Chapter 12
Lord Sesshomaru found himself in his office staring at a scroll. He had read the same line nearly five times now. His work was not getting done for the second time today. He couldn't get his mind off the miko. For three days now they have been at his castle. He wanted to get a few things done before setting out again. Over the last three days he only managed to answer a few scrolls and settle a dispute between the housekeeping and kitchen staff. Setting down the scroll that would have to wait until later, he called for his General and most trusted friend.
Taiyo was a kitsune and had been his one and only friend since the two were pups. The kitsune entered only a moment later. "Yes Milord?" Taiyo asked. He was tall, almost the same height as Sesshomaru. His fur was orange except his paws and tips of his three tails. He had long hair he kept tied back in a high warrior's topknot. He wore a dark blue fighting haori and hakama, with armor similar to Sesshomaru's. The yellow ribbon in his hair and yellow obi signaled his status. His eyes were a deep blue.
"Taiyo, watch over the shiro, this one will return before dinner. Make sure your sister stays with the miko," Sesshomaru commanded while standing to walk to his balcony. "Everything alright?" Taiyo questioned. "This One needs to speak with someone," Sesshomaru said then leapt out the doors and into the air to fly towards the demon he hoped to get answers from.
Sesshomaru touched down on soft grass in the middle of a dense forest. A small clearing held the largest tree. Sesshomaru walked forward and stood in front of the tree and waited. A breeze lifted his hair as branches, twigs, and roots moved before him. An elderly face made of wood appeared in the bark. "Ah, Lord Sesshomaru, to what do I owe the pleasure?" came a raspy old voice. "Bokuseno," the demon lord greeted.
Bokuseno, a wise old tree demon, was said to have the knowledge of all things. His roots spread far and soaked up everything they touched. For he was connected with all trees and there were many. The tree was an ally to his father. He gave good advice. Sesshomaru hoped the demon tree could help him understand a few things.
"It has been some time since I've seen you last, you have grown well," the old tree stated. "This Sesshomaru comes to inquire about a miko," Sesshomaru said. "Ah yes, the new member to your pack, what would you like to know?" the old tree asked. "What knowledge do you have on the girl?" asked Sesshomaru.
"You know where she comes from? And her true destiny?" the tree inquired. "Hn, she has informed this one of both," Sesshomaru replied. "The young miko is powerful, more so than even you know yet. She is also destined to be with one, a soul mate," the old tree said, looking carefully at him as he spoke. Hearing this made Sesshomaru growl but he did not know why. Bokuseno looked at Sesshomaru for a moment then spoke. "You are growing to care for the girl?" Sesshomaru looked to the sky but did not answer. After a while he said, "This One does not know."
"Pup, I give you this advice, let yourself feel. Listen to what you want instead of what others will say," the wise tree spoke, while his face started to sink back into the tree. "Until the mind is open, you will have a closed heart." Sesshomaru looked at the now presumably normal tree then turned to leave. "Hn," he said aloud. He would open his mind to such a possibility of having a mate, Of having Kagome.
*With Kagome*
It's been two days since Kagome arrived at the castle with Sesshomaru. He's been quite attentive. Kagome felt like this could be a fine home for her to live in. She thought back to the last few days when she first got here. She remembered waking the morning after Sesshomaru's thank you. She was still giddy.
*Flashback*
Kagome awoke with a smile on her face and a knock at her door. "Come in," she called. A fox demoness entered her room then kneeled into a low bow. "Good morning Lady Kagome, my name is Ami and I will be your personal maid. May I help you get ready for the day?" the kitsune demoness asked politely. "You may, but please call me Kagome. I would like for us to be friends," Kagome replied, sitting up in her bed. The woman smiled, "I will do that but only in private, it would be disrespectful towards you in public to not say your title and much too personal," the fox demon agreed with a smile.
The two girls became fast friends, they laughed and gossiped while Ami helped prepare the miko for the day. She helped to bathe her, dress her, and fix her hair. Kagome no longer cared that people saw her naked, at least women. Her modesty changed a lot, having to bathe frequently with others like Sango, Shippo, and Rin. She was used to the odd custom that was normal in this time. It was also really nice to be pampered.
Once she was all dressed up and in a beautiful light pink double layer kimono with sakura blossoms and her signature golden leaves stitched in, she followed Ami down to breakfast. Kagome got a double door entrance, complete with the announcement of her arrival.
