To say that Sakura was angry out of her mind was a terrible underestimating of situation. Honestly, a pissed off rhinoceros was less terrified than her at that moment. Kagome and her friends were avoiding her just for safety reasons and the servants of lord Ryuumeru were constantly shaking from fear. To piss off Sakura wasn't a good idea and the whole palace made sure of it.
It's wise to add that lord Ryuumeru was having fun from this situation. First; he had never seen Sesshomaru almost on the edge of his patience and second; the fact that LORD Sesshomaru was almost ARGUING with a human woman was simply breathtaking. That was three hours ago, soon after Sakura's awakening, when Sesshomaru announced her he needed something check out and she was staying with her sister in the palace. Sesshomaru didn't forget to order her to relax, what she highly ignored, when she run through halls.
"JERK!" yelled Sakura in one of many gardens and hit the ground. The pain, which sent her into unconscious, was gone after she woke up, but Sakura was curious about its origin. It was a thing, which interested many others, like her sister and lord Ryuumeru himself. From pure stubbornness she refused to speak with healers. She threatened them with long and painful death so long that they simply gave up and leave her alone.
The garden where she was now was in a full bloom and that helped to calm her nerves. More and more she suffered from her fear about Rin. Sakura wasn't sure if the always-smiling child is all right, but she prayed for it. For twentieth time Sakura checked out her inner chains safely holding her power in control and sighed. Everything was perfect. Then why the sudden pain? For a moment she was sure that she lost her control again.
It was scaring her although she would never admit it to anybody. She wanted to return back to her time, forget everything and if it was possible to try move over it. Somehow she wasn't sure if it was possible. She pressed her back against the trunk and closed eyes.
The smell of lilacs was always calmed her down no matter what. The rich smell which helping her relaxing and partly forget. Sakura's spiritual balance has returned back on its place and everything was alright. Maybe that's why she was so startled when she felt Sesshomaru's hands around her waist.
Immediately, Sakura opened her eyes and her body stunned. The demon lord was looking at her with unreadable expression and she forced herself to calm down. She had nothing against be hold in his arms, but the sudden appearance startled her.
"I'm sorry for my rude behaviour earlier. Can you forgive this Sesshomaru?" Sakura smiled. She couldn't deny that his aristocracy manners kind of impressed her.
"You are lucky that you have appeared now, when I'm calm. Otherwise I'm not sure!" giggled Sakura. Sesshomaru smiled at her and she felt herself melt under this look. The demon lord was gorgeous, but when he smiled it was irresistible. Lost in his eyes she didn't even notice that she was lying on the ground with Sesshomaru on the top of her.
The first thing she started to notice was soft and sweet kiss. One part of her was screaming at her to get some sense and the other part was simply enjoying the kiss. When Sesshomaru left her lips Sakura was breathless. She didn't know what to think. That kiss was nice and she liked it, but she wasn't sure if it was right.
Since the events in the garden of his palace he didn't kiss her again. Maybe, because he didn't want to force her to anything. But still, she was lying on the soft grass with her fingers clenched into his haori and with the lack of oxygen after his kiss. He bent his head to kiss her again, but this time more passionately. Sakura's eyes grown wide when she felt his tongue slipped into her mouth, gently touching her own.
The only thing, which retrains her from complete surrendering, was her deep fear. With determination, which surprised herself, Sakura pushed him off and sat up. Sesshomaru was breathing heavily just like her. Suddenly, she feared what else could happen and try to go away. Sesshomaru cough her and tightly embraced her. He felt her body froze, but didn't let go. Sakura tried to get rid of him but it was useless. Against his physical strength Sakura didn't get a chance and her spirit energy she didn't want to use.
"Sesshomaru, let me go!"
"No, listen!" Sesshomaru tried to calm her down so she would listen what he wanted to say.
