Correction

It was done and there was no going back. The former Princess Kagome, youngest daughter to the King of Havensbrooke was on a ship bound for Winter Spiral and most likely she'd never be returning. Journeying the sea in the black of night might not have been the best decision, but her new husband obviously wasn't going to settle for one more hour in the place she once called home.

Kagome released a heavy sigh as she retreated further on to the deck of the ship no longer wanting to look down at the people that gathered to watch her depart. They had all just been townsfolk wanting to see the foreign demon Lord's new bride, probably came to mock her and whisper insults lowly is what Kagome had assumed. There wasn't a single familiar face in that crowd, not even one member of her family out of courtesy. For all she knew they were done with her and she was done them. That chapter of her life was over now.

"Goshinki I hope that scroll I found is your freedom," she thought to herself shutting her eyes, "I'm doing what you and Kagura asked of me. I'm free from Naraku now."

Kagome turned around and opened her eyes towards her traveling companions. In that group she would find familiar faces excluding Sesshoumaru, which still left her quite surprised.

Joining her on the voyage across the sea was Sango, who requested to continue on as her maid. Kagome was expecting the two of them to have a sad goodbye, but instead she was given the opposite. Did Sesshoumaru have something to do with Sango's decision? Kagome hoped he didn't pressure her and her friend wouldn't come to regret this.

Sango's attentions at the moment, however, weren't on Kagome so now wasn't the time to get a straight answer about the change of heart. Instead the maid was comforting the other addition to their small group, Rin.

Sesshoumaru, who was just a few paces behind Kagome glared at the girl not understanding why his cold expression didn't frighten her as it did other humans. The moment he saw her stumbling about on board he regretted his decision to bring her with them, but at least he had the demon slayer now. Between obtaining her and seeing evidence of Kagome's power the final day he remained in Havensbrooke wasn't a complete waste. However, he wasn't prepared to share his positivity with anyone else.

Once he commanded the ships crew to set sale at a swift pace he went to his wife's side to immediately to make whatever displeasures he had apparent.

"Winter Spiral is no place for a human girl," he said regarding Rin, "if something happens to her it is your responsibility."

Kagome's eyes immediately lit up with a fury as she recalled how Rin came to be here.

"My sole responsibility?" Kagome asked, "you said we'd be taking her with us. It was your decision. You saved her from that wretched guardian and you kept her safe. You'll continue doing so won't you? I'll help you the best I can, but you can't abandon her now."

Sesshoumaru did his best to also recall how they fell into this situation and what justifications he made to himself at the time to invite Rin along. It wasn't surprising that it was hard to put all the responsibility on Kagome for when they met with the girl it became quite clear Rin was uncomfortable in Kagome's presence and vice versa.

The girl Rin was indeed an odd one. She always smiled at him but averted her eyes from Kagome. Kagome already had her theory on why that was. Had she not showed concern when they first met Sesshoumaru never would have had to give her the coin that started the whole conflict. Kagome blamed herself and believed Rin's shyness was a result of her good act of charity backfiring yet again.

Sesshoumaru knew this was an issue as he recalled what Sango had told him about Kagome's earlier attempts at charity and how it resulted in trouble.

"My responsibility is to assist you in fulfilling your path," he was quite stern with his bride, "despite you being the one forcing yourself into this girl's affairs you quickly grew uncomfortable around her when your interfering wasn't met with praise. If you are to be my Queen you cannot act this way. It doesn't matter how your subjects react to your deeds and decisions. They should know their place and you should know yours. You are not to appear weak and uncomfortable in front of them. It doesn't matter if they are human, youkai, a soldier, or even a little girl. You will not be weak."

Kagome averted her eyes from him again. It was a telling sign that she was absorbing his words since she had nothing to say in response, but it still irritated him to no end. If she was unable to keep proper eye contact when she was feeling uncomfortable or on the losing side of an argument she'd be unable to grow into what he required.

