Chapter 8

"Mom what do you think has happened to Kagome? She used to come visit us, but it's been forever since the last time she came. Do you think Inuyasha got mad at her and won't let her come back?" Souta was missing his big sister something fierce. The last time she had come to visit Inuyasha and She had a big fight. They always argued but this one was a huge one.

It started when his mom complained that Kagome looked too tired and she wanted her to stay for a couple of days to rest up. Inuyasha said that they had to get back because of some trouble or other. They started fighting. Kagome said that all he wanted her for was to find the jewel shards. It ended with Inuyasha carrying his sister under his arm with one hand and the other over her mouth so she couldn't say sit again. She had done it three times during the fight. That's when he spanked her. Souta thought a lot of Inuyasha but when he made Kagome cry something broke in him. He had yelled at Inuyasha that he hated him. Inuyasha stopped and had such a look of shame on his face. It was hard to tell who was more hurt of the bunch. They left right away after that and he hadn't seen them since.

"Don't worry Souta. I'm sure Kagome's fine. We'll see her again soon." Kagome's mom tried to sound cheerful but she missed her daughter terribly. She thought of what she'd like to do to her 'son-in-law' when he did finally return and then she remembered his threats. He didn't actually threaten her with anything in specific. But that demon, half demon or whatever he was could really scare her. She didn't want to risk his anger.

"MOM!"

Kagome's mom snapped out of her thoughts and turned to the voice. It belonged to Kagome. She had come home.

The two women hugged each other. "Oh I've missed you something awful. Are you all right? He hasn't hurt you has he? After he carried you off like that I thought I'd never see you again." Kagome's mom pulled away and searched the girls face for any signs of abuse or pain.

"I'm fine mom. Really. Inuyasha and I often argue like that. You should have seen us before we got married. It's amazing we got anything done at all."

"And does he hit you like that all the time too?" Mom's voice had an angry edge to it.

"No, he doesn't." The voice came from Inuyasha he was still in the hallway. "Although he'd like to. He'd also like to do so with another certain woman. Can you guess who that might be?"

"Inuyasha, you stop that. Must you always pick a fight with her every time we visit?"

"She started it! I was just going to finish it that's all."

"SIT"

BANG!

"Kagome!"

"Oh no not again." Souta jumped up from the table and stood between the warring factions. "No!" He shouted. "I won't let you spank her again. Can't you guy's get along for a little while? Just so we can have a visit. I haven't seen my sister in ages and I don't want you to carry her off again so soon." Souta was a pretty determined fellow, for a human.

Inuyasha was back on his feet. He looked down at the boy and pat him on the head. The boy had grown but was still only up to the middle of Inuyasha's chest.

"I'm not going to hurt your sister or your annoying mother." 'Although, that idea does sound good.' He thought to himself. "And I have no intention of carrying Kagome off, either. We're going to stay here for a week or two. Will that be enough of a visit little man?"

"Inuyasha, you mean that?" Kagome was ecstatic. A long visit. She hadn't been home for such a long time it seemed. She was really going to enjoy this.

"Inuyasha? Did Sugumi come with you? Souta was looking forward to visiting with his nephew. The last visit was short but he promised that he would teach him how to play video games when he came next time.

"Yeah he's setting up camp in the well house."

"Setting up camp? You mean your planning on sleeping in there?" Kagome's mom was not going to have any of that. "No way. There is plenty of room here inside. Souta, go get Sugumi and get him set up in your room. I still have Kagome's room set up so the two of you will sleep there. Sleeping outside, my word, what next?"

"She turned her attention to Kagome. You look exhausted. Go upstairs and have a shower and get some rest. Supper wont be ready for a couple of hours." She looked at Inuyasha, just a little worried that his reaction may be bad. "She does look like she could use the rest."

He said nothing, only nodded. He took Kagome by the arm and led her up the stairs. "So which room is yours again?"

"This one here." Kagome opened the door. Her room was just as she left it. She hadn't slept here in ages. She looked around. It was a little girl's room. She was now a wife and mother. She felt she no longer belonged in that room. It was filled with the foolish things young high school girls have. Posters and silly bits that she collected. Funny how things change. She was just an ordinary girl until the day she fell through the well to Inuyasha's time. Now everything was so different. She had learned to use a bow and arrow. She had even learned to use a sword although she was nowhere near as good as her friend Katame.

She thought of Katame. An ordinary girl living 500 years ago married to the most fearsome demon Kagome ever knew, Inuyasha's brother, Sesshoumaru. Katame would never have met Sesshoumaru if it weren't for her. She had woken Inuyasha from the spell that kept him pinned to the sacred tree. And it was she who used to encourage the story telling that got Katame so enthralled with the idea of meeting the dreaded lord.

