Disclaimer: Is that so? *Replies to Sess' comment with a query of her own. He's sitting across from her at a table* Yes, well you can't very well own Inuyasha without Inuyasha now can you? *Sips lazily at his tea* So owning me won't really get you anywhere. You gotta have my little bro first. *hides angry glare as she looks for an excuse to why this is in no way true* hmm better look harder
A/N: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to ya'll lol I barely finished my present for my mom like an hour before she opened it don't anyone tell her how long it took me she always said I was a procrastinator. Anyways back to the story lol I just had to do that lil bebop fic it was tearin at my brain 4 the longest time and lately I couldn't write anything else without conciderin what I could do with it. Well this fic is coming along well and if I feel up to it I'll get out the last part of my other fanfic the one I told you bout last time. I've been so lazy lately since I've actually had a chance to actually sit and rest with this break in my schedule. And don't it feel good. This chapter is an especially long one to make up for the time it took. You won't believe how long it is I almost had a heart attack I can't believe I actually had that much to write lol but then a lot of stuff does happen here. Ne ways before I talk your ears off and get sued for maiming you for life here it goes...
Twisted Love
Chapter Ten
Undefined, Redefined
Sango peered carefully around her door frame. She heard Kagome screaming at someone to get out. Apparently it was Sesshoumaru who was distressing her friend. No one else was out of their room and he had sent everyone else away. She feared for her friend and with courage born of that same desperation she dared defy her Lord. Creeping across the hallway she covered the distance to Kagome's door. Putting her ear to it she could hear nothing but Kagome's muffled hiccuping cries.
Poor thing she was still crying. But why? Sango wondered to herself. She hadn't been able to talk to Kagome since she'd returned and her friend's sudden spell of sadness had cut her just as well. She wondered vaguely if it had anything to do with Inuyasha, or even his half brother. Those two were the only people that seemed to be able to get through to her to that extent. She'd never seen anyone affect her like they did. Sesshoumaru could flare her temper in a second's time, and Inuyasha, he could make her heart sing at the mere mention of his name. But neither had ever made her cry... until now.
Involuntarily her hand was reaching for the cold metal of the doorknob. The tips of her fingers a hair's-breadth from touching it she shook her head distractedly deciding against her actions. Kagome was sometimes defensive and dark when she was sad and now that she'd almost gone beyond that point she thought it best to wait til the morning to talk to her. She turned on her heel returning to her room. Halfway down the hall she turned at the sound of Kagome's door creaking open.
Thinking it to be Kagome she almost ran to her but when she caught site of the long white locks she stopped dead. If she had continued she would have ran smack dab into his Lordship himself as he backed out of her friends room suspiciously, whispering good night.
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Flipping his legs over the edge of his bed Sesshoumaru rubbed the sleep from his eyes casually. By now most of his servants should be awake. Especially his lovely Kagome. He would have her serve him breakfast today. Yes perhaps that would speed things along for them. He stood up slowly raising his hands above his head stretching away his clinging sleepiness. No need to overwhelm her he decided dressing in a loose white kimono and tying it with his favorite yellow sash. Much better.
He strode across the full length of his room to survey himself in a long mirror. His hair fell about him in long straight tresses his perfect silvery white locks his most obvious vanity. They were his pride and joy and of course despite his hard nature and cruel temper he would sit in front of a mirror every night and brush them into silky softness. He'd love to run his fingers through the long smooth strands.
Last night he'd been surprised at how much he'd enjoyed running his fingers through Kagome's hair. It wasn't so much a soft silkiness that had lured him to touch it, but the very fact that he knew it would soothe her as it had soothed him many a time when he was a young pup. His assumption had been correct and she'd welcomed his embrace. And how well she was at welcoming. Leaning into him as if they were star-crossed lovers.
He reached a timid hand to his cheek. And she'd kissed him. Sad though really, that he was so ecstatic over so little. His cheek was by no means where he would have had her kiss him when his lips were but a short distance from it. It was satisfying that she had done it of her own free will, whereas he knew his ideal would need more work, more calculations to retrieve. But he could wait, if only for a moment. The prize, in this case was good enough to work for.
He shook himself reviving his sense of time. Ah, yes about time for some breakfast. He left his room in a flurry of hair and cloth heading for the kitchens to find Shippou and of course Kagome.
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A clatter of plates and dishes brought Kagome shooting through the kitchen doors leaving her broom and dustpan lying abandoned in the dining room. The doors swished back and forth with her earlier disturbance as she glared at the fox demon sitting in a pile of broken china, a silly smile plastered to his ogling face. She bent down to address him, careful not to step on any of the shattered glass. "Shippou. What on earth is the matter with you?" She waited for a reply that was never to come. The boy merely pointed to the window above the water spout. She rose half expecting the hooded woman to pop out at her. But it was nothing like that. In fact she almost giggled with hilarity upon seeing what had scared the poor thing before realizing that it was something she herself had lost. Inuyasha had betrayed her and there was no going back. But no need to cry over such a thing. Tears were wasted when they did nothing to better the situation. She noticed the boy too was staring sheepishly out the window following her gaze. So innocent.
