For All Eternity
~~~
~ She had her arms around his waist; feeling rather relieved as his hands gently stoked her hair. She had her cold, quivering body over his, her head slumped on his chest, her tiny hands clutching on the smooth surface of his purple and gray sweatshirt and her ebony hair draped on her back. He also had his arms around her, comforting her as much as he can under the shelter of he large oak tree near the shrine. She was finished crying, but her sobs still vibrated in her small, cold chest.
"You done crying?" He cast his amber eyes down to her to see if tears still flowed from her eyes. She kept her face hidden from his eyes, but she assured him of a soft nod.
"Yes, thank you for staying with me." She sobbed and lifted her face to meet his eyes, then flashed him a smile.
He smiled back, "Now that you're done, you could at least tell me why you are crying."
"Okee." She pushed herself up and crossed her legs in front of her. With a heavy sigh, she started to talk. "Mama said we have to move to a new home."
He pouted his lips and frowned. "Why is that?"
"I dunno... I'm not sure, but..."
"Yes?"
"Oji-chan said he doesn't want me to... Ma... Mer... Mar..." She scratched her head, trying to remember that unfamiliar word she heard for the first time.
He closed his eyes and sighed sadly. "Marry. You mean 'Marry'."
"Hai! Hai!" She clapped her hands twice. "Kagome-chan heard Oji-chan say 'Marry'." She leaned closer to him, blinking her puppy dog eyes charmingly to him. "Sess-chan, what is 'Marry'? Is she a girl?"
"You'll learn soon enough. But have you heard your Oji-chan say 'to whom'?"
"Iee, Sess-chan." She shook her head.
Sadly, he took her in his arms and sighed again. Then he heard his little friend sigh after him.
"I don't want to go away, Sess-chan."
I don't want you to go away...
I want to stay with you...
But I can't...
I just... can't... ~
He was awoken by the intensity of the light as it went through his pale, thin, eyelids. He cracked one eye open to just to realize that the light was from the sun coming from the full-scale windows that was now partly covered with the deep curtains.
Then a small silhouette covered his eyes from the light of the sun. He stirred a bit, and told himself to get up.
Assuring himself that the silhouette was cast by Hao, his old helper, he asked why he seems to wake up without the wench by his side. "Where is the wench? Why isn't she here?"
Hao chuckled. "Madam Kagome said she couldn't bear smelling the stench of your breath, especially with the alcohol. She has awakened an hour before you did."
"Really?" He grunted as he sat on his bed and stretched his arms slightly to the sides. Now he had another reason of waking up in the wrong side of the bed. He was to complain about the stubbornness of the woman when he was interrupted.
"Forgive me, Young Master, but I was only joking. She woke up early to talk to your Mother about your engagement."
"What time is it?" He ached for a subject change.
"It's eight in the morning, Young Master. And breakfast is served. You will be dining with Madam Kagome, so you should tidy up, Young Master. She is simply so beautiful, and see to it that you present yourself to her perfectly."
"Since when did you learned to talk before me, Hao?" Sesshomaru raised a brow at the sudden change of the old man's manners.
"Since Madam Kagome came in." His grin widened even more that his eyes barely appeared.
"Yesterday? But she barely knows you?"
"I mean this morning, sire." Hao chuckled again. He seems to be in a pretty good mood today, while his Master is his exact opposite.
"Leave now. I will come down when I'm ready."
"Yes, sire." Hao bowed before him and walked to the door, humming happily to himself.
Peculiar, Sesshomaru thought. Perhaps the whelp had paid poor Hao.
"Idiot." Sesshomaru mocked himself at the stupid idea. Since when had he started thinking that way?
He pulled himself up from the bed, and realized that he was only wearing his black slacks that he remembered he wore last night when he went to drink at Bokuseno's bar.
So who took of his shirt? Has there something happened last night when he was under the influence of alcohol?
Sesshomaru mentally slapped himself.
If something that happened last night, then I'll swear the day I learned to consume brandy.
He completely had no recollection of whatever that happened, or what should have happened that night, and he cursed himself for not remembering.
What happened then? Did he have sex with the wench? Did the wench enjoy him? Did she even sleep with him last night?
Walking towards the Master's bath, he grabbed the blue bathrobe neatly folded on the table on the way there. He went inside and pushed the shower curtains to the side and took a shower.
He shuddered when the cold water touched his skin. Thoroughly, he let the cold water soak his hair as he run his hands through it and at the same time massage his scalp.
Back to his usual habit, thinking. He still had to decide how he should react before the woman. How he should speak to her, in what manner, in what tone.
Perhaps he should play the evil guy role, and perhaps he might me able to send her away.
Or maybe he could just make the best of his life with her.
Either way, the woman will certainly not like him.
She might, Sesshomaru, and to think that she was once your childhood sweetheart.
And so? Would she care? Would you?
No, I would not. Why do I even have to bother?
