A/n disclaimer: see chapter one. Aren't you guys tired of writing the same
thing at the beginning of each chapter? I sure as hell am. Ok enough talk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~
I woke up the next morning in an empty bed. The scent told me Inuyasha had left about a half hour ago. I got up, my stomach killing me. The gashes had been pretty deep. My top was torn and bloody. My pants weren't much better. I grabbed a towel and headed down to the river to wash and mend them. At the river, I took them off and wrapped the towel around me. I didn't want to be caught in my underclothes
It took awhile to get the blood out, but I wasn't in a hurry. The blood didn't show up very well, being that my outfit was all black. When they were all washed, I hung them up so they could dry and I could mend them. I sat down next to a large bolder and waited. The sun was warm and there was a light breeze. It was a perfect day. I closed my eyes, enjoying the breeze and dozed off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I got done talking to Sesshoumaru. He had walked in on me and Laquisha and was not happy.
*************************************FLASHBACK****************************** ******
"Inuyasha, what do you think you were doing with my slave?"
"Sleeping, what did it look like?"
"Inuyasha, don't tell me you."
"Mated?"
"Did you?!"
"What else would I be doin' with her?"
"And you've known her how long?"
"A couple days."
"Inuyasha."
"Hey, it was like it was meant to be, ok? I mean, I've never felt this way about anyone in my entire life."
"So. she is like her mother."
"What do you mean?"
"I knew her mother. We were very close, but we never went that far. The first time I laid eyes on her, she entranced me in many ways, but you must know this. She was cursed to help a certain human named Kikyo. She was forced away from me. Now I'm pretty sure she passed that curse down to Laquisha. If Kikyo is ever reincarnated, the curse will force her to protect her. That will mean going wherever Kikyo goes."
"Kikyo? You mean the protector of the Shikon Jewel?"
"Yes, that's exactly who I mean."
"Why was her mother cursed?"
"Kagaia almost got away with the jewel. If it weren't for that curse, she would have."
"Wow."
"If I remember correctly, Kagaia came from a very powerful wolf-demon family. Probably most powerful of all other wolf-demons. It was mostly the doing of an orb. They called it the Esfera de las Hembras. It means, sphere of the females. They called it that because only the females of the family could use it. For mates, they would choose only the strongest of men. Before Laquisha, they were all purebred wolf-demons. Kagaia broke that chain when she married a human. I do feel sorry for Laquisha. She was deprived of power that she would have had if she were full demon. I suppose she's still got talent, though."
"So why are you complaining about her being my mate?"
"You could've waited until you got to know her."
"Yah, I could have, but I didn't. To late now."
"Get out of my sight."
"Gladly."
**********************************END FLASHBACK**********************************
I opened the door to my room, but Laquisha wasn't there. I was already in a bad mood, and this didn't help. Irritated, I followed her scent to the river. Her clothes were drying and she was dozing in the sun. She snapped awake as I approached. She could smell my irritation.
"Um, hey, Inuyasha." She said timidly.
"Hey." I replied in a firm voice.
She backed away a bit when I got up to her. I grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes, my face inches from hers. I could smell a trickle of fear in the air.
"We need to talk." I said.
"Ok."
"First off, you are NOT to leave the bed without my knowledge. I'm to know where you are at all times. Understand?"
She tried to nod, but my grip was too tight. I felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew what was coming.
"Now about you turning your back to me, I should punish you severely, but I won't. And that demon."
"That wasn't my fault! I swear! He just came out of nowhere! I've never seen him before!"
I raised an eyebrow. She had cut me off in the middle of my sentence, but she had a good reason, so I overlooked it.
"Very well. If that's what you say, I trust you, but you need to learn how to stop that from happening."
"Right."
She turned her eyes down. She wasn't telling me something.
"By the way, what are you doing out of bed? You're injured."
"Well, when I woke up, you weren't there, so I decided to wash my clothes. I figured that you'd be gone awhile, so to pass the time, I came down here."
I shook my head. She needed to learn a few things about being a mate, but she could learn them later. I was tired of correcting her right now. I let go and plopped down next to her. She shook her head and rubbed her jaw. I guess I had been gripping her harder than I thought. She was kind of cold toward me for a while, but I didn't pay it any mind. She stood up and walked over to her clothes. She mended them and put them on. After a while she sighed. I could tell she wasn't happy about something. I stood up and got closer. Was she going to cry? She sniffed and plopped down on the ground, growling at herself. She buried her face in her knees, growling.
