Chapter 2: Sesshoumaru's Castle

"Rin! Rin! Damn it where are you?" cried Jaken. His nose wasn't as sensitive as Sesshoumaru's or Inuyasha's, but it worked all the same. He had followed her trail into the woods when he smelled her blood.

"Oh shit, this is not my day!" The toad started running towards Rin.

He came into the closure of trees. By now, the morning sun streamed through the trees. Sesshoumaru would be back any time... and Jaken would be dead meat.

Catching the familiar glimpses of Rin's orange and white kimono among the trees, Jaken hurried forward, relieved.

"Hey!" Jaken said aloud, "Inuyasha's wench!"

His eyes traveled from the wench to Rin to –

Jaken gulped. "Sesshoumaru-sama?"

In one graceful movement Sesshoumaru unsheathed his Tensaiga and killed the hell demons that had arrived to claim Kagome's body.

Jaken shot Rin dirty looks and glared at her, but she didn't care. Instead, she ran up to the toad and hugged him tightly.

I will heal the human from her injuries, decided Sesshoumaru, though his calm façade remained blank. After all, she did save Rin. I suppose when she travels with Inuyasha she has little access to medical treatment. But there was a problem.

From past dealings with female women, Sesshoumaru guessed that if he ordered Jaken to carry Kagome home she would freak when she found out. (A/N I know, it's not everyday the taiyoukai's so considerate...)

"There's no way this Sesshoumaru's carrying a human home," thought Sesshoumaru out loud. "The... utter degradation and humiliation... A taiyoukai carrying a human..."

Rin finished smothering Jaken with a hug and jumped into Sesshoumaru's arms, snuggling her head in his tail. "Sesshoumaru-sama? We'll bring Kagome-neechan home, won't we?"

"Hai, Rin." Did I just say what I thought I said? Sesshoumaru shook his head in disbelief.

Rin was waiting expectantly; Jaken was cowering at a safe distance from Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru would have sighed at the situation he was in, but stopped himself in time. He walked over and picked Kagome up gently, like you would hold a newborn baby.

"Let's go home."

Kagome opened her eyes drowsily. She tried to sit up but was forced back down by a terrible pain on her back.

"Kagome-neechan! You're awake!" Rin eagerly bounded to her side.

Questions spilled from Kagome's lips faster than she could ask them. "Where am I? What happened to the youkai? Are you okay? How long have I been sleeping?"

Rin gave her a cup of tea, faintly steaming. "You're in Sesshoumaru-sama's castle. Sesshoumaru-sama killed the youkai!" she said proudly. "And I'm fine, I didn't even cry when Sesshoumaru-sama bandaged my hand!" She held out a bandaged arm for Kagome to see. "And oh, you've been sleeping for about three days or so."

"Oh." Kagome glanced around the room. It was by far the most luxuriously furnished room she had encountered in her entire life. Beautiful chests, exquisite screens and delicate silk hangings filled the spacious room. The futon she was lying on was really soft, lined with silk and with silk brocade covers. Kagome judged the huge room to be about an eighteen-tatami- mat room. Everything seemed so expensive it might as well have been made of pure gold.

"So anyways, Kagome-neechan, you'll be staying with us now, right? You can have this room, my room is across from yours." asked Rin.

"Uhh... maybe," said Kagome. She still had a billion responsibilities, but she didn't want to disappoint Rin, who was so like the adorable younger sister Kagome never had.

But Rin was already past the subject of future arrangements. "Are you hungry? Jaken could get something for you. Sesshoumaru-sama should be home very soon. He left yesterday morning, after he fixed you and me."

"Fixed?"

"Healed."

That explains why I don't ache and hurt as much as I did before, thought Kagome. Instinctively she reached behind to feel her back and shoulders, places where she'd taken the most damage. Her eyes widened in surprise, as she felt a silky sleeping yukata in the place of her school uniform.

From the doorway where he stood, Sesshoumaru quietly watched Kagome and Rin talking, listening attentively.

He noticed Kagome's blush when she realized her clothes had been changed. He concealed a sneer playing on his lips. Humans and their crazy feelings of modesty – something he didn't fully comprehend. In the first place, for her wounds to get tended to the clothes had to come off. And anyways, no way in hell Sesshoumaru was allowing such bloodstained clothes in his castle.

Kagome felt another presence and looked up. So, the taiyoukai was back.

He was perfectly content to let her fidget on her futon, a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment written on her face. Sesshoumaru knew the question on her lips, but he wasn't allowed to answer it unless it was asked.

The question came. "Did you heal me?" He didn't have to look at her to sense her awkwardness.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes!" Kagome flushed. Why, if the toad servant of his had stripped her down and healed her... Her cheeks reddened even more at the thought of Sesshoumaru doing it.

