Disclaimer: momobeans does not own Inuyasha
Sorry for the wait! But here's chapter 4!
Liberation
Kaede had long ago told him of this place. He had merely scoffed at her.
"You're wasting your breath old lady. I have no intentions of going there. Not now, not ever!" he had declared.
He should've known he would be made to eat his words. For a long time he stood underneath the shade of the trees staring at the ground. It was considered sacred ground to the villagers, but to him, it was something much more.
"I want you to know that I will avenge your death," he said to no one in particular, "I swear it. As long as I live I will hunt and destroy your murderer and set your soul free."
He fell silent for a moment allowing the seriousness of his declaration to sink in. Kneeling down, he gently placed the bouquet of wild flowers on the earth's floor before turning on his heel and walking away. He had sworn he would never visit Kikyo's grave. He had broken that promise and replaced it with another; he would find and kill Naraku.
Darkness. Sweet, merciful darkness. She shifted slightly taking note of the slight tremor of pain that mussed her relaxation. Opening one eye, Kagome looked around and quickly came to three conclusions. She wasn't in the forest, she wasn't dead, and she was comfortable.
She opened the other eye and took in her surroundings. The room was small and scarcely furnished. Sunlight filtered through a little window making the room appear bright. A chair was settled next to a small table holding a bowl presumably filled with water and a brush. A medium sized wardrobe was placed on the other side of the table. The bed she lay in was small and squeaky, the cotton covers well worn and rough, but it was the most luxurious thing she had ever felt.
Finishing her inspection of the room, she turned her attention on herself. Raising her arms she winced; she was caked in dirt, blood, and probably a thousand bruises. She looked around the room again. Where was she? And why hadn't she died? From what she could recall the wolves had torn her apart, and yet here she was alive and well with, from what she could tell, minor cuts and bruises as proof of her battle with the youkai. She pushed the questions away and snuggled deeper into the bed relishing in the complete warmth that enveloped her. She intended to enjoy this comfort for as long as possible.
She had dozed for a few minutes when the sound of the door opening woke her. She turned and watched as a female badger youkai shuffled into the room carrying a fresh kimono and bandages. She jumped upon seeing Kagome up and alert, then offered her a small smile.
"So, you have finally roused," she said cheerily setting the kimono on the end of the bed, "I had been told you got into a nasty battle with those horrible wolf youkai. I half expected you to never wake up!"
She chuckled heartily then stopped short at Kagome's questioning gaze.
"Forgive me, I'm supposed to be checking on your wounds," she said hastily picking up the bowl of water.
She pulled the chair away from the table and settled next to Kagome gently drawing the covers down.
"Oh my," she tsked, "You're positively filthy!"
Kagome flushed hotly at her statement and looked down at herself. It was true, her clothes were practically falling off of her, and her hair was in messy tangles matted to her head. The grime and blood were giving off strong odors that were making her dizzy. The badger youkai wrinkled her nose and put the covers back over Kagome.
"Perhaps we'll get you a bath before I tend to your injuries," she said sweetly getting up from the chair, "Are you able to walk?"
Kagome nodded and rose from the bed noticing how the youkai quickly took several steps away from her. 'She's probably itching to cover her nose,' Kagome thought wryly.
"This way please," the youkai said taking the lead out of the room.
Kagome followed quietly keeping her steps measured at the grimace off her face. Her head was swimming with questions, but she would refrain from asking until she felt better. Silently she cursed the dull throb of pain that shot through her body making her steps shaky. The youkai in front of her walked along amiably, chattering about anything and everything. Despite her earlier rudeness, Kagome found herself liking this youkai.
"What is your name?" she asked abruptly. The badger paused and regarded Kagome closely before answering.
"Maeko," she said hesitantly, "Lord Sesshoumaru has commanded I look over you during your stay."
After that the Maeko fell silent except to ask Kagome if she needed help bathing once they had reached the bath room. Wading into the water, Kagome wondered at Maeko's abrupt change in personality.
"Who's Lord Sesshoumaru?" she asked her reflection.
Putting that aside as one of the many questions she would later ask Maeko, she set to work bathing. This bath room was unlike anything she had ever seen. It was a replica of a spring, complete with waterfall and trees. She had at first thought that it was built around a natural spring, but decided everything was just too perfect to be natural.
