Yay another chapter ! I had to automatically get started on it-that last chapter honestly didnt have any "substance." So I wrote chapter 4 in hopes to make it better. Please read and review!
Chapter 4:Power
The dungeon was cold and wet. Drops came down the ceiling from the above running river in the gully at the mountains bottom. Despite the cavernous sounds of the rushing water, everything and everyone within the dungeon were dead silent.
Lord Kouga was separated from the rest of his clan and forced deeper into the dungeon. So he began to study his cell carefully. The only door was of a thick and solid metal ribbed with sharp spikes; Kouga knew not to get too close, he could smell the poison on each tip. There was only one small square opening at eye level. The cell was small and reeked of blood and sweat, but aside from that, Kouga silently scoffed at the 'cleanliness' of the place, he almost expected demon bones to be scattered sporadically. Probably a neat freak, he thought of his jailer. Think of the devil.
Lord Kouga rose at the whiff of Lord Sesshoumaru's arrival, he even twitched at the power the lord exuded: angry and merciless.
Kouga composed himself and readied for whatever may come, if he were to die here he would die fighting.
"You seem almost too ready to perish at my hand, wolf." Lord Sesshoumaru said, he signaled for one of the guards to unlock the gate and to grab him.
Kouga did not put up a struggle; he knew better, he would only cause his clan to be punished for his attempt. So they began heading deeper into the dungeon. Shit, how big is this place? Kouga thought.
Sesshoumaru walked ahead, still fuming from earlier events, "Now wolf, tell me exactly why you have caused trouble in my lands," he said fiercefully.
They came to a stop in a much larger room filled with spiked weapons, chains, coffins, and flatbeds. Kouga kept his composure as they strapped him to a stand up flatbed, cursed chains kept him from moving his arms and legs. "Like I said earlier, "he said staring into Sesshoumaru's cold gaze," We were driven from our lands in Poland, by Naraku!"
"That's quite a journey you and your clan made from Poland." Sesshoumaru scoffed.
"My clan was desperate; every which way we went Naraku gained more mindless followers. They even threaten to invade here! "Sesshoumaru tensed and began seething, Kouga give him a wry smile, "But it hardly matters to me, as long as my clan is safe. We planned on continuing farther south west but your lands are bountiful in prey…" he paused to brace himself but he felt as if the skin around his arms and torso melting and he yelled in pain; Sesshoumaru had blasted him with his poison.
"It is well known that I do not allow excessive interaction with the human population." Sesshoumaru hissed.
"Why do you even care? We know you hate humans; we only thought one human village less would…" Sesshoumaru gave him another blast. "…you bastard." Kouga gritted through his teeth.
"Had it only been one village, but I know of your attacks on several villages throughout your journey," Sesshoumaru continued, "I do not put up with insubordination, much less deceivers," he prepared for another much more final poison attack.
"Other villages?! Lord Sesshoumaru, we are NOT the only wolf clan or DEMON tribe driven from our home lands!" Kouga yelled angrily," If you kill me for searching for a way to survive fine, but my clan should go free!"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, "You are in no position to barter wolf!" but Sesshoumaru gave a quick thought, Naraku, could be driving an army in the guise of these escapees. "How should I know that you are not a follower of Naraku's?"
"The hell would I follow that half-demon manipulator?" Kouga snapped back.
Sesshoumaru sensed his aura and knew he was telling that much of the truth. "Then what DO you know of Naraku and how he escaped his icy prison in the East?"
Kouga scoffed, "How the hell should I know? We only knew of him when he had a follower invade our clan and tell us who 'our new ruler' would be." He paused to taken in a breath, his wounds were slowly trying to heal but the lingering poison drained his energy, "Since our refusal we were attacked endlessly by his minions until we ran off."
"Hn, the weaker species always tends to." Sesshoumaru jabbed.
"Don't you dare call us weak! We would have won had he not come in himself with a new power…"Kouga was rapidly losing his strength to stay awake.
Sesshoumaru's eyes slightly widened, "Power? What power!?"
At that Kouga passed out. "Hn. Pathetic. Get him to his cell and throw water on those wounds. I am not finished with him yet."
"Yes Lord Sesshoumaru!" said the guards as they unlatched Kouga and dragged his bleeding body back to his cell."
Back in his quarters in the west wing of the castle, Sesshoumaru called for Jaken.
"Yes, My lord?"
"Jaken, send some of the Eagle spies towards the east for information about Naraku's advances." He paused to grab an old tattered book from the top of his bookshelf. "Go as far down as Sicily, no ground uncovered. I need a full picture of the enemy."