"You humans never cease to amaze this Sesshoumaru with all the useless thoughts you clutter your mind with."

Kagome was about to make a sassy retort when she realized that Sesshoumaru was gone. "Damned youkai and his lack of emotions," muttered Kagome.

"I heard that," stated Sesshoumaru coolly from the hallway. A flame of defiance rose in Kagome, and without meaning to, she snapped, "So you did. I'll say it again – Sesshoumaru, damn you! I never criticize your lack of emotions. You don't have the right to insult the way I behave, especially when it's how normal people behave."

Unbridled anger welled up from his heart and spewed out from his eyes. He stepped back into the room, glaring at Kagome. Kagome flinched at his look, but was determined to hold her own. The two sat glaring in silence; Rin, seeing as there was nothing for her to do there, quietly slipped out.

"Woman, this is my castle and I make the rules. For clarification, I never insulted you. It's because you humans are so puffed up and full of pride, you take every statement of truth to be an insult," stated Sesshoumaru calmly, his anger now under control. "An offensive statement is only offensive when a person chooses to make it so. You can call me a son of a bitch, to which I would never take offense to. My mother was a female Inu- youkai after all. But tell Inuyasha he's a son of a bitch, not only will he take offense, he'd probably whip out his sword and kill you. It's the same statement – yet there's two complete different reactions."

Kagome was already seething at him addressing her as plain 'woman'. Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, they were all the same. Uncouth freaks. "How rude can you get? I'm not just a 'woman', my name's Kagome. Use it! It's common politeness!"

"Oh?" Sesshoumaru asked. "If you're so 'into' politeness, then, let me ask you: where's your manners? To you, I may be just a youkai, but I am the Lord of the Western Lands, and should be addressed accordingly. You address me simply as Sesshoumaru, with no formal term of address – thus I address you simply as 'woman'. Be grateful I don't use the term 'wench'."

Kagome gulped. She had always been the best at arguments, but she found her match in the taiyoukai. With Inuyasha, she could mutter 'SIT!' and be over with an argument. Sesshoumaru forced her to think of witty comebacks. And she strangely found that she liked it.

Sesshoumaru was slightly puzzled – he had snubbed her, and yet he was reading her emotions to be... pleased? He would never admit it, but this particular human stirred up something in him never felt before. She needed support and protection in one way, yet could stand up for herself when she needed to. Her brashness amazed him, as did her strange sense of fashion. For all the clothes she wore, she could have had gone naked and saved buying the clothes for all it revealed. Sesshoumaru wondered at her mother. Did she really think she could let her daughter run around half-nude without any danger from other youkai or humans?

That did it. He wasn't about to lose his cool demeanor over a simple girl. Even thinking about the way her mind worked was a waste of time. Sesshoumaru thought quickly. I do owe her one for saving Rin. He sucked in air. "I disagree with you on many counts, but I concur that courtesy is something that will reign in this castle..." he paused, "Kagome. Call Jaken if you need anything."

For the next two days or so, Kagome spent most of her time sleeping. Sesshoumaru, under severe pressure from Rin, popped in twice a day, but he often sat in complete silence. So much as for having courtesy, grumbled Kagome, but there was nothing she could do about it. After all, Sesshoumaru had helped heal her and took her in, and she had yet to thank him.

Sighing, Kagome stared at the ceiling. Her body, though healing rapidly, still hurt too much for her to sit up. Confined to her futon, Kagome could have ripped it apart from all her frustration. In the dead of the night by the light of a small lamp and the moon Kagome had done a quick survey of the injuries on her body. Her arms were mostly fine except for grazes. She had sprained her ankle, and skinned her knees. There were slash wounds from the youkai's claws; on her back and sides. There were two stinging burn marks, Kagome couldn't remember from where, one above her right breast and one on her lower back. A nasty bump on her head throbbed and clouded her vision occasionally.

Kagome pitched relentlessly in her futon. Last night she had promised herself she would walk today.

She placed her weight on her right elbow, and heaved herself up with the help of her left arm. It worked. Kagome shifted into a sitting position. The silk covers rustled as they slid off her body. Careful not to jar her sprained ankle, Kagome reached for the carved screen at the head of her futon. Holding on tightly to the screen, Kagome slowly pulled herself up. Bit by bit, her height rose as she struggled to stand. It seemed as though after five days on a futon her knees were unable to bear weight. They buckled soon enough, sending Kagome flying to the ground with the screen crashing down behind her.

Kagome, more shocked than hurt, stared at the screen. The delicate carvings and lacquered frame had not withstood the fall – it lay in three pieces. The door slid open, revealing Sesshoumaru.

