Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
Flames welcome.
Like My Master
By: Miyukyshan
Chapter Thirteen: A Demon Scorned
Sesshomaru swirled the clear liquid in the tiny glass between his fingers. He stared off, oblivious, trying to figure out what to do about his slave. The demon across from him cleared his throat and Sesshomaru looked up.
"Kaito, I forgot you were here," he said.
"My Lord, we've been sitting here drinking for nearly an hour. You have yet to speak a word about what happened."
Sesshomaru looked away and brought the drink to his lips. The sake burned its way down his throat and he sighed. "I don't know what to do," he whispered.
Kaito bit back his anger and crossed his arms. His lord was never at a loss of what to do. It bothered him to see his old friend this way, but perhaps this was what he needed. Sesshomaru was comfortable in his position and no one ever challenged him or created much of a problem. The palace needed to be shaken up, and Sayu was providing a good distraction. "I thought you already decided to set her free."
"That was before... whatever happened this evening. Now things are complicated. "
Kaito glared at Sesshomaru. "That's all well and good, my Lord, but there's nothing I can do until you tell me what happened."
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped over to Kaito. The golden orbs narrowed and took on a red hue. "Remember who it is you're speaking to," Sesshomaru growled.
Kaito slammed his glass on the small table before him and stood. "I beg your pardon, Lord Sesshomaru, but I thought I was invited here as a friend and confidant. You aren't exactly being friendly or confiding. I will take my leave so you can brood in peace."
Sesshomaru sighed and grabbed the tiger demon's wrist before he could leave. "Kaito, sit. I'm just frustrated."
Kaito could see Sesshomaru was sorry and sat down. It was true the great dog demon before him wasn't known for his kindness, but Kaito had a way of bringing out the softer side of his old friend. They were raised together and fought alongside one another in many battles. Their friendship was centuries old and Kaito was allowed to get away with much more than any other demon in Sesshomaru's circles. Though it could be tense at times, Kaito knew Sesshomaru thought of him as a friend, a loyal leader of his army and, occasionally, a brother. Now it seemed Sesshomaru needed the latter, so Kaito heckled him until he agreed to tell him what happened.
"I know you're angry with me for stealing your moment with her, but I had to see if I could bring out the demon. Maybe get some answers. I never expected what I got."
Kaito frowned but listened. He was excited to spar with her and still a bit miffed at having his chance taken. He loved to watch her lithe body move in all its grace and glory, watch the muscles bunch and tense under skin slick with sweat. The passion in her eyes always blazed and lit up her whole face while her dark hair danced around her. The tiger demon shook his head. How easily she took over his thoughts. Much to his embarrassment, Sesshomaru seemed to sense this and paused while he composed himself. He poured another glass of sake and sucked it down before urging his friend to continue.
Sesshomaru suppressed a growl as he watched his friend. Sayu certainly wasn't his to have, but that didn't mean he wanted any other demon ogling her or thinking about her in a way only he experienced her. When Kaito nodded for him to continue, Sesshomaru cleared his throat and looked back out the window.
"I tried to make her angry and succeeded. It happened easily enough, not violent or bloody like last time. She was able to stay out until she started panicking. The magic subdued her quickly."
"Were you able to find out anything? A name? What type of demon she was or how this all came about?" Kaito asked.
"No, she has no recollection of anything except..." Sesshomaru hesitated. He knew Kaito had feelings for Sayu. He wasn't so tactless that he'd reveal how he brought about her demon, but the next bit of information was crucial.
Kaito sensed his hesitation. "Well, what is it? What does she remember?"
Sesshomaru glanced at him sideways and leaned back against the wall. "Me. The only thing she remembers is me, and that she loves me." He expected some sort of outburst, but when he looked at Kaito he was sitting very still with a sad look on his face.
"I see," Kaito whispered. "I knew she cared for you as a human, but I hoped... Maybe with time she could learn to love another. But if the demon she truly is loves you enough to remember you after all this time, I guess there's not a chance."
Sesshomaru sighed and pulled his knee to his chest. He looked to the stars for answers, but they were silent and merely blinked in and out of his vision. He wondered if he ever would have purchased Sayu if he knew this was where he would end up. The thought vanished and he knew the answer was yes. Rin was a changed child since Sayu's presence. The little girl, though still happy and innocent, developed sadness in her eyes as time passed. Sesshomaru knew she missed her family, but was unsure how to handle the situation. When the girl began asking for a female guardian Sesshomaru knew what had to be done. Ever since Sayu's arrival, the light appeared in Rin's eyes again and Sesshomaru was happy to see it.
"My Lord?"
Sesshomaru glanced at his friend, realizing he'd been speaking, and raised an inquisitive brow.
"Since when did you become such a daydreamer?" Kaito chuckled.
Sesshomaru allowed a small smile and inspected his claws. "We've been friends a long time, Kaito. But there are still things about me even you don't know."
Kaito laughed heartily and threw back another shot. "True enough. I said I don't mean to stroke your enormous ego any more, but the fact that she loves you doesn't exactly pin it down. You have a flock of admirers and this could have happened to any one of them."
"Indeed," Sesshomaru murmured.
"What will you do?"
"I will see Bokusenō."
Kaito nodded in agreement. "Yes, if anyone knows about this, it's him."
The first thing she noticed was a cold, wet feeling on her forehead. The next was the sharp intake of breath when the demon beside her realized she was coming to. Sayu moved to pull the compress away, but Eri fussed at her and put it back in place. Despite the throbbing in her head, Sayu cracked her lids and found Eri's worried face.
"What happened?" Sayu asked.
"You were sparring with Lord Sesshomaru. He awoke the demon again."
Memories rushed back in a flurry of hot kisses, anger and tears. Sayu felt used. She covered her breasts with her arms and began to cry. Eri stared at her, unsure of what to do with the generally stoic woman. Finally, she cradled Sayu in her arms and cooed while stroking her mussed hair.
"It'll be alright. It's always hard when you love someone, especially someone so cold and emotionless."
Sayu jerked back, worried she spoke in her sleep and how many other people knew. Eri gave her a knowing look and pulled her back.
