Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Here's a new chapter. Thank you for your support! You guys are amazing and keep me motivated. Don't forget to read and review! You guys have a great holiday and I'll talk to you again in the new year.
Kagome followed behind her guide slowly, keeping her distance from him as she looked around her. The sitting room was near the front of the mansion and though she was sure that it wasn't the most extravagant room, Kagome was in awe at the beauty of the rest of the home. She had known such wealth existed but she never thought she would see it.
My mother and I lived in tiny one room studio apartments, struggling to make ends meet while he had bathrooms bigger than our whole house.
Kagome could feel her dislike for him growing, the tea turning in her stomach. But she was also undeniably nervous.
"Excuse me," She spoke hesitantly. The man she was following whipped around and looked at her. She could see disgust in his eyes before he smiled politely and bowed to her.
Kagome was taken aback.
"Yes, Lady?" His voice was like a blade, smooth with a harsh edge. It cut into her. Her thoughts flashed to her father. She stood up straighter, on guard.
"I need to use the restroom," Her voice was clear and strong. He smiled at her, his teeth sharp and menacing. Kagome felt a chill creep down her spine.
"This way," He turned and gestured to a door in front of him on his left, his eyes lingering on hers, the disgust no longer hidden. She returned a tight lipped smile that closely resembled a grimace and forced out a "thank you" as she reluctantly turned her back to him. His eyes never left hers as she closed the door to the bathroom, unabashedly turning the lock into place with a loud satisfying click, that she was sure he must have heard.
The bathroom was just as big as she thought it was, which in no way brought her satisfaction. She knocked down the lid of the toilet with a satisfying slam and plopped down on it heavily. She observed the swirling marble floors and the ornately tiled walls. She rolled her eyes. She couldn't help herself. But as she sat on the toilet she began to feel the nervousness reach a boil in her stomach. Today was the day of answers right? She didn't know if she even wanted answers anymore. She stood up, frustrated.
God, I'm such a coward. She shuffled over to the bathroom mirror. Now that she was getting used to her face, it wasn't so bad or horrific, or perfect for that matter. Small scars still graced her face, she still looked like herself. Just... improved. Kagome ran her finger over her eyebrow, feeling the raised scar and smiling at the memory of how she got it. There was a sharp knock at the door.
"Lady, it is best not to keep Lord Sesshomaru waiting."
She rolled her eyes and ignored him.
Kagome stood straight, taking a few quick deep breaths as she built her confidence.
We have to face this.
She walked over to the bathroom door, her hand hesitating on the door knob.
"Hurry up." A sharp whisper caused her to pull back from the door slightly.
Her hand tightened on the door and she shoved it open quickly. Knocking her guides head in to the door.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't expect you to be right there," She scrunched up her eyebrows in, what she hoped looked like, concern as she side stepped him.
He snarled at her, baring his long jagged teeth. His eyes turning into slits. His back arched and he loomed over her. He looked like a feral cat. Kagome shrank back.
He stared at her for a few seconds before closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths. He straightened, his face smoothing out. He opened his eye and looked at her through slit pupils. Her turned and began walking away from her.
"Hurry up."
The polite tone was gone. Leaving nothing but contempt and open disgust. He began walking quickly down the hall, and Kagome slowly followed, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.
He stopped in front of a door on his left and gestured her toward it. She looked at the door and reached for the handle. She looked up to thank the man but he was gone. A shiver travelled down her spine. Kagome took a deep breath and quickly opened the door before she let her nerves paralyze her.
The office was empty. Kagome let out the giant breath she had been holding. She took a few steps inside and looked around. She was beginning to hate this man.
Where the hell is he?
It just seemed rude. She surveyed the room. It was huge, but smaller than the sitting room. Two walls held book shelves that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The rest was windows. Natural light flooded the room and Kagome felt warmer as she stepped in to the sun. She sat in a chair, across from the large oakwood desk, and waited.
She looked around his office. It had a nice clean feel to it. The wood was dark while the walls, the walls that were visible at least, were a pristine white color. It had an elegant feel to it and Kagome felt underdressed in her clothes. She had hastily pulled on the clothes Sango had given her, so here she sat in this rich expensive looking office in a chiffon, see through tank top with a skull bedazzled on the front and some skinny jeans covering the top of her high top converses. She pulled the shirt up in the front and it rose above her belly button. Kagome made a noise of annoyance as she jerked it back down.
She got up abruptly and crossed to the window. The lawn stretched out wide and vast the grass green as if he lived right off a golf course. Kagome had grown up in inner city areas, where grass was rare let alone green grass. She felt herself growing more impatient as she watched the wind rustle through the leaves blowing a few of them on to the lawn, and then away into the distance.