Miroku and Sango were sitting on the nearest lawn, hand in hand necking like teenagers. "Bout time." She muttered fluffing Shippou's hair playfully despite the cloud of sadness billowing across her vision. "It's all right Shippou let them be. Sesshoumaru isn't up yet and they haven't had any alone time for a while."
"All right." He said shyly. "Um Kagome?"
"Yes?" What now?
"Could you help me clean up this mess?" This was gonna take forever to clean up by himself and since she was just standing there he figured she could at least offer her assistance.
"Fine. Let me get the broom. I'll be right back." She shuffled away to get them. In the dining room she ran into a smart Sesshoumaru dressed and ready for the day. She noticed how his eyes lit up when he caught sight of her. "Good morning Kagome. Oh and just so you know you'll be serving me breakfast today. Tell Shippou I'll have the regular." His eyes passed over her taking in all they could, swift and detailed like a hawk.
She returned to the kitchen quickly. "Here Shippou. I'll clean up this mess but you better start on his royal pain in the ass' breakfast." She bent to clean up the spilt dishes maneuvering carefully around the floor so as not to step on any glass. That kid was lucky, if Miroku or Sango had been the ones up right now Shippou would be picking up this mess all by himself but then again he probably wouldn't have made it in the first place seeing as the distraction would have been removed. As an after thought she turned to the fox fire. "Oh, and Shippou hun, you might wanna tell those two that the Lords awake lest they get caught." She waited for him to step out of the room before she collapsed limply to the floor.
Holding a piece of broken, jagged glass in her hand she couldn't help but think that this little piece of glass was so akin to her. It had been shattered by pure luck or accident un-cared for and unloved in a world completely unaware of its existence beyond its designs and structure meant to please a conspicuous eye. At the moment it was a perfect imitation of her broken heart. Tears threatened to spill over but she kept them in check. It wasn't right to cry like this all the time. Her eyes had been dark and red rimmed since the incident. Last night she'd cried herself to sleep even after Sesshoumaru had left. He'd been there for her and it was an odd feeling to be grateful to him. He was the epitome of her hatred and yet he'd been there when her heart was weakened and somehow in the hollows of her soul he'd bore his own hole in her heart filling it as best he could. He'd penetrated her and made himself part of her life, if only for a moment to stop her sorrow.
It was strange how some things could change so quickly. Her mind was a turmoil of half-finished thoughts and restless emotions as she swept the smaller fragments of glass into a bin. The smallest pieces of her heart she would never regain, lost just as her old love had fled from her heart its entrance barred against his return. She shook herself inwardly to dispel her thoughts. She wouldn't let this bother her. She had worse things to worry about anyway what with that strange cloaked figure who seemed to be poised against Sesshoumaru at the worst of times. Her thoughts had finally left her heart and had effectively drifted to a more real tragedy.
A muted thud erupted across the room as Shippou slammed the door open catching it lazily before it broke a hole in the wall. "Oops." He managed to spit out while he rubbed his head ruefully.
"What's up with you?" Kagome asked as she stood to throw away the ruined china.
He pointed behind him with a soft moan as a red faced Sango dashed through the doorway. "Why you little- Oh hello Kagome how are you this fine morning?" She fidgeted slightly holding a small garden shovel behind her back as her face became if possible a slightly darker hue of red.
"Sorry Sango. Don't blame him. I sent him to tell you that Sesshoumaru's awake. I didn't find the prospect of him finding you two too welcoming."
"Oh well thank you Kagome." She turned guiltily toward the bashed fox fire. "Sorry Shippou, truly an accident. I mean, well, um... yeah." She turned heading back out the door quickly.
The door shut behind her and Kagome remembered Sesshoumaru. He was still waiting for his breakfast. He was always grumpy in the morning and no way did she want to be on his bad side. "Hurry up and make his breakfast Shippou before he starts barking again. Just don't give him reason to bite your head off."
She smiled as he stood at attention for a moment before snapping to his duties pulling out pots and pans. "Kagome, go get some wood from the pile so I can start heating up his eggs."
She held the pan of china in her hands as she set the broom down to lean against the wall. She carried it outside dumping it in a wooden container on the side of the house. In turn she put on the lid and placed the pan on top of that. She walked a little farther around the contour of the wall til she met the wood pile. Hefting a few logs in her arms she made to return to the kitchen.