Rin had the same issue as well when confronted with Kagome earlier back in Kagura's bedroom. Sesshoumaru didn't exactly know what Rin's role would be, but perhaps those girls could help correct each other.

Due to the wedding and Kagome's issues with her family Sesshoumaru had grown lenient with his training of her, but she was free from that place now and he was ready to return to his own form of correcting when it came to her.

"You let her come because you'd say anything to get me out of that castle and on your ship as soon as possible," Kagome thought of an argument to make to help him justify why they were bringing Rin to Winter Spiral, "it will be fine won't it? You were fine with Sango coming and I am pretty much a human so-"

Before Kagome was completely done with her comment Sesshoumaru took it upon himself to take custody of her wrist and pinch her soft pale skin with his claws.

"Ouch!" she tried to tug her arm back, "what? You can't just grab me like that."

That earned her another pinch. That was the most Sesshoumaru could do in the form of pain without violating his promise to never hurt her. If it weren't for his word he'd strike her across the face. He wouldn't bruise her and he wouldn't break skin in anger, so he hoped this tactic would get the point across that he was done playing with her ignorance.

"You do not speak out of turn," he applied pressure again with his claws, "and when you do speak you keep eye contact. This is my ship, my hired crew around us. This is not your wedding feast. You will be mindful of how you carry yourself in public for now on."

Kagome made eye contact with him this time. He could see the rage building inside her as he was attempting to control her, but at least she was silent. He wasn't a fool, however, as he knew her silence was not her being obedient. He could tell her mind was at work as she tried to cope with this new reality.

Indeed she was thinking about how to perceive this light yet still quite painful and degrading treatment of her. She'd told herself she needed to put her guard down and try to see the good in this. She was free now and she couldn't enjoy a new life if she let Sesshoumaru bother her. All he was asking her was to remember her elevated status when in the presence of others. He'd shown her already with the gift of baking ingredients that their private life would be something different. As long as he kept to his word and didn't hurt her she'd be okay.

That was just the contribution from the rational side of her mind, however, as the rage still lingered on. It was hard to just put her anger aside when he talked down to her like a child. He started it with the whole 'Winter Spiral is no place for humans' comment. Most of the crew maintaining the ship were human so why was he making her feel bad about the decision he made? He was the one that wanted to look out for Rin, so why did he continue to be ashamed of it?

"You are my bride," Sesshoumaru told her coldly not letting go of her, "and you are no human. You may carry yourself as one and live as one due to how weak you are, but you will not consider yourself one as long as you are attached to me."

Kagome had been carrying herself as a human her whole life. Was she even a demon at all? Naraku was her father and she had no traits similar to that of her siblings, but none of them were alike. She couldn't call herself a human, but despite what Sesshoumaru wanted to think of her she could never call herself a demon either.

"He marries me yet hates his brother," Kagome thought to herself her eyes lighting up with annoyance as she thought on the constant contradictions Sesshoumaru was making, "Sesshoumaru's mantra is basically 'I despise everyone that isn't me unless they dedicate their life to being useful to me."

Sesshoumaru eased his hold on Kagome to let her know she wasn't in danger of being pinched as long as she held her tongue, but he didn't let go. She still looked annoyed but tried to stay calm.

"We'll be there soon won't we?" she asked him quietly, "it only took a night to get those tulips after all."

"That's because they were paid a nice sum for the voyage and there was no passengers of importance at the time," she was informed, "it could be a couple possibly three evenings to take the safest route. There is aquatic youkai and other beasts about."

"So it's dangerous out here?" she felt embarrassed by being ignorant on the manner, "sorry. The docks is as close to the sea as I've been. Never actually traveled on a ship before."

She turned her head to the ocean ahead of them, "It just always looks never ending."

Sesshoumaru considered allowing her to enjoy the view, but knew work needed to be done.

"You won't see that ocean again until we arrive," his words were cold and quite foreboding.

