"Turn out the lamp," the voice said, "step to the wall with your back to it and put on the blindfold."

I did as the voice said. When I heard the door open I pushed my back against the wall, trying to disappear, take up less room, be less conspicuous. Something different was going to happen this time, the new position positively screamed it. After moving about here and there in the room, he walked to me and stood in front of me, very close. I could feel him breathe. I waited. I waited. Nothing happened.

When I was sure I was going to scream from the tension, he moved. I could feel the heat of his body, he was that close. His fingers found the ties of the kimono and slipped them free. He pulled the garment off my shoulders and I felt it drop to the ground. He bent and picked it up. I sensed him walk away from me but he didn't leave the room.

Suddenly afraid, I tried to cover myself. "Don't," the voice said, and the snarl it conveyed made me drop my arms and stand with my back to the wall. I felt naked, exposed, vulnerable despite the underclothing still on my body. Silence. He moved toward me again. "I'm going to touch you now," he said. It was not a request. His hand touch my breast, ran its fingers over the edges of the breast binding. He moved over them and then down over my belly, my hips. Over my bottom again. His hand ran down my leg and back up my inner thigh. He stopped just short of my womanhood. He held there. I didn't move.

"Spread your legs," he demanded.

Swallowing hard, I did so. Gently, gently he cupped me there. The heat of his hand was shocking through the thin cloth. I waited, but he did nothing more. Slowly, he stepped away then gathered the things on the table. He went out and shut the door without another word. I stood there, trembling and terribly aroused.

When I removed the blindfold, I saw that there was another bowl of hot water, towel and soap waiting for me along with another kimono. Not knowing what else to do, I washed again and fell asleep on the futon wearing the new robe.

The next time he came, after I had taken up my usual position he did not hesitate, but moved quickly to me. He pulled me from the wall and picked me up. I gasped but did not fight, still unsure if that was a wise thing to do. He placed me on the bed and then I didn't feel him. It was quiet. Still. Suddenly I felt his hands under the robe. He pulled the panties off me and spread my legs. Instantly, I could feel his face between my thighs. At the first touch of his tongue, I screamed in both fear and need. I couldn't fight it. The days of near darkness, isolation, removal from my friends, husband and everything I knew had broken me down. That, combined with his dark, fearful seduction made me desperate. My mind screamed 'no' but my body begged for more.

He added his fingers then, and I was helpless to resist. Again and again he pushed me to the edge and then over. He went on and on and I was lost. The total release to a stranger, to a captor I had never even seen had me mortified and shamed, but I could not tell him to stop. I had never felt this level of need before.

When I was spent, when there was nothing left in me I felt him rise and step back. "Beautiful…Kagome."

The words had me shooting up. He growled a warning that froze me in place and moved away. I heard the door close and I ripped the blindfold off my face. The candles were still lit, I was wet and achy between my legs. My head was swimming. I had just had the orgasmic experience of my life, and it was with a stranger. I thought of InuYasha, and began to cry.

The next time he came, he wanted repayment for his earlier actions. "Touch me," he demanded.

Blindfolded and seated on one of the cushions this time, I tentatively reached out and felt warm, naked skin. I was afraid to venture too far in any direction, but he grabbed a handful of my hair and told me, "More."

I did so. He was muscular, smooth and seemed to be perfectly formed. His legs were corded with muscle, his abdomen hard and ridged. I deliberately avoided 'that place', but he would have none of that. He gave my hair a jerk and I gasped. "Everywhere."

My mouth was suddenly dry. I nodded and slowly reached out for that forbidden zone. He was thick and hard and incredibly hot. I felt him step closer to me. "Do it," he said. And I did. I had only a shadow of fear. Enough to excite me but not stop me. I wanted this, and I would have it. I worked him with teeth and tongue, using my hands to squeeze and stroke and he didn't last long. He came with a shout, gripping my hair almost painfully in his ecstasy.

At last, he stepped back. "Good girl," he purred. "Very good girl."

Once he released my hair and stepped back, he didn't touch me again. I felt him watching me for long moments, but I didn't move, and made no sound. Once the door shut, I removed the blindfold and sat thinking about what had happened. Slowly, I smiled. Somehow, things had changed. I had elicited need in him. I had the upper hand, now.

He didn't return for a long time. No food, no tea, no bath. Just silence. Had I done something wrong? I wondered. Or was he done playing with me? Would he come again? Or would he leave me here to die, or worse?

I became very frightened and worried the more time went by, and the more silence there was. It went on and on. I slept, woke, and... Nothing. I was feeling desperate. Was I abandoned in this dark, lonely place? Could I escape? Find my way home? I thought I would lose my mind, that I could not endure it any longer. Only fear kept me from making a move.

Then, there was a thud.