Chapter 15

A/N : I do not own Inuyasha.

A small wooden podium had been prepared for the occasion, where a demon was awaiting Yuutsuki's appearance. Apparently he was the announcer of the punishment, visibly enjoying the role.

"Ren Yuutsuki, twenty calf whips, Lord Sesshoumaru's order. General Tadao will deliver the punishment."

The public gathered around the podium yelled and cheered as Tadao showed up with a large whip in his hands. The girl entered the podium. Her hands were placed in a hanging chain attached to a pole. She understood the purpose immediately, in case if she lost strength in her legs, the chains were to keep her standing. Tadao stood behind her, the hits would be delivered only on the back of the legs. She lifted her head, seeking Sesshoumaru and she noticed him straightaway, he was observing her with the indifferent expression not giving a hint of emotion away. Her kimono got cut, exposing her petite legs up to half of the thighs. Panting rapidly, her hands were shaking, she felt as if she was melting down out of shame and fear. A weird feeling of agony overwhelmed her when Tadao whispered:

"Forgive me."

There were many things she wanted to scream out at that moment, her fright, confusion and viciousness, nonetheless she just lowered her head, allowing the long hair to cover her face.

"One…Two…Three…" The announcer shouted after three repetitive hits. The public was loudly conversing, since it was too apparent that Tadao was holding back. Frightened that the girl would receive hits from someone else, he started hitting truly. To everyone's astonishment Yuutsuki kept deadly silent. Each and every hit was opening a deep wound, the blood was dripping and splashing from the podium. An intense burning entered her veins, she had never experience such pain before.

In her eyes faces and figures of the demons were blurred out, she could not spot Sesshoumaru anymore. However she hoped, he could see her vicious expression and hatred in her eyes. When the announcer screamed out : "Fifteen!" She lost the balance, each and every hit felt stronger due to the already existent slashes. Sweat drops mixed with tears, in her mind she pleaded for the end, barely being able to breathe.

"Twenty!"

The community was unmistakeably not contented, Tadao slashed one more time, using much more strength. Yuutsuki was not prepared for that, being sure it had been the end of her nightmare, she whimpered, unable to keep the agony anymore. Her prolonged yelp pleased the public, almost everyone clapped their hands eagerly. No one expected Tadao to whip himself, very powerfully at that, but the bloodthirsty, cruel demons valued it, and expressed their impressions by shouting. The pain was paralyzing her body and mind. A moan escaped her lips as he released her wrists and grabbed her numb body, keeping it from falling down. She twitched and fainted in his arms.

Voices woke her up, she was closed in a cage placed in the ground. Not opening her eyes, she listened.

"Did you see how Tadao massacred Yama? Lord Sesshoumaru did not specify the place of the whips, so he lashed him across the whole body."

"Yes, scary to think how the one convicted to a hundred looks like. Do you know that after all trials to make a negotiation with lady Shizuka it was lord Sesshoumaru declining the offer? She was demanding the human dead."

"Ah I see…So… you are the one watching her?"

"Temporarily, until Tadao comes back."

They heard Yuutsuki move and hushed immediately, not revealing anything else anymore. The girl touched her legs and immediately regretted it. The pain was acute, nonetheless incomparable to the pain of her wounded heart. She promised herself to do everything to get out from Sesshoumaru's reach as soon as possible, disregarding her duty and feelings sounded attractive at that moment, anything was fine as long as it took her home. The boundless trust she had given to the demon lord became very limited, the clear fondness became clouded by rising resentment.

"General Tadao!"

"Disappear…" His voice was husky, one could easily hear wrath in it. After a minute he spoke to her, without showing his face.

"I have managed to shorten your time in this filthy cage. Tomorrow morning you are leaving it."

Not getting any answer, he continued. "If I hadn't left, you wouldn't be punished. I do not know how to express my apology."

"Sesshoumaru is responsible. He put his whim and idiotic craving for maintaining appearances above my pride and safety. He went as far as injuring me. I am disappointed."

