Tempering and Conditioning
Sesshoumaru showed no reaction when he noticed Kagome front and center of the throne room. There was no reason to reveal his want of her or kiss her hand and give the princess a proper greeting. After all, this wasn't their first meeting. All he could do was search her face wondering if she recognized him. If she did figure out he was the same man from the night before then she would learn she was mistaken. Sesshoumaru was not there posing as somebody else this time. He'd come to the castle as his true self and Kagome would see the real him. He wasn't offended at all that the girl looked terrified for it meant she did have a good head on her shoulders despite being naive at times.
"I do enjoy being the predator," Sesshoumaru admitted to himself taking in her fear, "but don't worry my prey you'll stop fearing me once you've been properly handled. Your conditioning begins today, but first to deal with this spider."
Unlike the situation with InuYasha Naraku was not openly insulted that Sesshoumaru refused to bow for he didn't expect him to. It should have been customary as the dog was a visitor in his kingdom, but they were of equal standings in power so the awkward exchange would not be necessary.
"That is all?" Naraku asked coldly, "just the king of Winter Spiral himself? Did you not come here for a wedding? You've brought no guests?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered from Kagome to his host, "all that is left of my family is my mother who is ruling in my stead. You can also refrain from calling me king. I am not my father and I shall not cling to titles such as that. I am simply Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Are you implying that my title as sovereign of this country is something that is beneath you? Or perhaps a self important creature such as yourself does not see himself as wanting to bother with the responsibilities of governing others."
"I am simply implying that I do not need a title to show my strength or position. If you choose to wear a crown and follow the rules of a court that precedes you it is your right. This is your home not mine."
Sesshoumaru was of course referring to the fact that Naraku did not inherit his throne through noble blood but had instead stole it through trickery and violence. Everyone was aware of the spider's origins and that he had once been no more than a human bandit centuries ago. It often puzzled Sesshoumaru as to why a creature like want to settle for the gaudy lifestyle of a human monarch.
"I am not from your part of the world Lord Sesshoumaru, so it seems we have differences when it comes our cultures. What I do know is one's mother usually wants to be present for such a life altering ceremony. Kagome will be your first wife will she not? Does this joyous occasion not warrant her attention, or is does your father's bitch also carry the same air of self importance as her son? Does she think herself to good to be received in this hall?"
"Our cultures might be different king Naraku, but there are similarities as well. My kin earned their power and do what they needed to do to keep it. That is why I wouldn't be surprised if you planned on gathering both me and my mother here to slaughter us all and take what is mine. My mother stays behind as a precaution."
"To avenge your death if something might happen to you?" Naraku chuckled, "at least I'm not losing Kagome to a dumb noble. I cannot blame you for being cautious, but know that as my honored guest no harm will befall you. I don't wish to see my beautiful daughter widowed so young."
The king and his honored guest being so antagonistic towards one another hadn't been something Kagome was prepared for, but at the same time she shouldn't have been surprised. A lot of the fear Kagome had regarding Sesshoumaru came from InuYasha's complaints, the fact that she would belong to a stranger, and those cold eyes of his, but she'd also grown up having her head filled with many stories about how the dog demon sovereigns were rapist savages that bathed in their enemy's blood while howling at the moon. Those had been the kind of stories her family always told her when it came to the discussion of the kingdom across the sea.
"Well this is her," Naraku pointed at Kagome as though it weren't obvious she was the main attraction, "there is no need to prattle on about the agreement. I said what I had to say when I accepted your request. She is yours to do as you please with once the wedding is finished. I do not seek any alliances or aide from your kingdom I simply need to rid myself of a daughter. Go on Kagome. Introduce yourself to your soon to be husband."
Sesshoumaru's eyes swiftly returned to her and she faltered in fear upon regaining his attention. She refused to say anything or to take one step towards that monster. She knew she must have looked foolish just standing there without uttering a word and shaking, but she didn't care. She wasn't going to create a show for her father or that demon man. She wasn't even going to do her courtly duties and pretend the arrangement didn't terrify her.
"Last night wasn't a mistake," the demon Lord mused to himselfwhile his stoic expression remained unchanged, "I don't require an introduction with false courtesies my prey. I know who you are now. You don't have to obey him anymore, only me my precious Kagome."
"How adorable," Naraku still chuckled to let Kagome know her fear was amusing him, "she is being shy. Seems your brash outspoken behavior ceases when in the company of such an intimidating man. I'm sure she will eventually warm to you."
