InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Kiss for A Prince ❯ To Awaken in Darkness ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two: To Awaken in Darkness

Two princes stood at the base of the north tower, staring at the barely visible peak above them. The shorter prince radiated excitement, a wide smirk stretched across his face. His amber eyes shone in anticipation, his hands clinching and unclenching nervously.

"Do you see it Sesshoumaru?" he asked, pointing to the top of the tower. "Do you see it?"

"Hai Inuyasha, my eyes do not fail me," the taller one drawled lazily. "But I do not understand what is so special about a cluster of vines and a desolate tower."

Inuyasha quickly whipped around, his red cloak flapping in the breeze. "You don't see…You mean you haven't heard?"

"Heard of what?"

Inuyasha sighed, shaking his head dramatically. "Of the legend that surrounds this tower."

Sesshoumaru thought a moment, then turned around and began to walk back to his steed. Inuyasha ran after him, pulling on his sleeve pleadingly. "Wait a moment Sesshoumaru! Don't you at least want to hear it?"

"I've heard it. I cannot believe we ventured out here for a silly ningen fairy tale." Sesshoumaru mounted the steed and proceeded back the way they came. Inuyasha jumped to his own and stood in front of him. "Wait a moment Sesshoumaru. At least here me out. You probably haven't heard all the tale."

"I assure you I have."

"Then you know the part about the spell slipping the castle and the court into a deep sleep for the past 4 centuries?"

Sesshoumaru rode past him and down the hill, Inuyasha rushing to stay beside him. "Hai."

"And you know of the beauty that sleeps in the north tower?"

"Hai."

Inuyasha pressed on. "And you know of the vines that ensnare youkai and ningen alike until a worthy prince touches them."

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to sigh. "Hai, hanyou. I have heard of them. Now what does this have to do with me?"

Inuyasha smiled evilly, moving his horse to stand in front of Sesshoumaru's again. "Then you know of the power inside the beauty, and the jewel that can grant any wish."

Sesshoumaru stopped, rethinking the parts of the tale as he knew them. He didn't remember anything about a power. "Continue."

Inuyasha grinned. "I knew that would do it! There is a saying that inside the palace is a jewel that can grant any wish as long as the goddess inside possesses it. It grants her eternal life, like that of a youkai, and with it she is a weapon of considerable power." Inuyasha moved closer to Sesshoumaru, until they were nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. "It is said that she is more powerful that the Tetsusaiga and the Tenseiga combined."

Sesshoumaru considered this, wondering to himself why this was the first time he'd heard this new information. "And why are we here? You said yourself that the vines around the fortress are impenetrable."

"But today is a different day!" Inuyasha proclaimed, unsheathing Tetsusaiga and thrusting it into the air. "Today we shall climb that tower! Come Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha galloped back to the castle, glancing over his shoulder. "Today we meet our destiny!"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, but turned his horse and followed Inuyasha to the northern wall. 'Sometimes Inuyasha is overdramatic. However…I would like to see this 'weapon' for myself.' He dismounted as Inuyasha struck a cluster of vines nearest him. The fang hummed for a moment, the repealed from the flora.

"Damn it!" he grumbled. Sesshoumaru withdrew Toukijin, and again the sword was repealed. "Well," Sesshoumaru replied, turning to walk away once again. "That was truly pointless." He turned at the sound of laughter behind him, watching as Inuyasha grabbed hold of a vine and began to climb.

"Don't tell me you're giving up Sesshoumaru!" he called. "OW!" Inuyasha shook his hand, then pressed his palm to his lips. "You should be careful though. The vines have thorns."

"I am not climbing that," Sesshoumaru told him as he walked away. Inuyasha scowled at his back, but continued to climb. Inuyasha glanced back as Sesshoumaru's footsteps quickened toward him, gawking as Sesshoumaru leaped up and over the wall.

"That's not fair Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha cried as he sped up. "You're cheating!"