"This Sesshomaru is sorry for his lack of self-control. I didn't want to scare you. Sakura, you are the last person, which would fear me. I would rather die than hurt you. Trust me, please!" at the sound of his smooth voice she slowly calmed down. Sitting on his lap, hidden in his arms her body lost its tension.
"My lord, why are you doing this to me?" she asked him tiredly. Sesshomaru tighten his grip on her and buried head into her hair.
"Sakura, you are more important than all treasures and power in this world. You are my most precious treasure, yet you holding greater power over me than anyone else before you." Gently let his fingers touch her chin and made her look into his eyes.
"One word, Sakura, and I will make you my mate and the lady of the West. One word and you will make me the most happiest man in this world."
Sakura gasped. Did she hear correctly? Was it really possible that Sesshomaru just proposed her?
"Sesshomaru, what does it mean?" she asked him unsurely. Sesshomaru sighed. From his haori he pulled a small wooden box. When he opened it, Sakura saw the most beautiful jewel ever. It was a small sapphire star hung on silver chain. It was a piece of art, which was telling about skills. Sesshomaru hung it on Sakura's neck.
"However your choice will be, keep this as a gift from the lord of West. If you will wish to return back home I want you to have it as a memory on me. If you change you mind and stay," for a moment he paused and Sakura didn't dare to look away.
"If you stay, this star will be the symbol of the most beautiful lady ever!" Sesshomaru gently kissed her on her forehead. Sakura shivered under this as butterfly light touch.
"Sesshomaru, I told you. I just …" her voice disappeared. Sesshomaru hugged her.
"I know. Keep that star, it suits you. Sakura, for that short time you were with me in my palace, you brought me more happiness than I could ever imagine. For that I thank you. It means many good memories, which I will cherish till the end of my days."
Sakura gently smiled. "So, this was the reason of your departure?" she asked him with smile.
"Yes!"
"But what about Rin!"
Sesshomaru quickly kissed her on her cheery lips before whispering. "Rin and Jaken are in Naraku's castle. Fetch you sister we are leaving in one hour." Sesshomaru gave another quick kiss and Sakura burst in laugh.
"You are terrible, my lord!"
Sesshomaru wished that she would call him HER lord till his death. He couldn't imagine anything better. To be her mate. Forever. He took his leave and Sakura watched him for the whole time. Her good mood quickly changing.
My lord, under different circumstances I would be honoured to be by your side. Unfortunately, it's not in this case.
"In depression, Sakura-san?"
Sakura turned around only to see lord Ryuumeru. The said lord was leaning against a trunk a watched her with interest. The girl gave him a narrow look. Lard Ryuumeru really could be Sesshomaru's twin brother if there wasn't for few differences. The first would be his hair, which had the same shade of midnight blue like her own. The next would be his birthmark. Well, it was kanji symbol, which meant wisdom. But most different were his eyes. That deep indigo blue was breathtaking. Sesshomaru's eyes were most of the time cold only sometimes showing emotions. The eyes of this lord were always lively. Sakura couldn't help herself, but she was sure that his eyes showing undying amusement and caring about things around him. Which was for a demon quite rare.
Inside Sakura's soul was still feeling that she should know this lord, but she never met him before. The way he was talking and moving was telling her otherwise.
"Lord Ryuumeru, do you usually creeping behind other people like this?" she asked him sourly. Untouched by her question and obvious disrespect he smiled at her.
"Only in a case of a lovely lady who scared most of my servants." Sakura turned brightly red and then she started giggling.
"Sakura will be a good girl from now on!" she told him with a childish voice and manners. Lord Ryuumeru burst in laugh and she joined him.
"Alright, joking aside. Did you want to talk to me, lord Ryuumeru?" the demon lord smirked and Sakura's feeling that she know him grew stronger.
"Actually, yes. Can we sit down?"
"First, I would like to thank you. I haven't seen my friend in such mood for a long time. But you are really extraordinary so I can understand him. Maybe sometimes annoying, but extraordinary."