Picking up the sponge Maeko had given her, she gingerly scrubbed around the scrapes and bruises on her body making sure to rid herself of all traces of grime. She worked slowly and carefully, cleansing her body and hair. It was perhaps an hour later when she finally emerged from the bathroom, comfortably wrapped in a yukata. Maeko was outside waiting for her and smiled her approval at Kagome's appearance.
Her skin, though spotted with her various wounds, was pale and creamy, glowing from attention given to it. Her hair was no longer tangled and matted against her head, but silky and soft cascading down to her waist.
"You had a pleasant bath?" Maeko asked leading her back to her room. Kagome nodded and beamed at her.
"It was so wonderful, that bath room is amazing!" she answered.
Maeko nodded and held up the kimono she had brought in earlier for Kagome.
"Put this on," she instructed.
Kagome reached out and touched it lightly. It was a plain light blue kimono, but the material was soft and rich.
"I can't possibly wear that!" she breathed stepping away slightly.
Maeko frowned and held it up higher.
"What's wrong with it?" she asked, "You don't like it?"
"No, I love it, but it's way too lovely for me," Kagome protested.
Maeko raised an eyebrow.
"You have to wear it. I can't very well have you in the presence of the master looking like that," she said.
With that said she proceeded to strip Kagome of her yukata and helped her dress in the kimono. Satisfied with her work, she sat Kagome down on the chair and began to brush her hair.
"Maeko, who's Sesshoumaru?" she asked.
"Lord Sesshoumaru is the master of this castle and all of the Western Lands," she replied.
"So I am in the Western Lands then?" Kagome asked. Maeko nodded.
"Kagome?"
"Mmm?"
"You are supposed to be dead. Any other human wouldn't have survived such an attack, and yet you are here. How is that possible?" Maeko asked curiously.
Kagome sat silently.
"I don't know," she confessed, "In fact, I'm not even sure any of this is real. I feel like I'm in a dream and any minute now I'll wake up in heaven."
"Or hell," she added.
'This would explain her calm demeanor,' Maeko thought, 'Master said this girl was different. And her scent….peculiar.' She finished brushing her hair the pulled her from the seat.
"Come," she said, "Lord Sesshoumaru is awaiting your company. He has some questions for you."
Kagome sighed. More questions she probably didn't have the answers to. She followed Maeko through what seemed like a maze. There were so many twists and turns that she gave up trying to memorize the path and instead studied the various paintings and artwork that decorated the halls. It seemed Lord Sesshoumaru had interesting taste, nearly everything depicted battles and gore. Finally Maeko stopped short in front of a large oak door. The darkness of the color and the carving of the giant, snarling dog demon made it seem especially forboding for Kagome. Unconsciously she gulped feeling as if she were being led to her imminent death.
"Just go in, he's waiting for you there," she said pushing Kagome forward.
Nodding slightly she pulled open the door unsure if she should have knocked first and stepped inside.
"Hmm, so she is under the care of the Western Lord."
"Sesshoumaru could kill her."
"He won't. She's a curious girl, his interest will be piqued. He'll keep her alive until he's solved her enigma."
"Do you want me to take her by force?"
"No. Leave her there for now, I could use this new development to my advantage."
"What about Inuyasha? He has been awakened and knows of his lover's death."
"In my current state I am no match for Inuyasha. No, I have a better idea. Inuyasha's death will by dealt by the hands of his late lover. Bring me the witch Urasue."
For the most part she looked better. Her odor no longer offended his sensitive nose, but her face was covered by a large ugly bruise. He continued his assessment of her becoming increasingly aware of her wide eyed stare and stiff posture.
"Sit," he commanded.
She didn't appear to hear him, the color rapidly draining from her face. He watched in slight amusement as she went from ashen gray, to a pale blue. It appeared in her state of shock she had forgotten to breathe. Her stare was beginning to unsettle him and her breathing was becoming erratic. What the hell is wrong with this girl?
"Sit," he repeated sharply his annoyance rising.
She continued to stand there. This human was purposefully ignoring him. That would not be tolerated. Growling low he flew at her pinning her against the door his claws around her throat.
"I expect you to obey me, wench," he snapped, "You are under my care."
