Jackie: YAY! More reviews. There is a bit of set up over the next few chapters, but I promise there is juicy action to come. Bare with me!

DISCLAIMER; REFER TO CHAPTER 1

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Chapter 16;

Miyoiki awoke the next morning to Jaken yelling through the door that it was breakfast time. Miyoiki remembered going down to the practice yard, and the kiss still burned her lips, but it had suddenly gone black. Was it a dream as well? No, she could still smell him on her, on her bed. She jumped up and inspected her sheets. No, blood. The first time was always accompanied by blood. Her clothes were intact, so what happened?

Jaken again rapped on the door, shouting angrily about being ignored. She glanced at the door and realized that she no longer felt the urge to mate. She opened the door and took breakfast from him as she strode past. He followed her, of course, shouting at her about Sesshomaru having told her to stay in her room as she shoved breakfast down her throat. She walked and ate as she thought about the previous night. She ignored Jaken utterly and interrupted him by shoving the empty plate into his hands and asked, "Where is our lord, now?"

"Eating with, Rin in the courtyard of course," Jaken sputtered.

"The need for me to be penned has past," she said simply, "I will go and inform him. You should be happy, now I can take care of Rin again."

She left him standing there muttering about not being appreciated. She entered the courtyard and Sesshomaru instantly turned toward her. His expression had returned to its usual unreadable stare. Rin leapt down from the table and ran to Miyoiki, hugging her legs.

"Lady Miyoiki!" Rin cheered, "I've missed you!"

"I missed you too, Rin," Miyoiki said softly and patted Rin on the head lightly.

"I want to pick flowers," Rin said, "May I?"

"Of course," Miyoiki laughed, and Rin took off for the nearest flower.

Miyoiki walked over to Sesshomaru and searched his eyes for any hint of emotion, but found none. He's turned to ice again. She thought with an inward groan. There was only one way to get information from this side of Sesshomaru, and that was to come straight out and ask it.

"What happened last night?" She asked.

"You mean besides the fact that you disobeyed me?" Sesshomaru asked back.

"Don't change the subject," She hissed.

"Watch your tone," Sesshomaru growled back at her, "I accepted your rejection, but I am still your lord."

She was really aggravated by his stubbornness, and was completely convinced it was just a front to avoid answering the question. He was so practiced at pushing people out and avoiding anything that involved any hint of emotion. She knew he was in love with her, and last night had to have had an effect on him. She was not going to let him off the hook.

"Like what?" She spat, "Are you going to lock me up somewhere dark and cold? Even if you encase me in ice it won't be as cold as your presence!"

Her eyes flew open and she recoiled in shock at what had just come out of her mouth. Her hands clamped over her gaping lips, and she looked up into his eyes. His face had no emotion, but his eyes wavered just long enough for her to see the damage she had caused. She fumbled with an apology, "I'm… I didn't mean it… I-"

"The lack of warmth in my presence," Sesshomaru started, "Should have nothing to do with you completing your job, and showing a superior the respect their station deserves."

Miyoiki's eyes thinned and her hands went to her hips. He was STILL trying to avoid the subject. She crossed her arms and sniffed, "And my JOB, has NOTHING to do with LAST NIGHT!"

Sesshomaru replaced the wave of sadness with amusement at her persistence. He had wanted to talk about it later, but, "Nothing happened. Your honor is intact."

"That's not what I'm talking about!" She growled with frustration.

She stepped closer to him and whisper, "The way I remember it, we were… well, you know, and then everything went black. What happened?"

"I told you," He answered, "Nothing. Now, since we are not traveling, I expect you to teach Rin something useful, like reading and writing. I have matters to tend."

"Not until I'm finished!" Miyoiki barked, latching onto his arm.

The look he gave her shot daggers. He ripped his arm away from her, and turned to face her. He growled as he said, "You have abused my good graces too far."

He really didn't want to do this. He was sure punishing her was not the way to her heart. Why did she insist on talking about this anyway? She was in heat last night; it was only understandable that she would make a pass at him. He was sure she'd probably made a pass at Jaken and would have made a pass at anything to cross her path with male organs and a heartbeat. He only thanked Jaken's fear of him for the fact that Jaken had not allowed anything to happen.

The fact remained that she really had gone too far. She'd been going to far almost the whole time she'd spent in his service. If he didn't punish her, he would set precedence for Rin and Jaken. He grabbed both of her wrists. He really did not want to do this but…

"I am Sesshomaru, Lord of the Westlands," He said darkly, pushing down on her wrists and applying painful pressure to chosen spots that would do her no permanent damage, but would indeed deliver massive amounts of pain.

It was the way his father submitted him. It was common custom in the Dog Demon world as a disciplinary measure, and he knew too well, from several submissions how much it hurt. He expected her to hit her knees and try to pull away. Instead her face and eyes hardened. She stared defiantly into his eyes, so he applied more pressure.

"You, are my servant," He growled, "Your life and service are pledged to me, and I will do with them as I please."

The pain started to leak through to the surface. She grimaced, but continued to glare at him. More pressure was applied.

"You will dance, if I tell you to," He continued, "sleep, eat, and breathe, when I tell you to."

With a gasp of pain she hit her knees and obverted her eyes. Finally…

"And you WILL respect me," He said as he let go.

He turned and walked away before he would be forced to look at her. Miyoiki cradled her arms near her body and looked at the deep purple marks left on her wrists and forearms. She looked up and watched him retreat. Rin was at her side blinking in disbelief at the swelling marks on Miyoiki's arms.

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Jackie; (Ladie Galadriel) I agree. On everything. 'wink''wink''nudge''nudge' (KAWAIIBABE!) 'tackle''hugs''noogies' It's about time you showed up! What were you waiting for? For me to finish it and get to the sequel of 'In the End'? Missed you! (Trixietrixthetiger) 'blush' awwwwe, imagination? Beautiful writing? TALENT? You are my favorite reviewer of the day 'hands you an award'. I hate to tell you that you have a while to wait for the 'good part' though. 'wink'. (PrincessShadowcat) 'evil laugh' You will continue to hate me as some of the upcoming chapters are FULL OF CLIFFHANGERS MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Telekinetic91) Jackie like, Jackie like reviews, more reviews for Jackie. (shoujo22) Excited eh? 'raises eyebrows' I'm a married woman you know. 'wink' Just kidding, it thrills me that you look so forward to my writing. I hope I continue to kick arse. (Hollow Stares) One can only wonder until I publish this chapter.

Thanks for taking the time to review, I look as forward to your reviews as you look to my chapters. Anyone not reviewing should direct their attention to the button bellow;

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