Inuyasha had tried repeatedly to warn the girl but she wouldn't listen. She suffered terribly for her mistake. Although things were better for her now but it still seemed as though everything was Kagome's fault. She gave her head a mental shake.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha watched his wife, as she was deep in her thoughts. "You OK?"

"Hmmm... Yeah I'm fine. Just thinking. I'm going to take a quick shower I'll be right back."

Inuyasha sat on the edge of the bed. He hoped that this visit would take Kagome's mind off the troubles of her friends in the past. Maybe with a little time...

At the palace of Sesshoumaru...

"Master please, don't make me work with that horrible woman. She has nearly killed me twice this week alone." Shouto was kneeling at his master's feet begging mercy. He had been assigned to train the insufferable wench. She already had half the staff mortally afraid of her and the other half simply stayed out of the slayers way.

"I will deal with you later. Where is the girl?"

"Forgive me master, she is in the back of the palace in the far chamber. Shall I get her for you?"

"No. I will attend to this myself. See that I am not disturbed." The great lord strode off down the hall to the room in question.

"Sango!" Sesshoumaru's tone bespoke of his anger. "Why do you play the fool?"

"I do no such thing."

"Oh? You toy with my wrath woman. I warned you that would be dangerous. Did nothing my brother say to you convince you of the danger?"

"Inuyasha is your brother. Of course he would tell me to obey you. Family loyalty after all."

"Hmmm... Somehow I thought so. I told him he had wasted his breath on the likes of you. Humans are chronically stupid. They need to be crushed before they can recognize their betters. Prepare to be crushed." He flew at her with terrifying speed. Sango was ready and put up a great struggle but in the end she lost the fight. Sesshoumaru showed her no mercy. A lesser human would have died. But this was Sango. She was still conscious when he had finished beating her and so he re-explained her predicament to her.

"You belong to me, woman. You will obey me and you will not threaten any of my servants. You will do this or you will come under my hand again, and yet again if need be. I have not yet started to count your year of service to me. I wont until you begin to behave. Now obey me. Go the kitchen and prepare the meal. If you are late with it I will beat you again. Any questions? No? Then go now before I change my mind and beat you again.

Sango struggled to her feet and went to the kitchen. Inuyasha's words were ringing in her ears. 'Sesshoumaru is totally ruthless. He will have his way. One way or the other.' Inuyasha was right. This was one fight she was not going to win. She hated the idea of giving up but what choice did she have? Sesshoumaru was fierce. She had never fought a demon so strong. He easily overpowered her and then he beat her just as fiercely. She hurt everywhere. Why didn't her kill her? Why was he keeping her alive? He certainly didn't need her. He had more slaves that he could use as it was. What was his plan? Inuyasha had said Sesshoumaru had given his word. Had he promised Inuyasha not to kill me? She thought long and hard as she prepared the meal. She would talk with Katame, if she could get her alone. Sesshoumaru always seemed to be keeping them apart.

The meal was on time and surprisingly delicious. Sesshoumaru nodded his approval as Sango brought in the after dinner tea.

"Will there be anything else?" Sango asked bowing slightly.

"No. You may go." Sesshoumaru waved her off.

"Sesshoumaru? Why is Sango acting the slave here? You haven't told me. Is there something I should know?"

The great lord was in a better temper. Sango was finally behaving herself. Sesshoumaru looked at his wife and thought for a moment. How to tell his feisty wife that he had taken the girl as a slave. He laughed to himself thinking of the reaction he was likely to experience.

"Well?" She asked again impatiently. "Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess? She annoyed you didn't she? This is her punishment, am I right?"

"Hmmm ... You are a shrewd one, my Katame. How well you know me my love." He pulled her close. "You are correct. She made the mistake of challenging me. I gave her the opportunity to apologize but she refused. She would rather be killed than apologize to a demon. So I took her as my slave."

"Sesshoumaru, no!" Katame was aghast. She knew her husband. If he took a slave that one would never see freedom again.

"Hush my pet." He gave her a wee squeeze. "She will only serve me one year. That is if she can behave herself."

"What do you mean, if she behaves?" She pulled away to look closely at her husband.

"She will serve me one year. I am timing the year from the moment she begins to behave herself, as she should. If she misbehaves I reset the year and she must begin again."

"Sesshoumaru, that's awfully harsh don't you think?"

"No." His tone was flat. "She will obey me, Katame. I must insist on it and I will brook no interference in this matter." He looked meaningfully at her.

"But a whole year?"

"If she behaves. It will be a lot longer for her if she gets stubborn."

She glared at her husband.

"Don't worry my love. Sango is a smart girl. She won't risk it. She will behave. I wont be unreasonable with her."

"Promise me that. I mean it Sesshoumaru. You wont nit pick over small things."

"I wont be unreasonable Katame but I do insist that she behave herself. I promised her first, and I wont break my word, even to a slave."

(Oh no it's gets worserer and worserer. Poor Sango! LadySesshoumaru41)