Chapter 6

My brows pushed together when I saw my aunt glaring out the kitchen window. She had been motionless for a few minutes.

"Uh… what are you doing?" I asked as I leaned against a wall.

"There's a car at the end of the yard and it's been there for a long time," she explained to me, not moving her eyes away, "I'm starting to get suspicious."

"Yeah, I can tell…"

Shaking my head, I looked out the front door to see the 'suspicious' car. My jaw tightened at the sight of it.

"What the hell is he doing?" I murmured.

Slipping on my shoes, I peered back into the kitchen.

"It's my uncle on my mom's side," I lied dully, "He recently started trying to get a hold of me and he wanted to get together."

"An uncle on your mom's side?" my aunt questioned, raising a brow, "Your mom's hair was never a colour like that."

'Why do you have to be suspicious about everything?' I thought with some frustration.

"He likes to dye his hair that colour," I told her with a shrug, "He's always been the odd relative in the family."

I laughed before making my way to the door.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about it sooner. It just happened so suddenly that I forgot."

"Just be careful, okay?"

"…Always."

Going outside, I made my way toward the car; a glare clear and in his direction. I had to come up with something that she wouldn't have found too suspicious. It wasn't unnatural for relatives to try to get back in touch. It was usually cousins that made contact though… not uncles…

"What are you doing here?" I asked him as I got into the car.

"I had a day off," he explained, "We made arrangements to see each other tonight."

I tried to remember when such a thing had come up in conversation. We hadn't had a lot of time together in the past couple weeks. Midterms were coming.

It had been some time since I had been to his house. Neither of us had had the time to spend with one another.

"You don't remember, do you?" he questioned as he started to drive.

I scowled at the accusation. I didn't remember at all.

"How are you going to pass math?" he continued tonelessly.

"I was hoping that someone would help me," I growled, shooting him another cold glare, "but I guess I'll just have to help myself."

"Don't be foolish."

Shaking my head, I turned my eyes out the window. Sometimes I just couldn't take his attitude.

I couldn't get into the habit of calling him Sesshoumaru. At school he would always have to be Mr. Taisho. When I asked him a question in class he gave me a look like I was doing something wrong. The times I got to be alone with him for a short time, I would accidentally call him Mr. Taisho. He would make a face and demand I say his name. It was hard to act as though nothing had changed.

Class was the worst place to be with him. He still called on me for putting my head down. I had hoped that he would have been nice for a while; giving me a small break. Seeing as he didn't, it wasn't hard to see him as the grumpy teacher he always had been.

"I will make sure that you understand what I'm giving you."

"I'll just get Shin to help me," I suggested, smirking a little.

I watched as he face hardened a little. He believed that Shin still had an interest in me. I wanted to bring it up to see if he would have gotten jealous. It was amusing to see.

"Why must you say such things?" he asked me, his brows pushing together.

"I wanted to see how you would react," I mused, watching him with my green orbs, "I didn't know teachers could get jealous of their students."

He didn't reply as we got closer to his house. It made me wonder if I had said something that had bothered him.

When we reached his house and were walking toward the door, I followed behind him with some concern.

'I hope I didn't offend him…'

"…Sesshoumaru?" I called quietly, trying to get his attention.

I honestly felt guilty. If I had done something wrong… then I didn't know how to apologize for it.

"… Are you mad… at me?"

As he turned around to look at me, his hard eyes suddenly became softer. He made a defeated face before walking back to me.

"Don't make that face," he murmured, pulling me against him, "You shouldn't have to be upset."

"I'm not upset," I protested, my brows knitting together, "I don't want you to be angry with me."

He let out a small sigh before he lifted me into his arms, "I just wish for you to stop seeing me as a teacher, and more as a man."

I tried kicking me feet – one on each side of his waist – to try to get down. I wasn't comfortable with the fact that his hand was on my butt.

"I see you more when you're a teacher than when you're a man," I told him, looking to the side.

He paused for a moment before nodding his head. I was sure that he knew we couldn't just see each other as we pleased. It would complicate things more than they already were.

"How do you propose we fix that?" he wondered, raising a brow.

