A/N: Hopefully this is a good setup for what's to come. For those worried about Kagome "falling in love" with her rapist, that's not really going to happen. Sesshomaru will have some major character changes, and that's not going to necessarily happen on a fast note. As I said before, get ready for a long haul people. A long, terrible, unmerciful haul. Also, I have taken off anonymous reviewing.
Kagome was not aware of how long she had been asleep, but obviously she had slept hard or long enough to cause her body to be sluggish and lethargic. The door had been opened and footsteps had echoed towards her body.
She felt her body stiffen and she prepared to flare her aura.
"Take another step and I will purify you."
The footsteps stopped.
"You will purify this Sesshomaru?"
She shot up in the bed, her eyes glaring at him.
"Does it come with your throne?" She asked in mockery.
"Hn."
Sesshomaru made his way to the futon, but when he reached her side she shot her leg out beneath the blankets.
"I said do not take another step, Sesshomaru."
He snatched her leg that she had covered the bed with and pulled her to him. She screamed and attempted to pull away.
"This Sesshomaru has warned you of your insolence, girl."
He brought her out of the blankets and to the edge of the bed. Hurriedly, he began to disrobe him and herself.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Kagome screamed.
She banged her fists against his chest as he forced open her legs. She screamed, she cried. Why did this keep happening? Why didn't he understand? Why couldn't he feel her pain? Again she scratched at his chest, tears brimming down her face.
"Stop it!"
All at once she felt herself release. Pink glow erupted from her chest and ran up the length of her arms, smashing into Sesshomaru's chest.
Sesshomaru himself did not realize what exactly was happening until it was entirely too late. Her purifying aura jammed itself into his chest and he realized in that brief moment that this would be his end; on top of a woman no less. His father would be so proud he thought as he closed his eyes in disgust. Losing his wife over a human. He was just like his father.
Kagome's eyes were wide as saucers when it happened. She had never felt so free and in control in any time before when she used her powers. She watched in slow motion as the aura snaked its way up her arms and slammed into Sesshomaru's chest, almost like two coiled snakes. She felt the cool, calming feeling fall over her and she lost her breath as the demon fell on top of her, punching her chest on his way down.
She laid under him, for a few moments, before she pulled away in terror.
He was still breathing!
She scrambled to get away. She should have known she did not have the power to do this, the power to end him. She rushed to the door, pulling her robes around her in a fuss.
"Hinai! Esai!" She called to her maidens, hoping they would think their Lord was merely asleep.
The doors barreled open and the two demonesses rushed in, concern clouding their face.
"My Lady?" Esai asked, grabbing the young miko.
Before Kagome could even begin to get words out Hinai was already upon Sesshomaru.
"My Lord!"
Hinai pushed him to his back, expecting to see some sort of wound, but was equally terrified to find a smile on his face and him holding back a stifling laugh.
Her Master did not jest, and she was not sure what was happening.
"My Lord?" Hinai asked as she wrapped the robes around his waist. "Our Lady called for us. We did not mean this intrusion."
Both Esai and Hinai dropped to their knees and prostrated before Lord Sesshomaru. Again, he laughed.
"The woman seems to have caused herself undo distress. This Sesshomaru believes she thinks she almost killed her Lord."
Kagome heard audible gasps from both the handmaidens. This would turn them. They would never trust her or even befriend her again as they had before.
"The miko is still adjusting to her roles and her own, very deadly, powers. It seems over excitement might be a trigger."
Sesshomaru walked across the room and grabbed Kagome by the wrist, dragging her back to the futon.
"This Sesshomaru will call for a miko who is familiar with this sort of, power struggle. You are to rest, Lady Kagome."
Sesshomaru left her and the two handmaidens. The smile he had adorned earlier was gone almost as soon as he had left the room. The miko had no doubt attempted to kill him, and he had completely been open to it. There was no time for any movement. He should have been dead.
He opened his study and called for his general.
"My Lord." A tall demon came in, bowing low.
"Edimon, this Sesshomaru has a task for you."
"Only say the word, my Lord, and it shall be done."
"This Sesshomaru requires a miko who specializes in controlling wild abilities. Someone who trains rogue miko's."
"Dark miko's, my Lord?" Edimon asked, his eye raised in question.
Miko's were a dangerous weapon, many of whom he himself would rather stay far from. A miko nearly ended him in his youth. His face sported a long series of deep scratches that spanned from his cheek to his temple from where the miko grabbed him as he attempted to flee; her purifying magic almost reaching a deadly point.
"Hn. You have 12 hours."
He bowed low, leaving Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru sat there for a moment before he pulled his robes apart, looking at his chest. He expected to see damage of some sort, but the only thing he saw, and even now it was fading, was two small handprints. Almost as if the miko had somehow latched onto him.
He frowned then. He was so caught off guard by the sudden attack that surely he must have been killed, but yet, he knew he was not. When the purifying aura hit him he felt a short pain, almost like a needle being pressed and pulled away, followed by a cooling sensation that pulsed through him. He fell on her in shock, more than anything, and stayed there. He was certain he was going to die.
Kagome woke in the morning to Esai and Hinai waking her. She was well rested, but hungry. Esai came with rice, vegetables and some sort of bird.
If the two were angry with her in any form, they did not show any signs of aggression. They both greeted her warmly and assisted her with dressing.
"My Lady, Lord Sesshomaru has requested you prepare for training. He has reserved training for you inside the garden dojo."
She nodded solemnly. She forgot she was still required to fight Hitak. Would she even be able to win? Her powers did not seem to work at all last night. Since the mating with Sesshomaru could her powers have fizzled out? Could she have lost her abilities once she became "impure" by Sesshomaru?
