A Demon's Heart
By YoukaiJilly
Summary:
A young Sesshomaru is in the plot to bring his father's new wife to their home. However when she goes missing two of her servants follow. The elder girl protests she is ever loyal to her lady and the younger also agrees. But Sesshomaru knows something is wrong but doesn't find out exactly what is the problem until too late. Can he save his family from falling apart and why can't he get the younger girl to fear him?
Chapter Nine: The Line Between Love and Hatred
Last Chapter:
The dream changed again, and he saw the same child version sitting on a futon, trying desperately not to cry.
"Why do they hate me?" he sobbed as his childish voice cracked with sadness. "I did one thing bad, and they all hate me. I don't want to be a stinking horrid demon. If they're going to hate me, I'll hate them, FOREVER!"
The memory of loneliness gripped Sesshomaru's heart. A few days after this, Jiro had shown up with Lord Atsushi and Lady Naomi. Delighted in having a friend at last, one that was a demon, even if he was perverted. After that, he and Jiro had been the best of friends.
'Wonder when that started changing?' Sesshomaru thought. 'Can't I get a decent night sleep anymore?'
As if by command, the dreamed shimmered again and Sesshomaru stared into blackness. Realizing he was in his room, Sesshomaru turned over and went back to sleep, no more memories haunting him.
The Story Continues...
The next morning when Sesshomaru awoke, he found the scent of a potent odor lingering on his futon bedcover. He ran his hand over it and small grains of sand fell off onto the floor.
'What the heck...?' He thought. 'I don't know anyone in the palace that can zap people into their dreams.'
"Jiro," snapped Sesshomaru. "Jiro!"
"Five more minutes Ayaka..."
'What did he say?' thought Sesshomaru, quickly standing.
"No Ayaka," the sleeping moron mumbled. "Not in front of everyone!"
Sesshomaru growled and picked up his futon pillow. Kneeling over Jiro, he whispered into Jiro's ear:
"Oh Jiro...time to wake up!" When Jiro didn't stir, Sesshomaru sighed angrily and brought the pillow crashing down on his head, and Jiro woke with a start.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he snapped.
"Waking you up from a dream that you should NOT be having." Said Sesshomaru simply. "Get up. If you remember, you have duties now. For an entire week." Sesshomaru smiled at this comment.
"Yah, yah." Grumbled Jiro. "With you as a task master, I expect I won't be walking for a week or so at lest."
"Stop being such a stick. Now, do you mind explaining what the heck was going on in that puny head of yours that had to do with Ayaka?"
"Being a little concerned are we?" asked Jiro in an amused tone.
Before Sesshomaru could snap at his reply, a sharp rap on the door. Kicking Jiro lightly, he scuttled to open the door. Lord Mikado was standing there. He gave Jiro a slight smile. Coming into the room, and after Jiro shut the door he said to Sesshomaru:
"So, since you must have overheard our dear little conversation as you were heading in, or at least part of it, you do understand what I'm going to have you do today. It's been half a year since Lady Umae came here and I have yet to see you make an effort to make any contact with her or Mai. The only one I've seen you even come close to out of will is Ayaka."
"So, you are going to make me spend the day with them?" he asked glumly.
"Yes," said Lord Mikado. "But I'd rather call it forcing with love."
"Jiro, where are you slinking off too?" snapped Sesshomaru at Jiro who had been trying to sneak through a connecting door. "I'm not going to let you slack off."
"But you let Jaken slack off! I've seen you do it!" whined Jiro.
"Because Jaken annoys me to a point that I can't bear to be around him for long periods of time. You, on the other hand are only annoying that I like to cause you pain." Replied Sesshomaru turning to go with his father. "While I'm gone for the rest of the day, you can clean all of the room and the one's connecting to it. Farewell!"
Sesshomaru left with a smile but it disappeared when he remembered what he was going to spend the day doing. He followed his father to another part of the palace and Lord Mikado soon tapped on another door, this time more lightly.
"Come in!" said a female voice.
Lord Mikado opened the door to Lady Umae's room, and Sesshomaru noticed that her stomach had become much more round in the past months. She smiled as her mate came into the room and rose from her seat by the window.
"Mikado darling!" she said as she nearly ran over to him. She hugged him and Sesshomaru remembered that she was only twenty-four. Then he found himself wondering what his little brother or sister would look like. As he daydreamed, his father and Lady Umae began to talk in hushed tones. A minute later, the door opened and Ayaka let out a long groan.