He sighed inwardly and tried to brush the thoughts away. He wanted to enjoy the cool feeling as the cold water splashes down to his pale, warm skin. He closed his eyes and cleansed his body thoroughly, but softly, careful not to scratch his skin. Half of him was thinking that in doing so, the wench will not complain that he stinks and smells like vodka or anything. So she will have nothing to complain about, he decided to brush his teeth after his bath.
"Women." Was all he said.
~~~
Kagome's eyes sparkled with interest and all happiness when the good old man showed her the large room with thousands and thousands of books. She already had one in her hands as she sat on the tall window's seat that revealed to her the beauty of the garden outside. And she was eager to read all of it if ever she will be given the time to do so. Hao had presented this room to her and asked her to enjoy herself while waiting for the 'stubborn prince', as he said it.
Stubborn Prince...
Sesshomaru.
She remembered waking up on a bed she could not call hers. And it made her squeak and protest when she saw herself sleeping beneath a good looking man... naked.
Good thing the old man Hao was already there to explain to her everything. Although his words did not satisfy her, he was enthusiastic to tell her more. He even asked for Shizuko-san's presence to explain things further. Hopefully all her questions were answered clearly, though she did not asked all the questions that nagged her.
And that question was, why was she betrothed? And why hasn't her mother told her at an earlier time?
She could recall how many times her mother had told her she's sorry last night while she was being carried away last night.
But I hope everybody at home's all right...
"Oh, well." Kagome sighed to herself. When she heard the great doors of the library squeaked open, she closed the book she's reading and glanced over to the door.
It was Hao, smiling at her. "Madam, The Prince has already walked out of his bedroom and is waiting for you in the dining room.
"Thank you, Hao. Will you accompany me there?" She stood up and walked towards the door. Her peach satin dress swayed as the air coming from the open windows came into the room. Her hair slightly moved, and she gathered it in her hands and then dropped them down to her sides when she left the room. She waited for Hao to shut the door and walk before her.
They passed through a very long corridor; the same window size everywhere, and then took a staircase to the main hall, entered more corridors, and stopped when a large door stood on their way.
"The Young Master awaits you beyond these doors, Madam."
Hao smiled at her and reached out to open the door for her. Kagome politely nodded at her.
"Thank you."
The door went open and Hao bowed lower to her and closed his wrinkled eyelids. "Always a pleasure, Madam."
The opening of the door caught Sesshomaru's attention, and made him turn his head towards the door.
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment when he saw her. Jolts of memories came to him in a split second. The peach dress she was wearing made him remember the wonderful days he had shared with her It resembled the peach satin handkerchief she offered her when he was playing in the garden with her years ago.
His servant has a pretty good memory, he thought. Despite his age.
He watched her walk over to a chair only for seats away from him. He was impressed by the girl's steady and infallible composure. She didn't looked around to check the are, the long mahogany table, and didn't even dared to look at him, although he knows that she's itching to see the man the boy she knew had become.
Or what he thought she knew.
Food was served immediately by a couple of maids in uniform. Kagome could barely remember their faces, well, she hardly see them. They had their faces tilted to the floor, and bowed even lower as she sees, from the corner of her eyes, the man sitting at the far end of the long table wave a hand in the air slowly which turned out as a sign of dismissal.
When the servants were gone, they started eating. Only the sound of the utensils as it hit each other was evident in the room. Not even a simple utter to express that the dish tasted so good was said. Nothing. They were silent. Perhaps waiting for somebody to start the conversation.
With no idea what the woman had in mind at present, Sesshomaru couldn't help but stare at her face as she slowly lifts the glass of water to her lips.
Clearing his throat to catch her attention, which fortunately had an effect on her, he placed his spoon and fork by the side of his plate and wiped his lips neatly with the table napkin and then turned to her.
He was a little surprised when he looked up to her and saw her looking straight at him.
"You are now aware that you will stay here from not on, are you not?" He turned his face to look at one of the large windows in the spacious room and avoid her eyes.
He saw her nod from the corner of his eye. "Yes."
"Very well." Sesshomaru finally gathered himself to look straight at her. "While you are residing in my home, you should also be aware that I have enforced laws that I expect to be observed always."
She gulped. Life in this mansion wouldn't be that good.
"Without any exceptions." He continued. All she could reply was a soft nod. "Wandering along the halls is strictly prohibited. The rooms are locked and I do not permit you to ask for any key from any helper. Nor will they let you use and offer you any key to open any door in my mansion. You will join me in meals, and you will come to me when I ask for your presence. Have I made myself clear?"
"You have told me everything I am forbidden to do, won't you tell me now what I can do inside 'your' home?" Kagome closed her eyes and raised a brow in irritation.
"Anything." He stood up and headed towards the door. "As long as it will not break any rule that I have just mentioned."
"Fine." Kagome sighed in defeat. Then one more thought zapped into her mind. "Oh, one... more..." But she soon found out that it would be a little embarrassing to ask about.