"I don't know…"

He carried me into the house before dropping me onto his bed. My heart skipped a beat as he stared down at me.

"What do you see right now?" he questioned, leaning down to me, "Kuae."

"Sesshoumaru," I murmured, not being able to look away from him.

"That's my girl," he whispered before his lips took mine.

My face heated up as his lips slowly moved down my neck; steadily going lower. His touch sent shivers through me that made my spine tingle. I could feel it all the way through me. His breath was warm and he was calming; his form bringing comfort.

"…Kuae?"

"…Yeah?"

"May I touch you?" he wondered quietly.

My face went a deep red at his question. Did he mean… sexually?

"My apologies," he murmured into my shoulder, "I don't want to rush you."

My brows furrowed with some confusion. I could feel that I wanted him to touch me… but I wanted to touch him too.

'Am I even ready for something like that?' I wondered, trying to sort my feelings.

Taking a hold of his hand, I turned me head to the side as I put it on my chest. With my actions, he raised his head in confusion.

"…Kuae?"

"I'll let you touch me… if I get to touch you too…"

His lips captured mine before he placed a light kiss on my forehead.

"It can wait."

Smiling down gently to me, he pulled me into an embrace.

"I will not do anything that might push you away," he murmured, pulling me tighter.

"But I-"

"I can see it on your face," he explained, cutting me off, "You're not sure."

I sighed in defeat, knowing that it couldn't be an impulsive decision.

"I'm sorry."

"None sense."


He frowned at himself as he watched her eat dinner. He couldn't get earlier off his mind. What had he been thinking when he put her on that bed? If he pleased her she would see him as a man? He knew full well that wasn't how it worked. He had acted selfishly, and he instantly regretted it.

His mind was plagued with things that he shouldn't have worried about. Rin had paid him another visit recently. She tried to seduce him and convince him that she had changed. He could see that she hadn't; that she was indulging herself. She swore that he would regret not taking her back. He hadn't seen much of her since.

The letter he had received a few weeks ago troubled him. If he didn't respond then someone would be sent to his estate. They would try to push him with a woman he had no interest in. He had the only one he wanted and didn't want to lose her. He wouldn't let them push her away from him.

That had probably been when he had become possessive… when he wanted to please her so badly. The thought seemed so foolish now. If he had made his own then they couldn't take her away from him… so selfish…

"Sesshoumaru," her voice brought him out of thought, "Are you listening?"

"My apologies, I wasn't," he admitted.

"I was thinking that we could go camping next weekend," she suggested, a smile on her face, "My aunt thinks you're my uncle so she wouldn't object too much."

He considered the idea before looking into her green orbs. There was so much more in there than she let on.

"Why not convince her it's a school trip?" he questioned, raising a brow.

He watched her become confused with his idea.

"…How?"

"I give you a permission form, she signs it, and we go away for the weekend."

She nodded her head in agreement to the idea. If it was a school trip then her aunt wouldn't have many questions. It would end most of the complications.

"I look forward to it."


I sighed at all the homework I had gotten. I hated midterms and exams all together. Everyone always went haywire with studying and completing all their assignments. Sana's mom made sure that Sana was locked up in her room until they were over. She wasn't even allowed to baby sit.

"This sucks," I sighed again.

I was getting tired of walking home alone after school. Sana's mom was sure to pick her up every day.

Sesshoumaru had been busy helping students with homework and grading recent assignments. We hadn't talked much since the other day. There had been something on his mind recently. Each time I asked, he always said that it was nothing to worry about. That didn't stop me from worrying about it or my mind from wandering. I could only hope that it wasn't something I had done.

As I walked, I could hear a group of footsteps getting closer on the sidewalk.

'Great… here comes the Sesshy fan-club brigade…' I thought sarcastically.

There had been times where a member would confront me about my relationship with Mr. Taisho. They didn't want anyone getting closer to him than they could. In reality, it was really pathetic. Everyone could see it but them.

"Where you headed Abukara?" a girl asked me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

My brows furrowed at hoe tight her hand was. It wasn't a friendly gesture.

"Just headed downtown," I lied; trying to shrug out of her hold, "Nowhere you're welcome to join."