Kagome felt threatened by the way he spoke, but knew she had to say something despite believing it to be the stupidest thing to come out of her mouth that whole evening.

"It's kind of hard to miss."

That earned her another quick pinch, "What I mean Kagome is you will spend the voyage in our cabin and you will remain there until we reach Winter Spiral. Your meals will be brought to you and you will have no contact with your maid or Rin. Only myself. This is your punishment for your behavior at the ceremony."

He was referring to her throwing cake at him after being told to not present the cake in the first place. He promised she'd be punished for that, but she wasn't expecting it at that moment. In fact she kind of was hoping he'd forget, but that was just foolish wasn't it? A proud creature like Sesshoumaru would never forget such a thing. She was being grounded, and in truth if that was it she was getting off pretty light but she couldn't just let it go. She glared at him all while preparing to endure his claws.

"This bothers you doesn't it?" his tone of voice was stuck between remaining cold while wanting to be smug, "not much is being demanded of you yet you must sacrifice that precious freedom of yours. There is so much unneeded conflict in you Kagome. You knew when this arrangement was made you were giving that up, and indeed you have. You are mine now and everything you do is at my pleasure. When I ask you to remain in your cabin you should be asking to be escorted there. Your agency is gone now, and you will be reminded of that throughout this punishment."

"Stop!" Kagome urged him now fighting to get her wrist free but he only tightened his grip, "if you want to ground me then fine but you don't have to be so cruel about it!"

Sesshoumaru chuckled at her pointless resistance, "You're upset that I'm questioning the existence of your freedom? My how easy it is upset you. Can you not see that this is a problem? It is a problem for me and some correction will make life from this point much easier for you. Allow me to correct you Kagome."

Despite trying to fight him and how clearly upset she was no one bothered to do anything to help her. Sango tossed her a worried glance, but knew she wasn't in any position at the moment to interfere and defend her friend from her new husband, especially when the husband was Sesshoumaru. All she could do at the moment was make sure Rin was watched out for her while her new 'guardians' of sorts were fighting.

It wasn't long before Kagome was dragged into a cabin on the ship where she was thrown into what felt like a comfortable feather bed. She couldn't be completely sure as the room was completely dark with no windows to even invite the moon's light to her aide.

"Stay there," Sesshoumaru ordered as he swiftly lit a couple of candles on top of a nearby desk, "do not speak unless you're ready to apologize for acting so foolish in public."

Once the room was well lit she could see that she was in a large bed and by her feet on the floor were all of their belongings to prove that this was indeed their cabin. All she had was one chest that held her wedding dress, some extra clothing, and just a few other trinkets she could get away with taking from her room. On top of that lay the Tetsusagia that she was charged with holding on to, and next to that was Sesshoumaru's luggage. A bit of fear flashed in her eyes when she recognized the chest that held his chain and collar she'd already been trained with.

"I shouldn't have to use that," Sesshoumaru noticed her looking at it, "unless you refuse to do what you are told. So if you refuse to apologize then remain there while I take inventory of my belongings."

Apologize for making it clear he was being cruel to her? That wasn't going to happen, but she honestly didn't want to hear anymore of his voice so she just remained quiet and showed him her annoyance by crossing her arms and letting out an audible 'humph!'.

"Still a girl despite what words were said in the ceremony," he made sure to tell her how childish she was being as he made sure all of his belongings were accounted for, "if that is how you'll behave then you can just retire for the night."

Retire for the night was what she was hearing after being thrown into his bed. They still hadn't consummated their marriage yet as Sesshoumaru had refused to do so under her father's roof, but they weren't in her home anymore. Was she to be expected to receive him while already receiving his punishment?

"Sesshoumaru I-"

He caught on to how she was tensing up and looking frightened recognizing that look from the evening before.

"Not here," he said, "only in my domain. Though know that remaining a maiden on this voyage won't excuse anymore of your disrespect. Not only are you my wife but you pledged your loyalty to me. Not honoring me is a disgrace to yourself Kagome. Put an end to your stubbornness."

