InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Blessed Curse ❯ The Invitation ( Chapter 5 )

~Blessed Curse~

By: Youkai Yume

Chapter five, chapter five. Oh how I dread to write thee, and yet I have no choice. In the last chapter, Kagome had made a deal with Sesshomaru to take Shippo's place as his prisoner. Now that the word is out that there's a girl in the castle, how will the servants attempt to bring the stubborn demon (well, hanyou really) lord and the reluctant miko to fall for each other? With dinner of course!

Disclaimer: If only I owned Inuyasha like I do my useless fat. (Sigh)

Act 5: The Invitation

Hot tears ran down her face as she watched the dragon fly off into the star scattered sky. Her eyes burned, her heart ached, and Kagome felt like she was being torn from the inside out. `I don't regret it,' She knew she had done the right thing. Yes, she would give anything to see Shippo safe. Afterall, he was still only a child, he still had so much to see, while she. . .she had seen enough to wish for her own demise.

Her arms wrapped around her trembling form as another dam of tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. `I never even got to say goodbye,' she thought miserably. Her cries echoed off of the prison walls. How did she always get herself into these situations? And would Inuyasha even come to rescue her this time? After she `sat' him for proclaiming his love, well, possessiveness for her?

No, she couldn't count on him. Still, there was some glimmer of hope that he would come for her. So deep in her thoughts and sorrows, she failed to sense the approaching taiyoukai. It was then that the dungeon doors swung open, and there stood Sesshomaru, eyes still cold and unfeeling. She wasn't afraid anymore. Let him do whatever he wanted to her, for she would not be broken. A sudden anger and resentment filled her when she remembered Shippo.

"You didn't even let me say goodbye!" She sobbed, and turning away to bury her face into her hands once more. "I'll probably never see him again. . ." Sesshomaru watched as she drowned in her sorrow. His chest suddenly tightened, and guilt washed over him.

Perhaps it was because he could sympathize with her, remembering back to the time when he had lost his own mother. The sadness and grief that had consumed from losing one that he loved so dearly still engraved into his heart. Pushing the painful memory aside, he focused back onto the heartbroken miko.

He shook his head. No, he, Sesshomaru, would never feel sympathy for anyone, especially not for a human. But he still could not stop the consuming guilt that grew within him. He had a sudden urge to comfort her, to ease her pain if only just a little.

"Miko," He bit out. Kagome winced when hearing the way he addressed her.

"Kagome." She said stiffly, not looking up. Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow at her. "My name is Kagome. And if I am to stay here forever, then I should at least be referred to by my proper name." Her head lifted slightly to look up at the taiyoukai before her, tears no longer visible in her sapphire orbs. Sesshomaru glared at her. `How dare she tell me what to do!'

"Wench, I will call you what I please. Now get up and follow me. I'll show you to your room," He turned to leave, only to find that Kagome had not followed suit. Turning his head slightly, he gazed over to where she still sat, a look of bewilderment plastered on her face.

"But, aren't I going to stay here?" She asked timidly. She was afterall, a prisoner. So, shouldn't she stay in a prison? That's how she had always thought it worked. Kagome saw him give her a look of extreme annoyance. He turned to face her once more.

"Are you suggesting you want to stay here?" He gestured his hand to the dungeon, to make a point. Kagome shook her head sheepishly.

"No. . ."

"Then come with me," Still she did not move. "Kagome," he added at the end. She looked up, surprised that he had actually used her name. It felt good hearing it said from his lips. Shaking the thought out of her mind, Kagome scrambled to her feet, following the demon lord out of the dungeon, which she was silently glad to leave.

As they walked silently down the stairs and into the hallway, Kagome nervously glanced around her surroundings. Although she had already walked through these lonely halls, she still couldn't stop the eerie feeling that came to her.

In an effort to shake the feeling off, she edged a little closer to Sesshomaru. He sensed her nearness to him and felt suddenly uneasy, and strangely comfortable at the same time.

"Aki!" He called out suddenly, making Kagome jump slightly. From the shadows, a stout little badger youkai appeared. Kagome thought he looked like Pachi, Miroku's friend, only in the sense that this one had red fur.

"Yes, m'Lord?" He asked, voice a bit shaky.

"Go and tell the servants to prepare one of the guest rooms. When you have done doing so, report back to me." He commanded stoically.

"Right away, Lord Sesshomaru," he piped, and scurried off, but not before stealing a quick glance at Kagome. She watched as the servant disappeared into the shadows once more. Tearing her eyes away, she found herself looking into the back of her captor once more. Even in these dark hallways, she noticed something different about him.

Looking closer, she noticed that he indeed was different from the Sesshomaru she last saw. His tail was gone! And his claws seemed a bit duller, not to mention, she recalled that the last time she gazed into his face, he lacked the usual purple stripes that kissed either of his cheeks. What's even more surprising to her, was the way his aura changed. It wasn't that of a youkai, but a hanyou! Like Inuyasha! `But Sesshomaru's a full demon! This doesn't make any sense.'

Feeling her intense gaze burning into his back, he threw a curious glance back at her.

"What is it?" Kagome looked away nervously.

