Daughter of the Great Bandit

"Time to wake up princess," Sango only got a couple hours of rest before having to return to her duties, "princess?"

Sango was relieved that Kagome hadn't tried anything the night before having slept like a log the whole time, but the former demon slayer was still on edge. Sesshoumaru was not a demon that would be left waiting or expecting any less than promised, so it was up to Sango to get the girl awake and ready by the deadline or the princess could be facing the wrath of a beast.

"Rise and shine!" Sango yelled at the girl drawing the blinds of the bedroom open as loudly as possible.

"Five more minutes," Kagome let out a pained whine as she hid herself under a thick blanket, "not ready."

"Get ready," Sango was being more authoritative towards the girl than she'd ever been, "you have to join Lord Sesshoumaru for breakfast so we don't have long to bathe you and dress you. Better tell me what you want to wear or I'll pick it for you."

Kagome knew Sango's little wake up game. She was going to continue talking loudly until Kagome was forced into the waking world. She had no chance at returning to her peaceful sleep.

"No corset," Kagome groaned rubbing her eyes emerging from the blankets as she started to pull and and rip at bows and buttons to remove her dress, "that man had the nerve to look down my dress and tell me not to wear them. I don't really want to wear them, but he was such a creep. You don't even want to know what he did to me and what I'm getting into Sango. It was awful."

Now that Sango had Kagome's attention it was time to be more stern, "I'll help you undress but first we need to talk about last night."

"I was asleep ever since the sun went down. I didn't escape or start any fires this time, so I don't know what I need to be lectured about Sango."

Sango had the girl turned around so she could undo all the buttons on the back of Kagome's dress and eventually the ties on her corset, "It's about what you stole. Lord Sesshoumaru had a way of confining you didn't he? Did you steal a key from him?"

"Way of confining me!?" Kagome's eyes held fire behind them as she remembered all the injustices she suffered from yesterday, "he had me chained up like a dog Sango. It was humiliating. He's a monster and then he has the nerve to berate me for not knowing how many silver is to gold or how many bronze is to silver. He isn't my tutor. Why didn't my tutor teach me that stuff anyway? It's obviously really important if he got so testy with me about it."

"A princess like you spends gold without worrying about how much it's worth," Sango shook her head, "don't change the topic like you always tend to do Kagome. Why did you steal that key? I returned it to him and he seemed angry. You can't just steal from a stranger you're going to marry. It's a horrible first impression. If you really want freedom you're not going to get it if no one trusts you."

Kagome's first response was going to be her demanding to know why Sango would return the key and let him know he'd been had, but she couldn't. The reason being because Kagome didn't want to outwardly admit what she'd done.

"Why would I steal that key from him?" Kagome crossed her arms, "First of all I'm not a thief, and second of all stealing that key wouldn't do me any good. He made it clear I won't be left alone all chained up like. If I were to unlock the collar it'd be in front of him, and do you really think a girl like me could be that sneaky. Where would I even run to?"

"Enough!" Sango shouted at the girl, "Kagome this isn't a game anymore. You're right you couldn't run anywhere because he's faster than you and he's also a lot stronger than you. You know what marrying him means right? It means you belong to him. Your father can't do anything for you if Sesshoumaru decides he wants to hurt you for being the way that you are. Kagome just behave alright? Stop stealing and know your place in this."

Sango telling Kagome to just know her place hurt, and it was quite unexpected coming from a maid that really had no right to lecture a princess about anything. Kagome would forgive it, because she could hear the fear in Sango's voice. Did she know something about Sesshoumaru she already didn't know? Was Kagome in another rigged game where her hopes were going to get squashed again when she was brought into a dangerous situation with no chance at escape?

"Sorry to worry you Sango," Kagome shook her head as her clothes were completely removed and replaced silk pajamas to wear until her bath, "I just can't help it. I don't want him to hurt me for being the way that I am, but that's the only person who can be. I don't mean to steal. I know it's wrong and beneath me I don't want to be known as Kagome the thief, but there is just this voice in my head I can't get away from. Every time I'm nervous or scared it tells me I can get back at a person by taking something that belongs to them. When things don't go my way kind of like they aren't now I need to do something to feel some control and power. That's what it's like."