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Sesshoumaru sat at the dining room table swirling a butter knife in circles around the table. It was taking them a long time to get his breakfast ready but for once, he realized, he didn't mind. It would have surprised him if he hadn't known why. It was Kagome. She was the reason he hadn't already blown up like he usually would storming into the kitchen in indignation at their apparent lack of discipline. Today he wanted to make an impression. He himself couldn't fathom why since she should be the one making the impression on him. He was the important one, the youkai with all the power. She, she was merely a pawn led to do his bidding a mere servant and a human to add to that. He'd hated his own stepmother all the more for that fact alone and now look at him. Falling head over heels for a human, a worthless, weak, disgusting human. Mentally he bit his tongue holding back further insult to the girl who had so skillfully captured his heart in no time at all. A delicate flower surrounded by weeds such as himself.
Unbeknownst to him she'd snuck up on him regarding his brooding expression thoughtfully until she remembered her earlier thoughts of his comfort and shoved all favorable thoughts of him to the back of her mind her face twisting into a fake but pleasant smile. "Your breakfast, Lord Sesshoumaru." Despite her effort to hold back her contempt was clearly evident.
Sesshoumaru looked up at her fighting to keep his expression blank. More like a rose she was, complete with thorns. He waited for her to place the plate down in front of him before turning and grabbing her arm gently. He looked up at her into the tinge of hatred sparkling behind some intangible emotion. Her face was so delicate her thin arm in his hand was a creamy peach delectable and daunting. She was such a lovely thing and with each passing second as he looked upon her delicious form he wanted her more and more.
"Excuse me." She pulled her arm away disgruntled, jarring him from his daydream.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to keep you away from your chores. By the way the front walk needs sweeping." He said by way of an apology, watching as she walked off in a huff towards the kitchens to retrieve her broom.
The walkway was at least two hundred feet long and would take her the better part of the morning to complete but with her out there he could set the other servants to tasks inside or he could even send Miroku and Sango to the market again. He may have played dumb before but he wasn't as stupid as to be innocent to their liking each other. With ever passing glance and hidden smile that was clear. Sending them off together would definitely buy him some time with Kagome. Still, there was the matter of a certain fox fire eavesdropping on them. He could be dismissed just as easily though if sent to gather more wood for the pile. The poor boy was so weak it would take him ages to chop down a single tree. And since he would only chop the trees in his master's own orchards he was sure the little imp would be little trouble.
He picked up his fork gingerly as Kagome swept passed him to the front of the house broom in tow. Better hurry with this. He thought to himself as he watched her. He had to get rid of the others before they had a real chance to converse with each other. As of yet he was still the only one who knew about the Inuyasha episode, and he wanted to keep it that way.
Shoveling the last bit into his mouth graciously he clapped his hands loudly and waited for Shippou to retrieve the plate. As soon as the boy appeared Sesshoumaru was ready to bark orders. "This morning, after you finish the dishes, you are to go out and chop a few more logs to add to the wood pile. Soon it will be cold and I should like to have a fire." He gave a reason knowing it wasn't needed. His servants were at the worst of times docile but today he'd felt almost obligated to give the fox fire a reason for his actions as though he couldn't just say 'jump' and expect him to comply. Today was going to be 'one of those days'. The kind that left you with less than you started and more than you intended before it was through. He wasn't partial to them but he didn't mind the way they made him feel in the least a hint of satisfaction when his head lit on his pillow to welcome the night.
Standing in a huff, he left through the back door to tell Sango and Miroku of their adapted work schedules for the day. Outside it was cool if not a little chilly in the oncoming autumn. He smelled a soft touch of decaying leaves as he raise his head to see the tops of the trees in the distance. The scent was enchanting in its own way as it carried with it a pinch of floral. It came from a long way of in the distance. The trees here still held tight to their green leaves threatening any who denied them their one true pleasure. The scent swirled about on a lazy wind. Mingled with the bunch of smells he could detect Kagome's inescapably irresistible aroma. A silky fragrance of roses and lilies and her own womanly touch coming together with overwhelming allure. She didn't even know what a whiff of that could do to a man human or not it was enough alone to turn heads in her direction, youkai especially with their heightened senses.
He would have followed that scent directly to her if he hadn't seen Miroku squatting near a flower bed pulling weeds. The sight of him reminded him of what he'd come to do. He walked up to him slowly placing a hand on his shoulder if only to frighten him. It had the desired effect and Miroku spun around quickly. When he noticed the Lord standing over him he got to his feet clumsily in a hasty bow. "Yes Master?"
