Like before, the moment the maids spotted me, they chased me away from their lord to be washed and dressed to his liking. I did not dare complain or stir trouble as they completed their task. It felt like they were washing me with wax paper and a hose, but a sound did not escape my lips. Whatever it was that they saw on my skin, it was gone. Not even gangrene could have survived that. I was surprised I had skin to soak in water by the end of it. The only enjoyable thing about it all was the fact that my hair felt as fresh as a dandelion that had just popped its head out of the ground. I soaked for about ten minutes before the women came to smother me with towels. After surviving that, one devoted themselves to running my hair through a towel while the others dressed me. By the time they were done, I was squeaking, and felt like I was shining. I was happy to sneak away from the group of women with damp hair. They planned on pinning it up to look like, "a formal lady fit for the lord." Like hell I was going to sit there and let them rip out my hair.

As I walked silently through the halls, watching out for the group who had gone on a manhunt for me, a little bundle of joy ran into my legs, grappling onto them and almost taking me down in the process.

"Rin was worried about you!" she exclaimed. "Where did you go? Why did you leave so suddenly?"

"I'm sorry." I apologized patting the girl on the back to let go of me, "but I brought something you might like."

I hugged the girl back once she allowed me the room to. The maids had taken the white bunny, and groomed her as well. Hopefully, she was shown some mercy. I took the girls hand and led her to my room, praying the maids had already checked the place for me.

I let out a sigh when I found that the rabbit, radiating and aura of sterility, was the only one in my room. I let Rin run to the bed side to look at the creature, telling her to be careful. Rin's eyes lit up as she ran a finger over its head.

"Is the bunny staying?" Rin asked.

"Not for much longer." I told her.

Rin sat by the bed, staring at me as she bombarded me with questions about the rabbit. I mainly laughed at her questions. How was I to know its age, favorite food, and if it was capable of having a hobby? The questions were adorable, and I was willing to humor them. So long as they guided her away from the one question I'd forgotten to prepare for on the way back. I watched her as she gently advanced to picking up the bunny, finally asking for its name.

"I never named it." I replied as I laid on the bed. "I did not plan to keep it for long."

Rin sat by me with the rabbit, silently rubbing under its chin, buying my excuse.

"Kazumi-san, why did you leave?" She asked again.

"I had some business to deal with."

"Why didn't you tell Lord Sesshomaru? I knew you would be back, but Lord Sesshomaru ran out looking for you. Kazumi-san, please be careful. If you worry mi'lord too much, he'll surely fall ill."

I suddenly felt like scum, having planned on not returning to this place. She had trusted that I would return.

"Rin, it is time for bed." I stated as I got up, stretching out my hand as an offer to walk her to her room.

The child let down the rabbit and took my hand. I was quick to leave her in her room, not staying beyond wishing her goodnight. I returned to my room, and braided my hair into a single, simple braid. With that done, I stared at the rabbit who seemed to have no quarrel with its circumstance. Unable to find myself keeping the animal, I took it into my arms, left my room, and then the building. Despite the darkening sky, I walked to the edge of the lot again, and stared at the forest I'd escaped to maybe two days before. Not allowing myself to contemplate my own place, I bent down and let go of the sterling white rabbit. It hit the ground running, not thinking to look back.

It had kept a calm face, had looked content with its place, but I knew that it wanted to go home more than anything: to have no part in the fate that I had been drawn into. I scoffed at myself; it was a shame that I only now realized what had moved me to free the creature. It was no more pathetic than I am: helpless against the hand that held it captive. If only the hand holding me here was as generous as I. But who knows? Perhaps I've only let it run to its doom, and the hand I bite against may be holding me away from the foe that would have my head. I couldn't move my gaze from the line that divided the manor from the wilderness beyond it. I couldn't turn to face the person coming behind me. I felt that if I did, I'd never see the freedom I enjoyed, the freedom of living only for myself, again.

"Do you plan to run again?" Sesshomaru asked.

My mouth opened, wanting to give him a verbal answer, but my heart wouldn't be able to withstand dialogue. I closed my eyes and faced the man, opening them once my back was turned toward the forestation that had wrapped its vines around me, pleading me to stay. My first step away broke the hold of the spot. I walked back to the building, afraid of the footsteps following behind me. Once I was back in the building, I set on my path to my room. I was less than ten feet away when Sesshomaru grabbed hold of the back of my yukata, pulling me away from my room.

He led me through two more halls before opening a door I'd never seen before and pushed me in before entering himself. The ceiling was higher than the one in my room, giving me a clue as to where I was. The desk sitting against a wall with bookshelves surrounding it, king-sized bed in the middle of the room, fireplace, and door leading to what I presumed to be a balcony, were more obvious indications of the fact that I was in the master bedroom. Freezing instantly with my shoulder's stuck in a perpetual upward position, I kept my eyes on the man.

"I will do nothing you do not approve of." He assured.

That didn't stop me from backing against the wall and keeping my eyes glued on him.

He left the room, leaving me alone in the dungeon. Every part of me wanted to open the door and run back to my room. The only thing that kept me still was the fact that I had no idea what Sesshomaru was doing, or how long it would take him. I waited for no more than two minutes before believing I had squandered my chance. I watched the door, before walking to it, letting my fingers curve around its handle.