"Yes?" He stopped himself from opening the door and just stayed there, standing still, not even cared to turn to her while she speaks.
"... Um... Since I'll be staying here for a while... I'd like to request for a ..."
"What?"
"A bedroom."
Sesshomaru stopped for a while. If she was satisfied of sleeping with him for the first time last night, then why ask for a separate bedroom?
So nothing happened to them last night?
He smirked. "I will tell Hao to escort you to another room. You will stay there while the documents and the engagement is not yet 'officially' settled. Understand?"
"Um...Yes."
He'd give way, for now. He thought. Besides, he doesn't like sharing his bed to someone else.
No, not to anyone he doesn't like.
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
After all, he might even fall for her unexpectedly.
~~~
Kagome was left in the dining area, along with his last words.
Engagements...
Officially settled...
Officially...?
"Oh, he means marriage?" She felt her cheeks blush in desperation. So she is going to get married. She really 'is' going to get married.
"Just so soon?" She sighed.
A door squeaked open. A familiar old voice ran loudly in the room. She quickly turned towards the direction of the voice.
"Aya, kindly call for Kozu-en? The door hinges are squeaking. Tell him to fix it up immediately." Hao came out from the other door. When he looked at the long table, he mentally slapped his own mouth.
"Eh? Madam?" He asked. "Forgive me for raising my voice, I didn't know that..."
"It's alright. I wouldn't mind. Besides, I was about to leave..."
"And the Young Master? You are supposed to be with him right now, didn't he asked you to come with him?"
"Um..." Kagome shook her head violently. Her eyebrows almost meet; telling him that Sesshomaru didn't asked her as he had said it.
"Oh, I see. But I think it will be best if you follow him, Madam." Hao smiled.
"Really? Mind if I ask you what we are supposed to do?"
Hao released a throaty chuckle. "I wouldn't mind, really. But it's a matter between a wife and a husband."
Kagome raised a brow. He just gave her the idea that she was supposed to what?
Again she tried to understand what the old man said.
"What is that matter between a wife and a ---"She raised both her hands to touch her cheeks when it finally sank in. Hao laughed loudly upon seeing her face.
"Did you have a hard time registering what I just said?"
"Um... I guess so... This formality of speech has been knocking me off." Kagome smiled. "Since 'he' came in, all he spoke of is all those formality and stuff..."
"I may not a very good person to informally talk with, Madam, because for thirty years of service in this family, I have been told to speak to them this way."
"I see..." She looked down to her toes, thinking of what to say next. "Um, I gotta go now."
"Then go, Madam." Hao bowed deeply for her. "Call me anytime you need anything."
Kagome smiled at the old man's generosity and ran towards the door where Sesshomaru went.
She needs somebody to talk about, informally, she added. She thinks she had to get away from this engagement with a simple talk with somebody her age.
"Of course, Inu Yasha! Kagome smiled. "He's Sesshomaru's brother, so probably he's here, somewhere."
As if on cue, he saw him standing on the other side of the corridor, looking out from one of the windows. His back facing hers, and he seems to be in a pretty deep reverie since he wasn't able to notice her presence, despite of the loud sound created by her flat shoes.
Kagome knew he didn't notice her right away. So she placed her hands on his eyes and stood behind him and smiled.
"What the --?" Inu Yasha grumbled, trying to pull the foreign hands away from his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"K-Kagome?" Inu Yasha turned around to her when her hands left its spot. Acting upon his impulses, he grabbed her hands tightly and pulled her close to him, and embraced her tightly. "I've been looking for you all day, and worried about you."
Kagome stuttered. She really doesn't know what to say. Inu Yasha has never hugged her this way. He never attempted to hold her, although she knows that he somehow feels something special to her. Well, not until today.
"Thank goodness you're okay." He whispered.
"Um... Y-yes, I am... Um... Can you let go of me now?"
"Oh, sure." Inu Yasha moved a bit away from her and smiled compassionately. Then his face changed and showed anger and rage. "Has he done anything to you? Hurt you? Mortified you?"
"No," Kagome shook her head. "He hasn't. He's okay, so far he's keeping distance from me."
"Good, now listen. I'm going to get you outta here. Your mother's waiting for you. And besides, I don't want to think that you'll be hanging with that demon." He mumbled angrily.
"But Inu Yasha?"
"Let's go, you'll go back home." Inu Yasha grinned at him.
Kagome nodded. There was a smile in her face but her eyes were clouded with confusion and doubt.
What if things go wrong?
"Nothing will go wrong." Inu Yasha called to her while pulling her hand. He started to run, making sure that she's following him. "Trust me. By now, my brother is probably busy with the company he earned as his birthright."
"Company?"
"Yes," Inu Yasha said as he ran along the silent corridors of the mansion. "My father owns lots of big companies. And for now, he'll be organizing it himself. Now be quiet, they must not see us."