"Today you and Sango are going to market. I need you to bring me back..." His voice trailed off as he realized he really didn't know what he wanted them to get. He'd only wanted to get rid of them. He searched his mind for something, anything he could send them for. Food was the first thing that came to mind but they had plenty of that. Hmm. He searched his mind tediously, hurriedly. Miroku probably thought he'd lost it completely standing there his hand gripping his chin thoughtfully as though he'd forgotten himself. It took him a few more seconds to come up with something but when he did he retained his commanding tone as he finished off Miroku's orders.
"Yes well I need you to bring back some horse feed, a few candles, and a roll of blue silk, be sure it's not too light, but not too dark."
Miroku stared at him for a moment mulling over the absurdities his master had requested. "Ahem." He shuffled his feet standing at attention blinking at the Lord's glare.
"Well get to it." He gestured to the house where Sango could be glimpsed through a window here and there, dusting the back rooms. At the command he jumped smartly away towards the closest servant's entrance, a broad smile spreading across his face once more. Lately he and Sango had been getting chances to be alone left and right. He seemed to be having great luck. Maybe they'd be able finish what they'd started this morning.
With one last look behind him at Sesshoumaru's retreating back he pulled the servant's door open and disappeared inside. He tread carefully through the house to the back room he'd seen Sango in. He opened the door smoothly and silently to the smallest crack he could fit through and crept inside. He turned a corner wanting very much to surprise her.
Too late he realized she'd seen him coming. She'd snuck up behind him and gave him a sharp tap on the shoulder. He whirled around quickly to meat her lips as she leaned into him. It was short and sweet as she pulled back taking a furtive look towards the windows and door. "Where's his highness at the moment?" She inquired the nervousness evident in the almost inaudible quaver of her voice.
He pulled her back to his lips a sure hand cradling her face. Relaxing at his touch, she surrendered her control and let him hold her. He kissed as no one else could pushing back her fears and opening her heart to the world. He knew how to hold her as though protecting her, to lock his lips onto her's as though keeping a secret between them, to say the right thing at the right time keeping pain at bay, but mostly he knew how to reach deep within her heart and hold his own amongst all her feelings and conflicting emotions and fill her heart with an unrivaled happiness. She pulled away slowly, for once her fears of Sesshoumaru discovering them all but nonexistent. Fingering his cloak intently she rested against him. "Don't you have work to do?
"Well yes I do." Playfully he nicked her ear. "His Lordship himself has sent us to market. Together of course." A look of counterfeit innocence shadowing his face.
"What for this time?" She tried to feign boredom twiddling with a strand of his hair as though it was the most interesting thing in the world.
Two could play at this game. He almost smiled at the prospect but managed to keep his parody of naivete. "I can't imagine why I'd want to go with you though. Better to be with Kagome or Shippou. They're better at carrying heavy things. You'd probably be dropping things here there and everywhere. Wouldn't want that now would we?"
"Ugh" Sango could barely hold back her indignation. "Well then in that case I can't fathom why I'd want to be going with you. You have no bartering skills. Kagome is very good at that, no telling how well she'd put you to shame. You just don't have enough wits at hand. You'd probably be swindled out of all your money if you had your way."
"Well then I guess it's best we have the lesser of the two evils going together as we are."
"Yes I suppose you're absolutely right." She gave him a quick kiss and a gentle push before turning to lead the way to the stables so they could get under way. "Besides, I wouldn't have it any other way." She called over her shoulder as he hurried to follow her.
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He wound his way around the edge of his oversized home heading for the front walk. The stables were on the opposite side of the house so he was sure neither Sango nor Miroku would see anything of him. In the distance he could hear the dull thud of an axe blade against wood. Shippou wouldn't be able to see him either. He approached the walk slowly, the quick swish of her broomstick guiding him.
He watched her move, delicately swaying with the movement of her arms as they pulled the broom over the rough cobblestone walk. Her lithe body was light and graceful her agility unnerving in a human especially a female human. She moved as thought her feat never touched the ground, so smooth and silky her stature that she seemed to float. Her long black hair fell about her shoulders making her face glow surreally when she turned her back to the ever present light of the sun.
He imagined himself standing next to her. Tall, strong, and beautiful. They would fit together he supposed, studying her tempting voice as she sung a soft tune under her breath. The rhythm was slow and drawn out evoking a strange feeling within him. He felt as though... as though he could cry. The tune materialized the image of her heart, a swirl of black sorrow furrowed deep within her tireless emotions as they careened towards a destined fate. It lulled him into a dreamy state as his eyes misted over lazily the effigy of peace placid and soothing against his own stony heart. The heart that had once been solid rock un-giving and emotionless in its cool loneliness. There had been a time when he could hide his feelings efficiently. Not even those closest to him knew what went on behind the sliver of a crescent moon hidden behind the silvery locks of his flowing hair. It just wasn't anything people thought of when they looked at him. There was only contempt, rage and even in the purest of hearts pity. But none of this was wanted and he sent it all away with his glaring eyes and flashing talons.