Kagome had been lost in her own world from the moment she had set eyes on him. 'Kami-sama it's him. It's him! He's real?' she thought incredulously, 'I must be dreaming. He doesn't exist! This can't be right! He's real??' She could do little more than gape at him her mouth slightly open as the thoughts went wild in her head. If he was real than was the other man real? Was she dead? And just where the hell was she anyway? So lost in her thoughts she had missed his demands and until his sudden attack. His claws tightened around her throat sending little shocks of pain from the tiny puncture wounds they made. The force of his attack lifted her slightly off the ground and she was forced to stand on her toes to keep from passing out completely. Trying her best to gasp for air she looked imploringly to his cold golden eyes pleading him with her own to let her go. His gaze was unrelenting as he slightly tightened his hold on her. Finally the shock of surviving her encounter with the wolf youkai and meeting demon who haunted her dreams finally up to her poor deoxygenated brain and she did the most appropriate thing she could do pertaining to a situation like this. She fainted.
Only to awaken to a sharp stinging sensation on the sides of her neck from the demon claws that dug deeper into them. She opened her mouth to let out a strangled cry as acidic poison her delicate skin. Sesshoumaru smirked evilly at her.
"You will not escape me so easily human," he said calmly, "I have questions and you will provide me with the answers."
He released her suddenly and stepped back as she slid to the ground unceremoniously coughing and gasping for air. Rubbing her neck, she glared up at him once she caught her breath. He was not the demon in her dreams. No, he was a monster. Her contempt for him began to spread and she sat there glowering at him. He stared back coolly at her. At least he had her attention.
"What is your name?" he questioned.
She stared back up at him defiantly, small hands curling into fists.
"Why should I tell you?" she shot back.
He raised an eyebrow then took a menacing step towards her claws raised.
"I will not repeat myself wench," he warned.
His eyes glinted maliciously as he flexed his claws allow the silent threat to reach her addled mind. She felt the underlying danger and sought to quench her indignance. This youkai radiated enough demonic energy to set her human nerves on end.
"My name is Kagome," she said fighting to keep her voice steady.
"Hmm…Kagome," he repeated slowly beginning to circle around her, "Where are you from?"
"I don't know," she bit out.
"You presume to lie to this Sesshoumaru?" he questioned softly his steps drawing dangerously near her.
"No! I don't remember," she explained," I woke up one day. I don't know anything about myself before that day."
His pacing ceased as he regarded her carefully. Her head was bowed, her hands clenched. Her unusual scent had no trace of a lie, but the story seemed farfetched. For now he would let it go. He had a much more important question that burned throughout his entire being. He knelt down and looked her squarely in the eye.
"Tell me. How is it you resemble a human, yet you smell of youkai?" he asked.
She blinked at him.
"Huh?"
"Your scent is like a hanyou, yet you have no demonic traits. Explain this."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm human."
"Do not lie to me wench."
"Stop calling me wench! My name is Kagome! I'm human! And I want to know where I am and what am I doing here now!" she shouted finally letting her frustration take over.
In an instant he had her pinned against the wall again, his claws digging deep into her flesh drawing fresh blood. She was too frightened to even let out a squeak.
"You insolent little bitch," he snarled into her face, "Rin's affection for you is what keeps me from slitting your throat-"
He stopped short and sniffed her. Her scent had disappeared. He leaned in closer to her neck and sniffed deeply. Yes, it had simply disappeared. It wasn't as if she had masked her scent, there was no underlying magic tone that should have accompanied a spell such as that, it was completely gone. He looked at her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut tightly and she was trembling slightly.
"What magic do you possess?" he demanded.
She opened her eyes and gazed at him.
"I don't have any magic," she whispered afraid that if she spoke any louder his ire would raise again.
"You're lying," he growled.
"I-I'm not. I don't have any magic. I'm just a human," she whimpered, "Just a human."
"Yes," he sneered, "A weak human unable to defend herself from a pack of lowly wolves.
Her eyes snapped up to his glittering angrily.
"I'm alive aren't I?" she demanded, "Just what is your problem? You brought me here! I didn't ask you to save me!"
"This Sesshoumaru would never save a worthless girl," he said. Her eyes narrowed.
"Then why did you bring me here? I've heard demons sometimes take concubines. Is that why I'm here? You want to violate my body for your perverse pleasure? Is that it?" she shouted.
His eyes flashed red and he slapped her. Hard. The force from the blow sent her flying into the side wall and she fell to the ground in a large heap. Slowly brought herself up on her hands, her head bowed so that her hair covered her face.
Sesshoumaru was glaring at her. How dare she presume he would lower himself to bedding a human. Briefly he caressed the idea of disemboweling her and telling Rin she had ran away, but Sesshoumaru would never lie to a little girl.
"You're not him," Kagome whispered head still bowed.
She said it so softly Sesshoumaru almost had trouble hearing it.
"You're not him," she repeated.
