Disclaimer: Just read the other chapters for these. Oh, and any original
characters belong to me. XD
Author's Note: Here's the deal: this chapter will hopefully answer any questions you have concerning the "girls-turned-prostitutes-after-being- with-Sesshoumaru" issue. . . sort of. And yes, Sesshou has servants- they were just hidden until now. ^_~ ***IMPORTANT*** MY PARENTS HAVE BANNED ME OFF OF FF.NET, SO IF YOU WANT EMAIL UPDATES, LEAVE A PSEUDONYM AND EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE REVIEW ITSELF.
**MANY THANKS TO TAMCHRONIN FOR HELPING ME POST MY FICS!!! *hug* LUV YOU, TAMCHRONIN!!!**
"___" = Dialogue
'___' = Thoughts
*___* = Special 'stuff'
Conflicting Desires
By Forsaken Tenshi
Chapter 10: Betraying Her Trust
Both Sango and Miroku gaped at Kagome. Kagome bowed her head, effectively shielding her dampening eyes from her friends.
"But. . . but. . . _how_?" sputtered Sango.
"I guess he came looking for me after Sesshoumaru had chosen me. . . and found Kikyou along the way. . ." the priestess trailed off, the memory still painful.
"Oh, Kagome-sama. . ." breathed Sango as she scooted over to hug her friend. "Gomen nasai. . ."
Kagome chuckled bitterly as she wiped her tears away. "It is nothing. I was only a replacement for Kikyou in Inuyasha's mind." There was no denying the underlying spiteful tone in her voice. Both Miroku and Sango could hear it well enough.
Sango gazed sharply at the eastern horizon, fury blazing in her eyes. "Inuyasha," she murmured, "I'll get you for hurting my friend. . ." 'I trusted. . . trusted you to be gentle with her heart. . . yet you took it, threw it on the ground, and trampled all over it! Don't expect to _not_ get some sort of retribution from me!' she thought grimly, irately.
Miroku patted Sango's tensed hand and smiled kindly at her, relieving some of the tension he felt within his companion. Sango smiled slightly in return, relaxing at the monk's touch.
"Sango-sama, you should learn to relax a little, don't you think, Kagome- sama?" asked Miroku, glancing in Kagome's direction.
Kagome nodded her head in confirmation. "Indeed. Sango-chan doesn't need to be so alert all the time."
"But Kagome-chan!" protested the demon exterminator, "What happens if there is a sneak attack?"
Kagome sighed and shook her head. "Sango-chan, you are a taijiya. You should be able to handle anything that comes your way. You have the training and the equipment to deal with any demon that tries to harm you, ne?"
Sango sighed and nodded. "I guess you are right, Kagome-chan, houshi- sama."
"Kagome-chan!" cried Rin, cutting a straight path towards the priestess.
"Yes, Rin-chan?" asked Kagome.
"Rin. . . no. . . I. . . brought flowers for Kagome-chan!" squealed the child, holding up a grubby hand full of wildflowers.
"Arigatou, Rin-chan," thanked Kagome, taking the flowers in one hand and hugging Rin with the other.
Rin settled by Kagome, her head resting in the shrine maiden's lap. Moments passed, moments of tranquility.
"Um, Rin-chan?" asked Kagome.
"Yes?" responded Rin sleepily, blinking her eyes open.
"Where is Shippou-chan?"
"Um," mumbled Rin as she thought, "He's still hiding. . ."
"Actually. . ." murmured a voice from above, "I've been here for a while." Everyone looked up to find Shippou resting in the fork of the tree. "I'm taking a nap. I'm tired." Shippou curled into a fluffy rust colored ball and fell asleep.
The afternoon drifted somnolently on.
*Later that week*
The monk, demon exterminator, and the two demons had left, gone to fight other demons attacking human villages. Kagome had noticed the servants were extremely busy cleaning up the castle and decorating both the interior and the exterior. Furniture was being polished, half-melted candles were replaced with new unused ones, cobwebs were cleaned from obscure corners. And through it all, the priestess observed the hubbub with pricked curiosity.
At length she decided to see exactly _what_ was going on about the place and set about finding the one with all the answers: Sesshoumaru. Utilizing her special abilities, she sought his aura and followed it to his study. She gazed at the tall wooden doors, eyes trailing the intricate carvings that embellished the portal to his domain.
