Kagome soaked in the warm water, her thoughts overwhelming. The night's events were replaying in her mind. She had let her inhibitions run away with her. Sesshomaru's words were coming back to her.
"You will be forever marked as mine."
All she could think about was Sesshomaru. He had ignited something within her that she hadn't known existed, and she didn't know what to do. Did she really want to be his mate? She figured she didn't exactly have a choice. He had rescued her. She had no idea where she would be if it hadn't been for him. She didn't even know if she'd be alive. Did she love him? The water began to turn cold, and her thoughts rang clearer. She stood straight up in the bathtub, her epiphany washing over her like the water dripping from her body. She stepped out of the tub, reaching for a towel. When she had sufficiently dried herself, she left the bathroom, allowing the servants to help her dress into a pale blue kimono. Her hair put up, she built up the courage to say what she so desperately needed to.
She ran down the corridors, somehow knowing exactly where she was going. She bolted into Sesshomaru's office, filled with adrenaline, only to find it empty. Her confidence wavered, deflated by his absence. She didn't know where to find him. He wasn't in his room or his study. She ran into the servants quarter's and asked if they had seen him. They, of course, said no.
Resigned, Kagome decided to get some fresh air. She ventured outside, looking for a good place to sit and contemplate her thoughts. She found an older looking stone table, with two seats, ornately decorated. She sat, the wind gently blowing against her cheek. She continued to dwell on all the events that have transpired. Her decision was still the same. She frowns, disgruntled by her inability to find him.
After what seems like eternity, Kagome finally decided to go back inside, the sun having finally set over the beautiful garden. She begins to walk inside, feeling slightly disappointed. She had an entire speech rehearsed in her mind. As she reached the doors, she realized that she hadn't told anyone where she had been.
She walked inside and was ambushed by three servants. "Lord Sesshomaru would like to see you now." That was all they said before rushing her up the stairs and into Sesshomaru's study. They quickly deposited her into a red chair and left, closing the door behind them. She looked around in the soft candlelight. Seeing no one, she relaxed. She was going to have to talk to Sesshomaru now. She was faltering on her stance. She had been so determined, but now she wasn't so sure now. Had she made the right decision?
Sesshomaru walked into the study, the atmosphere of the room shifted. Kagome began to feel uneasy. She didn't know if she should just launch into her speech before she loses her willpower. She reran the entire speech through her mind, what she would say, how he would react, and how everything would play out. She tried to summon up more willpower, desperate to be able to tell him what's been weighing on her.
Sesshomaru sat, unnervingly quiet, as Kagome slowly started to become more and more nervous. "Do you have anything you'd like to say, Kagome?"