around and blinked. "Oh, I didn't know you were awake."

Her eyes fell on the uncovered tray. The young girl smiled. "I see you have eaten. Do you wish for me to see to your injuries again?"

Averting his eyes, he replied. "No."

The young servant girl nodded then walked over to the night table. After picking up the tray, she left.

He groaned once then fell asleep.

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Morning light from the window flooded the room. Sesshomaru sat up and looked around. He stretched, noting that only soreness remained in his backside. His healing ability had finally finished it's task. Looking over to the window, he surmised that he had slept till midmorning.

The miko would return today.

The dog demon closed his eyes as a slight icy shudder passed over him.

He shook his head once to clear the feeling. After several moments, the sickening pull on his insides abated.

Upon opening his eyes, Sesshomaru found the young servant girl standing at the door to his room.

Her head tilted slightly. "Do you need anything?"

Sesshomaru let his gaze fall to the floor. "No."

She nodded once and left.

The day wore on as the dog demon worked out the kinks which had settled in his body by moving about the room. When the light began to dim with the setting sun, he lay back down on the bed and waited.

Soon, he heard the wisp of the human female's robes.

He looked over to the door.

The young girl appeared. A hint of fear carried in her scent. While walking hurridley to the wardrobe, she spoke in a voice thick with anxiety. "My lady has returned. She wishes to see you."

His heart began to pound.

The female pulled out what appeared to be a long formal robe and folded it neatly.

She turned to him. "My lady wants you to take a bath first."

A pleading expression lit her face. "Will you please allow me to help you bathe this time? My lady explicitly asked that I do this."

Sesshomaru slowly nodded and rose from the bed.

With a smile of relief, the female headed out the door. "Please, follow me."

He left the warmth of his room to follow the girl.

After entering the bathing room, he stopped before the deep set pool. The young female turned away, probably waiting for him to undress. He untied the belt around his waist, letting his pants slip to the floor.

While immersing himself in the hot , circulating bath, he calmed somewhat.

Warm hands rubbed gently over his skin. A spicy fragrance drifted up as the female lathered some sort of substance in her hands. With great care, she scrubbed through his hair and over his body. This was the first time a female had touched him so intimately. Sesshomaru did not know why, but a small part of him liked it.

When the girl finished washing him, She got up from her kneeled position.

After picking up a large drying cloth, she waited next to the pool.

Hot water splashed about his legs as he rose.

The girl held up the drying cloth in front of her, hiding her eyes from his view.

As he stepped over to the female, she reached out and helped wrap the cloth around his body.

With a worried look, she asked him a question. "Will you please sit down on the bench and let me dry and brush your hair?"

Sesshomaru complied with the request and moved to sit on the seat by the steamy bath.

The girl walked over to the other side of the room and gathered two items: a brush and a smaller cloth.

He closed his eyes and breathed evenly as her hands dried his hair with the other drying cloth. She began to comb with sure, careful brush strokes. While she performed the simple task with her delicate motions, a sweet tune floated from the young girl. It was a lullaby; an ancient one.

So calmed by the light brushing and quiet song, Sessomaru barely noticed when the soothing brush strokes stopped.

The soft voice of the female roused him out of the light daze and he opened his eyes. "I have placed your garment on the bench beside you. I will wait outside while you dress." With that, the girl stepped out of the room.

He dressed in the long, white silk robe then walked out of the steam filled room.

The girl nodded to him when he came out and gestured to the end of the hall. "This way."

The thumping in his chest started again as he retraced the steps which had led him to the miko's bed chamber the first time.

He clenched his hands into fists to keep them from shaking.

When they neared the door to the miko's bedchamber, the young girl knocked.

An even, sultry voice called out. "Come."

After pushing the old wooden door open, the female servant entered the room.

Reluctantly, he followed the girl into the bedchamber, keeping his eyes on the stone floor. The crackling fire spilled animated shadows across the cold stone.

He stopped when the young female halted in front of him.

The girl bowed low, her soft tone filtering through the silence. "I have finished the task you have requested, My Lady."

A voice laced with satisfaction answered. "You have done well, Liana. Now leave."

The servant girl raised up and hurried out of the room.

Sesshomaru went rigid with the click of the door. The sound of silk sliding over bare skin drew near.

Closing his eyes, the dog demon tried to push down the fear which threatened to consume his spirit.

The pounding in his ears almost drowned out the miko's purring tone. "I see you have healed, dear prince."

The heat from her body circled him. "You clean up very nice."

A lightness pushed into his hair and he heard a distinct sniff. "And you smell so good."

She moved to the front of him. "What's the matter, prince? Afraid to look at me?"

The miko gave a soft, short laugh. "I want you to see me, demon. Open your eyes."

He did as ordered but kept his gaze to the floor. Small bare feet entered his line of sight.