She felt like her arm is going to be ripped from her shoulder. Inu Yasha was running so fast that she could hardly keep up with him.
She felt like she's being torn apart. Half of her wants to see her family and come home, but half of her was holding back. Sesshomaru will be very, very angry if he finds out. The brothers will be in a big war when that happens.
Kagome shook her head and frowned. She should be angry with Sesshomaru for taking her away. But she really isn't angry. Perhaps a little upset and a little confused, but not angry.
"I hate him." Inu Yasha grumbled upon reaching the back door. "I hate him from taking you away."
"You shouldn't, Inu Yasha. He's merely following orders His father's last wishes."
Inu Yasha pulled her outside and closed the door. He headed toward the greenhouse. Kagome stopped and took her time to stare at the lovely spiked bushes and varieties of flowers in urns in the greenhouse. The she felt Inu Yasha pull her to closer to him and tightly he grasped her shoulders.
"You speak like you know him more than I do. But I tell you; you don't know how evil my demon brother is! Can't you understand that?! Damn him!" Inu Yasha whispered sharply to her. His amber eyes hurt hers like fire.
"What? Isn't he following your father's orders? Put yourself in his shoes, you will do the same, right?!" Kagome snapped back at him for hating and cursing his brother so much.
"Yes, I will. But I will NEVER take you for MY own needs and leave YOUR mother paralyzed and dying on the floor! DAMN IT!" Inu Yasha turned around and punched glass the glass wall of the greenhouse. This caused the glass to fall on the ground, shattered into pieces.
Kagome was lost with words.
Her mother cried when the four men in black entered their home and took her away. She could not move when the tallest of them grabbed her both arms and carried her out of the house. Inu Yasha tried talking to them, but the men were following the strict orders for Sesshomaru. He even tried to fight them, but one of the men knocked him down.
He was telling her now that her mother even knelt down to the men and begged them to release her child. But the men ignored her and left immediately.
Now, a question nagged her over and over again.
"Why did he --?"
"Because it's his nature!" Inu Yasha yelled again, and turned to Kagome. "He will get anything he wants for his own selfish - - -"
He watched as her precious tears fall down from her wide sapphire eyes. Her whole body quivered and her heart prayed for her mother's safety.
Inu Yasha walked to her tapped her shoulders. "Don't worry, we took her to the hospital right away. And she woke up this morning, when I called your little brother."
"Is she ... Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. Don't worry."
Hastily, Kagome lifter her hands to her face and wiped her tears. Then she looked up to Inu Yasha and smiled. "I wanna see her, Inu Yasha. I want to know if she's okay."
Inu Yasha gave her a serious look and then pulled down to his pockets to get a hanky, then mentioned her to use it to wiper her tears.
"You wouldn't want your mother to see you like that."
She smiled and nodded. "Shall we go?"
~~~
Deep into the threshold of the mansion, Sesshomaru lounges inside his office, unaware of the successive arrival of the events in his large home.
He has always enjoyed the tranquility of his spacious office. The familiar scent of his favorite pine incense lingered within the still spirit of the room and the dancing shadows cast by the leaves of the trees standing outside by his window somehow had pulled him into the wonderful oblivion he loved to call 'His World'.
He rested on his office chair and studied his papers intently. But even though his eyes were looking down on his files, his mind was drifting far from where he is.
He was trying to think of a way not to make his married life a living hell. He knows both of them doesn't like the idea of marrying, nor would they want to share any intimate moment with each other, but they should try to make the best of it. Being a self-centered person like him, he still wants a happy and peaceful life with another person, although he doesn't like the idea of marrying a person he hardly knows.
He was taken back from his world when the phone rang. He grunted in annoyance and picked the phone receiver.
"Yes?"
"M-Master.... Madam Kagome." Jaken's voice trembled when he heard his master's voice.
"What is it?"
"Madam Kagome had run away."
What does she want now? Sesshomaru slammed the phone receiver on the floor and voiced out his question.
"What does she want now!?!" He cursed several times. Minutes ago, he was thinking of a nice way to live with her in the most peaceful way, and now, she was the one to make the fire start again. He was furious; unconsciously asking him what he has done to her that made her go away.
And then he remembered what his brother told him when he met him walking in the corridors of his home.
You will never hurt her. I won't let you hurt her. She will never suffer in your presence. Never!!
He growled angrily in his throat as his amber eyes flashed with all his hatred towards his brother.
"INU YASHA!!!"
~~~
Notes: Hey, I got this one out early. Hehe, hope you guys like this too. Send me your glorious reviews please?? I'm a little sad right now because my loved one has cut the connection between the two of us, so please make a happy woman out of me? ^_^ And perhaps I could get another loved one from my beloved reviewers. Hehe, just kiddin. Oh well, I'll try to get the next chappy out as soon as I can. Thanks. ^_^
Love lots, Lacus Somniorum
~~~
~ She had her arms around his waist; feeling rather relieved as his hands gently stoked her hair. She had her cold, quivering body over his, her head slumped on his chest, her tiny hands clutching on the smooth surface of his purple and gray sweatshirt and her ebony hair draped on her back. He also had his arms around her, comforting her as much as he can under the shelter of he large oak tree near the shrine. She was finished crying, but her sobs still vibrated in her small, cold chest.