"Hey, be careful. You're going to reopen those wounds."
She looked up at me. Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She was too strong for them. I stood there, utterly bewildered. I had no idea what to do. Before I could do anything or say anything, the little toad Jaken came up.
"Inuyasha, you are late for your duties."
"Fine."
I looked back at Laquisha. She looked away. There was nothing I could do. I had responsibilities. A little voice in the back of my head said, "But isn't she your responsibility, too? You're the one who did this to her. You tried to tame a wild heart and hurt it in the process. You broke a free and independent spirit and put it in chains."
I didn't know what to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I watched him walk away. He shot a sorry look back at me. Grrr. I hated him and yet. I loved him. I hated him for what he did to me. I was already a slave before he took me. Now I'm a slave in a different way. But I still loved him. I still loved the bastard. Something flashed through my mind; 'Mating was never about love.' I growled. I hated the fact that I was ever born. Suicide crossed my mind, but I pushed that away. If I was going to go, I was going to go with a fight.
I stood up and went to the kitchen. Kami asked were I had been.
"Training with Inuyasha." I replied.
"Oh, well, have you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"Inuyasha's claimed a mate!"
"So?"
"This is really good news. Inuyasha had refused for so many years. No one quite knows why. He's gonna have to get busy and make pups. There are no heirs."
I dropped the pan I had in my hands.
"Are you ok?.. You know something don't you?!"
"No. yes."
"Come on, tell me!"
"I'm his mate."
The look on her face was priceless.
"Y- you. you're Inuyasha's mate?!"
"Yah. well."
"I'm soooo sorry for you!"
"Yah, thanks for the support."
"Sorry, but. oh my God! He's the most disagreeable bastard I've ever known!"
"Anyone I know?"
Inuyasha had shown up without us noticing.
"Uh-uh, hi, Inuyasha." Kami stammered, bowing herself out.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
"Nothing."
He gave me a look.
"Nothing! Just girl stuff! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Kagome."
"Oh, well, I was just comin' to see how you were doin'."
"Thanks, but I'm fine. I'm not a human, remember?"
I pointed to my ears.
"Right, well. I gotta go."
"Wait, Inuyasha, I'm sorry. It's not like I don't appreciate the concern, I do, but I'm not used to being cared about."
He gave a half smile and left. I think I might have hurt his feelings, but I wasn't sure. I went to Kagome's room, (she had the day off) and knocked.
"Come in." she said through the door.
I entered cautiously. She might have been mad at me.
"Oh, Laquisha, it's you."
"Yah, it's me. Listen, about last night, I'm sorry for leaving you. It's just that, I passed out and Inuyasha carried me home."
"Oh, no problem. It was my fault for following, now wasn't it?"
"Yes, but I told you I'd come back and I didn't."
"It's fine."
"Ok. well, as long as you got home alright."
"Yah."
I looked at her a moment. She looked familiar.
"Hey, have we met before? I mean, before I came here." I asked her.
"I don't think so."
"Oh, well, I've got to go."
"Ok, see you later. Thanks for the visit."
"No problem."
As soon as I had left the room, Sesshoumaru's personal servant came up.
"Lord Sesshoumaru wishes to speak with you." It said.
"Right.." I replied following him.
I could tell it had to do with Inuyasha and I because he kept on shooting nervous glances at me. It was as though he was sending me to my death. We stopped outside a pair of large doors.
"Wait here." He said.
So I stood there, listening through the door.
"My Lord, Laquisha here at your request."
"What took you so long?"
"I had to find her first. It seems that she was visiting that slave Kagome."
"Very well, show her in."
"Yes my lord."
I jumped away from the door and pretended I had been looking at my claws the whole time.
"Lord Sesshoumaru will see you now."
"Thanks."
I entered the room and the doors shut behind me. Sesshoumaru and I were the only ones in the room. He did not look happy. Minding Kami's rules, I knelt and did not speak until spoken to. He motioned for me to stand before talking.
"Laquisha, I've heard, er, rumors that you and Inuyasha are now mates."
"Oh, so that's what this is about. Well, for your information, I didn't choose him, he chose me."
"I see. So Inuyasha wasn't lying."
"Why would he lie about something like that?"
"To make me angry."
"Oh."
"Well, since you two are mates now, that makes you a free woman. That does not mean, however, that you do not answer to Inuyasha and myself. There is one matter that needs to be resolved."
"And what is that?"
"How loyal you are to him."
"Ohhhhhh, great."
"Are you saying you're not?"