"What is HE doing HERE?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
"Ayaka, must you always speak like that when the subject of Lord Sesshomaru comes up?" asked Lady Umae in an amused tone.
'She,' thought Sesshomaru. 'ALWAYS thinks like of me and speaks of me like that?' He gulped. Then he mentally kicked himself for thinking that.
"He is going to spend the day with us all right? Now, be nice." Said Lady Umae. "Both of you. However difficult that may be. And Ayaka? Please send someone to cancel all meetings you had planned with Keiishi."
"Yes ma'am." Said Ayaka. She disappeared from the room again then reappeared a second later. She was glaring at Sesshomaru.
'What the heck did I do now?' he thought, glaring right back.
"Well, the tension in this room is too much for me. Ayaka, Sesshomaru, let's go for a walk why don't we? It's such a wonderful day out." Said Lady Umae. She grasped Sesshomaru's arm and linked it with hers, giving him a warm smile. Staring nervously at his father, he sighed inwardly and let himself be led out the door. Ayaka followed, showing no expression.
Sesshomaru had no idea where they were going, but as they walked and Lady Umae talked to him, he found himself talking to HER more. She told him one or two stories about her childhood and the funny things she did as a small child. Sesshomaru remembered dreaming of Ayaka and stole a glance at her when Lady Umae paused to watch a little bird flying by. She had no expression on her face, just like before, but Sesshomaru could smell her. She was worried, and angry. And she was sad. Very sad.
'For her mother?' Sesshomaru thought. 'But...she's feeling...aroused? Why is she feeling that? That little almost human boy isn't here.'
He turned away just as she turned to look at him. Feeling her sharp gray eyes on his back, he turned to Lady Umae and said:
"Lady, may I suggest that we go to a small lake that is not to far from here? I can run you over and be back with Ayaka after that. If both of you agree that is."
His tone was more polite than anything and far from showing he loved her as a mother. But still, it was something. Lady Umae nodded with delight.
"That sounds wonderful!" she said.
"I'll be right back for you." Said Sesshomaru, his golden eyes turning to look at Ayaka. She waved her hand non-caringly then crossed her arms over her stomach. Shrugging off an uneasy feeling, Sesshomaru lifted Lady Umae into his arms very carefully, and hoped he didn't trip. Speeding off, his white hair whipped behind him and Lady Umae's hair started to come undone from her styled locks.
He left her on the beach, promising to be back very soon and went to get Ayaka. As he neared the spot where she was to be waiting, he heard a scream. A scream that made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end and that sent shivers down his arms. Running faster, he came back to the path. Ayaka wasn't there. Her sent was. Fear had flared up in her and another send was there as well that was very, very aroused.
"Damnit Jiro, you son of a bitch!" Sesshomaru shouted. Birds scattered from the trees as Sesshomaru ran back to the lake and took Lady Umae in his arms once again not offering an explanation. She didn't question him though and Sesshomaru deposited her near his father's door. His nose worked madly to try and find Ayaka's scent. It became stronger as he neared his own room and kicked the door, knocking it off it's hinges to see Ayaka laid on her side out on HIS futon, black hair around her. Jiro was sitting over her, and his clawed hands were just about to turn the unconscious girl over.
Before Jiro could do anything Sesshomaru dived at him and the both crashed into a table that held a vase. Grabbing it before it fell, he smashed it over Jiro's head. Jiro grabbed Sesshomaru's side and dragged a clawed hand over his flesh, cutting into the skin. As Sesshomaru started to bleed, he kicked Jiro off him and delivered a punch right into Jiro's gut. Taking him by the collar of his kimono, Sesshomaru pined Jiro against the wall by his neck, just as he had done to Lord Gita. The stone made a nice little indent as Sesshomaru stared into Jiro's full over black ones. He smiled and chuckled in a new low voice.
"So," Jiro laughed. "Coming to claim the sleeping beauty as yours? Why not let me do it dear friend? You hate humans so."
"What the heck his wrong with you asshole? You just goddamn attacked the servant of the lady of the house! You could be killed!" Sesshomaru snarled, feeling the redness start to overcome his eyes. Jiro just chuckled and replied,
"Daddy's coming. Yours too."
Sesshomaru held Jiro against the wall as Lord Mikado, Lady Umae, Lord Atsushi and Lady Naomi all rushed into the room. Lady Umae cried out and rushed to Ayaka's side, pushing the girl's long black hair from her face. Tears whelmed in her eyes and the three others approached where Sesshomaru had Jiro pinned.