"I'm not stupid, Sayu. I know a woman in love when I see one. You just picked the worst person to love." Eri pulled back and wiped some of Sayu's tears before giving her a brilliant smile. "But I guess someone had to love him."
Sayu chuckled and scrubbed her face with her palms. "What have I gotten myself into? I've never been so stupid!"
Eri frowned and took Sayu by the shoulders. "You aren't stupid. You can't help it. He is pretty gorgeous."
Sayu ignored the dreamy look Eri was giving her and scoffed. "I've never been this way, not even with the human all those years ago. Whoever I was before obviously loved him a great deal, but I don't know if that's me anymore. I have no reason to love him. How do I even know if what I feel is real?" Sayu dropped her head in her hands. "This is so hard."
Eri laughed and sat back. "I can't imagine. You lost every piece of yourself and had to become a new person. Now everything's being potentially thrust back into your life and you have to reconcile the two people you are. It's going to take a long time to sort out all those feelings." Eri sighed and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. "But if you never get those things off and the curse is never lifted you could always mate with Master Kaito."
Sayu turned to look at her giggling friend, mouth open and cheeks bright red. "Eri! Watch your mouth before someone hears you!" She whispered sharply.
"It's not like it's a secret. He's like a lovesick puppy; or should I say kitten?" Eri dodged the small pillow Sayu threw at her and fell to her back laughing.
"You're so ridiculous," Sayu said. "Where's Rin?"
"She's asleep in the next room. Don't worry, she doesn't know anything happened."
Sayu nodded and thanked Eri. She hoisted herself from her bed with the help of the demoness and went to take a much needed bath.
Two Weeks Later
"I can't believe you're wearing that under this beautiful kimono," Eri scolded as she secured the sash around Sayu's waist, giving the next tug a little more gusto than necessary.
"I have a strange feeling about tonight. I want to be prepared. Besides, my fighting gear was also a gift from Master and it's so thin you can't even tell I'm wearing it."
Eri let out a long sigh and pushed Sayu down on a stool so she could reach her hair. "It's not proper. It makes Lord Sesshomaru look like he's preparing for a fight. What if one of the noble lords or ladies happens to see?"
"I'm hoping they don't have to," Sayu murmured. She yelped when Eri gave one section of her hair a painful tug and glared at her in the mirror.
Eri smirked and continued to work her hair in intricate knots and braids, securing it with the metal comb Sesshomaru had made from her broken sword. The demoness then pulled out a beautiful box filled with makeup and Sayu cringed. Makeup was something she never wore as a human, and she didn't know if she ever wore it as a demon either.
"Don't give me that look. You can be quite beautiful if you actually tried. More like your demon self, probably."
"I have no interest in trying to look like a demon. Right now I'm human and that's all that matters."
"Fine, but you'll be the most beautiful human out there."
"I'll be the only human out there."
Eri stood back and slammed her fist to her hip. "Will you just shut your mouth and let me put this on your lips?"
Sayu glared at her friend but immediately did as she was told. Eri was the one holding the colorful goo and she didn't want to make her angry and go out looking like a fool. It was a strange feeling being covered in so many layers, but she trusted Eri to make her look presentable so she wouldn't shame her master. She heard a soft noise come from said demon and opened her eyes. Eri's were wide and she had a small smile on her face.
"Is it that bad?" Sayu asked.
"Sayu, you're beautiful," Eri said before taking her by the shoulders and turning her so she could see her own reflection.
Sayu gaped at herself and brought a shaking hand to touch her cheek. The woman staring back at her didn't seem real. Eri skillfully played up the blackness of her eyes by lining them with kohl, making them look larger and endless in their dark depths. Her full lips were colored in with dark crimson rouge and some was also applied to her cheeks, giving her a healthy glow.
"Eri," she breathed, "You're amazing."
"I can't wait for Lord Sesshomaru and Master Kaito to see you! Come on, I'm sure guests are beginning to arrive." Eri pulled the screen aside revealing none other than the great demon lord himself. Eri stumbled back in surprise before bowing to her lord, but Sesshomaru didn't even notice the startled demoness.
"Sayu..." he breathed.
The human did her best to bow with all her heavy layers. "Master," she acknowledged. When she finally lifted her head she was taken aback by his appearance.
Sesshomaru decided to discard his armor for the evening and the beautiful robes he wore matched her own. The rich red fabric was a stark contrast to his silver hair and light skin. Amber eyes glowed with approval as he took in her appearance. He looked like a god.
Sesshomaru snapped out of his musings and dismissed Eri. Sayu was nervous about being alone with her master. She always managed to lose her clothing thanks to his hungry and eager hands. The anger she'd been harboring returned when she remembered how he used her feelings for his own purposes. She had no desire to be in such close proximity to him, though his undeniably good looks, irritating confidence and smoldering eyes made it difficult to back away.
"You're angry with me," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I hope this makes up for it."
Sayu looked down at his outstretched arms, just noticing the long, thin case in his hands. She stepped forward and opened the wooden box while peering up at her master. The warm smile was still on his face and she crushed down the urge to smile sweetly back. When she saw the contents of the box she gasped and stepped away. The wood top fell back in place with a thud and Sesshomaru chuckled. The demon stepped around her and placed the box on her desk.
"I told you I was going to replace your sword. No need to act so surprised," he said as he lifted the sheathed blade from its confines.
Sayu stared at the beautiful weapon. "Yes, but never with something so expensive. Master, I cannot accept this."
Sesshomaru turned amused eyes to her and once again presented her with his gift, pulling the hilt so some of the metal was exposed for her inspection. "Why is that?"
"It's too much! The kimono, the comb, even my traveling attire. I'm just a slave." Sayu was near tears as she eyed the blade. It was beautifully crafted, obviously forged by demon hands. The intricate pattern on the sheath was duplicated on the hilt of the sword. She finally took it and marveled at its lightness. The new weapon would last much longer than her old one. She looked at Sesshomaru with tears in her eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
"Silly woman. Only you would be more excited to receive a sword than a kimono or comb."
Sayu clutched the weapon to her chest and looked away from her master. "I'm grateful for all of it. No master has been so generous. Even my first master didn't give me beautiful kimonos."