Kagome raised her hand to knock on the door when a gruff "Come in," could be heard from beyond the doors. She pushed open the door and stepped into the study, the door closing softly behind her.
It was dark; heavy curtains prevented the sun's radiance from entering the windows. A single candle lit the immense room with its weak light. Kagome focused on the candle until her eyes adjusted to the severe lack of light. She glanced about the room, barely distinguishing the fine furniture that was systematically arranged. She started when she caught the stare of luminous twin gold eyes intently studying her every move. Slowly her eyes made out the figure of the person staring at her.
"What did you wish to see me about?" asked Sesshoumaru, his rich voice echoing pleasantly in the unlit chamber.
Kagome cleared her voice. "Well, I wanted to know why all the servants were cleaning up the place. Usually I don't even see _one_ servant in the hallways. Now I see them _everywhere_. Is there something that is going to happen here? Something that, maybe I should know about?"
A slight grin touched the demon lord's lips. He majestically rose from the desk he was seated at, placing the scroll on the desktop with elaborate care. "I am hosting a party. An annual party for other lords and their vassals. _Demon_ vassals. No humans. I was going to tell you later today, but since you came to me to talk about it, there are a few things I think you need to remember when my guests arrive."
A fine black eyebrow curved upwards. "Such as?"
"Such as how you are to dress and your behavior in the presence of the other lords and anyone else with a higher rank than you. Which," he added with a smirk, "Is basically everyone that comes."
Kagome heaved an almost-silent sigh that Sesshoumaru could distinctly hear with his enhanced abilities. "What do I have to do?" she asked in a resigned manner, something akin to a groan.
"To start with, you must act more like a lady and not some hoodlum from an obscure village."
The shrine maiden pursed her lips. His first pointer had hit a little _too_ close to home. "Just because I _did_ come from an 'obscure village' does _not_ mean you have to associate everyone as a 'hoodlum'!" she snapped.
Sesshoumaru quirked an eyebrow. 'The girl still has that spirit. . . why can I not break her?' he pondered. 'Is it because I respect her too much to want to completely break her spirit? She has indeed earned respect in my eyes, albeit grudgingly, but still. . .'
"Sesshoumaru?"
The demon lord started, having zoned out for a moment. He frowned at the shrine maiden before adding, "And you must dress like a lady of the court. I shall call in a seamstress to make you suitable kimonos for the gathering."
"I see. While you are at it, could you have her make me traditional miko outfits? Not to wear at the gathering, but for everyday wear? I would much rather prefer that to the kimonos that I already wear," she stated.
"Do you not like the kimonos that you have?" he inquired.
Kagome blushed a faint rose hue. "It's, . . it's not that," she stammered, "It's just that. . . that I am not used to. . . to wearing such finery. . . for everyday purposes. . ."
Sesshoumaru hid a grin. 'Humble little girl. . .' "Is that all you wished to speak with me about, Kagome?"
"Yes," she replied.
"In that case, you may go," Sesshoumaru responded in a dismissive tone as he sat himself back down at his desk and picked up his scroll.
Kagome gaped. 'The nerve of that man!' she thought as she reined in her temper. She huffed and stormed out, determined to find Rin and calm herself down.
*Night of the party*
Kagome could feel the many demons roaming the castle. 'So much youki here,' she thought. Her priestess powers were struggling to reach out and purify the demon auras, and Kagome had to voluntarily hold back her abilities. Using a small mirror, Kagome carefully applied makeup on her face: silver-blue on her eyelids, deep magenta on her lips. She knotted her hair in an elegant twist, decorated with blue glass chopsticks. She tucked away stray strands that fell into her eyes. She tied her obi and smoothed out any wrinkles in her silk kimono while looking over herself in the full-length mirror. It was a midnight blue, embroidered with intricate lighter blue floral designs. The obi was a sky blue, one that matched the color of her eyes. She took a deep breath and headed towards the door. . . and the party.
At the main stairwell Kagome took a peek from behind the banister. Music drifted to her ears, barely heard over the multitude of conversations. There were so many people in the main hallway! She could feel my priestess powers beginning to go haywire, and had to struggle to keep it in check. She sighed at the thought of controlling it for an entire night.
Pasting a charming smile on her face, she boldly, gracefully made her way down the stairs. She thanked Kami for allowing her to get down the stairs without tripping. How embarrassing that would have been!