"NO! I am loyal. I'm not some slut. I didn't even want to be anyone's mate!"
He raised an eyebrow. I knew I had spoken out of place. I cast my gaze away.
"Still, a test is to take place. It will come without your knowing, so don't expect me to tell you beforehand."
I could sense a bit of irritation in his voice. It made me fold my ears back. I had my pride, but I wasn't stupid.
"Is that all?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes, you're excused."
I left quickly. I didn't go anywhere; I just wandered around, not believing becoming someone's mate would cause so much trouble. It wasn't until after dark when I found my way back to the study. That's where I found Inuyasha.
"Where have you been all day?!" He asked.
I folded my ears back.
"I don't know." I replied.
"You don't know?!"
I could tell he was pissed.
"Really, I'm not lying! I've just been wondering around."
"I told you, I am to know where you are at all times!"
"I didn't even know where I was! God, if you loved me you would understand!"
"Mating isn't about love!"
His words hit me like a trust from a sword. It hadn't occurred to me that he didn't love me. I mean, he violated the one thing that I had of true value, and yet he didn't love me? A soft growl formed in my throat. I had never felt so violated.
He turned around and gripped a chair. He was mad about something. What right did he have to be mad? I'm the victim here. Since his back was turned to me, it wouldn't be a crime to run. Actually, it would, but he couldn't stop me fast enough. So, I ran to my room, hoping he wouldn't follow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I heard her run from the room and I had a sudden urge to chase her down, but I didn't. She had a right to be mad at me. I had taken her virginity and her free spirit. Two things that bitches like her held very dear. And then I had denied her my feelings, I had corrected her instead of telling her I loved her. I had hurt her very deeply.
Still, something just wasn't right. She wasn't telling me something, and it had to be something big, for her to hide it like this. I decided to wait for her to cool off before I went to ask her. I had a right to know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I had expected him to chase me down, but, to my surprise, he didn't. I made it up to my room without any trouble. I figured he was too mad to worry about me, so I got into bed.
I had just fallen asleep when the door creaked open. Inuyasha's scent reached my nose, but still I didn't wake from my dream. Finally, it registered, and I woke up. He was standing at the foot of my bed. I could tell by the look on his face what he wanted. He wanted.... The truth. (Ha, ha, I tricked you! You thought I was going to say somethin' else) I sighed and shook my head.
"Inuyasha, I haven't been completely truthful."
A quiet growl filled my ears.
"You know when I said I'd never seen Kouga before? Well, that wasn't exactly true. I met him once a few years ago, and he. he kinda claimed me as his. No, he didn't do THAT to me, but he came close. I got away, but still his pack of wolf-demons still think that I'm his."
"And are you going go to Kouga?"
"That depends on you."
In a flash, he stratled me and grabbed my wrists. He was like a red blur. There was a growl in his voice when he spoke.
"You are my mate, not Kouga's. I'm the one who was strong enough to subdue you. I'm the one who loves you."
My expression softened. So. so he did love me. He did care. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The expression on her face had softened. So, she had thought I didn't love her. Well, I guess that was my fault. She released herself from my grasp and wrapped her arms around me. I was surprised at the act of affection, but I liked it. I nipped at her neck and she shuttered. I had found her soft spot. I smirked at her and she gave me a look. Her looks just killed me. It was enough to send me into a frenzy. She could smell my urge and smiled. She started nipping at my neck and shoulders. It took awhile for me to get what she was doing. She was teasing me. I wasn't in the mood to be teased. I wanted to seize. I played along with it for a while, but she needed to know who was in charge. I forced myself into her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I was being a flirt by teasing him, I know, but I was having fun. My fun didn't last very long; he kinda. took over. I didn't expect anything less from him. When I woke up the next morning, he was stroking my hair. It was very nice. I snuggled up closer to him and fell back asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I gripped the chair harder. I couldn't believe the gall of my younger brother. He had deliberately taken my slave right from under my nose. But that wasn't the thing that was bothering me. Laquisha had left to find her mother's crypt without consulting me first. I wanted to monitor how she got in, what was going on, and what was in it. I didn't have much time to brood. At that moment the doors burst open and Laquisha came striding in with Jaken running behind her, trying to keep up and stop her at the same time. I raised my hand, telling him to leave. He bowed and left.
"So, you're even more like your mother than I thought."
"How so?"
"You have no respect for the rules."
"Oh, yah. about that.."
"Wait, before you even get started, I have some matters to discuss with you."
"Like?"
"You going to your mother's crypt without consulting me first."