"I heard a noise." It wasn't just a statement; it was a demand for an explanation.

"I'm so sorry. I was trying to stand... and when I fell the screen crashed down too." Kagome reddened, thinking of how much the screen must have cost.

Whatever nasty remark Kagome had been expecting him to say, he didn't say. Instead, he walked over, and took her by her wrists. In silent amazement Kagome allowed him to pull her to her feet. A tingle ran down her spine at his touch and she blushed; She felt his gaze on her but she was unable to meet his eyes.

Oh my god... I am not having feelings for Sesshoumaru... Kagome screamed at herself. But oh lord, he's hot. Wait – what am I thinking? I'm in love with Inuyasha! Right? Right? I mean, Inuyasha's way nicer...

Just one stare, Kagome, she told herself. One little stare, and you'll be able to convince yourself you aren't falling for Inuyasha's bloodthirsty brother.

Her eyes had become so heavy. She was unable to lift them. But she did, in the end, after a tremendous effort. Chocolate locked onto golden honey.

And they were lost in time. Minutes seemed like centuries... each moment filled Kagome with such warmth... each second showed Sesshoumaru new emotions he had never felt before... And it was gone. Kagome could have wept with disappointment at the briefness of that magical moment. She searched Sesshoumaru's face. For just a moment, emotion flickered in his eyes. But it was gone before Kagome could decipher it.

Frustrated, she jerked her wrists away and stared at the floor. When Sesshoumaru spoke, his voice was neutral. "In the future, ask someone to assist you. But while you're up and about, why don't you go find Rin?" He swept from the room gracefully, leaving Kagome's skin tingling from where his hands had held her.

She first explored the room. There was little that she hadn't seen, for she had craned her neck to see her surroundings when she was confined to her futon. Kagome couldn't resist opening drawers and chests with a relish, seeing what treasures the taiyoukai owned. The first coffer to fall under her inspection was a tall mahogany chest. It stood about as tall as Kagome, which was unusual for most traditional Japanese furniture, and stretched about one and a half meters across. She opened it, and found drawer after drawer of beautiful silk kimonos, folded neatly.

Without thinking, she opened the drawer closest to her and pulled out a red kimono stitched with sakura petals. With it came a black obi with golden embroidery all over it.

What is wrong with me, groaned Kagome. How bold can I get? Red!

Nevertheless she slipped off her yukata and started to put on the kimono. To dress herself, however, posed an impossible feat. Her ankle acted up, and her head pounded. She limped on her good ankle to the door, and looked into the corridor. Just as Rin had said, her room was across Kagome's. Kagome could see her faint shadow through the shoji-screened walls.

"Rin?" called Kagome. "Could you help me out over here?" "Sure!" the eagerness was plain in Rin's voice as she opened her door and came out.

After a laborious one hour's work, Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. "I think red's too gaudy," objected Kagome, though she was pleased with her reflection.

"Not a chance!" exclaimed Rin as she gave a final tug to the black butterfly obi. "When I'm older, I want to be as beautiful as Kagome- neechan."

"Oh?" laughed Kagome. "You know, you do look a bit like me when I was younger." A smile lighted Rin's face. Sesshoumaru-sama is so protective of me, Jaken- sama is funny, but no one's ever said such nice things to me, she reflected.

Kagome took a last look in the mirror before stepping out. Rin worked wonders – she tied an obi quicker than anyone Kagome had ever seen, she worked Kagome's hair into a bun with red chopsticks, and dug out some ruby jewelry from somewhere. Kagome smiled to herself. She looked good, and she knew it. The sakura blossoms in gold thread that spread freely across the ruby red kimono made the kimono truly beautiful. Luxurious lifestyles can be fun, she decided. If only Sango and Shippo were here, everything would be perfect.

But enough moping for now, there's tons to see and explore. "Care to show me around?" asked Kagome.

"Sure! Follow me." Tugging at Kagome's sleeve impatiently Rin led her out of the room. Outside Kagome's room was a long corridor.

"This corridor is the center of the east wing," explained Rin. "All the guest rooms and bedrooms are here, except Sesshoumaru-sama's."

Even the corridor was decorated with rich tapestries and shining mirrors; to say less of the rooms Kagome peeked into. The middle of the corridor opened to courtyard, with cherry blossom trees, bonsai plants, and most plants and flowers. An archway leading out from the garden led to another part of the castle. But instead of a simple long corridor, this section was a maze of rooms. Seeing Kagome's dubious look Rin giggled.

