Chapter 5

He reached for her hand when they had arrived at his estate. He was offering to help her out of the car, though he knew she wouldn't take it.

"So you live here alone?" she asked, her tone quiet as he eyes wandered.

He nodded his head, "I had been with someone till recently. Now the estate is empty."

He shook his head at the mention of his previous relationship. It had not ended well and he had no intention of taking the woman back.

"I see," she murmured.

Opening the door, he let her go in first. He had never spent much time in his estate; it staying clean most days. It wasn't often that it needed to be cleaned.

"Pretty big for one person…"

"I had considered selling, but my father left it to me when he passed," he explained, placing his bag by the doorway.

"My mom left me a few kimonos," she said lowly, not looking at him, "but they're still at my father's."

He paused as he watched her. He could feel it; her sadness. That was how she dealt with her problems… by turning her sadness into anger and hatred. He could tell that she hated her father.

"You have a nice home Mr. Taisho," she told him, turning around to meet his gaze.

It wouldn't do. He would not have her addressing him in such a way in his own home. They were no longer at the high school.


I raised a brow at the expression on his face. Something had changed in his demeanor.

"No need to be so formal," he told me, walking forward and placing his hand on my chin, "Kuae."

I tried to take a step away from him, but found that my back was to the wall. I could feel my heart skip a beat as he leaned closer to me.

"Then what's your name?" I wondered, looking into his eyes.

I saw a small smile before I felt his lips against mine. It wasn't forceful or hard. It was soft… and gentle… It brought a deep blush to my face.

As he pulled away he put his hand on the side of my face.

"Sesshoumaru," he said lowly, leaning in again.

I turned my head to the side. I couldn't get involved with him, even if I was slowly starting to. I knew that at the end of the night I would have to say no.

'I can't believe that this is happening… Sana would kill me…'

Placing a small kiss on my cheek, he stood up before pulling me into the kitchen.

"What would you like for dinner?" he questioned, leaning against the fridge.

"…Food?" I laughed, shrugging at the question.

"…"

"I'm not picky," I told him, "I'll eat anything that equals food."

Shaking his head he started pulling things from the fridge and putting them on the counter. My eyes followed him as he moved; watching his long silver hair as he went. He left the room for a few minutes before coming back out in different clothes.

A blush formed on my cheeks when I had seen him walk back out in an unbuttoned shirt. I could see lightly defined abs and the shape of his body.

"Do you like what you see?" his voice broke through the room.

My blush deepened at being caught staring.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, turning my eyes away, "I've never really looked at a guy before."

'I beat them up… I don't look at them…' I thought, staring down at the counter.

I had been held down and held back by guys before. I had even been sat on a few times. I had seen their blood; sometimes teeth. Not once had I been intimately close enough to one to look them over. It had never been a concern. His features were catching my eye, and they were starting to make me curious.

I tried to make myself look at other things, like what he was cooking and the room itself. The smell of the food started to draw my attention.

"Do you have any siblings?" I wondered absentmindedly, my eyes staring at the food.

"A half brother," Sesshoumaru stated as he stirred the pot, "We're not close."

I raised a brow at his tone. It was the same tone that I used when I spoke about my father.

"My mother died when I was young," he explained, not looking back at me, "Then my father found a new woman, they had Inuyasha and that became his new family."

I could feel my heart clench at the mention of family. It sounded like he had just about as much family as I did.

A plate of chicken and noodles was placed in front of me with some silverware.

"I only have a little cousin," I told him before taking a mouthful of noodles, "This is amazing."

"He likes you," he stated, eating as well.

"Yeah," I laughed, shaking my head, "A little too much."

It was weird sitting in his house, eating dinner with him. It was civil conversation and it felt kind of strange. I felt out of place and didn't know what to do with myself.

By the time dinner was done, I had been moved to the living room to find something to watch. He didn't have a wide variety to choose from, but I assumed that other movies had belonged to other people. It took me a few minutes to find something familiar and to pull it out.

I jumped when the front door burst open and a woman walked into the front hallway.

"Sesshy!" she called loudly.

I winced at the pitch of her voice, falling over from my crouching position.

"Sesshy?" she wondered, peering into the living room and her eyes fell onto me, "Who are you?"

'Who is this woman? What kind of nickname is Sesshy?' I asked myself, raising a brow at her presence.

"Are you going to answer me little girl or stare at me like an idiot?" the woman asked me, her brows knitted together.

My own brows furrowed as I got to my feet.

"Who are you calling a little girl?" I asked her, watching her intently.

"Sesshoumaru, what's the meaning of this?" the woman called through the house, walking deeper into the house.

"Rin, go home," Sesshoumaru told the woman.

"This is my house too," she protested angrily, pulling him into the living room, "And what is the meaning of this?"

She pointed at me before letting him go.

"You no longer live here Rin," he stated emotionlessly, "I have to ask you to leave."