"Oh, right. Sorry about that. It's just that I've been having this dream about my mother's crypt and it was driving me crazy. So, to make it stop, I left to find the crypt."
"Well, I see you're still alive."
"Yes, but I have one thing to ask of you."
"And what is that?"
"I have to find an old woman named Kadae. I've been asking around and she's an old priestess in a village miles away."
"And just why do you want to go see this old woman?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me."
She sighed and continued.
"My mother told me to."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
"It is a bit unbelievable."
"Well, to make a long story short, I saw her in her crypt."
"Hmm. you seem, desperate. Like your not telling me something."
"She told me Kadae could tell me more about the curse placed on, well, technically me."
"I see, did she tell you anything else?"
"Um, nothing more than a bit of family history."
"Fine. If you can get permission from Inuyasha, you may go. But I warn you. Inuyasha rarely does anyone favors. Not even me."
"Thank you my lord." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I bowed myself out. Kagome met me out in the hall.
"I am so, so sorry."
"For what?"
"I told Sesshoumaru that you went looking for something two nights ago."
"Oh, well, you had no idea I wasn't supposed to be out there."
"Well, yah, but."
"Don't worry about it. I didn't get in trouble. Besides, now we're even."
I looked at her for a moment, and then it hit me. She looked almost exactly like Kikyo!
"Kagome, follow me!"
"Why?"
"Just do it!" I exclaimed, running up the stairs to Inuyasha's room.
When we got there, I grabbed my sword, turned it into an orb, and touched it to Kagome's forehead. It glowed brightly.
"Why is it glowing like that?" Kagome asked.
"Because you're the true protector to the Shikon Jewel."
"The what?"
"The Jewel of the Seven Souls."
"WHAT?"
"You are the reincarnation of Lady Kikio herself. The orb proves it."
"The orb is lying."
"The orb can't lie! Here, I can prove it. If I can talk Inuyasha into letting me, I'm going to see an old priestess named Kadae. She'll know if you are or not."
"Kadae, you mean THE Lady Kadae?"
"Yup, and just think, it'll get you out of chores for a day."
"Oh, all right, I'll go, but you said you've got to convince Inuyasha to let you. That's no easy task."
"So I've heard. Just leave it to me. It'll work."
"Ok." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
(An ugly creature enters its master's room. It bows deeply and cringes at its master's irritated tone.)
"What do you want now?"
"L-lord Naraku, I have most joyous news."
"Well, get on with it."
"The-the Shikon Jewel has been removed from its resting place and has been awakened, sire."
"Good. where is it?"
"This still remains unresolved."
"Well, then make it RESOLVED!"
"Y-yes my lord."
The creature scurried out of the room and sighed.
"The was close." It whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
"Oh, come on Inuyasha! I really need to go! Most of my family's history is in this old woman's head! PLEASE!"
I had been begging Inuyasha for the past ten minutes.
"Grrr, fine! I'll make you a deal. If I let you go I have to come and you won't have ANY objections when I decide to pup you."
I stumbled backward. This sucked. The two options were weighing in my mind. This was too important to pass up.
"Fine! You can come!"
"And?"
"And I won't have any objections." I muttered.
"Good girl." He said with a grin.
"Just to let you know, Kagome's coming."
"What? Why?"
"For reasons I can't explain at the moment, but, trust me, you'll find out."
"Fine."
I ran to find Kagome, told her the good news, ran to find Sesshoumaru's personal servant, told him to tell Sesshomouru that Inuyasha has agreed to let me go under a few conditions, and went back to my room to pack. After I was done packing, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and there was Sesshoumaru's personal servant standing outside the door.
"Let me guess, Sesshoumaru wants to see me."
"Yes."
I went to Sesshoumaru with a bit of an attitude.
"Whacha want now?"
"My servant told me there was some conditions of which you could go. I would like to know what those are."
I blushed immensely.
"Um, well, that he could come along and."
"And?"
"That I would have no objections when he decided to pup me." I muttered.
I could see amusement in his eyes.
"Very well. You may go, but I expect you back in at least a week, unless I get word from Inuyasha himself."
"Yes, my lord." I said, bowing myself out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
When she was gone I almost let myself grin. I saw that my younger brother was wasting no time. At least he was doing one thing right. His impatience had always amazed me, but this time I found it amusing. I just hope it isn't his downfall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
A/n Yo, I know this was a long chapter, but who cares? Ok, sorry about the cliffhanger, but I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen next. By the way, suggestions for names of the next chapters are appreciated. As you may have noticed, they are all starting with C (ex. The Confession). Ok, flame or praise, just review.