He was every bit the youkai his father had been, every bit but his heart which stood out in all his perfection, marring him with an invisible scar of indecision. Nothing had been easy for him when it came to matters of the heart. There had been a time when he'd opened himself, willingly and purely naive. He'd been cut in two his heart split with a single swing. Betrayal was the worst punishment of neglect. It haunted his every move and with every step the hole in his heart grew until he could handle it no longer. With a will and effort surpassing himself, he shut his heart once more to the world, hiding behind the same crescent moon and silvery tresses.
Abruptly her song ended and he was roused from his musings looking down into her violet-blue eyes. She merely stared at him intently wondering where his mind had wandered. She was so close, her scent intoxicating to his sharp senses as he took in her full figure before him. He'd closed his heart so tightly before, but now... now it was being ripped asunder by the very breath that was her life. She wanted into it and he yearned to pull her into his arms and let their hearts mingle openly. He wanted her to fill the emptiness inside of him. The shallow waters that were her love had never come to lap at his shores but merely churned at a distance ebbing away with each passing day. He wished to calm those seas, for the tides to finally come in and smother him, drown him in all their fury.
But she, she was resistant to his charms and undaunted by his overwhelming demeanor that had sent many to their knees with only a short heated glance. She was different and as he reached down to ensnare her naked arm in his grasp he knew it didn't matter that she was human, that she was weak and inferior. She was an angel in his eyes pure and overpowering in her own right.
Lost in his reverie he didn't notice the look of sheer disgust that crossed her face coinciding with a thin string of curiosity threading it's way through the liquid pools of her smoldering eyes. He was acting like he had earlier over breakfast. A dreamy look clouding his eyes and a longing etched in the perfect features of his beautiful face. She tried to regain control wrenching her arm away from him.
This time, instead of letting go, he tightened his grip. He pulled her towards him bringing a hand to her neck. He gave her a fierce crushing kiss. Surprise turned to haste as she returned it with ardor. It was his turn to be surprised. She wasn't rejecting him as she had so many times before. Perhaps Naraku had been right, his plan was faultless. He slipped his tongue through her parted lips and let it dance with hers until he pulled away. They separated slowly, his eyes closed carefully as he savored the taste.
She looked up at him smiling impulsively. For a moment she was happy. Forget Inuyasha. Who was he compared to such a look of love that shone in her Lord's eyes? Then it captured her in its fatal grip. Her thought was just as destructive as it had been comforting. She didn't know what to do when Sesshoumaru reached down to hold her with his lips again. But she felt an old whisper of his vile hatred. She couldn't let him have the better of her, not when she was so vulnerable like this. She pushed against him but in his strength he trapped her next to him. His tongue made a futile attempt to reenter her mouth but her teeth clamped shut and she all but bit his tongue in half before he'd pulled it back into the safety of his own mouth backing away from her rigid form.
"Kagome." He mouthed his voice muted by his confusion.
"Please leave me." A lone tear trailed down her cheek and when he reached up a hand to wipe it away she didn't move. He reached around her waist and pulled her close smoothing her hair and rubbing a hand along the length of her arm comfortingly.
"I'm sorry." He whispered with an air of true sincerity.
Why he would be sorry, she had no idea. It wasn't his fault Inuyasha had done what he had, not his fault the hanyou had capture her heart and left her unable to function after his brutal betrayal. He'd offered her nothing but comfort since her heart had been mistreated. But now she felt drawn to him, to the soft familiar flicker of his golden eyes, to the sharp deadly talons that graced his delicate fingers, to his thick silky locks of unending silver tresses. She wanted him. He could make her happy, could fix the gaping hole in her heart, if for that reason only she longed to be with him to soothe her own pain. But to a lesser degree it was far more complicated than that. Never had she looked at him in any other way but arrant disgust and mistrust. She still felt the same hatred she had the day he'd taken her from her family but now her hatred was different somehow. It hadn't faded but unbeknownst to her it had gradually changed. First to a continuous bubbling of rage, then to a simmering indignation of distasteful feelings. Slowly she'd grown less hateful towards him. Resentment was clearly evident in her eyes when she'd first thought of him now... she wasn't sure what to think, what to do, or how to handle any of it.
"Please go. He was the one that hurt me not you. You have nothing to be sorry for. Just please leave me." She turned away from him rejecting his touch as she slumped in his arms only to fall in a ruffled heap at his feet.
He dropped her hand slowly as she bent her head to stare blankly at the ground. Turning on his heal he strode to the forest at an even but hurried pace. "Truly you are mistaken Kagome for it is I who should be sorry."