"Why hello Father." Chuckled Jiro. "How nice of you to visit. You came a bit early thought. A bit later on and you would have little half demon whelps running around the palace. Wouldn't you like that? That's what you yelled at me. You wanted little whelps. And now you've changed your mind? Such a father I have."
"I mean with a lady Jiro! A demon lady! We are expecting one to come in a matter of weeks! You have got to stop skirt chasing servants!" snapped Lord Atsushi, his usually calm voice showing anger and quite a lot of it too.
"But I love Ayaka! Nothing you can say or do can ever change that!"
"You're witless Jiro!" exclaimed Sesshomaru. Jiro just laughed. Lady Umae began crying as she held Ayaka. Lord Mikado walked over to where Sesshomaru was and took the boy by his shoulders and stared right into his eyes.
"Something's wrong with him."
"You can say that again." Said Sesshomaru and Lord Atsushi.
"No, that's not what I meant." Said Lord Mikado.
"Find out my problem old man?" chuckled Jiro. "You'll never figure it out. Heh."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that little boy. Atsushi, come hold you're son a moment please. Jiro, this will be painful."
Lord Atsushi came and held his son under the arms and he kicked and squirmed and tried to get away but what Lord Mikado did next shocked all the people in the room. He plunged a hand just under Jiro's ribcage and yanked something out. At first Sesshomaru thought it was some organ but he saw it was more of an oval shape. Jiro's eyes returned to normal and he gasped and slumped forward. Lord Mikado tried to shake the blood off but it stayed.
"Father," asked Sesshomaru. "What is that?"
"This," said Lord Mikado taking in a deep gulp of air. "Is a Parasite Doll. It will work itself into the host's body and take over the way they think, the way they act. Brings out the worst in them. Jiro will be all right now that it's out of him. I just hope that the hole I put in his gut won't kill him. What I need to know now is if anyone has been the subject of a spell lately? Or has worked one."
Everyone was silent until Sesshomaru cleared his throat. He was about to speak when Lady Umae shrieked in happiness. "She's awake! O thank the sweet gods!" she called, hugging the newly awakened girl.
"L-lady?" she gasped, coughing. "What's going on? Where am I?"
"Sh, please don't talk. You'll be all right, o sweet gods you'll be all right!" gasped Lady Umae, hugging the girl.
"Ow!" Ayaka exclaimed. "Wait, what? Where's Jiro the bastard! I'll kill him!"
"No need for that," grumbled Sesshomaru. Ayaka shot him a look, but followed to where he motioned his. She gasped and her eyes widened. Her gaze then drifted to Lord Mikado. Ayaka saw the Parasite Doll and the blood on his hands. She looked bout ready to faint, but merely in took a sharp breath and clung to Lady Umae.
"What is the last thing you remember dear?" asked Lady Umae, holding Ayaka in her arms.
"Just...seeing Jiro come flying out of the trees and all I heard was my own voice screaming." Said Ayaka. "Is he...going to be okay?"
"Why are you worried?" snapped Sesshomaru. "The bastard tried to RAPE you and ATTACKED you! Why are you worried about his well-being? I nearly beheaded him because of you!"
"I haven't made you do anything! Whatever action you took, YOU did it! Not I!" growled Ayaka finding her voice. She burst from Lady Umae's arms and stood to face Sesshomaru, black hair flying about her. Her eyes showed intense anger. Sesshomaru could smell it radiating off of her as well. "I don't control you know! I can't manipulate your feelings to make you beg!"
She was screaming now, the rest of the group-with the exception of Jiro- were watching with wide eyes. Sesshomaru was also angry. How dare she claim she had no power of her him! He knew she did, he felt it. But he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was also the cause of what he blurted out next.
"That's what you think you little bitch! I should have dealt with you the day we first met at the lake! Then maybe I wouldn't have fallen in love with you!" he shouted back at her at the top of his lungs. He could hear the final words ringing in his ears...
In love with you...in love with you...in love with you...in love with you...
Ayaka's eyes suddenly became large and scared. She had been nearly pressed against Sesshomaru, her chest thrown out, her shoulders squared. She looked so beautiful to him, so wild. He could feel something coursing through him, making his blood hot.
"In l-love...?" she squeaked. "W-with M-ME?"