"What did you just say?" the girl growled, turning me around.

"I'm not in the mood for you today," I stated dully, glaring back at her, "I had better things to do."

As my eyes wandered over the group of girls, I could tell that none of them were friendly. Each one had a glare or a hard-ass expression on their face.

'Even better… the member with her own street gang…' I thought with an inward sigh.

I didn't need this right now.

Two girls took hold of my wrists and started to pull me along. I followed, figuring it would go over better if I went along willingly.

"Consider your plans cancelled."


He shook his head as he had gotten into his car. It seemed like so many girls had questions about their homework. There had been the odd boy but the females glared them out. It was tiring to watch it happen. He was just glad to be on his way to rest.

The day had been long; the classes seeming longer than usual. Even when he had been teaching her, the class had dragged. It had been a boring piece of history. He could only hope that the next day would be shorter and more pleasant.

By the time he made it to his estate, the sun had started to set. He pulled his papers out of the car to bring them into the house. When he reached his front step, he nearly froze in place. His golden orbs widened at the sight of blood; at the tainted scent of flowers.

"… Kuae?" he questioned, dropping his things to go to her.

He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Her school uniform was torn; her hair matted with dry blood. She had a black eye and he assumed bruises in other places. In her condition, he wasn't even sure if he should touch her. It was as if his touch would break her in this state.

"Kuae, are you awake?" he asked her, trying to move her hair out of her eyes.

She was breathing slowly; her eyes closed.

"Ku!" he called her urgently.

"Go away…" she said quietly, opening her undamaged eye.

"Don't be foolish," he ordered, gently sliding his arms under her.

He couldn't just leave her lying on the porch.


I gasped violently when his arm put pressure onto my ribs. My body was shaking uncontrollably. I couldn't keep myself as calm as I wanted to be. I tried to convince myself that it was nothing new… that I would get over it easily.

'Damn it… why did I come here, of all places? I should have gone to Sana…' I thought tiredly, trying to steady myself.

"Would you like to take a bath?" he questioned, his tone concerned as he stopped in the hallway.

I winced as I tried to nod my head.

It was going to be painful… more painful than my wounds already were. It would be better than smelling like blood.

"Would you like me to help you?"

Nodding my head, he put me down gently on the toilet seat. I watched him as he filled the tub for me and grabbed a few towels. Then he pulled out a first aid kit.

"I don't figure that you would want to see a doctor," he said lowly, his tone disapproving as he put it beside the tub.

I didn't respond; I merely watched him as best I could.

He helped me to my feet and let me hold onto the counter to stay standing. My legs were shaking violently, making the situation hard.

"I won't look," he assured me, undoing the buttons on my school top.

His eyes were locked with mine as he helped me get undressed. I wouldn't have wanted to look either. I knew that my back and ribs would be dark blue. I could feel the cuts all over. My head pounded with each heartbeat.

I couldn't stop myself from gritting my teeth when I got into the warm bathtub. The water touched against my wounds, making them burn against me. I felt like a kid as he poured water over my head. I didn't feel connected to my body when my mind started to drift. I tried to remember what had happened… how I had even made it to his house at all. I had been nowhere near it. My brows pushed together as nothing came to mind.

I jumped when I felt Sesshoumaru touch my shoulder regretting it instantly. Pain coursed through my back.

"I'm sorry Kuae," he apologized gently, "but you need to get washed off."

I looked at him, only to see that his eyes were still on mine.

"I know you've been beaten," he nearly murmured, "but you don't have to look so broken."

My brows furrowed with his words. I must have looked really pathetic right now.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking down at the crimson coloured water.

By the time I was clean and my wounds had been treated, it was nearly midnight. He had helped me to his bedroom and covered me with the sheets. The whole time he hadn't asked any questions. He didn't demand to know what had happened. The only thing he asked me was how he could help me. The whole idea of it made me confused.

"Are you alright in here?" he questioned, kneeling beside the bed.

"Why aren't you asking me what happened?" I asked him as sturdy as I could; which was quite weak.

"I don't think you're in a state to be answering questioned," he told me before getting to his feet, "I'll call your aunt to let you know where you are."

