CHAPTER 6

She tried to move but couldn't and immediately started to panic, resulting of whatever held her wrapping itself tighter around her. Her first instinct was to start screaming but no sound came from her lips. Dazed she tried to see who was sleeping in the same bed and inhaled the scent of musk she calmed down. It was Sesshoumaru. She relaxed and closed her eyes and then drifted off to sleep again with her head against his chest. When her breath evened out and he knew she was asleep, he opened his eyes and looked down at the fragile yet strong human in his arm. Her cheeks were still wet he noticed and even in her sleep he saw that she was terrified. He also noticed that she wasn't completely relaxed.

Her muscles were tense and he felt how adrenaline was still very much apparent in her body. He had no idea what she had seen, but going from her reaction it was horrible. He had seen the cut appearing on her arm. The blood had almost forced him in fury. He watched how the bruise on her back form with his very own eyes but no one had hit her. He wondered if the scars that were on her body were the result of the these visions. He had no idea why, but he wanted to protect this small annoying creature that was called Faya. He pulled her closer to him and closed his eyes as he too fell asleep.

Faya groaned as she opened her eyes 'You have got to be kidding me..' She muttered as she woke up a few hours later and felt the headache coming on. She groaned, turned around, took a pillow and then groaned because she hit something hard. That something growled back and then cussed loudly. 'No, not in the mood…' She growled back. 'Excuse me, you're the one who hit me… great way of waking someone up… There are other ways, you know…' Faya heard a voice coming back to her dripping with sarcasm. 'Sorry…' she mumbled from underneath the pillow. He was stunned and pulled the pillow from her face. 'Are you sick?' He asked her as she raised an eyebrow. 'I mean, you actually apologized.' Faya looked into his huge yellow eyes and chuckled 'You know how you look at me?' and mimicked his face causing him to smile. 'Yeah, I did…' She then said '… for hitting you, and no I'm not sick.' She pushed herself upward and groaned. 'Welcome to my world…' she muttered and swung her legs out of the bed. 'How long will that headache last?' Sesshoumaru asked as he looked at her as she was trying, and failing at that, to ignore the dizzy spell as soon as she got up. 'Three days prior and two days after a vision…' She bit at him. 'Now I understand the temper…' He mused. She rolled her eyes and slipped into her shoes… 'If you would excuse me, I am going train some more and then take a long bath.' And closed her eyes to stop the world from spinning. Wow, this had been one hell of a vision. She remembered half of it.

'What was the vision about?' Sesshoumaru asked as she was close to the door. Faya held the doorknob and turned around. 'Your death, My lord… then mine, and then the rest of the Household…' she finished like it was everyday talk. She left the room and closed the door behind her and walked downstairs. Three steps down the stairs she walked into Sesshoumaru who looked down at her. 'You're half naked…' she noted as she pursed her lips. 'And how on earth do you that…? Is that years of practice, because really if I had that kind of speed it wouldn't take me half a day to clean the House.' She then said. 'How's the head?' He asked her instead of answering her. 'Killing me…' she nodded and wanted to pass him but he blocked her way. 'Don't train today…' Faya opened her mouth to protest but was cut off by his mouth. 'That is an order…' He whispered against her lips. Faya looked at him and then nodded, passed him and descended the stairs. Halfway down she turned around and cocked her head to the side as she looked at him. 'Is healing one of your many talents?' She asked as she looked at him. 'No, why?' Faya smiled and tapped the side of her head. 'no more headache…' She turned around and walked downstairs. Sesshoumaru gave a lop-side smirk and was gone. The rest of the day went by rather uneventful and dinner come and gone within minutes.

Faya had been in her room the whole day already, going over what she had learned and which cover had to go with which meal. In short, she had to start from the outside and work herself inward. The dancing had been the most difficult part in the whole training. She just wasn't born to dance. She remembered this from her time with her previous Lord. How would he be, right now? Would he miss her as much as she missed him? She stopped and leaned against the windowseal and looked outside. She sighed and closed her eyes as she heard guests arriving and knew it was almost time to make her appearance as the Lady of the Western Fields.

What a joke...