"Yuutsuki…" He did not understand the bitterness in her voice. "Lord Sesshoumaru did what was expected of him to do. The punishment was quite merciful, considering that you've caused a fight with his guest. If he did not punish you, the demons would go after you. Like this the guilt is forgiven, you should forgive as well. That is how it works in the demon society, consider it lucky that you are alive."

"What you are saying is that impairing my legs for days is an act of decency? Making you hit me in front of everyone is merciful? Causing me such pain is fine?" Tadao kept quiet, looking at his lord's face, he had been there throughout the whole time, listening to the girl's accusations with tightened fists. They both heard Yuutsuki's sobs, even though she was forcefully trying to hide them by muffling her mouth.

"I can never forget it. First he declines my feelings, hits my face, proving that he does not understand my point of view and now shatters my pride and dignity. I just hope he is happy with the outcome, I hope my wounded body and soul met his expectations." Upon hearing that, Sesshoumaru left, making no noise. He did not believe his reasons to be wrong, the girl just didn't seem to understand them. Deciding to give her time to get over it, he travelled to the cage where the demon Yuutsuki had been training with was kept. He snapped his spine in an instant, leaving the guards stunned.

/

A strong burning woke her up abruptly, interrupting the pleasant dream she was having. The environment was not familiar to her, not recognizing the place, the girl tried to change her position.

"Lie still, I am applying medicine." Nao's words startled her.

"Where am I?" Yuutsuki barely recognized her own voice, which was husky and thicker than usual.

"In your new room. It has access to hot springs."

The girl endured the painful, laborious procedure in silence, being actually appreciative that someone was treating her injuries, helping her in recovery.

"Thank you."

"Do not, if not for orders I would not be here. I think you deserved the punishment. Being a human, you cannot be so daring towards demons. Frankly speaking, you were lucky anyway. With Tadao delivering twenty whips, some demons were losing legs, I don't understand why he is treating you so specially. Same goes for lord Sesshoumaru. Normally you would be killed for such behaviour. They are both too lenient towards you."

"Thank you anyway." Nao said nothing, upon finishing she left the room.

The day dragged monotonously, the delivered food seemed tasteless, no one else but helpers had visited her. She tried not to think, but to concentrate on sleeping, struggling to avoid the physical and mental pain. Back in the cage, Yuutsuki had promised herself that she would not break. Sesshoumaru would not hurt her anymore, wanting to become immune to his actions she decided to give up on him. It was appallingly tough to realize that something she had seemed to be desperately grabbing onto was a mere illusion triggered by her over-romantic nature. A cocktail of feelings exploded in her heart the instant Tadao appeared in her room. Tears of exasperation and sorrow covered her face. Without a word he remained with her until she fell asleep.

The following days looked somewhat alike, the painful treatment, several hours in hot springs, lack of appetite, limitless, variable considerations and soundless Tadao soothing her with his attendance. Due to the intense healing and demon ways of handling the wounds, she managed to stand on her legs already a week after the occurrence. That was the day when Tadao stopped coming. Another week had passed before she could walk freely by herself. The time she could return home had been approaching.

Deciding not to waste a day more, she decided to visit Tadao's room and talk to him. The door was slightly opened, so she snuck in. To her great surprise Tadao was not inside, though the place was not empty. Sesshoumaru was standing on a porch, looking outside.

"Tadao is on assignment."

Yuutsuki approached him, not permitting feelings to impede with her objectives. Her plan had foiled the moment she met his concerned eyes for she had never seen him wearing such an emotive expression.

"Will you not demand an apology?" The girl decided to answer him with a question. "Is there anything you wish to apologize for?" Sesshoumaru did not like her aloof attitude, she was visibly hiding her exact feelings. He approached nearer, and layered her pastel cheek with the big hand of his. The girl's heart pounded quicker, making him smirk for her body was incapable of lying.

"No." He saw what he had anticipated to see, frustration and sorrow of her eyes.