Now that he lay her fears to rest about consummation she seemed to get a second wind of defiance in her as she returned to glaring at him. Sesshoumaru didn't know what he preferred more, her staring him down as an enemy or the constant averting of the eyes when she was being combated against.

While she stared at him he sat at the nearby desk to keep the high ground while at the same time making himself comfortable. After a good few minutes of nothing but silence he reached into his silks much like he did the first time she encountered him at a desk and revealed the five gold coins she stole for him.

"Amusing isn't it?" he put the coins on the desk, "how desperate you once were to get on this ship and yet here you are. You didn't even have to sell your body to get to this point."

No she didn't sell her body, instead she was forced to give away something she believed to have much more value.

"Why must you continue to mock me?" she asked, "stop speaking of that night as though it were just a joke to you. I was scared and that man wasn't you. It was just an illusion."

"Are you saying you prefer that man you met in the tavern Kagome? That man is not me for I am no man, however if you wish to enjoy my company all you must do is let go of your resistance. How is allowing yourself to be continuously displeased make for a fruitful life by my side?"

"Or you could just not displease me," she remarked.

She knew she had to accept the situation for what it was and that she was better off with Sesshoumaru than with her family or off in the world alone, but did settling for the best option mean she had to be 'corrected' and subjected to his controlling nature?

"Just leave me alone," was all she could think to tell him, "or stop telling me what to do or how to act all the time. I'll behave when you stop going out of your way to upset me if that's what you want."

"Leave you alone?" He repeated that as though it were a challenge letting the coins roll in the palm of his hand, "that isn't possible. You know that so why waste your time with such impossible demands? You are mine to do with as I please."

Sesshoumaru wasn't as ignorant as she thought he was being. He understood that she needed to get adjusted to her new life and that constantly reminding her of her place in it would spark her anger, but what else could he do to make it clear to her?

"I still expect an apology," he continued reaching for a lock of her hair to pull away from her face not surprised in the least when she jerked her head away, "but the simple terms of this punishment where you remain here by my side will suffice. What we do in public is different from what we do in private Kagome. Be at ease."

The way he said that implied she was being the hostile one. How did he always start a fight and leave her to feel a fool for it?

"There is nothing I can really do right now Sesshoumaru," she thought to herself trying to take a breath and calm down to show her new husband she was capable of being civil, "but I'm learning your moves and how you conduct yourself. I'll be with you but I won't fall prey to you."

"Fine," she said purposely sounding defeated trying to get comfortable on the bed, "I apologize for making it obvious that you irritate me in front of your crew, that by the way is human. Winter Spiral is no place for humans is what you said, but you say a lot of things."

Sesshoumaru didn't want to accept that apology, but knew for the moment that would be the best he'd get. He didn't want this to be like his need for her gratitude, however, if she acted like this in his home she'd best be prepared to face the consequences.

"There are humans on the coast," he explained, "ship crews and fishing villages. There are none in land in my domain. Dragons have no need for sea water and the forests and mountains are full of youkai populations. Hence why if you could manage to escape me I doubt you'd make it very far. That flower girl will be in your charge, so keep those dangers in mind."

"What about Sango? I can't believe she changed her mind. That's why I wanted to talk to her before you dragged me in here. I would miss her more than anyone but I don't want her in Winter Spiral if it makes her unhappy. Think she'll be okay there?"

That was right Kagome didn't know that Sango had already been in Winter Spiral before as an assassin posing as a human servant. Only reason Sesshoumaru didn't tell her the truth was because that business between him and the slayer had nothing to do with her.

"Your maid will stay with you within the castle walls," he made it clear she wouldn't be going elsewhere, "there will be no problems. She is just a servant taking a necessary job as you will need someone similar to you to meet your needs. Do not worry yourself over her reasoning."

"Someone similar to me? Someone human? She's more to me than just a maid Sesshoumaru. She's my friend."

