Chapter four: The Difference Between Destination and Fate

" you can change your Destination, but never your fate"- Saiko

It was almost dark now. And the sun slowly began to sink beyond the threshold of the hills and of the on stretching valley. A fire was started, and Rin had finally settled near it. She giggled, watching as she finally let the lizard she had been holding captive, go. With it's bulging eyes, it scuttled away, in fear of the small monster catching it once again. Sesshomaru had not been seen since sundown. And he was not expected to be until the sun was in the sky once again. Saiko sat nearby, across from the crackling fire. It's yellow reflection illuminated off of her golden locks, capturing each shadow of her features. Her green-blue eyes illuminated through the flames as she gazed into them. They danced, laughing with the each of its crackling. As she watched the fire, a pair of golden-amber eyes, unknowingly watched her as well. They came from the tree's, who belonged to the Demon Lord. Who sat in their tangled web of branches. His curiosity rising. But only slightly. Very few things brought curiosity among him. She was one of those few. He growled low. This annoyed him greatly. And very few things did that as well. He watched as she slowly laid down on her side. Her dress and hair pooling about her. He watched over them all. The toad demon, the young girl, and the woman. Throughout the night. He did not need sleep. For he was a Demon Lord.

Early next morning, everyone was up by dawn. All were waling westward. They would be arriving to the thresh hold of the western lands, where Sesshomaru's castle stood high in but two hours. Saiko hung her head slightly as she walked. Her eyes half closed as she did. Thoughts running through her mind once again. Naraku knew she was running. And he let her know quite well. A great swelling, and sharp pain ran though her chest every so often as they walked. Sesshomaru sensed her pain, as she inwardly flinched on reaction. Saiko bit her lip again, another jolt running through her chest. She gently put a hand over her left shoulder. Bitting her bottom lip. Sesshomaru ignored it, though his eyes narrowed slightly as they kept walking. Saiko faltered in half step, bitting her bottom lip. Rin, who was trotting alongside Sesshomaru, glanced over her shoulder. She looked back up at Sesshomaru, her chocolate brown orbs watching him, to see if he would react to the woman's silent and solitary actions. She finally tugged on his sleeve gently.

" Sesshomaru-sama...Rin thinks there is something wrong with the woman.." she said quietly. Sesshomaru didn't spare a single glance down at the small child. But stopped, turning to face Saiko with hard eyes,

" Something bothering you, that you would wish to share?" He bit out, annoyed that she wasn't saying anything on her own. Saiko looked up, glaring slightly.

" No." And with that answer, he simply turned and kept walking. He wasn't going to force anything out of her...it was simply a waist of time. And he also...did not care to put it through blunt perspective As long as she could walk on her own, he didn't care. Rin bit her bottom lip, looking to saiko, then to a walking sesshomaru. She trotted after, saying nothing further. Saiko shook her head, looking down as she walked on. Silently as the rest. Jaken was especially quiet. Sesshomaru had asked nothing of him, and Rin had not started her torturous taunting...yet.

It was much later, The sun was once again making it's natural turn about the earth, sinking into it's hiding place, as if hiding from the moon. As if he would smother her golden rays. And with that, the castle was able to be seen in the distance. It was gloomy, and looked as one would be imprisoned there. With its towering walls, and enormous structure...not a place one would want to be. OK. So maybe that's what young Saiko was thinking, seeing she wasn't enthused of her situation. When in reality, if one were on a 'visit' and not a kidnaping, you would see its true beauties. Which were its, castle walls, hugging the castle itself protectively. And the castle walls themself that towered over the rolling valleys majestically. And on seeing this, the little girl, Rin, jumped, clapping her hands with fits of giggles. Jaken could be heard grummbling in the backround, and the footsteps that the enormous, dragon like creature. Ah-Un. Who followed their master obediently. The two headed dragon rose it heads high, recognizing their home as well. Saiko bowed her head, keeping silent. She had nothing to say, for there was no use for her words. To her, nor Sesshomaru. Or any of the companions around them.

After much walking, they finally made it.

Maids scrambled and servants whispered amongst themselves upon his arrival. Sesshomaru has yet again brought another living creature to the palace. This girl. Who was she? One maid noted her cat like ears, another her strange clothing. Saiko put her ears back in return, hearing murmuring as she walked behind Sesshomaru as they walked through the gates of ebony steel, and through the courtyard. Saiko kept her cat like ears bent back, glancing around. Sesshomaru glanced over his shoulder, watching her closely momentarily. Sesshomaru stopped, turning to face a passing maid.

" Take her to a bedroom..." He stated flatly, turning to walk away. Saiko yelped out of slight surprise, grabbing Sesshomaru's sleeve. He glanced down at her hand, and growled softly. She recoiled back.

" What are you going to do with me?" she asked, her eyes narrowed slightly. She took a small step back. And he then turned to face her.

" You are linked to Naraku. And you will not speak of how, nor why. I will keep you here as long as I please, or until my questions are answered. Try to escape and I will kill you myself. " Narrowed eyes were thrown in his direction as she growled softly. She turned her back on him, but was suddenly grabbed by her shoulder, face to face with him once again.

" And while you are in my presence, and staying here, I suggest you learn respect for those who hold your life, wench." Saiko turned her head to the side, stepping back as he let her shoulder go, turning and walking in the opposite direction without a word. The vermin! How she despised him even more! OH, she would have her day...– Her thoughts were cut short as she was called.

