Chapter 14

A/N I do not own Inuyasha.

He knew Yuutsuki was not there, but he came in anyway. The curtains were still closed, covering the room from the morning sun. Sesshoumaru's hand squeezed the bed's sheet. The smell of her blood burnt his nostrils, making him recall her lethal state from before. The wrath from yesterday remained, still questioning what had tempted Tadao to reveal Rin's marking to Yuutsuki. Clear to each other, common interest in Yuutsuki had made him further realize the importance of the young Ren to his heart. Sesshoumaru had honestly tried to burry that branch of unexplained interest deep in cold ground of oblivion, but the girl had made it bloom into a deep-rooted tree, which was withering without her presence, draining out his common sense. The tree needed nourishment, he urged to see her.

"You've completely forgotten how I've taught you." Tadao's sudden appearance scared her. Disregarding her tiredness, she had decided to fatigue herself further in training, solitude had provoked many unrequired reflections and thoughts. He embraced from her back, grabbing the sword along with her and moving her arms in a proper way.

"How are you?" Yuutsuki almost whispered, as she let go of the sword and lifted up her head to see his face. The teary eyes blurrily saw the usual smile and it posed more than enough for the answer. "I am glad then."

Tadao passed his large hand on her cheek, he hoped that the small caress would meliorate her poor mood, but the girl only seemed to deeper immerse in sour state. Only one way of fending off that awkward situation came cross his mind.

"Let's train."

Without a single word she agreed, willingly grabbing her weapon, eager to have something to distract her. Yuutsuki's hand injury partly disabled her movements, deteriorating the sword handling. Tadao was a strict mentor, and as a result that day she managed to lock the power of the sword in her arm, causing it to move tremendously fast and powerfully hit the target with no misses.

"Brilliant, I have never expected you to do this today!" He screamed out, having serious difficulties shielding all hits with one arm. "But if I break my promise of using only this arm…" Unexpectedly she felt a strong push that overwhelmed her, crushing her to the ground. His sword pierced just next to her neck. "You lose. So you have still a lot to practice. I see that you are too tired. Do you remember how to release?"

"Yes." Yuutsuki focused her spiritual powers on cutting the source of sword's flow, compelling the demon energy to safely return to the sword.

"Well done." Tadao helped her to raise up, holding her hand for significantly longer than required.

"Next time I will teach you more tricks, so no one can hurt you." He blinked his eye and reached his hand to wisps of her hair to take out several leaves that had gotten suck in it previously.

"You are being a very good instructor, well done to you too."

"Now go and rest."

Taking a soothing bath had completely relaxed her muscles, bringing an overall happy feeling. Already in the room, she discovered another gorgeous kimono had been given to her. This time it was sakura pink with white birds around the bottom of sleeves. She braided her hair and lied down in order to sleep. Unable to do so, she decided to get dressed, meanwhile began to think.

Tarou had said that the western lord had treated Rin almost like a daughter, not a future lover. She was afraid to touch that topic around Sesshoumaru, especially that he was properly aware of her cognizance. Theoretically the fact that he had wished Rin to be his wife shouldn't be so noteworthy anymore, for the child had passed away, asking or even mentioning it would be an inappropriate meddlesomeness in Sesshoumaru's business. Yuutsuki could not find words for the kind of feeling she had experienced upon hearing it. She had greedily estimated her own position unduly significant, creating perky hopes which had been gustily riven due to Tadao's words. Tadao…She knew the demon only for several days, but he was always able to put a smile on her face, somewhat she seemed to begin caring about him. The quandary did not allow her to sleep.

Sesshoumaru seemed even more inaccessible than ever, awaking a longing feeling.

"Sesshoumaru…" She whispered to herself, while securing the kimono's sash. The girl hissed in pain, forgetting about her wound and reopened it by accident.

"Silly me." Yuutsuki placed the Rens' sword behind the sash and exited the room. The mansion appeared empty, no noise could be heard and no movement could be seen. Appearances. She felt many presences around, their assorted, tremendous aura was spreading forcefully, deluding in the air. She stopped abruptly, sensing Sesshoumaru. He was drawing closer. Panicked, she hastily returned to her room and supported her back on the door. What was she to say to him? What would he say to her? Last time they had been alone she had almost allowed him to kiss her, had wished for it. A day later had been informed about his urges to make Rin his wife and just afterwards had been kissed by Tadao. Yuutsuki's mind was clouded and even though she missed him, meeting him would only cause more muddle.