"Using your abilities is not cheating," Sesshoumaru corrected as he landed on the wall walkway. He smirked down at Inuyasha, who was still a great deal away before glancing to the pathway ahead. Vines covered the stone, large thorns protruding dangerously. 'If this is but one of Inuyasha's foolish games, I will cripple him,' Sesshoumaru grumbled as he stepped over the first vine. 'And then I will make him repair any tears to my gi.'

Sesshoumaru grimaced when his pant leg brushed against a thorn, but soon stood in awe when it shied away from him, leaving him unharmed. "Kami-sama…" he whispered, watching as the vines ahead of him cleared away. They boarded the pathway, blooming into white roses with each step.

'Perhaps Inuyasha was right,' Sesshoumaru concluded, following the roses to the entrance to the northern tower. 'There may be something of some worth here.' Sesshoumaru continued onward, ignoring Inuaysha's shouts for him to wait up and muttered curses. 'It would seem that the vines only allow me to pass.'

Sesshoumaru stopped to light a torch before walking through a dark passageway, his gaze falling on the various servants slumbering around him. 'It's as if they fell asleep in the mist of their duties,' Sesshoumaru mused, staring at one woman in particular who's bedding consisted of a table and a half-decorated cake. Beside her sat a boy, with a fat orange cat a little ahead of it, and a mouse ahead of the cat. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow in amusement, but pressed on.

He finally came to the stairs leading to the north tower, Inuyasha long forgotten as he climbed up the spiral staircase. The vines parted way once again, leaving the sweet smelling roses in the wake of the dusty trail as a light poured from above. Sesshoumaru set the torch into a holder on the wall, then stopped as he stood before an open door at the top.

Sesshoumaru stepped inside quietly, cautiously, Toukijin drawn and poised in front of him. The sight before him gave him pause, Toukijin lowering back to his side.

There before him seemed a shrine to some long past goddess. The sunlight streamed into the room from a small window, lighting on the sleeping maiden in the middle of the room. She slept on a simple cot, the remains of the sheets only just covering her small frame over a bottle green kimono. Sesshoumaru used his claws to slowly rip away the sheet, marveling at what little resistance he had before settling on the beauty's face.

Her skin was fair, framed by onyx black hair that draped over the side of the cot to puddle on the floor. Sesshoumaru lifted her hand to his cheek, his eyes closing at the warmth in her palm. 'The story is true then,' he thought as his eyes settled on her lips. 'But she's a mere ningen. How is she capable of this?' He set her hand back to her side, then wound his arms around her. Sesshoumaru lifted her into his lap easily, resting her head on his shoulder as he sniffed her hair. 'She smells of the roses in this place. No ningen smells this good.'

Sesshoumaru hooked a finger under her chin, rubbing his nose against her cheek as his thoughts wandered. His possessive instincts took over instantly, a low growl settling into his chest. 'I sense no power within her but…I do not care. No other shall have her.' He pressed his lips to hers, listening as her blood rushed throughout her body. His lips tingled slightly, all the better to him as he attempted to deepen the kiss. His right hand cradled the back of her head, holding her in place as his lips swept over hers. She gasped, a purely sweet sound to his ears. Sesshoumaru slid his tongue between her lips, twirling his tongue around hers before pulling hers into his mouth.

Her hand stroked the back of his ears; Sesshoumaru's grip tightened and he began to purr. He could feel her smile, and pulled away to see her reaction to him. She opened her eyes slowly, shyly, blinking as the sunlight assaulted her sensitive pupils. A blue darker than the crescent on Sesshoumaru's forehead settled on him, golden meeting sapphire for the first time.

Inuyasha burst through the door, covered in scratches and rips in his clothes. "Did you hear me calling you Sesshoumaru? I needed help out there! The damned-"

"Watch your language in front of her," Sesshoumaru reprimanded, his lips brushing against hers. She shivered, to Sesshoumaru's delight, but her gaze never left his. Inuyasha gaped, watching the scene before him. "Is that…"

"Who are you?" she asked them, her voice gentle and melodious. "And what has happened?"