As Kagome made her way down the stairs, all eyes fell upon her: she could feel it. Her cheeks burned with the unaccustomed attention she was receiving. She hid her fear behind a mask of cool grace and charm, her eyes proudly meeting every pair that watched her. Until she her eyes locked on gold ones. The moment she gazed into those eyes, she fought the urge to duck and run back up the way she came. The Lord of the Western Lands was dressed in his usual immaculate white, but tonight, his kimono was made of the finest silk possible. Spreading over his left shoulder were small, light gold floral patterns. Gold, that matched the color of his eyes. Those eyes. . . so intense and unblinking. She forced herself to return the stare, even as she continued her path down the stairs.
Once she reached the ground level, she lost eye contact with the demon lord, and was immensely relieved. Chatter resumed, and she acquainted herself with demons of different statuses. She giggled, flirted with all the men that dared to approach her, acted the part of a high-class lady- just like Sesshoumaru had wanted her to.
Sesshoumaru could not stop staring the moment she locked her eyes with his. It was as if she had cast a spell upon him, rendering him unable to control his eyes. . . and his emotions. The midnight blue kimono fit perfectly against her supple figure, and her obi brought out her eyes with a most astonishing radiance. Sesshoumaru was able to move once her eyes disappeared beneath the sea of different colored hair from all the gathered demons.
A fox demon returned to Sesshoumaru's side after a short visit with Kagome.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?" asked the fox.
"Yes, Lord Ogosoka?" replied Sesshoumaru, his golden eyes catching the Lord of the Southern Land's deep emerald eyes. The fox had reddish, sandy hair that was tied into a short, low ponytail. He stood shorter than Sesshoumaru, although not by much. He had a single gold loop in the lobe of his left ear, an object that caught the attention of many. Much the same way his bright personality caught the attention of many.
"The lady you brought here. . . Lady Kagome, is it? She seems. . . different from the others that you have brought in the past," the fox stated.
"Oh? How so?"
"Well. . . she smells like a virgin. Have you not taken her yet, Lord Sesshoumaru? She does not seem that powerful, even with her miko abilities. She hasn't been trying to entice any of us to bed with her either. And," he added with a sly grin, "She looks rather. . . delectable." The fox's eyes slid lustfully down her figure.
Sesshoumaru was quite miffed, but concealed his irritation. "I do what I wish to, Lord Ogosoka. She is merely my property."
The Southern Lord caught the possessive undertone in the Western Lord's voice. "You respect her that much, don't you?" asked the fox in a low voice.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed incrementally. "I do what I wish, Lord Ogosoka. The rest is not important to you," he replied brusquely. Peeved, Sesshoumaru nodded to his guest and left, leaving a smirking Lord of the Southern Lands.
There was entertainment that night: kabuki. The guests, with Sesshoumaru and Kagome leading the way, were led to the theater with resided in the Western Lord's home. The visitors filed in and took seats, while Sesshoumaru led Kagome to an elevated booth, along with the three other demon lords.
As the play progressed, Sesshoumaru's eyes would stray from the stage to the young priestess that sat to his right. The lanterns cast a deep yellow glow in the theater and all of its occupants. Sesshoumaru noticed how the light touched the young woman's face such that it highlighted the high cheekbones, the sapphire eyes, the moist lips.
Kagome leaned forwards in her seat, her heart pounding as the play reached its climax. Her breath quickened, her eyes widened, and she prayed that the onstage samurai would make it through the war to his home, to his haven, his sanctuary. With his family. He never made it home. Not with the wound that he had acquired. With a mumbled prayer, the samurai died with a last, shaky breath.
The Lord of the Western Lands listened to Kagome's breath rate and heart rate increasing. She gave off a faint smell of fear- just enough to prick his more animalistic instincts. All of what Kagome was unconsciously doing were what prey would do. He quashed his instincts with a little difficulty while monitoring the other three demon lords. Kagome, he noticed, was having the same effect on them. They all sat, somewhat rigid, their faces strained trying to keep their demonic instincts at bay. Sesshoumaru could hear their breaths go in and out tense, measured, controlled. Sliding his eyes to her, he frowned slightly at her before refocusing on the play.
Kagome slowly exhaled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. The play had touched something within her, something deep within her heart. She closed her eyes and squeezed the tears out before wiping them with the back of her hand. She gave a shaky smile at Sesshoumaru, who sat as stoically as ever, watching her with attentive eyes. The audience rose and left the theater.
