Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to a blessed thing except my husband, daughter, house and car. And cat. Can't forget my big psycho kitty Baxter.
Belonging
Chapter 5
Kurama refused to look up or acknowledge his visitor. He was angry with himself for looking forward to seeing Sessho-maru. Yes, he enjoyed the challenge the inu youkai provided. It had been too long since somebody had actually intrigued him. Sessho-maru was intelligent, cold, beautiful, and cunning. But his appreciation was interfering with his escape. He needed to concentrate and figure a way out of this place.
"I have a surprise for you."
Kurama did not flinch. He knew not to expect to hear Sessho-maru move and so he wasn't surprised when he felt cool, smooth fingers glide around his neck. A necklace? Why is he putting a necklace on me?
"I thought you might want to leave this prison."
Kurama's head shot up and he looked up at the pleased face of Sessho-maru. Not that the guarded youkai was smiling, but Kurama could see the glint of delight in the golden eyes.
"Leave? You're setting me free?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes. This necklace is a ward that will suppress your ki and keep you by my side."
He glared at Sessho-maru even as he felt his cheeks flush. That bastard! What game is he playing now?
Sessho-maru kept the smile from showing as he watched the conflict within the golden eyes looking up at him.
"So what do you say, thief? Would you like to leave this prison on the grounds that you will remain by my side?"
"What will happen if I leave your side?"
"The necklace will detach your head from your body." Sessho-maru saw the kitsune's eyes go wide and he couldn't stop the small chuckle from escaping.
"Staying at your side at all times seems a bit extreme and will put you at a disadvantage. Why would you do such an insane thing?"
Sessho-maru turned and walked towards the doorway and he heard Kurama's sharp intake of breath. He turned back around to face the tense kitsune with the barest of smiles.
"As you can see, I do not need you literally by my side. You will be granted a radius of one hundred yards. If you start to wander too far away from me, you will feel the necklace get warm as a warning. The further away you go, the hotter it will get until it melts completely through your flesh and bones."
"Why? What could you possibly gain by doing this?"
"Agree to the necklace and maybe you'll find out."
Kurama growled and hung his head in defeat. I have no choice. If I am to escape, I need every advantage I can get.
"Fine. I assent to the necklace."
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Jaken nervously approached the kitsune, the key trembling within his hand. Oh, why did my lord ask me to do this! It's his stupid prisoner! He was now within two feet of the chained prisoner but couldn't seem to go any closer.
"I will not harm you, toad. There is no advantage to killing you."
Jaken jumped and scurried back several paces and Kurama just sighed. It took Jaken another ten minutes before he approached Kurama again and finally unchained him. Kurama slowly stood up and cringed as his aching muscles, used to the cramped, kneeling position, came alive again with use.
"Ah!"
Jaken managed to evade the kitsune as he fell to the ground. Kurama swore and clenched his fists, hating the humiliating position of not being able to walk on his own. The only saving grace was that Sessho-maru was not here to witness it.
"Guard! Help this prisoner up and to the bath! My Lord is awaiting him in the dining hall!"
Kurama had no choice but to allow the large ogre-type guard to carry him through the hallways to the hot spring located within the fortress. He refused to let anyone wash him so Jaken and the guard stood by in case he needed help. Once he was clean, he was led to a bedroom where, to his surprise, there was a pale blue kimono laid out for him. As he dressed, he realized that although the design was simple, it was made of fine silk.
"Stop preening and hurry up! Lord Sessho-maru is waiting!"
Kurama ignored the apoplectic toad and finished dressing, then went over to a dresser with a large mirror and proceeded to brush his long hair and tail. He frowned at the thought of attending dinner with damp hair but he was not being given any other alternative.
He put the brush down and finally braved a look at his reflection in the mirror. His features were sharp from weight loss, his hair had lost its shine and his skin was dull from lack of sun. The only beautiful thing about the reflection was the necklace. Sessho-maru had chosen a deceptively delicate gold chain with a blue crescent moon pendant made of some precious stone Kurama was not familiar with. He reached up and his fingertips ran over the blue moon that rested on his collarbone.
Why did he choose such a beautiful necklace? Why not just put a leash on me like the pet I seem to be? Does he consider it a gift? Or is this his way of mocking me?
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As Sessho-maru sat down at the dining room table he heard yelling, growling and a loud thud followed by Jaken's high pitched exclamations. He looked up to see Jaken quickly running down the stairs, sweating and fretting and cursing under his breath about stubborn, prideful kitsunes. He was eventually followed by Kurama who was slowly making his way down the stairs followed by a very angry looking guard.
He noticed Kurama refused to meet his eyes and he was struggling to stay upright as he made his way down the stairs and to the table. But I'm sure that was his growl I heard just a moment ago and it appears that Jaken was the one that made the thumping noise because I can see dust on his clothes.
"Good evening."
"Good evening."
Kurama's voice sounded a little strained and Sessho-maru frowned. He's already overexerted himself. Stubborn kitsune.