I woke up the next morning in an empty bed. The scent told me Inuyasha had left about a half hour ago. I got up, my stomach killing me. The gashes had been pretty deep. My top was torn and bloody. My pants weren't much better. I grabbed a towel and headed down to the river to wash and mend them. At the river, I took them off and wrapped the towel around me. I didn't want to be caught in my underclothes
It took awhile to get the blood out, but I wasn't in a hurry. The blood didn't show up very well, being that my outfit was all black. When they were all washed, I hung them up so they could dry and I could mend them. I sat down next to a large bolder and waited. The sun was warm and there was a light breeze. It was a perfect day. I closed my eyes, enjoying the breeze and dozed off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I got done talking to Sesshoumaru. He had walked in on me and Laquisha and was not happy.
*************************************FLASHBACK****************************** ******
"Inuyasha, what do you think you were doing with my slave?"
"Sleeping, what did it look like?"
"Inuyasha, don't tell me you."
"Mated?"
"Did you?!"
"What else would I be doin' with her?"
"And you've known her how long?"
"A couple days."
"Inuyasha."
"Hey, it was like it was meant to be, ok? I mean, I've never felt this way about anyone in my entire life."
"So. she is like her mother."
"What do you mean?"
"I knew her mother. We were very close, but we never went that far. The first time I laid eyes on her, she entranced me in many ways, but you must know this. She was cursed to help a certain human named Kikyo. She was forced away from me. Now I'm pretty sure she passed that curse down to Laquisha. If Kikyo is ever reincarnated, the curse will force her to protect her. That will mean going wherever Kikyo goes."
"Kikyo? You mean the protector of the Shikon Jewel?"
"Yes, that's exactly who I mean."
"Why was her mother cursed?"
"Kagaia almost got away with the jewel. If it weren't for that curse, she would have."
"Wow."
"If I remember correctly, Kagaia came from a very powerful wolf-demon family. Probably most powerful of all other wolf-demons. It was mostly the doing of an orb. They called it the Esfera de las Hembras. It means, sphere of the females. They called it that because only the females of the family could use it. For mates, they would choose only the strongest of men. Before Laquisha, they were all purebred wolf-demons. Kagaia broke that chain when she married a human. I do feel sorry for Laquisha. She was deprived of power that she would have had if she were full demon. I suppose she's still got talent, though."
"So why are you complaining about her being my mate?"
"You could've waited until you got to know her."
"Yah, I could have, but I didn't. To late now."
"Get out of my sight."
"Gladly."
**********************************END FLASHBACK**********************************
I opened the door to my room, but Laquisha wasn't there. I was already in a bad mood, and this didn't help. Irritated, I followed her scent to the river. Her clothes were drying and she was dozing in the sun. She snapped awake as I approached. She could smell my irritation.
"Um, hey, Inuyasha." She said timidly.
"Hey." I replied in a firm voice.
She backed away a bit when I got up to her. I grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes, my face inches from hers. I could smell a trickle of fear in the air.
"We need to talk." I said.
"Ok."
"First off, you are NOT to leave the bed without my knowledge. I'm to know where you are at all times. Understand?"
She tried to nod, but my grip was too tight. I felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew what was coming.
"Now about you turning your back to me, I should punish you severely, but I won't. And that demon."
"That wasn't my fault! I swear! He just came out of nowhere! I've never seen him before!"
I raised an eyebrow. She had cut me off in the middle of my sentence, but she had a good reason, so I overlooked it.
"Very well. If that's what you say, I trust you, but you need to learn how to stop that from happening."
"Right."
She turned her eyes down. She wasn't telling me something.
"By the way, what are you doing out of bed? You're injured."
"Well, when I woke up, you weren't there, so I decided to wash my clothes. I figured that you'd be gone awhile, so to pass the time, I came down here."
I shook my head. She needed to learn a few things about being a mate, but she could learn them later. I was tired of correcting her right now. I let go and plopped down next to her. She shook her head and rubbed her jaw. I guess I had been gripping her harder than I thought. She was kind of cold toward me for a while, but I didn't pay it any mind. She stood up and walked over to her clothes. She mended them and put them on. After a while she sighed. I could tell she wasn't happy about something. I stood up and got closer. Was she going to cry? She sniffed and plopped down on the ground, growling at herself. She buried her face in her knees, growling.
"Hey, be careful. You're going to reopen those wounds."
