Chapter III

Acceptance

Disclaimers: For the nth time, I don't own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi does..

"" speaking

'' thoughts

() author's ramblings, comments, wisecracks..

change in scenery

As you have noticed, some words are italicized. I think that these words have the most impact, so there you have it..

The conversations and thoughts are in bold coz.. well.. I think they make reading easier, (laughs)

"Leave Jaken"

The thunderous voice reached Jaken but was not heard by the miko..

"Aah, Sesshomaru-sama, I see you're.."

Jaken saw the murderous look in Sesshomaru's face and he made the wisest decision in his life- he left.

Sesshomaru walked towards Kagome stopping at the bedside. He gazed at her curiously; but Kagome, from the shock of her earlier realization took no notice of his presence.

"Miko, you should thank me for saving your life.."

The words echoed in her mind. As each word registered she just looked blankly at Sesshomaru. Her brown eyes that were usually cheery held nothing but pure anger.

"Thank...Thank you?? Do you have any idea what you have done?!

Sesshomaru was enraged by the tone of her voice and was reaching for her throat but stopped at she lowered her head, bangs covering her eyes..

"I killed myself."

"To get away from this world..."

"To be free of pain.."

"And you.. you brought me back.."

"And you expect me to be grateful..."

She said everything in a whisper but Sesshomaru being a youkai, heard every word.

'The stupid hanyou must have done something to her..'

"Nonetheless, I gave you back your life, and you are still indebted to me. I give you your life and you shall give me something in return."

Kagome was now clutching the blanket beneath her fingers but still she did not look at him.

"If you want the Tessaiga, I won't give it to you.. I wish to die and I could kill myself, I will be of no value to you as a hostage.."

Sesshomaru's brow rose and was apparently caught off guard by the statement.

"I do not desire the Tessaiga miko, if I did, I could easily acquire it, there is no necessity for a hostage...."

'What I did a few days ago was uncalled for but I can use her. She is strong enough to fend of for herself but she is too strong willed.'

Kagome raised her head but said nothing; Sesshomaru took it as a sign to continue.

"You are to become an envoy."

"You brought me back.. from the dead.. to become..... a messenger?!! Who do you think you are, you bastard!"

Sesshomaru stepped closer to her, eyes blazing with anger but he just looked at her.

"You shall watch your tone and language when you are speaking to me. You will carry my messages to the lords and retainers of the other lands."

"If it is so easy, why can't the Lord of the western lands do it?!"

"Leaving the castle at this critical time is too dangerous. My enemies can siege the castle during the time of my absence."

"Then why don't you hire a high and mighty youkai to do all of this?"

Kagome's emphasis on the words high and mighty youkai did not escape Sesshomaru but he let that slip.

"There are countless youkai powerful enough, more powerful than you even that can do the job."

He gave her a glare but his features softened as he continued speaking.

"But in times like these, you should employ only those who you can trust..."

He gave her one last look and walked towards the door as to leave the room. Kagome on the other hand was shocked at his last words but did an excellent job of looking unaffected.

"And if I refuse? I have nothing to lose, death is my goal.."

"You can kill yourself as many times as you wish but I can revive you, and make you suffer for your misbehavior."

Sesshomaru could feel the anger radiating from her but did nothing..

'She has no choice'

'Nothing is left for me to do. I have no purpose anymore. I can't go back to my time, I told them I will live here because I thought.. I thought that he would...He would choose me.. I wasn't even able to finish junior high.... I was always here, fighting together with him.. fighting for him.. I have no future.. I have no home..

He watched her expressions shift from sadness, pain, longing and defeat.

'I have no choice..Bastard..'

She lifted her eyes and looked directly at Sesshomaru's golden orbs..

"Very well.."

Sesshomaru left the room as quietly as he entered. A few minutes later a servant arrived. She bowed to Kagome and spoke in a sweet voice..

"Ojo-sama, please clothe yourself for supper, I am here to assist you.."

Kagome looked at the servant in front of her. She was wearing a simple white kimono. She was as tall as Kagome but looked older. She had red hair that was tied in a bun on top her hair and had pointy ears, like that of Sesshomaru's.

"What is your name?"

"Kaori desu. Yoroshikuu onegaishimasu."

Kaori bowed again to Kagome and opened a small narrow room. It was narrow but had shelves up to the ceiling. Kimonos, yukatas, hakanas and accessories of every conceivable design and color were neatly arranged.

"What do would you like to wear ojo-sama?"

Kagome touched the kimonos, feeling the smooth texture of the fabric.

'Why did he go through all this trouble anyway..'

Her thoughts came to a halt when her eyes rested upon a red kimono..

'Inuyasha...'

"Ojo-sama? Ojo-sama daijobu desu ka?"

She was snapped out of her reverie and nodded to Kaori whose face was filled with concern.

"On second thought, I'm not really hungry.. Tell your master that.."

"Kaori looked at her and bowed.

"If you desire anything ojo-sama, please call my name."

"But how will you hear me?"

"I will hear you ojo-sama.."

Kaori smiled at her again, bowed and exited the room.

Moonlight streamed on to Kagome's body as the moon seized the evening sky. She stood on the balcony, savoring the cool night air. The wind played with her hair, making it seem like a black river, alive and flowing. The moonlight made her pale skin glow, making her appearance ethereal.

This was hoe Sesshomaru found her. Feeling another presence in the room, Kagome turned around and found herself staring into the golden eyes of the demon lord. For a moment neither could speak Sesshomaru walked towards her stopping only a foot from her. Kagome didn't step forward or back, not that she didn't want to, but simply because her body refused to move.

"You shall start your training tomorrow. You should be resting."

She looked at him and was about to retort when Sesshomaru held out a box to her.

"All of my servants wear my insignia. Starting tomorrow, I expect you to wear that."

She opened the lacquer box and found a necklace inside. The chain was metallic and silvery; it was thin enough to be drawn through an eye of a needle. The pendant was in the shape of a crescent moon, made entirely of diamond. At the clasp of the chain was an extension created like a vine. At the end of each branch was a star sapphire. Except on the last branch which had another crescent moon made of ivory. She didn't know what to tell Sesshomaru but that wasn't a problem. When she lifted her head after examining the jewel, he was gone.

Notes:

Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing my story!!!

Please tell me if there are any typos, or if you have comments, criticisms, reactions or whatever it is that you wanna know bout the fic.

Again, thanks for reading, don't forget to review! (or I'll send Sesshoamru-sama after you!!)