He teleported just in front of her, an image of her panting chest, pink cheeks and widened eyes welcomed him, that view instantly improved his wretched mood, caused by the punishments needed to be delivered.

The demon was in training clothing, several spurts of blood on it, the other Rens sword still dripping blood, hanging attached to his hip. Tightly zipped, the silver hair was fusing with his garments.

His lowered lip had caught her attention, it was swollen, as if someone had just punched him. He greeted her, nodding elegantly. She bent lowly and felt Sesshoumaru grabbing her injured hand.

"Foolish." Opposite to his words, he patted her head, as if she had deserved a hasty reward. "I came to see you in the morning. You weren't here." His tone was smooth and warm, hard to believe he had just come back from a battle. Yuutsuki looked at him apologetically, not knowing what to say. He closed his eyes as she touched his lip.

"I am sorry…" Recognizing what she had done, she directed her ashamed eyes on the ground.

"What Tadao has said about Rin is true. I have marked her." The girl's gaze blurred and a cold shiver went through her spine. So the conversation she had been afraid of had started.

"Do not allow others to dampen your own sense of purpose. There is no right choices, only alternative costs." Yuutsuki felt a need to say something, but her mouth as if sealed, did not want to open. His face had the scary, sad expression, which she wanted to fend off immediately. She swallowed heavily as the golden eyes pierced her intensely, not giving a chance to look away. Sesshoumaru grasped her shoulder, shaking it a bit. Several tears fell from her eyes, not being able to withstand the urge, she placed her head on his chest, seeking recovery. The closeness allayed her sadness, no negative reactions from his side awoke hopes again. That emotional roller-coaster had been exhausting her. Sesshoumaru kept constantly drawing her closer to his heart in order to leave behind, alone again.

"Why aren't you afraid?" The golden glare slowly changed to reddish brown. "Your face presses just next to blood stains of ones I have just killed, with the same hands that are touching you. My poison could melt you down in an instant, you wouldn't even know you are dying."

She looked at her companion's face, with a sour expression he jerked her wrists and pushed against the wall, immobilizing her.

"You are no ignorant, Yuutsuki. I am aware of that, that you are not afraid. Your temerity makes you often forget though, how insignificant your human existence is to demons, I think that allows you to trust me and treat me normally. You are quite oblivious about things, don't fully realize the human – demon division, and because of that you manage to be bolder than many in here, you tend to be more hazardous in your actions than a normal human from this time would."

Sesshoumaru weakened his grip, pulled her closely to him and whispered straight to her ear:

"There are no dreams without darkness."

"Only pathetic ones believe the sky is always blue." Having been amused by her reply, Sesshoumaru smirked airy, allowing his fingers deepen in her dark hair, regaining full control over the boiling demon blood in him. Yuutsuki's presence allowed him to forget about time flow, making his spirit blow, urging for more. Maybe it was as the tongues had been wagging, she indeed was a witch enchanting everyone around. He might no longer be capable of being the western lord for he had stopped thinking about any devoirs around her. Choosing to visibly express his whims and urges towards her would only effect in ubiquitous condemnation resulting in losing his authority, which was negligible compared to what they could do to Yuutsuki, humiliate and rape her off her dignity. By condemning his feelings, refraining from obvious affections, in a way, he was granting her safety. Sesshoumaru was displeased to see that his lack of public interest was taken as abandoning by Yuutsuki, making her prone to Tadao's demonstrable efforts.

The girl accepted his caress, closing her eyes. It was one of the seldom times he actually smiled. He stopped, shifting his previous tone to casual and spoke:

"There is an invitee staying in the mansion tonight, she is broadly known for her hatred for humans. Wanting to elude clashes for I have a significant, crucial negotiation to transact, I would have you either stay in your room or not parade your backgrounds so avidly like you usually do."

"I understand."