Kagome huffed as she turned her back on the beautiful day and plopped back down in the plush chair. A yawn worked its way gently through Kagome's body, causing her to gently shudder as she opened her mouth in a wide "o" shape. Though she had slept through her birthday celebration and the past week, she felt her eyes shutting. She felt her body slumping, and she curled into the armchair, her head resting on the back of the chair.
She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter around her. She grew tired of waiting for him. Her fingers were growing numb, only a fire could warm her at this point. As her toes also began to sucumb to numbness she couldn't help but feel dumb. She looked up at the sacred tree and smiled as she ran her too cold fingers over the grooves in the trunk. Part of her job was to feed spiritual energy into this tree. A priestess long before her time started this practice, she wasn't sure why she still had to do it, but she didn't vocalize that. She could feel the buzz of life beneath her fingertips. She and this tree were bound, because of this bond the tree always stayed full of cherry blossoms and the grass near it stayed green, no matter the time of year. It was beautiful to be apart of that. She smiled at the tree. The world around her went still. She slowly dropped her hand, her ears straining. Strong arms wrapped around her waist, a deep voice in her ear.
"Miss me?"
The world was on fire around her, she felt the tears leaking from her eyes as she sank to her knees. Blood trickled from her side where part of her had been ripped out and left open for the world to see. She failed. She had caused this with her incompetence. She wasn't prepared for this. She blamed and cursed everyone she could think of for putting her here, for ruining her already terrible life. It was one thing if she was the cause for her own ruin, but she couldn't take the rest of the world with her. She felt the urge to sob, but the contractions of her ribs would only make the blood pour faster. She swallowed her sobs, and stopped her tears.
If I am responsible, then I will die fighting for this world. She struggled to her feet.
Her eyes were fierce as she let out a scream.
Kagome stood by her mom's bed, watching as she rocked her little brother slowly and carefully. Her mom and the baby had only been home a week, but it had been a quiet week, as the baby did nothing but sleep and eat. Kagome watched with wide eyes as her mother's eyes teared up. Slow, sad, tears streaked down her mother's face. Kagome struggled to climb on the bed. She knelt beside her mother, and reached a tiny hand to her face.
"Mommy?"
Her mother reached over and pulled Kagome down next to her, cradling both her children in her arms. She hugged Kagome hard, tears wetting the top of Kagome's head.
"I'm so sorry." Her mother's voice was nothing more than a rough, harsh, whisper riddled with pain.
Kagome was confused.
"What's wrong, Mommy?"
"I love you and your brother so much, and I want to protect you but I don't know how. I might have to leave you one day. Me and your brother might have to leave you here with daddy, but only for a little while."
Kagome viciously shook her head, as she latched on to her mother. Her daddy was scary and mean. She didn't want to stay with him.
"Don't leave me, please don't!"
Kagome's mother remained silent.
Kagome sat up quickly, her head swimming from the sudden change in orientation. She looked out the window and cursed, it was pitch black outside and she found herself searching her pockets for her cellphone. Her hands met empty pockets, and she remembered seeing her cellphone on the counter as she rushed passed it, what she was hoping was, this morning. Her hands slowed as she felt another wave of exhaustion hit her.
"You'll stop feeling tired once your powers are fully realized."
Kagome jumped before facing the desk. Sesshomaru sat there devastating and beautiful.
Kagome cleared her throat, "How nice of you to show up."
He set down his papers and leveled her with a look, "I have been sitting in this room with you for the past eight hours. I even left for some time," His timber was deep, filling the room while his tone held something dangerous. Not quite a threat. Kagome sat up straighter.
"Don't worry, I sent Sango on her way a while ago, I will call her when we are done here."
Kagome in no way felt better knowing Sango had left. She nodded her head slowly.
Sesshomaru stood up, he towered over her as she sat in her seat, out of sheer reflex she also stood, her hands clenching into fists. It seemed as if he glided in front of her, his whole being graceful. She looked up at him, she felt as if he dwarfed her, she felt small in his wake. He raised hand to her face and Kagome couldn't help but flinch. He continued with his movements, as he gently stroked her face. She felt butterflies take flight as she lost her breath.
"You are beautiful."
Kagome searched his face, he looked almost mocking, enjoying the effect he had on her, whether or not she enjoyed it. She pulled back from his touch. And headed for the door.
Her hand was on the knob, her mouth wide in a yell.
"Inuyasha! INUYA-"
She was cut off by a rough hand over her mouth. She felt an arm snake around her waist, and involuntarily shivered as she felt breath against her ear.
"Miss me?"