"You done crying?" He cast his amber eyes down to her to see if tears still flowed from her eyes. She kept her face hidden from his eyes, but she assured him of a soft nod.
"Yes, thank you for staying with me." She sobbed and lifted her face to meet his eyes, then flashed him a smile.
He smiled back, "Now that you're done, you could at least tell me why you are crying."
"Okee." She pushed herself up and crossed her legs in front of her. With a heavy sigh, she started to talk. "Mama said we have to move to a new home."
He pouted his lips and frowned. "Why is that?"
"I dunno... I'm not sure, but..."
"Yes?"
"Oji-chan said he doesn't want me to... Ma... Mer... Mar..." She scratched her head, trying to remember that unfamiliar word she heard for the first time.
He closed his eyes and sighed sadly. "Marry. You mean 'Marry'."
"Hai! Hai!" She clapped her hands twice. "Kagome-chan heard Oji-chan say 'Marry'." She leaned closer to him, blinking her puppy dog eyes charmingly to him. "Sess-chan, what is 'Marry'? Is she a girl?"
"You'll learn soon enough. But have you heard your Oji-chan say 'to whom'?"
"Iee, Sess-chan." She shook her head.
Sadly, he took her in his arms and sighed again. Then he heard his little friend sigh after him.
"I don't want to go away, Sess-chan."
I don't want you to go away...
I want to stay with you...
But I can't...
I just... can't... ~
He was awoken by the intensity of the light as it went through his pale, thin, eyelids. He cracked one eye open to just to realize that the light was from the sun coming from the full-scale windows that was now partly covered with the deep curtains.
Then a small silhouette covered his eyes from the light of the sun. He stirred a bit, and told himself to get up.
Assuring himself that the silhouette was cast by Hao, his old helper, he asked why he seems to wake up without the wench by his side. "Where is the wench? Why isn't she here?"
Hao chuckled. "Madam Kagome said she couldn't bear smelling the stench of your breath, especially with the alcohol. She has awakened an hour before you did."
"Really?" He grunted as he sat on his bed and stretched his arms slightly to the sides. Now he had another reason of waking up in the wrong side of the bed. He was to complain about the stubbornness of the woman when he was interrupted.
"Forgive me, Young Master, but I was only joking. She woke up early to talk to your Mother about your engagement."
"What time is it?" He ached for a subject change.
"It's eight in the morning, Young Master. And breakfast is served. You will be dining with Madam Kagome, so you should tidy up, Young Master. She is simply so beautiful, and see to it that you present yourself to her perfectly."
"Since when did you learned to talk before me, Hao?" Sesshomaru raised a brow at the sudden change of the old man's manners.
"Since Madam Kagome came in." His grin widened even more that his eyes barely appeared.
"Yesterday? But she barely knows you?"
"I mean this morning, sire." Hao chuckled again. He seems to be in a pretty good mood today, while his Master is his exact opposite.
"Leave now. I will come down when I'm ready."
"Yes, sire." Hao bowed before him and walked to the door, humming happily to himself.
Peculiar, Sesshomaru thought. Perhaps the whelp had paid poor Hao.
"Idiot." Sesshomaru mocked himself at the stupid idea. Since when had he started thinking that way?
He pulled himself up from the bed, and realized that he was only wearing his black slacks that he remembered he wore last night when he went to drink at Bokuseno's bar.
So who took of his shirt? Has there something happened last night when he was under the influence of alcohol?
Sesshomaru mentally slapped himself.
If something that happened last night, then I'll swear the day I learned to consume brandy.
He completely had no recollection of whatever that happened, or what should have happened that night, and he cursed himself for not remembering.
What happened then? Did he have sex with the wench? Did the wench enjoy him? Did she even sleep with him last night?
Walking towards the Master's bath, he grabbed the blue bathrobe neatly folded on the table on the way there. He went inside and pushed the shower curtains to the side and took a shower.
He shuddered when the cold water touched his skin. Thoroughly, he let the cold water soak his hair as he run his hands through it and at the same time massage his scalp.
Back to his usual habit, thinking. He still had to decide how he should react before the woman. How he should speak to her, in what manner, in what tone.
Perhaps he should play the evil guy role, and perhaps he might me able to send her away.
Or maybe he could just make the best of his life with her.
Either way, the woman will certainly not like him.
She might, Sesshomaru, and to think that she was once your childhood sweetheart.
And so? Would she care? Would you?
No, I would not. Why do I even have to bother?