"Seems foolish to not want anything in exchange," Sesshoumaru remarked, "her first born son, your grandson, will be heir to my kingdom one day and you wish not foster any further relationship? This current agreement is an ideal situation for me, however I said foolish because I have come to list off a few demands of my own king Naraku."
"I owe you nothing," Naraku was put on the defensive, "our deal was already struck. She's yours and I pay nothing for your service."
"What I wish to request will benefit your daughter. As you've already noted she can be both shy and outspoken at times. Nothing about her displeases me in this moment, but as I take in her eyes I cannot help but feel as though she needs tempered before our wedding night."
"Tempered? Is my daughter nothing more than steel to be molded? You asked for her and you'll receive her as is."
"Yes tempered. I will be making alterations once she is properly mine, so I might as well expedite the process to make things more comfortable for her when she is brought into a foreign culture. I've already been informed that she's made several successful attempts in escape and all that I'm asking for is to provide my aide in this matter. Let me take over the duty of confining her. She will not cause you any disruptions before the wedding I assure you that."
Before Sesshoumaru had said he didn't care how Kagome was handled as long as she was alive and her virginity was his to claim, but things changed when Sesshoumaru had noticed the scratches on her neck at the tavern. Her damaged flesh was being concealed from him as the neck of her gown was quite conservative, but it was a concern. He needed to keep her in his custody to prevent Naraku from hurting her with his ineffective methods when it came to extracting her magic. If he'd honestly been just cutting into her thinking that was the proper way to use her he was surprised the girl was still alive and seemingly healthy.
"So you've heard that your shy bride is an escape artist then? Are you looking for a challenge, or perhaps a guarantee your time here won't be wasted? What is it you are suggesting? Chaining her up? That was going to be the next course of action."
"A little of both," his response shook Kagome to the core, "and if chains are in order than I shall provide them. You have my word I will not do anything out of sorts to her before we are properly married. I merely wish to prepare her."
Naraku had planned on allowing Sesshoumaru to take InuYasha's place when it came to the required daily check ups on Kagome's welfare and no more than that. However, keeping them apart would only delay the inevitable. Due to the whispers in Kikyo's head from her true god Naraku had no other choice than to follow through with this strange plan and give Kagome up until she could be used to kill Sesshoumaru, so he had to get use to the notion of that creature's hands being allowed on his daughter. Having someone else bear the responsibility of confining her would at least save him from a scolding or two from his witch of a wife anyway.
"What is it you propose Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"I will be expecting quarters for the remainder of my stay here as well as an additional study. That is where Kagome will be held when she has no duties elsewhere. She will not be escaping into danger again."
Naraku chuckled seeming to find something funny. Kagome had never been in danger when outside his walls. If anyone ever did anything to her they would have been a fool to think they wouldn't have been treated to a painful death, so he never worried about it. After all Kagome was the danger even if she wasn't aware of it.
"The burden is yours Sesshoumaru and you'll be shown to your quarters in the royal keep. All that is left to discuss is the date by which we might have this deed done."
Kagome's posture couldn't be retained properly as both fear and anger overtook her. The whole meeting could be used to symbolise what she really was, what her father said she was. Nothing more than property and they were openly discussing who would handle her when and how. It was disgusting, but in the presence of the two men she feared she had no courage to do anything to stand up for herself. It would do no good.
Sesshoumaru had stepped closer, destroying the vast distance that had been between him and his soon to be bride.
"I can see it in your eyes girl," he finally addressed her coldly, "you do not want this? Is that how you feel?"
He already knew Kagome had the ability to say what disturbed her and what she wanted, so why so silent now? Was she in that much of a shock by seeing the true him, or perhaps she wasn't the same in her father's presence.
"Speak," he gave her permission to do so in case that was what she was looking for, "if you won't introduce yourself properly then at least explain your feelings. You wish to be heard don't you?"
Sesshoumaru was testing her. He already knew he wouldn't mind someone with a bit of fight in them and that Kagome could possessed those qualities, but he wondered how easily fear crippled her. She had permission to speak, but could she do it in front of both him and her father?
Kagome was just going remain silent, but the thought of her father mocking her for being shy and submissive when put in her place got under her skin. She could already see the two of them getting a laugh out of it. Kagome, the girl who thought she was free and had a loose tongue in private can't stand up for herself when it matters most. That was what her father and siblings would say about her if she couldn't take advantage of Sesshoumaru's offer to speak freely.
