A/N: WARNING This chapter is very disturbing however it is an important on and will be referred to later in the story. Please don't hate me for it.
Chapter 17: Kagewaki's Fear
Kagewaki watches as Avalon flees the bed running to the bathing area. He hears the screen open to the outside and the retching noise she is making. He smiles wickedly. 'Has she conceived!?' He can feel his plan's coming to fruition. As soon as the child is born he can kill her and be done with the stubborn woman.
Avalon soon returns, still having an uneasy stomach. She lays back down on the futon. Her body is so tired and it aches everywhere. She is sure she has the flu or something.
"You don't feel well Ava?" Kagewaki leans over her shoulder, rubbing her stomach in circles.
"No, not really." She lays on her back, wondering why he is rubbing her stomach.
He rests on his side next to her gazing longingly at her belly. Perhaps his scheming has finally paid off. "Women's issues?"
"Um, women issues?" She asks confused as she bolts up out of the bed running to the outside again to eject whatever was left within her gut.
The action makes Kagewaki glitter with glee. 'Good girl, Ava.' He stands up following her outside. He finds her kneeling over by the roots of a tree retching and rubs her back lovingly.
Avalon finally stops and rubs her mouth completely perplexed. 'Why in the hell is he being so sweet to me? What does he want?' She pushes past him, heading back to the castle and to the room to rest. 'Shit I'm really sick.' She lays down again. Laying on her stomach and closes her eyes
Kagewaki comes in several moments later with a tray of ginger tea and rice, setting them down in front of Ava. "What's wrong?" he simpers in her ear. "Would you like tea?"
Avalon smells the ginger and knows it might help settle her stomach. "I'm not sure what's wrong but I'm really nauseous and tired. I think the tea might help." She sits up and turns around to grab the cup of tea off the tray, taking small sips.
Kagewaki caresses her cheek with the back of his fingers. "My poor Ava, should I send for a healer?"
"I'm sure it will pass. I'm fine." Ava says between little sips. "I just need to rest and eat simple things and drink some tea."
He wraps his arms around her waist from the back, moving her hair over her shoulder to expose the back of her neck, then begins opening his mouth against it. "Rest," he purrs at her. 'Grow my child.'
Avalon nods her head. "I will, once I eat some rice and finish this tea. I just hope I don't vomit again."
"No training today," he says pompously, getting up and heading for the door. "Just rest."
"Hai, Kagewaki." Avalon rolls her eyes. She wasn't planning on training anyway. She eats some rice and finishes her tea. She then lays on her side, letting sleep take her.
That afternoon she wakes covered in sweat and rushes outside to purge herself again. Her head is pounding and she feels dizzy. She makes it back to the futon in a daze. She says to no one in particular, "I think I need the healer now," before passing out involuntarily.
Kagewaki returns to find Avalon still in bed. He kneels on one knee next to her, touching her forehead. Her cheeks are red, her skin is boiling and her clothes are soaked through. "Dammit," he fumes, shaking her. "Ava?" He shakes her again but she doesn't wake. "Ava?" he says, more concerned. He runs out of the room to find one of the servants. "Send for a healer." 'I will not allow you to die...yet.'
Avalon wakes up in her bed. She looks at the alarm clock next to her. It's 9:00 AM. "Dammit, I'm going to be late!" Avalon jumps out of her bed rushing to the bathroom. She takes a quick shower and washes her hair. She wraps a big fluffy green towel around her head and a big fluffy blue one around her body. She stands in front of the mirror above the sink as she pulls out her tooth brush from it's holder and puts toothpaste on it and brushes her teeth. She spits out the tooth paste and rinses her mouth out with the sink water. "Much better."
She leaves the bathroom to go back to her room grabbing a plain, black women's suit from the closet. She pulls a white under shirt from the closet as well, setting them on the bed. She goes to her dresser and pulls her undergarments out and panty hose and dresses quickly.
She brushes her hair putting it in a low ponytail and heads for the door. She stops to admire her life size poster of Sesshomaru. "Ah my love, my dear Sesshomaru." She caresses the stripes on the cheek. "I will see you later." She kisses his lips and opens the door, then closes and locks it behind her.
She walks to her garage and opens the door, going to her black 98 Ford Crown Victoria. She opens the door, hopping in and starts the car to drive to the hospital.