"But I certainly hope it is recognizable that your protection and best interest are continuously my priority."

Yuutsuki could not name what she felt, a cascade of contrast filled her mind. A part of her urged, insisted on trusting and pardoning him, lying like a puppet in his hands again, be it for a brief moment, just to feel his generosity again. On the other hand her pride was screaming to abase, insult and push him away.

"Toying with my feelings is in my best interest as well?"

The demon's hand dropped loosely and seeing his aggravated expression the hidden bitterness exploded through accusations.

"I am sorry to be extensively bold, Sesshoumaru-sama. You, a great demon would not care about a human's feelings, so there is no possibility of you even concerning me as your toy. Too degrading! There is nothing in me, worth of nothing joke of a human. Hurting me is fine, as long as you keep your appearances."

"Are you so engulfed by arrogance and blinded by pride that you submerge to self-pity? Had I handled things differently, you would be dead." He gave her a reproachful, petrifying stare of sentencing, dripping with superiority. Yuutsuki's eyes diverted, convincing him of the precision of his words. That fact made him unpleasantly dismayed, and drove him to walk out of the room reluctant to bestow her with a glance or a word more. She tried to swallow all the guilt and shame that tasted like bile in her throat.

The girl fully opened the garden doors and sat on the porch, enjoying the scenery of setting sun. Not much time passed until the red sky turned black and only the shine of the moon and stars faintly illuminated the garden. She was thoroughly absorbed by thoughts, not conscious of being observed by a grey pair of eyes. Tadao's warm voice rushed the blood in her veins.

"A beautiful woman in my room waiting for my return, did I do anything to deserve that?"

"Ease, pretty." He added, noticing how his unforeseen arrival had startled her.

Yuutsuki quickly got up and bowed lowly.

"Sorry, I lost track of time, it's too late to talk, I will come tomorrow." Tadao grabbed her arm, stopping her from going away.

"Don't go."

Yuutsuki could not disobey, Tadao pressed her body against his and swept away hair from her ear to whisper in it.

"I am tremendously relieved to see you almost mended."

"Sesshoumaru said that my arrogance and pride drives me to self-pity. Is my anger so blameworthy? Incomprehensible?"

The demon slightly stiffened hearing his lord's name. He unwillingly let go of the human in his arms. "I understand your anger, but his decisions served one purpose, to keep you safe. Had he not given you any punishment, someone would have hurt you, poison you, kill you in your sleep, name it. Now your punishment is fulfilled, no one will hurt you. I regret it had to be me delivering it, however it served a purpose as well. Any other demon would try hard to damage you incurably." Memories of that day had been revived, bringing tears of helplessness and shivers. Yuutsuki quickly recomposed herself and asked pleadingly:

"Could you train me again?" Seeing his brows lift in disbelief, she quickly added: "I know it might be too early, but I want to estimate how far behind I have fallen."

Tadao flashed a smile, glad to see her spirit rising.

"Very well then, tomorrow, as usual. I am going to rest now. I propose you return to your room, unless you want to spend the night with me." He blinked his eyes provocatively.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it. Good night."

As expected, on the next day the injured legs performed poorly, but not as bad as she had feared. Throughout the whole time Yuutsuki felt under surveillance, even Tadao was behaving more reserved, waking further suspicions. As he stopped the training, persuading her not to strain her muscles, the girl finally noticed the spectator. It was a female demon, so similar to Sesshoumaru in every aspect. Her long, silver hair was tied in two ponytails, loosely falling on her back. The purple white kimono patterned in green and yellow butterflies, with dark blue outer wrap underlined her pale face, which unlike Sesshoumaru had only one magenta mark on each cheek. A white fur pelt was tightly wrapped around her shoulders, partly hiding a big necklace. She slowly approached them, almost crushing Yuutsuki's senses with her demon energy. Sesshoumaru's mother looked very young, the golden of her eyes was brighter than the demon lord's.

"Lady Kimi, welcome back." Tadao bent lowly and the girl copied his gesture, not allowing herself to rudely gawk anymore.