"I'd rather be dead," Kagome uttered under her breath.
Sesshoumaru's scowl that seemed to be the default of his face quickly turned into a dangerous smirk, "What was that?"
"You know what I said," she tried to sound confident despite her obvious trembling, "I'd rather be dead than stand here one second longer listening to the two of you talking about me like that like I'm some kind of prized possession that you're being gifted out of my father's generosity. You just want to use me like some plaything until I have nothing more to give. I don't want to marry you."
Before there could be a response Kagome turned around and looked upon her father and Kikyo with tears in her eyes. She had no intention of ever kneeling to Sesshoumaru, but her father was a different matter. He'd never shown her anything other than abuse or disinterest, but if he were truly her father there had to be some affection somewhere she could plea to.
"My father my king," Kagome put her eyes to the ground, "you said it yourself. You're not getting anything out of this just one less child to have a burden. If that's true then I beg of you to let me go. Just let me leave this place. I know I'm just a stupid girl that had stupid dreams and misunderstood in my place in your court, but can't you at least give me a fighting chance? Don't make me do this please. You'll never see me again or hear from me again if that's what you want. I know you hate me, but I'm your daughter your daughter who is begging you for mercy."
Kagome even looked to Kikyo with sorrow in her eyes. She didn't know the nature of Kikyo and Naraku's relationship, but since she was a commoner didn't that mean that her father possibly had love for the woman. Maybe if Kikyo spoke up for her Kagome would have more of a chance, but much to Kagome's horror Kikyo seemed to carry a very disinterested look in her eyes.
"I wanted to test Kagome and now I get to see Kagome test the spider," Sesshoumaru kept his eyes glued to the girl's back, "at least this isn't a dull affair."
"Did you honestly think this would work Kagome?" Naraku thought to himself as he released yet another chuckle, "not a bad play for a novice. If only you had a different father perhaps it would work but unfortunately all you have is me. You were mistaken though. I do not hate you. If I did you wouldn't have received the offer I gave you, the one Kikyo is barely aware of. Do your duty and you can have everything. Why was I cursed with a child that inherited everything from Onigumo except the ability to be opportunistic?"
"You wish for me to release my true born noble daughter into the world to be raped or become the wife of a commoner?" Naraku asked out loud, "once you marry Sesshoumaru you will no longer be mine but you still carry the name I and your late queen mother gave you. You will do your duty and marry into a station befitting your status. That is the only option for you Kagome. I'd rather hand you over to a possible enemy than let you tarnish my reputation as your sovereign by sharing you with the world. I will not save you. No one is coming to your rescue girl. Simply enjoy the generosity I bestowed by making this meeting a private affair. If I had been forced to lecture you in front of your siblings or other guests you'd have a lot more to fear than just him."
Kagome's plan had failed. Did she honestly think it would work? Did she honestly think her father had a heart anywhere in that dark insane demon pit he called a body? She was disgusted to be a child of his.
"Sesshoumaru you seem entertained but I grow bored with this public display of harsh fatherly love," Naraku said standing up from his throne, "you heard what she said. She'd rather be dead, but unfortunately for her she is yours to deal with as long as everything remains proper. I assume she won't be getting her wish today."
"Unfortunately for her," Sesshoumaru made her flinch when she heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed behind her.
When Kagome turned around to see what Sesshoumaru was going to do with her weapon she watched as the katana was hurled down towards her.
"Please no! Father he's trying to kill me. Father!"
Kagome saw that the guards were the only ones that were taken aback by Sesshoumaru's assault, but she knew they wouldn't be able to move quick enough. The strike was fast and she'd be done for. At least that was what she thought at first. As time went by she released she felt no pain and she seemed very much alive despite witnessing the blade go through her.
"The Tenseiga," Sesshoumaru announced sheathing his sword to show the room the girl had never been any danger, "it cannot cut the living. At first when I learned it was to be my inheritance from father I was disgusted. What can a monster with me do with a blade that cannot cut? I will tell you what I can do Kagome. If you attempt to make good on this threat of yours, that you'd rather be dead than marry me, I'll cut you with this blade and you'll return to life. You cannot escape from me not even in the nether world. You will belong to me."
Kagome had a hard time believing in him, but she'd heard of stranger supernatural weapons in the world. The blade didn't do anything to her, so that was it then? There really was no escape?