Sesshomaru finally came to realize what he said. He backed away from her, scanning the rest of the faces about him, and finally resting on Ayaka. She seemed to be thinking furiously.
"The lake...the day by the lake...we met a demon...that..." she said. "That was YOU Sesshomaru? You..."
"Ayaka...you aren't suggesting..." gasped Lady Umae, standing.
"No..." whispered Ayaka, her voice breaking. "You...you couldn't possibly be..."
"What is it Umae?" asked Lord Mikado, looking at his wife.
"Ayaka came to my household because a demon had killed her mother. A dog demon..." her voice trailed off.
"Yes, my MOTHER." Said Sesshomaru.
"No Sesshomaru." Said Lord Mikado. "The woman your mother killed was very old and in the midst of battle with the Northern demons, your mother rushed all the humans away. Except one; she blamed herself and said that she as good as killed that woman."
"Then...?" stuttered Sesshomaru.
"You...YOU KILLED MY MOTHER YOU BASTARD!" screeched Ayaka, flying as Sesshomaru. He slammed into the wall and she beat at his chest, yelling and shouting at him. "YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! I SAW YOU! I SAW YOU! IT WAS AT NIGHT AND I SAW YOUR EYES, YOUR DAMNED GOLD EYES! YOU CLAIMED MY MOTHER HAD TRIED TO POSION YOU AND YOU ATTACKED HER!"
"She LIVED!" gasped Sesshomaru.
"NO SHE DIDN'T! A WEEK LATER SHE DIED BECAUSE OF THOSE INJURIES! YOU KILLED HER!" shouted Ayaka and she brought her fist in contact right with Sesshomaru's face. Blood began to trickle from his mouth, but he didn't seem to notice.
How...how as this possible? He had killed that woman? He loved Ayaka? His mother was indirectly responsible for the death of an old woman, NOT Ayaka's mother?
"Grandmother..." was the only word that Sesshomaru could muster to say.
---------------
Author's Note: Yes, Sesshomaru killed Ayaka's mother meaning that her mother was a friend of Lady Takako. Sesshomaru was never really told the details of the story when his mother had "killed" a woman, and now finds out.
The story is going to get a bit more angsty and I hope you all will continue reading and reviewing.
Review please.
By YoukaiJilly
Summary:
A young Sesshomaru is in the plot to bring his father's new wife to their home. However when she goes missing two of her servants follow. The elder girl protests she is ever loyal to her lady and the younger also agrees. But Sesshomaru knows something is wrong but doesn't find out exactly what is the problem until too late. Can he save his family from falling apart and why can't he get the younger girl to fear him?
Chapter Nine: The Line Between Love and Hatred
Last Chapter:
The dream changed again, and he saw the same child version sitting on a futon, trying desperately not to cry.
"Why do they hate me?" he sobbed as his childish voice cracked with sadness. "I did one thing bad, and they all hate me. I don't want to be a stinking horrid demon. If they're going to hate me, I'll hate them, FOREVER!"
The memory of loneliness gripped Sesshomaru's heart. A few days after this, Jiro had shown up with Lord Atsushi and Lady Naomi. Delighted in having a friend at last, one that was a demon, even if he was perverted. After that, he and Jiro had been the best of friends.
'Wonder when that started changing?' Sesshomaru thought. 'Can't I get a decent night sleep anymore?'
As if by command, the dreamed shimmered again and Sesshomaru stared into blackness. Realizing he was in his room, Sesshomaru turned over and went back to sleep, no more memories haunting him.
The Story Continues...
The next morning when Sesshomaru awoke, he found the scent of a potent odor lingering on his futon bedcover. He ran his hand over it and small grains of sand fell off onto the floor.
'What the heck...?' He thought. 'I don't know anyone in the palace that can zap people into their dreams.'
"Jiro," snapped Sesshomaru. "Jiro!"
"Five more minutes Ayaka..."
'What did he say?' thought Sesshomaru, quickly standing.
"No Ayaka," the sleeping moron mumbled. "Not in front of everyone!"
Sesshomaru growled and picked up his futon pillow. Kneeling over Jiro, he whispered into Jiro's ear:
"Oh Jiro...time to wake up!" When Jiro didn't stir, Sesshomaru sighed angrily and brought the pillow crashing down on his head, and Jiro woke with a start.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he snapped.
"Waking you up from a dream that you should NOT be having." Said Sesshomaru simply. "Get up. If you remember, you have duties now. For an entire week." Sesshomaru smiled at this comment.