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Sango giggled cutely as Miroku tried to barter with a witty merchant for the blue silk. It was a very pretty fabric, flowing lightly even in the clumsy hands of the merchant. The price for it climbed with every word that flew from Miroku's clueless mouth. Truly he was not a man of wits. But he wasn't stupid in the least. Pushing past a few people she approached them.
"Excuse me." She waited for them to acknowledge her. "I'd like to buy that beautiful silk cloth your holding. It looks to be of such a fine make, how much do you want for it?"
A few minutes later she walked off proudly with the bundle of silk tucked neatly in her arms. She brought the merchant down to half his original price. Glancing beside her at Miroku she noticed the stiff scowl marring his features. "You looked like you needed help." She tried to ease his mood. "Besides," She found the perfect condolence. "This will leave more time for 'us'."
They trudged up a scant hill in silence. Sango studied Miroku's unreadable expression trying to discern something from the impenetrable if not mischievous look in his eyes. When they reached the horses he held open the saddlebags so she could put the silk inside. It was the last thing on their list and they'd finished in record time.
She turned to smile at Miroku only to find him staring off into the distance at a few pale clouds forming in the sky. Walking over to him she placed her hand on his shoulder and watched just as earnestly as he had. Her brow furrowed and her eyes troubled as the sound of thunder echoed in the distance. A storm was a bad omen on a day such as this. The leaves had not yet fallen from their branches and still withheld their greenish hue. It was far too early for rain even with all the cold autumn weather they had been having.
He raised a hand to hold her above his shoulder as he turned toward her. Without a word he walked past her still holding her hand and led her to a tall brick building with a wide shallow sloping roof. He guided her around back to a ladder that reached all the way to the shingles. He swept her up in his arms and carried her the whole way up. The way was smooth and his hand never faltered as he climbed. She scrutinized his smiling face as they reached the top. Why had he brought her here?
At the top he set her down on the rough shingles carefully while he himself jumped onto the roof with practiced ease. He took her hand and helped her up. He led her to the chimney of the house and sat in front of it so he could lean back against it motioning for her to sit down next to him. When she did he put a warm arm around her reassuringly.
"Isn't it beautiful?" He asked his arm snaking it's way to her waist.
For the first time since they'd started their climb she took her eyes off Miroku looked around. They were up two stories from the ground and she could see forever in any direction. Never in her life had she experienced such awe. The world spread on forever in her own eyes. The sun slanted oddly through the clouds and cast gently changing patterns over the landscape. It was pure uncut beauty. The trees swayed lightly in a passing breeze and a loose hair fell over her face.
Miroku lifted a hand and tenderly swept it away tucking it back behind her ears. She turned in his arms so that her head rested against his chest. Listening to his breathing to his very heartbeat. She measured hers out taking slow breaths until they caught up with each other. He was so calm and loving as he held her close. She didn't mind that his hand had wandered a ways below her waist. His touch was comforting and gave the very air a feeling of peacefulness. She brought a hand to his chest and ran it along the ruffles in his cloak. "It's so lovely here." She whispered into his chest. "Sometimes, I wish I could gaze upon such beauty when I lie awake at night. I feel as though living here stuck with Lord Sesshoumaru as my master has taken that from me. With him I feel so constricted, almost to the point I can't even bring myself to breathe. Having met you," She looked up into his eyes lovingly as she reached for his other hand and held it tightly. "I wouldn't have it any other way. But sometimes I just feel as though beauty has been robbed from us, all of us that he's taken." She fell silent. I didn't even get a chance to grow up. She lamented sadly. She missed her family dearly and if it weren't for Miroku life would be all but unbearable.
Miroku squeezed her hand tightly in his. "You're all the beauty I need, Sango." He kissed her for head lightly. Looking off into the night as she snuggled closer to him her eyes closing lulled by the sound of his heart beating against her cheek.
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A sharp knock at his door brought Naraku back to the present. His thoughts shifting away from Kikyo he rose to answer the door. No sooner had he turned the handle when Sesshoumaru burst in and flared his arms out before him beseechingly. "Naraku I need your help once more."
The hanyou turned to him thoughtfully as he closed the door behind him. He let the silence draw itself out as he contemplated the request. Lately he'd been doing far too many favors for his associate. He wasn't going to give him something for nothing. It wouldn't be like him to be so generous. He'd made a reputation for himself and he wasn't the kind to part with such fame hastily. He enjoyed the look of fear that passed in the deepest shadows of a passerby's eye. It was a precious luxury one meant for him alone and he would not bring himself to waste it.
Sesshoumaru. He mused reasonably. What could you have that I could possibly need? Hmm. His thoughts wandered over the youkai Lord's possessions mulling over each one carefully. There wasn't much, but then... Yes, that would do perfectly. He turned to his companion slowly, a sly smile spreading across his features.