There were many demons that inquired Sesshoumaru about the Lady Kagome. Each demon that was at the gathering in years before noticed how remarkably different she was from the previous human females that Sesshoumaru had brought.
Underneath all the comments of how different she was, there was a tone of reverence in the words of the demons. With his keen ears, Sesshoumaru had heard multiple comments of other demons taking her just to see if her priestess powers would repel them. This angered him to no end. How dare they talk of her like that! She was _his_ and no one else's! Only _he_ should have the right to take her!
Sesshoumaru, who was watching the guests depart by the doors, glanced at the opposite side of the door, to where Kagome was waving out the guests, a delightful smile on her face. Sesshoumaru watched as Ogosoka gently grasped her hand and daintily pressed his lips to it. She blushed a delicate rose hue and giggled. He then leaned over whispered something in her ear, something that made her gasp while making her flush even darker. Sesshoumaru scowled.
In the back of his mind, Sesshoumaru was wondering why on earth he was being so possessive. Was it because she had captivated him? That just one of her smiles could set his day straight? Just _what_ about her made him want her, not so much in a physical way, but an emotional way? Why did his heart, which was long frozen before, scream in protest every time Ogosoka touched her? Every time she shed a tear for Inuyasha? Was it true, from what he heard buzzing around at his party that night: that he, Sesshoumaru, Demon Lord of the Western Lands, had fallen in love with this human girl, Higurashi Kagome?
Or rather, was it because he was afraid? Afraid of that fire that burned within her? Was he afraid of being scorched by the pure heat of her spirit? Sesshoumaru snorted softly to himself. He did not fear anything. Besides, she had created doubts about his dignity among the other demons. That he could not subdue a human female- a weak one at that. This angered him. _She_ angered him. He stubbornly shielded his feelings behind a façade of cool impassiveness and watched the few remaining guests exit from his home.
After the last guest had left, Kagome heaved a tired sigh. It was over! She had survived, and had managed to keep her priestess abilities at bay. She wiped several small beads of sweat from her forehead. It was then that she noticed Sesshoumaru staring at her. Staring, not in the usual indifferent glare, but with a heat that she'd never seen in his eyes before. But, there was also another gleam in his eyes. One that made her heart quaver. Anger. Was he angry with her? Had she somehow done something wrong this night, something that was the last straw? Kagome didn't understand. 'I acted just like he wanted me to. . . so why is he so upset?' She involuntarily took a step back.
"Sesshoumaru?" she asked.
He glanced away and disappeared, only to sweep her off her feet mere milliseconds later. As he moved through his home with her in his arms, Kagome felt something cool slide around her neck. Reaching up, she felt a thin chain. She gazed at the demon lord.
"Sesshoumaru?"
She suddenly noticed that they had stopped, and that he had pushed her onto a large, round futon, one larger than her own. Her eyes flicked about. The dark room was spacious, with plenty of extra room. All of the decorations in here were white. With a start she realized that she was in _his_ room. Her eyes returned to the one that brought her there.
Moonlight, hidden behind clouds moments before, suddenly flooded in through the window, casting the chamber in a pale, eerie light. Sesshoumaru had positioned the bed so that it caught the moon's cool rays. He stood so that he himself was hidden in the shadows. Kagome squirmed somewhat uncomfortably on the bed and tried to get up, only to be pinned back down on the shoulders by the dog demon.
With an impassive face, Sesshoumaru ripped the kimono off her, exposing her body.
She shrieked. "What are you doing?!? Sesshou? Sesshoumaru!!"
His lips crushed hers, effectively silencing her panicked cries.
~*~*~*~
FT: Konnichiwa, minna-san! I'm so sorry for not updating lately! And for it being so short! I had to leave it on that cliffie. . . -_-;;; I've had AP tests, and finals, and now an SAT II test and an ACT test to study for! And it's already summer vacation! Y_Y
Sesshoumaru: You are complaining? Why are you putting me through a night of torture?
FT: *giggles mischievously* Oh Sesshy, where's the fun in _not_ torturing you?
Sesshoumaru: *scowls* You are quite irritating, did you know that?
FT: I am only irritating to _certain_ people. . .
Kagome: That was interesting! And Lord Ogosoka was so nice! *blushes*
Sesshoumaru: *growls*
FT: Calm down, Sesshy. Oh yea, ogosoka means "majestic". Besides that, please review!