The golden eyes crinkled slightly, trying to read reasons behind her sudden, unconditional obedience. The girl seemed to be pondering about something, her stare was somewhat inattentive.

"What appears to be a problem?"

Yuutsuki tentatively placed her look at his swollen lip, she opened her mouth, just to close it afterwards and open again to say with audible uncertainty.

"It is uncomfortable to be the cause of a conflict between you and Tadao. I hope you are not going to treat him differently because of me."

"A fight?" His voice sounded genuinely astonished. "You might be misunderstanding. What exactly did he tell you?"

"That a woman should not ask about certain things."

"That bastard. Misleading you on purpose." Sesshoumaru turned his eyes in irritation. "There is no conflict, moreover, yesterday we fought together. His injury was an act of fearlessness, shielding a nearly dying comrade from a lethal blow." He observed the face in front of him tinting red, she could not hide awkwardness, too ashamed to look him in the eyes. The reaction somewhat softened his mood, but as well alerted of her sympathy for Tadao.

"Are you fond of Tadao?" That simple question commoved Yuutsuki and her heart skipped a beat, rising up her blood flow. Nervously biting her lip, she looked away, creating more doubt in Sesshoumaru's head. Her quietness annoyed him, being impatient for an answer, he would not accept silence.

"Respond." The distress enlarged as he reduced the distance between them to barely couple of centimetres. "Let me enquire inversely. Who do you favour more?"

"Sesshoumaru…" There was a shy plea in her voice, but he did not intend to remit. "It is not like this."

"Demystify then." His virtually testable, demon energy was swirling around her, evidently mirroring his upset state. He was supposed not to reveal his presence, for no one to know he had been there, but the frustration had made him forget about the expected behaviours.

"I have heard rumours of you two kissing in front of everyone. Is it that kind of fond you are of him?" The voice seemed icier than ever as he held a chilling glare towards her.

"No… He did kiss me, but I did not wish for it. I was taken by surprise."

"And you shall be once again."

He angrily pulled her against him, seeing her dark eyes widen and aggressively kissed her faintly open lips.

The girl tried to push him away, but had no chances creating any distance between them, the strong arms were firmly wrapped around her fragile body. Finally giving in, she returned the kiss, awaking lust in the demon's blood. He felt his hands involuntarily flex, his heartbeat quickening and he closed his eyes from the sheer feeling he was having, allowing his lips quickly move towards her neck, brushing against her ear lobes.

"Sesshoumaru…"

He stopped her from talking with another kiss, not allowing her to continue.

"Compare your experiences and finally answer my question. Who are you fond of more?"

"What exactly do you seek? What exactly do you want to hear?" Not in the least he had expected her to change the subject, his mind was focused on her lips, on the raising bound between them, and hence the question had baffled him completely.

"What happens once I say I feel attached to you, fond of you, that the moment I saw your words carved on the sword, I abandoned and disregarded everything, just because this…" Her lowered head and soft voice ensured him of the significance of her speech. Placing a fist on her chest, she continued speaking. The salty smell of human tears entered his nostrils. "This did not allow me to do otherwise? As a matter of fact, my grandma has passed away, the pressure of my duty has died along with her. I have been strongly persuaded to stay, never come back, but I am here again, and fulfilling my duty as a Ren isn't the main factor of my return. What happens then, Sesshoumaru?" Her words had brought him a kind of contentment, giving him a small glimpse of her insight, yet felt that she had engaged herself dangerously and too blindly. It was not hard to notice that she had lost the control over feelings. His blood stained garments were held by her shaking hands, she could not muffle the extending sobs. The brown hair glued to her wet face. Sesshoumaru's gaze met hers, and she comprehended immediately, he would not answer.

"I need to greet the guest." Feeling completely bemused, Yuutsuki nodded, politely folding her hands together and bowing.

The demon wanted to say something, not to leave her completely dejected, but finally left without saying a word more. Sesshoumaru knew that had been a ruthless decision, he should have suitably replied her, nevertheless he could not be himself and tell untruth straight to her face, finding it dishonouring, saying the actuality out loud wasn't something he was prepared for.