"Ano. . .it's nothing," she lied. Narrowing his eyes, he came to an abrupt stop, which caused Kagome to bump into him. Backing away, she bowed in apology, but he waved it aside.

"Do not attempt to deceive me. Tell me the truth." She shifted under his intense gaze, and after moments of silence, she decided to give in.

"Ano. . .I just couldn't help noticing that you're. . .well you're a. . ."

"A hanyou?" He finished for her, his voice laced with bitterness. Kagome nodded, looking up to meet his golden gaze.

"But how?" She asked, though she knew he probably didn't want to talk about it, her curiosity got the better of her. Sesshomaru sighed, but something inside him wanted her to know. Before he could stop himself, he had already begun with his explanation.

"Inuyasha's undead bitch," He stated plainly. Kagome's eyes widened.

"Kikyo?" He nodded, eyes glimmering in hatred at the mere thought of her.

"I had found her trespassing upon my lands and did battle with her. During our fight, she had the audacity to suggest that I join in an alliance with her to destroy Inuyasha," He saw Kagome's aura flare in anger for a moment, but was quickly suppressed as she urged him to continue.

"I of course, refused, and was on the brink of killing her when she cursed me. . ." He held up his almost human hand to examine, ". . .into this." His hand clenched into a fist. "If I do not break the curse by the new moon, I shall become full human. Forever." He finished, his voice holding a sense of helplessness.

To his surprise, he felt Kagome's warm hands clasp over his own. Lifting his gaze to meet her sapphire ones, he looked at her questioningly.

"Is there a way to lift it?" She asked, concern evident in her eyes. He could only stare at her, astonished. Why should she care?

"Yes," He answered slowly, "But the terms in doing so, are impossible for me to fulfill." He felt her grip on his hand tighten, and his stomach did an unexpected lurch.

"Is there anything I can do?" Kagome offered, and Sesshomaru knew, just knew when he looked into her eyes, that she was being sincere. `She would help me? Even after what I had done to her? She truly is different from the other miko. Perhaps she really can. . .'

"No. Do not waste your time or concern. There is nothing you can do for me," He answered coldly, blocking out all the false hope that she was beginning to bestow on him. He heard Kagome whisper "Oh," rather hurt at his response to her offering help. He was about to say something when Aki showed up once more.

"Sesshomaru-sama, the bedchamber that you have requested is ready."

"I see," he replied, silently glad that the badger was there to break the awkward silence. Turning once more to Kagome, he motioned her to follow him.

Kagome tried to look anywhere but at Sesshomaru. How could he be so cold? She just wanted to help, when she had no reason to offer, considering everything he took away from her. She could tell if things are keeping up the way they are, she would be very lonely and miserable, no matter how much she tried looking for a bright side.

`You got yourself in this mess, if only you hadn't left Shippo all by himself. . .' A single tear rolled down her cheek when thinking of her little kitsune once more.

Sesshomaru had never paid attention to her scent before, but being as near as she was, made him realize how pleasant it was. Sakura blossoms, jasmine with spring rain. It was the most pleasing scent he had ever come across, and was surprised it came from a human. His nose caught a salty scent laced in her natural one. `Tears?' He glanced over his shoulder to see that she had tears silently streaming down her face.

Again he felt guilty. Why? Why is he feeling the need to erase her pain like he had earlier? `It is this curse.' Yes, it had to be the answer. Being a hanyou left him vulnerable to petty human emotions, left him weak in a sense. He hated it. But he still couldn't block it.

Aki looked back to the miko following silently behind. The rumors about her were true, she was indeed beautiful. Her aura was powerful as well, and knew as well as the other servants in the castle that she may very well be the one to finally break the curse.

He glanced up to his master. `But knowing Sesshomaru-sama, he would not let himself fall for a human. Still if he was to be encouraged. . .'

"Sesshomaru-sama," he whispered. The taiyoukai turned his attention to the stout badger. "Not to be disrespectful, m'Lord, but it seems that the miko is rather depressed. Perhaps you should make her feel a bit more comfortable." His ears flattened against his skull when he saw Sesshomaru send an icy glare that said, "Why should I?"

"J-Just a suggestion, m'Lord! Afterall, she IS a guest." Then adding quickly, "But of course you could be cold and irritated with her if you wish it! It's really up to you, hehe. . ." To Aki's relief, the taiyoukai did not give him his usual lump on the head for saying something stupid, but instead, looked as if he was thinking over the advice. Finally, he glanced over his shoulder to address the miko.

"There is no need to be so tense," He spoke to her, and she dried her eyes to give him his full attention. Sesshomaru glanced over at Aki, who made a gesture for him to continue. "This is your home now, you are free to go anywhere you please," Kagome perked up a bit when she heard this. At least she had SOME freedom.

"Anywhere?"

"Yes-EXCEPT the West Wing," he explained.

"What's in the-"

"It's FORBIDDEN!" He snapped back at her, causing her to step back slightly in fear. Glaring at her, he snarled and turned around once more. Kagome let out a raspy sigh and continued following the demon lord. `Just when you think he's being nice. . .'

