Disclaimer: see previous chapters.
Belonging
Chapter 7
Kurama moved slowly through the dark hallways of the fortress. Since he'd already searched the lower level, he decided to try the upper levels next. He had to keep searching. He had to find that jewel and get the hell out of here. Yuudai….I will return to you. And then it'll just be you and me, just like before.
A ghost of a smile graced his lips and for the fist time since getting caught by Sessho-maru, he felt hope in his heart. But as he passed a window and took a quick glance out at the moonlit night, he caught sight of a glowing object. His heart constricted tightly in his chest as he took in the creature bathed in silvery moonlight.
There stood Sessho-maru in Kurama's favorite garden spot, his head bowed, looking into the small pond. He was dressed in a simple yukata of white and his hair was tied back in a low ponytail. His pale and silvery features combined with the white clothes made him appear to be a ghost in the moon's light. Such a cold beauty…..
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Sessho-maru couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes and tried to rest he heard Kurama's curious, teasing voice in his mind.
"Then what is your interest in me?"
He had left his room behind, choosing to roam the fortress grounds. It would keep his mind occupied. It would keep him from thinking of a certain silvery-haired kitsune with golden eyes that could----
Sessho-maru suddenly stopped and looked around at his surroundings. Flowers and tress abounded and there was a small bed of grass that encircles a small pond. Kurama. This was Kurama's favorite spot. Sessho-maru approached the pond and looked into it, seeing his reflection being cast back, the moon seeming to emerge from behind him. He stared down at the reflection, trying to see it as others would see him.He saw the pale, regal features, the markings of his heritage and golden eyes that stared back at him dispassionately. Is this how Kurama sees me? Some cold creature?
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As was the custom since he was let out of prison and given the charm, Kurama joined Sessho-maru for dinner in the main hall. Neither spoke as the food was laid out and the drinks poured. Glances were taken at the dinner companion, but carefully and without the other's knowledge. Few words were exchanged during the meals and what little there were typically involved the food itself.
But tonight was different. Tonight, he didn't care about keeping his mouth shut. Or what social graces he was lacking by openly staring at the inu. Kurama felt different tonight. He had realized that part of his misery was his own fault. He had been so caught up in trying to escape and letting Sessho-maru get the best of him, that he was not being his true self. Well not anymore.
"Are you sure your territory is safe?" Kurama saw the raised eyebrow and smirked. "Well, I'm only asking because ever since you placed this lovely leash around my neck, you haven't ventured out much to check on your territory. Aren't you worried some other demon is working his way in, taking some of your land?"
Sessho-maru scoffed, refusing to rise to the bait. He took another bite of steak and chewed it purposefully. Then he took a long drink from his glass before finally speaking.
"I am not worried about losing any part of my territory."
"How do you mange to remain so arrogant all the time? Isn't it tiring?"
Kurama saw the flash in the cold, golden eyes and he inwardly smiled. Am I finally getting to you, Sessho-maru?
"The only things tiring are your questions."
Kurama chuckled and took another sip of wine. He'd already had two glasses and he was starting to feel its effects. The most drastic being the loosening of his tongue.
"You know, I might not mind being stuck here with you if you could just hold a decent conversation."
Sessho-maru fought the warmth in his cheeks but he could tell that he lost that battle as soon as he saw that vulpine smile aimed at him from across the table.
"What would you like to talk about, thief?"
Kurama bristled for a brief moment but quickly regained himself, not wanting to bring his fun to an end just yet by starting an argument. He sat there, chin resting in his palms, studying Sessho-maru. There were many things he wanted to know about the demon lord but he had a feeling he wouldn't get answers to most of his questions, so he opted for something easy.
"How did you become lord of this territory?"
"My father was the former ruler, and his father before him."
"No other siblings to squabble with over being the rightful heir?"
Kurama saw a darkness fall over Sessho-maru's features and instead of wanting to push him on the obviously uncomfortable subject, he found himself backing off. For some reason, he felt that the topic truly hurt the demon lord. Why, he would probably never know. So he adopted a casual smirk and sat back in his chair, wine glass in hand, food mostly untouched.
"You're lucky. Living in a clan where there are several siblings vying for future leadership can get pretty ugly."
"Is that why you live alone?"
Kurama's smile vanished and he sat up, placing his glass on the table.
"How…? What makes you think I live alone?"
"No one has come looking for you. Clans are close knit by nature and surely if you belonged to a clan, someone would have ventured here looking for you."
Kurama clenched his fists in his lap, feeling the full force of his situation weighing heavily upon him suddenly. He was at the mercy of some demon lord in a strange world with only one slim chance of getting back home to his brother and his clan. He swallowed hard, wanting to keep his voice even and unfeeling, but no such luck. It broke a little, but it came out fierce nonetheless.
"You're wrong. I do have a clan. And I know they're looking for me. He's looking for me! You're the only one who's alone, Sessho-maru! You're the one that wouldn't have anybody looking for him."
Kurama was visibly shaking as he rose from his seat and headed for the stairs. His head hurt and he just wanted to lay down. Why did I say that? I just wanted to talk to him. Damn it! Why can I never stay in control around him?
