InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desafiante ❯ Chapter seven - Possesion ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Previously

Kagome sat up as soon as his weight left her and scooted backwards. She crouched at the far end of the bed and watched the demon lord, he was obviously thinking and she was determined not to show fear. It was obvious to her now that he steadied her breathing, with as much dignity as she could muster she rose from the bed and walked round to where Sesshoumaru stood." If you want to mark me, then you may as well do it now, I won't run from you. I have no intention of making this enjoyable for you Sesshoumaru so get on with it". Sesshoumaru looked at her and for an instant she was sure she had seen a fleeting glimpse of surprise in his cold eyes.

He did not answer her instead he drew a small thin blade from the folds of his Kimono. Kagome's posture remained impassive, this was obviously going to hurt but she was determined not to cry. She raised her head a little higher and closed her eyes. Had no intention of trying to sleep with her and she knew that she could handle almost anything else. There was no point in cowering away from him and running, she would merely appear stupid. Kagome raised her head and closed her eyes.

Sorry that this chapter is about a month late - I have had so much going on that I didn't have time even to think let alone update and I have also not been able to get on the Internet for a month because I was too busy. But hopefully it is all back to normal now so I can start updating again. Thanks to all the people who have reviewed, thank you for being so understanding. The wedding plans are going well so hopefully it will all come together okay.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters

Chapter 7

Sesshoumaru crossed the small distance between them and placed a clawed hand against Kagome's soft cheek, he moved his thumb under her chin and tilted her head back as far as it would go. She strained slightly against the pressure trying to swallow, the position of her head was making the simple action difficult and he saw her squeeze her eyes more tightly shut. Sesshoumaru pressed the edge of the blade against the skin on her neck making her instinctively try to drop her head in protection. He ignored the movement and drew the blade quickly downwards to the girl's breastbone, leaving a scarlet line from her upper neck. The cut was deep and blood flowed from it thickly but it was not a mortal injury. Satisfied he released her and stepped back.

Kagome's eyes flew open as she felt the blade slide through her skin, she was surprised that it didn't hurt more, all she could feel was the warmth of her own blood and a slight stinging sensation, it was almost as if the blade had been coated with something. She dropped her head in relief as Sesshoumaru released his grip and looked up at him, if that was it then it wasn't so bad, but something told her that it was far from over. As she watched he cleaned the blade carefully as if it was important no trace remained and secreted it back within his kimono drawing out instead a small vial filled with a pure white liquid that glowed vibrantly. Kagome looked at it closely colors swirled within its depths. She could have sworn she'd seen flashes of light dancing across it, like fireflies dancing above a limpid pool.

Sesshoumaru took the vial between his thumb and forefinger while his little finger cut a line on the inside of his opposing wrist, Kagome could see the venom from that one claw glistening on his pale skin and mixing with the blood that ran freely from his open wound. Sesshoumaru deftly caught the mix in the vial and the substance within changed instantly. It seemed to seethe within its container like a snake coiled and angry unable to strike out at what tormented it. The liquid began to change color, where it had once been the most brilliant white it was now deep black, Kagome looked at it critically, it was not even black it was beyond that, it was beyond color. It seemed to be sucking the light away from its surroundings, a black hole caught in a tiny vial.

Kagome shuddered yet stepped forward towards the liquid, she reached out a hand to touch the glass and to her surprise Sesshoumaru did not move it from her reach instead he allowed her to take the vial from his hand. As she grasped it she felt the liquid within move and she dropped the vial in terror as it flowed upwards and out of its prison. The liquid clung to her skin moving quickly across her hand and up her arm defying the natural laws of gravity, it moved with purpose. Cold and wet it crept under the sleeve of her cotton dress to be lost from view, but she could feel its progress beneath the thin material. She ripped at the garment in an effort to get at the horror beneath, but it was impossible to grasp the fluid. It slipped through her fingers like a ghost. Kagome cried out in agony as the first drops touched her open wound, through the pain she could feel the liquid flow into her, it was moving faster now and she could feel it within her like ice in her veins cutting her with its coldness.

Kagome dropped to the floor, she could see and hear nothing, and all she could feel was the icy agony of her own body as it fought against the chill enveloping her. The Miko powers she could not harness were fighting whatever Sesshoumaru had introduced. She could smell him, although the smell was strangely feminine, it was then she realized the scent was her own now tainted with his mark. She arched her back and screamed as a fresh wave of torment descended. Her scream cut through the pain bringing a small amount of relief so she continued until she thought her throat might burst from the strain. She arched her back still further pressing her feet against the cold floor, this had to end soon, she couldn't stand it. The pain was everywhere it coursed through her veins to the centre of her being it surrounded her and she couldn't break through the barrier it presented.