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Here's the deal: this chapter will hopefully answer any questions you have concerning the "girls-turned-prostitutes-after-being- with-Sesshoumaru" issue. . . sort of. And yes, Sesshou has servants- they were just hidden until now. ^_~ ***IMPORTANT*** MY PARENTS HAVE BANNED ME OFF OF FF.NET, SO IF YOU WANT EMAIL UPDATES, LEAVE A PSEUDONYM AND EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE REVIEW ITSELF.
**MANY THANKS TO TAMCHRONIN FOR HELPING ME POST MY FICS!!! *hug* LUV YOU, TAMCHRONIN!!!**
"___" = Dialogue
'___' = Thoughts
*___* = Special 'stuff'
Conflicting Desires
By Forsaken Tenshi
Chapter 10: Betraying Her Trust
Both Sango and Miroku gaped at Kagome. Kagome bowed her head, effectively shielding her dampening eyes from her friends.
"But. . . but. . . _how_?" sputtered Sango.
"I guess he came looking for me after Sesshoumaru had chosen me. . . and found Kikyou along the way. . ." the priestess trailed off, the memory still painful.
"Oh, Kagome-sama. . ." breathed Sango as she scooted over to hug her friend. "Gomen nasai. . ."
Kagome chuckled bitterly as she wiped her tears away. "It is nothing. I was only a replacement for Kikyou in Inuyasha's mind." There was no denying the underlying spiteful tone in her voice. Both Miroku and Sango could hear it well enough.
Sango gazed sharply at the eastern horizon, fury blazing in her eyes. "Inuyasha," she murmured, "I'll get you for hurting my friend. . ." 'I trusted. . . trusted you to be gentle with her heart. . . yet you took it, threw it on the ground, and trampled all over it! Don't expect to _not_ get some sort of retribution from me!' she thought grimly, irately.
Miroku patted Sango's tensed hand and smiled kindly at her, relieving some of the tension he felt within his companion. Sango smiled slightly in return, relaxing at the monk's touch.
"Sango-sama, you should learn to relax a little, don't you think, Kagome- sama?" asked Miroku, glancing in Kagome's direction.
Kagome nodded her head in confirmation. "Indeed. Sango-chan doesn't need to be so alert all the time."
"But Kagome-chan!" protested the demon exterminator, "What happens if there is a sneak attack?"
Kagome sighed and shook her head. "Sango-chan, you are a taijiya. You should be able to handle anything that comes your way. You have the training and the equipment to deal with any demon that tries to harm you, ne?"
Sango sighed and nodded. "I guess you are right, Kagome-chan, houshi- sama."
"Kagome-chan!" cried Rin, cutting a straight path towards the priestess.
"Yes, Rin-chan?" asked Kagome.
"Rin. . . no. . . I. . . brought flowers for Kagome-chan!" squealed the child, holding up a grubby hand full of wildflowers.
"Arigatou, Rin-chan," thanked Kagome, taking the flowers in one hand and hugging Rin with the other.
Rin settled by Kagome, her head resting in the shrine maiden's lap. Moments passed, moments of tranquility.
"Um, Rin-chan?" asked Kagome.
"Yes?" responded Rin sleepily, blinking her eyes open.
"Where is Shippou-chan?"
"Um," mumbled Rin as she thought, "He's still hiding. . ."
"Actually. . ." murmured a voice from above, "I've been here for a while." Everyone looked up to find Shippou resting in the fork of the tree. "I'm taking a nap. I'm tired." Shippou curled into a fluffy rust colored ball and fell asleep.
The afternoon drifted somnolently on.
*Later that week*
The monk, demon exterminator, and the two demons had left, gone to fight other demons attacking human villages. Kagome had noticed the servants were extremely busy cleaning up the castle and decorating both the interior and the exterior. Furniture was being polished, half-melted candles were replaced with new unused ones, cobwebs were cleaned from obscure corners. And through it all, the priestess observed the hubbub with pricked curiosity.
At length she decided to see exactly _what_ was going on about the place and set about finding the one with all the answers: Sesshoumaru. Utilizing her special abilities, she sought his aura and followed it to his study. She gazed at the tall wooden doors, eyes trailing the intricate carvings that embellished the portal to his domain.
Kagome raised her hand to knock on the door when a gruff "Come in," could be heard from beyond the doors. She pushed open the door and stepped into the study, the door closing softly behind her.