"You are not human," Sesshoumaru's tone went back to a threatening one to get it through her head she was not to say that, "you are a First Born blooded child of a hanyou monarch."

Did she need to know that for her benefit or his own? He really didn't want to be attached to a human it seemed, but because of his need of her he had to justify it.

"Sesshoumaru," she sat back up and looked at him, "we're not there yet but we're not in my father's castle either. Can you tell me the truth now? If you just want my blood why didn't you just have me kidnapped and cut into me? Why all of this? Why do you need to take me as your wife?"

Sesshoumaru gave her a look of indifference that was impossible for her to read as he knew that question would eventually come up. He took a whiff of any nearby scents and made sure that there were nobody near the outside of the cabin that could overhear them. Finally he was free to share some information with her instead of constantly finding excuses to hide everything and be bothered by her reaction to it.

"The method you speak of doesn't work," he explained, "if it did you'd never been allowed out of your father's castle. Your blood is magic itself, not a potion that can be consumed. It will not react in anyway that benefits me if I take it from you unwillingly."

Kagome knew the answer would be complicated. Ayame spoke of magic and how it was all over the place in Winter Spiral, but Kagome still didn't understand. What exactly was the difference between magical blood and a potion if they were made out of the same important ingredient? It seemed she was the source of something she could barely understand.

"You didn't have to go this far," she said, "marrying me so I'd be okay with you taking my blood? Maybe someone should have just tried asking me then. Instead you made me marry you and then go out of your way to upset me? How does that make for a good arrangement?"

"It doesn't which is why I'm trying to correct this behavior. The magic within you can't be powerful and can't grow if you don't grow. You being a prisoner would keep you in a state of fear or worse and therefore it would be stagnant. I've been told the secret to extracting your power is to let you have a full life and fully experience it. The best way for a bitch such as yourself to do that is to marry and have children while being well cared for. If you must have that life you might as well have it with me. Once you learn to listen more than talk you will be given the keys to such an ideal life and take from it as much as you'll be giving by servicing me. Your father cut into you without a thought and tossed you aside when his method wasn't working. That is not how we will proceed."

It still didn't make any sense to Kagome, and despite Sesshoumaru talking matter-of-factly about her living an ideal life to benefit him she wasn't sure he really understood how this was supposed to work.

Sesshoumaru indeed had a few doubts since his source of information on all of this had been his mother, who suggested all of this yet thought marrying her was taking it too far.

As far as his plan on how her life would be lived he wasn't being cruel when saying she'd have a happy existence simply being married to him and bearing his children. After all most women longed for such a stable comfortable life, and with her being the youngest of many children in a family with such a low reputation she needed to be more grateful for the opportunity that fell into her lap.

Her gratitude. He couldn't just leave it alone it seemed. He needed it and would have it.

"Would you be happier in the company of strangers off to some foreign land where you'd be forced to survive on your own?" He inquired, "how badly do you want your freedom?"

Just because Kagome knew how to run away didn't mean she knew how to survive. Learning to bake was just a fantasy and probably not possible for her. She honestly never even had a plan as all she knew was she had to get away from Naraku once he started talking about how she had to marry Sesshoumaru to kill him.

"That's what I thought," Sesshoumaru closed his eyes happy with his triumph in the deconstruction of who Kagome thought she could be, "you wouldn't know what to do on your own. This is your life now and there is no escape for you. Your best course of action is obey your husband and dedicate yourself to something other than disgracing yourself. Live the life given to you."

Before Kagome could think on his words she just had to remind him of all the doubts.

"And if it doesn't work? If married life doesn't change me and force me to grow what then? Something different or will this all just end?"

Sesshoumaru only had doubts in the method, as far as Kagome herself he saw evidence of the magic in her blood. Did she think a few failed attempts would free her? Didn't he just establish she couldn't do anything with freedom?

He returned the coins back to the surface of the desk before standing and turning towards her so that he towered over her.