The sound of the rest of the castle awakening shimmered in Sesshoumaru's ears, but he refused to release the fragile woman. "What is your name?"

She blushed prettily, her eyes cast downward. "I am Kagome my lord."

Sesshoumaru smiled, a true one at the respectful way she addressed him. "I am Sesshoumaru."

Kagome nodded in respect. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord."

"As it will be," Sesshoumaru told her as he stood up, lifting her in his arms before walking past Inuyasha and down the steps. "Because you now belong to me."

Inuyasha scrambled behind him, calling once again for Sesshoumaru to slow down as Kagome lead him through the rooms to the throne room. There before them were the king and queen, the vines that held them in place shrinking back as they sat up and opened their eyes. They were dressed in green, like Kagome, with white sash around the king's waist and a white obi around the queen's. A sword in it's sheath rested at the king's waist, as did one at the queen's.

However, it was the queen that mostly resembled Kagome. Where the king's short hair was a simple, dusty brown; the queen's was the same jet black as her daughter's. Her eyes were the same blue, but hers didn't have the pretty steel flecks that Kagome's did. Sesshoumaru glanced down at the ningen in his arms, inhaling her scent as the king finally realized his presence.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "And what are you doing with my daughter?"

"Darling please," the queen whispered. "Give him a chance to speak."

The king huffed, but sat back, his ancient gi kicking up dust into the air. Sesshoumaru smirked. "You would do well to listen to your wench, ningen."

"oh shit," Inuyasha muttered. The king stood up instantly, his sword unsheathed and pointed in his direction. Sesshoumaru quirked a brow, but lowered Kagome to the floor. He waited patiently for her to find her footing, mentally smirking at her father's growing rage at his closeness.

"Go stand beside Inuyasha," he ordered softly. Kagome looked at him inquisitively, but did as she was told. Inuyasha smiled at her, moving to stand behind her as Sesshoumaru and the king stared at each other.

"Please!" the queen implored. "I'm sure we can settle this peacefully." She turned to Sesshoumaru, giving him a slight nod and a smile. "Who are you, kind sir, so we may thank you properly."

"I am Sesshoumaru, Great Taiyoukai to all of Japan and the Crown Prince to the Western Providences."

"You lie!" the king accused. "There is no Great Taiyoukai, and the Western youkai has no son!"

"ningen," Sesshoumaru growled, his eyes bleeding crimson. "You sorely test my patience. The mark on my forehead proves my lineage alone."

"Hai, I see it," the queen said, nodding. "It is there. How can we repay your kindness my lord?"

Sesshoumaru quieted, taken aback by the sudden gentleness of the queen's voice. 'It would seem this female would be the wiser of the two. Well, I refuse to talk to a fool, so she would be the best to speak to.' "The land is different than what it was in your time. Youkai, higher and lower level, populate the lands in frequency. The culture has changed as well."

'Which would explain his strange dress,' Kagome thought as Sesshoumaru continued his explanation. She glanced back at Inuyasha, taking in his black leather boots, the white pants and tunic, and the red cloak that seemed to be held by a simple brooch of some sort. 'And their hair, it's so strange,' Kagome marveled as she took in Inuyasha's white and Sesshoumaru's silver strands. 'This one has the cutest ears.' She reached up to touch one when she felt eyes boring into her back.

She turned and blushed when she found herself staring into Sesshoumaru's displeasure. Kagome quickly brought her hands down as Sesshoumaru turned back to her parents. "There is also the threat of the Dark Army."

"What is that?" the king asked. "I have never heard of them."

"The Dark Army is a group of lower level youkai, propelled by an unknown being," Sesshoumaru replied. "They can destroy a village in mere hours, depending on whether or not the village is ningen or youkai. I am willing to send scholars, soldiers, and advisers to teach you about the ways of the land as they are now."