It was dark; heavy curtains prevented the sun's radiance from entering the windows. A single candle lit the immense room with its weak light. Kagome focused on the candle until her eyes adjusted to the severe lack of light. She glanced about the room, barely distinguishing the fine furniture that was systematically arranged. She started when she caught the stare of luminous twin gold eyes intently studying her every move. Slowly her eyes made out the figure of the person staring at her.
"What did you wish to see me about?" asked Sesshoumaru, his rich voice echoing pleasantly in the unlit chamber.
Kagome cleared her voice. "Well, I wanted to know why all the servants were cleaning up the place. Usually I don't even see _one_ servant in the hallways. Now I see them _everywhere_. Is there something that is going to happen here? Something that, maybe I should know about?"
A slight grin touched the demon lord's lips. He majestically rose from the desk he was seated at, placing the scroll on the desktop with elaborate care. "I am hosting a party. An annual party for other lords and their vassals. _Demon_ vassals. No humans. I was going to tell you later today, but since you came to me to talk about it, there are a few things I think you need to remember when my guests arrive."
A fine black eyebrow curved upwards. "Such as?"
"Such as how you are to dress and your behavior in the presence of the other lords and anyone else with a higher rank than you. Which," he added with a smirk, "Is basically everyone that comes."
Kagome heaved an almost-silent sigh that Sesshoumaru could distinctly hear with his enhanced abilities. "What do I have to do?" she asked in a resigned manner, something akin to a groan.
"To start with, you must act more like a lady and not some hoodlum from an obscure village."
The shrine maiden pursed her lips. His first pointer had hit a little _too_ close to home. "Just because I _did_ come from an 'obscure village' does _not_ mean you have to associate everyone as a 'hoodlum'!" she snapped.
Sesshoumaru quirked an eyebrow. 'The girl still has that spirit. . . why can I not break her?' he pondered. 'Is it because I respect her too much to want to completely break her spirit? She has indeed earned respect in my eyes, albeit grudgingly, but still. . .'
"Sesshoumaru?"
The demon lord started, having zoned out for a moment. He frowned at the shrine maiden before adding, "And you must dress like a lady of the court. I shall call in a seamstress to make you suitable kimonos for the gathering."
"I see. While you are at it, could you have her make me traditional miko outfits? Not to wear at the gathering, but for everyday wear? I would much rather prefer that to the kimonos that I already wear," she stated.
"Do you not like the kimonos that you have?" he inquired.
Kagome blushed a faint rose hue. "It's, . . it's not that," she stammered, "It's just that. . . that I am not used to. . . to wearing such finery. . . for everyday purposes. . ."
Sesshoumaru hid a grin. 'Humble little girl. . .' "Is that all you wished to speak with me about, Kagome?"
"Yes," she replied.
"In that case, you may go," Sesshoumaru responded in a dismissive tone as he sat himself back down at his desk and picked up his scroll.
Kagome gaped. 'The nerve of that man!' she thought as she reined in her temper. She huffed and stormed out, determined to find Rin and calm herself down.
*Night of the party*
Kagome could feel the many demons roaming the castle. 'So much youki here,' she thought. Her priestess powers were struggling to reach out and purify the demon auras, and Kagome had to voluntarily hold back her abilities. Using a small mirror, Kagome carefully applied makeup on her face: silver-blue on her eyelids, deep magenta on her lips. She knotted her hair in an elegant twist, decorated with blue glass chopsticks. She tucked away stray strands that fell into her eyes. She tied her obi and smoothed out any wrinkles in her silk kimono while looking over herself in the full-length mirror. It was a midnight blue, embroidered with intricate lighter blue floral designs. The obi was a sky blue, one that matched the color of her eyes. She took a deep breath and headed towards the door. . . and the party.
At the main stairwell Kagome took a peek from behind the banister. Music drifted to her ears, barely heard over the multitude of conversations. There were so many people in the main hallway! She could feel my priestess powers beginning to go haywire, and had to struggle to keep it in check. She sighed at the thought of controlling it for an entire night.
Pasting a charming smile on her face, she boldly, gracefully made her way down the stairs. She thanked Kami for allowing her to get down the stairs without tripping. How embarrassing that would have been!