With a blank expression, Yuutsuki fell on her knees, focusing her eyes on the ground. She was restrained, unable to fully breathe. Sesshoumaru was keeping her in there as a puppet, a thing to get amused over, the humiliation was too heavy to handle, but honestly, what else was to be expected.

The reason of his silence however, was neither so petty nor harsh. Yuutsuki had been bringing troubles over herself and acting recklessly, wholeheartedly due to her feelings towards him. Sesshoumaru did not want her endangered because of such a thing. Trying to find a reasonable solution was not as easy as he had previously thought, he needed time to grasp the least harmful resolve, beneficial for both of them.

The afternoon sun hung in the pinkish sky. Albeit sunny, the air was not warm, on the contrary, it pierced with cold. Yuutsuki felt chilly, she jumped several times, making her blood flow faster. She ventured several steps towards the entrance gate, wondering if simply running away was obtainable.

She passed the fence, trying to behave as casually as she could. Even if for a bit, she really wanted to leave the demon mansion. No one paid attention, no one stopped her from leaving the place, which was frankly startling. She took a path leading to the forest, walking for around thirty minutes, enjoying the scenery. Red, yellow and green leaves were falling from every tree, creating a unique carpet on the ground. After strolling for quite a bit, she caught up to an elderly monk. He noticed her immediately, enduing her with a sympathetic look.

"Are you going to the village as well? Mind helping an old man carrying his bag? I have been travelling all day just to get to that festival tonight, but I will go no further if I have to carry this. I don't want to stay resting in here, I heard it is demons' territory."

Yuutsuki peered at his luggage, which did not seem extremely heavy. Noticing her glare, he quickly added:

"My dear it's not far, ten minutes and we are there. I will treat you to a sweet potato for your kindness."

The girl smiled and bowed.

"I will be more than glad to help you." She picked up his bag and they slowly moved forward.

Not much time passed until they reached the village. Loud sounds of drums and flutes were filling the place with an overall happy atmosphere, the smells of freshly cooked meals came around.

The old monk, as previously promised, treated her to a sweet potato, making it the best one she had had in her life. The evening arrived, the villagers lit lanterns and everyone began to dance. Someone's hand grabbed her and dragged her among the people. Yuutsuki danced, spun around and kept on laughing. Somebody else treated her to a cup of sake, later another one and another one. The alcohol quickly spread in her veins, making her sense of perception slightly twisted. She danced with more people, drank more and laughed more. Her body felt free and mind clouded, not able to focus on a thing. She enjoyed it thoroughly, until she noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Following with her muzzy sight, she noticed no one else but Tadao. He ventured straight towards her, slowly, taking his time, not calling attention. He grabbed the girl's wrist, bent over and quietly asked:

"Why did you endanger yourself? Look at yourself, you are drunk, you are giving men the freedom to leer at you." He rearranged her garments angrily. "How did you expect to return? You are barely standing." She shrugged her shoulders, laughing. At that point she was unduly incapable of concentrating on his words.

"Lord Sesshoumaru is waiting for you just outside of the village. Yuutsuki!"

Despite her efforts, he dragged her out of the village, straight in front of furious Sesshoumaru, who comprehended her befuddled state immediately. He approached her rapidly, wondering about the reason why the girl had brought herself to that state.

The bleary glare slowly followed his arm lifting up and before she knew it, he had slapped her cheek with the back of his hand. The three of them stood noiselessly and only the notorious cricket sounds were audible over the festival music. Yuutsuki cupped the aching cheek, her scared, dark eyes looked questioningly at the demon lord.

"You will not do this again." Even with her fear, the voice coming out of her dread clutched throat was reasonably proud. "You will not dare to do this again!" Brimming with fresh tears, the girl's eyes locked on his.

"You are being abusive towards lord Sesshoumaru, Yuutsuki. I will allow no more." Tadao's expression was strangely angry, his voice barely above whisper. Such state of his was unknown to her yet. Understanding her defeat, she said quietly.

"Either take me home or allow me to go."

"Cowardly brat, insolent, thoughtless masochist."

She could not stop tears of powerlessness, not moving an inch, as if stoned, still with her face tilted to one side from the hit.

