Chapter 10: Cornered

I had expected my lessons with Lady Amélie, to begin right away. Instead, she explained that this first meeting was just an introduction. She wanted to see what work would be cut out for her. At our next meeting she would have the necessary tools, to "whip me into shape" she said. I wonder what she had in store for me with these Lady Lessons tomorrow. She had left a few books behind for me. She wanted me to start reading them, for general knowledge purposes. The first book looked very old. The dark green leather was worn. The binding on the spine was thick like a rope. It had no writing on the cover. There were only four symbols. One of a great white dog. A blue dragon, a giant snake, and a fox demon. I ran my fingers over the symbols. They had been embroidered into the leather. I slowly opened the cover and started reading. The first chapter was about the Lords and their territories. That's what the pictures on the cover were about.

The Snake Lord belonged to the East. The Dragon Lord to the North. The Fox Lord to the South and Sesshomaru to the West of course. There was even information on their families and the previous Lords before them. Sesshomaru's father was called 'The Fighting Fang'. He was the strongest InuDaiyokai there was. According to the book, no one has surpassed his power, even though Sesshomaru comes close. I flipped the page, there was a portrait painted of him; of Toga. His skin was olive-colored—that long familiar platinum-colored hair and amber eyes. However, the markings on his cheek were fewer and jagged blue like Inuyasha's when he transformed into a full demon.

I wondered why Sesshomaru's markings are pink and not blue.

There was no picture of his mother in the book, only a few sentences about her, which told me virtually nothing about her; which sucked. I wanted to know more about his family. I didn't want to ask him outright. I didn't know if we were close enough for that yet. It wasn't shocking that the tidbit about Inuyasha and his mother was left out. I skimmed the other parts about the Lords and their family history. I was so engrossed in the book. To think I didn't know this entire world existed right under my nose. That there was this high society with demons like Sesshomaru. I'd always assumed that demons were just these monsters. Who wanted to eat humans with only a few intelligent exceptions. I guess that speaks to my ignorance. In all honesty, I thought the book was interesting. I didn't want to put it down. Their customs, traditions, and even holidays. It was all so fascinating. Well, not the part about how men In power could have the mistresses. A lot of things were starting to make sense. Besides that part, I wondered how it got lost over the centuries. In my time I saw nothing about demons, and seeing as I was now married to one. I would have to do whatever I could to preserve their culture. I mean one day I'd have kids with the man. They'd deserve to know where they came from. However, we'd have to work on the oh-so-very obvious overbearing patriarchy business. Before I knew it I had found myself halfway through the book. The sun had already set, but I was too interested in the book to put it down. I heard someone clear their throat. I nearly jumped out of my skin and slammed the book shut. I hadn't noticed him standing there. How long had he been watching me? I quickly put the book on the desk and got up.

"I'm sorry. You probably need to use your study. I'll get out of your way." I rambled.

"Kagome stay," he'd said.

"No, no it's okay," I said avoiding eye contact.

He stepped in the way of the door, and I bumped into his chest

"Sit."

That was not a suggestion. I sighed and sat down at his desk. He sat opposite me. I kept my eyes on the desk, but I could feel his eyes burning holes in me. I was fidgeting under his gaze.

Was he going to sit there and not say anything?

"Is there something you would like to talk about?" I asked him.

"How was your meeting with Lady Amélie."

I relaxed. I expected him to interrogate me for what I'd been doing lately, but this I could do.

I fidgeted with my fingers. "She is strange that's for sure. She has a strange way of doing things too. We came to an understanding today. I think she's fine so far. Where did you find her anyway? She's European. That's a ways away from Japan. Why not find me a teacher closer to home?"

"She is a friend of the family; a trusted one. Specifically a friend of my mother's. She is from Europe. However, she has lived here for many years. She is married to one of the noblemen on these lands. To bring a stranger into our home. That would be alone with the newly appointed Lady of the West for hours on end, would be unwise. There would be too much space for opportunity. I could not be sure of any outside influence."

"Influence?"

"People can be persuaded by anything. By money, fear, and many other things. The West is the most powerful territory. There are those who wish to see that change. Killing you would be the first step in doing so. I could not leave anything to chance. Especially not your safety Kagome. It is my r-"

I nodded. "Responsibility," I said finishing for him.

I was starting to hate that word.

"I see. So, this was for my safety, and the safety of the West."