"Yah, yah." Grumbled Jiro. "With you as a task master, I expect I won't be walking for a week or so at lest."
"Stop being such a stick. Now, do you mind explaining what the heck was going on in that puny head of yours that had to do with Ayaka?"
"Being a little concerned are we?" asked Jiro in an amused tone.
Before Sesshomaru could snap at his reply, a sharp rap on the door. Kicking Jiro lightly, he scuttled to open the door. Lord Mikado was standing there. He gave Jiro a slight smile. Coming into the room, and after Jiro shut the door he said to Sesshomaru:
"So, since you must have overheard our dear little conversation as you were heading in, or at least part of it, you do understand what I'm going to have you do today. It's been half a year since Lady Umae came here and I have yet to see you make an effort to make any contact with her or Mai. The only one I've seen you even come close to out of will is Ayaka."
"So, you are going to make me spend the day with them?" he asked glumly.
"Yes," said Lord Mikado. "But I'd rather call it forcing with love."
"Jiro, where are you slinking off too?" snapped Sesshomaru at Jiro who had been trying to sneak through a connecting door. "I'm not going to let you slack off."
"But you let Jaken slack off! I've seen you do it!" whined Jiro.
"Because Jaken annoys me to a point that I can't bear to be around him for long periods of time. You, on the other hand are only annoying that I like to cause you pain." Replied Sesshomaru turning to go with his father. "While I'm gone for the rest of the day, you can clean all of the room and the one's connecting to it. Farewell!"
Sesshomaru left with a smile but it disappeared when he remembered what he was going to spend the day doing. He followed his father to another part of the palace and Lord Mikado soon tapped on another door, this time more lightly.
"Come in!" said a female voice.
Lord Mikado opened the door to Lady Umae's room, and Sesshomaru noticed that her stomach had become much more round in the past months. She smiled as her mate came into the room and rose from her seat by the window.
"Mikado darling!" she said as she nearly ran over to him. She hugged him and Sesshomaru remembered that she was only twenty-four. Then he found himself wondering what his little brother or sister would look like. As he daydreamed, his father and Lady Umae began to talk in hushed tones. A minute later, the door opened and Ayaka let out a long groan.
"What is HE doing HERE?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
"Ayaka, must you always speak like that when the subject of Lord Sesshomaru comes up?" asked Lady Umae in an amused tone.
'She,' thought Sesshomaru. 'ALWAYS thinks like of me and speaks of me like that?' He gulped. Then he mentally kicked himself for thinking that.
"He is going to spend the day with us all right? Now, be nice." Said Lady Umae. "Both of you. However difficult that may be. And Ayaka? Please send someone to cancel all meetings you had planned with Keiishi."
"Yes ma'am." Said Ayaka. She disappeared from the room again then reappeared a second later. She was glaring at Sesshomaru.
'What the heck did I do now?' he thought, glaring right back.
"Well, the tension in this room is too much for me. Ayaka, Sesshomaru, let's go for a walk why don't we? It's such a wonderful day out." Said Lady Umae. She grasped Sesshomaru's arm and linked it with hers, giving him a warm smile. Staring nervously at his father, he sighed inwardly and let himself be led out the door. Ayaka followed, showing no expression.
Sesshomaru had no idea where they were going, but as they walked and Lady Umae talked to him, he found himself talking to HER more. She told him one or two stories about her childhood and the funny things she did as a small child. Sesshomaru remembered dreaming of Ayaka and stole a glance at her when Lady Umae paused to watch a little bird flying by. She had no expression on her face, just like before, but Sesshomaru could smell her. She was worried, and angry. And she was sad. Very sad.
'For her mother?' Sesshomaru thought. 'But...she's feeling...aroused? Why is she feeling that? That little almost human boy isn't here.'
He turned away just as she turned to look at him. Feeling her sharp gray eyes on his back, he turned to Lady Umae and said:
"Lady, may I suggest that we go to a small lake that is not to far from here? I can run you over and be back with Ayaka after that. If both of you agree that is."
His tone was more polite than anything and far from showing he loved her as a mother. But still, it was something. Lady Umae nodded with delight.
"That sounds wonderful!" she said.