"Thanks for the compliment!" add Sakura dryly.
"Sorry, if I'm too personal but you don't planning to change your mind and stay here with Sesshomaru? You are gonna go back to your home, right?"
"Lord Ryuumeru, is it possible that I know you from somewhere?" began Sakura slowly. The demon lord looked at her curiously.
"I don't think so! Why?"
"Just a feeling." Shook Sakura with her head before continue. "But for you question; I don't belong here. No matter what else, I HAVE TO return back!"
"You have to?"
"I don't counting myself among people who let their debts unpaid. And back at home I have such debts. Besides, right now I'm not sure with myself and I'm honestly afraid made a wrong decision."
"I understand. Is there some connection with one notoriously infamous demon thief?"
"Sesshomaru told you about it?" it was more statement then question.
"Yes. My friend doesn't have high opinion about him, which I can understand, but I don't think it is so easy as Sesshomaru thinks." Ryuumeru's soft and gentle voice made Sakura smile.
"My very good friend once told me that easy problems are boring and life need some challenge, but after events of last weeks I would prefer boredom. It's true that the whole problem is complicated but I don't know how much. Damn, I'm not sure by anything anymore!"
"So, what are you gonna do? Understand, I'm asking you from pure worry about my friend. Your decision will mean much for him." Sakura was silent for a moment.
"I know. That's why I want first save Rin. With her kidnapping in my head I'm not able to think of something else. When she will with us again, then maybe I will be able to think about it."
Lord Ryuumeru smiled at her. When he left she remembered that she should find her sister. Now.
Kagome was sitting in one of the rooms, which lord Ryuumeru let prepared for her. In her hands she was holding a half of the Shikon of Tama, which she thoughtfully rolled with. In her mind she was still returning to the talk she had with her sister in the palace of western lord. Sakura was right but still…
Flashback:
"You can't be serious!" breathed Kagome unbelievable. Sakura shook her head.
"Kagome, don't tell me that you were planning travelling in time for another twenty years? Both of us didn't belong here. Travelling to the past and back isn't the right idea. Did you think how much of history you could change … to worse!" Sakura's voice was calm and still.
"I know. But it's about that…"
"…you are in love with Inuyasha?" finished Sakura for her sister.
"Huh?" asked Kagome dumbly.
"Sango and Miroku were talking about it."
"No, I got over it already. He will be always in love with Kikyou and that will never change. I meant all of my friends. I don't want to leave them."
"I know. Just think about it. The time portals can be quite dangerous."
"No, there is nothing to think about. When I put the Shikon no Tama back together I will return home and the portal seal away."
End of Flashback:
Kagome sighed. She told Sakura truth that she didn't love Inuyasha anymore, but he was still her friend together with others. She really didn't want to leave them. For a moment in her mind appeared Sesshomaru. The cold lord of the West who obviously hold strong emotions for her sister.
Kagome was almost sure that Sakura wasn't close to him, but how much it was 'serious' she didn't know. This time had a charm, which caught her and Sakura. Kagome didn't want to loose this and was thinking if is it same with her sister. When her mind came to her sister and Sesshomaru, Kagome turned her thoughts to Inuyasha.
When she came here for the first time and started to know him better she was sure that she find the real love. As the time floated she find out that nothing is so easy. She was wondered if there was the 'one' for her. Somewhere.
Again, Kagome looked at the Shikon no Tama or the half she had. Something so small and how much of pain it cause. Maybe it would be better say that people who wanted it caused the pain. Especially Naraku. Because of him nobody sleep peacefully.
With determination Kagome stood up. She felt her sister's ki. Something was telling her that was time to go. Small smile crept on her face. It will take a long time to put the Shikon no Tama together and till the day she could enjoy the wonderful life in this era.
Wow another chapter done. As usual leave me some review. By the way, special thanksto kimahrigirl who leave me that great reviews. It always cheer me up. Thaks to others as well.