"Don't worry, you'll find your way around here soon enough. This is where the main dining rooms, the lounges, the kitchens and the meeting rooms are. If you're a guest in this house, you would only go between the east wing and this central area." Meeting rooms? wondered Kagome, but then she remembered. Sesshoumaru was the taiyoukai of the Western Lands, of course he would meet with the other taiyoukais.

Something about the stillness of the place unnerved her. There were no servants to be seen except Jaken, yet the vast palace was sparkling clean. Surely Jaken couldn't clean the whole place himself... The thought of Sesshoumaru doing housework... It was too much for Kagome to bear and as much as she tried to stifle her giggles, she couldn't. Her wounds in her side made matters worse when she tried to hide her laughter, and her sides ached terribly.

"Something wrong?" asked Rin, concerned.

"N-n-nothing," whispered Kagome, hand clapped over her mouth.

"Very well. I'll leave you here to explore; I need to talk to Jaken. That stupid toad forgot to lock the main gates last night. Sesshoumaru-sama was livid."

"Ok, thanks for showing me around this far anyways."

"No problem. Remember to call me if you need anything." Rin bowed slightly and turned to leave. Kagome walked on slowly, carefully remembering the path she took so she could retrace it. In between, she stopped at different rooms. Some were as small as her room – Jaken's room, assumed Kagome. Other rooms were larger than her whole house including the yard. From the grandest dining room to the smallest side room, rarities from the world over was displayed; cloisonné vases from China, fragrant wood shelves and embroidery works Kagome didn't even know the origin from. Kagome lingered in the banquet hall, running her fingers along smooth surfaces, inhaling sweet fragrances that hung in the air. After half an hour in that fascinating room, Kagome felt compelled to leave and explore the rest of the house.

Stepping outside, she looked left and right. Uh oh, she thought. Where's the door to the east wing again?

Kagome was lost and she knew it. Her head hurt more than ever and the maze of corridors left her dizzy. At every turn, there was a new room to keep track of. Shadows of nonexistent objects and people loomed across the halls.

Flashback

"Kagome, what's wrong?" floated the voice of her mother, soft, gentle, and calming. Five-year-old Kagome curled in her mother's lap and cried.

"I was in the place again! And I couldn't get out! I could see the light, I could feel where the door out was, but I couldn't get there! Why? I..." her voice was wracked with sobs.

Kagome's mother sighed and stroked her daughter's hair soothingly. Lately she'd been having nightmares of her in a large castle, lost in a labyrinth of rooms, unable to get out though she could sense the exit. These dreams left Kagome screaming in the night, waking the entire household. Her grandfather had moved out to the shed to sleep as it was still summer; her brother went to stay at a friend's house.

"The nightmares will go away, my precious," crooned Kagome's mother.

"But... okaa-san... What's at the exit? I can feel it waiting..."

"Shh. Concentrate on getting your nightmares away."

End Flashback

Her nightmares had faded as she had grown. Now, it was back, in real life. Kagome shuddered. Her mother was five hundred years in the future. No one would wake her from this living nightmare, no one would comfort her.

Frantically, Kagome started to run. Her ankle protested, but the pain seemed indifferent to her. The ankle could heal – but she needed to get to the exit of this maze now. Darting around corners, cursing her ankle and her headache, Kagome blinked back tears forming in her eyes. Not slowing down her jog, Kagome rubbed her fingers on her temples. Kagome suddenly halted in her tracks. Instead of the maze of rooms, she was now in a different part of the castle. Instead of room after room, a massive polished staircase before her beckoned Kagome up. And up she went.

A/N: I've got this story basically planned as a Sess/Kag down pat, in case anyone wondered. I might consider other pairings too though...

Emichan2005 – Lol... I love your description of Sesshoumaru. Oh-so-great lord of everything sexy and oh-so-bad. Wow... very imaginative.

lily1121 – I will. Because, personally I hate it when writers don't – bugs the hell out of me.

Airao - Thank you. I'll try not to.

UltaAnimeFangurl2004 – Thanks.

satanovdesire – I love your energy. And yes, sometimes it grates on me how selfless she is... But she's so dependable it all evens out in the end.

PyroDeScorpio – Thanks, I'm glad to hear that!

Kasiree – I will! ;)

Pink Sakura – Lol...

Mx2mnm - sucks in breath nervously... I'll try and keep it that way!

Golden-Eyed-Girl – Thanks so much, actually, I'm kind of waiting to see how I'll end the story. But I do have some sort of ending planned out.

I do not own any of the above characters.

Lemon in later chapters... Cross my heart, hope to die, stick an M-16 in my eye.

Reviews are loved... I'm not in favor of begging for reviews, i.e. "I need 10 reviews to update!" But I do enjoy comments, constructive criticism and the thought of knowing that some readers took the time to drop a note about this story.