"Thank you Tadao." She directed her eyes at the human. "Lift your head, Ren Yuutsuki."

Yuutsuki straightened her posture, with surprise noticing that the demon wasn't taller than her.

"Hm… I did not expect that." The lady of the house pouted with certain playfulness. "I expected a typical Ren combatant female with devastated hands and sunken eyes." Yuutsuki watched her purple lips crooking in a smile. "Unexpectedly… beautiful. As for a human, of course. Tadao, how is her potential?"

He lifted up his pose and smiled charmingly.

"Nothing less expected from a Ren, the sword seems to be responding well."

"I have heard of you causing troubles for my son recently. In result you've been punished. I do not want any more stirs in my household. Understood, human?"

Yuutsuki lowered her glance, folding her hands together.

"I apologize for my senselessness, this will not occur again. I am extremely honoured by the training opportunity given to me."

"Of course you are honoured, better remember this before you prove how loose is the connection of your brain and mouth in front of my guests." Yuutsuki shuddered to the haughtiness of the demon's voice, unwillingly throwing her an accusatory look. The demon's eyes shone with a brighter light and her clawed hand grabbed the girl's jawbone.

"As indisputably beautiful as inappropriately feisty."

Yuutsuki looked away, her blood was boiling of agitation, but she kept silent, trying not to worsen her situation.

"At least she knows boundaries." Kimi released her grip and directed her golden eyes at Tadao.

"Sesshoumaru and I are having supper together for he is leaving to tend his business in the west. I would like you to be there after he leaves, we have to settle an issue."

"Certainly."

Lady Kimi turned around, leaving Tadao and Yuutsuki alone.

"Yuutsuki, enraging lady Kimi is…"

"I know." She interrupted dryly and none of them said anything else.

/

"Sesshoumaru, let's decide together how to disperse rumours spreading throughout the land and how to punish Ren Oka for damaging the name of the West."

Lady Kimi was thoroughly looking at her nails, treating the matter with indulgence.

"Easiest would be to kill Ren Yuutsuki, rumours would die with her, but since you had stated her to be the one fulfilling the duty… Can't be helped. We either marry her to someone, someone somewhat powerful for her position to rise, thereby making her untouchable or we hide her forever. One way or another we must protect our family's name."

Sesshoumaru's eyes betrayed nothing, with an apathetic voice, he slowly spoke.

"Only pitiful ones believe in rumours, I see no reason to be concerned."

"No. She must marry."

Tension began to build and silence between the two was imminent. Sesshoumaru stared at her gritty glare with mild frustration.

"How do you expect to return the Rens' promise then?"

Kimi giggled, turning her eyes away from Sesshoumaru "I saw her today, the human is really gorgeous. Her half demon offspring would not be a bad ornament for your magnificent self. Of course not as a wife, but a temporary companion."

"This will not happen." His golden eyes were stern and demeaning, as if he dared her to defy his words. The bitterness in his voice dazed even his own mother. "The rumours will cease! I will tend the issue myself."

The female rolled her eyes, her head spinning with irritation.

"You know she must be marked. I don't want her in my mansion for longer than necessary." Sesshoumaru got up abruptly, leaving the place, fuming with anger.

/

The grey eyes observed enraged lord of the west approaching. He was barely containing himself, trying to look reserved as always, but Tadao knew, the conversation with lady Kimi had turned out wrong.

"I know of my mother's intentions. Yuutsuki must return to the future until the rumours die out."

"What of her intentions?"

"She wishes to have Yuutsuki marked very soon."

At that point, Tadao could not keep but to put a smug air about himself.

"What if I am the pretender?"

Sesshoumaru's claws twitched convulsively.

"I am certain you are not, your rank is too high."

Their eyes never strayed away, as if they were challenging each other, perhaps, indirectly, they were.

"Once I am chosen, I will mark her."