"That is most generous of you my lord," the queen said with a slight bow. "But there must be some way we can repay you."

"Hai," the king agreed suspiciously. "There must be something you want."

Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder to Kagome. "There is something." The king followed Sesshoumaru's gaze and frowned. "My daughter, however, is not a part of the trade."

Sesshoumaru turned to him, his expression blank in spite of his growing temper. "I would not hurt her. I would teach her everything the scholars will teach you, and she would eventually return to you."

"She cannot go."

Sesshoumaru growled, his claws flexed instinctively. "And why is that?"

"Princess Kagome is the next heir," the queen informed him. "If anything were to happen to her, then our kingdom would drown in the tides of war."

"But without proper teaching, this 'kingdom' would perish anyway. "

The king shook his head, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "That may be, but she stays. We will manage on our own."

Inuyasha, sensing the change in Sesshoumaru's youki, quickly grabbed Kagome, pinning her arms to her sides with his. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"Trust me, you don't want that right now," Inuyasha grunted, wincing when the heel of Kagome's shoe connected with his shin. She stopped when Sesshoumaru; in the blink of an eye; held her father in the air, his hand wrapped tightly around his throat.

"Ningen, you seem not to understand something," he snarled, his eyes reddening at the rising scent of fear. "I will have what I want. My offer is but a boon, a way to keep the peace. I will not present it again."

Kagome's struggling grew frantic. "You must release me! He might hurt my father."

"At the rate your father's going, 'might' is no longer an option."

Kagome grasped his hands, struggling to peel his fingers off of her waist. Her fingertips glowed a faint purple, burning Inuyasha the moment they touched him.

"Yow!" He dropped her quickly, waving his hands as Kagome sprinted across the room.

"My answer is the same youkai!" her father gasped. "My daughter will not become your personal harlot!"

"You filthy-"

"Stop!" Kagome pleaded, holding Sesshoumaru's arm to her chest. "Please, do not hurt him." Sesshoumaru looked down at her, taking in her gentle scent as she looked at him imploringly. "Please…" She hugged his arm and rubbed her cheek against it. "I will do what you ask, just do not hurt him."

"Kagome, don't-"

"You will do what I say, willingly?" Sesshoumaru asked. Kagome nodded.

"No questions? No tears? No pleas for your release?"

Kagome nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "I will, just do not hurt him."

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then quirked a brow and opened his hand. The king fell to the floor, glaring up at him as he rubbed his neck. "My daughter's will is not my own."

"Baka," Sesshoumaru growled. "You still wish to argue, even when I have so spared you? I should end your pathetic life this instant."

"But you promised my lord!" Kagome cried, tugging on his arm. Sesshoumaru looked down at her, his golden eyes softening toward his present weakness. "So I did," he whispered to her. "And I will keep that promise."

Inuyasha exhaled quickly, relief coursing through his body like water over a stone. "Thank Kami…"

"We shall stay here for one day's time," Sesshoumaru informed the royal couple. "There seemed to be a celebration in the works. What was it?"

"It was in honor of Kagome's 17th birthday," the queen replied softly. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Then by all means have it. Tomorrow we leave at dawn."

"Will you assure us," the king began as Sesshoumaru removed his arm from Kagome's grasp. "That you will keep the princess's virtue in tact?"

Sesshoumaru smirked at Kagome's blush, but nodded. "I assure you, nothing will happen that she does not wish. A servant should be dispatched to our father's castle to inform him of our whereabouts."

"Of course." The king snapped his fingers, and one of the many servants in the room dashed out of the court.

"And a servant is needed to show us to our rooms until the celebration begins."

The queen gestured for another servant. "She shall lead the way."

"Thank you." The servant lead the way out, with Sesshoumaru, Kagome and Inuyasha trailing behind. She opened a set of doors a little down the hall from the throne room and gestured for them to sit down.