Naraku gave Kagome the most condescending smile the abomination was capable of as the final confirmation that Sesshoumaru was telling her the truth. That was the last gift he had to give her for the very important ceremony where she was to meet her future husband for the first time.
"Do you have a date in mind?" was all Naraku asked leaving the throne room with his queen that didn't once bother to say anything in Kagome's defense, "I almost forgot the whole reason for this occasion. It is up to you and how long you want to wait to take what is mine."
"The next full moon," Sesshoumaru said returning to his cold voice and usual scowl, "eight days from now. It will be no grand royal wedding but something will be done that is befitting of her status."
The next full moon would be on the third day of the upcoming month, the fourth month of the year. Three and four. Those numbers continued to curse her. First in the dice game and now this. Was it really a coincidence?
It hadn't been at all. Sesshoumaru would have a small wedding today if possible, but once he discovered that the dice game had been rigged and his own wager with himself had been tainted he decided to let the losing numbers decide their wedding date. He thought it was an amusing contribution from himself to their wedding plans.
"It is time to go Kagome," Sesshoumaru told her once only she and some servants remained in the room, "we have to begin now."
Kagome had no words for him. She was obviously still in shock by her king and queen's unwillingness to do to anything to help her. That was why it was important for Sesshoumaru to begin her training now. She needed reminded that her attention needed to be on him as soon her family would become nothing more than a memory.
"I don't want to," she whispered, "I want to go back to my room. I don't care what you two said about confining or tempering or conditioning. Just leave me alone."
Sesshoumaru seemed unoffended as he walked past her, "You need to be dealt with. I am already aware that my bride to be is many things, but above the many things that won't be tolerated is a liar. You will never lie to me again."
"What lie did I possibly tell!?" Kagome's eyes burned with anger, "I don't want to marry you and my father obviously hates me if he wants me to be this unhappy. You don't know me so don't start ordering me around and calling me a liar."
"You said you'd rather be dead," Sesshoumaru spoke matter-of-factly, "yet the thought of me killing you terrified you. I do not wish to lower myself to such dramatics to discover the truth ever again Kagome. You were told to talk freely, but yet you were deceitful. A trait inherited from that spider? I will purify you of it."
Alterations had been the word Sesshoumaru used implying he was going to change her. A woman like her obviously had no rights or say already, but he was taking an extra step it seemed. He wanted to change who she was? That had pretty much sealed the deal on her opinion of him being a monster. She wasn't even allowed to be herself anymore apparently. How did he plan to change her? Torture?
"You're curious aren't you?" Sesshoumaru asked as though he were reading her mind, "how I can accomplish such a feat. Afraid yet curious? That is a good thing. Means you'll be perceptive to what you're about to learn."
"What do you have to teach me that you and father didn't make clear already," she took her eyes away from him and looked to the ground, "that I am just property? I got the message."
Kagome taking her beautiful yet sad eyes away from him was a no go. Sesshoumaru showed that by putting a single claw to her chin and pulling her face up, forcing her to look at him much to her displeasure. His touch had been enough to send shivers down her spine as she had to look into those amber eyes she'd grown to fear.
"What you will learn is that soon you'll know me only as your alpha, your mate, and your comfort. All you must do is what I say always listening and learning. Once I am finished with you you'll no longer be a mere girl crying about how her daddy doesn't love her. You'll be a woman that made a wise investment by being loyal and obedient to her husband."
Wise investment? When he used such a term with his normal speaking voice Kagome thought back to the obviously wealthy man from last night. Their voices were the same, and the ship at port belonged to Sesshoumaru. There was more evidence to support the theory that the two were one in the same, but Kagome had to keep rejecting it for her own sanity. The only thing the two had in common was an air of danger, but at least the human man was intriguing and fun. Sesshoumaru was only coming off as possessive, and worst of all arrogant to believe she'd ever find comfort in him.
"Don't touch me it isn't proper," she hissed grabbing at his wrist to remove his claw but that had been an unwise move.
"Let's go Kagome," he repeated swiftly catching her wrist now that she had made it available, "you are my responsibility until nightfall. The days are longer in this kingdom than they are in mine, so unfortunately for you it will be a while before you can return to that bed of yours. However, night is long in what will become your new home. So I can assure you there won't be much wait when it comes to joining in me in my bed every evening."