"He should have. They suit you."
It was difficult to keep up with her master's mood swings, but his current benevolence was a welcome change to the usual icy demeanor. She felt her anger dissipate and tried to hold on to the last shred of irritation, but his smirk was making her cheeks burn and her heart flutter. His vision clouded when he caught her scent and he looked like he was about to say something when Kaito appeared in her doorway.
"Sayu, are you ready to..." Kaito's mouth dropped when he caught sight of the beautiful human. He took two long strides and picked up one of her hands in his own. "Sayu, you're stunning," he whispered as he looked her up and down.
Sayu felt her blush deepen and looked away from Kaito's intense stare. "Thank you, Kaito. You look handsome yourself."
"I see Lord Sesshomaru brought your new blade. Magnificent, isn't it?" Kaito asked as he tucked Sayu's hand in the crook of his arm while skillfully extricating the sword from her grip and setting it back in its confines.
"Yes, it's beautiful," she said.
Kaito cast a glance at Sesshomaru and stuck his tongue out while Sayu talked about her new blade. Sesshomaru glared and clenched his fists, resisting the urge to shred Kaito and steal Sayu away to some remote part of his castle. He couldn't believe he was behaving like a hormonal pup, but something about Sayu made him possessive and needy. The dog demon followed the pair and Kaito allowed him to pass.
Sayu tried to ignore the anger she felt coming from her master and focused on Kaito. "So what are these gatherings like?" she asked.
Kaito smiled and squeezed the hand looped through his arm. "Grand but boring. It's nothing more than a bunch of demons arguing about who's stronger and wealthier."
Sayu felt some of her nervousness dissipate in the hope she might be overlooked or quickly forgotten.
"However, this year may be different with you here. Your name has been on every demon's lips. Something about wanting to know if you were acquainted with them beforehand."
Sesshomaru shot Kaito a warning glare and the tiger demon stumbled to reassure the wilted woman at his side.
"But that's why I'm here! I'll do my best to keep the interference to a minimum," Kaito said with a confident smile.
It was difficult to feel confident in Kaito after his observation, but Sayu gave him a shaky smile in return. "Master," she called, earning a quick side glance from Sesshomaru, "where is Rin?"
"In her room sulking, I presume," he said.
"Is she not coming?"
"No."
Kaito appeared oblivious, but the concern that flashed across Sesshomaru's face told Sayu everything she needed to know. He too was worried something might happen tonight. Sayu's entire demeanor changed at the threat of violence and potential harm to Rin and her master. Spine straight, Sayu dropped all emotion from her face and tensed her whole body in preparation for a fight. She was glad she thought to wear her fighting gear, but the absence of her new sword weighed heavily on her mind. Perhaps she could have strapped it to her leg.
The trio rounded a corner and Sayu stopped when she laid eyes on the exquisite room. It was enormous; she didn't know how she missed it before now. Beautiful red silk was draped over every surface with gold accents placed strategically throughout. The glittering décor caught the light from the enormous candles and made the entire room glow. Demons of all kinds were milling about the room, taking glasses from servers or eating at the tables placed around the outside of the room. A giant door on the other side opened out to a private garden and Sayu wished she could disappear into the night air.
An excited tremor ran through the whole room as, one by one, the guests realized Sesshomaru appeared with his slave in tow. Sayu squirmed at the unnatural silence and Sesshomaru finally addressed his guests, surprising Sayu by his warm and welcoming demeanor. The entire room dropped to a low bow in respect of their host, and when they rose up Sayu found all their eyes on her. Sesshomaru gave her a reassuring nod, Kaito a gentle squeeze of her hand, and then she was floating down the stairs to the den of demons.
Kaito kept his promise and made sure each conversation was brief. They never lingered long enough for the questions to get personal and Sayu allowed herself a moment to think everything might go smoothly. A glimmer of white caught her eye and Sayu wondered if her master was coming to join her and Kaito. They were currently talking war stories with a few older demons. Their mates stared curiously at her, bored to tears at the conversation, but Sayu was fascinated to hear more about Naraku from someone who didn't think the most exciting thing to do was make flower crowns. Sayu was shocked the half demon proved so much trouble to her master and was glad he was dead.
One of the older demons, Lord Kazuo, was speaking animatedly about how Naraku once tricked Sesshomaru into using a tainted arm to try and steal his brother's sword. His fat belly bounced as he laughed and his mate rolled her eyes as she sipped from her glass.
Sayu tugged on Kaito's sleeve and the tiger demon bent so she could whisper in his ear.
"Master didn't always have two arms?" she asked. She didn't mean for the question to come out in such a childish way, but Kaito chuckled anyway and she blushed.
"His younger brother took it from him in battle. But Lord Sesshomaru regained it honorably once he proved himself worthy of his own formidable weapon," he whispered back.
Sayu's eyes widened in awe. She didn't know limbs could be regrown, but who was she to judge. Kaito smiled at her expression and untangled his arm from hers.
"Everything seems to be going smoothly. I'll get you a drink," he said.
Sayu moved to protest but he was already gliding between guests in search of refreshments. Sayu chewed on her lower lip and turned back to her group with a graceful smile. "Lord Kazuo, I had no idea my master lived such a remarkable life. Please indulge me a little more," she said with a sweet smile.
Lord Kazuo laughed heartily and nudged her chin. "I see how it is, young one. Want the good stories to hold them over old Sesshomaru's head." He chuckled again when a red hue snuck up on her cheeks. "I was never one to turn down a young lady, and such a beautiful one at that."
Sayu decided she liked Lord Kazuo and hoped to better acquaint herself with the pleasant man. He was the first to not treat her like some captive monster. She was eager to hear more of his stories and was about to be obliged when an intimidating man joined their circle. He had long silver hair and golden eyes like her master, but the tell-tale markings of a noble were missing from his chiseled features. He was a dog demon, but more likely a guard or servant. The man moved forward and took her hand, much to her surprise, and bowed. Sayu blushed and fumbled, not sure how to react to such a formal greeting.
"Sir, please," she whispered desperately, "do not lower yourself to me."