I pulled away initially, worried Sesshomaru was waiting on the side. I slid the door open, peeking my head out into the empty hallway. I stepped out of the room silently, and turned to close the door behind me, but the voices that echoed down the hall startled me into running back into the room and shutting the door. I let out a heavy breath as I scolded myself for being startled so easily. I understand that I didn't want to be caught leaving Sesshomaru's room, but I should have closed the door after I was on the other side, then ran.

"Could it be that Lord Sesshomaru has finally found the one he will mate?" A light voice asked, not minding her volume.

"The lord did not hesitate to chase after her when she attempted to abandon him." A second reminded. "I believe the woman to be quite ungrateful."

"Reckless as well."

"To be chosen by Lord Sesshomaru, it is more than an honor."

"She compared it to being a tool, did she not?"

"Quite audacious, that one."

"I have heard that she is not from this land. Perhaps that is it."

"A commoner then, one that has never seen authority before! She is as wild as the human, pathetic for a woman her age."

"Lower your voice. Should the lord hear you, I am sure he will not be gladdened by your words."

I listened to their conversation from behind the door, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I was a barbaric woman to them, doing as I pleased, saying what came to mind, contesting domestication. It didn't matter to me, or at least I tried to not let it get to me. But I was sure these weren't the only two thinking this. After the two passed, I found the courage to open the door again, suddenly not in the mood for company or my "childish" antics. I abandoned the room, turning into the hallway, and about to turn the corner when a stare froze on the center of my back. Two short peeps brought my eyes onto the situation a few feet behind me. Sesshomaru stood in front of the two maids, now seeming to glare at me for daring to leave. The maids seemed to pale, but I was the least of their worries, and they, mine. I forced myself to turn my back to the gaze and hurry away from the situation.

I was relieved to see that the demon lord wasn't pursuing me. I just wanted some space for myself, to breathe through my own lungs for a few more seconds. Unfortunately, I was only given the few seconds I asked for. I was alone for maybe thirty seconds before his hand held onto my waist again.

Another chill ran through me.

"You continue to run from me."

"It is rather intimidating, bringing a woman to your room." I replied softly.

"Would you have me in your quarter then?"

"N-no."

He made the subtle attempt to look in my eyes. My instinct was to avoid his gaze again.

"Will you not look at me?" He asked.

"I-I"

"You fear me." He concluded.

I was silent before attempting to look him in the eyes.

"Rest." He commanded before turning to leave.

I did not dispute his command and walked to my room. I was eager to lie on a bed, but couldn't fall asleep. How was I supposed to feel comfortable in the room? I'd been betrayed here. I was still for what felt like two hours before feeling anxious in the dark. I eventually fell asleep. However, I woke up as dawn started to break.

I laid in bed until I was pulled out, placed in a yukata, shoved into the garden. I walked without any real aim, dozing off every few minutes. I finally woke up when I encountered a flower that started the cogs of my mind. My sudden halt drew the attention of the ladies in waiting who surrounded me. They surrounded me as I stared at the flower. The name was on the tip of my tongue, teasing me, by its ornate refusal to be spoken.

My hand balled into a fist as I laid my chin against it, ignoring the growing silence behind me. I didn't realize the shift until a hand appeared by me, picking one of the flowers out of my sight. The magenta strips that colored the wrist that had passed me froze my mind as it jumped away from the menial task. I turned to face him, putting myself in the perfect position for him to slip the flower behind my ear. I could only stare at him as I silently questioned his action, and fought against my blush upon noticing the giddy shifting of the women waiting behind him.

"Amaryllis." I whispered.

Sesshomaru didn't lift his gaze.

"The name of the flower." I explained as I turned my head to gaze at the landscape behind him.

He stared at the ladies, dismissing them. My hands hid within the sleeves of my yukata as my stare turned to the ground. He took a step away, nodding for me to follow behind him. I didn't argue. Instead, I put a yard of distance between us and watched it like a hawk. Within a minute, he stopped walking. I was prompted to look up and ask why he stopped.

"You are shy." He noted.

"How can I not be?"

He was silent as I looked around, trying to stick my eyes to anything that wasn't him.

"I had no qualm with your proximity during our walks previously."

I remained silent.

Goosebumps rose as he approached me; I couldn't stop myself from being startled when he reached to cup my cheeks. My face burned and a whimper lodged itself in my throat. He paused for a second before gently holding me.

"How do I dispel this fear of yours?" He asked, forcing me to look him in the eye.

Rationality was seeping out of my ears.

Seeing that I had frozen in place, Sesshomaru let me go. A silence passed as we entered the main building.

"All are not satisfied with my decision to mate." Sesshomaru started.

"Who you chose is none of their concern." I said, trying to tell him what he wanted to hear.

He glared at me from the corner of his eye. "You are passive."

I jumped slightly. "Would you prefer me to be aggressive?"

"Act as yourself." He told me before running his hand against my cheek once more.

I looked away.

He thought. "I have frightened you. I do not plan to do so again."

I remained silent.

"Do not fear me."

"You should know it isn't as easy as that."

"How much of your trust have I lost?"

"The majority, if not all of it." I replied softly, honestly letting him know I was no longer comfortable near him.

He was silent as he returned me to my room.

"There have been plots on your life," he stated. "The only choice you have is to trust me."

I was shocked by the sudden message. "My life?" I asked, quite perturbed. "Why?"

"All are not satisfied with my decision to mate." He repeated.

I sighed with frustration. As though I wasn't already backed into a corner, he'd lined the walls with barbed wire.

"We leave by noon."