As Kagome made her way down the stairs, all eyes fell upon her: she could feel it. Her cheeks burned with the unaccustomed attention she was receiving. She hid her fear behind a mask of cool grace and charm, her eyes proudly meeting every pair that watched her. Until she her eyes locked on gold ones. The moment she gazed into those eyes, she fought the urge to duck and run back up the way she came. The Lord of the Western Lands was dressed in his usual immaculate white, but tonight, his kimono was made of the finest silk possible. Spreading over his left shoulder were small, light gold floral patterns. Gold, that matched the color of his eyes. Those eyes. . . so intense and unblinking. She forced herself to return the stare, even as she continued her path down the stairs.
Once she reached the ground level, she lost eye contact with the demon lord, and was immensely relieved. Chatter resumed, and she acquainted herself with demons of different statuses. She giggled, flirted with all the men that dared to approach her, acted the part of a high-class lady- just like Sesshoumaru had wanted her to.
Sesshoumaru could not stop staring the moment she locked her eyes with his. It was as if she had cast a spell upon him, rendering him unable to control his eyes. . . and his emotions. The midnight blue kimono fit perfectly against her supple figure, and her obi brought out her eyes with a most astonishing radiance. Sesshoumaru was able to move once her eyes disappeared beneath the sea of different colored hair from all the gathered demons.
A fox demon returned to Sesshoumaru's side after a short visit with Kagome.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?" asked the fox.
"Yes, Lord Ogosoka?" replied Sesshoumaru, his golden eyes catching the Lord of the Southern Land's deep emerald eyes. The fox had reddish, sandy hair that was tied into a short, low ponytail. He stood shorter than Sesshoumaru, although not by much. He had a single gold loop in the lobe of his left ear, an object that caught the attention of many. Much the same way his bright personality caught the attention of many.
"The lady you brought here. . . Lady Kagome, is it? She seems. . . different from the others that you have brought in the past," the fox stated.
"Oh? How so?"
"Well. . . she smells like a virgin. Have you not taken her yet, Lord Sesshoumaru? She does not seem that powerful, even with her miko abilities. She hasn't been trying to entice any of us to bed with her either. And," he added with a sly grin, "She looks rather. . . delectable." The fox's eyes slid lustfully down her figure.
Sesshoumaru was quite miffed, but concealed his irritation. "I do what I wish to, Lord Ogosoka. She is merely my property."
The Southern Lord caught the possessive undertone in the Western Lord's voice. "You respect her that much, don't you?" asked the fox in a low voice.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed incrementally. "I do what I wish, Lord Ogosoka. The rest is not important to you," he replied brusquely. Peeved, Sesshoumaru nodded to his guest and left, leaving a smirking Lord of the Southern Lands.
There was entertainment that night: kabuki. The guests, with Sesshoumaru and Kagome leading the way, were led to the theater with resided in the Western Lord's home. The visitors filed in and took seats, while Sesshoumaru led Kagome to an elevated booth, along with the three other demon lords.
As the play progressed, Sesshoumaru's eyes would stray from the stage to the young priestess that sat to his right. The lanterns cast a deep yellow glow in the theater and all of its occupants. Sesshoumaru noticed how the light touched the young woman's face such that it highlighted the high cheekbones, the sapphire eyes, the moist lips.
Kagome leaned forwards in her seat, her heart pounding as the play reached its climax. Her breath quickened, her eyes widened, and she prayed that the onstage samurai would make it through the war to his home, to his haven, his sanctuary. With his family. He never made it home. Not with the wound that he had acquired. With a mumbled prayer, the samurai died with a last, shaky breath.
The Lord of the Western Lands listened to Kagome's breath rate and heart rate increasing. She gave off a faint smell of fear- just enough to prick his more animalistic instincts. All of what Kagome was unconsciously doing were what prey would do. He quashed his instincts with a little difficulty while monitoring the other three demon lords. Kagome, he noticed, was having the same effect on them. They all sat, somewhat rigid, their faces strained trying to keep their demonic instincts at bay. Sesshoumaru could hear their breaths go in and out tense, measured, controlled. Sliding his eyes to her, he frowned slightly at her before refocusing on the play.
Kagome slowly exhaled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. The play had touched something within her, something deep within her heart. She closed her eyes and squeezed the tears out before wiping them with the back of her hand. She gave a shaky smile at Sesshoumaru, who sat as stoically as ever, watching her with attentive eyes. The audience rose and left the theater.