"Dare not to mark her forcefully. Nonetheless if Yuutsuki desires so, I cannot stop you. Now go, I know my mother is waiting for you. I trust you Tadao, I trust you will not hurt her."

The wolf demon nodded affirmatively and they parted ways.

/

Sesshoumaru sniffed the air intensively, attempting to localize the girl. Following her scent he reached the training grounds, where she was languidly swaying the sword. She noticed him a second afterwards thus stopped moving, just plainly observed. The demon beckoned to her and she trailed with no hesitancy. They left the borders of the mansion and entered the deep forest around it, where they continued on walking for several minutes more. Yuutsuki was observing the silver hair guiding her way, it reminded her of their previous travels, the period wherein she had grown so firmly attached to him. The recollections had captured her enough to miss out Sesshoumaru stopping and she barely avoided bumping into his back.

"You shall be marked soon, probably tonight, by someone you don't even know. I want you to go with Tadao to Inuyasha's forest and return to your future until the rumours die out. Once they do, my mother shall have no reason to have you marked. In case if after all Tadao is chosen to mark you… The decision belongs to you, the choice…"

"How will I know when to come back?" She curtly interrupted.

Sesshoumaru held an unreadable expression towards her, but deep inside he was pleased with her obedience. Her response had visibly clarified his uncertainties whether Yuutsuki would allow Tadao to mark her.

"The sword."

He placed his hand on the top of the wavy hair, observing her concerned eyes.

"We shall meet soon."

Then he disappeared within the shadows, his aura ceasing as well.

/

"No Tadao, I cannot have you mark her. I do not want my highest general seized by a human girl."

Kimi answered the wolf demon with a grim.

"Lower my rank then." His imprudent proposal upset her.

"No. I have already decided upon the person. It will be general Yama."

Tadao rolled his eyes in annoyance, pretending to accede. Demurring further would cause unnecessary suspicions, which he had to avoid for the plan to succeed.

"Now call general Yama and the girl. Let's do it now, before Sesshoumaru interferes."

"Yes, lady Kimi."

Tadao left, rapidly setting off to Yuutsuki's room. He was never much of a faithful servant, he had been always taking decisions accordingly to his own conscience, based on his own convictions. At that moment Sesshoumaru's plan was the only agreeable solution.

Sliding the door rapidly, he barged into the room, finding the girl ready to go. She was wearing full garments, warm shoes and a thick outer cloth over her shoulders.

"You are taking me to Inuyasha's forest, right Tadao?" The black eyes brimmed with worries.

"We must hurry, I was supposed to bring you and… Yama." His eyes enraged, the name of the pretender almost making him spit with revulsion. "Come." Tadao grabbed her hand and they both disappeared from the mansion, landing in nearby forest.

"I will carry you for now, we must run before they discover our disappearance." His arms wrapped around her strongly and he rushed forward through the autumn fog.

Not even an hour passed and Yuutsuki's body was all sore from the turbulences of Tadao's leaps and dashes, resulting in urges of walking instead. Noticing her inconvenience, he smiled apologetically.

"This is only for now, we must gain advantage, I am focusing on speed. The only way of travelling a bit more comfortably would require me changing in my demon form. I do not think you want to ride a hairy wolf. I don't like to idea of it myself."

"Don't be bothered by it."

He nodded, focusing on his way. Only at dusk Tadao stopped in an opened meadow, allowing Yuutsuki to stretch her limbs out, first time in several hours. The evening was cold and foggy, one could expect the snow to fall anytime. Shaking out of cold, the girl rubbed her hands together and jumped around whilst he gathered materials needed to start a bonfire. The wind rustled among the tall grass, rocking it back and forth.

"Done, come, warm up."

Yuutsuki almost glued to the red flame, enjoying its warmth. Tadao scratched his chin and smiling, he asked:

"Did lord Sesshoumaru tell you I could be the one to mark you?"

The girl nodded slowly, diverting her eyes from his handsome face.

"It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter who, the fact is I do not want to be marked at all."

His face remained smiling, assured by that she continued.