She puts on the radio and sings along to Disturbed Indestructible.
" Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side
A terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable
Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you're alive
I'm an indestructible master of war "
Avalon parks her car as she gets to the hospital and goes to the front desk, getting her ID card. "Thank you Erica." She pins the pass to her breast pocket and heads for the stairs, climbing up to the second floor. She heads over to the nursing station. "Hey Amy, do you know where Dr. Whimble is?"
"Oh, he is already with a patient in room 227. You need to get there."
"Shoot! See you!" Avalon rushes down the hall to room 227 walking in. "Dr Whimble," she greets him.
"Ah, Avalon! I'm so glad you are here. Mrs. Kanaki is really in need of your translating skills."
Avalon smiles. "That's why I'm here."
"Alright, can you explain that she tore her left rotator cuff and she will need surgery to repair it."
"Of course."
Avalon says in Japanese, "Mrs. Kanaki, I am Avalon. Dr Whimble has checked on you and your left rotator cuff is torn. He will need to perform surgery to repair it."
Mrs. Kanaki face falls and asks, "Is there no other option?"
Avalon switches to english, "She wants to know if there are any other options."
Dr. Whimble sighs. "Not really. We can try rest and then physical therapy but I honestly think surgery is the best option."
Avalon switches to Japanese, "Dr. Whimble believes surgery would be the best option but we could try rest and then physical therapy."
Mrs. Kanaki looks at the doctor and considers. "I will go with surgery, if he is sure it is the best option."
Avalon smiles, "Dr. Whimble is excellent and he knows what he is doing, don't worry."
Mrs. Kanaki nods her head.
Avalon switches to English. "She chose surgery."
Dr. Whimble breathes a sigh of relief. He didn't want her to suffer more than necessary. "Good" The doctor goes on to explain what is going to happen and Avalon translates between them.
After the consultation is over, Avalon returns the ID card to Erica and leaves the hospital to drive home.
Avalon suddenly wakes in bed gasping. "Where am I?" she says in English. She sees a female leaning over her patting, her head with a damp cool cloth.
"You are okay dear. You are just very sick. I had to change your clothing. It was soaked through."
Avalon nods still disoriented. She was just arriving home and now she is here. Avalon studies the woman. She is wearing a simple pink kimono with a purple obi. She wears an odd necklace that looks to be made of teeth. Her face is that of an older woman perhaps in her 40's but her hair is pitch black and her eyes are dull brown with pale skin.
"I am not sure what ails you, but I will leave you with a tea especially for your symptoms."
"What's in it?" Avalon asks, genuinely curious.
"Hmm natsushirogiku and ginger," she says wisely.
Kagiwaki sits at his desk watching and listening intently to everything.
Avalon nods. She knows they would do well for her fever and her upset stomach. "How long have I been out?"
Kagewake speaks from the corner of the room, "One day. You had me scared Ava."
Avalon is shocked. "A day!?"
"Do you feel better?"
"I feel really tired and I don't feel right," she says dazed.
"I will inform Nisshoku that you will need another day before training resumes."
"Hai, Kagewaki," Avalon says glumly. 'If I'm not training, he hovers around me.'
The healer speaks, "Here, drink this." She hands Avalon the cup of tea.
Avalon nods and drinks the cup of tea. "Arigato"
The healer nods. "I have done what I can. I will retire to my guest room. If I am needed, please call." The healer bows and exits the room, leaving Avalon and Kagewaki alone.
Kagewaki stops the healer outside the door. "Is she with child?"
"If she is, it is too soon to tell, my Lord."
He clenches his fist by the door. 'Evil wench, making me think you are pregnant with my child.' He returns to the room and sits at his desk.
Avalon lays down closing her eyes. She feels so discombobulated, still unsure if this is a dream or if her other life is the dream. She breathes shallowly as she tries to sort out her mind and get back to what's real. Avalon falls into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
Kagewaki starts writing, thinking about what he heard while she spoke in her sleep and a name, Sesshomaru and then a string of words he understood about something that sounded like she may have been a healer in her past life. He rises off the floor, deciding to take advantage of her feverish state and shakes her shoulders to wake her. "Ava," he calls to her sweetly. "Ava, wake up."
Avalon stirs when she is shaken, she mumbles, her eyes still closed. "Kagewaki?"