Kurama relaxed when he saw Jaken and the guard exit the room, leaving them alone. He was not in the mood to have a looming shadow or a sycophant toad nipping at his heels.
Dinner began in silence and Kurama was thankful. He was too preoccupied savoring the delicious food for conversation. It had been so long since he'd eaten a full meal, much less food he would consider fine dining.
"Does the food meet with your satisfaction?"
"Yes. It is quite delicious, thank you."
The two sat in silence for several long moments, eating and wondering what the other's next move would be and how they would counter.
"What caused the scuffle at the top of the stairs?"
"The toad and ogre thought me weak and I proved them wrong."
Sessho-maru allowed a small smile to peek through.
"Yes, well, weak creatures have a tendency to place their faults on others to make themselves feel better." He heard a quiet scoff from Kurama and his smile widened. "However, they had a right to be concerned. You barely made it down the stairs and to your seat. You are weak, thief."
Kurama growled and slammed his fist on the table.
"I told you not to call me that! And you are the reason I am weak! You want to keep me weak and caged for your own amusement!"
"I thought you were above such outbursts. Although it's nice to see that fire in your eyes again."
Kurama felt the warmth on his cheeks. Damn him! I let him provoke me! Why! Why did I fall for it so easily! He pushed his seat back and stood up, glaring at Sessho-maru. When the demon lord made no attempt to stop him, he pulled all the determination, stubbornness and strength he had to keep himself upright and walked out of the dining room, not sure where he was heading, but anyplace away from Sessho-maru was welcome.
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Sessho-maru fought the urge to follow Kurama out of the dining room and continue their conversation. It wouldn't do to have the Lord of the Western Lands traipsing after some kit like a puppy dog. So he finished his meal, albeit quicker than normal, and headed out to find his wayward "guest".
The exotic scent of Kurama caught his nose and he followed it to a nearby balcony. He gazed out over the moonlit landscape and found his quarry. There, nestled amongst a small garden, was a sight that Sessho-maru would never forget. Kurama was lying on the ground, his body curled into itself, his long silvery-white tail splayed around him like a fan. The cold moonlight gave his pale features and pale blue clothing a soft glow, creating an ethereal look. His sharp eyesight saw the sad expression on the normally closed-off and defiant face and his heart ached. Absolutely beautiful.
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Kurama had managed to get himself as far as one of the many gardens that surrounded the sides and back of the fortress before he finally collapsed from exhaustion. With his ki being suppressed, his body was taking a long time to heal itself. Not that spending day in and day out on my knees with my arms chained above my head helped matters either. He let a low growl loose as he studied his surroundings.
He was sitting by a small pond that was surrounded by a large garden. It was dark out, but there were no clouds in the sky and the brilliant moon bathed everything in a blue light so he could see the various types of flora.
He found his anger subsiding as he gazed at the well maintained landscape. He let his hand brush through the damp, cool grass, loving the feel against his skin. It's good to be outside again, even if it is nighttime. He took a deep breath and tried to manipulate the grass. C'mon, just a little. He tried until he was sweating, and he could not get the small blade of grass to budge.
Exhausted, Kurama lay down, practically curled into himself. Never in his entire existence had he felt so helpless. Sessho-maru had him completely at his mercy. As he lay there, listening to the single sad song of a bird off in the distance, he suddenly felt a warmness spread through him. Kurama lifted his head and found Sessho-maru standing on a balcony looking down at him. He normally would have left, escaping the gaze of those golden eyes, but he was too tired and his building depression compelled him to just lay his head back down again and roll over so his back was to the inu.
He didn't hear his approach, but Kurama wasn't surprised when he heard Sessho-maru's voice above him.
"If I had known you preferred sleeping outdoors I wouldn't have taken the time to have a room prepared for you."
"Go away."
"You are in no position to be giving orders, thief."
Kurama sat up and turned around, growling at Sessho-maru. "I told you not to call me that! I have a name damn it!"
"Why does this upset you so much? It is your chosen profession, is it not?" Sessho-maru bent down and held Kurama's chin in place with a clawed hand and brought his face in close. "Or is it that you would prefer us to be on a more personal basis with each other?"
"You will take no such liberties, dog!"
Without thinking, Kurama lashed out at Sessho-maru with his own claws, but the inu was ready for him, ducking back to avoid the slash and retaliating by grabbing Kurama by the throat and straddling his body, pinning him to the ground. He leaned in so his lips were barely brushing the trembling lips of the seething kitsune below him.
"Listen well, thief. I will do as I please with you. But do not insult me by presuming I am among the immoral and depraved creatures that go around taking whatever they please. You are the thief, not me."
Sessho-maru stood up and gave Kurama one last hard glare before turning his back and leaving. Kurama just lay there, gasping for breath and staring up at the clear, star-speckled sky. Why, Inari? What does he want from me? Why is he doing this? Please, Inari, lend your strength to your faithful follower.
To be continued….