He sighed inwardly and tried to brush the thoughts away. He wanted to enjoy the cool feeling as the cold water splashes down to his pale, warm skin. He closed his eyes and cleansed his body thoroughly, but softly, careful not to scratch his skin. Half of him was thinking that in doing so, the wench will not complain that he stinks and smells like vodka or anything. So she will have nothing to complain about, he decided to brush his teeth after his bath.
"Women." Was all he said.
~~~
Kagome's eyes sparkled with interest and all happiness when the good old man showed her the large room with thousands and thousands of books. She already had one in her hands as she sat on the tall window's seat that revealed to her the beauty of the garden outside. And she was eager to read all of it if ever she will be given the time to do so. Hao had presented this room to her and asked her to enjoy herself while waiting for the 'stubborn prince', as he said it.
Stubborn Prince...
Sesshomaru.
She remembered waking up on a bed she could not call hers. And it made her squeak and protest when she saw herself sleeping beneath a good looking man... naked.
Good thing the old man Hao was already there to explain to her everything. Although his words did not satisfy her, he was enthusiastic to tell her more. He even asked for Shizuko-san's presence to explain things further. Hopefully all her questions were answered clearly, though she did not asked all the questions that nagged her.
And that question was, why was she betrothed? And why hasn't her mother told her at an earlier time?
She could recall how many times her mother had told her she's sorry last night while she was being carried away last night.
But I hope everybody at home's all right...
"Oh, well." Kagome sighed to herself. When she heard the great doors of the library squeaked open, she closed the book she's reading and glanced over to the door.
It was Hao, smiling at her. "Madam, The Prince has already walked out of his bedroom and is waiting for you in the dining room.
"Thank you, Hao. Will you accompany me there?" She stood up and walked towards the door. Her peach satin dress swayed as the air coming from the open windows came into the room. Her hair slightly moved, and she gathered it in her hands and then dropped them down to her sides when she left the room. She waited for Hao to shut the door and walk before her.
They passed through a very long corridor; the same window size everywhere, and then took a staircase to the main hall, entered more corridors, and stopped when a large door stood on their way.
"The Young Master awaits you beyond these doors, Madam."
Hao smiled at her and reached out to open the door for her. Kagome politely nodded at her.
"Thank you."
The door went open and Hao bowed lower to her and closed his wrinkled eyelids. "Always a pleasure, Madam."
The opening of the door caught Sesshomaru's attention, and made him turn his head towards the door.
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment when he saw her. Jolts of memories came to him in a split second. The peach dress she was wearing made him remember the wonderful days he had shared with her It resembled the peach satin handkerchief she offered her when he was playing in the garden with her years ago.
His servant has a pretty good memory, he thought. Despite his age.
He watched her walk over to a chair only for seats away from him. He was impressed by the girl's steady and infallible composure. She didn't looked around to check the are, the long mahogany table, and didn't even dared to look at him, although he knows that she's itching to see the man the boy she knew had become.
Or what he thought she knew.
Food was served immediately by a couple of maids in uniform. Kagome could barely remember their faces, well, she hardly see them. They had their faces tilted to the floor, and bowed even lower as she sees, from the corner of her eyes, the man sitting at the far end of the long table wave a hand in the air slowly which turned out as a sign of dismissal.
When the servants were gone, they started eating. Only the sound of the utensils as it hit each other was evident in the room. Not even a simple utter to express that the dish tasted so good was said. Nothing. They were silent. Perhaps waiting for somebody to start the conversation.
With no idea what the woman had in mind at present, Sesshomaru couldn't help but stare at her face as she slowly lifts the glass of water to her lips.
Clearing his throat to catch her attention, which fortunately had an effect on her, he placed his spoon and fork by the side of his plate and wiped his lips neatly with the table napkin and then turned to her.
He was a little surprised when he looked up to her and saw her looking straight at him.
"You are now aware that you will stay here from not on, are you not?" He turned his face to look at one of the large windows in the spacious room and avoid her eyes.
He saw her nod from the corner of his eye. "Yes."
"Very well." Sesshomaru finally gathered himself to look straight at her. "While you are residing in my home, you should also be aware that I have enforced laws that I expect to be observed always."
She gulped. Life in this mansion wouldn't be that good.
"Without any exceptions." He continued. All she could reply was a soft nod. "Wandering along the halls is strictly prohibited. The rooms are locked and I do not permit you to ask for any key from any helper. Nor will they let you use and offer you any key to open any door in my mansion. You will join me in meals, and you will come to me when I ask for your presence. Have I made myself clear?"
"You have told me everything I am forbidden to do, won't you tell me now what I can do inside 'your' home?" Kagome closed her eyes and raised a brow in irritation.
"Anything." He stood up and headed towards the door. "As long as it will not break any rule that I have just mentioned."
"Fine." Kagome sighed in defeat. Then one more thought zapped into her mind. "Oh, one... more..." But she soon found out that it would be a little embarrassing to ask about.