"Where were you Ava?" he asks her.
She moans delicately, "Mmmm home...," she trails off
"Where is home?"
"127 w 5th avenue, Crestwood Illinois, 60472," she answers mechanically.
"Irrinois?" he tries to repeat the word, then realizes with glee that she is finally answering somewhat truthfully. "What did you do at home Ava?"
"I'm a freelance translator," she says without thinking.
"Translator?" he tastes the word in his mouth, but that isn't what interested him. She spoke affectionately about one called, 'Sesshomaru'. Her tone was tender when she said the name. "Who is Sesshomaru?"
"My Lord." She smiles thinking of him.
"Your Lord?" he asks incredulously. "What makes him your Lord?"
"I would follow him to the ends of the Earth."
"Why Ava?"
Avalon doesn't answer, she just hums happily as she starts to get aroused.
"Who is he, Ava? A suitor?"
Avalon shakes her head. "Nooooo," she trails off and starts crying.
"Oh dear Ava." He kisses her brow. "What did this demon do to you?"
"He's so mean to me," she pouts.
"What does he do?" He's enjoying this game.
"He abandons me." Her lip trembles.
"Why did he abandon you?" he scoffs, Ava is too valuable to be left in the shadows.
"He never believes me," she laments dismally.
"What did you tell him?"
Avalon sits up and turns, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Just the same things I told you. You believe me right?" she asks hopefully.
"Of course I believe you, what kind of monster wouldn't?" He returns her embrace.
Avalon crawls up onto his lap. She feels lascivious and she wants release and her mind muddled. The fever has taken reality and stripped it away from her. "That's why I like you."
He grabs her ass, massaging it. "Tell me more about this Sesshomaru." He's heard rumors off and on about the name and wants to know more.
Avalon lifts her head, rocking her hips into his crotch. "I don't want to talk about him." She osculates her lips to Kagewaki's.
He returns the kiss, intrigued by her brazen behavior. "Tell me and I will satisfy you."
Avalon whines. "Must I?" She reaches her hand down his hakama grabbing his cock and strokes it.
He groans at the contact, removing her hand. "Tell me."
Avalon pouts. "Fine! He's a youkai with great power and beautiful." She grinds her hips into his crotch as she speaks. "He is stubborn and arrogant."
"Where would one find such a stubborn and arrogant demon? To teach him a lesson of the value of dear Ava?" He starts responding to her need.
"Asano Castle," she says without thinking, only feeling his cock bulging beneath his hakama. She rocks her hips, feeling the way the contact relieves some of her need.
"When," he unties his pants, willing to give her what she wants.
"Hmmm, I'm not sure. Soon after the jewel returns to this world."
"Good girl," he hisses in her ear and slides himself within her. 'Good girl.' Avalon's eyes fall shut as Kagewaki slides deep into her folds. Avalon rocks her hips against him, feeling the relief of him inside her. She moans and pants her delight as the pleasure builds within her belly. She comes to her precipice crashing over she screaming with ecstasy "Sesshomau-sama!"
Kagewaki's teeth clench angrily and he pushes her off of him. 'He must be powerful this one you are so in love with.'
Avalon looks up dazed and her eyes move to Kagewaki. "Huh? What happened?"
Kagewaki stands and wipes himself. "A full blooded youkai would never love something as impure as you," he says, cruelly. "You are mine to enjoy." He laughs wickedly.
Avalon stares confused at him "Full blooded youkai?"
'You have no idea what you have done, do you? My little vixen?" He leaves the room equally annoyed and satisfied. Sesshomaru will become his prey.
Avalon starts to feel faint and lets sleep take night she sleeps completely unaware of what she has done and what has transpired.
Kagewaki slips in the room pulling his hakama off and sliding in bed with Avalon wrapping his arms around her. 'You will know who had you last night.' He watches Avalon sleep in his arms, considering what he will do with the information she has given him. 'I doubt she will remember any of it?' He smiles wickedly down at her peaceful sleeping face and then falls asleep plotting his next move.
Avalon wakes in the morning feeling somewhat better. Kagewaki lays beside her with a smile on his face in his sleep. 'Why is he so happy?'
Kagewaki wakes when Avalon starts moving around. "Morning dear Ava. How are you feeling?"