"I'll be right back for you." Said Sesshomaru, his golden eyes turning to look at Ayaka. She waved her hand non-caringly then crossed her arms over her stomach. Shrugging off an uneasy feeling, Sesshomaru lifted Lady Umae into his arms very carefully, and hoped he didn't trip. Speeding off, his white hair whipped behind him and Lady Umae's hair started to come undone from her styled locks.
He left her on the beach, promising to be back very soon and went to get Ayaka. As he neared the spot where she was to be waiting, he heard a scream. A scream that made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end and that sent shivers down his arms. Running faster, he came back to the path. Ayaka wasn't there. Her sent was. Fear had flared up in her and another send was there as well that was very, very aroused.
"Damnit Jiro, you son of a bitch!" Sesshomaru shouted. Birds scattered from the trees as Sesshomaru ran back to the lake and took Lady Umae in his arms once again not offering an explanation. She didn't question him though and Sesshomaru deposited her near his father's door. His nose worked madly to try and find Ayaka's scent. It became stronger as he neared his own room and kicked the door, knocking it off it's hinges to see Ayaka laid on her side out on HIS futon, black hair around her. Jiro was sitting over her, and his clawed hands were just about to turn the unconscious girl over.
Before Jiro could do anything Sesshomaru dived at him and the both crashed into a table that held a vase. Grabbing it before it fell, he smashed it over Jiro's head. Jiro grabbed Sesshomaru's side and dragged a clawed hand over his flesh, cutting into the skin. As Sesshomaru started to bleed, he kicked Jiro off him and delivered a punch right into Jiro's gut. Taking him by the collar of his kimono, Sesshomaru pined Jiro against the wall by his neck, just as he had done to Lord Gita. The stone made a nice little indent as Sesshomaru stared into Jiro's full over black ones. He smiled and chuckled in a new low voice.
"So," Jiro laughed. "Coming to claim the sleeping beauty as yours? Why not let me do it dear friend? You hate humans so."
"What the heck his wrong with you asshole? You just goddamn attacked the servant of the lady of the house! You could be killed!" Sesshomaru snarled, feeling the redness start to overcome his eyes. Jiro just chuckled and replied,
"Daddy's coming. Yours too."
Sesshomaru held Jiro against the wall as Lord Mikado, Lady Umae, Lord Atsushi and Lady Naomi all rushed into the room. Lady Umae cried out and rushed to Ayaka's side, pushing the girl's long black hair from her face. Tears whelmed in her eyes and the three others approached where Sesshomaru had Jiro pinned.
"Why hello Father." Chuckled Jiro. "How nice of you to visit. You came a bit early thought. A bit later on and you would have little half demon whelps running around the palace. Wouldn't you like that? That's what you yelled at me. You wanted little whelps. And now you've changed your mind? Such a father I have."
"I mean with a lady Jiro! A demon lady! We are expecting one to come in a matter of weeks! You have got to stop skirt chasing servants!" snapped Lord Atsushi, his usually calm voice showing anger and quite a lot of it too.
"But I love Ayaka! Nothing you can say or do can ever change that!"
"You're witless Jiro!" exclaimed Sesshomaru. Jiro just laughed. Lady Umae began crying as she held Ayaka. Lord Mikado walked over to where Sesshomaru was and took the boy by his shoulders and stared right into his eyes.
"Something's wrong with him."
"You can say that again." Said Sesshomaru and Lord Atsushi.
"No, that's not what I meant." Said Lord Mikado.
"Find out my problem old man?" chuckled Jiro. "You'll never figure it out. Heh."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that little boy. Atsushi, come hold you're son a moment please. Jiro, this will be painful."
Lord Atsushi came and held his son under the arms and he kicked and squirmed and tried to get away but what Lord Mikado did next shocked all the people in the room. He plunged a hand just under Jiro's ribcage and yanked something out. At first Sesshomaru thought it was some organ but he saw it was more of an oval shape. Jiro's eyes returned to normal and he gasped and slumped forward. Lord Mikado tried to shake the blood off but it stayed.
"Father," asked Sesshomaru. "What is that?"
"This," said Lord Mikado taking in a deep gulp of air. "Is a Parasite Doll. It will work itself into the host's body and take over the way they think, the way they act. Brings out the worst in them. Jiro will be all right now that it's out of him. I just hope that the hole I put in his gut won't kill him. What I need to know now is if anyone has been the subject of a spell lately? Or has worked one."
Everyone was silent until Sesshomaru cleared his throat. He was about to speak when Lady Umae shrieked in happiness. "She's awake! O thank the sweet gods!" she called, hugging the newly awakened girl.