"That will be my gamble and my burden," he made sure to tell her, "and your reward. It was rigged in your favor was it not? I took you as my wife as that is what you will be. Just know your place and mind that attitude of yours and enjoy your fortune."

Kagome had a hard time believing she was in a win win situation no matter how hard she tried to force herself to have a positive outlook on all of this. Everything was rigged. Perhaps that's why she felt the need to steal. There was a part of her that constantly felt cheated and she needed to get back at the world to fill that void in her heart.

"Whatever you say Sesshoumaru," instead of averting her eyes this time she laid her head upon the pillow to break eye contact, "I'll never win."

She was acting as though he should be pleased with her giving up and surrendering, but her self pity was not gratitude. It truly was unobtainable it seemed.

"Do you still have doubts in your husband or are you that stubborn Kagome?" he asked her, "I wish for you to leave this room remembering who you belong to. Who you are to be obedient to."

He couldn't just leave anything alone could he? She had calmed down and he was already back at with the talk of ownership and obedience. Did he want her to get angry and pout again? If wearing her down had been his goal he was succeeding, because she didn't even have the energy to express her anger this time around.

When he saw she had nothing to say he joined her in the bed kneeling next to her hands attempting to return to her hair. This time she didn't resist as he slowly raked his claws through her raven locks.

"At least steps have been made in the right direction I see. You no longer wear those braids or corsets just as a requested."

Sesshoumaru had no idea why but that demeaning comment got a sly smile out of his bride.

It seemed her husband still had no idea that the only reason she was obeying him was because she hated braids and corsets. Maybe she didn't always lose.

"It's what you wanted so I obeyed," she just had to say still with a puzzling smile on her face, "can't fight you all the time."

"No. You only seem to want to fight me on trivial matters instead. No more of it Kagome. Do you understand?"

"There is a lot I don't understand," Kagome said releasing a heavy sigh but still keeping the smile that had her husband confused, " like why you need to control me and shape me into someone else. You already are getting everything you wanted aren't you, if the prophecy you told me about is true? It's not enough to have me, you need me to be on my hands and knees thanking you for even considering me despite your need for me. I'm suppose to thank you for marrying me Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru retreated his hands from her hair and looked at her coldly. Indeed that was exactly what he wanted and now Kagome was making it apparent he'd never received it. He'd already come to that conclusion, but it brought about irritation that she was proclaiming it to him.

"I'm not grateful for that," she continued as her eyes remained shut unable to see his reaction, "what I am grateful for is everything else. You being by my side when my father had me thinking I was nothing more than a pawn and you doing the right thing and protecting Rin and bringing her with us, something that I remind you was your decision even though you deny it, those are the things I am grateful for Sesshoumaru. Those are the things that make me hopeful and happy with this arrangement. I don't need to be corrected to better understand you."

Sesshoumaru decided to let her rest while thinking on her words. She was grateful then? It was the wrong kind of grateful.

"That flower girl has nothing to do with you," he had to keep telling himself, "I can care less about her well being. She is nothing more than a human who was used as a pawn by another worthless human that thought they had the right to challenge this Sesshoumaru and you… how dare you smile about such things Kagome. I only want you happy and comfortable because you now represent me as my wife. I married you because I believed it to be the best option. I wouldn't have if I didn't feel I had to. You are nothing more than a source of magic to fuel my power. That is all you will ever be to me."

These were the things the daiyoukai Lord had to tell himself to survive such an onslaught from the woman who was now his wife.

(End Chapter)

AN: Yeah don't have as much time to write anymore since work has claimed my soul but I tried to reignite my passion by just jumping off to Sess and Kag beginning real married life. All that can be said about Naraku and Kikyo at this moment has been said so all that is really missing scene wise is Sesshoumaru deciding to bring Rin with them, which enough about that situation has been implied I feel. Sess wanted to bring her to insure he can keep her safe but won't ever dare admit it so makes it seem like Kagome forced him.