"Everyone has a voice in their head like that," Sango shook her head with a smile, "some people eat nothing or eat too much while some act violently towards even loved ones because they want control so badly. You're not the only one like this, but if that's your problem you simply need to find another way to exercise control. Are you getting any say in how this wedding is going to go? Maybe that will help."

"I have to plan the whole thing top to bottom or I get nothing," Kagome informed, "I have a budget and everything. The only way I can get away with not being locked in a room with Sesshoumaru all day is to plan my own death sentence."

"I'm sure you don't like it, but it's something to keep your mind off of things. Just pretend you're getting married to InuYasha or the guy of your dreams. I know it's a fool's hope, but maybe if Sesshoumaru saw you were taking it seriously and knew what you wanted he'd be kinder towards you."

"Marrying InuYasha? Please don't make my thoughts worse than they are."

Kagome didn't want to think on InuYasha anymore and how he'd been playing her the whole time. It was no wonder she had such an issue when it came to control, because even when she thought she had something good and could make her own choices she was left to discover it was yet another rigged game against her.

Sango had a point though and it brought Kagome back to her grand plan. Going all in on the wedding was the best option for her. She had no 'fool's hope' as Sango called it that it would make Sesshoumaru more of an ideal match, but it'd let everyone know that she was hard worker who was taking it seriously. Once everyone believed that she forced herself to become a happy bride with a memorable wedding she'd make her move.

The princess was left to plot as she was ushered into the bathing room where a hot tub awaited her. It allowed her to relax and truly think on things unlike that cold watered torture she endured yesterday for the sake of sobriety.

"Sango do we have any kimonos?" Kagome asked her maid, "that's what they are called right? I hope it's right because that's what I called what Sesshoumaru was wearing. I think he wants me dressing in that kind of thing in his kingdom. Might as well start now."

"I don't believe you have any," Sango thought over what silks and gowns they had in storage, "your sister Kagura might have some that fit you if I ask her maids."

"No," Kagome knew immediately that was a bad idea thinking Kagura probably hated her, "just a simple dress then. Maybe gold. He says he likes me in blue and yellow."

"You just told me how much you hated him now you want to impress him?" Sango didn't know if any of the lessons were sinking in yet since Kagome was so stubborn.

"I have to fix my first impression," was all the princess said with a smile keeping her plan to herself.

Kagome had said simple gown, so Sango picked out something with just one layer of material, but it was still quite stunning. The material had white silken bows in the shape of flowers stitched all over it, and unlike what she wore yesterday with a long neck and annoying sleeves this one was less conservative allowing her arms and shoulders to breathe, it'd be even better without the addition of a corset.

Her hair had been forced into yet another braid that would sit upon her shoulder and go no further.

"I don't recall ever having my hair cut," Kagome thought to herself as she stared in the mirror, "but yet it is nowhere near the length of queen Kikyo's and especially not at all like the portrait of my mother's. Wonder if I would ever look good with wild hair like hers? Probably not. Being able to tame hair like that is for real women. Not a girl like me."

Kagome wore a frown, but when she could see through the mirror her bedroom door opening revealing an unwanted guest it turned to worry.

"Sunrise was more than hour ago," Sesshoumaru announced himself walking in as though he had the right to just intrude upon her, "so I assume you are decent?"

Kagome was quick to turn around with anger returning to her eyes, "You didn't know that yet you didn't even knock! You can't just come in here. It's my room. Wait outside or something."

Sesshoumaru probably didn't sleep at all so had plenty of time to get dressed for the day going with another kimono, this time dark blue with the sigil of a gold crescent moon stitched into his sleeve. Their clothing matched one another without any sort of planning. If she wasn't careful people would think she honestly wanted this, but then again that was the plan wasn't it?

"I am leaving your door open to prove I am not up to anything improper," Sesshoumaru spoke taking in her appearance, "before breakfast we shall have another lesson."

Before Kagome had berated him all Sesshoumaru could think on was her beauty. She was even more appealing to him without all the waste of silk that was large sleeves and collars. The weather was warm in her lands so she had no reason to be hiding herself from him. He wanted to take it all in so he didn't have to wait with irritation boiling beneath his skin to enjoy the sight of her flesh when she became his. What he was seeing now would do wonderfully, and she didn't have to have her body bound up in a corset to please him either. It almost made up for her sins from last night, almost.