"Mama!" Rin yelled, running to give the miko a hug. Picking her up, Kagome greeted her with a kiss on the head, "Good morning my sweet girl, did you sleep well?" The child smiled, "Rin slept well." Sitting her down to the right of Sesshomaru in her spot, Kagome looked to him inquiring where she should sit. "Your seat is to the left of this Sesshomaru signaling your status in our pack," He informed, his hand pointing to the cushion next to him and across from Rin.
After a wonderful meal, Kagome played with her daughter most of the day in the garden while Sesshomaru came to watch every now and then. This is how their last few days went until the night of the third day.
*End Flashback*
She was called to Sesshomaru's study that evening, she was curious as to what he wanted. Arriving at his door after being escorted there by Ami, she lifted her hand to knock but before she could she heard him call out, "Enter." Walking through the door and sliding it shut, Kagome approached his desk and bowed. "Good evening Lord Sesshomaru, what can I do for you?"
"Is your stay here acceptable?" the Lord asked. "Oh yes, you have a beautiful home," Kagome said with a smile. "Is your maid acceptable?" he asked. "Ami is wonderful, thank you. She is very kind," Kagome replied. "Hn, we will leave to travel again the day after tomorrow. You will make sure you are ready to depart by then," he commanded. "Okay," Kagome replied with a bit of attitude at being ordered. "You will also make sure Rin is ready," he ordered. "Hey! Stop ordering me around. I'm not some servant you can command, you know!" Kagome yelled. She watched as Sesshomaru stood from his cushion. "You will do well to hold your tongue, this Sesshomaru is your alpha and Lord of this castle and you will do as this one sees fit," Sesshomaru said with authority in his voice. "I don't care who you are, you can't order me around like that! I won't stand for- '' Kagome yelled back but was cut off by a hand against her throat and her back pressed against the wall.
"This Sesshomaru will make you," he said huskily. Letting his hand loosen from her neck then trail down to her collarbone. His other hand curled in her hair. Kagome felt a heat grow in her stomach and an ache form between her legs. Sesshomaru moved his mouth along her jaw then grazed them over her parted lips. She breathed in his scent and breath. Then just like that he was gone.
Her breath came out in a rush. Her heart rate was pulsing in her ears. "Oh Kami," Kagome sighed. A knock behind her made her jump. She turned and left the study into the hall where Ami was waiting. "Kagome, are you alright?" Ami asked. Kagome looked at her friend for a moment, feeling the blood rush to her face. She was sure her scent was easily notable for the keen smell of a demon. She felt frozen. She couldn't think of anything but what had just happened. She felt her friend guide her to her room and set her at a small table she had added near the fire. What felt like a few moments later, she felt a cup of tea placed in her hand. The warmth made her aware she hadn't said anything yet. "I'm sorry Ami, I just.." Kagome started confusedly. "What happened?" asked the kitsune.
Kagome explained to her friend what happened and watched a smile form on her face. "I knew it. He likes you!" Ami said excitedly. "No, I'm sure it was just an in the moment type thing or maybe his beast was angry or something," Kagome said shyly. "Kagome, I've known Sesshomaru for a long time, he and my twin brother are best friends. He has never acted this way with another woman. He likes you, trust me," she explained with a huge grin. "How do you know? Maybe he just wants sex or something," Kagome said with the blush returning to her cheeks. "Kagome, it is not a demon custom to allow a female into your pack as female alpha unless that female is accepted by the alphas beast as a potential mate. Also, Sesshomaru has taken women before but he does not act differently to them, he is actually rather harsh," her friend explained. "TRUST ME, he likes you."
Kagome got up and told her friend she wanted to take a walk through the garden to think. 'Could he really like me? Me?' Kagome thought. 'Do I like Sesshomaru?' she didn't have to think long on that. She did. She knew she did right away. Sitting under a Sakura tree by a koi pond, she thought hard about how she felt. It kind of hit her all at once. 'I think I'm falling in love with him,' she thought with a smile.
Kagome awoke on the last day of being at the castle with a skip in her step. She was happy at her revelation. After breakfast that day she wandered the castle. She wanted to see more of Sesshomaru's home. Ami was packing some food and other supplies they would need when they left tomorrow so Kagome was alone.
She had been walking for hours when she realized she was lost. Taking another corner Kagome found herself out in a courtyard she hadn't seen before. It was small and right next to a lookout tower. A male guard that looked to be like some sort of snake demon was just coming from the door at the bottom of the tower. Kagome walked toward him hoping to ask him for directions. "Excuse me, but I was hoping you could-" Kagome asked but was interrupted when the demon was all of a sudden in her face.