Trotting beside him. Aki let out an exasperated sigh. `And he was doing so well too. . .'

~*~*~*~

They had finally reached their destination. Honestly, the castle was so large that Kagome felt like they had walked for miles to get here. Sesshomaru slid open the elaborately decorated screen door, and she stepped in, refusing to look at him. He seemed to be avoiding her gaze as well.

"This is your room, if you need anything, my servants will attend to you," he told her in his emotionless voice. Stoic mask on. He felt a tug on his sleeve, and looked down to see the badger.

"Sesshomaru-sama, dinner! Invite her to dinner!" He whipered. He narrowed his eyes. He had never expected in his entire lifetime to invite a human miko to dine with him. Unknown to him, he still wanted her to be comfortable here. But he'll be damned before he starts acting humble JUST for her.

"You will join me for dinner. That is NOT an option." Sesshomaru said coldly and rather forcefully before slamming the screen door shut on her.

At his words Kagome twirled around to object but had found that the door had been slammed in her face. She wanted to go after him, to tell him that he could eat by himself tonight, but thought that it would be useless to fight back. Misery building it's way up again, Kagome ran and flew herself onto the silk covered futon, burying her face into the pillows as she once more wept.

She didn't cry because she had been separated from her friends and family, or for Shippo. She wasn't even crying because of her miserable situation. No, her tears fell for Sesshomaru, and his heart of ice.

~End Chapter~

That was shorter as usual, again! Damn, I'm getting waaay too lazy. In the next chapter, a little humor as Sesshomaru finds himself getting tips from his faithful servants! And Kagome gets a chance to sneak out for a little midnight snack with Rin! I'm afraid the next update for this fic won't be for a while, as I plan to update "Demon's Angel" next week instead of this fic. But I'll get right back on this one the week after! As for "ForgetMeNot," That is updated every week. Please read and review!

Review Responses:

~Fanfiction.net

Blue-Saiyan-Angel: Yes, poor Shippo, I'm so mean to him! I'm gonna have to give him plenty of chocolate later on, ne? ^_^

BlackShadow1: Thank you! I hope to portray Sesshomaru in a more hanyou light, without losing his demon self!

Inuyashagirl1702: Thanks! I certainly try. Besides, there are a lot of Beauty and the Beast stories out there, and they're all AU. So, I wanted to try something different.

Demi: Hmmm. I'm not really sure how it will end, but it wouldn't be bad if it did! BTW Inu will come after Kag, and did the last chapter really make you cry? Wowies, I've always wanted people to cry over my stories. ^_^

Bloodbunny: Yes, in a sense she will get to play with Rin and get together with Sess, but it won't be as easy as that! Still more story plot development. It's gonna get real fun! Lol.

Iothatesweet: Thanks, as usual. You know I update ForgetMeNot once every week, so do not worry.

AnImEfReAk8: Can someone please tell me what my twist was? I can't seem to find how I twisted my own story! Ahhh!

Inuyasha-luver3: I'm not sure what you mean by "your name up there next time," but I'm sorry? ^_^;

Sanosuke Hidane: ^_^ Open wide! Here comes the next chappie! Suggestions? Sure! Send `em on over! This was originally YOUR fic idea afterall.

DarknessGaurdian: Thank you! I love the movie version, so I try to stick to it. Your review was much appreciated. Do so again?

ForestSprite: Hopefully I don't keep you waiting for too long.

Kiwiw93089: Yes, I couldn't agree with you more! I must admit, I rather like Naraku. He's one of those villians who does more than just "I want to take over the world" kinda thing. ^_^ Why anyone would like her as got me baffled!

The Plum Blossom Cat: hehe well I don't know any other version of Beauty and the Beast, so yeah. I'm glad you still like it though!

Sonosca: Well, I look forward to reading one of your reviews again real soon!

Kaela, the Tiger Demoness: Thank You, I'll try to get it up as soon as possible.

Tangled Puppet: Thanks for putting me on your favorites list. I'm always surprised when people dot that. ^_^

Laer_Minuil: Thanks! You awesome reviewer, you!

Amyfushigiyugi: Aw, do you really think so?

Rured: Don't worry, Jaken will actually play a major role in this story! Actually, he's playing Cogsworth. ^_^

~Mediaminer

Efreet: Yes, I know I am rather mean to my cute little friends, but it can't be helped! Please bear with me.

Ice princess 1185:Sure, I'll try. BTW, I have three stories up now, drop by the other one sometime!

Wackoramaco87: Yes, don't we all? Lol.

Sunstar: No, but you are the first one to review for "Demon's Angel!" Wow, that's all three of my fics that you got to already!

Tsukitani: Yes, That's what I was aiming for!

Arella: (blush) I'm not all that great. In fact, my friend tells me my writing style is very prose. But I'm extremely flattered to hear it from you!

Aira^o^: Thanks for reviewing! I hope my b&b story actually sounds good and you're all not just bs-ing me.

*Okay. I'm all done for today! Please read and review! Hey, does anyone else think Yue from CardCaptor Sakura remind you of Sesshomaru? Just a little?

Ja Ne! ^_~