A/N: For the 'Appetite' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - this one was for the one-shot contest. This one was a mini one that totals at 508 words. Originally posted on April 7, 2011.
I still am a few posts behind on this story, obviously. RL has been crazy this week, but I'm hoping to catch up and be writing consistently again soon! I just need a bit more patience from y'all - thanks for all that you've already been giving me!
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Forfeit
"So, you're accepting my offer?"
"You are leaving me little choice in the matter," Sesshoumaru said, keeping a level gaze fixed upon Naraku. "You have threatened my family, my friends and all chances I have for returning to my legitimate career. You have even used magic to damage my physical abilities."
The spider demon gave a short, dark laugh. "You mean the family that you abhor? The one friend that you have, who will die in a few, short decades, if not sooner? The career that will always be darkened by your past?" He shrugged. "I'll admit to adding my own little something to your tag. It wouldn't serve me if you had forgotten what power I hold. You may have physical strength, Sesshoumaru, but you will remember who is superior here. That spell can quickly be made permanent if you don't."
Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched, but the memory of the pain of his injuries on the night his tag failed kept his tongue civil. "What do you want me to do?" he forced out.
"Tonight, you'll just be observing some of my more experienced staff in a little errand I need done," Naraku said. "I know that you have vast experience in certain areas, but it has been awhile, hasn't it? Except for Magatsuhi, you haven't taken a life in years."
"I haven't forgotten how it works," the dog demon said.
Naraku's red eyes flashed with amusement. "Well, we'll just check and make sure that you still have your appetite for it. Your kills used to be works of art, Sesshoumaru. I'm hoping it won't take long for you to get back into top form," he said. "And then, the real fun will begin."
"Don't spoil the surprise."
The spider demon's laugh was low and dark. "Whoever said that you don't have a sense of humor was wrong. You'll see what I can do soon enough. You'll see what we can do together, and you'll remember who you really are. Maybe you'll even enjoy yourself when you regain that wealth and power that was so wrongfully taken from you." He paused and licked his lips. "You want Kagome Takahashi? You'll get her and ten women that look just like her, too. Perhaps you can screw the obsession with that weak human out of your head."
"Talk about her like that again, and you'll be the one that I use to 'get back in top form'," snarled Sesshoumaru.
Naraku stood up, his expression growing grave. "You're already forgetting how this works, but I guess that most working relationships go through an adjustment period," he said. "That was yours, by the way."
He beckoned to the thugs that stood at the door of the dingy office. "Take him for his test drive at Kinjo's. See if he lives up to his reputation."
"And if he doesn't?" asked the larger one, eyeing Sesshoumaru with some doubt in his eyes.
"He won't do anything," Naraku said with a smile. "Not when Bankotsu is sitting outside of Miss Takahashi's door this very moment."
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