Thanks for the reviews everyone and now I give to you part two. I hope I have a lot less spelling mistakes…. Also you'll see a lot of *** *** signaling a border change. For some reason I just don't have the stamina to stick to one scene for very long….
*** *** ***
Kagome laughed as her friends stared at her in complete awe.
They looked at each other before looking back at her. "But you actually said that to the Lord of the Western lands, Kagome?" one asked.
"I kid you not," Kagome said with a nod of her head. "I told him I loved him. And I even did it in front of a few other Lords he was hosting,"
At this the other three girls gasped and began whisperings to one another, clearly doubting that Kagome was telling the truth. A servant being so bold was unheard of. It was disgraceful!
"So-" the same girl, who was much younger than the others, turned and hushed the other two before speaking. "So what did he do?" she asked in a low whisper.
Kagome frowned. "What do you think he did, Chiyeko?" she asked her voice a tad bit bitter. "He beat me."
They grew silent. Chiyeko mumbled an apology for asking and the other two looked at her with sympathy. Kagome, hating to be pitied, suddenly smiled and laughed.
"I guess I deserved it, didn't I?" she asked. She grabbed up a large basket filled with clothes and gave another smile. "It was foolish of me to even think that a Lord would marry with a servant. And for a servant to be so outspoken…..why, his guests probably thought I wasn't properly disciplined at all."
The others nodded meekly and watched as she began walking towards the river.
"Well I will be talking to you later!" she called. "These clothes won't be washing themselves!"
They waved her off and waited until she was out of earshot before talking about her story once again.
"Do you think that's where the scar above her eye originated?" one asked. The other two nodded.
"Poor girl. To be beaten by the one you love. Surely she must still hurt inside." The other one said as she too picked up a basket "She's been here for only a week." She reminded the others and excused herself and promised to talk later as she headed for the fields to gather grain.
Chiyeko and the last one began walking back to the kitchens.
"She's lucky she's alive," the older one said. "For if she had such foolish bravery to speak to Naraku-Sama he's have raped and stoned her to death. Tis not right for a servant to love a master."
Chiyeko nodded solemnly. "That's why she came to Naraku-Sama to work," she said. "I mean, could you work for a man who you loved and didn't love you in return?"
The older servant shook her head and placed a hand on Chiyeko's head. "No. Now hush and let's return to our chores before Our Lord hears we've been slacking."
*** *** *** ***
A week
Seven days.
168 hours.
That's how long she'd been gone, Sesshomaru mused quietly. But he wasn't counting. Just…..observing.
He stood up and placed his work aside, deciding to take a short walk in the gardens. It had been her favorite place to be after all. He walked through the corridors and automatically took turns where he needed to, for his mind was not on where he was walking but on memories of him and her enjoying each others company.
And that's what they were destined to become now. Memories.
But whose fault was that? She was the one who had to speak out to him and then leave after he had…..what was the words she had used?
"-Beat me to a bloody pulp-" her voice repeated in his head. "You had every right to beat me to a bloody pulp because I was in love with you"
Well damn right he did! The other lords were expecting it! Did she know how bad her behavior made him look in the eyes of his equals? That he, one of the strongest lords in the country, would allow to be disrespected by a female servant?
Did she have any idea how "nice" he had been about the situation? A beating should have been only a fraction of her worries! Any of the rest of them would have her raped, hanged, and stoned in the blink of an eye!
And all because she loved him….. Did that suddenly make her his equal? Because of love?
Surely not.
Sesshomaru shook his head and tried clearing his thoughts. He'd have to forget her…..she was already gone so he had no choice but to forget her.
Though he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss….. He licked his lips as he thought about what he was now missing on. Smooth skin, soft round lips, nicely sized bosom, an irreplaceable smile with big chocolate brown eyes that seemed to light up only for him…..and now he had lost that. Soon she'd fine another…..a different man who would have the luxury to caress her skin with his unworthy hands and kiss her lips with his dirty mouth.
He touched his own mouth and he could faintly recall their kiss. He had stolen her first true kiss……and in some ways she had allowed it. And he could still taste it. Taste the blood from her lips and salt from her tears…..
But soon it would fade away. And she would be completely gone from him and in the arms of another. A less worthy and filthy male servant for hadn't he taught her that she wasn't god enough for a Lord such as himself? Hadn't he told her that she could never be deserving of his love?
