Chapter 12: A Gesture.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain.

"More good women have been lost to marriage than to war, famine disease, and disaster." - Cruella De Vil.

"After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.
" -Cristian Dior.

I saw a few guards behind him and a few more outside the restaurant. I didn't know whether to feel relieved or to feel afraid. I had snuck out and I had been caught. however, on the other hand. He had stepped in just in time. To stop this man from harassing me. Before I did unspeakable things to him for touching me. I was starting to weigh my options. Could I sneak out while he was focused on this man? Or should I just take whatever scolding was going to come after this? I shifted slightly, and Sesshomaru shot me a glance.

Yeah, there was no way I was getting out of this.

I could see the sheer terror on the demon's face. He shot up and turned around, his face bumping into Sesshomaru's chest. The music had stopped. The people had gone quiet, and everyone was watching; waiting to see what happened to the fool. That dared to disrespect the Lord of the West.

"My Lord!?"

Suddenly he was on his knees, with his head hung and hands folded in front of him. I could feel Sesshomaru's eyes on me, but I kept my eyes on the man in front of him. I quickly glanced over at Ayame. She looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but here. She was avoiding my eyes.

Cowardly wolf.

"Ayame." Sesshomaru said, "Your father is expecting you home. Tonight."

She pulled money from her pouch and quickly placed it on the table. "Thank you. I was just about to head home right now."

"Ayame!?" I called after her.

"Sorry Kagome, but I already told!" She said running out of the restaurant.

"On your feet," Sesshomaru ordered.

The force in his voice almost made me stand up.

"Y-yes my Lord," he said standing.

"Look at me." His voice was low and menacing.

The man shakily looked up. Sesshomaru peered down at him. His face held no emotion, but his eyes burned with fury.

"You did not answer my question. Who was it that you are calling yours?"

He shakily gestured to me. "Y-you see this woman here. I-"

"Surely you cannot be referring to my mate?"

His widened. A mixture of fear and shock flooded them.

"Mate?" he asked in a small voice.

The color had drained from his face. He was shaking even more now. He looked like he'd wet himself any second. I honestly couldn't blame him. I tried to tell him to leave me alone, but he didn't listen. Now, he would have to find out the hard way.

"Please forgive me, my Lord. I was not aware she belonged to you. I have made a grave mistake. Please spare me."

"Mistake? Spare you? Have you no honor? You are aware she is marked. She rejected your advances. Yet you continued to push, to the point where she had to wound you." He said grabbing his wrist.

He forced him to look at his burnt fingertips.

"What would you have done had I not come along?"

"I-. I would-"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "You would have what? You have no explanation for your disgusting behavior. As if there could be an explanation for your pathetic ways."

He grabbed the man's jaw. The tip of his claw glowed a bright green.

Poison.

He carved something into the man's forehead. I couldn't see what it was. The demon bit back his screams. Next, Sesshomaru grabbed the man's wrist again. All of his claws glowed green now. He stabbed them into the man's wrist and started to squeeze. That is when he started to scream. I flinched at the sound of his bone snapping. His screams echoed off the walls. I could see his hand. Or rather what was left of it. It was barely hanging on. The poison had burned away most of the flesh. Bone and tendons were what was left behind. More people gathered at the front entrance. Sesshomaru let him go and the man cradled the bloody mess against his chest. Sesshomaru gripped the hilt of his sword.

"You have yet to apologize to her."

He quickly turned to me and pressed his forehead to the ground. I caught a glimpse of what Sesshmaru had carved into his forehead.

Disrespectful.

"Please forgive me, my Lady. I have committed a grave sin. Please spare me. I beg you for your kindness. I was wrong in approaching you. No! For even looking in your direction. I beg you and our Lord for your forgiveness. I am a disgrace."

"Raise your head," I ordered.

He did as I told him. I took a better look at the carving. The wound would heal, but it would scar. He'd never be rid of it, forever reminding him of what happened here. I bent down next to his ear.