"This is the formal waiting room. Please stay here until your rooms are ready." The servant scurried out, leaving Sesshoumaru and the others to their own devices. Inuyasha grumbled as he sat down on a pillow next to Sesshoumaru, with Kagome sitting on a pillow opposite them.

"They're so primitive," Inuyasha complained. "They still sit on the floor here!"

"Inuyasha, stop complaining," Sesshoumaru ordered, his gaze never leaving the ningen in front of him. Kagome kept her head down, but occasionally glanced up at them. 'Why am I so adamant on keeping her?' Sesshoumaru wondered as he studied her. 'She is nothing, yet I still desire to have her. What on earth will Father say?' Sesshoumaru mentally smirked at this. 'What can he say? I'm the Great Taiyoukai, not him. And he had his little human plaything, why can't I?'

"Why do you keep staring at me?" Inuyasha demanded. Kagome bawled, and for an instant Sesshoumaru could smell trace amounts of anger in her scent. 'Ah, so she isn't as docile as she seems.' "I would like that question answered as well," Sesshoumaru interrupted.

"I did not mean to offend," Kagome began, staring at her hands. "But-"

"But you have never seen youkai before?" Sesshoumaru concluded, his answer Kagome's blush. "How much do you know about youkai?"

"Not a lot," Kagome answered truthfully. "A few things, like they're love for eating maidens and children."

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru stared at her for a moment, then Inuyasha broke into laughter. "How ridiculous!" Inuyasha crowed, holding his sides. "Us, eating some filthy child! That's rich!"

"I said I knew nothing of youkai!" Kagome huffed. She crossed her arms and looked away from him, her irritation plain on her features. 'It would seem that there is someone else out there that finds Inuyasha annoying.' "Inuyasha, stop that."

Inuyasha quieted, but not without one last good chuckle at Kagome's expense. She glared at him, but otherwise didn't say a word. "Come here Kagome," Sesshoumaru bid softly. "Do not stand. Just come to me." Kagome blinked, but settled to her hands and knees and crawled to him. She stopped a hair's breath away from his knee, staring up at him inquisitively. "You may sit."

Kagome sat and waited, jumping slightly when Sesshoumaru grasped her hand and held it against his cheek. "Do you see these marks?" he asked, allowing her fingers to trace the stripes on his face. Kagome nodded. "Answer me Kagome."

"Hai, my lord," she answered quickly. Sesshoumaru nodded in approval. "That is how you shall always answer me, with respect. Never nod your head, unless I tell you a verbal answer isn't necessary. Understood?"

"Hai, my lord."

"Good." Sesshoumaru paused for a moment, then continued. "There are stripes on my wrists, face, and ankles. They signify that I am a higher-level youkai."

Kagome looked from him, to Inuyasha, and back again. "But Inuyasha-san has no stripes."

Sesshoumaru nodded. He loved how curious she was, and how everything he said seemed to be like air and food to her. 'This is how I want her to be, always aware and paying attention to me.' "You are correct, he does not. That is because he is a hanyou."

"What is that?"

"It's a ningen/youkai crossbreed," Inuyasha answered. "But Sesshoumaru's full blooded."

"We both bear the crescent in our foreheads," Sesshoumaru told her, raising Kagome's fingers to his forehead. She traced the upside down crescent delicately, her touch ghostlike upon his cool skin. "But when I become Taiyoukai of the West, it shall shift to resemble the moon in the sky. Do you understand?"

"Hai my lord. But Inuyasha-san's will not?"

"Unless I'm no longer able to rule the lands, no." Kagome nodded, then glanced at them both. "What kind of youkai are you, if you do not mind my asking."

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha both smiled at her, both pleased with her manners as well as her respect. "We are Inu youkai," Sesshoumaru answered her, his tail unraveling from around his shoulders to wrap around her waist. Kagome cried out in surprise, then ooo'd and ahhh'd over the appendage, softly stroking the fur before glancing up at Inuyasha.