Though the truth was…..she hadn't deserved or earned his love. She had owned it the entire time. Sesshomaru realized that now. There would never be another Kagome. There would never be another woman who spoke her mind so boldly and laughed so easily. There would never be another who pleased so easily and was easy to please.....There would never be another woman he was capable of loving!
Sesshomaru picked at his lip thoughtfully and removed his hand, knowing that it would become a bad habit if he kept it up. He was going to find her and bring her back! And if necessary make her love him again!
But now if only he knew where she had gone! That was a matter that bothered him to a great deal. She had somehow managed to slip from underneath him and disappear. So even if he was willing to bring her back he had no where to look.
"She's a damned fool," he muttered angrily as he reached the large gardens and leaned against the bark of a tree.
"You're a damned fool," his brother said as he came from behind him. He stunk of alcohol and there was a drunken smile on his face as he walked towards Sesshomaru awkwardly.
Sesshomaru turned and eyed Inuyasha before deciding turning away. He didn't feel like listening to whatever nonsense he had to say.
"I see you've returned," Sesshomaru said as Inuyasha slapped him on his shoulder, in a good natured manner.
"Actually I haven't left yet!" Inuyasha said and began to laugh. He stopped abruptly and put on a "serious" face. "But we're not talking about my problems. Let's talk about you,"
"I'd rather not, thank you."
"C'mon! Let's share! We'll get a drink and swap manly stories!"
"It's a little early to be drunk, even for you. What are you drinking away?" Sesshomaru asked as he faced Inuyasha. The younger demon's drunken smile faded and was replaced by a sober looking smirk.
"Because I didn't get a chance to sleep with Kagome before she left," he said obviously. His smile grew as he saw Sesshomaru's face twitch ever so slightly in anger. "And I had a perfect opportunity. See rumor is there's a bastard who she's in love with and the dumb guy went and broke her heart," he whispered. "So you see all I was gonna do was 'comfort' her, bed her, and throw her away like the unimportant servant she really is--"
Inuyasha was punched so hard that he flew into another tree and cracked the bark. Before he even had a chance to realize what happened, Sesshomaru was pinning him down, hands around his throat.
It was a good seven minutes before Sesshomaru had enough self-control to let go of him. He angrily watched as Inuyasha's knees gave way and he slumped to the ground, hands rubbing his abused flesh as he gasped and breathed in, painfully.
"I was only joking," he mumbled angrily. "But now I know why she left. A temper like yours should be avoided." He said and coughed many times.
Sesshomaru kicked him just for the hell of it and fisted his hands. "You should really learn how to hold your tongue," he said as Inuyasha got up and tried punching Sesshomaru, his efforts swayed by his drunken state.
"Why? Me and Kagome have too much in common?" he asked as Sesshomaru dodged the hit and Inuyasha punched a tree.
"Oh, sorry," He mumbled and hugged the tree before turning for his brother, only to find that he was walking away.
"Where you going?" he called out. "We're not done talking yet!"
Sesshomaru ignored him and kept walking, thinking of the work he had to be getting back to. He had no time for this.
"Hey!" Inuyasha yelled as he gave chase. He stumbled a few times but kept on. "Don't you wanna know what I'm drinking away?"
"Not anymore,"
"But it's a good one!" Inuyasha said as he crashed into Sesshomaru's back. Sesshomaru, who had stopped walking, turned and shoved his brother. Inuyasha tipped over and fell on his backside, laughing the whole time. Just how much alcohol did he drink?
"If you tell me will you leave me alone?" Sesshomaru asked. His brother smiled and burped.
"No," Inuyasha said in a happy voice. "Because then you wont want me to leave you alone,"
"Try me,"
Inuyasha nodded and produced a flask. "Because I know where Kagome is," he said as he unscrewed the top. "And I want to kill you for it,"
He took a few gulps of the flask's contents and wiped his lips with the back of his hand, sighing contently. "Yup," he said. "I know where she is and I know that you want to know too"
*** **** **** *** ****
(A week later)
"Kagome! Kagome have you heard the news?" Chiyeko asked as she grabbed her friend and shook her lightly. "Oh Kagome what will you do?"
Kagome laughed and stopped sweeping the front steps. "What will I do about what?" she asked as five other girls joined in. "Now what's going on? Chiyeko what are you over dramatizing about now?" she asked. The young girl did have a tendency to over react at times, which Kagome found amusing.
"Naraku-Sama has summoned you to his work chambers! Are you in trouble?" she asked worriedly.