"I don't understand demons well. Impressions are enough to pledge virtues, trifles enough to punish. I would not make such an important decision as to mate a demon recklessly, especially as I belong five hundred years to the future."

Tadao sat down and invited her with a gesture to do the same.

"And I think that humans might have a bit twisted way of perceiving demons' mentality. Anyway pretty, you, me, forest and we talk about differences in perceiving. Something is not right." The girl sighted at the wide smile, bringing her brows together.

"You are like this towards all females, aren't you? How many did you already woo into your charms?"

Tadao's smile faded, replacing it with an alert expression. At the same time Yuutsuki experienced the ring emanate with warmth, aligning.

"We must catch it! It has shards which will be nullified anytime!" She rose snappishly, irritably eyeing motionless Tadao. An enraged demon boar jumped from the nearby bushes, roaring widely.

"Tadao! Help me to get the shard!"

"Try yourself. Your previous words offended me." He crossed his arms, observing the growing tension in Yuutsuki's eyes. Snatching her sword, she screamed out loud, attracting attention of the weakling. There was a still shiny shard of the jewel in its head, but its glow was fading. She could not lose the sight of it. Since the creature was rather fast, especially when compared to a normal human, Yuutsuki had to hastily think of a way to catch up to it before it became untraceable. She focused the sword's demon power on her frozen legs, hoping that it would deliver enough speed to attain the shard. Moments after the demon energy settled in her leg muscles, a slight burning sensation run on her scars left from Tadao's whips. It was not necessarily aching, but it wasn't very pleasant either, nonetheless she could not doddle around, the gap separating her from the shard was widening, rushing her to set off like an arrow in order to hit the target. The girl was rather taken aback with the hustle the demon energy had provided, and proved there was more than one way to the sword usage. Although amazed, she was not as staggered as the demon boar, which was now running side-by-side with the girl, who was amused with herself, imagining the beast had actually shown a baffled expression. Being so close, she casually took the shard away, stopping in her tracks, leaving the startled demon make itself scarce.

"Got it!" Yuutsuki triumphantly waved the nullified shard, beaming a perky smile at Tadao's slightly offended face. They departed again, until they found a suitable place to spend the night. It was a rather small cave, hidden behind thick trees, where the radiant pool of moonlight did not reach. The exhaust abstained from complaining about the hardness of the surface, lulling her almost immediately.

"You did well today. But remember, you must learn how to switch the energy instantly if you want to exceed in fight. Nonetheless, you have surprised me yet again, you can be proud of yourself."

Yuutsuki smiled without answering him and snuggled in her warm clothing, falling asleep. Her head loosely dropped on his shoulder. He listened to the rhythm of her breaths, not allowing himself to move an inch for the fear of waking her up.

Before the sun rose to its highest point during the day, they had reached the well and the time to say goodbye had arrived. Tadao grasped Yuutsuki's cold hand and rubbed it, warming it up.

"Don't be long, pretty or I will get lonely."

Pouting, she tapped his chest her expression changing to unhappy.

"I will be lonely without you too."

Charming her, Tadao bestowed her with his earnest smile, leaving no space to demur once his arms wrapped around her. Yuutsuki's heart was beating rapidly, his actions were bringing various feelings, as if he wanted to pass on more than merely a caress. His words came as confirmation of the premonition.

"I might not be here once you come back, this might be our farewell."

"Why? Tadao…" The demon's finger pressed against his mouth hushed her attempts to speak. He took advantage of her baffled stance and stole a prolonged kiss from the stunned girl.

"Go. Thank you for the parting gift." Not wavering he pushed her towards the well, trying not to mind the black eyes brimming with tears. Yuutsuki lost her footing, falling in to the well as her gaze locked at the blond haired demon and his dazzling, grey eyes.

A/N: I have read that Sesshoumaru's mother was baptized Inukimi (Royal dog) by fans, so I just shortened it to Kimi.

In the next chapter you will be able to figure out the relationship between Sesshoumaru and Shizuka.