When he stood he flashed a dazzling smile but didn't release her hand. "Any man who doesn't bow to the most beautiful woman in the room is a fool," he said. "I am Haru, here in place of my Lady who could not make it tonight."
Sayu smiled at the man and pulled her hand from his grip. "It's a pleasure, Lord Haru. I am Sayu, slave of my master Lord Sesshomaru."
Haru tilted his head and his eyes narrowed, focusing so intently on her it made her want to shrivel away and hide. "Please, Haru is fine. I've heard many stories about you, Sayu."
Interest piqued, Sayu's brows lifted in surprise. "Oh," she said, "and what have you heard?"
"Just that you possess quite an array of skills. Everything from singing and dancing to…" his eyes blazed suddenly and Sayu felt exposed, like a raw nerve. "Fighting. I hear you could probably best Master Kaito in skills."
Lord Kazuo shook with glee and turned to Sayu, a welcome distraction from Haru's piercing gold eyes. "Dear girl, you can sing and dance? It's been such a long time since I've enjoyed a lady's singing," he mused.
Sayu smiled at his wistful expression and shook her head regretfully. "Lord Kazuo, I don't think I could-."
Haru cut her off before she could finish. "Surely you could. Lord Sesshomaru didn't provide any entertainment for the evening and I'm certain he doesn't expect us to go through so much trouble coming if he didn't want us to enjoy ourselves."
Sayu's mouth worked open and she looked around desperately. Where was Kaito when she needed him? She secretly hoped her master would sense her discomfort and come to her rescue, but she found him detained by another influential lord. He cast her a concerned glance and she knew he wouldn't be able to help anytime soon. She heard Haru speak again and turned to gape at him, unsure what he said and too embarrassed to ask him to repeat himself. The dog demon seemed to sense this and chuckled.
"What do you say, Sayu? I hear you can't disobey a command."
Sayu bristled at his comment and glared. "Only direct orders from my master. Aside from him, I take orders from no one," she said.
Lord Kazuo clapped her on the back and laughed. "Atta girl. Don't let these young pups boss you around," he said.
Kaito finally reappeared, drinks in hand with a wild grin on his face. "I've returned, but I had to fight for my life to get these. I think some compensation is in order." Kaito took in Sayu's discomfort and moved closer. "Is everything all right?" he asked.
"We've just been trying to encourage her to sing," Lord Kazuo announced.
Kaito turned to Sayu with a grin. "I would love to witness that. I think it's equal payment for what I had to do to get these drinks!"
Sayu glared at her would-be hero and sighed. As much as she disliked the idea, she found she couldn't say no and crush poor Kazuo's wishes. He reminded her so much of her first master and she wanted to please him. "All right," she conceded, "but no teasing when you all discover how terrible I really am." Sayu turned to speak to Haru only to find him gone. She couldn't hide her relief at his absence. Something about him made her skin crawl.
Thankfully she didn't have to linger on thoughts of him long. Lord Kazuo whisked her away to a corner of the massive room where their party could hear more clearly. A small group crowded around, expecting a scene, and Sayu was reminded of the last time she was forced to perform her talents. A shudder went through her at the thought of her previous master. He always had a sick fetish for making her squirm. Lord Kazuo brought her back from her daydream when he gently led her to the center of the circle. Sayu tried to focus on his cheerful expression and smiled shyly.
"Any requests, Lord Kazuo?" Sayu whispered.
He looked thoughtful for a moment, and then turned his shockingly blue eyes to her with a far more serious look than she thought him capable of. He seemed to peer into her soul and he gave her a sad smile. "I think something tragic would suit you. You seem to be surrounded by misfortune."
Sayu's smile dropped at his wise observation and she nodded. Lord Kazuo squeezed her hand reassuringly and then walked back to his mate. Sayu searched her memory for a song and tried to block out her previous masters' hideous torture when it came to her singing. Her eyes came to rest on her master and a song came to mind. She tried to place where she learned it, but it seemed too far back to remember. Nevertheless, Sayu parted her lips and began to weave her tale.
Sesshomaru tried to feign interest in what the demon lord next to him was saying, but the monotonous way he spoke made him want to fall asleep. He was worried about Sayu. She looked to him earlier, begging to be rescued, but the man boring him to sleep was an important ally and couldn't be ignored. He thought he would drift off standing up when the sound first reached his ears. Someone was singing, and they were good. The old demon beside him seemed distracted and Sesshomaru took his chance to excuse himself and search out the owner of the beautiful voice. He followed the sweet sound to a crowded corner and was shocked to see his slave surrounded by his guests, haunting them with her cryptic tale and unwavering soprano.
It was a song everyone knew well, but she made it seem new. Her voice was clear as crystal and he let it wash over him. She sang of Heitaro and Higo and their ill-fated love. Her voice rose with strength and fervor when the young couple met, him a human and her the essence of a great willow tree. Sayu resounded happiness at the birth of their child, Chiyodo, and rose into a desperate crescendo as the villagers came to cut down the willow. Her voice quivered when she sang of Higo's violent death, her soul being ripped apart as the willow was.
Sesshomaru thought the song was fitting. Much like the woman Higo, Sayu was more than she appeared, and perhaps the same way Higo was destroyed when her physical entity was, perhaps Sayu worried what would happen to her once her shackles were removed. Sesshomaru growled at the thought. Sayu's song came to a bittersweet end with the promise of eternal love, and he caught her eye.
I will protect you. Sesshomaru willed her to hear his thoughts, and she seemed to understand.
The beautiful woman gave him a watery smile and a tilt of her head to show her gratitude, and was then descended upon by Lord Kazuo and his endless praise. Sesshomaru moved to rescue her, but was once again deterred by business. The demon lord suppressed a growl as he reluctantly turned away. He felt a strange need to be near her. Despite how well everything was going, something didn't feel right and he wanted to warn her. Kaito was proving to be less than dependable and was grating on Sesshomaru's last nerve. He cast one more glance at Sayu and saw her laughing at something Lord Kazuo said. Sesshomaru reserved himself to be satisfied with that. The old wind demon was about as threatening as a sack of rice, but protective over anyone he formed an attachment to. Sayu seemed to win over the plump man, a testimony to her character. The woman plaguing his thoughts disappeared in a sea of faces and Sesshomaru turned to listen to the bat demon prattling on about upset in his territory and how he would fix it.