"Not that I know of," Kagome said as she looked around at all the female servants. They all began whispering to each other about what may happen to her. Some of them made stabbing motions at their own bodies to indicate that she was going to be beaten for something while others brought up the story of her and the Lord of Western Lands, saying that she was finally going to be stoned to death.
"My cousin was whipped by Naraku-Sama," one volunteered, "because she was caught stealing. To this day she still had the marks."
Chiyeko gasped and shook Kagome again. "Oh Kagome you stole? Oh how could you?" she asked. Kagome shook her head and broke away from Chiyeko.
"I have done nothing of the sort! Now stop this and let me through. I'll see what he wants with me and that's it. I promise you I have been loyal and hard working since the day I came," she said and patted Chiyeko on the head while waiting for the others to hush their nonsense.
They quieted and watched as she excused herself and began walking inside the castle, leaving all the girls to imagine up horrible rumors of her fate.
*** **** ***
"You wanted to see me, My Lord?" Kagome asked as she bowed in front of Naraku.
"Yes, come and sit…..Kagome is it?"
"Yes My Lord."
He gave a nod of his head and put down a letter he had been writing and picking up another one. Kagome sat in front of his desk and bowed her head, keeping silent.Naraku sighed and tapped his fingers on the desk as he began reading a letter without even looking at her:
"To: Naraku Lord of the Eastern Lands,
This letter is in three days notice to my arrival. Seeing as we are currently discussing negotiation for the-
Naraku cleared his throat and skipped a few parts, eyes scanning the paper for the section he wanted her to hear.
"Ah," he said. "Here we are," he said as he began again.
"If you are willing to accommodate me I would personally ask you that you select Miss Kagome Higurashi to serve as a proper escort."
Naraku stopped and put the letter down. "The rest is of no concern to you," he said as he looked at her. "So I am assigning him to you as a servant and nothing more. I won't prostitute any hired hands to anyone but if you wish to bed any man well then that's your business." He explained calmly. "I don't see why he requested you by name but neither do I care but if he is to ask you anything concerning my wealth or business you are to reply that you know nothing and report it to me."
Kagome nodded dumbly, thinking about who would request her for an escort? No one she knew was aware of her whereabouts…..
"Don't shake your head at me girl," Naraku chided. "You are not my equal"
"I'm sorry My Lord. I meant to say 'Yes My Lord'," Kagome corrected as she bowed. She could feel his eyes on her now. Criticizing and judging her.
"I hope not to see this behavior when your charge arrives. You are dismissed." Naraku said with a careless fling of his hand. Kagome mumbled another 'Yes My Lord' before backing out and closing the door behind her.
She returned outside where the girls were still eagerly awaiting her. She smiled confidently as she reached them and they bombarded her with questions.
"Calm down, calm down! Everything is okay," she said loudly and held her head up high.
*** *** *** ***
"Everything is not okay," Kagome whispered to herself as she kept her head low. Naraku and Sesshomaru glanced at her before turning back to their conversation. Kagome stared at Sesshomaru unashamed as he and Naraku made their polite small talk.
It had only been two weeks since she'd left. And she hadn't told anybody where the hell she was going so how had he found her? Perhaps someone tipped him off…..perhaps he was spying on her! Perhaps he was still torturing her until she finally gave up and died! Kagome grew slightly angry. Perhaps he would never leave her alone until she was so torn that she'd beg for death. He would like that kind of sadictic tourture, Kagome thought as she glared at him.
Did she really think he'd change? He was the same hansom, formal, and terribly cold Sesshomaru she loved. Not a hair was out of place on his fine head and for that, she was dissapointed. She had a faint hope that just…..perhaps he'd miss her. She shifted uneasily and looked away, feeling butterflies enter her stomach. She was still a lovesick fool for him! But how did he expect her to get over him if he was always around?
"I hope you will find your stay memorable. My cook is the best in the province I assure you," Naraku said as he bowed to Sesshomaru, who bowed back. She noticed that their conversation was coming to an end and she began to get even more nervous. Soon she'd have to show him to his room…..and they'd be alone. But then what would happen?
"Now as you have requested my humble servant Kagome will show you to your rooms. Naraku said. "I hope to see you at the banquet held in your honor tonight,"
Sesshomaru bowed again. "I thank you for your hospitality," he replied and stood. Naraku motioned for Kagome to do the same and she obeyed.
She bowed to Naraku and then Sesshomaru. "If you will please follow me….." She said in a quiet voice and began to walk.