"Your state of dress is appropriate," he made sure to tell her, "however a kimono would do you more justice."

"I don't own any," she shot down his premature fantasies of seeing her in one, "but I promise you this silk is just as fine."

What she really wanted to tell him was it was none of his damn business what she wore and the only reason she wasn't wearing a corset was because she didn't like it, but she had to walk a fragile line now that he was towering above her speaking about more lessons. He'd already made it clear what kind of lessons he wanted to teach her, and she doubted this one would be about currency.

"You'll have them in your new home," Sesshoumaru's gold eyes danced around her room, "I wish to see your possessions. Not only do you have a wedding to plan but you need to decide what is worth bringing with you overseas and what isn't. This will be a lesson in how you carry yourself when it comes to valuables and dress as my bride."

Really Sesshoumaru just wanted to make sure she hadn't stolen anything else from him and if there was any other evidence of how bad her problem was. The place where she kept her belongings most important to her would let him know what he was dealing with. Not that there was much places to search. Her room was quite small with only enough space for a bed, vanity, and table with chairs right in the middle. He had closets bigger than her room. Was that the price she paid for being the last born in a big family?

"Stop!" Kagome yelled at him immediately when he began gently removing her blanket from the bed before proceeding to open up a chest that she kept at the foot of her bed, "a women's quarters is private. I don't have anything interesting anyway. There is just blankets in there. You're going to ruin them with your claws Sesshoumaru stop!"

"I will not ruin anything," Sesshoumaru dismissed her complaints gently dropping her extra blankets back into the chest, "just merely searching. Endure it. This place doesn't leave much to the imagination anyway."

He then went over to the table and examined the tea set she had neatly arranged on top of it.

"Don't touch those Sesshoumaru. I got them as a gift and I heard they're expensive. I'll get in trouble."

"These are not worth even two gold coins, but then again you apparently don't know the value of coin at all."

If it weren't for Sango having seen Sesshoumaru's cruelty in the past she'd almost find the sight amusing. Sesshoumaru seemingly on a mission to innocently explore the place Kagome spent most of her time in while his bride to be followed him around to nag him. They were almost cute together, but the maid couldn't be fooled. Sesshoumaru had just seemed to find a new level of control in years that had passed since her assassination attempt on him, or had become some kind of manipulator. The way he spoke to Kagome almost seemed quite kind compared to the way she heard him talk to other women he wanted something from. Mostly it was always along the lines of 'give me what I want if you value you and your family's life''.

"There you saw everything," Kagome told him when he peered into a closet where her night gowns were kept, "we can go now, or is there anything wrong with me having comfortable night shirts?"

"I'd prefer you retire to bed with nothing at all," was what he said closing the closet before his eyes peered to another door on the other side of the room.

The wall that the door was against did not look to even be made of the same material as the rest of the walls in the castle. Sesshoumaru was quick to discover why Kagome's bedroom was so small. It seemed an addition had been put in recently which had forced her to cut her room in half. What was she keeping in that room?

"Maid," Sesshoumaru's tone returned to icy as he spoke to Sango, "is the girl's wardrobe kept in her room or is there storage elsewhere in the castle?"

"Elsewhere," Sango answered truthfully knowing lying wouldn't help with what Sesshoumaru was about to discover, "all the royal family's wardrobe is kept in the same room where it is accounted for. You'd have to go there if you wish to see what silks the girl has to herself."

"I think from your tone of voice I'm about to find something more interesting," Sesshoumaru took a step forward to the other door.

He could hear the sound of Kagome's heart beat flutter. Such a precious sound, too bad it was always ruined by the scent of her fear.

"Sesshoumaru don't," Kagome begged him but it was too late as he opened the door.

Despite him opening the door to the other half of the bedroom not much light was shed into what looked like a big dark storage closet. Kagome was hoping he would just dismiss it as storage and shut the door, but he was able to see quite well in the dark. What he saw for the most part was clutter. Clutter everywhere, silks piled up on the floor and chests that weren't organized and were overflowing with all sorts of junk. Kagome was wise to try and hide all of it from him, because he was not pleased.

"The lesson commences," he told her crossing his arms, "this is not acceptable. You have servants don't you? Why is this like this? Second of all if these belongings aren't important enough to be displayed in your actual bedroom they aren't important enough to keep. I'm assuming that this unsightly mess is why a wall was put up incase a guest like me was ever to see your bedroom."

