Chapter 6: Inside and Out

In accordance with the rules that govern all such things, Sesshoumaru's simple plan was growing increasingly more complicated.

Inuyasha was hunting them with every resource at his disposal. Sesshoumaru had even heard rumors that the wolf packs to the south had somehow been persuaded to join the search. Kagome's existence was carefully hidden by the wardings and spells of her room and the area surrounding it. However, the most recent complication was destroying even that security.

The growth of Kagome's power could not have been predicted. Her aura was larger, now overpowering the wards and penetrating the walls. There was something about the girl that called to youkai, the purity of her spirit seemed to invoke the most primal responses. Creatures of darkness all carried that lust to taint, to destroy, to kill those like her, the foil of things impure. Even the most powerful demons would be drawn; power always calls to those who lust for it. Even before this explosion of power, demons must have been attracted to her in swarms. There was also the undeniable attraction of Kagome herself. She was unusually beautiful, and she carried about her an air of innocent and bravery. Even her scent was alluring.

Sesshoumaru had been forced to kill several youkai trying to reach the miko. More approached the miko's cage every day, always irrationally driven to reach her. The movement of the demons would not go unnoticed forever, he had to find a way to prevent her aura to continue to escape its bounds.

Eventually, he was forced to seek out solutions.

The prison in the hillside was very old, it's original craftsman was long since dead. However, one youkai who had originally served as an apprentice had assisted Sesshoumaru before.

Inken himself was quite ancient, residing in the far north. Like his master before him, he was very skilled with metal and stone. Or, more accurately, with integrating them with powerful dark magic.

Sesshoumaru invited himself to the youkai's run down home, little more than a dank hole beside an abandoned quarry. Only the thick black smoke spoke to the residence of the reclusive demon.

The decrepit old youkai was hunched over his work, his long narrow nose twitching in concentration every once in a while. Dim red eyes were set in a sagging yellow face. His hair was dark and drawn messily behind his head. Sesshoumaru glared in disgust. This place stank.

"Inken," he snapped irritably.

The other demon turned, looking momentarily frightened. After a moment he relaxed, offering Sesshoumaru a toothy smile.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in irritation. "I've come to speak about a prison your predecessor built."

"What about it?" the rat-like man asked, deftly removing his fingers from the task in his hands.

"The spells are failing. My prisoner's powers are starting to break through."

The other youkai gave him the glare that overcomes all who consider themselves master craftsmen when they feel their work has been unfairly criticized by some stupid layman. "That's not possible. Those spells are bound to the stone itself. They aren't breakable. The chains alone should carry enough magic to hold whatever you may wish."

"I am speaking of the wards on the room only."

Inken gave him a sharp look. "Well, that's the problem. Put the thing in the chains, Sesshoumaru-sama. They're by far more powerful than the stone. I know my craft well. The metal is far more malleable, much better for holding spells. Lock him in those and he'll never be able to move again."

A dark cloud passed across Sesshoumaru's face. "The creature I have imprisoned is... delicate."

The greasy grin stretched even wider, showing off long rows of pointed teeth. Inken let out a few hiss-like chuckles. "You should have said so in the first place, Sesshoumaru-sama. Caught yourself a little pet, have you? Something delicate...hmm..." A devious glint lit the demon's red eyes. He leaned towards the youkai lord slightly, drawing in the faint traces of female scent clinging to him.

Sesshoumaru's hand moved to Toukijin's hilt, glaring at the smith.

Inken merely waved him off, though he was quite preoccupied by the scent. "Ah, don't worry. I would never reveal any details about one of my customers. What you do with this 'delicate creature' of yours is your own business. I suppose you'll be wanting something... more suitable... to restrain her with?"

Slowly, Sesshoumaru let his hand move back to his side. "Yes. I will compensate you fairly."

"Does the creature channel her power through her hands, her eyes, ground, or air?"

He recalled her bright arrows of light, her power exploding into him as she pressed herself away from him in fear. "Her hands. She is quite powerful."

"The challenge only makes it more pleasurable," he said slimily. "I see you believe the same, Sesshoumaru-sama." He was quite interested in whatever Sesshoumaru was holding captive. For the taiyoukai to show any sort of interest in a woman was unusual. She had to be something remarkable, but he knew better than to think he would get any additional information from Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru glared irritably. "Just finish them quickly so I may leave."