She led the way out of the main hall and towards the room she had prepared for him herself. She kept her head bowed and her mouth silent as she walked, feeling his eyes against her back. Her heartbeats increased tenfold as she opened his door for him and closed it behind herself.
"For your stay, my room has been annexed to you My Lord." She said with a bow as Sesshomaru stared at her, not even inspecting his room.
"Kagome-"
"For your pleasure, the bath hall is just two rooms down My Lord." She cut him off and began to walk past him. He gently grabbed her shoulder but his grasp was firm.
"Kagome," he said again louder and less patiently.
"For you're-"
"Shut up, Kagome." Sesshomaru ordered as he turned her and put a finger to her lips.
Kagome did as she was told, closing her eyes as he moved his finger from her lips and placed it to her cheek, caressing softly. She winced as he did this before relaxing under his touch.
"Please don't hit me," she whispered so softly that he chose not to hear it.
"How have you been, Kagome?" he asked as he continued to touch her gently, his hand sliding to a position behind her ear and slowly massaging her scalp. His touch made her jumpy and uncomfortable.
"Fine," she lied as she pushed away, backing up a great distance. "I'm just fine my lord." She said and smiled emptily. "Now as you can see your room is-"
"Hush," he told her as he advanced on her again, making her back up again. "And stay." He added when she moved off to the side instead of trapping herself to the door. She was smarter than she looked.
"My lord,-"
"You know my name,"
"Lord Sesshomaru-,"
"Will you stay still?" he asked as he grabbed her shoulders and stopped her from taking another step. Kagome took a deep breath and exhaled, staying still just as he commanded. But she wouldn't look it at him. Her nervous eyes darted to the floor then the walls and outside the windows. She was looking everywhere but at him, trying not to bolt for the door as his grip increased.
Sesshomaru studied her, taking in every detail. Her hair was tied up in a silk headscarf and her skin was a darker tone due to the exposure of daily sunlight. He noticed that as she walked that she still limped slightly. A stab of guilt hit him as he still studied the fading marks from her face. They weren't as visible as he thought but still noticeable. He noticed the edge of her faded scar above her left eye that disappeared under her headscarf and hair.
She quivered as he undid the scarf and slightly smiled as her waves of dark hair fell past her shoulders. He ran his fingers through it, noting how soft it was and how he was making her shake even more.
Finally, no longer able to bear it any longer she shoved away from him, again putting distance between them. "What do you want from me?" she asked angrily as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders. "Haven't you caused enough damage in my life?" she asked
"Kagome," he called her name gently. "Come here," he said.
He half expected her to disobey him and walk away, knowing that she wouldn't listen to him if she didn't want to. She came.
"I don't know why you insist on torturing me like this," she whispered as her eyes shined with tears. "I thought I was punished enough,"
He raised his hand and silenced her. "You still haven't learned how to control your tongue," he noted.
"Is that an apology?"
"I didn't come to make any apologizes."
"Well then why are you here?" she asked angrily as she walked past him. She made sure that he was watching her back before she spoke.
"Business," he answered. "Oh and because you belong to me,"
Kagome spun around and slapped him. "NO!" she yelled as he felt his cheek.
Sesshomaru had enough already. There was only one way he was willing to settle this and the time was now. He grabbed her and shoved her backwards making her trip over the corner of the bedpost and fall onto silk sheets. She sat up and rolled over quickly, expecting him to jump on her and try to do something to her.
"I suggest you undress. Either that or I'll do it for you," Sesshomaru said as he began discarding his clothing. Kagome blushed madly, looking away and creeping towards her room.
"You're not leaving, Kagome."
"The hell I'm not!" she yelled. "What makes you think you can just march up in here and pretend that everything is all right? I am a servant. I am beneath you, as you said so yourself! I loved you and for that, I've received my consequences. So don't even think you have the right and the power-"
"Even though I do," Sesshomaru said as he moved towards her, his shirt abandoned on the floor. "You must realize that by now I no longer care if you are a servant or a queen, I want you and I will have you,"
"You're one beating to late for that then,"
Those were her last words before he grabbed her up and kissed her, forcing her against him and holding her there.
*** *** *** ***
Kagome opened her eyes slowly, covering them with the back of her hand as a full beam of sunlight blinded her. Even if she didn't want to admit it a smile crossed her face as she reached over to the other side of the bed, hand groping the sheets for another body.
Nothing.
Kagome picked up her head to see that she was the only one lying down. Puzzled, she stood up and dressed quickly noting that all his clothes and armor had gone with him. She looked around the room thoroughly, checking out the room connected to his to see if he was exploring.