Sayu couldn't stifle the laugh that erupted when Lord Kazuo began telling stories of a young Sesshomaru. She couldn't imagine her imposing master as a child eager to please his parents.
"Lord Kazuo," she managed between giggles, "surely my master wasn't such a… a-."
"Spoiled brat," he finished for her. "Of course he was! You should have seen the tantrums he threw when his parents wouldn't give him the time of day. Insolent pup he was."
Sayu did her best to cover her mouth with her long sleeve. She inhaled deeply and settled against a massive beam. Kazuo was looking at her with a happy gleam in his eyes and Sayu blushed.
"Forgive me if I stare," Lord Kazuo chuckled. "You remind me of my daughter. She's mated and moved to the other side of the continent."
Sayu smiled sadly at him, knowing full well what it was like to miss someone, though she didn't know who the people she missed were. "It's alright. To be perfectly honest, you remind me of my first master."
Her comment made Kazuo bristle and she laughed as he tried to hide his dislike.
"I would never participate in such a horrendous act. People are not to be owned like cattle," was all he could manage.
Sayu placed a hand on his arm to reassure him. "Lord Kazuo, you honor me with your words. But my first master was a wonderful man and very kind to me. I think you would have been a great master to me as well."
The wind demon smiled at her words before a twinkle appeared in his eye. "Why, is that old dog demon not treating you well enough?" he nudged her good naturedly and missed the sudden panic on her face.
She realized all too quickly how much she had forgotten her place. She looked around at all the beautiful demons surrounding her and her heart sank. She was not their equal, and here she was mingling and discussing her master with strangers. Her fists knotted at the front of her kimono and she looked down at it in shame. Never had she worn such extravagant clothing and she felt like she was doing something very wrong in participating. She was a warrior trained to protect and kill should her master need it.
Lord Kazuo seemed to notice her distress and gently pulled her away from the crowd. The sleeves slipped down her arms, revealing the black metal coiled around her wrists and Kazuo's eyes darted to the out-of-place shackles.
"So, that's how your masters keep you subdued."
Sayu and Kazuo turned to see Haru standing a few feet away with a cocky grin on his face. Sayu dropped her hands so her wrists were covered again and dropped her chin to her chest. She felt Haru circling her, like a predator stalking its prey, and a shiver went own her spine. There was something so familiar about his scent, but she couldn't place it. His behavior screamed danger and Sayu wondered if Sesshomaru was near.
"Your singing really was remarkable, but it's your fighting I'm interested in."
"Now see here you little whelp," Kazuo cut in, placing himself between Sayu and Haru's calculating eyes.
"Relax Lord Kazuo, I mean the girl no harm. I merely want to test her abilities for myself."
"That won't be necessary."
All three jumped at the sound of Sesshomaru's imposing voice. He swooped in and snatched Sayu away with such grace and speed it left her head spinning, but she was grateful for the rescue. A fight in such close quarters would be dangerous.
"Sayu is not a toy to be played with. I will not allow such abuse to what is mine." Sesshomaru practically snarled at Haru, letting the inferior demon know he wasn't playing around.
Haru dipped his head in submission and moved away. "My apologies, Lord Sesshomaru. I meant no disrespect."
Lord Kazuo glared at Haru's retreating form before turning to Sayu and grinning. "It seems you're in capable hands now, my dear. I must be getting back to my mate."
Sayu blushed when the old demon kissed her hand and then allowed herself to be led away by her master.
"Where is that blasted tiger demon? He's supposed to be watching you!" Sesshomaru growled.
Sayu was shocked at her master's anger and hastened her footsteps to keep up with the furious man. They waded through the throng of guests and Sesshomaru pulled her out to the garden. The cool night air pricked at her heated skin and Sayu breathed a sigh of relief. Sesshomaru seemed to relax as well, releasing the death grip he had on her arm and looking up at the clear night sky. She studied his profile against the inky background, taking in his beauty as if for the first time. Sesshomaru caught her gaze and she blushed and looked away.
"Master, I'm not afraid to fight him."
Sesshomaru examined the shy looking woman before him. "That's not the point. For him to openly challenge you in the middle of a social gathering, and completely unprovoked!"
"Still, I will fight him if you wish it. I don't want to dishonor my master."
"You would so willingly engage in unnecessary combat?"
"It's all I know," she whispered.
Sesshomaru saw her eyes hollow out, perhaps some distant memory of a previous owner forcing her to kill. The thought made him sick. Sure he made her fight Inuyasha, but he would never have allowed her to kill him or truly injure him. It had merely been for him to gauge her skill and whether or not she could protect Rin. "That's unfortunate. But you will not be forced to do that so long as you remain with me."
Sayu's head snapped up and she looked at him with unbelieving eyes. "Master, you don't have to-." She inhaled sharply when Sesshomaru appeared a breath away from her, golden eyes smoldering. Her lips parted and the demon's gaze traveled to her soft, pink mouth. He brought a clawed hand to her face and caressed her cheek.
"How many times have I told you not to call me that? No matter how angry I get with you, do not ever revert to calling me master."
Sayu's chin trembled and she nodded against his fingertips. "Forgive me, my Lord," she whispered.
Sesshomaru growled low in his throat before pulling away. Sayu mourned the loss of his warm body against her skin.
"Stay here for a moment. I'm going to find Kaito."
Sayu watched him disappear in the throng of demons and clutched the fabric draped across her chest. She knew in her heart he was struggling to reconcile his feelings for her, whatever they were. Being around him made her feel things she knew she shouldn't, especially for a man so far above her own status. Her fingers fluttered over her cheek where his were moments before and she smiled.
A twig snapped and Sayu gasped and turned toward the darkness further in the garden. Haru's handsome face appeared out of the shadows and she felt her heart sink. The way he looked at her made her stomach turn.
"Who would have thought the great Sesshomaru would find someone else in this world worth protecting," he said, chuckling as he advanced on her.
