Suimei smiled sadly with the faint recollection that his life was indeed, a very sad one.
Early childhood was the embodiment of the death of his entire family, including parents, siblings, and even distant cousins he never knew before their deaths.
What exactly caused this tragedy, he never knew.
And that was only the beginning.
Adolescence proved no better when the masters he apprenticed with resorted to routine abuse of his mind and body. He always submitted because he was powerless to stop their beatings but, Suimei reminded himself curtly, he had vowed revenge and was going to get them one day.
And he did, didn't he?
Suimei smiled again, more maliciously this time, and in satisfaction.
But then came Itsuko. He suddenly stopped smiling and leapt up. Itsuko… that was the reason he had come, the reason he was tired – the reason he had to go.
All past pains forgotten, Suimei knew there was only one thing in the whole world that was important to him now, and that would be Kawata Itsuko.
"And what would your brother say?" The man chuckled to himself in amusement, watching the tall youth rush off into the darkness, "Before he tries to kill you, that is…"
The dainty droplet dripped onto the water clock and Kagome stirred, awoken by the tiny disturbance. She looked up into the unfamiliar wooden ceiling and felt herself free to move on the soft mat that covered most of the room.
My cores, are they released?…Kagome fumbled at her open collar as she sought to answer the question that mattered to her most.
"Beautiful day in the Snowy Country."
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru and cursed inwardly upon seeing him lounging indolently by the door, clothed in his silver furs. She pretended to take no notice and proceeded to draw the obi more tightly around her waist.
"You need not wonder about your power – feel free to blast me into a million pieces."
Kagome serious considered doing this but something inside her warned her against it. She looked up at the silver-haired man, "I would love to – but I'm sure you have some nasty trick up your sleeve that will just bounce my shocks right back."
Sesshoumaru laughed. Kagome continued to gaze at him coolly.
"And why would I do that, my lady?" He came closer and sat down by the mat, "I would never do anything to endanger you."
Kagome rose without replying, only to be pulled down into a passionate kiss. "You are very valuable to me, my lady." Sesshoumaru mumbled at her ear as he expertly undid her tight obi and then the kimono itself.
"Don't you have something better to do?" Kagome pushed him away, "It's only the morning and you've already fallen prey to my beauty?"
"Exactly." Sesshoumaru looked down at her enigmatically.
Kagome sneered and began to retie her clothes.
She gasped as she suddenly collapsed backwards onto the bedding. She turned around to look questioning at Sesshoumaru, who only raised an eyebrow, "I see my miko hasn't grasped her powers wholly yet."
"Are you going to force me again?" Kagome whispered.
Sesshoumaru casually strode atop her. "I will force you every single time until you are willing." He took off her outer coat and proceeded to do the same with the inner layers. All Kagome could do was lay there helplessly and let him do whatever he pleased.