"Yes, my Lord," Jaken wrote the instructions down carefully.
"Also send word out to Guarin, to come immediately; with full report on human affairs in the region." Sesshoumaru said almost disgustingly. Since the start of his reign, he had to employ a human (several because they would all die), to report on any human political affairs that could harm his demon nation. Not that they could harm, but the trouble of human knowledge of the demon world would only cause a senseless war between humans and demons. He kept demons from interacting with humans for the humans' sake. Though the idea now of human extinction was not so bad, He thought menacingly, they are more trouble kept alive.
"Of course, My Lord, it shall be done," and Jaken scurried off.
Sesshoumaru glared at the untitled book in his hand for a moment before opening to just the right page, The Shikon Jewel of four souls it read in the hand written calligraphy; he was going off speculation, but by the "power" Kouga mentioned in light and the origination of Naraku's plot of takeover, this supposed jewel was the culprit.
One day this book will be the most useful thing you have, my son. Sesshoumaru remembered as he continued to read the hand written notes of his father's.
Kagome woke up screaming; thrashing around uncontrollably , she only stopped as she felt the heavy down bed sheets tangle around her.
"Kagome!" yelled Shippo in surprise; he practically was thrown off the bed, "Are you alright? You sacred me," he looked at her worried and sweaty face.
It took a moment for Kagome to gain her bearings again, "Oh Shippo…" her eyes threaten to water again before Rin burst in through the door.
"Mademoiselle Kagome!" She beamed but noticed her new governess' distressed look, "Oh mademoiselle, are you okay?... Lumière please fetch some water, s'il vous plaît!" She rushed to Kagome's side and dabbed at her forehead with her handkerchief. The Lizard guard ,Lumière trailing behind her.
"Oh, Rin, I'm alright, don't worry about me." But took some water before she gently got off the bed and stretched after rubbing her pink eyes, "How long has we been asleep?" She turned and looked to the left of the window to see just a few stray lights from the sun.
"The sun is about to set, Mademoiselle, I just came to show you to the bathing room so you can freshen up for dinner." Rin smiled, she was all too excited to finally have a companion, and also human, for dinner.
"Wi-wi-will Lord Sesshoumaru be there?" asked Shippo cowering behind the bed curtain.
"Oh no, Lord Sesshoumaru never eats his dinner with anyone, he normally gets back from business matters rather late and heads straight for his quarters." Rin said nonchalantly.
Kagome was then really brought back to reality, the Lord Sesshoumaru that hates humans. Fear began erupting in her but she kept a cool face, "Okay, Lady Rin, we shall follow you to the bathing room."
"Oh mademoiselle, I'm your new pupil, you make just call me Rin." And her eyes brighten at the new fact.
"Okay, Rin," Kagome smiled genuinely, she couldn't help but feel instantly attached to the bubbly girl in front of her, despite her cold and deadly caretaker. She for sure is human, maybe he has a soft spot.
"Okay, right this way!" She grabbed Shippo's hand by surprise and began leading them a little further down the hallway.
As she was about to follow something stirred within her; something almost warm. She brought her hand to her heart and felt a slight humming sensation. "What—"
"Mademoiselle Kagome? "called Rin.
"I'm coming!" Kagome brushed it off; although the stirring within her felt warm she could not help but fear what was yet to become of her. I'll find a way to get back, if not at least contact my family…She thought and ran off to catch up to the now giggling children.
The bathing room was enormous with an already prepared hot bath waiting for them in the center of the room. Porcelain and marble statues lined the walls of the room and the candles lit around the chandelier thru smoky glass that gave the room a celestial glow. Kagome had never seen candles shine so bright.
"I already asked Madame Pots to bring you new clothes so she will be here soon. " Rin said as she closed the wooden door behind her to give them privacy.
"Oh the water feels so nice!" Shippo said already nude and ready to bathe.
"Hmm…" Kagome carefully undressed and dipped herself in the opposite side, "Come here so I can properly clean behind your ears."
"Ha-ha, yes, mama." Shippo giggled and turned his back to her.
"At least I have you here, Shippo." Kagome said silently as she carefully brushed Shippo's back, "OH Shippo, what do you know about this place?"
He tensed up a bit but quickly relaxed," From what I remember hearing from my parents long ago was that Lord Sesshoumaru ruled the lands of the west of Europe. He succeeded his father the Inu no Taisho, or the Great Dog Demon. "Shippo paused as he thought for a bit," Well, when Lord Sesshoumaru's father reigned, the land he governed was actually smaller; when Lord Sesshoumaru gained control he expanded more eastwards and south. And to this day still tries to expand his territories."