"No," Inuyasha told her as he shook his head. "No way. Uh-uh"

Sesshoumaru grabbed him by the front of his armor and jerked his head down. "Do not be selfish Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru teased. "Allow her to spend her fascination." Inuyasha grumbled, but held still. Kagome traced one furry ear gently, giggling when it flicked away from her. "And keep your ears still," Sesshoumaru commanded.

"I can't!" Inuyasha countered as another ear flicked away from Kagome's reach. "It's a reflex! She's tickling them!"

"I do not mean to," Kagome assured them. "They are so cute Inuyasha-san!" Inuyasha snorted, then started to purr when Kagome rubbed them between her fingers. Sesshoumaru merely quirked a brow in amusement, but Kagome giggled as Inuyasha's purrs became louder.

"Thank you Inuyasha-san," Kagome replied when she finally released him. "But my lord's tail is much softer."

"Keh!" Inuyasha snorted, folding his arms across his chest and looking away from them. Sesshoumaru unwound his tail from her, secretly pleased at her small sound of disappointment as he returned it to his shoulder.

"You may say my name Kagome," Sesshoumaru told her. "I did not mean for you to take me so literately."

"Alright, Shess-"

"No," Sesshoumaru shook his head. "My name is Sesshoumaru. Sound it out."

"Sess…"

"Hai."

"…hou…"

"Hai. Keep going."

"..ma…rue…"

Her tongue rolled over the 'r', giving his name an exotic feel that Sesshoumaru had never heard. 'I will have her say my name over and over later,' Sesshoumaru decided as he urged her on. "Now say it all together."

Kagome nodded, her eyes deep and soulful as she did as he requested. "Sesshoumaru-sama…"

"Very good. That is how you will address me unless told otherwise."

"Alright my lo-" Kagome bit her bottom lip thoughtfully, then "Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Dinner is ready," a servant announced. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha stood up, then both helped Kagome to her feet before following the servant to the banquet hall. Sesshoumaru sat at one end of the vast table, with the king on the other end. Kagome sat on Sesshoumaru's right, Inuyasha on Sesshoumaru's left and the queen on the king's left.

"So, the youkai would dine with the lowly ningen tonight," the king jeered bitterly. "It is not enough that he steal my daughter away, he now wishes to be fed too."

"Silence," Sesshoumaru growled, his temper rising in spite of his control. "You live only because your daughter wishes it so. Do not make me an oath-breaker."

The king grumbled, but quieted, much to the diners' relief as the celebration began. The lack of guests prevented an extravagant celebration, but Kagome could still feel how much work the servants put into the feast. Sesshoumaru watched her as she ate, mentally creating a list of the etiquette and other new manners she would have to learn.

"I wish," the queen started as she stood up. "To present my only child with a gift, both a birthday and a going away present." She reached to hand Kagome the gift, only to have the parcel intercepted by Sesshoumaru.

"What is it?" he asked, shaking the package lightly.

"It is but a meager gift," the queen responded. Sesshoumaru ignored her, using the pinky finger of his left hand as a letter opener. He sliced through the flimsy paper and ribbon, then opened the box. "Why, this is nothing," Sesshoumaru commented, reaching inside the box and pulling out a small golden armlet. Slivers of a pink jewel were incrusted on it's surface.

"Do you wish to have this?" Sesshoumaru asked Kagome. She nodded. "Hai my lord. I do."

"Fine. You may keep it," Sesshoumaru replied indifferently, handing Kagome the simple piece. Kagome slipped it under her kimono sleeve, thanking Sesshoumaru and her mother as she did so. The king stood up suddenly, a look of pure disgust on his face.

"I will not sit here and witness this fiasco!" He stormed from the room, the queen following close behind. Sesshoumaru stood as well, beckoning Kagome to follow. "Come. We have a long day ahead of us."

He and Kagome left Inuyasha in the dining room, Sesshoumaru instructing a servant to show Inuyasha his room after his meal. Another servant lead Sesshoumaru to his room, a guest room on the eastern part of the castle.