"Yes?" He stopped himself from opening the door and just stayed there, standing still, not even cared to turn to her while she speaks.
"... Um... Since I'll be staying here for a while... I'd like to request for a ..."
"What?"
"A bedroom."
Sesshomaru stopped for a while. If she was satisfied of sleeping with him for the first time last night, then why ask for a separate bedroom?
So nothing happened to them last night?
He smirked. "I will tell Hao to escort you to another room. You will stay there while the documents and the engagement is not yet 'officially' settled. Understand?"
"Um...Yes."
He'd give way, for now. He thought. Besides, he doesn't like sharing his bed to someone else.
No, not to anyone he doesn't like.
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
After all, he might even fall for her unexpectedly.
~~~
Kagome was left in the dining area, along with his last words.
Engagements...
Officially settled...
Officially...?
"Oh, he means marriage?" She felt her cheeks blush in desperation. So she is going to get married. She really 'is' going to get married.
"Just so soon?" She sighed.
A door squeaked open. A familiar old voice ran loudly in the room. She quickly turned towards the direction of the voice.
"Aya, kindly call for Kozu-en? The door hinges are squeaking. Tell him to fix it up immediately." Hao came out from the other door. When he looked at the long table, he mentally slapped his own mouth.
"Eh? Madam?" He asked. "Forgive me for raising my voice, I didn't know that..."
"It's alright. I wouldn't mind. Besides, I was about to leave..."
"And the Young Master? You are supposed to be with him right now, didn't he asked you to come with him?"
"Um..." Kagome shook her head violently. Her eyebrows almost meet; telling him that Sesshomaru didn't asked her as he had said it.
"Oh, I see. But I think it will be best if you follow him, Madam." Hao smiled.
"Really? Mind if I ask you what we are supposed to do?"
Hao released a throaty chuckle. "I wouldn't mind, really. But it's a matter between a wife and a husband."
Kagome raised a brow. He just gave her the idea that she was supposed to what?
Again she tried to understand what the old man said.
"What is that matter between a wife and a ---"She raised both her hands to touch her cheeks when it finally sank in. Hao laughed loudly upon seeing her face.
"Did you have a hard time registering what I just said?"
"Um... I guess so... This formality of speech has been knocking me off." Kagome smiled. "Since 'he' came in, all he spoke of is all those formality and stuff..."
"I may not a very good person to informally talk with, Madam, because for thirty years of service in this family, I have been told to speak to them this way."
"I see..." She looked down to her toes, thinking of what to say next. "Um, I gotta go now."
"Then go, Madam." Hao bowed deeply for her. "Call me anytime you need anything."
Kagome smiled at the old man's generosity and ran towards the door where Sesshomaru went.
She needs somebody to talk about, informally, she added. She thinks she had to get away from this engagement with a simple talk with somebody her age.
"Of course, Inu Yasha! Kagome smiled. "He's Sesshomaru's brother, so probably he's here, somewhere."
As if on cue, he saw him standing on the other side of the corridor, looking out from one of the windows. His back facing hers, and he seems to be in a pretty deep reverie since he wasn't able to notice her presence, despite of the loud sound created by her flat shoes.
Kagome knew he didn't notice her right away. So she placed her hands on his eyes and stood behind him and smiled.
"What the --?" Inu Yasha grumbled, trying to pull the foreign hands away from his eyes.
"Guess who?"
"K-Kagome?" Inu Yasha turned around to her when her hands left its spot. Acting upon his impulses, he grabbed her hands tightly and pulled her close to him, and embraced her tightly. "I've been looking for you all day, and worried about you."
Kagome stuttered. She really doesn't know what to say. Inu Yasha has never hugged her this way. He never attempted to hold her, although she knows that he somehow feels something special to her. Well, not until today.
"Thank goodness you're okay." He whispered.
"Um... Y-yes, I am... Um... Can you let go of me now?"
"Oh, sure." Inu Yasha moved a bit away from her and smiled compassionately. Then his face changed and showed anger and rage. "Has he done anything to you? Hurt you? Mortified you?"
"No," Kagome shook her head. "He hasn't. He's okay, so far he's keeping distance from me."
"Good, now listen. I'm going to get you outta here. Your mother's waiting for you. And besides, I don't want to think that you'll be hanging with that demon." He mumbled angrily.
"But Inu Yasha?"
"Let's go, you'll go back home." Inu Yasha grinned at him.
Kagome nodded. There was a smile in her face but her eyes were clouded with confusion and doubt.
What if things go wrong?
"Nothing will go wrong." Inu Yasha called to her while pulling her hand. He started to run, making sure that she's following him. "Trust me. By now, my brother is probably busy with the company he earned as his birthright."
"Company?"
"Yes," Inu Yasha said as he ran along the silent corridors of the mansion. "My father owns lots of big companies. And for now, he'll be organizing it himself. Now be quiet, they must not see us."