Sesshoumaru was right about that. Kagome refused to have her mess cleaned up so a wall got installed converting all of her mess into a storage closet. Servants would have gladly took on the job of organizing it all to chests and putting it in storage elsewhere, but Kagome refused always promising she'd do it herself when she had time. She really didn't want people going through her belongings, especially not him.

"It's my mess so I'll clean it up," Kagome sounded more like a child than she ever had, "I didn't know I'd be leaving home and have to plan a wedding so forgive me for thinking I had more time. It doesn't matter anyway. I'll figure it out before we leave."

"You go through all these items one by one and I'll be forced to spend another month in this kingdom," Sesshoumaru said as he walked into the closet kicking aside any silks that threatened to wrap around his ankle, "you'll make your decisions now before breakfast. I'll empty this chest here and what you fill it with is what you get, if I approve of it. As for your wardrobe you'll only be taking what you need for travel and everything else will be provided for you by me."

No control once again. Kagome was not in his quarters with a collar and chain around her neck, but it was no different. That was the point of Sesshoumaru being alone with her like that for that long, so she'd get use to him holding the chain even when it wasn't there. Kagome was on the verge of a melt down, she had to pretend to be accepting of her marriage and him, but it was so hard to control her temper when someone was telling her to do something and exactly how it would be done.

"I'll help you," Sango offered Kagome, "you only have so long Kagome so it's best to get it done now while you have assistance. I'm sure you know what you want to take and what's important to you. Let's get this taken care of."

Sango was trying to send the message that Kagome did have control. All she had to do was think about what she really wanted so they could get the deed finished and Sesshoumaru wouldn't linger in the room any longer. She would have all night to go back in and probably be able to make changes or a case for any other discoveries she'd find later. It was just best to not have a scene in that place of all places.

Sango's plan might've been ruined when Sesshoumaru roughly emptied a chest by dumping its contents to the ground. Kagome's composure already seemed to be that of a woman on the verge of meltdown from having Sesshoumaru order her around, but it got worse when her things were just thrown about with no care.

"Why'd you do that!?" she screamed at him, "you could have broken something. I heard something heavy in there. Just leave my stuff alone! You're already taking everything else from me why do you need to violate my room?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "You didn't take care of your items and allowed them to be stuffed away like so why would I assume I should be careful? You'll learn to treat the gifts you are given with respect and care."

Sesshoumaru believed fully in the lesson he was trying to teach her, but wasn't particularly pleased about it. He wanted that woman to see him as her husband and not a father figure, but yet he was constantly having to pick up the slack her family created. Her father should've done what he was doing now instead of ordering a wall to be built around the mess.

"If this girl had been correctly parented and educated I wouldn't be receiving such a brat," Sesshoumaru let out a warning growl that told her to get started with her work, "how can I put children in someone that is a child themself? You better grow up and fast Kagome."

Before Kagome could even move a muscle Sesshoumaru noticed something quite valuable fall out of the box. It was a necklace on a silver chain that had more than a dozen large diamonds on it. The piece of jewelry had to be worth more than Kagome's entire wedding budget. Such a thing belonged in a royal treasury to be checked in and out not stuffed in a box surrounded by mess.

The way Kagome had attempted to reach for it and hide it under a silk told him there was something up with it. Before she could even protest he swiftly took it from the ground and examined it.

"Correct me if I'm wrong Kagome but wouldn't a necklace like this be for someone above your status? This is the kind of gift bestowed upon a queen for an irresponsible princess such as yourself would treat it this way. Also judging from the state of dress both I and InuYasha have seen you in during formal occasions this isn't your style. Is this even yours?"

Kagome had no answers. She sat on the ground on her knees not knowing what to say for herself. It seemed she'd been caught. The fear in Sango's eyes showed her that much.

Sesshoumaru continued his search digging through many chests not feeling any guilt or sense that he was violating anything because he didn't believe any of it actually belonged to Kagome.

"Golden goblets from what I assume was wedding feasts," he began listing his discoveries, "silks with patterns meant for males, more diamond jewelry, and even what seems to be a human engagement ring over here. Seems all you had to do for research on wedding customs was look through your own belongings, but I don't believe these are your belongings are they? You steal from your own family don't you girl? Why should I be shocked that you'd steal from me and wouldn't continue stealing from me? If that there is what I think it is understand the situation has gotten much worse for you. It's treason if that is what I believe it to be."

