CHAPTER TWO

Mikage

I sat in the wash basin, warm water seeping to my collar. The sponge, soft and squishy against my skin, still brought me pain.

"Mikage...where did you get all these markings...?"

She ran the yellow cleaning utensil over my arm, scrubbing away the dirt that had trapped itself on my skin. It had been awhile since it had been so clear. My hair was nearly black in this water from the moisture. The water was greying from all the dirt that filled it.

I didn't answer, deciding to just focus on the grime dripping away.

InuKimi pressed her palm against my head, before calling,

"Close your eyes!"

With hardly a moment's notice, my head was plunged underwater, warm liquid seeping up to the part of my hair- which after everything, had probably vanished. When she brought my head above water, I had no time to clear the drops of fluid from my eyes so I could open them- she was doing it for me. Her now wrinkled and clammy fingertips pressed against my eyelids, firmly wiping away any remaining water.

"You have the most beautiful eyes... It's a shame you don't show them off more often," she stated. She tilted my head slowly to each side, examining me with fingers firmly pressed in my skin. "So...How old are you...?"

"Nine."

"Nine? You look younger than that."

"I'm nine, Miss."

"Oh, how rude of me. Did I forget to tell you my name...?" she inquired, bringing a comb through my bangs. I felt cold drops strain off of them as she measured them, amber eyes running up and down their length.

"No. My Daddy just says to be polite."

"You're quite the princess. Speaking of which, why do you wear that old miko's kimono when you could wear something so much prettier?"

"Because I'm training to be a priestess."

"A priestess!" She almost looked offended. "You're royalty. They shouldn't be making you do that..." She picked up a shiny pair of scissors from the floor before she snipped the excess split ends away. I watched as the pieces of hair fell almost instantly to the water, creating momentary ripples before simply floating.

"I-it's okay. I like it."

She paused, gazing at my face. Her bright irises moved around, searching me for answers.

"You like what you do?" she asked, apple-red lips open in confusion. She ran her tongue over the bottom of her fangs in thought, brow furrowing. When I didn't answer, she simply shook her head, fishing around in the water for the end of my hair. When she found it, she began combing through that as well, having to tug just a bit to get some of the impossible tangles out. "Poor thing. All of those scars."

I flinched.

"I'm sorry. If you don't want to talk about them, I won't discuss it any further. I won't even ask where you came from since it's obvious you were trying to get away, okay?"

I nodded as she cut away the splaying tips of my hair. I was grateful for this much, at least. The thick scent of lavender bushes lingered around me as she checked me from almost every angle.

"No disgusting bugs clinging to you after all that. Lucky you."

She scrubbed at my back, working away at the grooves of my spine. I tried my best not to cry out at the pain it brought, instead allowing my fang to press into the soft flesh of my lip. A tiny drop of blood leaked, bringing the tangy taste of metal to my tongue. Finally, she ceased her cleaning and looked at me.

"Okay. All done, I think." She grabbed my wrist, lifting me to a standing position in the tub. The cool rush of air against my bare skin made goosebumps arise, but I didn't complain. I just gazed at her, feeling as the heavy weight of my hair slapped against my thighs. It was smooth and slick, sticking to my skin. She picked up a red kimono with an elaborate pink and brown sakura pattern covering one side. "Now you had better be careful with this one, because it was mine when I was very young."

I nodded as my arm was slid through the sleeve relieved to feel its absorbing fabric against my chilled body. I now realized that this kimono in fact was a furisode, sleeves swinging far past my knees.

"It's very pretty, Miss." I avoided her gaze as she pulled a silk wrapping around my middle, pulling it snug.

"Yes, I know. So don't get it dirty, all right?"

She smirked a bit, grabbing my one uninjured cheek and tugging on it.

"Now go. See if you can manage to have some fun." She thrust her hands over my shoulders, pushing me out the door.

Much to my horror, I felt my foot stumble over a loose floorboard, and I fell. I felt my ears run cold. But before I could reach impact, something wrinkly and loud was crashed into the floor before me.

"A-ah... I'm so so-"

"Watch where you're going! Hey- who are you, anyway?"

I pulled back a bit to gaze at an toad-like creature, glaring back at me with giant, yellow, rice bowl-size eyes. His beak was pressed into a frown, green prune skin wrinkling with his scowl.

"M-my name is Mikage, sir."

I pressed my forehead to the hard floor, feeling its cool exterior chill my wet skin.

"Look at that! You've gone and gotten me all wet! Go dry your mop of hair off if you intend to-"

"Jaken."

I lifted my head from the ground, only to be met by the sharp scent of mint, and the spicy smell of cinnamon. Lord Sesshomaru was approaching, yellow eyes emotionless. His long silver threads of hair fell around his shoulders. He was just wearing a robe today, blue in color. He towered easily over both of us, with me upon the ground, and this 'Jaken' at his short height.

"Be quiet."

"Aye, Milord."

"As for you."

He turned his head to glare at me. I lowered my eyes.

"How long do you intend to stay here?"

"I don't."

"Then leave," he demanded.

"I have your mother's kimono. I'm sorry. I can't leave until I get mine back."

He made a low grunting sound before he shook his head.

"Don't tell me you're staying for dinner."

"I will not eat here. It is not my place, I understand."

I felt a hand on the top of my head, cool skin pressing my drenched hair to my skull. My head was tilted back abruptly until I was staring directly at him.

"Look at me when I speak to you. This is not your territory, priestess, princess, whoever you are. I expect you to leave as soon as the opportunity arises," he warned. I felt the skin on the back of my neck arise, lips pushing shut.

"U-understood..."

"Worthless! Look at me when I speak to you!"

I forced back a cry, swallowing hard. I could hear my teeth grind in my mouth, pain shooting upwards from my neck.

Lord Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow, eyes squinting.

"What's the matter?" he asked, voice showing no concern. The only emotion displayed on his face was confusion as I forced the awful memories away.

"N-nothing..." I lied, fixing my eyes on him.

"If you ask me, she's just intimidated by you, Milord!" Jaken chimed, trying to assure his master. He was only pushed to the floor by a clawed foot, letting out a squawk of objection.

"I assure you, it's nothing!" I got to my feet quickly before racing away.

But I did know one thing. What happened all those nights ago, was entirely my fault, and I had deserved every bit of it.