Sessho-maru sat there, eyes wide as he stared at the empty seat. Kurama's words had stung and he found himself feeling jealous of the kitsune's conviction for his clan mates. He'd never felt that confidence in anyone's feelings for him. Nor had he ever felt that strongly about anyone. Not even his parents. He's right. No one would ever come for me.
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After his outburst at dinner the other night, Kurama had remained quiet. Sessho-maru studied the withdrawn kitsune and frowned. He didn't like Kurama like this. It didn't suit him. What was more, Kurama's lack of spirit was beginning to affect the demon lord. He hadn't noticed until it was gone that little jolt the kitsune gave him whenever their eyes met or they argued.
"Would you care to get away from here for awhile?" Kurama just shrugged his shoulders as he flipped through a book. "I was thinking of going out to check some outposts along my border." He suppressed a smile as Kurama's head shot up, wide golden eyes looking at him. "Don't look so surprised. It was you who pointed out that I shouldn't neglect my territory."
The pair remained silent for a few tense moments, then Kurama slowly smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes."
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Sessho-maru's suggestion of visiting the outposts along his borders took the pair more than two weeks. Kurama was impressed with the intricate system of outposts manned by two trusted youkai that patrolled a given area. And if there was trouble, they need only break a small jar that would send a message to Sessho-maru using spirit energy. Each jar was specialized for the territory by smell. I can't wait to tell Yuudai. We could expand our territory for miles using this system.
In the time they traveled together, Kurama and Sessho-maru had established a tentative truce. They still couldn't resist the occasional barb at one another, giving themselves a little thrill while making the other's fur stand on end. But for the most part, Sessho-maru and Kurama had finally figured out how to get along.
"So….do you think Jaken will attach himself to your leg the moment you step foot in the fortress?"
Kurama chuckled at the low growl from the demon lord. They both knew the toad youkai was a valuable asset, but his sycophantic behavior had pushed both of them extremely close to killing him on more than one occasion. Especially Kurama, whose fur bristled every time the little youkai pawed at his master. For some reason, it made his blood boil to see those slimy little hands all over Sessho-maru.
Sessho-maru watched as Kurama snuggled down into the makeshift bedding, ready for sleep. They'd had a hard day, climbing up a mountain to reach the next outpost. He tried turning his gaze to the fire and its mesmerizing dancing flames, but his eyes would not obey. They kept wandering to the resting kitsune just beyond the flames. The normally silver creature was aglow in the orange light cast by the fire. Sessho-maru preferred to gaze at Kurama when he was bathed in moonlight, but beggars can't be choosers.
Finally deciding he should be above such weak behavior, Sessho-maru closed his eyes and went to sleep, confident of the wards he placed around their camp to keep intruders out.
Silvery ears twitched at the sound of the tired sigh and one golden eye opened to gaze at the resting inu. Assured of not being caught, the second eye opened and Kurama drank in the rare sight of Sessho-maru at rest. I don't know what it is that draws me to you, Sessho-maru, but I will not let it stop me from going home.
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The closer they got to Sessho-maru's fortress, the more sullen Kurama became. He'd been enjoying the excursion through Sessho-maru's territory. It had afforded him some semblance of freedom in his mind and he always loved being in the outdoors. And most importantly, he and Sessho-maru had found some common ground. They didn't argue half as much as they used to and Kurama had found his confidence again so dealing with the demon lord was becoming easier. Maybe I can finally get some information from him and get the hell out of here.
"What has you so unhappy?"
Kurama blinked out of his thoughts to see Sessho-maru keeping pace next to him, eyes forward.
"I-I'm not unhappy. What makes you ask that?"
Sessho-maru had noticed the frown on Kurama's face deepen for the past mile and he couldn't figure out why the kitsune would suddenly be unhappy. But he felt a need to find out.
"The frown on your face was a subtle clue."
He let his voice sound teasing, sarcastic, hoping to strike up a conversation. He enjoyed their verbal sparring, especially since they weren't yelling at each other any more.
Kurama heard the tone in Sessho-maru's voice and he knew what the demon lord was trying to do. He let the corner of his mouth turn up slightly, losing his frown.
"Hmph. I was just thinking how peaceful it had been these past few weeks and how it would be a shame to lose it."
"Peaceful?"
"Peaceful."
Sessho-maru was officially stumped. He had no idea what the kitsune was referring to and continued to contemplate the matter even as they crossed the bridge to the fortress.
"My Lord you're back! Oh thank the gods!"
Both demons stopped after crossing the bridge and watched as Jaken ran towards his master and Kurama could have sworn he saw tears in the toad's eyes.
"My Lord! I'm so happy to see you! How was your trip? Oh! I'll make sure to have your favorite meal prepared for dinner!"
Kurama looked over at Sessho-maru, his face neutral but his voice couldn't be more disdainful.
"Peaceful."
He saw the recognition in the demon lord's eyes before he turned and walked away, leaving Sessho-maru to his toad.
Sessho-maru watched Kurama disappear into the fortress, ignoring the hyper-active chatterbox at his feet. Ah, Kurama, now I understand. I would hate it if I had to share you, too.
To be continued…..