It made little sense. Perhaps she could test it slightly. She was able to call forth the powers, but could she control them enough to just a cause a tingle, or would they run rampant? Could she even ask one of the girls?
"I have a favor to ask of one of you." She stated, her eyes downcast. She did not want to ask this, especially considering she was wary of their concern regarding her.
"Of course, my Lady. What can we do?" Esai spoke up, rushing towards her.
"You may say no—"
"I would never."
"No, you don't understand. This could be a very deadly favor."
Esai's face paled for a moment. "I cannot fight for you, my Lady."
Kagome shook her head quickly. "No, no. I would never have someone fight in my steed. What I need to make sure is that I am able to purify. I fear the abilities may have been lost."
Esai's face remained pale, but she nodded. "If my Lady requires a target, I shall lay my life on the line."
"I promise, I will not kill you. Or at least, try not to."
Kagome stood, and gulped. She needed to test this, and she didn't know who else to ask. She was confident she could do this gently enough that it would only singe her at most, but what if it went all wrong? Could she live with herself?
"Esai, leave this room." Hinai stood up and walked over to Esai, pushing her.
"I will take responsibility for this. I am stronger than you Esai, and if anything were to happen, better it be a servant than the daughter of a great Lord."
Esai nodded, quickly excusing herself.
"My Lady."
Hinai opened her sleeve, exposing her arm to Kagome.
"Hinai, I promise I will only-"
"Save your words, my Lady. I am confident you will cause no harm to befall me."
Kagome tentatively pressed her hand to Hinai's exposed flesh. She closed her eyes and pulled forth the power. She imagined it slow, like a light mist one might expect from a garden hose. She felt it curl from her chest out of her arm and expand into her digits before she felt Hinai pull away.
"My Lady, I apologize."
Kagome opened her eyes to see Hinai was holding the smoking arm to her chest, Kagome's handprint visibly burned into the flesh.
"Hinai, no! I'm so sorry!"
Kagome rushed to her, attempting to embrace. The demoness, however, pulled away.
"Nah, my Lady. Your servant is not injured gravely. This is merely a flesh wound, one that will heal quickly."
Hinai patted the young girl on the shoulder before turning towards the door.
"Come in, child. I am well."
Esai had been standing with her head poking in the door.
"Yes, Hinai."
She had observed the raw power from Lady Kagome and was in awe. The power was like an untapped well, deep and full. Even this drop of power was intense.
Esai dropped in front of Kagome, prostrating herself. "My Lady! Please, allow me to remain your handmaiden beyond the days to come. Allow myself to serve you until the end of my days! This servant gives herself to you fully!"
Kagome was taken aback. She wasn't sure what to do. She looked at Hinai, whose arm was placed behind her. She nodded and smiled.
"Of… of course. However, on one condition will I accept you."
"Anything my Lady!"
"There will come a day, when regardless of how you feel, you will be removed from my service and you will be a free woman. Free to pursue your dreams, and free to pursue your life. When that day comes, I will no longer have you in my service."
"But my Lady!"
"No. I will take nothing less. Your life is not meant to be spent inside the walls of a castle, waiting on a woman hand and foot. You will honor me by doing as I request."
Esai was confused. A life as a handmaiden to a great Lady was a life of honor, but now she had to expect that one day she would be removed from service, yet that too is an honor?"
"My Lady, you confuse this young handmaiden with your requests. Yet, if it is your will, then so it shall be done gladly."
Kagome was led to the garden by both Esai and Hinai. They passed through many gates, but it appeared that this garden was centrally located in the castle walls. Rows of cherry blossoms lined the garden, and many bushes and a man-made river snaked it way through.
"This is beautiful." Kagome found herself saying as she reached out to touch a flower.
"My Lord's sire had it commissioned for the first Lady of the West."
"Lord Sesshomaru's mother?"
"Yes. She was swollen with pup when it was completed."
Kagome nodded. It was hard to imagine a small Sesshomaru. Not that she wanted too though. With all that she was going through, any positive image of a Sesshomaru she wanted to keep far from her thoughts. She feared that any positive aspects of him could combine with the unholy powers of the damned mating mark could turn her into a classic Stockholm syndrome victim.
The longer she could maintain her ability to fight back, the better.
Sesshomaru greeted them as they entered the dojo.
"Miko."
She nodded back.
Sesshomaru was prepared to send them on their way when he caught a glimpse of the handprint on Hinai's arm.
"You attacked your handmaiden?"
"No! I mean, yes, but it… it…"
"My Lady was unsure if she retained her previous abilities, my Lord."
Sesshomaru looked past Kagome to Hinai.
"You offered yourself as target practice? Hinai, you are this Sesshomaru's prized servant, do not put yourself in harm's way again."
"Yes, my Lord."
The two women left, leaving Sesshomaru and Kagome.
"Miko, you are to face Hitak in two days. This Sesshomaru expects you to win. In order to assist you, this Sesshomaru has summoned a miko to assist with your abilities."
"Kaede attempted to train me before."
"This Sesshomaru has recruited a specific type of miko to train you. She is skilled in training miko's whose powers are… unrestrained."
Kagome began to speak again, but was stopped by the door sliding open. An older woman stepped in, wearing a dark toned miko robe, but more similar to Miroku's monk robes. Her face showed signs of early aging, creases dotting her forehead and crow's feet pecking at her eyes, and her hair black, with wispy strings of white and gray strained about.
She bowed to Sesshomaru and to Kagome, "I am Kye, and I am tentatively at your service."