There were many demons that inquired Sesshoumaru about the Lady Kagome. Each demon that was at the gathering in years before noticed how remarkably different she was from the previous human females that Sesshoumaru had brought.
Underneath all the comments of how different she was, there was a tone of reverence in the words of the demons. With his keen ears, Sesshoumaru had heard multiple comments of other demons taking her just to see if her priestess powers would repel them. This angered him to no end. How dare they talk of her like that! She was _his_ and no one else's! Only _he_ should have the right to take her!
Sesshoumaru, who was watching the guests depart by the doors, glanced at the opposite side of the door, to where Kagome was waving out the guests, a delightful smile on her face. Sesshoumaru watched as Ogosoka gently grasped her hand and daintily pressed his lips to it. She blushed a delicate rose hue and giggled. He then leaned over whispered something in her ear, something that made her gasp while making her flush even darker. Sesshoumaru scowled.
In the back of his mind, Sesshoumaru was wondering why on earth he was being so possessive. Was it because she had captivated him? That just one of her smiles could set his day straight? Just _what_ about her made him want her, not so much in a physical way, but an emotional way? Why did his heart, which was long frozen before, scream in protest every time Ogosoka touched her? Every time she shed a tear for Inuyasha? Was it true, from what he heard buzzing around at his party that night: that he, Sesshoumaru, Demon Lord of the Western Lands, had fallen in love with this human girl, Higurashi Kagome?
Or rather, was it because he was afraid? Afraid of that fire that burned within her? Was he afraid of being scorched by the pure heat of her spirit? Sesshoumaru snorted softly to himself. He did not fear anything. Besides, she had created doubts about his dignity among the other demons. That he could not subdue a human female- a weak one at that. This angered him. _She_ angered him. He stubbornly shielded his feelings behind a façade of cool impassiveness and watched the few remaining guests exit from his home.
After the last guest had left, Kagome heaved a tired sigh. It was over! She had survived, and had managed to keep her priestess abilities at bay. She wiped several small beads of sweat from her forehead. It was then that she noticed Sesshoumaru staring at her. Staring, not in the usual indifferent glare, but with a heat that she'd never seen in his eyes before. But, there was also another gleam in his eyes. One that made her heart quaver. Anger. Was he angry with her? Had she somehow done something wrong this night, something that was the last straw? Kagome didn't understand. 'I acted just like he wanted me to. . . so why is he so upset?' She involuntarily took a step back.
"Sesshoumaru?" she asked.
He glanced away and disappeared, only to sweep her off her feet mere milliseconds later. As he moved through his home with her in his arms, Kagome felt something cool slide around her neck. Reaching up, she felt a thin chain. She gazed at the demon lord.
"Sesshoumaru?"
She suddenly noticed that they had stopped, and that he had pushed her onto a large, round futon, one larger than her own. Her eyes flicked about. The dark room was spacious, with plenty of extra room. All of the decorations in here were white. With a start she realized that she was in _his_ room. Her eyes returned to the one that brought her there.
Moonlight, hidden behind clouds moments before, suddenly flooded in through the window, casting the chamber in a pale, eerie light. Sesshoumaru had positioned the bed so that it caught the moon's cool rays. He stood so that he himself was hidden in the shadows. Kagome squirmed somewhat uncomfortably on the bed and tried to get up, only to be pinned back down on the shoulders by the dog demon.
With an impassive face, Sesshoumaru ripped the kimono off her, exposing her body.
She shrieked. "What are you doing?!? Sesshou? Sesshoumaru!!"
His lips crushed hers, effectively silencing her panicked cries.
~*~*~*~
FT: Konnichiwa, minna-san! I'm so sorry for not updating lately! And for it being so short! I had to leave it on that cliffie. . . -_-;;; I've had AP tests, and finals, and now an SAT II test and an ACT test to study for! And it's already summer vacation! Y_Y
Sesshoumaru: You are complaining? Why are you putting me through a night of torture?
FT: *giggles mischievously* Oh Sesshy, where's the fun in _not_ torturing you?
Sesshoumaru: *scowls* You are quite irritating, did you know that?
FT: I am only irritating to _certain_ people. . .
Kagome: That was interesting! And Lord Ogosoka was so nice! *blushes*
Sesshoumaru: *growls*
FT: Calm down, Sesshy. Oh yea, ogosoka means "majestic". Besides that, please review!
~*~*~*~