Saffa found a distressed Faya with a brooding face in the bathtub. Saffa bent through her knees and looked at Faya's profile. Deep creases were visible in her face and Saffa shook her head. Saffa knew that Faya didn't like it, that she didn't want this. 'Damn him for doing this to me, damn him for making me do this… damn the hellhound…' She muttered and then looked at her friend. 'Saffa, I don't think I'll be able to pull this off…' She said in a near desperate voice. 'Yes you will… you need to…' Saffa answered and saw how Faya's eyes changed to confusion. 'Our future will depend on your performance.' She whispered. 'What?' Faya asked with huge eyes. 'That's right… The guests that are downstairs? They are the Lords and Ladies of the neighboring countries… They made him promise that he would have a mate when they would return to the House.. If not, the Master would be dethroned and his House, belongings… his servants will be stripped off of him and he would be a nameless Youkai… if there is something you don't want, is a nameless full blood Youkai…' Saffa told her friend. 'If you become a nameless Youkai, you are nothing, not even worthy to live.' Faya looked at Saffa. 'So you want to say, he does this for his own selfish purpose…?' She asked dumfonded. 'And ours…' Saffa corrected her. '… I heard that the Lords and Ladies of the other countries are real animals… not to scare you or anything…' Faya splashed water in her face and sighed. A spark of stress ignited in her body. This would go wrong, she knew it. It would turn out to be a disaster. 'I'll do my best… I'll make you proud at me, Saffa, I swear…' Saffa looked at her friend and nodded. 'I know you will…' And threw a bucket of icy cold water over her head. Faya growled as she did that and Saffa laughed at her. 'You have that growl well under control. I just hope that you can play the part.' Saffa said as she helped Faya out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around her thin frame and helped her out of the bathtub. 'I am scared that I mess up. You know how I am in situations, like this.' she whined as she didn't look at her. Saffa looked at her friend and said: 'Then one of us or The Master, will be there to catch you in your fall, My Lady...' Faya shivered at the title and Saffa hugged her.

She was now smelling of sakura with a hint of jasmine. They both heard the guests talk and laugh animatedly downstairs and looked at each other. 'Come, it is time to get you ready... let me help you with that...' Saffa whispered at her.

As Saffa dressed her, Faya was thinking about how ridiculous this plan really was. Pretending to be his mate… stupid… Pretending to be the Lady of the House… ridiculous… Pretending to be a full blood demon… stupendous! Being all cute and cuddly with the Hellhound, NEVER! Although at the other end… No, she didn't want to go there…

The second she would step out of that door she would be the proud Lady of the House and acted as such. Mentally she prepared herself as Saffa was dressing her in a bloody red kimono, with the outlines of four dragons, flying around pink lotusses. Her black hair was braided in a lose braid and playful curls were around her face.

Saffa took a step back and looked at her. 'And?' Faya asked as she looked at her. 'You are perfect, Lady Nishi..' She smiled at Faya. Faya now swallowed and faced in the mirror, her mouth dropped open. 'Is this me...?' She asked as Saffa nodded. Faya giggled like a little girl and hugged her on impuls. 'Let's introduce you to the rest.' Faya nodded and both left the bedroom and toward the staircase.

'So, where is that mate of yours?' A voice came to them.

'Women... they are always late... but I have no doubt in my mind that she will come...' It wasn't the voice of Sesshoumaru.

'I don't think he has one...' the first voice came back. 'Let's dethrone him already...'

'We are highly enjoying ourselves, Azuma... so we can wait a few more minutes.'

Saffa stole a glance at Faya and saw that she was angry. 'You won't have trouble at all... just defend the honor of our Master... look at it, like that.' She whispered and Faya nodded. With a small push she pushed Faya into the spotlight.

Faya gave a small gentle cough and Sesshoumaru turned around and wondered where the fiesty human had gone as he saw Faya descend the stairs. Reaching the bottum step she looked at Sesshoumaru and inclinged her head. 'I am very sorry for my lateness... Women tend to be late sometimes... I am sure the other women can confirm to that.' She said with as smile as Sesshoumaru kissed her hand. She chuckled as most women nodded their heads.

'Lords and Ladies, I introduce to you, my mate... Faya, Lady of the Western Fields.' Sesshoumaru called as he took her hand and presented her to the guests.

With those words her greatest performance started.

Everything went smoothly and for one and half week days went by uneventful that was until Faya began to show cracks in keeping her character once in a while. Whenever it became too difficult for her, Sesshoumaru would squeeze her thigh ever so lightly, making her smile and look at him. It was at the beginning of the third week and final week that everything changed dramatically. In Faya, but also the way she would look at herself and how she would view the world.