Sorting Things Out
Seshoumaru sighed out his distressing confusion. Now that the girl was in his castle, he didn't know what to do with her. The only thoughts he had had before were of scaring and getting her to his home.
He sat in his library, his sanctuary, where no on else was allowed. The walls were lined with shelves containing volume upon volume of novels and other great works of literature. A few chairs were set around the room, the minority up against walls under windows and some placed around the shelves. Exotic rugs and hangings covered the walls and floor where ever there was room and some of his antiques were set on miniature stands about the little place.
This room was his peace and escape from outside intrusions and complicated problems, but it was also his place for silent contemplation of major changes in his life; right now, mainly focusing on one lone miko.
Placed in a small servant's room at least a few hours before, Kagome was surprised she had gotten that much; she figured Sesshoumaru would have her sent to the deepest, darkest dungeon to be tortured. Well, shows me how much I know.
She sat on the futon in the farthest corner from the door staring at nothing. She had been led here by a small servant and told to sit and not be a nuisance to the master. Her thoughts roamed everywhere, but always seemed to come back to one thing—what was going to happen to her and what could she do to prevent it?
There was a little closet near the foot of the bed and a small nightstand next to the head, but that was all the furniture allowed her in this diminutive space. A very small window was above her bed near the ceiling, too high to reach and too tiny to crawl through. The rest of the room lay bare; no colorful hangings or rugs covered her stone quarters, just plain white sheets and wooden furniture.
She stood and began to pace the short span of her lodging. What now? Just stay and wait for my sentence? I think not. I've got to DO something! Her pattern of movement helped her slightly in her head as she tried her best to formulate a plan. Well, I'm in the servants' quarters; maybe I could get away as one.
Deciding that was the best course of action she checked the closet to see if there was an extra kimono for her to put on; thankfully of which there was. She quickly pulled off her school uniform and slid the kimono on, hiding her uniform under the futon. Leisurely, she opened her door and poked her head out to see if anyone was about. No one yelled at her to return to her room and no one jumped out in the corridor shouting that she had escaped; the hallway was empty. Taking this as a good sign, she stepped out into the hall and shut her door behind her quietly.
Doors lined either wall with just as much decorating as her room; no hangings or color of any kind, just what was needed. Between every two doors, a window would let in light, bathing that section of stone.
Kagome had to blink a few times to reacquaint herself with more light than just one window could allow. Trying to play the part of a busy servant, she kept her pace to a fast walk with her head down while still searching for a wide door that would be an exit from this castle. Every now and then, another servant would pass her on one errand or another not even glancing at her.
This place was gigantic, she discovered, as she wound her way through hallway after hallway making herself dizzy and getting lost. Kagome had lost count of how many hallways she had gone through and wouldn't be able to back track if she tried. Finally she came upon a dead end with double doors intricately carved in rich dark wood. Maybe this is my way out. She approached the doors slowly, taking a deep breath and grabbing the handle pulling the right side open.
The sight before her took any breath she had left. It was a beautiful library full of striking stiff backed books. All shades of the rainbow bloomed on every surface and space available. With all of this color, she didn't see the figure sitting in a chair close to the door, watching as she came in.
Every thought of escape was whisked away as she stood inside the room and looked about her with wide, curious eyes. Hesitantly, she approached the shelves and looked at the titles. Good thing she had lessons on old Japanese for that was all that these books were written in. Just as she reached out her hand to touch one of the bindings, a voice broke in.
"What are you doing in here?" Instantly, she knew who it was.
Ducking her head she spun around to face him. "Gomen, Sesshoumaru-sama. I was looking for the kitchens."
He didn't know how she did it, but he was going to find out. No one knew about this room, not even his closest advisors. It was also hidden by an invisible spell so his servants wouldn't stumble upon it.
Who IS this girl? I just might have to kill her. As he breathed in, a peculiar scent came up to meet him. That smell. What is it? I know that smell from somewhere… He couldn't see her face for she kept her head down, but that was just as well; most of his servants were females.
"What is your name, girl?"
He saw her shoulders tense as he said 'girl'. Well, a rebel. This could be interesting.
"Kago-Kagorin, master." Her voice sounded strained as if she were gritting her teeth against the fear and anger that swirled around her.
"And why is it that you are at the other end of the castle away from the kitchens? They are right next to the servants' quarters."
"I-I'm new here."
Her voice sounded familiar, too. Strange.
"How did you get into this room?"
"Through the door, Sesshoumaru-sama," she said not impolitely.
"And how did you see the doors? I have a special spell on this room. No one can see it except for those whom have special abilities."
The servant had no answer for this. Her fear had grown and was now the dominant odor surrounding her; that was good for he wanted her to fear him.
Kami, I'm going to die. Help, someone, onegai! She didn't know what to do. How was she to know that this room had a spell on it?
She could feel his gaze burning into her making her feel naked and vulnerable. She began to fidget beneath his scrutiny.