"Hm. How long has he been in control?"
"The better part of 200 years." Shippo said nonchalantly.
Kagome gulped, "two HUNDRED years?"
"Why are you so surprised?" Shippo gave a slight scoff, "We don't age like humans do. I'm sure Lord Sesshoumaru is closer to 400 years old now."
"Oh, I know, I just feel like it's hard to wrap my head around it sometimes. But how come I'm just hearing about this now? I mean you mentioned it when we were walking towards Jineji's, but neither of you brought it up in the past. "
"Because of Sesshoumaru's law, Lord Sesshoumaru is not known for being forgiving, and his exceptional distaste for humans earns him the title of being heartless. "Shippo ducked his head underwater to rub off some of the soap, and continued," It's not like it doesn't happen, but demons take care when meddling with humans. There are even special charms and spells to hide demonic features and auras. "
"Oh I see. Well then. We're in quite a bit of trouble now aren't we?" Kagome sighed," We're being held hostage by the most menacing demon leader in all of Europe. "
"And cute Rin..." Shippo chimed and Kagome gave a small smile before she finished freshening herself up.
"Oh are you starting to like Rin, Shippo?" Kagome teased, "Aww, that's so cute!"
Shippo turned blood red, "NO! I just like having a new friend!" Shippo yelled and began splashing Kagome.
"Oh Shippo! I just finished up!" But splashed back and both began laughing.
Kagome walked alone through the hallway towards her room and thought about the night's dinner; dinner with Rin was interesting to say the least. Just by the chatter box Rin turned out to be, it was obvious how lonely she had gotten and was just waiting to explode to have a friend. If this is for her, it may not be so bad, Kagome mused. Then something again began to stir up inside.
"Hey you wench!" cried impishly the head butler running towards her.
Kagome turned and huffed, "Excuse me? I do have a name!"
"And it is of no importance to me! I am Jaken, head butler of the great Lord Sesshoumaru and his castle. You are now employed,"he seethed at the word," to be Lady Rin's governess…"
"I will not start such a job until I'm addressed properly and with respect!" Kagome was not one to be pushed around and would not let a three foot tall imp demon start.
"Why you—!"
"Jaken, do not entertain this woman." Said a cold deep voice.
"Lord Sesshoumaru…You girl show some respect!"
Kogome was startled and somewhat irritated to see the Lord finally show his face. I'll show him. But still bowed her head slightly.
"Woman, "Sesshoumaru continued," You will gain respect once it is earned and you will start your job as soon as tomorrow. Jaken will proceed to explaining the rules of the castle. I only warn thee, you break any and it will end in your life. "He continued walking towards Rin's room before Kagome burst.
"Kagome!" she yelled and almost shocked herself but gained some confidence. "My name is Kagome."
"How dare you—"
"Quiet, Jaken!" Sesshoumaru scolded, "Girl, if I cared for your name I would have asked for it, "and continued walking away. "Though, do not raise your voice to me again." And he disappeared into Rin's room.
"Oh, the nerve!" Kagome fumed and stared after the demon lord.
"Ahem."
Kagome returned her angry gaze which actually somewhat frightened the imp and it pleased her, "Continue if you must."
"Tomorrow after breaking fast, you shall take Rin to the Study where you will educate her on human history, art, writing and culture." He took a breath, "You will be allowed to roam almost freely in the East wing if you will not cause any disturbance to any of the servants or cause Lord Sesshoumaru problems. "
"Okay, thank you, Jaken."
"I am not finished!" he huffed, "And lastly, do not ever set foot in the west wing!"
Kagome nodded absentmindedly, but she wondered what was so forbidden about the west wing, "What's in the west—"
"It is forbidden!" He yelped. "Now return to your room." Jaken gave a half bow, and walked away.
"Well, alright…" She said under her breath.
When Kagome reached her door and was about to open, her heart seized and she felt that stir again. Though this time it felt like her chest was on fire, she clutched at her chest for a bit but the feeling disappeared as soon as it came. Kagome turned her head slightly and noticed Lord Sesshoumaru walking back out of the hallway, giving her a slightly glare and huffed away...almost in disgust.
"Uh, why I ought to…" But she trailed off, what was that? Fear began welling up inside her. She opened her room door before being greeted by the most magnificent crescent moon.
"Wow…" She mouthed easing the small stir that was left and tucked herself in bed next to Shippo.
Inuyasha Characters © Rumiko Takahashi
Beauty and the Beast © Disney