"Hn."

I could still feel his eyes on me. They haven't moved since we sat down.

"Are we going to continue to pretend Kagome?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, playing stupid.

I hoped he would buy it and let me go, but I knew better than that.

"You have been avoiding me."

I said nothing.

"You are avoiding me." He repeated. "You have not looked at me."

I looked him in the eyes.

"Are people in the palace starting to talk? Is that what this is about; rumors? If so, I'll stop so they can be qu-"

"I do not care what they whisper about. Or if they whisper at all. I want to know for myself and no one else."

"Why?"

"You are my wife; my mate. If I have done something wrong, I prefer it if you would tell me. Not behave-"

"Like a child?" I finished for him.

He wasn't wrong.

"No, not like a child."

He sighed and stood up. He made his way to my side of the desk. He pulled up the chair, sitting directly in front of me. He sat in front of me and grabbed my chair, pulling me close to him. I was sitting between his legs now. It had been a while since It had been this close to him. I could feel my face getting hot. I pushed against his chest trying to back up, but he held the chair in place.

"Tell me what it is. What have I done? I cannot fix it, if you do not tell me Kagome. You cannot keep running from me."

"I'm not running, and you haven't done anything wrong Sesshomaru,"

I'm the problem. I am what's wrong. I did the one thing a girl should never do. I went and caught feelings, and for a guy who would never return them. It makes me feel stupid. How in the hell was I supposed to tell him that?

"I'm sorry," I told him. "I'll stop acting this way."

"That fixes nothing. You are only holding it in."

"I can't tell you Sesshomaru."

"There should be no secrets between us." He said matter of fact.

Again, he was not wrong.

"It's embarrassing!" I said flustered.

I could see the corner of his mouth twitch upward.

Oh, love he can't show, but he can find things funny.

"It is not funny Sesshomaru."

"I have not laughed."

He exhaled and released the chair. I quickly backed away from him, putting some distance between us. I felt like I could breathe again.

I know this stupid mark connects us. I couldn't feel what he did. Not yet at least, but he could feel what I felt. Was he pretending not to know? Or was he waiting for me to say it on my own? Either way, I couldn't understand why. If he wanted the truth out there. He could say it himself.

He held his hand out to me. What was he reaching for?

"Your hand."

I hesitated before giving him my hand. The moment my hand touched his. He grabbed me and pulled me onto his lap. He was doing it again, confusing me. I had to snap out of it. I couldn't confuse his responsibilities for anything more. My eyes raked across his face. Not a single emotion could be seen. I would give anything to know what was going on in his head. I couldn't read him. He was like a stone wall. Meanwhile, I was like an open book that could be read anytime.

"What are you doing Sesshomaru?"

"Doing things like this, seem to calm you down."

I relaxed into him. He was right.

See, an open book.

"How do you do that?" I asked him.

"Do what?"

"Keep it all in like that. You don't show a single emotion."

"Centuries of practice," he admitted.

"Is that what you'd prefer? It sounds like you have spent quite a long time not feeling anything. Now, you have to feel everything I do. That must be exhausting."

He shifted me in his lap so my back was up against his chest, and his arms around my waist resting his chin on my shoulder.

"I stay calm for the sake of the West. I cannot be emotional. That is a road that could lead to me being irrational. It is also the way that I was raised. There is a certain behavior expected of a prince. Even more so now I am a Lord. I do not find it exhausting. My emotional spectrum has been in one direction for too long. I find your feelings... refreshing."

I wasn't expecting him to say that. It was; nice.

I supposed I would have to settle for this. For these small moments. I could find comfort in them.

I stiffened. I remembered a part of the book. It was common for a lord to have a mistress or two. It was brief, and only a few sentences. Is that what Sesshomaru would do? Did he already have one?

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

I could feel his voice vibrating through me. I was hesitating.

"No more running Kagome," he whispered in my ear.

"The book book I was reading. The one Lady Amélie gave me. It mentioned that Lords often had mistresses, sometimes two. Do you have one? Someone that you... love?"

"Stand up," he said in a full voice.

I did as I was told and stepped to the side. I wasn't sure what had happened. I watched him walk to the door. He stepped into the hall.

"You are dismissed for the night. Tell no one to disturb us."

I could hear the guard's footsteps fading away. He came back into the study, sliding the door shut behind him. He was facing me, and his eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

Was he... annoyed?

