Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to a blessed thing except my husband, daughter, house and car.

Ok guys, I'll keep posting. I went back and looked at my other crossovers and realized they actually didn't fair too much better in the review department, so what the heck? Here's the latest. Enjoy!

Belonging

Chapter 4

As near as he could tell, he had been in the dimly lit cell for two days. He had been visited three times since his captor left him. All three times it was a small toad youkai. He didn't seem powerful, but Kurama was so weak from his battle and the wards that had been placed to keep him from using his ki he was in no position to use the toad's weakness to his advantage. But that didn't stop his mind from working out several escape options. He was not without his skills.

The first visit by the toad was truly shocking and Kurama wasn't sure if his master ordered it out of compassion, arrogance, stupidity or clever ploy. Whatever the reason, Kurama had been released from his chains so his bandages could be replaced, which was done all during a constant diatribe of mumbled cursing by the toad. Then he was put back in the bonds and left to ponder.

The second and third visits produced fresh water and a meager serving of bread. He had my wounds tended, but only gives me enough to barely starve? A knowing smile broke out over the normally unreadable features. He's keeping me weak. He knows that suppressing my ki won't be enough to keep me here. He's smart.

The locks shifting brought Kurama out of his thoughts. But he didn't turn to face the door; the toad was of little interest to him right now. He kept his head lowered while his ears perked up for telltale noises. The heavy door creaked open and came to rest against the wall with a muted thud. Silence reigned for several moments and Kurama wondered why his visitor was not walking into the prison. Suddenly a silky voice sounded and his head shot up to find his captor standing only a few feet away. How did he do that? I heard no footsteps.

"Are you ready to talk now, thief?" Golden eyes narrowed, giving Sessho-maru his answer. "I see. Well this does present me with quite a dilemma." He took another step forward and Kurama could have sworn he seemed hesitant to approach him.

But why? I pose no threat to him right now.

"I want to know who you are and what madness prompted you to attempt to steal from me. If you are unwilling to talk, then I may have no other alternative but to turn to other, more painful means."

That's it? That's the extent of his interrogation? Asking twice and leaving me alone for two days? Even without his ki, Kurama knew the demon before him was very dangerous. Just how dangerous was becoming crystal clear the more he spoke. I have no choice. Not if I want to survive.

"If I am to speak to you, I would like to know to whom I am speaking."

Sessho-maru couldn't stop the mild shock from showing at the kitsune's words.

"Do you mean to say that you do not know whose fortress you infiltrated? What kind of stupid thief are you?"

Kurama smiled. "Hmph. I know of the master of this fortress by reputation and exaggerated description only. How am I to know for sure you are truly the master and not one of his lackeys?"

Kurama knew exactly who he was speaking to, but he wanted to draw the youkai into a conversation. One of his greatest skills was getting people to reveal things they didn't want to by having a conversation about seemingly innocuous subjects.

"I do not believe you, thief. You and I are both too smart for these petty mind games. Now either start answering my questions…." Sessho-maru pulled a dagger from his sleeve and sliced Kurama's cheek, all without the kitsune seeing anything other than a flash of silver. "…..or I will carve my questions into your flesh for you to contemplate."

Kurama shuddered under the cold gleam of the demon lord. Inari…..give me strength.

"Kurama."

"I knew you were smart, thief."

"Now that you know my name, I would appreciate it if you would use it."

"I will use it when you have earned it. Now tell me why you tried to steal from me."

Kurama glared at Sessho-maru, his jaw clenched. He didn't know why this youkai affected him so easily and it just served to enrage him further. He had been trained to be cold, calculating, and unflappable even in the direst of circumstances. Bust something about this silver-haired demon unsettled him. He took a few moments to collect himself before he spoke, and when he did, he was Yoko, the silver spirit, once more. Arrogant, cold, unflinching.

"I was bored."

Sessho-maru fought the chuckle that was threatening to escape. No one has amused me this much since father got stinking drunk and danced around the fortress naked. I will have to keep him around for awhile. Perhaps then I won't be so bored.

Kurama watched in confusion as Sessho-maru smirked and then turned and left the prison, shutting the door behind him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sessho-maru sat by the fireplace, a forgotten book in his lap, staring into the dancing flames. They reminded him of Kurama's glare. One corner of Sessho-maru's mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly. He'd been alone since the death of his father, over five years ago. Bitter about his father's last actions, he cut off most ties with his father's allies, establishing new alliances of his own choosing. He was Lord of the Western Plains now. This was his territory and he would guard it fiercely.

So Sessho-maru lived a rather solitary life and for the most part, it satisfied him. But the arrival of the kitsune thief had changed all that. He was drawn to the vibrancy of the silvery haired creature. He felt something within him stir when he looked into the golden eyes that seemed to wish his death.

"Kurama…."

A sudden chill raced along Sessho-maru's spine and he threw another log on the fire. He would not be sleeping anytime soon. Ever since his fortress had been invaded he had been sleeping little. The fact that his security had been breeched was enough to keep him awake at night. But in truth, his thoughts were usually occupied by the silver-haired thief himself.

In the short amount of time they'd spent together, Sessho-maru easily discerned the kitsune's skill and intelligence. Their brief confrontation hadn't given him much of an impression of the thief's power, however. He sensed even the thief understood he was no match for him.

He still hadn't been able to get the stubborn thief to tell him anything about himself. Sessho-maru smirked as he turned his attention to the fire. He's proving to be very entertaining.

"I want to know everything about you, Kurama. And whether you like it or not, you will tell me."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Riu. I am in need of your assistance again."

Black eyes smiled behind long red hair. He heard a knowing laugh and for a split second, he had the notion that the old hag knew exactly why he had arrived. But as quickly as the thought had entered his mind, he banished it, thinking it sheer paranoia on his part due to the recent invasion of his fortress.

"You know I could never deny you anything, my Lord."

She proceeded to her shelves in a fluid motion that had Sessho-maru wondering more than once if she was even touching the ground. She took down two books, and then turned to face the inu lord.

"I am in need of a ward that will suppress the ki of a captive as well as keep him within my domain. Can you create such an item?"

The witch laughed wholeheartedly now as she turned back to her bookcases and searched its many volumes.

"So you have a pet you wish to tame, eh? Must be very special for you to go to such lengths."

Sessho-maru ignored the witch and waited where he stood, watching with keen golden eyes.

"Yes, I can make you a leash for your pet. But I cannot limit it to your domain. What I can do is use you as a sort of homing beacon."

"Explain."

"He will be restricted to within a certain distance of you."

"Perfect." Sessho-maru looked away as he suppressed a wicked smile. "How much?"

"The usual, plus…….I want two black pearls."

Sessho-maru turned to face the sorceress once again, his eyes narrowed at the grinning woman. He did not know why she needed the pearls but he was sure it was for no good. But that did not concern him. What concerned him was getting the ward.

"Agreed. How much time do you need?"

"Two days."

"I will return in two days. Here. Use this."

Sessho-maru turned to leave after tossing a small brown pouch to the smiling witch.

To be continued….