It was empty.
She left the room, a feel of panic arising in the pit of her stomach as she checked the bathing rooms and then the main dining hall. She wrung her hands in nervous anticipation as she began running down the halls, looking for the slightest sign of him. Where had he gone?
"Oh, good morning Kagome," Chiyeko said as she grabbed onto the older girl's arm. "Why are you in such a rush?"
"Chiyeko I have no time for small talk I need to find someone very important and-"
"You mean Naraku-Sama?" Chiyeko interrupted. "He's seeing off another Lord at the front gates. It appears he's ended another business meeting." She informed her.
Kagome paused and looked at Chiyeko, a look of shock upon her face. Tears welled up in the poor girl's eyes as she nodded and began to run towards the front gate, hoping that she wasn't too late, leaving a confused Chiyeko standing in the hall.
**** **** ****
"He's gone," Kagome said as she slinked down against a wall. "He's really gone…" she hugged her knees and closed her eyes, feeling a major headache coming. "I think I'm going to cry," she muttered to herself as tears began to blurry her vision. "How pathetic,"
A servant walked passed her, sending her a look of pity before rushing on. She stood up, knowing that she shouldn't be slacking off or else she wouldn't receive the small pay that she slaved for. As she walked slowly towards the rice field she suddenly stopped and kicked the wall, hurting her foot in the process.
"You son of a bitch!" she yelled as she kicked it again, ignoring her pain. "You miserable cur!" she began punching this time, taking out all her fury on the wall, even as she began to cry she kept punching and kicking with pure fury.
"I trusted you! Twice!" she yelled as she punched the wall so hard that she cut her knuckles open and blood began to seep out in a slow ooze.
"I loved you!...TWICE!" she kicked this time, finally nothing the pain in her hands as she wiped her tears away, smearing the blood on her cheeks.
"I SLEPT with you!" she screamed as she banged the wall again and leaned against it, breathing hard as more tears erupted.
"Twice?" asked Naraku-Sama as he walked down the hall, a pack of papers under one arm. He stopped next to her and grabbed one of her arms, turning it over so he could see the damage she had inflicted on herself.
"Such tantrums," He said as he let go and tapped her shoulders. "Follow me. You'll get those bandaged before you to go work. I prefer my food and clothes without blood on them," he said as he began walking down the hall. Kagome managed a sigh and followed silently, knowing she had humiliated herself enough for one day to even thank or properly acknowledge the Lord.
"What was your name?" Naraku asked as he walked ahead of her, not looking back.
"Higurashi Kagome," she replied as she awkwardly tried to cradle both hands. "Naraku-Sama I apologize for my-"
"I suppose my guest; Sesshomaru-Sama has…..ailed you in some way. Tell me Kagome, where you last worked before you came to me?" he cut her off and asked as he turned a corner. She followed, biting her lip as she spoke up."
"In the Citadel of The Western Lands," she answered. Naraku stopped walking and opened a door ushering the young girl inside.
"I see," he said as he snapped and a young male came and pulled her towards a futon, grabbing her hands and inspecting them. "Kagome please see me after you've finished all chores. It won't matter how late it gets I will be in my workroom all night." He said and began walking away.
Kagome opened her mouth and closed it, turning her attention towards the young doctor as he carefully cleaned and bandaged her hands. When he was done he dipped a cloth in a wooden bowl of water and gave it to her, telling her to clean her face. She wiped it clean of the dried blood and handed it back to him, getting up and walking towards the door.
"Come to me in two days to remove or change the bandages," the doctor told her as he washed the cloth out. "But before you go is there anything else you need? Some prefer medicated bandages….."
Kagome shook her head. "Unless you have a cure for a shattered heart then I suppose I'm fine," she said with a low bow and exited. Slowly she walked off towards the rice fields once more, no longer so upset that she attacked a poor and defenseless wall.
But a change occurred in her. She suddenly felt……cold. It was as if a void had suddenly replaced all emotion inside of her. There was no happiness or grief or absolute anger.
Only a void of pure despair.
**** **** *****
Done! Complete! Finished!
Now I'm sure your probably wondering why Sesshomaru left….. hell so am I!! I didn't even plan this far but I seem to like the direction this is heading to. I'm hoping to have a third and hopefully, a final part out MUCH SOONER!! Sorry if I took a while.
Constructive Criticism, ideas, and opinions are always welcome ^_^