"Consider yourself lucky; lucky that he walked in when he did. If he had not, you would be alive right now. My mate is an unforgiving man, and seeing he has punished you already. Consider this my one act of grace. I'm letting you live." I whispered to him.

I remember what I had learned. I could not show weakness. I could not make the West or Sesshomaru appear weak.

I stood and went over to Sesshomaru. I mentally prepared myself for the verbal scolding I would get. once we got back to the house. Was sneaking out worth it? Yes. I tasted freedom, if only for a little while. He started to walk out of the restaurant and I followed him. Everyone's eyes were on us. I could even hear a few of their whispers. They were shocked their demon lord had taken a human for a mate. We walked in silence out of the district. Once we'd gotten past the gates he had stopped. He held his hand out to me, and I took it. He pulled me close and leaped into the air. A white barrier I couldn't see through formed around us. I clung to him. Afraid that I would fall right though if I had let go. I could feel it moving so quickly. It made my stomach feel uneasy. In a matter of minutes, we were back at the palace. We landed in the courtyard. He took me by the wrist and pulled me up to our bedroom. I could feel everyone's eyes on me while he did. I stepped inside the bedroom. I pulled my wrist from his hand and sat down. I was back in my cage. I listened to the familiar sound of the door sliding shut.

"How did you know where to find me?"

"The mark on your neck. If I wish to know where you are, it will lead me to you. I will find where you are at all times."

Great. This thing was like a microchip.

"What were you thinking Kagome? Sneaking out. Not telling anyone. You are not an adolescent. You are Lady of the West, you should behave as such. Something could have happened to you. You cannot think only of yourself anymore."

"I just want to have some fun Sesshomaru. I wanted to feel normal! I am capable of taking care of myself. I wasn't in any danger I couldn't handle. Besides I was with Ayame."

"Ayame was a drunken mess. It was you who was watching her. Not the other way around. If you wish to go somewhere you must take protection with you."

I threw my hands up in the air. "I don't want to be watched all the time! I miss being free. I miss being able to do what I want, whenever I want. I don't want to be followed, or protected all the time, by a group of guards. That will tell you my every move."

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you wish to go somewhere without guards. Then you must take me with you."

"Sesshomaru you are barely here... I can't ask you." I said in a small voice. "I do not always want to have people come here to see me. I want to be able to go out on my own. I used to travel and roam free. Now I feel... I feel trapped."

"These were an unspoken part of the terms Kagome. This is what you agreed to. This is what it means to be Lady of the West. You agreed to this deal. This is the price you have agreed to pay."

I stared at the floor.

"A deal... you're right. It won't happen again." I said quietly.

"Kagome-"

"Please call the maids. I want to bathe."

He hesitated before saying anything.

"I understand. I will call them for you."

He slid the door open and I watched him leave the room. The maids came in moments later.

A deal. This was only a deal. You have a role to fill Kagome. Don't ever forget that.

I had gone to the library early this morning. I didn't feel like staring at the four walls of my bedroom anymore. I had been waiting for Lady Amélie for about an hour. I heard the door slide open and closed. She sat across from me and offered me a small smile. I saw that she had no tools with her today.

"You seem in low sports." she'd said.

"I'm tired is all."

"Mmm, tired of what is the questions."

I looked up at her. Was I that easy to ready to everyone?

"I heard you had quite the trip last night. The servants are whispering about it."

"Oh, are they?"

I had no energy for this.

She exhaled deeply. "You cannot learn like this."

"I will learn. That is my job. That is the role I have to play."

I felt like I was disappearing and slowly being replaced by the Lady of the West.

She put her hand on top of mine. "Today's lesson will be different. A piece of advice. One that is necessary. My dear. Do not lose yourself. It will get better with time. You will get better with time. History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Do not become these other women in power, who are devoured by their titles; by their duty. More good women have been lost to marriage than to war, famine disease, and disaster. You mustn't be one of them. You can be happy here. You do not have to suffer, but you must work for it. If you must cry, then cry. If you must scream, then scream. Being trapped is not the end, but only a delay. It will be only if you let it. After women, flowers are the most lovely thing the Gods have given this world. You are precious. Do not forget that. Even he understands that. An old friend or not. Our Lord can be a silly man. Whom speaks without thinking, but do not lock yourself away because of it."