Her voice grew a notch higher. "Look at me, youkai."

In slow degrees, he moved his vision to include the woman standing before him: from her ankles, to the transparent silk robe, then up to the beastly beauty of her face.

A carnal smile graced full red lips. Black eyes smoldered with lust.

One hand reached up to touch his face.

He made no sound and remained deathly still.

Her fingers gently smoothed over his cheek.

Female musk nauseated him.

Sesshomaru swallowed down the bitter bile in his throat.

The smile on her face widened into a full grin. "You are so beautiful."

After dropping her hand, she turned and walked over to the bed. She sat down and stared at him; the light in her eyes, blazing with wicked desire.

In a firm seductive tone, she gave him an order. "Take off the robe, now."

Heat flared in his cheeks as he untied the cloth belt. The garment slid off of his shoulders and fell to his feet.

Every inch of his bared skin tingled as the woman gazed at him.

Sesshomaru could almost feel the sensual burn of woman's eyes as they traveled slowly over his body.

The woman raised her hand and motioned an invitation. "Come, my beautiful pet."

(Lemon scene)see... it's the marker

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Never taking his eyes off of the woman, Sesshomaru moved to the bed with slow steps.

The miko watched him intently. He stopped before the woman who was sitting on the dark quilts which covered her bed.

She laughed. "I release you from your last command. You do not have to look at me if you do not wish to."

Immediately, Sesshomaru looked away.

A warm hand touched him where no being had ever touched him before.

Shutting his eyes, the dog demon steadied himself.

She gave a command in a low tone. "Lie down, Youkai." He opened his eyes but avoided looking at the female.

The woman moved over as he lay on the bed beside her.

On his back, Sesshomaru stared up at the ceiling.

In the corner of his vision, he glimpsed at the female who began to slide out of her robe.

Repulsion snaked its way to his stomach.

Light fingertips played about the skin on his chest.

Those fingers reached up to thread through his hair and caress his face.

She spoke in an soft voice. "Did you know, demon, that there is a word tied to your collar?"

His hackles rose.

Her words lingered like sticky cobwebs. "I can say that word....because I am your owner....When I choose to punish you, I will use that word..And when I use that word, the pain you experience will be far beyond what you have felt so far. ..Do you want to see how it feels? Do you want me to use it?"

Sesshomaru could not stop himself from trembling. ".....Ple....Please do not...."

Suspision laced her tone. "Now, I would never have to use it now, would I? Have you gone and done something that I would have disaproved of? MMMMmmmm? My sweet little doggy has not disobeyed me, has he?"

While trying not to anger the miko, he replied in a submisive and hesitant voice. "No...Master... I.....have not....."

The woman's breathing deepened as she began fondling him. "You are such a good boy."

A creamy thigh found it's way over his knees.

Warm lips began their journey, placing little pecks across his chest. They traveled to his collar bone, over the metal around his throat and up to the base of his ear.

Sesshomaru turned his head and centered his vision on the other side of the room.

Long tendrils of hair brushed his skin, making his flesh prickle.

The hand that held him firmly in it's grasp started to stroke gently. Soft warm breasts pressed against his side.

Her tongue glided along his jawline, leaving a cold, wet trail. She stopped at his chin to give a playful nip.

The sickening knot in his stomach threatened to purge itself.

He remained motionless in the female's clutches.

The woman ceased her movements. "What is wrong, my pet? You body is so stiff but unfortunately, the part of you that I want to stiffen, has not."

As her body covered his, she rubbed her slick sex over that part of him which refused to react to her uninvited grinding.

She stopped.

A heavy breath hissed in his ear. "Why won't you respond? Do you need a little more persuasion? I want you to touch me."

While keeping his gaze to the far wall, he replied with slightly shaky words. "I don't....I...."

She raised up and looked at him. "Your a virgin?" she sounded amused.

He swallowed hard, degredation clawing in his gut. "I am supposed to pick out a single mate for life."

She laughed cattily. "My dear prince, you surprise me. And that happens rarely."

Her tone grew mildly sensual. " I will have to teach you how to please me. And that will be my pleasure."

Lowering her lips to his cheek, she spoke in a deep, husky tone between light kisses. "It is a....shame....that your waiting........was in vain, youkai.... but I promise...I will...be gentle...."

Her hand stroked him again. "Now respond my beautiful youkai. Give in."

He hardened under the aggressive fondling, hating his body and at the same time thanking it for saving him from her wrath.

Sesshomaru turned his gaze to the naked woman atop him. Her skin glowed in the firelight. Perfect breasts bounced lightly. Her semi-lean body writhed with curves that would make any demonness green with envy.

He watched as the exotic female mounted him, sliding easily over his length. Feminine hips rocked in a slow, rythmic motion, starting slow at first then increasing to a hard heated grinding.