"I have asked you not to scar yourself anymore, yet, regardless of my efforts you enjoy it! Do you realize the amount of people after your head at this very moment? But the problem is not the people, but the engaged demons that are dearly salaried to take your life away! And what do you do? Intoxicate yourself publicly with strangers, making me lose my senses, making me deem that I have failed once again to protect a mere human life I wish to keep! I don't even want to see your face for time being."

Sesshoumaru flinched, giving Tadao an expressive look. The girl as well sensed a foreign demon energy approaching.

"Come out! I have no mood for games." The demon lord barked out, taking out his sword. Tadao grabbed Yuutsuki and disappeared into thin air, teleporting away from the place, where soon a fight would break out. He left her in the gate of the mansion, probably returning in order to help Sesshoumaru. Yuutsuki moved to her room, dragging feet throughout the whole way. Humiliated twice by the same man on the same day, she cried in her bed until dozed off in restless sleep.

The following day only worsened her already ruined mood. Tadao hardly spoke while training, his mind seemed to be in an absolutely diverse place, barely caring about their exercise. As expected, he abandoned her early, ordering her to train alone. As if not enough, she had briefly seen Sesshoumaru several times, passing by with a gorgeous demon female, both talking gleefully and trading smiles. He did not even grant her one glance, one mere look, as if she was inexistent, allowing her to feel like a petty creature creeping around his mighty territory. The unceasing sadness mixed with anger had drawn her to attempt to discharge the negative feelings in physical exhaust. Yuutsuki entered the young demons' training ground, asking cheerfully:

"Good day boys, is there anyone feeling like training a bit with the human girl?"

"What of Tadao?" One of them asked cautiously.

"He is busy and I cannot lose time."

"Fine then." The same demon stepped ahead.

"Just remember, sword to sword combat, no demon abilities." The girl made sure he understood the conditions of their small skirmish.

"Don't you worry. I will only use hands."

Yuutsuki smirked and rushed towards him, feeling the ring's power granting her protection over the demon energy of the sword entering her body.

"You might want to change your mind." She dashed forward, making him attack first. Sure she would be exposed for a hit, he appeared behind her, ready to strike. Yet she rapidly turned around and kicked his exposed ribs. The blow was not strong enough to knock him out, the demon energy hadn't settled properly yet, nevertheless it caused the spectators to shout in amazement, expecting a totally different turn of the events. Her opponent growled and with hands prepared to protect himself, circled around her slowly. Yuutsuki closed her eyes, focusing the demon energy only in her right arm. Feeling the incoming power, she comprehended she could subdue him easily, if she managed to keep her poise. More spectators gathered to observe the fight. He attacked, aiming for her legs, trying to ground her. Normally a person would take several steps back, but Yuutsuki dashed forward again, hitting his unprotected back with the dull part of the sword. Dull as it was, the demon screamed in pain, falling to the ground. The girl's advantage had apparently rubbed him the wrong way, for he had leaped towards her with a black fire in his hands. Yuutsuki realized she would not get a fair fight as the spectators cheered for him, encouraging him to strike her.

Narrowly avoiding his blow, she created more distance between them to gain on time. The demon had clearly decided to retrieve the advantage, even if by breaking the rules, especially after she had discredited him in front of his associates. Insanely fast, he rushed straight at her. Knowing she would not avoid that one, as he was really about to hit, the girl curled her posture, protecting the chest and swung the sword as fast as possible, meanwhile putting in it as much strength as she could. The black fire brushed Yuutsuki's shoulder, burning the cloth and a bit of skin, but she did not mind, for her opponent was lying down on the floor with a wound spurting blood on his thigh, caused by repetitive sword's swings. His suffering had brought a smirk on her face, granting her more self-assurance.

"That's what you get for playing dirty. You lose!" She looked around, no one stepped forward, most of them looking in disbelief at the wounded demon.

"What is wrong? Next one!" Sensing her blood yearning for more, she yelled again.

"What is happening in here?" Sesshoumaru's icy voice came from behind.

The girl turned around and saw the demon lord with the beautiful female she had seen him with before. The female laughed in disbelief.