"I'd better go to the kitchens then." She turned to leave and made a few quick steps toward the door before his voice broke in on her again.
"I didn't dismiss you, temme. Get back here." His voice was harsh and grating on her last nerve.
I think if I don't leave now, I'm a dead girl. She broke into a run for the door, but was grabbed by the neck of her kimono and thrown to the other end of the floor. She rolled as she landed trying not to hurt herself too badly. As she tried to get up using her arms, a harsh kick landed in her stomach, forcing the bile to rise in her throat.
"I did not give you permission to leave. For a servant, you have no manners."
She just lay there, hurting too much to move.
"Tell me how you did it." Stupid human. Hold it; he didn't have any human servants.
He crouched next to her head and moved the hair out of her face with his claws making her flinch. "Kagome," he whispered. Kami! How stupid was this girl?! "Do you know what I could have done to you?" He asked, gritting his teeth to keep from yelling; that was weakness.
Her eyes were squeezed shut and she made no move to get back up.
"Baka. I would have found you sometime."
Kagome's lids shot open and she glared at him from her position on the floor. "Well, at least I had a chance. I ask you again, what do you want with me?"
He stood over her to give her the full impact of his mastery over her and replied truthfully, "I don't know."
Clutching her stomach and gritting her teeth against the pain, she stood slowly and looked up at him. "You mean to tell me that you brought me here for no reason?!"
"Keep your voice down, onna. I won't take this kind of behavior from you."
Her eyes flashed in anger as her hackles rose. "Oh? You won't take this from me?! I have just been forced into your castle, thrown to the floor, kicked, and you won't take this kind of behavior from ME?!"
He grabbed her throat and lifted her into the air, but spoke calmly and coolly to her. "Hai. I will not have my servants disobeying my orders." He squeezed her throat to emphasize his point then let her drop at his feet.
Gasping, she stood up again and tried to slap him, but he caught her hand. She was glaring daggers at him, but he found that she was even more enticing when she was angry. Anger flushed her cheeks and made her lips pucker just asking for someone to kiss them. He held onto her hand and pulled her closer to him, forcing her to look up. Her scent was intoxicating; like jasmine and anger twirling into a spicy new tang. It was a wonderful aroma. His hand found its way into her silky locks in such a way that held her immobile in his arms.
What is he doing?! First he nearly kills me and now he's got me too close for comfort. What is he looking for? She pulled the one arm at her side up and pushed against his chest.
"Let me go, Sesshoumaru. I don't know what you want, but I'm not sure I want it to happen."
He was as immovable as a rock.
That smell. Does it taste the same as well? As if in a trance, Sesshoumaru bent his head down low and sealed his lips to hers. Her lips tasted like the nectar of honey, so sweet and innocent it made his mouth water. Ever so slowly, his tongue slipped out, caressing those ever saccharine lips, savoring every lick taken. Never anything like this have I tried. I want more.
At first, she was too stunned to move. The feel of his lips on hers was like a foreign world to her. Kagome's head whirled about her in incomprehensible thoughts and feelings. But through all the chaos in her mind, one thought came to her. My first kiss.
She was jolted out of her dreamland when she felt his tongue slide across her lips, begging for entrance. What am I doing?! Opening her mouth to speak, she only got out a muffled, "Seshfulmflg!" before his tongue dove into her opening.
Mmn, this is new. Tastes like candy. No! He's kissing me! He just tried to kill me, too! Waking herself from her frozen stupor, Kagome pushed against his chest, for the first time effectively drawing them apart.
"What was that?!"
For a second, he just stood there, holding her. What WAS that? Get her away now. It's the scent; it has to be. Or could she have used her miko powers on me? Willing his body to work with his mind, he pulled away and took a few steps back from her.
Anger emanated off of her as well as a prominent emotion; fear.
"What did you just do to me?" He asked in his most business-like voice.
Her face was shocked to say the least. "What do you mean?! What did YOU just do to ME?!"
She's starting to get on my nerves. "I won't tell you again; keep your voice down or you WILL be punished. Now, what trickery did you use on me, wench?"
Her fear began to subside as it was overtaken by her anger. "EXCUSE ME?! You just kiss me, stick your tongue in my mouth, which is the most disgusting thing to ever happen, and you blame me for tricking you into it?!" She scoffed at him and turned away. "You're despicable."
His anger flashed in his cold eyes, but never touched his face. The infantile woman is insulting me. She'll pay and dearly.
Using his youkai speed, he grabbed her with one hand, twisting her arms behind her near the breaking point and stared her in her wincing features.
"Don't ever insult me. The next occasion you yell will be your last." Pulling on her arms painfully, Sesshoumaru dragged his poisonous claws across her neck, careful not to break the skin, but just enough to prick her flesh. "And since, it seems, you have escape in mind, you will be moved closer to my quarters, and given new ones to be guarded." Getting as close to her face as her dared, trying not to breathe in her scent too much, he said with deadly accuracy, "And never, ever enter this room again."