For the girl's sake he had hoped he was wrong, but he recognized something that was improperly stored on one of the shelves of the closet. It looked like a worn blade in a cruddy sheath, but Sesshoumaru wasn't fooled by its disguise.

"Tetsusagia?" Sesshoumaru asked getting his confirmation when a magical barrier appeared burning his flesh for even attempting to touch it, "the sword father willed to my brother. You stole it from him therefore stole from my family and late king."

Kagome had stolen the Tetsusagia? That was right. She did, when InuYasha upset her by being distant instead of proposing. She'd gotten nervous that she misjudged him and he didn't think she was worth it. In retaliation she'd reached for it when he turned to leave and immediately hid it under her dress to both hide it from anyone that would have questioned what she was doing with a sword and to hide her evil deed from herself. Sesshoumaru was right. What she did was completely wrong on so many levels. InuYasha's sword was very important to him and she didn't even think about any of that when the desire to steal overcame her.

Kagome had no words. What she explained to Sango she didn't have the courage to explain to Sesshoumaru. He wouldn't understand why she did what she did, half the time she couldn't even recall doing it. All she knew was that when in a certain situation she felt like she had to. People took from her all the time whether it be her time or her freedom, so that voice in her head told her all she could do to defend herself was take from them.

Matters became worse when another uninvited guest barged into Kagome's room. Naraku was hearing a ruckus. He did not like early morning ruckuses full of Kagome's screaming and pleas. Whatever was going on he needed it to end before another demon picked up on it and made his family drama the topic of morning gossip between servants.

"Why are you all gathered in my daughter's bedroom and fighting?" Naraku asked standing at the door frame of the closet, "she is yours to do what you please with in your own assigned quarters. Not here where I'm forced to hear about it. Go elsewhere."

Sesshoumaru shot Naraku a dangerous look, "Were you aware of your daughter committing treason against my family? She stole my brother's sword and my father's legacy as though it were nothing more than a toy. Damages have been done."

Damages? Treason? Why did that sword have to be laying in plain view? Why was she so stupid? At first her biggest fear was being forced to marry Sesshoumaru and live with him across the sea for a while waiting for an escape opportunity that might not come, but now either death or a full scale war hung in the balance because of her stupid head and her stupid actions. She'd just thrown everything away because of her inability to accept the life she'd been born into.

"Do you plan to have the girl executed?" Naraku asked in a mocking tone, "surely your dumb bastard brother left it here when he had no business poking around my daughter's room and I will not be found responsible for- Kagome why is this in your room?"

Naraku was referring to the diamond necklace Sesshoumaru had earlier discovered. The demon had been right when he speculated about how it couldn't be Kagome's for it was meant for a king as Naraku to gift to a queen. He'd given it to his second to last late wife the bird demoness known as Princess Abi.

"That woman almost had this castle burned to the ground because she thought a servant stole it," Naraku could barely contain his anger as he picked the necklace up, "but it was you. All this gold I can see with a naked eye I do not think I wish to know what else you have locked away. Look at you crumbled on the ground. You've been caught and seen for what you truly are. The daughter of a low born thief. I've always known it and have been thinking on it more than ever. I even went so far as to have this wall built so I wouldn't have to see the truth for myself. Are you proud of yourself Kagome? You'd rather be labeled a traitorous criminal than be married into a powerful family? You'll be going somewhere far worse than the cells for this. I can't imagine how you've even gotten away doing this for as long as you've had. There is a sickness inside of you, that's the only way you could have managed."

The scent of fear was growing too much to Sesshoumaru's dislike. He had hoped the message had been received by that point. He did not like Naraku and Naraku did not like him, but they seemed to play off each other quite well when it came to the task of taming Kagome.

"There will be a wedding," Sesshoumaru purposely put on a voice of disinterest as to show his care for Kagome's well being might have diminished, "the girl said she'd rather be dead than married, so I see it as a fitting punishment. Besides the one who will truly be punished is InuYasha for allowing it to happen. The ignorant dog said nothing about it. Too concerned with the welfare of one that doesn't know what's good for her."