Sayu pulled her shoulders back and rose to her full height. Compared to Sesshomaru she was a short woman, barely reaching his chin, but Haru was a much smaller dog demon and she could almost match him in height.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
Haru noticed her change in demeanor and just smiled. "Don't play coy, Sayu. I saw the tender moment you two just shared. Lord Sesshomaru never touches anyone willingly, and rumor has it you two have shared more than the simple caress of a cheek."
Sayu felt her face burn and her delicate brows knit together. "Watch how you speak of my master," she snarled. She eyed him furiously as he circled her.
"Your master does not interest me."
"Then what do you want with me?" Sayu asked, watching him over her shoulder.
Haru's smile widened, revealing long white fangs. "Clever girl, I have come here on behalf of my lady. She wished for me to test your abilities."
Sayu stared at him, confused at his declaration. "Who is this lady you speak of?" Sayu demanded.
"She's a powerful demon, but then you've already met her."
Sayu searched her memories for a demoness she may have met that showed an interest in her, but the only demoness she knew was…
"Amaya," Sayu snarled.
Haru laughed nervously and scratched his chin with a clawed finger. "Ah, it seems I've been discovered. Lady Amaya wanted me to finish you off quickly, but there's no fun in that. I want to see what you're capable of," he said.
Sayu backed away from him and looked into the open doors to see if she could find her master's silver crown towering over the crowd of demons. He hadn't given her a direct order not to fight, but she knew he didn't want her to engage anyone in the midst of the party. Haru appeared before her and she blinked in surprise until his fist collided with her stomach. He hit her with such force she crumpled to the ground, arms wrapped tightly around her middle as she wheezed.
Haru knelt down so he was level with her. Sayu growled and her eyes flashed red, warning him to keep his distance. This only made Haru smile.
"Fascinating. You resemble a human in every way, yet you display characteristics and mannerisms of a demon. Tell me, do you have any idea what breed you are?"
Sayu growled again and took a swipe at Haru, making the dog demon jump back. She struggled to her feet and moved in time to avoid his claws.
"Come little demon, show me what you can do!" Haru yelled as he lunged at her again.
Sayu narrowly avoided his sharp claws and cast a glance into the massive room holding all Sesshomaru's guests. They hadn't been discovered yet, but if they ventured much closer she was sure they'd be seen and panic would ensue. She had to hold him off long enough for Sesshomaru to return. As if on cue, Kaito appeared just outside the door and called for her. Sayu turned to yell for him, her eyes meeting his in a desperate plea before she felt a fist connect with her jaw. The force of the blow sent her flying through the wall. Demons shrieked and gasped, jumping out of the way as her body careened through the air. Sayu twisted and landed on her feet, claws tearing up the floor as she brought herself to a stop. She grimaced at the pain in her shoulder and rolled out the kinks before standing. Haru appeared in the hole she made in the wall with a maniacal grin on his face.
Haru wasted no time advancing on her and she rose to her feet. Sayu growled and moved to meet him in the center of the room. She wanted to kill this demon, rip his throat out and revel in his demise. Sesshomaru appeared before her, blocking her path to Haru. She stopped when she sensed his rage.
"What is the meaning of this?" he all but shouted.
Haru had the sense to stop, but he did not answer her lord.
Sesshomaru growled as he surveyed the damage to his home. "Who sent you?" he demanded.
At Haru's silence Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and began to glow red. "I asked you a question!" he snarled.
Sayu moved forward a step. "Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Amaya sent him."
Eyes still on Haru, he beckoned Sayu forward. "Why has that woman sent you here?"
"He was sent to kill me, my Lord," Sayu answered, knowing Haru would continue his silence.
"Has she lost her mind?" Sesshomaru screamed in rage. "Did she not learn the last time she disrespected me in my own home!"
Haru's eyes shifted from Sesshomaru's to Sayu's and he glared at her with a disturbing hunger, lust for battle bleeding into his eyes. Sayu knew then he wouldn't stop until he was killed.
"My Lord," she whispered from his side, "let me fight him."
Sesshomaru looked at her sharply, offended that she even ask such a thing. Sayu sensed his hesitation and pressed on.
"He will not stop until he's killed. I don't want you to soil your hands on such an unworthy opponent."
Sesshomaru would have said no, but her desire to fight was strong. He looked at the demons around him, all waiting for his answer. They watched eagerly and Sesshomaru tried to hide his disgust. They didn't care about Sayu, they just wanted a show. He sighed and closed his eyes before pinning Haru with a glare. If Sayu wanted to dispose of him and his guests desired a blood match, who was he to say otherwise?
"So be it," he growled.
The second the words left his mouth Haru launched himself at Sayu. She caught him and rolled to the side, away from her angry master. He wrapped a hand around her throat and leaned close to her face. His tongue slid over her cheek and Sayu recoiled in disgust. She felt her master's anger and the shackles around her wrists hummed against her skin. Haru's breath rolled over the side of her face and she growled.
"After I kill you, I'm going to go find that pathetic human and rip her throat out. Then I'm going to destroy your precious Sesshomaru," he whispered, lips brushing against the shell of her ear.
A rushing noise filled Sayu's ears as her vision blurred red. She screamed and threw him off her body, shaking with rage. He began to laugh as he stood up but stopped when he caught sight of her. The air around her sizzled and cracked, her powerful aura filling the room. Her eyes were red and focused solely on him.
"You all want to see what I can do?" she roared. "I'll show you what I can do!" Sayu ripped the tattered remains of her elaborate kimono off, glad she went against Eri's wishes and wore her fighting gear beneath.
Wasting no time, Sayu launched herself at the stunned demon. She snarled and growled like a wild animal, exposing her elongated canines and making the other demons move away. Her fist connected with his jaw, sending him flying into one of the tables. Before he could even move, Sayu was on him again. She picked him up by the front of his shirt and threw him to the other side of the room.
Haru managed to stand and looked around frantically for Sayu. He heard her chuckle and looked up. The other demons followed his gaze and gasped. She was clinging to the ceiling, claws anchored deep in the wood to keep her in place. She released her hold and pushed off, claws poised to strike. Haru moved out of the way and ran from the crazed woman, but Sayu appeared before him and knocked him to the ground. She moved to stand on his chest and squatted down, making it difficult for Haru to breathe. She ran a clawed finger down his cheek, a thin line of red weeping out of the scratch.