The rat never shed that sinister grin. "Always a pleasure doing business with you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

He entered her room silently, a pair of silver manacles in his hand concealed by his sleeve. She turned to him from her sketches and smiled warmly, her hair shimmering as it slid over her white shoulder. He had been coming to her occasionally in the daylight, since he had to stay nearby anyway to chase away other demons.

"Good morning, Sesshoumaru," she greeted him.

He nodded politely. "Kagome, come here."

Her soft steps echoed in his ears. She looked up at him innocently, dark eyes sparkling with the tepid sunlight filtering through her window. He experimentally felt the weight of the restraints he had brought. They were quite light, comparatively, perfectly smooth and beautifully formed. A light but strong chain ran from one cuff to the other.

"Hold your hands out."

She looked at him curiously, but did as he asked. The manacles chimed sweetly as he took them out.

He moved slowly to put the first around her wrist, but she instinctively shied away. Her bottom lip quivered as she gave him a hurt and betrayed look.

"What did I do? You said you wouldn't chain me." Her pulse jumped, hammering in both of their ears.

He drew a patient breath. It would be easy enough to wrestle her into them, even with one hand, but he very much preferred that she allow him to do it. He didn't want to bruise her. He didn't want her more hurt than she already had to be.

"You have been very cooperative," he said calmly. "These are for your protection."

She looked at him in confusion, her hands hidden behind her back. She was obviously not convinced. "I don't want those on me," she stuttered, well aware that when it came down to it, she didn't really have a choice. "I promise I won't disobey you or anything!"

He held back still, hoping she would calm. "I know that you won't. Please trust that this is necessary. You said that you wanted to help, did you not?"

She nodded apprehensively, biting softly on her bottom lip.

He frowned. He didn't really want to chain her either, but it was the only course of action. Still, Inuyasha and his searchers seemed to be moving further away from the hiding spot right now... ah.

"Kagome, after these are on, I will take you outside."

Immediately, her eyes lit up, her whole body jumping to attention. She looked at him hopefully, a glimmer of doubt still lingering. "I could bathe and everything?"

He nodded.

She shifted her weight in indecision. "You promise?"

"I promise."

Hesitantly she held out her hands again.

He released the latch, letting the cuff fall open on it's hinges. She jumped and gasped when he brought it in contact with her skin. Hastily he drew them back.

"Are you alright?" If Inken had messed up the spells and hurt her, he would make the rat pay in blood.

"It's really cold," she said rubbing her wrist. She looked up and noticed his blank look. "What? It is cold! I just wasn't ready for it."

He shook his head slightly as she gave her arms back to him. She made a face when he put the cold metal in contact with her skin again, reminding him so much of a small child. He fumbled with his one hand to close the cuff while preventing it from slipping from her wrist.

"Here," she said softly, using her other hand to close the manacle and hold it patiently while he locked it. She helped him close the other, standing and fidgeting while he inspected her restraints. The chain was almost half a meter long, allowing her most of her movement. The manacles were snug around her wrists, but not uncomfortably so. Most importantly, it trapped her presence within herself.

He quickly turned back to the door, opening it and taking a step outside. He glanced back to where Kagome still stood dumbly, worried about whether she had been right to trust him. He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Coming?"

She smiled brightly and scampered out after him.

No sooner had he closed the door behind them, he was tackled from the side by Kagome. He froze in the embrace, startled by the girl's strange reaction as she giggled into his sleeve. Her chain was pressed tightly between them.

"Thank you so much!" She bubbled, gradually separating herself from the shocked youkai. She hardly seemed to notice his unease, looking around herself hungrily, trying to soak in every detail.

She was breathing so deeply, her whole body moving with her every attempt to take in the free air. Her naturally upturned smile was wider, if not as bright red as it should have been. Out here in the free light it was even more obvious. The girl was far too pale.

Wordlessly he turned down the slope, Kagome hurrying to follow. The chains rang brightly when she moved, as if it weren't enough that he was so acutely aware of her dutiful footsteps behind him. He was on edge; he half wanted to turn and snarl at her to be still. Anything so that he wouldn't be so aware of the chains. Or the girl.

He heard a warm contented sigh from behind him. Though he could not see her, he could imagine her expression. He held his path and his tongue.