"All right I'll go get something for you."
Sesshoumaru waited while he disappeared into an adjoining room only to return seconds later with a small bottle held in his hands. "Here take this." he pressed it gently into the youkai's hands folding his fingers over it as he explained its significance. "A few drops should take care of her. She won't forget about what happened nor will she forget her love for inuyasha but... How do I explain this?" Exasperated he paused in his instructions before bulldozing on with the clearest explanation he could muster. "Think of it as a transfer of feelings. Everything she felt for Inuyasha she will feel for you. She will undoubtedly hate him for his betrayal and turn to you to regain what she's lost."
Holding the blue vial up to the window he attempted to examine it in the sparse light of the cabin. After a long pause he tutted softly when he could identify none of its contents due to the gloom. He shoved it into a pocket quickly turning to leave. Just as he had opened the door he turned to Naraku expectantly. "That's all there is to it right. Just a few drops and she's all mine?" He cocked an eyebrow questioningly, for a split second the spitting image of his younger brother.
"That's all there is to it." He assured him. Fighting back a haughty smirk.
He waited for the youkai to be out of earshot before he erupted in a fit of raucous laughter. "Of course that's all there is to it." Too easy, it had been far too easy.
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Twisting the cap from the vial Sesshoumaru eyed its contents carefully now that there was enough light. He scrutinized the amber liquid swirling within it. So much power in so small a bottle. He tilted it carefully over the glass of water before him letting a few drops fall from its lip. They fell slowly as though time itself had slowed. Their tininess clearly apparent once separated. They fell like raindrops towards the dirt of a dusty road, awaiting imminent change. Where dirt became mud the water of the glass was tinged a golden hue but only for a moment after each drop touched its surface. In a matter of seconds the tinge faded away as quickly and astonishingly as it had appeared.
Carefully he placed the glass on a tray and added an apple and a biscuit to it. He carried it to her room walking down the hallways in a measured even step. She'd retreated to her room again the pain too strong to bear. It bothered him most that she felt the same injustice he had the night Kikyo had left him for his younger brother. He had brought this on her and had meant for her to hurt as it was. He was disgusted in himself for putting her through this even if it was his only chance at her.
He pulled open her door wedging his shoulder into the tiny crack between it and the doorframe since both hands were occupied with the tray. Peeking in he saw her still figure leaning against the wall. Her eyes were hooded but her frown was obvious even through the strands of hair that fell about her face.
Walking over to her he placed the tray on the ground next to her and lifted her chin so their eyes met. He wouldn't push her. Not yet, not until the potion took effect. "Nakare nakikurasu saiai." He kissed her forehead lightly barely brushing her skin. Placing the water in her hands he left. It was up to her to take what he had given her, he gave her that much of a choice albeit she had no idea what impact it would have on her.
He would let her rest for the rest of the day. She would need it. He returned to the front walk gazing up at the troubled sky. So much was happening lately it was hard for him to take it all in. Something terrible laid in wait for them at the heart of that storm. He could only pray that they would never meet it.
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Kagome lay on her stomach surrounded by the tall grass of the meadow. She stared across the empty field towards Inuyasha where he stood at the edge of the forest. The tension in the air was thick and heavily coated her already aggravated mood.
"He's going to do it any way." Sesshoumaru stated matter-of-fact from his position beside her.
She turned to him distractedly chewing a particularly long strand of grass. Her brows furrowed slightly as she registered what he was saying. Could it possibly be that easy a thing for her beloved to betray her? She looked back at Inuyasha and scowled. It couldn't be. He would never-
"Oh but he would." Sesshoumaru said, again as though he could hear her very thoughts.
"Don't be daft he'd never do such a thing." She pulled the weed from her mouth and replaced her gaze to the still form of the hanyou and waited.
The wait wasn't long. A rustle in the trees and Inuyasha turned to acknowledge a silver haired youkai that emerged from them. She was pretty, even by Sesshoumaru's standards, but nothing to compare to Kagome's beauty. He eyed his pet fondly and she fidgeted nervously under his scrutiny.
Taking the youkai girl in his arms Inuyasha held her close running his fingers through her hair absently. Kagome spluttered choking in her shock. It only took a second for the hanyou to turn the girl in his arms and bring her lips to his. Kagome's jaw dropped in a silent scream as she stood pointing at the couple her eyes darting to Sesshoumaru helplessly. How? Her eyes watered threateningly. How could he do such a thing knowing she was standing there in clear view watching them?