She looked up at me. Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She was too strong for them. I stood there, utterly bewildered. I had no idea what to do. Before I could do anything or say anything, the little toad Jaken came up.
"Inuyasha, you are late for your duties."
"Fine."
I looked back at Laquisha. She looked away. There was nothing I could do. I had responsibilities. A little voice in the back of my head said, "But isn't she your responsibility, too? You're the one who did this to her. You tried to tame a wild heart and hurt it in the process. You broke a free and independent spirit and put it in chains."
I didn't know what to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I watched him walk away. He shot a sorry look back at me. Grrr. I hated him and yet. I loved him. I hated him for what he did to me. I was already a slave before he took me. Now I'm a slave in a different way. But I still loved him. I still loved the bastard. Something flashed through my mind; 'Mating was never about love.' I growled. I hated the fact that I was ever born. Suicide crossed my mind, but I pushed that away. If I was going to go, I was going to go with a fight.
I stood up and went to the kitchen. Kami asked were I had been.
"Training with Inuyasha." I replied.
"Oh, well, have you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"Inuyasha's claimed a mate!"
"So?"
"This is really good news. Inuyasha had refused for so many years. No one quite knows why. He's gonna have to get busy and make pups. There are no heirs."
I dropped the pan I had in my hands.
"Are you ok?.. You know something don't you?!"
"No. yes."
"Come on, tell me!"
"I'm his mate."
The look on her face was priceless.
"Y- you. you're Inuyasha's mate?!"
"Yah. well."
"I'm soooo sorry for you!"
"Yah, thanks for the support."
"Sorry, but. oh my God! He's the most disagreeable bastard I've ever known!"
"Anyone I know?"
Inuyasha had shown up without us noticing.
"Uh-uh, hi, Inuyasha." Kami stammered, bowing herself out.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
"Nothing."
He gave me a look.
"Nothing! Just girl stuff! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Kagome."
"Oh, well, I was just comin' to see how you were doin'."
"Thanks, but I'm fine. I'm not a human, remember?"
I pointed to my ears.
"Right, well. I gotta go."
"Wait, Inuyasha, I'm sorry. It's not like I don't appreciate the concern, I do, but I'm not used to being cared about."
He gave a half smile and left. I think I might have hurt his feelings, but I wasn't sure. I went to Kagome's room, (she had the day off) and knocked.
"Come in." she said through the door.
I entered cautiously. She might have been mad at me.
"Oh, Laquisha, it's you."
"Yah, it's me. Listen, about last night, I'm sorry for leaving you. It's just that, I passed out and Inuyasha carried me home."
"Oh, no problem. It was my fault for following, now wasn't it?"
"Yes, but I told you I'd come back and I didn't."
"It's fine."
"Ok. well, as long as you got home alright."
"Yah."
I looked at her a moment. She looked familiar.
"Hey, have we met before? I mean, before I came here." I asked her.
"I don't think so."
"Oh, well, I've got to go."
"Ok, see you later. Thanks for the visit."
"No problem."
As soon as I had left the room, Sesshoumaru's personal servant came up.
"Lord Sesshoumaru wishes to speak with you." It said.
"Right.." I replied following him.
I could tell it had to do with Inuyasha and I because he kept on shooting nervous glances at me. It was as though he was sending me to my death. We stopped outside a pair of large doors.
"Wait here." He said.
So I stood there, listening through the door.
"My Lord, Laquisha here at your request."
"What took you so long?"
"I had to find her first. It seems that she was visiting that slave Kagome."
"Very well, show her in."
"Yes my lord."
I jumped away from the door and pretended I had been looking at my claws the whole time.
"Lord Sesshoumaru will see you now."
"Thanks."
I entered the room and the doors shut behind me. Sesshoumaru and I were the only ones in the room. He did not look happy. Minding Kami's rules, I knelt and did not speak until spoken to. He motioned for me to stand before talking.
"Laquisha, I've heard, er, rumors that you and Inuyasha are now mates."
"Oh, so that's what this is about. Well, for your information, I didn't choose him, he chose me."
"I see. So Inuyasha wasn't lying."
"Why would he lie about something like that?"
"To make me angry."
"Oh."
"Well, since you two are mates now, that makes you a free woman. That does not mean, however, that you do not answer to Inuyasha and myself. There is one matter that needs to be resolved."
"And what is that?"
"How loyal you are to him."
"Ohhhhhh, great."
"Are you saying you're not?"
"NO! I am loyal. I'm not some slut. I didn't even want to be anyone's mate!"