Kagome was so pleased to be outside to pay much notice to Sesshoumaru's actions. She much preferred the chains to that dark room. The yellow cast of the sun belied the cold breeze, but Kagome welcomed the chill against her skin. She didn't know where Sesshoumaru was leading, and couldn't find the will to care at the moment.

Escape was out of the question. Both of them knew that. But rescue... Kagome still held some hope for that. Somewhere out there, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou were looking for her. That pulse of hope, however, was destroyed in her certainty that Sesshoumaru would not have let her out if there was a chance for a rescue.

The wind caught Sesshoumaru's empty left sleeve. It fluttered gracefully in time with his long hair, though the rest of him was as smooth and complete to tempt perfection. Looking ahead at Sesshoumaru's white form, she released that as much as she wanted to be free, a part of her was determined to see this through. As much as she resented him, sometimes even feared him, she could not dispose of her troublesome instinct. He needed her. Neither of them could define why, precisely, but both knew it was true. She would help heal him because it was not within her to ignore that need.

No, she would travel this path to its end. In addition, it had become a challenge to herself. Her power was growing, something she was secretly proud of. She had been actively working at channeling and controlling it during her long and often painful sessions with Sesshoumaru, and even she was startled at the speed her holy powers were evolving. Sesshoumaru seemed different also. And so over the days she had begun to wonder: perhaps she really could do this thing he claimed she was capable of.

She realized Sesshoumaru had stopped and stumbled up behind him. She looked past him, to where Jaken was waiting with a strange two-headed animal and a small human girl with a curious expression on her face.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome from the corners of his eyes as she stood shyly just behind him. It seemed her long days alone had made her more skittish than usual, though it did not escape his notice that she felt safe hiding behind him.

"Rin," he said clearly.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Hai?"

"This is Kagome. Look after her for me."

Rin's face burst into a wide grin. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Kagome cast him a confused look.

He turned to her, speaking softly. "I will be close. The stream is just through the trees. Make good use of your time."

Kagome nodded, then turned to Rin. Immediately her grin spread to match Rin's. "Want to go take a bath, Rin-chan?"

"Hai!" Both of them turned for the trees in a rush. At the tree line, Kagome suddenly stopped short. "Kagome nee-san? What's wrong?"

Sesshoumaru held his breath as Kagome didn't answer, but remained still as if stricken. For a long moment, she kept her back to him. Finally, she turned, an indescribable look on her face as her eyes met his nervously. Even slower, she walked back to him, her eyes on the ground. She stood in front of him wringing her hands.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" he asked softly.

"Um..." She refused to look up at him. "I can't..."

"You can't...?" he prompted. He inclined his head to try and see her face.

Her voice fell even quieter. "The sleeves..." A flush was spreading up her cheeks.

"What?"

She raised her head only slightly, the blush now bright on her face. "I can't... remove my clothes with the chain."

"Ah," he said, finally understanding. He couldn't help but smile at her blush. He picked up her wrist, unlocking one of the cuffs. Her aura was only slightly spilled. "The other one stays on. Be quick, or I will come after you."

She glared at him, though it wasn't very threatening with her face as red as it was. She lost even more of her menace when she laughed and turned to sprint after Rin.

After even a few moments together, it was clear that Rin was a bright and very pure-hearted little girl. They had only encountered each other once before, though it had left Kagome wondering why a human would be with Sesshoumaru. Even now, the answer was no more clear.

Rin seemed to adore Sesshoumaru unconditionally. She obviously was not much bothered that Sesshoumaru was holding another human captive. Probably she had seen him do much worse before. And though Rin was almost unshakably cheerful, it was clear that she had gained some wisdom and insight into the hardships of life. She was not ignorant, but perhaps she saw more in Sesshoumaru than others did.

Kagome washed herself quickly, knowing how little Sesshoumaru would be concerned about her privacy if he got impatient. Still, she took the opportunity to ask some burning questions.

"Rin-chan, what are you doing here with Sesshoumaru?"

The other girl played with the water at her toes as she thought. "Rin goes with him."

"But why do you go with him?"

Rin answered plainly, the answers obvious in her mind. "He saved me from the wolves and he keeps things from hurting me. I'm not alone because I have Sesshoumaru-sama and Jaken-sama and Ah-Un."

"Did he ask you to come?"

"Hmm... no."

"And you followed him anyway?"