I swallowed hard and just stared at her, and she pulled her hand away.

"At the risk of sounding as if I am making excuses for him. He means well, but has difficulty expressing it correctly."

I sighed. "Someone should really set him straight," I mumbled.

"Mmm indeed. Now, let us continue with the regular lessons." She said with a smile.

My lessons went on as usual. I met with Lady Amélie four times a week. For at least four hours each time. I threw myself into my lessons. I needed to distract myself, from the fact that I was a caged bird. I finished the books. I learned the information. I made sure to perfect my posture. I memorized the families; and the history. By the end of week three, I walked, talked, and behaved like a perfect Lady should. It was not difficult to get it down, since it was the only thing I had now. Since I had snuck out, Sesshomaru had me being watched more than ever. He doubled the guards. As well as the maids. The only privacy I'd gotten was when I wanted to use the bathroom alone. Even then the guards were only a few feet away. I did what was asked of me. I did not argue. I stayed quiet and didn't cause a fuss. I was becoming the Lady the West that they deserved. I often thought about the advice Lady Amélie had given me. Sill all of that was easier said than done.

Rin was getting older and had her own lessons to attend to. I did not get to see her as often as I'd liked to lately. Except when we had dinner as a family. I was getting used to it all, even if it was causing me to lose myself. Sesshomaru had been around more. Probably to watch me and make sure I didn't run off anywhere again. We only had small conversations about unimportant things. We slept with our backs towards one another. Every time I feel like we took a step forward. It's like we've taken five steps back. Now, I sat quietly in the library reading a book. Where I spent a lot of my time lately. I'd take this time to brush up on the history and their ways. I heard light footsteps coming towards me. I looked up to see Sesshomaru standing there.

"You're here surprisingly early. Usually, you're out patrolling around this time."

"I have taken a few days."

I flipped the page. "Whatever for?"

"I would like to try something?"

I finished another page flipping it. "Something like?"

"I would like to see if it is possible to take me to your family."

My eyes shot up to his face. I set the book down and closed it.

"My family?"

He nodded.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had to make sure.

"Like the ones that are in the future?"

Again, he nodded. "Do you happen to have another family?" he asked seriously.

I shook my head. "No, I just... but why would you want to do this?"

"It seems I have difficulty expressing this correctly. In shorter words. I was set straight."

Lady Amélie? She'd spoken to him, and he had listened to her, but why?

"That means we would have to go to the well and try. Still, there's a chance it won't work."

"There is a chance that it could."

"I'm not saying no, but so suddenly? Don't you have things to do here?"

"I cannot keep you, as if you are some bird in a cage; simply because I wish to keep you safe. You deserve your freedom. I will be present more often so you can have that freedom. There is no safer place for you than in your time. Visiting for a few days will cause no harm."

I held back my happy tears and smiled. "Okay! When can we go?"

"I've made the necessary arrangements. So, I can be gone for a few days. Only those close to me will know that I am gone. In the event that something happens, it will be handled. As for when we can leave, we can leave now if you'd like."

I smiled. "Then let's go."

In the blink of an eye. His arm was around my waist, carrying me out to the balcony. Sesshomaru had leaped into the air, and the white barrier had formed around us. I held onto him tightly. I ignored the strange feeling in my stomach flying like this gave me. I was too excited to care. It took a little while longer than the ride had last time; about fifteen minutes or so. I could barely hold in my excitement. He set us down at the entrance to the small clearing. I could see the well in the distance. I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the well.

"Hurry Sesshomaru!"

We reached the well. All I could do was stare into the darkness.

"What if it doesn't work?" I asked looking up at him.

He let go of my hand and grabbed my waist.

"There is only one way we can find out."

I shut my eyes tight and, he leaped into the well taking me with him.