He raised an eyebrow. I knew I had spoken out of place. I cast my gaze away.
"Still, a test is to take place. It will come without your knowing, so don't expect me to tell you beforehand."
I could sense a bit of irritation in his voice. It made me fold my ears back. I had my pride, but I wasn't stupid.
"Is that all?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes, you're excused."
I left quickly. I didn't go anywhere; I just wandered around, not believing becoming someone's mate would cause so much trouble. It wasn't until after dark when I found my way back to the study. That's where I found Inuyasha.
"Where have you been all day?!" He asked.
I folded my ears back.
"I don't know." I replied.
"You don't know?!"
I could tell he was pissed.
"Really, I'm not lying! I've just been wondering around."
"I told you, I am to know where you are at all times!"
"I didn't even know where I was! God, if you loved me you would understand!"
"Mating isn't about love!"
His words hit me like a trust from a sword. It hadn't occurred to me that he didn't love me. I mean, he violated the one thing that I had of true value, and yet he didn't love me? A soft growl formed in my throat. I had never felt so violated.
He turned around and gripped a chair. He was mad about something. What right did he have to be mad? I'm the victim here. Since his back was turned to me, it wouldn't be a crime to run. Actually, it would, but he couldn't stop me fast enough. So, I ran to my room, hoping he wouldn't follow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I heard her run from the room and I had a sudden urge to chase her down, but I didn't. She had a right to be mad at me. I had taken her virginity and her free spirit. Two things that bitches like her held very dear. And then I had denied her my feelings, I had corrected her instead of telling her I loved her. I had hurt her very deeply.
Still, something just wasn't right. She wasn't telling me something, and it had to be something big, for her to hide it like this. I decided to wait for her to cool off before I went to ask her. I had a right to know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I had expected him to chase me down, but, to my surprise, he didn't. I made it up to my room without any trouble. I figured he was too mad to worry about me, so I got into bed.
I had just fallen asleep when the door creaked open. Inuyasha's scent reached my nose, but still I didn't wake from my dream. Finally, it registered, and I woke up. He was standing at the foot of my bed. I could tell by the look on his face what he wanted. He wanted.... The truth. (Ha, ha, I tricked you! You thought I was going to say somethin' else) I sighed and shook my head.
"Inuyasha, I haven't been completely truthful."
A quiet growl filled my ears.
"You know when I said I'd never seen Kouga before? Well, that wasn't exactly true. I met him once a few years ago, and he. he kinda claimed me as his. No, he didn't do THAT to me, but he came close. I got away, but still his pack of wolf-demons still think that I'm his."
"And are you going go to Kouga?"
"That depends on you."
In a flash, he stratled me and grabbed my wrists. He was like a red blur. There was a growl in his voice when he spoke.
"You are my mate, not Kouga's. I'm the one who was strong enough to subdue you. I'm the one who loves you."
My expression softened. So. so he did love me. He did care. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The expression on her face had softened. So, she had thought I didn't love her. Well, I guess that was my fault. She released herself from my grasp and wrapped her arms around me. I was surprised at the act of affection, but I liked it. I nipped at her neck and she shuttered. I had found her soft spot. I smirked at her and she gave me a look. Her looks just killed me. It was enough to send me into a frenzy. She could smell my urge and smiled. She started nipping at my neck and shoulders. It took awhile for me to get what she was doing. She was teasing me. I wasn't in the mood to be teased. I wanted to seize. I played along with it for a while, but she needed to know who was in charge. I forced myself into her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I was being a flirt by teasing him, I know, but I was having fun. My fun didn't last very long; he kinda. took over. I didn't expect anything less from him. When I woke up the next morning, he was stroking my hair. It was very nice. I snuggled up closer to him and fell back asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I gripped the chair harder. I couldn't believe the gall of my younger brother. He had deliberately taken my slave right from under my nose. But that wasn't the thing that was bothering me. Laquisha had left to find her mother's crypt without consulting me first. I wanted to monitor how she got in, what was going on, and what was in it. I didn't have much time to brood. At that moment the doors burst open and Laquisha came striding in with Jaken running behind her, trying to keep up and stop her at the same time. I raised my hand, telling him to leave. He bowed and left.
"So, you're even more like your mother than I thought."
"How so?"
"You have no respect for the rules."
"Oh, yah. about that.."
"Wait, before you even get started, I have some matters to discuss with you."
"Like?"
"You going to your mother's crypt without consulting me first."
"Oh, right. Sorry about that. It's just that I've been having this dream about my mother's crypt and it was driving me crazy. So, to make it stop, I left to find the crypt."