"L-lady?" she gasped, coughing. "What's going on? Where am I?"
"Sh, please don't talk. You'll be all right, o sweet gods you'll be all right!" gasped Lady Umae, hugging the girl.
"Ow!" Ayaka exclaimed. "Wait, what? Where's Jiro the bastard! I'll kill him!"
"No need for that," grumbled Sesshomaru. Ayaka shot him a look, but followed to where he motioned his. She gasped and her eyes widened. Her gaze then drifted to Lord Mikado. Ayaka saw the Parasite Doll and the blood on his hands. She looked bout ready to faint, but merely in took a sharp breath and clung to Lady Umae.
"What is the last thing you remember dear?" asked Lady Umae, holding Ayaka in her arms.
"Just...seeing Jiro come flying out of the trees and all I heard was my own voice screaming." Said Ayaka. "Is he...going to be okay?"
"Why are you worried?" snapped Sesshomaru. "The bastard tried to RAPE you and ATTACKED you! Why are you worried about his well-being? I nearly beheaded him because of you!"
"I haven't made you do anything! Whatever action you took, YOU did it! Not I!" growled Ayaka finding her voice. She burst from Lady Umae's arms and stood to face Sesshomaru, black hair flying about her. Her eyes showed intense anger. Sesshomaru could smell it radiating off of her as well. "I don't control you know! I can't manipulate your feelings to make you beg!"
She was screaming now, the rest of the group-with the exception of Jiro- were watching with wide eyes. Sesshomaru was also angry. How dare she claim she had no power of her him! He knew she did, he felt it. But he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was also the cause of what he blurted out next.
"That's what you think you little bitch! I should have dealt with you the day we first met at the lake! Then maybe I wouldn't have fallen in love with you!" he shouted back at her at the top of his lungs. He could hear the final words ringing in his ears...
In love with you...in love with you...in love with you...in love with you...
Ayaka's eyes suddenly became large and scared. She had been nearly pressed against Sesshomaru, her chest thrown out, her shoulders squared. She looked so beautiful to him, so wild. He could feel something coursing through him, making his blood hot.
"In l-love...?" she squeaked. "W-with M-ME?"
Sesshomaru finally came to realize what he said. He backed away from her, scanning the rest of the faces about him, and finally resting on Ayaka. She seemed to be thinking furiously.
"The lake...the day by the lake...we met a demon...that..." she said. "That was YOU Sesshomaru? You..."
"Ayaka...you aren't suggesting..." gasped Lady Umae, standing.
"No..." whispered Ayaka, her voice breaking. "You...you couldn't possibly be..."
"What is it Umae?" asked Lord Mikado, looking at his wife.
"Ayaka came to my household because a demon had killed her mother. A dog demon..." her voice trailed off.
"Yes, my MOTHER." Said Sesshomaru.
"No Sesshomaru." Said Lord Mikado. "The woman your mother killed was very old and in the midst of battle with the Northern demons, your mother rushed all the humans away. Except one; she blamed herself and said that she as good as killed that woman."
"Then...?" stuttered Sesshomaru.
"You...YOU KILLED MY MOTHER YOU BASTARD!" screeched Ayaka, flying as Sesshomaru. He slammed into the wall and she beat at his chest, yelling and shouting at him. "YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! I SAW YOU! I SAW YOU! IT WAS AT NIGHT AND I SAW YOUR EYES, YOUR DAMNED GOLD EYES! YOU CLAIMED MY MOTHER HAD TRIED TO POSION YOU AND YOU ATTACKED HER!"
"She LIVED!" gasped Sesshomaru.
"NO SHE DIDN'T! A WEEK LATER SHE DIED BECAUSE OF THOSE INJURIES! YOU KILLED HER!" shouted Ayaka and she brought her fist in contact right with Sesshomaru's face. Blood began to trickle from his mouth, but he didn't seem to notice.
How...how as this possible? He had killed that woman? He loved Ayaka? His mother was indirectly responsible for the death of an old woman, NOT Ayaka's mother?
"Grandmother..." was the only word that Sesshomaru could muster to say.
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Author's Note: Yes, Sesshomaru killed Ayaka's mother meaning that her mother was a friend of Lady Takako. Sesshomaru was never really told the details of the story when his mother had "killed" a woman, and now finds out.
The story is going to get a bit more angsty and I hope you all will continue reading and reviewing.
Review please.