"My my, what do we have here? It's Sesshomaru's whore," he hissed, with an inappropriate grin on his face as he looked her up and down. Warning bells started to go off in Kagome's head. She wanted to leave, she would figure out how to get back herself. "You know what? Nevermind," Kagome said. She was also kinda peeved at being called a whore. When she turned to go, she was spun around so that the snake demon was between her and the exit.
"You're not going anywhere. How about you be my whore for a while?" he demanded, while walking towards her. Kagome froze. In that moment she forgot all about her powers, how to scream, or even the use of her legs. She stared horrified. He was almost to her when she got a little fire back in her eyes. "Stay away from me!" Kagome yelled, praying to the Kami's that someone would come to her rescue.
A resounding slap like a brick of ice connecting with her face, Kagome was thrown to the ground with the force. He hit her! He actually hit her! She tasted her blood and knew she had a busted lip. The snake advanced on her and before she could scream she was yanked to her feet by his vice-like grip on her throat. It was nothing like Sesshomaru's. His grip was playful and didn't hurt. "We're going to have some fun," he sneered and grabbed her breast harshly. "With the last of her breath Kagome screamed for the only person she wanted at that moment. "SESSHOMARU!" she choked out, as her vision started to get blurry.
*With Sesshomaru*
Sesshomaru was looking for the miko. She wasn't with her maid. Ami had come to him because she couldn't find the miko. The demon Lord was about to release his aura to search for hers when her aura reached out to him. It was terrified, he took off in the direction he felt it come from when he smelled her blood. He started to run faster. He could smell another demon's arousal with her. He was almost to the southern courtyard that held a watch tower when he heard her scream his name. His eyes turned red on the edges.
Breaking through the door that was in his way, he rushed to Kagome's side. He pulled the snake's hand away from her neck by injecting poison into his skin then driving his elbow heavily into his stomach. He could hear ribs crack as he caught the miko and stepped away from the disgusting filth.
He bent to set the little miko down so he could take care of the snake. She clenched his haori tighter when he leaned down and he could smell her tears. Standing with her to his full height he let a soothing purr vibrate through his chest to calm her. "Taiyo!" He barked loud enough for his general to hear. A moment later his friend appeared, following closely behind him was Ami. They both took in the scene then growled. "Taiyo, take care of this filth, I do not wish to see him again and do not make it quick," Sesshomaru ordered. "Yes milord," Taiyo replied, grabbing the hair of the now unconscious demon and dragging him away. "Ami, prepare my room then get Rin ready for bed and see to it she gets to sleep," Sesshomaru said, "I am not to be disturbed for the remainder of the night." The kitsune nodded and ran to carry out her deeds.
Sesshomaru walked back to his room with the little miko, keeping the rumble in his chest constant. When he arrived he tried to pry her hands away so he could lay her down in his bed but knew it was a lost cause when she whimpered. Instead he stood, slipped off his boots, and sat in the middle of his bed with her in his lap. He was thankful he was not wearing his armor, when she snuggled closer to him.
His Moko-moko circled around her in comfort. He held her for some time allowing her to calm. A few hours later she was asleep. He leaned down and licked away at the salty trails from her tears. This is when he saw the purple mark on her cheek and dried blood on her lip. "She was attacked in our home! This will not happen again! We will call a meeting of the staff and make sure they know she is off limits!" his beast growled. Sesshomaru didn't argue as he licked the blood from her lip and watched the small cut heal. He then licked her cheek where the bruise was still forming until it was gone along with the swelling. The small woman in his arms smiled and nuzzled into him, falling into a deeper sleep.
Sesshomaru did not leave her side for the entire night. He held her and watched over her. He made sure to continue the soothing rumble. He vowed at that moment that he would not let any harm come to her from a member of his shiro again.
Some time in the middle of the night the little miko began to whimper from a nightmare. He pulled her closer and made his purr louder. She immediately calmed and resumed sleeping. "Watashi wa anata o mamoreru, Kagome," Sesshomaru said with a small smile.
~End Chapter 12~
All I can say is 3
Taiyo-Meaning:Sun (Tie-Yo)
Ami-Meaning friend (Ah-Me)
Haori-Traditional Japanese garment, T shaped shirt.
Hakama-Traditional Japanese garment, trousers that are tied at the waist
Obi-Sash to hold haori closed
Kitsune-Fox
Shiro-Fortress, castle
Watashi wa anata o mamoreru-I will protect you
Ja ne, Peach