"You reek of fear," she growled. "How pathetic you are. Didn't you learn not to make threats you couldn't carry out?"
Haru growled at her, his own eyes bleeding red. Sayu roared at him and dug her claws in her throat. She was about to sink them in further and tear his throat out, as he threatened to do, when she felt her master's powerful aura. She looked up at him with questioning eyes.
Sesshomaru was stunned by her display. He knew her to be strong, but he never realized how much she'd been holding back. The power he felt from her was staggering, enough to challenge even him. It unnerved him how much she reminded him of Inuyasha when he lost control of his demon blood, but as he looked down at her, ready to deal the final blow, he saw the clarity in her eyes. They screamed for retribution: I cannot kill her, so let me kill him. Let me avenge myself.
Sesshomaru turned from her and addressed his guests. "Let this filth serve as a message to Amaya. His death will be a warning to my enemies." He nodded to Sayu and she grinned.
Haru gurgled what could have been a scream, but Sayu ignored him and ripped through his throat with her claws. She watched until his eyes became dull and his heart quit beating before standing and stepping off his chest. Her hand dripped blood as her crimson eyes raked over the crowd.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to insult my master?" she yelled, challenging each pair of eyes that gleamed back at her.
At their silence she turned to her master and dropped to one knee and bent forward in a bow, one fisted hand on the ground for balance. It was the sort of obedience a soldier showed, a sign of respect and reverence. After a moment she rose and Sesshomaru was relieved to see her unusual black eyes.
"My Lord, may I retire?" she asked.
Sesshomaru nodded curtly and watched as she made to leave. The crowd of demons parted to let her pass and watched until she disappeared down the hallway. He sighed and looked at the dead demon bleeding on his floor.
"I think it's safe to say that the night has come to a close," Sesshomaru said. He looked to the servants and frowned. "Clean this mess up."
Kaito appeared at his side and Sesshomaru growled at him, warning him to back off. The tiger demon retreated with his head to the ground. Sesshomaru glided past him and went straight to Sayu's room.
He found her just inside the door, crouching on the floor against the wall with her face held in her bloody hands. She didn't move when he entered and slid the screen shut beside him. Amber eyes regarded the woman before him. He tried to detect some form of emotion from her through their strange bond, but there was nothing. She appeared as hollow as Inuyasha's first priestess.
"Sayu," he said.
At his demanding tone the woman looked up at him, the blood on her face and empty eyes making her look fierce and dangerous. She said nothing.
"Do you regret taking another life?"
"No Lord Sesshomaru, it's the first one I don't regret."
Her words confused him. He never had any qualms about taking a life. If someone was trying to kill him, it was common sense for him to take them out first. Survival was key, and to survive one had to kill.
"Explain," Sesshomaru demanded. He sat down across from her, showing her she had his undivided attention.
Sayu sighed and looked down at her palms and dropped her butt to the ground, long legs stretching out so her toes almost touched Sesshomaru's. "I've always killed, but it's been for someone else. It was difficult at first, especially the innocent ones, but my masters made me do it so much I got used to it. I didn't think about it." She paused and looked through the window behind him. It was pitch black and she couldn't make anything out except the moon and stars. It was a crescent moon and matched the marking on Sesshomaru's forehead. She smiled a little and looked back to her stained hands.
"I was never allowed to kill for my own sake, for my own revenge. Killing Haru felt right, it felt good. I've never felt that way about killing someone and it frightens me." Tears welled in her eyes and she wiped at them angrily. "I'm afraid of becoming some blood-thirsty monster who kills for the fun of it. What if I hurt Rin?" Her voice cracked and the tears fell freely.
Sesshomaru appeared in front of her and she gasped. He took her face in his hands and wiped the tears and blood away with his thumbs. His smell and warmth surrounded her and she relaxed a little. His molten yellow eyes bore into her black ones and she felt rocked to her core.
"You will never be a monster," he whispered sharply. "The fact that you feel this way is a testament to that. You're the most caring woman I know, and fiercely protective of your pup. You will never hurt her."
Sayu felt overwhelmed by his honesty. She was shocked he acknowledged her feelings of Rin as her child, and it made her immensely happy that he understood and respected that. He looked away suddenly to the door connected to the bath. Without looking back at her he scooped her in his arms and carried her into the humid room.
"My Lord, this is not necessary," she whispered, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
Sesshomaru ignored her and gently set her on the lip of the enormous tub. The steam warmed her cold body and the soreness in her shoulder began to set in. Her master saw her wince and frowned.
"Where are you injured?"
"A few places, but it's nothing to worry about."
Sesshomaru growled and she chuckled before explaining Haru managed to land a few punches to her stomach and jaw before sending her flying through the wall. Sesshomaru dipped his hand in the water and used the warm liquid to clean the blood off the side of her face, revealing swelling and an angry bruise forming on her skin. He frowned, unable to do anything about the bruise, before instructing her to remove the outer layer of her clothing. Sayu obeyed and quietly undressed until she was in just her loose pants and the halter. Sesshomaru raised an inquisitive brow before resting a hand on her hip.
"I'm going to check for broken bones," he said, silently asking her permission.
Sayu nodded and looked away as he raised her shirt, revealing her flat, toned stomach. He knelt and fanned his hand out over her waist, marveling at how large it was compared to her petite form. His fingers spanned nearly her entire stomach and she giggled. Sesshomaru looked up at her in confusion.
"I'm a little ticklish," she stated, her face a permanent red beneath the blood.
A ghost of a smile graced his features as he continued his exploration. He'd done this once before, but in the haze of lust and her heat. He didn't remember much. Her skin was soft beneath his calloused hands and he pressed his thumb against the center of her stomach, just above her belly button where another bruise was forming. Sayu winced but held still, watching as his hands danced over her skin. He carefully felt each rib before standing and replacing her shirt.
"Nothing is broken," he said before turning his attention to her shoulder.