"A human beat up your underling? You have to train them better Sesshoumaru..."

"Lord Sesshoumaru, lady Shizuka." A demon stepped out from the crowd and bowed. "I am general Yama. The human asked for help in training and as result, she has injured my man. I demand punishment."

Yuutsuki's eyes tightened in anger.

"Aren't you ashamed to lie to your lord? That is not what happened and we all know it. I have set the rules of the sparring before starting. Using his demon abilities was not allowed, yet he did, with a clear aim to seriously injure me. And you all, cheered for him. His wound is the result of his own decision, I just protected myself."

Shizuka lifted her eyes in amazement, covering her mouth with her pale hand. She had never seen a human speaking to a highly positioned demon before in such outspoken way.

"Let them deal with it Sesshoumaru, her blood reeks of humans." She grabbed his arm and tried to pull him away.

"You must be some kind of genius, lady Shizuka, how else would my blood reek?"

"Yuutsuki!" Sesshoumaru growled loudly, trying to warn her, any more fuss and he would need to punish her.

The female demon ventured several steps towards Yuutsuki until their eyes weren't further apart than a few inches.

"Or maybe I should deliver the punishment to you? Pathetic Ren. Parading with the sword and the ring, you are chocking with its power. Do you know I can kill you in an instant and no one will stop me?" The blacks of their eyes clashed, rising up the tension between them. Shizuka did not like a human looking straight at her, speaking to her. She wanted to melt down that pitiable existence right away.

Her thundering glare left Yuutsuki unfazed, she smiled and daringly stated:

"You will not kill me."

"Why is that?" Shizuka asked mockingly.

"There are several factors. For example, my blood reeks, so you will not want to stain that lovely kimono of yours." The girl answered in the same disdainful tone. Sesshoumaru unwillingly smirked, however immediately stopped upon hearing the next words.

"Another one, you are not able to, lord Sesshoumaru will not allow you."

Shizuka grasped Yuutsuki's throat and lifted her up, making her gasp for air. Sesshoumaru barely refrained himself from helping the human girl.

"I think I didn't hear properly. You said something about me not being able to?" The demon threw her on the ground with a pleased expression. Yuutsuki rose immediately, more sensing, than seeing Shizuka approaching. She warded off the demon's hit with the sword, and managed to push her away. Sesshoumaru felt the amount of demon energy entering Yuutsuki's body, observed the girl's movement swiftness and how skilfully she carried out the sword's potential. The trainings had proved to be extremely fruitful. The moment Sesshoumaru had noticed a dangerous situation, he interrupted the fight by wrapping his poisonous whip around Shizuka, stopping her from laying a hit on Yuutsuki.

"Sesshoumaru, what is the meaning of this? If not for you she would be dead." Shizuka hissed at him.

"She is not to be killed. I am honour bound to guarantee that. She will receive the punishment. Yama!"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Twenty calf whips and two days in solitude without food. Whips are to be delivered by Tadao, in public, now. As for your man, a hundred whips on his back, delivered by Tadao as well. Not in public."

"Understood."

"And you Yama, twenty public whips for daringly lying in your man's favour."

"Yes."

The demon lord and Shizuka left her alone among raged warriors. Yuutsuki could not believe Sesshoumaru's words. In her opinion he had decided to go so far as to injure her in order to keep his appearances.

"The fact that you are out of demons' custodies doesn't mean they do not obligate you." A demon screamed out to her as another grabbed her and pushed to the ground.

"I will take her, hands off!" Tadao broke through the crowd, unable to look at the girl's pale face. Him delivering the whips posed as an indirect punishment for failing at his duty given by lord Sesshoumaru.

"No holding back Tadao, we will be all watching you carefully!" The realisation dawned at her, the punishment would really take place, feeling as if her blood stopped flowing, she grabbed Tadao's arm, unable to keep her balance. Her pride was about to be shattered in front of the whole mansion.

A/N: I have promised to me an interactive chapter, but no one seemed interested, so I shall just continue on the story. The alternative was to be either Yuutsuki lives and the story continues or she dies and the story ends. As for now it will continue, I guess. The next chapter is basically written, so it will be uploaded really soon.