Sesshoumaru spanned the short distance between them and grabbed her shaking hand. She looked up at him the tears falling silently down her cheeks. "H-he-he did it any way." She looked away in an attempt to hide her face. He'd been right all along and she hadn't believed him. How sorry she was that she hadn't trusted his word. She felt him move towards her as he pulled gently on her hand. Slowly she turned into him, her hand instinctively going to his chest. Her other roamed over his shoulder to finger his silvery-white tresses. She stared at her feet nervously despite the sureness of her own hands.
She felt his firm taloned fingers gripping her chin as he lifted her face to his. Before she had time to think he planted a firm kiss on her unsuspecting lips. She shivered uncontrollably at the sensation returning the kiss. She couldn't fathom herself what had changed her loathing of him into this bond of passion. Pulling away he touched her cheek lightly coming off damp from her tears. "He'll never change." She heard him mutter under his breath, a hint of contempt clearly evident.
Suddenly she felt her knees buckle as she collapsed to the floor clutching her throat. She couldn't breathe. Her lungs constricted in her chest and her breath caught in her mouth. Sesshoumaru's look changed to one of concern and Inuyasha appeared at his shoulder clutching the youkai to his chest lovingly, as he had held her once. Her eyes misted over for a moment while the scene before her faded away choking silently.
The mist cleared over and her eyes refocused. A desert devoid of everything was all that she could discern from what she saw. A short ways before her stood a... rock. Or so she presumed by its dull, gray, jagged surface. But it moved almost unperceptively to say the least, but it did move, with a slow guided pulse that to her seemed a familiarity she must remember. It seemed to breathe as it feigned to be inanimate. A shiver almost unnoticeable as it rose, growing as it extended itself.
She watched as it morphed into the form of a man, long black hair tumbling over his naked back half hiding a sharp scar of seared flesh. He wore a kimono ripped to shreds at the waist as to bare his chest. Still it was something familiar to her and yet unknown. Then he turned and she stumbled backwards to distance herself from him. He wore an ape mask concealing his face as usual. But that was the only way she would have been able to recognize him besides the very feeling of his presence.
He raised a sure hand to his mask gripping the edge tightly before he pulled it away to reveal his face. But when he pulled it away she was faced with a gaping blackness where his face should have been. Again she had the feeling of suffocation weighing down on her as she struggled to breathe. She was on the verge of slipping into the blackness her knuckles bleach-white as she gripped her neck when she heard it. The shrill sound of laughter echoing about her. Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippou and a girl the perfect image of herself had joined the faceless ape-man. Their heads turned up as their mouths fell open dark thick laughter echoing from their cavernous depths. Amidst all their commotion a foreboding voice, deep and firm spoke to her. "I will find you my pretty one. I will capture you. And I will keep you for myself. No matter what anyone thinks." The voice was coming from the dark abyss of the ape-man's non-existent face.
Kagome woke clenching her sheets in a death grip, drenched in sweat. A dream. It was only a dream. She tried to console her self. It may have only been a dream but it had been a horrible one at that. It had had that ape-man in it. She shivered, despicable trying to remember the details. But they had faded away as quickly as she'd awakened. One thing besides the ape-man's appearance stood out prominently in her mind. Sesshoumaru had been there to comfort her holding her in his strong arms. She could still feel the warmth of his touch.
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She twirled a black lock of hair thoughtfully between her fingers watching them make each move. Silly little things they were, oblivious to her power while she knew their every thought down to the slightest of a notion. Focusing her power on each one in turn she analyzed their feelings and emotions studying them, duplicating them in her own mind, knowing them by heart so she would be ready to manipulate each onr if need be. They had no idea. Such a pity though once she had the Shikon there would be no hope for them and their lights would go out as easily as candles, smudged away like fresh ink.
Soon enough they would be susceptible to her power and then they would see what fools they'd been all along.
A/N: okey hope you like it and the other fics I've just started the bebop one's a little twisted if you ask me but I rather like the other inuyasha one sorry it took me a while to get this one out I was working on the others also and despite my pledge for more home time my families been in and out this break so many times I can't even remember if I'm coming or going though at sometimes I can't say that's all their fault but since they're there all blame them lol they'd probably only laugh if I did anyway. Well hope you like r & r if you please. Oh yeah and I almost forgot next chapter is... to tell the truth I was gonna make it a surprise only cuz I wasn't sure what I would call the next chappie but I think I've finally decide next up ::Left in the Dark:: or something very similar... I'll try and post soon to keep the suspense at a minimum if it bothers any of ya
ps- don't be mad or anything but this is probably the longest chapter I'm gonna have and it took a lot of work so my next chapter might be a little bit shorter than usual but I'll try to keep it lengthy if I can c ya ***oh yeah and that Japanese that Sesshoumaru says to Kagome when she is in her room against the wall roughly it means-do not cry my love; do not spend your days in tears and sorrows beloved***