Sesshoumaru glanced around the room, frowning slightly at the sparseness. "Inuyasha was right. They are primitive,' Sesshoumaru thought as his eyes fell onto the large futon in a corner of the room. 'But no matter.'

"Follow me Kagome." Sesshoumaru crossed the room to a vanity on the opposite side, then stopped and turned around. "You have agreed to stay with me until I deem it necessary for you to leave, correct?"

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Then you agree to all my terms without question."

Kagome nodded. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Good. You will be many things to me, including a chambermaid. Do you know how to be a chambermaid."

"No, I don't." Sesshoumaru glared down at her. "My lord."

"Then we shall have to teach you. Step closer."

Kagome did so timidly, her eyes innocent as she stared up at him. "Now what my lord?"

Sesshoumaru tapped the brooch at his throat, a full moon made of polished gold with a sapphire crescent. "Remove my cloak." Kagome reached forward, her tiny fingers fumbling with the unfamiliar accessory as she struggled to remove it. "Here," Sesshoumaru whispered, reaching for her fingers. "Let me show you. You must remember how to do this for later."

Kagome nodded, watching as he unfastened the pin and set it down on the vanity. "Now the rest."

Kagome pulled the cloak off of his shoulders, folded it and placed it on the vanity beside the pin. "Good. Now for my boots." Kagome kneeled, but stopped short of the laces. Sesshoumaru frowned at her hesitation, but suppressed a growl at the displeasure swirling from her scent. He kneeled, hooking his finger under her chin to bring his eyes to hers. "Do you find my request unfair?"

"No Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Then why do you hesitate?"

Kagome looked away, but turned back when Sesshoumaru growled in his throat. "I…I do not know."

Sesshoumaru looked to the side, seemingly in thought before he raised a single brow. "I see. You and I are not at an understanding, are we?"

"What? I don't understand."

"I can tell. To the outside world, beyond those doors, you are Princess Kagome, heir to the ningen kingdom of Damascas. In here-" He grasped her chin sharply, watching as Kagome's eyes widened in fear and surprise. "You are but a mere servant. You will do as you are told. Is that understood?"

"H-Hai my lord."

"Good. Now do as you're told." Sesshoumaru released her, watching as Kagome quickly removed his boots and sat them beside him.

"The belt as well." Kagome reached up without question, nimbly working the buckle, pulling the strap of leather free and wrapping it around his cloak.

"The armor." Kagome touched the left side of the bone metal chest plate, but wasn't able to find a way to remove it. "I am not right-handed Kagome," Sesshoumaru informed her, gesturing to the right shoulder. Kagome nodded, quickly settling on the knot on his right shoulder. She untied it easily, setting it beside his boots.

"The tunic. You do know how to remove this, do you not?"

"No, my lord. I don't."

Sesshoumaru sighed, but lifted the tunic off and over his head. Kagome blushed furiously as he handed it to her, Sesshoumaru guessing it had something to do with seeing his naked chest. 'Ningen and their modesty,' Sesshoumaru thought, amused. She folded it, setting it on top of the cloak.

"Now," Sesshoumaru said. "Pull back the blankets on the bed." Kagome padded to the bed, pulling back the silk sheets and the furs. She turned to look at him, then gasped at finding him behind her. "Get into bed Kagome."

"I cannot!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why not?"

"It is indecent my lord!"

"What did I just say?" Sesshoumaru growled, grasping her arm and spinning her once to make her dizzy.

"But my lord, it would b-"

"I care nothing for human decencies," Sesshoumaru snarled. "But you are questioning me. I thought we had an understanding."

"We do!"

"Then you are ignoring it." Sesshoumaru paused, then stepped away from her. "You, my dove, are not listening to me. I assume that our deal is now broken, and your father's life is no longer important to you."

"No! Please!"

"Very well then," Sesshoumaru relented after a moment, though he had no intention on hurting anyone. "Then you must be punished."

