He had always been mean to her, cold, quick with the rebuttal, but never really cruel.
"Why are you being cruel? I didn't want this, just as you didn't."
His jaw clenched. "This is your doing,"
"It's not! You're the one who refused to knock them up!"
He showed his fangs.
"It's not my fault you have an issue in that department!" She yelled, "If you would have just-
He slapped her, and her hand went to her cheek, and a tear rolled out uncontrolled.
"Kaugra!" He snapped,
She came in wearing a loose Kimono.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Prepare for me."
"As you wish," She vanished, and Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome, who was still holding her face. She looked shocked and hurt.
"This is no longer child's place, Kagome." He spoke strong, "I would do far worse to you if you speak to me like that in public."
Another tear ran down her face. He closed his eyes "It is time you learn, take your place and be silent." This was her fault because she refused to do just that.
He didnt want to hit her, never wanted to hit her. But she did have to learn, and no one else seemed to teach her. If she spoke like that outside these walls, he would have to do far worse and in front of everyone. If he had to slap her once to save her later, then so be it. God forbid if she spoke to another Lord like that.
He took in a deep breath, and she looked away as he left. Kagura was waiting with an open kimono, but he ignored her. "Kagura,"
"Hai?"
"She has to learn, or I will bathe these walls with her blood."
She understood, "Hai, my Lord," She bowed, closed her Kimono, and went after Kagome.
"What have you done?" Kaugra asked, seeing the red on the girl's face. Kagome looked at her with eyes so sad it almost took the wind out of own chest.
"Kagome?" Kaugra tilted her head.
"He, he has never touched me like so before," She touched the spot with the back of her hand.
"Do you think he wishes to?"
"Yes!"
"No!" Kagura snapped, "You have to learn!"
"That I can't speak?!"
"If he does not ask for it,"
"Do you know any many times I have argued with that man, yelled at him?"
Kagura yanked her out of the water and threw her a robe. "When you were young and not under this house? His wife?"
Kagura yanked the robe and started wrapping silk around her and tied it tight. "You are not a child; he is not a playmate!"
Kagome stood silent,
"He is your Lord husband; he is not your lover, nor your enemy!" Kagura stepped back after tying the last bit, "You need to grow up, shut up, and know your place now."
"Where, where is my place?" Kagome wanted to cry, "I can not change who I am, nor will I."
"Then die,"
"I can't!" She yelled, "I have to live like this?"
Kagura stepped closer, "You have a choice."
"I didnt!" Kagome yelled,
"But you do now!" Kagura yelled back, "You can act like a poor mistreated slave girl and fight and be beaten and sit in self-pity, or you can learn your place, hold your head high, fight back in ways that will truly anger him with no moves for him to make."
Kagome calmed with some understanding,
"You can have a good life, a rich one, if only you allow yourself," Kagura's words soften.
"But one without love?"
Kagura did feel for the girl, "Are you not love, can you not give love?"
Kagome looked down, and Kaugra grabbed her hands. "Regardless if you like it or not, Kagome, you are a Miko; you will be loved by many."
"But touched by none?"
"Do you want his touch?"
"No,"
"Silly girl, lust is natural."
"He wouldn't touch me anyway."
Kagura smile. "Demon is his, but man still."
"So, he seems to be in control of that nature."
"If you want to feel a man he is your only option I suggest you learn the art of seduction."
Kagome blushed "I'll pass,"
"For now, maybe, and Sesshomaru can only hold out for so long; he is as stubborn as you."
"He has six other wives,"
"Still, one day it will be you, he has to remove your virginity in a show of power to the other lands."
Kagome looked away. "I'm not land,"
Kagura hooks her chin with her finger, making her look at her. " But you are his."
"Kagura,"
"Chose Miko, proud and powerful, or pitiful and broken. He will push you towards one or the other,"
Kagome was proud and powerful. "I chose love,"
Kaugra raised her head. She hoped for Kagome's sake; she could; she hoped for his sake that Kagome could. She knew what the old dog demon was doing.
"We shall see Miko,"
Kagome raised her head and made her choice, but life always has a way of testing you.