"Better but not completely well," she replies cautiously.
Kagewaki nods his head. "Should I have food brought to the room?"
"That would be good."
Kagewaki gets up and picks his hakama off the floor, pulling them on and tying them.
'So he raped me last night again.' Avalon's face falls
Kagewaki walks to his door, calling a servant to have rice and Ava's tea brought to his room.
Avalon gets out of bed and walks out to use the bathroom. She comes back and the tray is already in the room. She picks up the rice and eats and then drinks her tea. "I think I shall just rest for today."
"Very well," Kagewaki says as he walks to his desk to work on some papers.
Avalon soon falls back asleep. The next day she wakes feeling normal. So she goes to train with Nisshoku, while Kagewaki observes from the shadows. But as time passes, her power and skills grow stronger. Naraku's fears that the threat of harming Hikari will not be enough to contain Ava. So one night after he forces her to his bed and she falls asleep, he slips out to speak to Nisshoku.
"Nisshoku."
Nisshoku wakes in her bed surprised the Lord has come to visit her. "My Lord, have you come to visit my bed?" she purrs.
Internally he sneers but he keeps a calm face and voice. "No I need your help with Lady Ava."
"My Lord, she is progressing nicely. I'm not sure there is much more I can teach her. I am sorry if that is inadequate."
"No, I am more concerned with her defiance."
"Oh that yes. She is quite the hellcat."
"Yes she is. Is there anything that can be done to temper that."
"Yes and no my Lord."
"Speak plainly onna."
"There is no way to just temper her but I can give you full control of her body."
"I'm listening."
"I know of a spell that will turn her into a puppet. Her body will follow your every command without fail."
"What will you need for such a spell?"
"Not much. A strand of her hair, a strand of your hair and something that is precious to her."
Kagewaki strokes his chin thinking of what might be precious to her. 'That comb! She seems very fond of it.' "I can get those for you."
"Good. I can do the spell on the next full moon."
"Excellent. That is in 3 days."
"But I require payment."
"You will have whatever gold you wish, dear onna."
"Good. Sleep well my Lord"
"You as well."
Kagewaki exits her room and walks down the hall, slipping into Avalon's room. He quickly locates the comb she carefully laid on the tsukeshoin. He picks it up, admiring the handy work. It truly was a fine comb. 'I wonder where she got it?' He finds some loose strands of hair in the teeth smiling. 'How convenient.' He walks back to Nisshoku's room, comb in hand.
Nisshoku looks up from her futon recognizing the Lord.
"Did you change your mind?"
"Hardly. I have the items you need."
"Oh, that was quick."
Kagewaki hands her the comb and he pulls several strands of hair from his head.
"And where is the precious item."
"It is the comb."
"Oh?" Nisshoku examines the comb. "It doesn't look so special to me. Nevertheless I will cast the spell in three days, when the full moon passes overhead."
Kagewaki smiles wickedly and says darkly. "Good." He turns, leaving her room to return to his bed to be with Avalon. As much as it was about dominating her and breaking her, he found he enjoyed the warmth of her body next to his. 'Perhaps with this spell, I can keep her as my bed mate.'
Avalon wakes in Kagewaki's bed as normal. She walks into her room to dress and take care of her personal needs. She instantly notices the comb is missing. She checks under the tsukeshoin, then she walks into the bathing area, checking around there as well. She starts to panic, not being able to find it. 'He took it.'
She sits on the floor as tears slip down her cheeks. 'Why? It was just a comb.' Avalon wipes her tears and dresses acting as if nothing is bothering her. She trains as normal that day and things go as they normally would.
The night of the full moon comes and Kagewaki takes Avalon's arm, wrapping it around his elbow, heading to Nisshoku's room. "What is this Kagewaki?"
"I thought we could all share this special moment together." He holds her firmly in place.
Avalon allows him to escort her along. "What special moment?" she asks suspiciously.
"The moment, you no longer defy me." He slides the door open, dragging Avalon in the room with him. "Nisshoku begin," he speaks quickly, forcing Avalon onto her knees in front of Nisshoku.
"What?" Avalon tries to get up but Kagewaki holds her in place.
"Of course my Lord." Nisshoku pulls the comb out and the hairs wrapped around the teeth. She places the comb on Avalon's forehead and starts chanting.