It was the worst damage she suffered. The skin was an angry red and torn open in several places, dried blood crusting the outer edges. The skin around it was black and blue and when he touched it she flinched. Sesshomaru grabbed a folded rag and dipped it into the water. After wringing out the excess liquid he began carefully cleaning the wound. Sayu kept her face slack despite the discomfort, not wanting to show the pain she felt. Satisfied it was clean, Sesshomaru dipped his head and swiped his tongue along the first laceration. Sayu jumped and looked at him with wide eyes.
Sesshomaru growled low in his throat, urging her to let him continue. Sayu dipped her head in submission and sat back down. The dog demon watched her a moment before going back to work. It took longer than it did when he injured her in the training room. The cuts were rough and ugly, nothing compared to the clean slices of his blade.
Sayu did her best to hold still. Every drag of his rough tongue against her skin made her want to throw him to the ground and claim him, but she stamped those feelings down to save her master the awkwardness. When he wrapped his lips around a part of her shoulder and suckled on the injured flesh it was almost enough to do her in. She kept her head turned away, and some of the stray hair that fell out of her beautiful comb covered her face.
Sesshomaru pulled away and surveyed his handiwork, satisfied the wounds were sealed and no longer bleeding. The bruises and overall soreness was something she would have to heal in her own time.
Sensing a sudden chill where her master was, Sayu turned to see him moving to the door. Without thinking she jumped up and called to him. "Lord Sesshomaru, please don't leave!"
His hand froze on the screen and he looked at her over his shoulder. "You need to bathe. It isn't proper," he said. But his hand remained on the door and he made no move to leave.
"I don't want to be alone right now. Just don't look at me." She hated how desperate and pathetic she sounded, but she still had more questions and for some reason her master seemed to be in a talking mood. She nearly cried in relief when his hand dropped and he turned to face her.
He walked back to stand beside her before turning and sitting, settling against the wood frame built around the tub. Sayu walked to the other side and undressed quickly. She lowered herself slowly in the hot water and sighed. After thoroughly cleaning herself in record time, she cautiously waded over to Sesshomaru. His entire head was visible over the top and she draped her arms across the edge and studied his profile.
"My Lord, why does Lady Amaya want me dead?"
Sesshomaru kept his eyes forward and inhaled deeply. "She sees you as a threat, an obstacle to me."
Sayu absorbed this information with some pride, trying to hide the smile on her face. "Why does she want you so badly? There are plenty of other demons out there."
The corners of his lips tugged down and Sayu saw sadness burn in the golden depths of his eyes.
"It's a complicated story."
Sayu rested her chin on her hands and gave him an encouraging smile. "I'm listening," she whispered.
Her master turned to look at her, his eyes traveling over the visible skin. He frowned when he saw the black mark on her cheek. Sighing, he fixed his gaze back on the doors in front it him.
"A long time ago Amaya was to be my mate, but I didn't want her. I chose someone else and she was so angry she vowed destroy us. At the time, there was a village of humans in her territory who practiced dark magic. They did vile things to demons. Amaya and her family decided to destroy the village and its people." Sesshomaru paused and pursed his lips. "They didn't know how strong the humans were. Amaya knew they would lose and be killed and she made a deal with the elder woman of the village; her entire family in exchange for her life. She showed the humans how to get past the gates of their castle. Her mother and father, all of her siblings were destroyed by their magic, including my soon-to-be mate. They ended up destroying each other, and the only survivor was Amaya."
Sayu felt an inexplicable rage at Sesshomaru's words. She couldn't imagine what it was like for Sesshomaru to lose the one he loved. She wondered if that accounted to his cold demeanor now. "How did Amaya get away with it? Surely such a treacherous act deserved nothing less than death."
Sesshomaru chuckled darkly. "Normally, yes. But there are rules among the nobility. You cannot wipe out an entire clan, and since she was the sole survivor she remains untouchable."
"I don't understand! How could she think you would ever take her back after betraying her family and essentially killing them all? Especially the woman you loved!"
"My only guess is she thought enough time passed. She's hungry for power, and her desperation makes her careless."
Sayu thought back to the incident with Rin. Yes, her actions reeked of a desperate woman. But she still couldn't understand how Amaya could betray her family. The demoness deserved to die. She felt tears form in her eyes as she watched Sesshomaru's face. She felt guilty for making him relive his sorrow. She reached out and cupped his cheek, drawing his face to hers so he could see how she hurt for him, how she mourned his loss. A few tears escaped and rolled down her wet cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Lord Sesshomaru," she breathed, voice thick with unshed tears.
He leaned into her touch and covered her small hand with his own, closing his eyes as she caressed his flesh. When he opened his eyes they were back to their usual emotionless expression.
"Thank you," he said. He released her hand and stood and Sayu watched sadly as he walked to the door. The demon paused and glanced at her over his shoulder. "As soon as you've recovered we're traveling to see an old friend of mine. He may be able to help you."
With that said, Sesshomaru left Sayu to soak in the warm bath. She sighed and wiped her eyes. His story made her despise Amaya more than she thought possible. With a loud groan she slipped beneath the surface, allowing the hot water to soothe her sore injuries and clear her frenzied mind. It seemed Kaito was right. Sesshomaru was looking for a way to free her.
A/N: Hello all my lovelies! Sorry it took so long to update this! As I was writing I thought I hit save and closed down my computer. Turns out it didn't save and I lost about six pages of writing. Needless to say, I was devastated and it took some motivation to get me to rewrite all of it. Then I just couldn't stop writing and it ended up being a super long chapter… There was a lot of information thrown at you all. Hopefully the length makes up for it!
Celsie7: Yes! I am still alive. I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting but I'm extremely happy you stuck with me and were patient. I don't know what I'd do without my loyal reviewers.
Snowy B: Thank you! I have many more fun surprises to come! Thank you for your lovely review.
Neeky-chan: OMG! Thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me! Normally people are iffy when it comes to OC fanfictions but I decided to take a stab at it anyway. I'm so happy you were able to make the connection. I was a little worried I was too vague, but I didn't want to slap my readers in the face with it. I am now having an absolutely wonderful day thanks to your awesome comment! You do the same.
Dontgotaclue88: You're tellin' me. Poor Sesshomaru and his hormones and insatiable curiosity regarding Sayu. They're going to get him in trouble one of these days. Thanks so much for the review!