Rin smiled. "He did not say anything. But he did not tell Rin to go! Sesshoumaru-sama always speaks when he wants you to do something. Like when he tells Jaken-sama to be quiet." Rin wrinkled her nose in emphasis.

"But why does he want Rin-chan, I wonder," she said, mostly to herself.

"Because Jaken-sama is boring!" Rin said decisively.

The response gave her pause for a moment before Kagome let loose a bright peal of laughter. "You're probably right. But we better hurry back."

He watched them play together for most of the day; Kagome was cleaned and back into her restraints properly. They were currently nested comfortably in the valley's grasses, playing with flower stems and talking animatedly. Even with his impeccable hearing, it sounded more like a couple of birds chirping rapidly together than a couple of humans. Females...

Part of him was lulled by their comfort and happiness. It made him feel more peaceful just to be here watching over the two of them, a strange 'rightness' to the situation. Kagome looked so bright... not the pale specter she was when locked away. She almost shone, inwardly and outwardly. Her free smiles and laughs had a strange effect on him.

He wanted to simply lose himself in these few moments of peaceful ignorance, but his heart twisted nonetheless. He was her jailor, the man who held her enslaved. If there was a reason why her smiles had become rarer, it was due to him. His fault she looked far more pale than she should be. His fault she cried. His fault she was in pain. Her loneliness, her anguish, her fear, her worry. All because him. All for him.

But today, she was still smiling.

When the sun began to sink westward, he reluctantly resigned himself to go and break up the girls.

"Kagome." Both girls promptly halted their conversation and looked up at him. "It's time to return."

His spirits fell when the smile melted from her face. She gathered her strength around her, settling it over herself resolutely. She knew it had been fortunate to get even this amount of freedom.

"Goodbye, Kagome nee-san," Rin said disappointedly. Kagome stood and brushed herself off, both of the girls sad-faced.

"She will be back tomorrow," he decided.

His remark was met with two impromptu grins. He turned uncomfortably, leading the way back up the slope.

Kagome was slower than usual. He could hear the fatigue in her movements. She wasn't supposed to tire this easily. He suspected that he had allowed her to overdo it. She was using energy she obviously couldn't afford to spend. He would have to be more careful tomorrow. Perhaps her condition would improve with the fresh air--as long as the risk remained low.

He heard a soft startled cry behind him. Quickly he turned to see her lying on the ground. Her white kimono was like a pool of light in the growing shadow. For a brief moment she didn't even move, but slowly stirred and rose shakily to her hands and knees. He heard her try to catch her breath, her face hidden by her long dark hair. It was only then that he noticed she still had a bunch of wild flowers clutched in one of her supporting hands.

"Kagome?" He said softly.

He caught the glimmer of her dark eyes as she looked up at him from the ground. "I'm fine," she mumbled. He moved closer to her, ready to assist her if he had to. She ignored him as she resolutely regained her feet. "I just tripped in the dark," she said softly in explanation.

He grasped her around her upper arm, his firm hold telling her in no uncertain terms that she was going to accept his assistance up the hill. Sesshoumaru ignored the ring of her chain as she acquiesced to his guidance, cautiously brushing herself off. They traveled the remainder of the distance in silence.

He opened the door for her. She hesitated only slightly, her head held high as she shuffled in. His eyes caught the fifteen moons on the walls.

"Sesshoumaru... thank you, for today."

It seemed so dark after the bright day, even with the light of the near-full moon. Kagome still shined, but her light could not reach beyond these walls. The flowers fell to the floor by her bed. She was already lying down tiredly, her eyes closing as she waited for him to come to her.

For that he was thankful. Tonight when he bled her, he did not want to have to face her eyes.





Wow. I really have to thank you guys for all of the great feedback you've given me on this story. I worked extra hard so I'd get a chapter up this week. Hope you enjoyed.

Well, there were several questions about the story. Unfortunately, I am unable to answer them without revealing too much. I've got 4 chapters left... and some interesting twists I'm going to try to work in which I'm gonna keep to myself. I started outlining this story with and around chapters 8 and 9, so we should be getting into the good parts soon.

Additionally, many of you have expressed your concerns about the possibility of Kagome dying. Come on now, would I do that? Just look at my last story! There were only one or two or eight character deaths. Er... bad example. Anyway, the next chapter deals a lot more with that.

Please review. I always love feedback of all sorts.

-Aiwendil



This chapter last modified: Tuesday, October 21, 2003