Kagome gasped, but said nothing. Sesshoumaru turned her back to him, watching as she began to shake. "I do not want any tears Kagome. Is that understood?"

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Good." Sesshoumaru eyed her back, mentally going over what he could do. 'I do not want to hurt her, but I do want her to follow what I say. These ningen take their modesty, privacy and there values of decency seriously. Well,' Sesshoumaru concluded with a wicked smile. 'Let's go for modesty, shall we?' He extended his claws then shredded the back of her kimono, leaving it in tatters. Kagome gasped, her shaking increasing as Sesshoumaru turned her to face him.

"No tears Kagome. You promised."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama," she whispered brokenly, panic and fear radiating off of her. Sesshoumaru hated the look on her face, his determination cracking but not breaking as he raised his hand to her face. "I promised that I would not harm you physically. However, you do need a lesson in humility, and in obedience."

He slashed through the front of the kimono, his claws barely missing Kagome's skin. He reached forward and yanked the ruined garment off of her, the ripping of the cloth and Kagome's sharp inhale the only sound in the room. She quickly brought her hands to her chest to cover herself, but Sesshoumaru knocked them aside.

"You will not hide from me." Kagome whimpered, but complied, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she struggled not to cry. Sesshoumaru looked down on her, drinking in her every feature. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, covering her breasts as it draped toward the floor. 'She has not reached puberty yet,' Sesshoumaru concluded, his eyes stopping on her clasped hands; which unintentionally covered her womanhood.

The armlet she received from earlier in the night shone in the dim torchlight, giving the gemstones embedded on it a slightly celestial glow. "Once we arrive at the palace," Sesshoumaru told her as he lifted a strand of hair for closer inspection. "We shall have your hair cut." He smirked at her gasp, dropping the lock back to the others and stepping away from her. "It will be long enough, but I do not believe normal ningen roam with their hair so long."

Sesshoumaru watched her shoulders slump, then begin to shake as the scent of tears assaulted the air. "What did I say about crying?"

"You said not to, Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome whispered, reaching up to wipe her face dry. Sesshoumaru grasped her hand then pulled her toward him. "Tell me," he whispered, nuzzling her neck. "Were you an obedient child?"

"I…I think so hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Then you brought your parents joy?"

"I believe I did, my lord."

"Good." He kissed her forehead lightly. "then I believe you shall be a joy to me as well, though youkai do not think in terms such as those. Do you fear sleeping like this?"

"Um," Kagome began, not knowing exactly how to answer. 'Why am I fighting him?' she asked herself. 'After all, if I do he will only hurt Father. But I feel so tormented, as if a part of me wants to obey him. I have only been in his acquaintance, but…I somehow feel different than I should.'

"Be honest with me Kagome," Sesshoumaru instructed, breaking into her thoughts.

"I…am."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "That is understandable. You should not fear, because I have no intentions on the idea." Sesshoumaru draped the tunic over her head, motioning for her to put it on. "I would not have some servant screaming in the morning of how I've gone back on my word and 'de-flowered' you." He smirked at her blush, something that he'd become accustomed to since her awakening. Kagome tugged the foreign article over her hips, then glanced up at Sesshoumaru again.

"Into bed Kagome."

She turned and did as he requested, crawling toward the opposite side of the bed and slipping underneath the covers. Sesshoumaru laid down beside her, pulling her closer to him and resting her head against his chest. "This is how you shall sleep," he told her, watching as she yawned sleepily. "So do become accustomed to the idea."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Now sleep." Sesshoumaru held her, watching as her eyelids became heavy and closed in spite of her fighting. Sesshoumaru then glanced out the window, gauging the hours between then and sunrise. 'It shall be interesting to 'teach' this one,' Sesshoumaru mused as Kagome cuddled closer to him. He wrapped his tail around her, feeling something inside him light up at her blissful smile.

'I will keep her for myself. Even though she has no power, she can still be of some use until I deem it necessary to send her back.'