"Well, I see you're still alive."
"Yes, but I have one thing to ask of you."
"And what is that?"
"I have to find an old woman named Kadae. I've been asking around and she's an old priestess in a village miles away."
"And just why do you want to go see this old woman?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me."
She sighed and continued.
"My mother told me to."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
"It is a bit unbelievable."
"Well, to make a long story short, I saw her in her crypt."
"Hmm. you seem, desperate. Like your not telling me something."
"She told me Kadae could tell me more about the curse placed on, well, technically me."
"I see, did she tell you anything else?"
"Um, nothing more than a bit of family history."
"Fine. If you can get permission from Inuyasha, you may go. But I warn you. Inuyasha rarely does anyone favors. Not even me."
"Thank you my lord." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
I bowed myself out. Kagome met me out in the hall.
"I am so, so sorry."
"For what?"
"I told Sesshoumaru that you went looking for something two nights ago."
"Oh, well, you had no idea I wasn't supposed to be out there."
"Well, yah, but."
"Don't worry about it. I didn't get in trouble. Besides, now we're even."
I looked at her for a moment, and then it hit me. She looked almost exactly like Kikyo!
"Kagome, follow me!"
"Why?"
"Just do it!" I exclaimed, running up the stairs to Inuyasha's room.
When we got there, I grabbed my sword, turned it into an orb, and touched it to Kagome's forehead. It glowed brightly.
"Why is it glowing like that?" Kagome asked.
"Because you're the true protector to the Shikon Jewel."
"The what?"
"The Jewel of the Seven Souls."
"WHAT?"
"You are the reincarnation of Lady Kikio herself. The orb proves it."
"The orb is lying."
"The orb can't lie! Here, I can prove it. If I can talk Inuyasha into letting me, I'm going to see an old priestess named Kadae. She'll know if you are or not."
"Kadae, you mean THE Lady Kadae?"
"Yup, and just think, it'll get you out of chores for a day."
"Oh, all right, I'll go, but you said you've got to convince Inuyasha to let you. That's no easy task."
"So I've heard. Just leave it to me. It'll work."
"Ok." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
(An ugly creature enters its master's room. It bows deeply and cringes at its master's irritated tone.)
"What do you want now?"
"L-lord Naraku, I have most joyous news."
"Well, get on with it."
"The-the Shikon Jewel has been removed from its resting place and has been awakened, sire."
"Good. where is it?"
"This still remains unresolved."
"Well, then make it RESOLVED!"
"Y-yes my lord."
The creature scurried out of the room and sighed.
"The was close." It whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
"Oh, come on Inuyasha! I really need to go! Most of my family's history is in this old woman's head! PLEASE!"
I had been begging Inuyasha for the past ten minutes.
"Grrr, fine! I'll make you a deal. If I let you go I have to come and you won't have ANY objections when I decide to pup you."
I stumbled backward. This sucked. The two options were weighing in my mind. This was too important to pass up.
"Fine! You can come!"
"And?"
"And I won't have any objections." I muttered.
"Good girl." He said with a grin.
"Just to let you know, Kagome's coming."
"What? Why?"
"For reasons I can't explain at the moment, but, trust me, you'll find out."
"Fine."
I ran to find Kagome, told her the good news, ran to find Sesshoumaru's personal servant, told him to tell Sesshomouru that Inuyasha has agreed to let me go under a few conditions, and went back to my room to pack. After I was done packing, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and there was Sesshoumaru's personal servant standing outside the door.
"Let me guess, Sesshoumaru wants to see me."
"Yes."
I went to Sesshoumaru with a bit of an attitude.
"Whacha want now?"
"My servant told me there was some conditions of which you could go. I would like to know what those are."
I blushed immensely.
"Um, well, that he could come along and."
"And?"
"That I would have no objections when he decided to pup me." I muttered.
I could see amusement in his eyes.
"Very well. You may go, but I expect you back in at least a week, unless I get word from Inuyasha himself."
"Yes, my lord." I said, bowing myself out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
When she was gone I almost let myself grin. I saw that my younger brother was wasting no time. At least he was doing one thing right. His impatience had always amazed me, but this time I found it amusing. I just hope it isn't his downfall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
A/n Yo, I know this was a long chapter, but who cares? Ok, sorry about the cliffhanger, but I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen next. By the way, suggestions for names of the next chapters are appreciated. As you may have noticed, they are all starting with C (ex. The Confession). Ok, flame or praise, just review.