"You're asking me?" she asked with some surprise, "You demanded yesterday."

I watched him sigh tiredly before pulling the woman outside.

"What are you doing?" she screamed from outside, "You know that one of these times you're going to take me back. That girl can only please you for so long."

I looked at the floor with her words. Was that really true? Was I just a fling for a while? My brows pushed together at the thought.

'Damn it… I knew that one chance was a bad idea…'

A car door slammed before the car left the driveway. My eyes were on the floor when Sesshoumaru came back into the house. His feet were in front of me before I was picked off the ground. Being dropped onto the couch, I was pinned down. My heart was racing from surprise.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked him.

"I'm not going to let her ruin my night with you," he said lowly, placing his lips to my neck.

I tried to squirm out of his hold, but he had both of my hands against the couch with one of his.

"Don't do anything if you don't mean it," I gasped at the feeling of his mouth at my neck.

His free hand went down my side before touching the skin at the base of my shirt. I shuddered under his touch, feeling the heat rising to my face. My heart was pounding at his touch.

"I can't… I can't do this," I murmured, moving my head to the side.

"…Why not?" he questioned, pushing himself up to look at me, "I like you, I can tell that you like me. What is there to stop us?"

"This is wrong… You're my teacher…" I stated, my brows pushing together, "I can't afford to get into anymore trouble either."

"You're only in trouble if you get caught," he said simply, his golden orbs looking at me, "The fact that you're my student makes no difference to me."

'You know you can't do this Kuae… You know that you'll get sent to a place half way across the country…'

I shook my head again, starting to get frustrated with his persistence. My brain was telling me that it was wrong, but it seemed like everything else was telling me that it was right.

"I'm not comfortable enough to let you do anything… like this to me…" I told him, turning my eyes away from him.

I caught his expression change from the corner of my eye before he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Then I will not force you to do such things."

Releasing me, he rose to his feet and took the dropped movie into his hand.

"I am surprised that you know this movie," he stated as he looked at the cover, "Not many seem to."

"My aunt always finds weird things to watch on the television. One time she happened to come across that one. "

"Your aunt seems like a pleasant woman."

I scowled as I watched him put the movie in. The only time he spoke to my aunt had been the time I had gotten detention.

"She got mad at me for that," I said aloud, shooting him a glare.

"… For what?" he questioned raising a brow.

"For you calling my house and telling her I had detention."

He let out a chuckle, "My apologies."


He looked down at her as the movie went on. She had put her head on his lap halfway through the movie and had fallen asleep. The expression on her face brought a small smile to his lips. She looked like she was at peace while she slept. No hatred plagued her mind and there was nothing to interfere with her little world.

His mind began to wander then. He knew that he affected her. He could tell by the blushes on her face when he kissed her. What would happen after this night? What path would she choose to take? She could choose him… or she could deny him. He didn't know what would happen if she said no; what he would do. He didn't know if he could pretend as though none of it had happened at all.

Taking her into his arms, he carried her toward his bedroom. She could take his bed while he took the couch. As he placed her on the mattress, he heard her sigh in her sleep. The sound amused him as he continued to watch her sleep peacefully.

There had been a time when he would do things to please only himself. He had not been concerned about the thoughts of others. If a time such as this one had arisen, then he would have indulged himself. The woman would have been taken and have been gone the next day.

It hadn't been until he graduated school and had been given a job that he had changed. Suddenly other things started to matter and he wanted more than just himself. So he found Rin. She had been a controlling woman that he had tried to please. She had been concerned with herself and her own needs; a stage he had already surpassed. When he had realized that, it led to their current predicament.

Placing a light kiss on Kuae's lips, he covered her with the sheets. Somehow he knew that things would not end as poorly as they had with Rin.


I was confused when I started to wake. I could feel the warmth of covers around me and the comfort of a pillow.

'Did I go home last night?' I asked myself as I rolled onto my back.

The sun was coming in through a window which had caused me to furrow my brows. My bedroom windows were always covered by a curtain.

I was even more confused when I opened my eyes. The room was unfamiliar and the bed was otherwise empty. Getting to my feet, I wandered into the hallway.

'I guess I didn't go home last night… but what about Iichi?' my eyes widened at the realization.

Sana was still with him… still babysitting him…

"Oh no," I groaned, hanging my head shamefully, "Sana's gunna kill me."

'She's going to be furious… I'm going to get hit for sure…'

Wandering into the kitchen, my brows pushed together with some confusion. Everything was completely silent throughout the house. My feet continued on to the living room; my eyes widened at the sight. A blush formed on my cheeks as I couldn't turn my eyes away.

'I wonder if he's doing all this on purpose…' I thought with a slight scowl.

Walking to the door, I started to put my shoes on.

"Where are you going?" his voice questioned through the silence.

I jerked at the sound of his voice. I turned to see him watching me intently.