" Miss..this way..." Said the young servant girl meekly. Saiko turned to face her, bitting her bottom lip as she followed.

Their walk was silent as they twisted through halls. The only thing heard was the echo of their soft footsteps, their mangled and twisted reflection following them on the black, marble floors as they walked. Silence with words engulfed them, there was no need for talk.

"Here is your room..." said the young girl, opening the door and letting her in. Saiko glanced around. It was dark, most everything black, with some white. How depressing. No wonder he is so aloof...were her only thoughts. She stepped in, the floors still the ebony black marble. She sighed, turning to the maid and thanking her softly as the maid scrambled off. Saiko turned, walking towards the window seat of the bedroom. She sat on the black cushion, pulling her knees to her chest, and looking over the lands from her window. The blackness of the night was beginning to emerge as it did. The sun forfilling it's job of daylight. And the moon taking its place in silence, as it did as always.

Sesshomaru was in his study, sitting in a large leather chair at his desk. The study was filled with books, and was dark. The only light it was exposed to was that of a flame, to a small candle. He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk as he narrowed his eyes down at the abstract papers that were sprawled out amongst many other things on his desk. If he could, he would burn them and say he had no work to do. He couldn't do anything at the moment. His thoughts were drowning themselves over that damned demoness. Naraku was planning something. An attack. Certainly this woman was going to cost him more than she was worth. And then...his thoughts raced back to what he had seen but the day before. Her shoulder glowed a soft yellow, as if something were imbedded inside. He sensed power there, though it did not belong to her. He growled lowly. It must be a tool. Naraku's at that. He must control her with it. And if that was the case..she must be his. And he would want her back. Would that not mean that he could use her as bait? A toy to attract Naraku right to him to his death? Would she be harmed in the process? It did not matter. She was a means to an end, and he would use it. He sat back slowly, looking to the burning fire that was just across the room, in the large fireplace. He would study her more tomorrow...perhaps he would warm up to her. No. This Sesshomaru would not show emotion to her. Even for what he was trying to accomplish. It simply wasn't done.

Down the hall, making a left, and a right, and up two flights of stairs...and yet another hall would lay before you. And down this hall, past many rooms fell Saiko's. She lay within it on the bed, though not at peace. Naraku was tugging at her, draining more of her power due to her absence to him. She let out a soft whimper, sitting next to the bed, her arms resting on the edge, as she buried her arms in them for empty comfort. Her chest throbbed, small jolts running through her shoulder. This happened every night, but each time it grew harder for her to not show pain. She turned her head to the side slightly. A small tear slipping from her eye. She let out a small breath, the pain easing slightly. It as almost over...

Sesshomaru was working at his desk, though still thinking on as before, when a scent hit his nose. He glanced up...the scent of salt and water. Tears. He sighed, thinking maybe Rin had lost something, or had fallen. He paused again. The woman. He narrowed his amber eyes, slowly stood, a small growl. He slowly made his way across the study, walking to the door and opening it, before he turned down the hallway. He made a left. The scent got stronger. Making a right, and up the two flights of stairs, it increased. It was defiantly the woman. He started down the hall, and passing many rooms before he came to hers. He was silent. She did not her him. And wasn't aware of his presence. He stood near the door, listening to her movements. Saiko let out a small whimper, and had now made it on the bed. She lay on her side, hugging one of the pillows, her face buried causing Sesshomaru to lean in slightly towards the door. He narrowed his eyes, backing up once. What was going on...

...And since he didn't expect and answer, standing behind the door, he opened it, standing in the doorway. Saiko stiffened, her ears snapping back. Please no...not him...not now...She didn't turn to face him as he stared her down for a moment.

" Why do you cry?" He said, his voice flat.

" it is none of your concern." She said. A growl was heard.

" you will answer this Sesshomaru." He said, narrowing his eyes. He walked towards her, leaning in close as Saiko sat up, her eyes wide.

" You reek with the scent of tears..." He said, his voice low. Their eyes locked, and Saiko looked to the side, her eyes closing slightly. Her shoulder wasn't hurting as bad as before..so it was easier to concentrate on what to say. She glanced back at him. Sesshomaru watched her, thinking,. Perhaps...wooing her would be the only way to get her to cooperate. He suddenly grinned. And Saiko blinked. What was his problem? Split personality? What? She shook her head from her thoughts, trying to think again. Sesshomaru leaned in more.

"Are you in pain?" He questioned. His voice was slightly demanding, though it had a softer tint to it. Saiko slowly put an ear forward. " Not—no..." She said, leaning back.

" I'm...fine.." She said again. Sesshomaru nodded once, Standing again as he backed up.

"If you say." He said, turning to leave. Saiko narrowed her eyes, watching silently.

"What do you want to know about me...that you would have to keep me here...I have to get back..."

Saiko lowered her eyes for a moment, and Sesshomaru paused.

" Naraku holds him to you closely. I do not know if you are his et," That earned a small growl from Saiko. Sesshomaru continued otherwise.

" Or if you hold use to him. I will find that out as well." Saiko shook her head .

Saiko glared at the floor, slowly pulling her legs up to her chest, hugging them protectively

...This...was crazy...