A/N- eheheheh... thanks Ethereal.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," the small anxious voice brought Sesshoumaru's attention away from his meditation in his private garden. He cracked one eye open, regarding Kyo with a questioning eye. Kyo licked his lips nervously before continuing, keeping his eyes trained on the ground- a nervous habit which didn't go ignored by Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru-sama, there's something wrong with Juuroumaru-san(?), he won't take food, he fights his chains all day and he keeps having nightmares…" Sesshoumaru raised a brow. "And?"
"W-well… I thought it was important. He's getting thinner and his wounds are getting worse and he refuses everything-" he stopped himself, glancing up at Sesshoumaru, waiting for a response of some sort, wondering if it had been a waste of time to come to the emotionless youkai.
Sesshoumaru had closed his eyes again and had seemingly slipped back into his meditation.
"Se-sshoumaru-sama?" he asked nervously.
"I shall see to it Kyo." He said passively. Kyo bit his lips before turning back towards the door. Just as he reached the doorframe, he paused, inclining his head half-way in Sesshoumaru's direction. "When he dreams, he calls your name…" his words were soft, said if only to pull a reaction from Sesshoumaru. Seeing no response from Sesshoumaru, Kyo left quickly.
Sesshoumaru remained in the same position, silent and still, only now, his wandering thoughts had been pulled in on a tight rein, strictly focusing on Juuroumaru. He tried to force his thoughts away from the lavender eyed-beauty but they kept returning to him all the same. Questions he didn't wish to acknowledge swirled around in his mind- was Juuroumaru having a nightmare now? Was Sesshoumaru in it? Why did Juuroumaru call his name in his nightmares?
Gritting his teeth, Sesshoumaru stood and swept out of his garden. Rooms, corridors, stairs- they all passed in a whirl and he soon found himself standing at Juuroumaru's door. Just as he reached for the handle, intent on seeing Juuroumaru, if only to sate his curiosity, he paused. What was he doing here? How could this foolish youkai hold such a power over he, Sesshoumaru, who had supposedly conquered all feelings emotion long ago. Sesshoumaru's hand lowered and he turned himself sharply away from the suffering creature that lay beyond.
He returned to his chambers and sat brooding on the small balcony off of his chambers. The weak sun made everything look muddy and brooding.
Why was this happening? He was supposed to be in control at all times, not rushing off to his servant's rooms like a love-struck school-girl! No. that was not how it was supposed to be. He was Sesshoumaru, one needed, nor wanted anything from anyone.
Rin's kidnap, despite it's painfulness had enforced in him something that he berated himself for forgetting, if only a for a moment of his eternal life, and that was that affection- love even, would prove more dangerous than any enemy. Affection was always more painful then the pain of a blow and could strip one of all power. He would not allow that- not after everything he'd worked to establish. Besides, he didn't need any of it. His father had, and that had proved to be Inutaisho's demise.
…So why, after all of the mental training he had put himself through, was he finding himself guilty over a punishment the youkai deserved? He would've done away with any other servant who'd defied him as Juuroumaru had, yet now, he found himself regretting it- missing the sweet, supple body that pressed itself against him...
Frustrated, he drew the curtains together, blocking out the meek sunlight and went to his bed despite the hour, trying to force the youkai from his mind with sleep. his attempt was to no avail. Long into the night, he lay, his eyes seeking to find anything that would distract him. finally he gave up.
Barriers he had forced back up around himself fell away. He went directly to Juuroumaru's chamber and didn't hesitate to enter.
Juuroumaru's head spun, trying to discern one blotch of color from the next. There were faces everywhere. Anonymous laughter and uncouth murmuring made Juuroumaru strain to hear their words. He squinted, trying to recognize at least one of face that was off in the stands around him. he was on a stage, an enormous stage in the very center. Naraku appeared then, lifting him by the hair and he yelped in pain. Strings made themselves known as they tightened around Juuroumaru's wrists and ankles, making him dance like a puppet. The crowd jeered and Juuroumaru desperately tried to hide his face, shame coloring his cheeks.
Naraku laughed and ordered him to speak. Sounds spilled from his mouth and the crowd laughed harder at his attempt of speech. Naraku chuckled and lean closer. "What was that you said, pet?" but Juuroumaru hardly heard, murmuring something word over and over. There was a collected silence as the crowd simultaneously leaned in to catch his words, "…please… Sesshoumaru, Sesshoumaru…"
The scene evaporated and Juuroumaru's eyes shot open. Gasping he reached out and clung to whatever it was in the physical world that had caused him to wake, desperate not to fall asleep again. gentle hands were stroking his face and pushing his sweaty hair away from his neck. The cool touch felt soothing and for a moment, the pain was chased away by the gentle caress. His tears fell less heatedly and finally he managed to blink his eyes open. He was greeted by the sight, not of the fox youkai but by the ethereal face of the elusive youkai who had slid in and out of his dreams. The cool hands were still touching him but not in a cruel way.
He shut his eyes as one hand brushed his sweaty brow. He parted his lips, mouthing something. When Juuroumaru heard no response to his unasked question, he wept.
"what is it Juuroumaru?" asked Sesshoumaru's with his heavenly rich voice. Juuroumaru whimpered and nuzzled into Sesshoumaru's hand, trying to convey in apology.
The hand gently stroked his cheek but Sesshoumaru made no indication that he'd understood. "please forgive me… please Sesshoumaru… I'm sorry…" it was not but a bare, rushed whisper but Sesshoumaru heard and understood. "I forgive you." He said softly, leaning in and placing a soft chaste kiss on Juuroumaru's forehead as if to seal it like a promise. Juuroumaru's tense body relaxed when he heard Sesshoumaru's acceptance. He was oblivious to Sesshoumaru removing the chains, or when Sesshoumaru picked up his limp body and wrapped him in his pelt.
Sesshoumaru had forgiven him.
And that was all that mattered.
A/N- wow... that was way harder than i thought it'd be w/ out my editor.. so uh, ya, if there's loads of mistakes, that was the lack of "Happiness is A Sin".