She felt like her arm is going to be ripped from her shoulder. Inu Yasha was running so fast that she could hardly keep up with him.
She felt like she's being torn apart. Half of her wants to see her family and come home, but half of her was holding back. Sesshomaru will be very, very angry if he finds out. The brothers will be in a big war when that happens.
Kagome shook her head and frowned. She should be angry with Sesshomaru for taking her away. But she really isn't angry. Perhaps a little upset and a little confused, but not angry.
"I hate him." Inu Yasha grumbled upon reaching the back door. "I hate him from taking you away."
"You shouldn't, Inu Yasha. He's merely following orders His father's last wishes."
Inu Yasha pulled her outside and closed the door. He headed toward the greenhouse. Kagome stopped and took her time to stare at the lovely spiked bushes and varieties of flowers in urns in the greenhouse. The she felt Inu Yasha pull her to closer to him and tightly he grasped her shoulders.
"You speak like you know him more than I do. But I tell you; you don't know how evil my demon brother is! Can't you understand that?! Damn him!" Inu Yasha whispered sharply to her. His amber eyes hurt hers like fire.
"What? Isn't he following your father's orders? Put yourself in his shoes, you will do the same, right?!" Kagome snapped back at him for hating and cursing his brother so much.
"Yes, I will. But I will NEVER take you for MY own needs and leave YOUR mother paralyzed and dying on the floor! DAMN IT!" Inu Yasha turned around and punched glass the glass wall of the greenhouse. This caused the glass to fall on the ground, shattered into pieces.
Kagome was lost with words.
Her mother cried when the four men in black entered their home and took her away. She could not move when the tallest of them grabbed her both arms and carried her out of the house. Inu Yasha tried talking to them, but the men were following the strict orders for Sesshomaru. He even tried to fight them, but one of the men knocked him down.
He was telling her now that her mother even knelt down to the men and begged them to release her child. But the men ignored her and left immediately.
Now, a question nagged her over and over again.
"Why did he --?"
"Because it's his nature!" Inu Yasha yelled again, and turned to Kagome. "He will get anything he wants for his own selfish - - -"
He watched as her precious tears fall down from her wide sapphire eyes. Her whole body quivered and her heart prayed for her mother's safety.
Inu Yasha walked to her tapped her shoulders. "Don't worry, we took her to the hospital right away. And she woke up this morning, when I called your little brother."
"Is she ... Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. Don't worry."
Hastily, Kagome lifter her hands to her face and wiped her tears. Then she looked up to Inu Yasha and smiled. "I wanna see her, Inu Yasha. I want to know if she's okay."
Inu Yasha gave her a serious look and then pulled down to his pockets to get a hanky, then mentioned her to use it to wiper her tears.
"You wouldn't want your mother to see you like that."
She smiled and nodded. "Shall we go?"
~~~
Deep into the threshold of the mansion, Sesshomaru lounges inside his office, unaware of the successive arrival of the events in his large home.
He has always enjoyed the tranquility of his spacious office. The familiar scent of his favorite pine incense lingered within the still spirit of the room and the dancing shadows cast by the leaves of the trees standing outside by his window somehow had pulled him into the wonderful oblivion he loved to call 'His World'.
He rested on his office chair and studied his papers intently. But even though his eyes were looking down on his files, his mind was drifting far from where he is.
He was trying to think of a way not to make his married life a living hell. He knows both of them doesn't like the idea of marrying, nor would they want to share any intimate moment with each other, but they should try to make the best of it. Being a self-centered person like him, he still wants a happy and peaceful life with another person, although he doesn't like the idea of marrying a person he hardly knows.
He was taken back from his world when the phone rang. He grunted in annoyance and picked the phone receiver.
"Yes?"
"M-Master.... Madam Kagome." Jaken's voice trembled when he heard his master's voice.
"What is it?"
"Madam Kagome had run away."
What does she want now? Sesshomaru slammed the phone receiver on the floor and voiced out his question.
"What does she want now!?!" He cursed several times. Minutes ago, he was thinking of a nice way to live with her in the most peaceful way, and now, she was the one to make the fire start again. He was furious; unconsciously asking him what he has done to her that made her go away.
And then he remembered what his brother told him when he met him walking in the corridors of his home.
You will never hurt her. I won't let you hurt her. She will never suffer in your presence. Never!!
He growled angrily in his throat as his amber eyes flashed with all his hatred towards his brother.
"INU YASHA!!!"
~~~
Notes: Hey, I got this one out early. Hehe, hope you guys like this too. Send me your glorious reviews please?? I'm a little sad right now because my loved one has cut the connection between the two of us, so please make a happy woman out of me? ^_^ And perhaps I could get another loved one from my beloved reviewers. Hehe, just kiddin. Oh well, I'll try to get the next chappy out as soon as I can. Thanks. ^_^
Love lots, Lacus Somniorum