He knew that despite how angry she was she'd be wanting her sleep soon. After all it had only been a few hours since he'd carried her drunken body back to the castle. How she'd been able to appear sober and in good health during their greeting was truly a mystery to him. However, he wasn't going to allow her nocturnal antics to be an excuse for failing him during her training even if he'd been responsible for it. Once he had her as his proper wife she'd be engaging in plenty of late night activities and yet still expected to carry through with her duties during the day. Just because she was being used for the magic in her blood didn't mean she got a free pass to lay about his castle.
Sesshoumaru had demonstrated that someone with her strength couldn't overpower him. Her being dragged by the wrist behind him through the castle halls was just another lesson. He was much stronger than her meaning he could force her to do anything against her will. Her father expected her to somehow kill that creature? If her father was even to believed. He said one thing to her private and another in public, so what was the lie and what was the truth? Just because the conversation had been between the two of them didn't mean she knew Naraku's true intentions. Clearly that man was twisted in the head if he thought it was perfectly acceptable to send his terrified daughter away across the sea with a man he openly called an enemy.
Sesshoumaru during his stay in Naraku's castle would be using her family's servants. He never brought anyone over the sea with him other than those that maintained his ship. The only job he had for those men at the moment was bring his belongings into the castle. After that he welcomed having all his actions witnessed by Naraku's underlings so it could be confirmed he wasn't breaking any rules or up to any suspicious activities.
Kagome had been brought into the royal keep where Sesshoumaru's office was being set up. He'd promised to bring her somewhere where he'd begin his lessons, but all that that she witnessed was the mundane task of him ordering his men where to place his cargo.
"That pillow will go on the ground next to the desk," Sesshoumaru commanded as a large silk feather filled pillow was revealed, "and that case you hold will go next to it. Do your best not to damage anything. If that spider dares to complain to me about a single scratch you die at sea."
Sesshoumaru wanting everything organized in a certain manner with the threat of death was suppose to help change her mind about the situation? It wasn't helping as it only made her hate him more. Eventually after a good thirty minutes the men had accomplished their current task and went on their way to move the rest of his belongings into the bedroom that had been prepared for him.
"You do not want to see your room?" Kagome asked him that he still kept a firm grip on her wrist, "don't want to see if they tear up any of your fine silks or put a hole through the wall."
"You should know that us true demons do not sleep often," he informed her, "I have no intention of going into that room or sleeping before I know you are mine. I will be made aware of all your comings and goings Kagome, so don't bother planning on another escape. This is where we will be spending most of our time together. This room is all that matters to me."
Once they were alone he finally freed her as he walked slowly over to the desk examining all of his luggage to double check everything was where he wanted to be. He then sat at the fine wood desk as though he were about to conduct some very important business with the case he wanted placed closest to the pillow. He opened it up slowly revealing a small yet sturdy chain forged with castle steel.
"I was not lying when I said I would provide the chains," he spoke coldly, "now sit. That pillow is for you. That is your place by my desk at my feet. It should be comfortable enough."
When Kagome saw that the chain seemed to be attached to some kind of metal collar her mind raced with how many levels of wrong this whole situation was. She wasn't going to go anywhere near him or follow any of his orders. She was still a princess of the castle he was a guest in. She couldn't be compelled to obey him.
"I won't ask again," his voice turned deep as a way to warn her, "there is one thing missing from this desk."
Sesshoumaru reached into the sleeve of his kimono and pulled out a small coin purse. There was very little contents in it. Only five gold coins. The very five cold coins Kagome had stolen from the bar the night before and gave to the man that claimed to be watching out for her.
"No man's desk is complete without something to remind him of his wife's favor," he taunted putting the coins in a neat pile before playing with them by lifting up and letting them drop back into a pile, "now do as you've been ordered."
Kagome could no longer deny that she'd been played. Her soon to be husband was a cruel man who had somehow tricked him through the means of some kind of demon ability or magic. He'd shown her who he truly was now, a man that took pleasure in her desperation by mocking her with false chances at freedom as well as a cold possessive monster that took no stock in her feelings at all.
"Sango and father were the ones that were truly trying to teach me a lesson," Kagome escaped into her thoughts as she watched Sesshoumaru reach for the chain, "no one is going to save me and I need to stop relying on others, especially these deceitful men. The only one I can rely on is myself. I'll save myself and he isn't going to change me. I don't care what torture he has planned for me I'll never let him truly have me."
(End Chapter)