My heart jumped when I saw him get to his feet to leave. I reached out for him, taking hold of his sleeve.

"Please don't go," I begged, panic filling me, "Please don't leave me alone."

I didn't want to be left alone. I felt vulnerable… weak. I didn't think I would be able to hold it in if he left me alone.

"Please," I begged again, holding on tightly.

Tears fell down my cheeks as I tried to pull him closer.

'Please don't leave me…'

"Kuae," he whispered, his fingers wiping my tears away, "No tears. Everything will be alright."

His hand took hold of mine as he knelt back down. The only thing I could tell was that he was concerned. Other than that there wasn't much expression. Maybe he knew that I was scared…

"Can you call Sana?" I asked, my brows pushing together.

She would lie for me.

"Why Hanaki?" he wondered with a raised brow.

"My aunt will believe her if she says I'm at her house," I told him, leaning my head to the side.

Nodding his head, he went to grab his phone.

My hands grasped tightly to the sheets. It was pathetic… being afraid to be alone… It hadn't happened for a long time now. I hadn't been badly beaten and left there since I had first started living with my aunt .I had been used to it then, getting what I deserved. This time though, I wasn't sure I had deserved it. I didn't think that anyone deserved something like that… not just me…

Even fighting back, I still got my ass handed to me. Girls with poles; some with pieces of wood… It had been the worst thing I had felt, and I had never felt so alone. Closing my eyes, I could see myself getting off the ground and puking. I remembered thinking that I couldn't go home. I forced myself to walk all the way here.

"She's not in the state to be talking," I heard Sesshoumaru explain from down the hallway, "She can barely lift her head…"

I could barely do a lot of things right now, my body too tired to really do anything.

"My apologies for the lateness of the hour, she'll be sure to get a hold of you when she's well."

I felt the bed shift before I felt a warm hand against my cheek.

"I wish I could have been there," he said lowly, his tone solemn.

"It wouldn't have made a difference," I half laughed, wincing, "It was a member of your fan-club."

I shook my head at the memory. It was still pathetic.

"She decided her gang needed to punish me for grabbing your attention," I murmured, not opening my eyes.

My eyelids were too heavy to keep them open.

"That was their reasoning?" he asked me, sounding astounded, "They believe I wish for their attention?"

"They just want you to see them…"


He sighed when he realized that she had fallen asleep. He felt bad because he knew he would have to wake her up again in a few hours. If she had had a concussion then it wasn't safe for her to sleep too long.

"Damn it," he muttered, shaking his head with frustration.

How could teenagers have done this? How could they do it out of jealousy? He couldn't wrap his mind around it. It was insane.

He knew that she would be okay; that she would push through it all. When he had first seen her, he hadn't been that sure. Her eyes had been void of anything. When she looked at him, he didn't know what she had been thinking or if she had even been aware. She had looked so broken…

It hadn't been until he had gotten her into bed that she seemed more alive. She wanted to talk to him then. His brows pushed together at the thought. He wouldn't be able to go to the school tomorrow. He couldn't leave her unattended and alone at his estate. He would have to call and let the school know he needed a substitute.

Getting to his feet, he made his way back to the phone. The school wasn't the only phone call he had to make.

"Hello?" a voice yawned on the other side.

"Jaken, I need you to do something," he stated, his tone solid.

"Of course master Sesshoumaru," Jaken obliged, "What would you like of me?"

Jaken had once been an attendant to his family. The young man had served the Taisho family for many years. Without being employed, he was still loyal.

"I need you to call my mother's relatives and tell them I must decline their offer. I have my own intentions for my future," he explained, glaring at the letter on the counter.

"It will be the first thing I do in the morning master."

Hanging up, he paused for a few moments. He didn't need his relatives interfering with his choices. They would sooner choose a woman like Rin than a young girl like Kuae. He couldn't fathom being sucked back into Rin's selfishness. As a woman she should have known better. Kuae was only a teenager and she knew more about herself than that woman.

He knew what other people would think of the two of them. He knew that they would disagree. He had to admit that he wished Kuae was a little older. Then they could do as they wished when they wanted to. It wouldn't have been so forbidden then.

End of Chapter