She bucked and he could feel the tightening of her inner walls around him.

Heavy breathing grew into deep moans. The woman leaned down and whispered husky words of passion: of how beautiful he was, how much he filled her, what a good boy he was, and that she intended to keep him forever.

Female arousal blocked out nearly every other scent.

While sitting back up, she countinued the erogenous rocking and grinding.

Just as her hot, slick walls squeezed hard around him, she threw her head back and let out a loud moan.

On the verge of release, Sesshomaru struggled to hold it within.

It would mean his final submission to her.

His hands flexed then grasped the sheets so tightly he almost feared they would rip.

Piercing his tongue with one sharp canine, Sesshomaru let the blood flow into his mouth. The act distracted him enough.

Continuing her sensual movements, she bent down and hissed sharply in his ear. "Swallow that blood and let go."

The dog demon complied, swallowing the thick, warm liquid, letting his saliva heal the wound.

Grasping the female's hips, he then thrust up into her , releasing his seed within her with a vocal grunt.

This elicited a lusty groan from the female as she shook and squeezed around him once again.

His body spasmed in the falling aftermath of his release.

While breathing hard, he waited for the woman who was coming down from her own pleasure to tell him what to do. She lowered and licked the rim of his ear to the pointed tip.

In an immensely satisfied voice, she purred. "You pleased me this time, prince. I look forward to our next union."

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Raising up, she slid off of him. The smell of blood and mating clung to his senses.

Sesshomaru did not move.

The miko grabbed her robe. Standing up from the bed, she slipped on the silk garment. Without looking at him, she muttered a command. "Leave, return to your room. We will depart at dawn. I have much to do."

Sesshomaru raised up. His skin was sticky with mating fluids and he smelled like her.

He wanted a bath but chose not to utter his thoughts out loud.

After getting off of the oversized bed, he picked up his robe.

As he walked over to the door, Sesshomaru put on the garment and tied the cloth belt.

The door creaked as he opened it, sending an echo down the hall.

He proceeded to his room, hoping the servant girl would check up on him. And hoping she could give him water to wash off these nauseating odors clinging to his skin.

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Ok, I would like to know how I did with this chapter. This was my first lemon. I definitely want a comment on that part. How was it? Too raunchy? Too dull? Too boring? I also hope fanfiction doesn't trash my fic for it either. I don't know what their rules are. I wish they would put up a rule page or something for this kind of thing. Next chap to Captive Soul will be out Friday night. Anyway, I hope all who read were entertained by this chap. Please read and review. It makes me happy! Ras.

Review responses:

Opaaru Tsuki: *snickers at cute review. (bad fangirl?)* lol. Ah....well... ok you can have Slave Sesshy for just a little bit. Then I want him back! muhahahah!

Lil' Chi Chi: Did I torture him enough or should I do more? he he. Well I am thinking only 15 or so chapters for this fic. hope you got to read most of this chap. Ras.

taskinLUDE: Now I wasn't finished with Sessy yet, as you can see in this chap. Pandora put magic in the whip. I know this had to hurt because if you watch the series. Inuyasha goes through some pretty grusome battles but comes out of them still standing even when he gets impaled or something. When Kikyo comes back and she has all that hatred in her, she attacks Inuyasha and nearly kills him by just touching him. He could barely move after Kikyo just placed her hands on him. So I know that people with miko power can inflict pain on a demon. Miko's arent always nice. Pandora has that power within her. She is suppose to return demons back to her box. But the woman has turned evil during her cursed task. Well, and kinda insane as well.

inuficcrzy: Ah well she did have a husband in the Greek mythology. But I simply took her myth and fit it into Inuyashas storyline. I changed it a bit. She will not have a husband in this story.

Triospade: I can't remember where I found that picture. it looks a whole lot better on my computer. the resolution is bad on ff.net. Next chappie to Captive soul will be out Friday or Saturday morning. I have got some juciy stuff in mind and I want to take my time.

Sake Girl Duelist: I am so sorry! I didn't mean to get it spelled wrong. This better? ^_^

fan of story: Hey fan! hows it going? You may reconsider that statement about pandora when you see what she does later. I want people to hate her but for some reason people are gettin attached to the witch. People hate Kikyo more than her. Am I doing something wrong? Well anywho. drop me a line. Ras.

pratz: what is via dolorosa?

Blue Demon: Thank you for the chocolate! It fueled this chap!

lere: now that is what I like to hear. A die hard fan of Inu and Kag being turned into a fan of Sess and Rin. Cool.

sayah 1112: Hey sayah! Nah she doesn't heal him at any time. the wench is just too cruel. Hope you like this chap. Ras.

And so many thank u's for the others who read and reviewed! ^_^

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Assassinchick

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