"I have to go home," I told him, turning back to my shoes, "Sana's going to be mad at me for not coming home."

"Wait a few minutes and I will give you a ride," he stated, getting to his feet.

"It's okay Mr. Taisho," I told him, standing as well, "I can just catch the bus to the station and catch the train."

A hand turned me around before his face wasn't far from mine.

"You will do no such thing," he told me, his expression serious.

I felt a chill go down my spine at his tone; it was intimidating.

"Mr. Taisho-"

"Use my name Kuae," he ordered me, leaning in a little closer, "Or will I take that as your answer?"

My eyes widened a little with his words.

'He's upset because I'm not using his name…'

My brows pushed together as I turned my head away from him. I had been wooed by him, even with my reluctance. With everything that had happened in my life… I knew that I was supposed to say no.

"I don't think it would hurt…" I started quietly, "if we met once in a while…"

His expression seemed to soften a little with my words before his forehead touched against mine.

"Sesshoumaru," I murmured, chancing a glance at him.

His lips captured mine in a light kiss before he turned away. My eyes followed him as he gathered a few things.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I can not take you home dressed like this," he stated, walking down the hallway.

Sitting on the floor, I sighed. I didn't know what to do. Sana would have my head on a platter for what I had just done. If my aunt found out then I was going to be buried alive for my stupidity.

'Damn it I didn't mean to get attached! I mean, I don't even know how I got attached to him… He was always such a jerk to me… Gah!'

There wasn't much that I could do about the situation. The only person that really couldn't find out was my aunt.

I made a face at the idea. I didn't want to have to lie about the whole thing, but I would have to. It would be necessary. I would only see him on a personal level once in a while. It might not turn out the way I thought it would.

I sighed when we were in the car and on the way to my house. Sana would still be there waiting. She would want details.

"Why did you and Rin break up?" I wondered absentmindedly, looking out the window.

I knew that it wasn't a harmless question, but I was still curious.

"Why do you wonder?" he questioned with a raised brow.

"She walked right into your house and called you Sesshy," I half laughed, shaking my head, "It just sounds interesting."

It hadn't been hard to see how different they were from each other. I didn't know that woman and I could tell. It wasn't hard to see that she hadn't liked the fact that I was had been there; that he had seemingly moved on.

"She wanted more than I was willing to offer," he explained, his golden orbs on the road, "We grew distant and I realized I wanted someone more."

"…Someone more?"

"Someone who wasn't concentrated on their wants and needs," he told me, casting a quick glance my way, "A person that doesn't need others to wait on them."

My brows pushed together with his words.

"Why did you start to date her then?" I asked with some confusion.

"A person shows themselves little by little," Sesshoumaru stated, the car turning a corner, "It took time for me to see Rin as who she was."

"Then you wouldn't go back to her?"

The car pulled into the driveway before he turned toward me. Our eyes locked before his fingers touched my chin.

"I would be a fool to give up what I have right now," he said lowly before pulling me into a kiss.

A blush formed on my face before he pulled away and gave me a gentle smile.

"See you at school Kuae."

"Thank you for the ride home," I nearly murmured, turning my eyes away from his, "Sesshoumaru."

Getting out of the car, I walked up the driveway and went into the house.

I jumped when I saw Sana standing by the door; tired bags under her eyes and her arms crossed. Her brows were furrowed as she nearly glared at me.

"I saw that," she stated, her tone upset.

I gave her a nervous smile, "…Saw what?"

"That kiss!" she shouted, pointing at the kitchen window, "You didn't say no did you?"

I sighed and shook my head shamefully. I hadn't been able to say no.

"Why not? I thought he was Lex Luther!" she protested, her arms flailing, "He was your enemy the other day."

"He's not like at school," I tried to explain, "He is, but he's not as much of a dick when no one's around."

I watched Sana make a face before she sighed as well.

"So how are we going to hide this from your aunt?" she asked me.

I raised a brow with her words. She was going to help me?

"I can't rat you out and get you sent off to boarding school," she told me with a small smile, "I may not approve, but I still have to encourage."

I smiled back before leaning back against the door.

"Thanks Sana."


He stared at the opened envelope on the table; his golden orbs narrowed. He had received the letter a few days before, but hadn't been concerned with it. It had come from a relative on his mother's side of the family… a request that he meet with certain women to keep the family alive.

His jaw tightened at the idea of being forced together with women that he didn't enjoy being with. The letter had worse timing. Right when he had gotten things the way he wanted them, it had chose to arrive.

"Why not force Inuyasha to marry," he sighed, shaking his head.

Even if his brother had a different mother, it would have been much simpler for himself.

According to the letter he had a month and a half until he had to choose a woman of their choice. Then he would marry her and they would live together.

The idea of them trying to run his life for him was infuriating. No person could tell him what decisions to make. The one person who had been able to, had long since passed. His family would be kept alive. As far as he was concerned, they were not family.

End of Chapter