"Is that what you expect of me?"

Was he angry? What did I say wrong?

I put my hands up. "Wait, what's wrong?"

He came over to me, towering over me.

"Is that what you expect of me? " he asked again, more sternly. "Is that what you wish? For me to find another woman."

"Sesshomaru I-"

That's when the realization hit me. I had unknowingly accused him of having some woman on the side. The same way his father had. His father had left him and his mother. For another woman and his son, and it had cost him his life. That would be a sore subject for anyone. I sighed, I was an idiot.

"Sesshomaru that is not what I meant. I put my foot in my mouth and that came out wrong. It's just that when I was reading the book-"

He backed me against the desk. His emotionless mask was back on.

"Why would you ask such a thing? Is it another man you wish for? Is this why you accuse me of such a thing?"

"No, no! That is not what I am saying. Okay, wait look. This is all a big misunderstanding."

His face was only inches away from mine. "Why would you ask such a ridiculous thing?"

"Because I don't want you to have another woman!" I yelled angrily.

He grabbed me by the waist and sat me on the desk. He kissed me angrily and I welcomed it. He pulled away from me leaving me breathless, looking me in the eyes.

"Had you told the truth from the beginning, this misunderstanding would have been avoided."

I wasn't sure if he was doing this to make me feel better. Maybe he cared about appearances and didn't want either of us stepping out. Or if it was just his responsibility, but right now, I didn't care.

He said kissing me again. Nipping at my jawline; dragging his tongue down to my collarbone. I could feel his hands slipping under my dress, gripping at my thighs. The mark on my neck burned. It was not painful, it burned, but it burned for him. I grabbed his face kissing him again. I didn't want to talk anymore. I didn't even want to think. I just wanted him. I hadn't felt his hands on me in too long, and I missed them desperately. I frantically tried to undo his haori and hakama's. Damn, these layers. I moaned into his mouth hearing his bottoms drop to the floor. My fingertips grazed the tip of his erection. He pushed me back, laying me flat out on the desk. He grabbed fistfuls of my dress, splitting it right down the middle, exposing my breasts. My nipples were immediately erect, ripping my bottoms next. He pressed his thumb against my clit, massaging it lightly. He looked at me hungrily. Using his other hand he lightly dragged his class across my skin. It made me shiver. He slipped his fingers into it, continuing to massage my clit. I sucked in a breath as my back arched from the pleasure. He grabbed my leg and set it on his shoulder, kissing my ankle. His eyes locked with mine. I could see the red beginning to seep in. He pulled his fingers from me and licked them clean.

God, I loved it when he did that.

I watched him tear his top off and throw it off to the side. My eyes were drawn to his stiff erection. I could feel my insides throbbing. He grabbed my thighs pulling me closer to him. I could feel the tip pressing up against me. I opened my mouth to speak. Before I could he slammed into me.

"Oh God!" I cried out.

He pinned my hand above my head and pressed his chest against mine. He thrust into me, slowly and deeply. My eyes were beginning to roll into the back of my head. He grabbed my jaw.

"No. Your eyes; keep them on me. I want you to watch, as I show you. How much I have no desire for another woman."

He pulled out of me and I missed being filled with him. He pulled me to my feet, spun me around he bent me over. Grabbing me by the hips he thrusts into me sending a shiver up my spine. He pounded into me over and over, Picking up the pace. The sound of our skin slapping together echoed off the walls. He grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. He reached around, grabbed my chin, turning my face in the mirror's direction.

"Look." He whispered. "Does it seem as though I want another woman?"

I looked at us in the mirror. His eyes were completely red and his fangs fully bared. His hair spilled wildly over us. I watched him slam into me. Our eyes stayed locked the entire time. The look of pleasure on his face while he stroked. He kissed my shoulder, reaching around and grabbing my breasts, teasing and pinching my nipples. My knees felt weak like they would give out at any moment, and he had realized. He grabbed my leg and placed it on top of the desk. I could feel my entire body stiffening. I was getting closer with each passing second.

"Oh God Sesshomaru!"

His last few thrusts were hard deep and fast, grunting as he came inside me. He laid on top of me, resting his weight on me. It felt good. I could feel his heart beating against my back. He kissed me behind my ear and nuzzled into the crook of my neck, flicking his tongue across the mark.

"Do not say such a ridiculous thing again."

Maybe we should argue more often.