Who was she referring to? Impatiently he took a step forward.
"Human, what is it you speak of?" he demanded curtly.
She looked up her eyes bleeding red. Fangs flashed as her lips curled in a cruel smile. He watched her impassively taking note of her scent that was now full youkai. Not even a trace of human lied within her scent, that piqued his curiosity even more and he stood still waiting to see what she would do next. She picked herself off the floor red eyes trained on him as she flexed her claws.
"You're not him!" she screamed lunging at him claws outstretched.
He easily sidestepped and hit the back of her head effectively rendering her unconscious. For the third time that day Kagome fell to the ground, only this time she didn't get up again. He watched her prone body, head slightly tilted in thought.
This girl, he couldn't figure her out. She appeared human, but held the scent of a hanyou, though it was unlike any hanyou he had ever smelt before. A hanyou's scent was a twisted combination of youkai and human. This girl had a distinct youkai scent and a distinct human scent that had disappeared when her youkai took over. Another strange incident. It was if she completely transformed into a youkai. He found himself tossing around the idea that this girl was not a hanyou, but something much more interesting.
"Jaken," he called still staring down at the girl.
Her scent had now changed back to what he supposed was normal for her.
"Yes milord?" Jaken inquired.
"Take this girl and drop her off at one of the ningen villages," Sesshoumaru said stroding past him, "Use Ah Un."
Jaken face faulted as Sesshoumaru left. Wrinkling his nose he circled around the girl.
"Oh why does Lord Sesshoumaru always place humans in my care?" he wondered out loud using his staff to poke the girl.
"Maeko!" Jaken shouted, "Maeko!"
"What is it?" she asked coming into the room.
"Put this filthy human on Ah Un and instruct him to leave her at a village, I don't care which," he ordered.
Maeko looked from Kagome to him then shrugged.
"Alright," she complied.
Jaken shuffled out of the room muttering about getting fresh hair leaving Maeko to lift Kagome. She was, not surprisingly, feather light.
"You know, you're a very lucky human," Maeko said shifting so that she could hold Kagome more comfortably, "I thought for sure Lord Sesshoumaru would've killed you after that first outburst."
She flew with the unconscious girl for about a half hour before finally deciding to place her at a ningen village west of the castle. She smiled wryly as the humans scattered before Ah Un whispering excitedly to themselves.
"Who's in charge here?" she questioned pulling Kagome off the dragon.
"I am," a young girl said marching forward. Maeko studied her closely.
The girl was lithe, her eyes dark and defiant. Her long dark brown hair was pulled into a loose ponytail. Maeko raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You run this village?" Maeko questioned. The girl gave a small smile.
"You could probably say that," she said. Maeko's studied the villagers. They didn't seem to give any argument.
"But you're a girl. A young girl at that," Maeko argued, "No man would let you lead a village."
"What is your business here?" the girl questioned, her smile gone.
Ignoring her tone Maeko placed Kagome in the girl's arms thankful she could hold her.
"She is under your care now," Maeko said, "Take care of her."
What?!" the girl demanded, but Maeko had already jumped on Ah Un's back and was now flying away.
"Wait!" the girl shouted, "What am I supposed to do with her? Come back!"
She continued shouting at the retreating demoness until she was no longer in sight. Sighing impatiently she studied the sleeping Kagome curiously. Who was this girl?
"What are you going to do with her?" a villager asked.
"I guess we have to keep her," she replied starting towards her hut.
To my beautiful reviewers!!!!!!!
SesshiesLover: hehe i'm sorry, but i needed her to find Rin somehow, and wolves just seemed appropriate considering Rin's background. In this story Kagome's slightly different from normal i've twisted her character around a lot.
anonymous: you'll get more! you'll get more!
robin's-hope: Thank you! At first I was wary of joining because of the fact that i include lemons in my stories and i don't want them to get deleted. I think i'll prolly just throw the lemons elsewhere and keep this strictly lime. happy b-day by the way! well..prolly belated. I tried to get this finished by monday, but i just didn't have the time or motivation for it. well hoped you like the chapter, it's dedicated to you!
corrupted-miko: hehehe
Tsuki Yume: yeah...i do kinda torture her a lot...but there's good reason for it!
lyn: i wrote more, did you like it?
Tigress Moon: lol yeah reviews make me happy. I made this one longer as requested, or at least i think i did.
demonswty: there ya go! hope you enjoyed!
And to all who read but didn't review, thanks for coming back anyway