Naraku almost seemed disappointed that Kagome didn't start a war and that the wedding was still on. His opinion did not matter to Sesshoumaru though. He'd already made it clear he'd have Kagome one way or another, after all they'd plotted to kidnap her if the proposal wasn't accepted. The spider had his chance to use Kagome for her blood and seemingly gave up, so it was his family's turn now.

"You're lucky that your future husband is so forgiving," Naraku pocketed the diamonds, "my men will be the ones who take care of this mess and send all the gems and gold back to the treasury where it belongs. This wasn't a storage closet was it Kagome? It was your trophy room all along?"

Kagome finally spoke up for herself, "You say it's a sickness but the reason I can do it so easily and so well is because I learned from you. You're no different than me. I've seen you steal from people all the time just for the thrill of doing it. If I'm the daughter of a low born thief than what does that make you? You said the greatest day of your life is when you were truly born and Onigumo was destroyed, but he is still in there isn't he? My true father. I might be a thief, but there weren't any victims. Those people hurt me, made fun of me, and told me who I was supposed to be and what I needed to do with my life. Princess Abi was a horrid woman. You knew that. She didn't deserve those diamonds and those nobles at the parties whispering behind my back saying you'd get more value out of me if you'd sold me to a human whore house. I hated them and wanted to hurt them. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru just made me nervous and scared, so I had to take something. Those were accidents if I could take it back I would, but not the rest."

Naraku didn't even know where to begin with the girl, but at the moment all he could see was anger. He wanted nothing more than the memory of being that thief gone forever, but it seemed that would never become a reality and Kagome was a reminder of that.

"Stupid girl," Naraku rewarded her mouth with a quick back hand to the face.

Sesshoumaru worked to suppress a growl wanting to erupt in his chest. Kagome deserved harsh words for what she'd done and what she was, but the sight of Naraku striking what he already thought of his was angered him. Unfortunately she was not truly his, so he wasn't in a position to do anything for the girl. She was still in Naraku's custody and control despite their confinement agreement.

Naraku chuckled in response to the repressed growl, "You punish your kin Sesshoumaru and I'll punish mine. I'll give the girl the correcting she needs and return her to you in one piece. Let's go you miserable thief."

Kagome's fear being at an all time high having her misdeeds seen and judged by the people she considered her enemies Sesshoumaru could understand, but the scent was more powerful than ever when her father laid hands on her in an attempt to drag her away.

"No father!" Kagome struggled and twisted and turned trying to get free, "I won't do it anymore. I promise just don't hurt me! Please!"

"Stupid stupid girl," Naraku went as far as exposing his tentacles which he rarely did in front of guests to restrain her, "you say you're ready to be independent and you don't need to be treated like property yet you falter at the very thought of pain being inflicted upon you. You'd never make it out there. You're too soft and scared. You're no bandit just a careless brat."

Sango was visibly shaking in fear as she watched Kagome being carried off by her father. She was a fool to think Sesshoumaru was the only threat to that girl. Sango had never seen the king look upon his daughter with as much hate and anger as he had of late, and it was forcing the demon slayer to rethink on who was the true monster was. Kagome had never reacted that way to Sesshoumaru's harshness just mostly pouting and complaining.

"I cannot do anything about it unless he means to kill his own daughter," Sesshoumaru told Sango noticing how badly she worried for the girl, "I doubt he will. She has too much value."

Sesshoumaru wasn't trying to comfort the maid for what he was really doing was trying to talk himself down and stop himself from thinking on the worst scenario. The things Kagome said to Naraku had truly earned a volatile reaction and he feared for his future bride. He wondered if Naraku ever contemplated killing Kagome so no one could have her blood since he himself had clearly failed. Sesshoumaru was forced to keep his senses fully on guard to listen for any foul play. His prize wouldn't be taken from him, especially now.

"If he is choosing now to be a parent perhaps it's better late than never," Sesshoumaru went back to appearing cold hearted as he wrapped a piece of silk around his hand so he could take hold of his brother's sword, "but indeed she has value. He called all of this a sickness, but if she was able to take InuYasha's blade and steal from me right under my nose is it really? No. That girl has a talent. It just needs to be used appropriately. I'll allow her to feed her urges if she feeds mine."

(End Chapter)