"That's my comb!" Avalon exclaims as she struggles with Kagewaki and tries to get her forehead away from Nisshoku.
Kagewaki slaps Avalon across the face, hard enough to knock her down and make her nose bleed. He sits her back up for Nisshoku. "You know you told me some very interesting things when you were sick," he smirks as he speaks. "About someone called Sesshomaru, a powerful demon…someone that will feed Naraku and where to find him."
Avalon feels the blood pouring from her nose, down her throat and over her lips, making her cough. She turns to Kagewaki and spits the blood at him. "You will never have him!"
Nisshoku grabs her chin roughly and holds her head while pushing the comb on to her forehead as she continues to chant
"I will have him Avalon," he whispers in her ear. "You told me the Jewel will return soon. You told me, I will find him at Asano's castle. And when this is done, you will give him to me." He kisses her cheek, cracked lips pressing against her skin. "Such a good girl."
Avalon's eyes widen. 'How could I have said so much?' "I will never betray him! You sick bastard!"
"You will have no choice," he says as Nisshoku continues to chant.
Nisshoku stops her chanting to look over at Kagewaki. "Her will is quite strong. You're not helping." She goes back to chanting, trying to supress Avalon's will.
"By all means, continue," Kagewaki quiets, keeping Avalon from moving.
Avalon hears the chanting and can feel her body relax without her permission. Her mind starts to fade into the background and her eyes grow dull. Nisshoku continues her chant until she no longer feels resistance from Avalon. Nisshoku stops her chant smiling. "It's done. She is yours to command."
"Shall we test this control?" Kagewaki lets her go. "Ava, stand up."
Avalon stands without hesitation and is still.
"Hmm, she looks perfect," Nisshoku purrs.
"Ava, kiss me," Kagewaki commands her firmly.
Avalon turns to face him walking towards him. She leans her head up and stands on her toes to kiss Kagewaki. She brushes her lips against his and then stands normally.
Kagewaki enjoys the kiss, holding Ava around her waist and then glances over his shoulder at Nisshoku. "How is the spell broken?"
"Oh, why would you want to break it?" Nisshoku asks curiously.
"I don't want others to be able to break it. How is it broken?" he speaks more furiously.
"I see. Well lucky for you, the only one who can break the spell is me," she says slyly to him.
"And if someone kills you?"
"Please? As if anyone could kill me." She chuckles darkly. "But no, my death would not break the spell."
He leans his mouth next to Avalon's ear and whispers so Nisshoku can't hear. "Kill Nisshoku, my sweet one."
Avalon watches as her body summons her sword. Reiki fuses into her muscles and she runs in a flash to Nisshoku getting behind her. She slashes her sword, beheading Nisshoku before Nisshoku has time to realize what is happening. Avalon watches helplessly as she kills the woman.
"Good girl," he holds his arm out to Avalon, as they leave the room. "Now you are mine."
Avalon follows Kagewaki without any emotion crossing her face. Her body follows his commands and she is helpless to stop it.
He brings her out into the courtyard of the castle and asks Avalon, "When is the Jewel returning?"
Avalon's face stares at him blankly. She says nothing. She looks in his direction but not in his eyes. It seems she is looking through him. 'He doesn't control my mind!' She feels relief as she will not be giving any more secrets away.
He grabs her face by the chin, harshly, leaving puckered red marks. "When is the Jewel returning?"
Her face remains blank, not even reacting to the pain. Internally she is smirking. 'I will never talk, you bastard!' Her body has no reaction, her eyes still blank.
"Dammit." He releases her furiously. "Well, at least I have your body." He grins as he leads her back to the bedroom. 'She will deliver Sesshomaru to me.'
A/N I want all my readers to understand Avalon in no way is into Naraku. Her fever was raging and her mind was scattered. Thank you to all my readers, please review and I thank my co-author Elohiniar. She is amazing, check out her works.
We are actually getting into the series in the next chapter
NEXT CHAPTER 18: THE TOMB
ASJS- Surprise not pregnant just very ill. Thanks for reviewing.
Itzatakahashi- Avalon would not have attempted to abort the baby. Kagewaki may have threatened to harm the growing child in her womb but he would have been thrilled. He knew getting a child to love him is much easier than to control a stubborn woman who knows exactly who and what he is. Thank you for the review.