Sesshoumaru looked down at the ningen girl, he had not expected the pain to be this intense, her screams hurt his sensitive ears causing him to wince, there was no need to stay here and watch, the liquid would do its job perfectly well alone. Yet he was loath to leave the girl in such agony as this. Sesshoumaru snarled she was only a human, what did it matter that she was in pain, holding that thought to himself like a comforting blanket he swept from the room leaving Kagome writing on the cold floor.

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth in anger, he been standing in this spot for what seemed like an age listening to her screams. He was caught in indecision an emotion he rarely had any dealing with. This was absurd why should he care what happened to the girl. Her pain should mean nothing to him. With a huge snarl of frustration he turned and walked back towards the source of the screams. They were weaker now but still shrill in his ears.

He would kill the stupid demon that had given him this concoction. The fluid in the vial was pure in its true form. The knife used to cut the girls flesh had been coated in it. The blood and venom that he had added to the remaining mixture had tainted it, changing its magic yet it still sought the purity of what it had once been and so was attracted to the thin film surrounding the girls wounds. Normally it soaked into the human changing their scent as it spread itself through their bodies. Once it mixed with human blood it became inert. This was different; it should not cause pain. The girl's Miko powers were fighting it stopping the process of integration. If she continued to resist the agony would kill her even though the potion caused no physical damage. He had been assured the girl would feel only a small amount of suffering as her Miko powers fought it, this was ridiculous. If she died the other demon's demise would be painful beyond imagining.

Kagome gasped as she tried to breathe through the incredible pain coursing through her, she was drenched in sweat, but even in this state she had managed to regain some control and had dragged herself over to the bed, but she couldn't climb on to it. She clutched at the covers her fists turning white with the effort. Blood soaked the cotton of her pale dress and also beaded her lip where she had bitten herself in pain. She could feel her powers within her but they were always just beyond the reach of her command, Kagome fought within herself to gain some kind of control over the magic that was so much a part of her but it was not possible. She tried to focus again on the bed but her vision was blurred both through pain and the loss of blood she had suffered. If she could just get up maybe she could stop the agony or at least find something to still the blood that was now only gently oozing from her wound.

Sesshoumaru looked down at the ningen girl critically. She was drenched in sweat and stunk of blood and salty tears. Even through this though he could smell the subtle change in her scent. His own smell should have almost completely masked her own but instead neither scent appeared dominant instead both mingled and then separated again changing from her scent to his own and then a mixture of them both. He snorted in order to clear his nose of the confusing smells and bent down to lift the girl from the floor. She did not struggle in his arms, in fact she seemed unaware she had been picked up. Sesshoumaru looked at her for a second before feeling her neck gently for the pressure point he knew was there as soon as he found it he pressed down hard partially stopping the blood flow to her brain and sending her into a deep coma like sleep.

Sesshoumaru placed a clawed hand into the water; it was hot enough now. The volcanic rocks that heated the liquid gave it a tangy mineral scent, which pleased him. This was his own secret chamber deep beneath the foundations of his visible home, it linked to his training ground and passageways also tunneled out throughout the surrounding rock to other areas of his land. He felt most at peace here, if it were indeed possible for a demon lord to feel peaceful.

The water rippled gently as he stepped into it. He did not exactly need to bathe but the process allowed him to meditate more easily and he needed to think. The girl troubled him. She was resting now, if he were to open his eyes he knew he would see her still form through the doorway. She had been bathed and dressed in yet another set of clothes by a servant. The scar had been stitched and bandaged. He had cut a little too deeply and it irked him that he had made that mistake. Sesshomarus sensitive ears twitched slightly as he heard movement from the adjoining room but he did not open his eyes. He relaxed against the smooth rock at the edge of his pool and waited to see what the ningen would do.

Kagome stretched out her arms and winced slightly, whatever painkiller had been on that blade it was no longer working and her throat throbbed, it was a blessed relieve though in comparison to the pain she remembered. She looked around her and tensed when she noticed Sesshoumaru in the pool. He looked different without his kimono although she could not perceive what lay below the water line she could see his chest the skin there was as pale as that on his face ghostly white almost as white as the hair which fanned out across the water surface. Kagome blushed; she shouldn't be looking at him this way she hated him didn't she? Kagome turned away and looked around the rest of the room. Large swords with ornately carved handles hung from the walls, she guessed they were more ornaments than regularly used weapons, but she noted they were still sharp and useable.

A circular table formed the focal point of the room It was not a separate piece of furniture instead the floor had been carved out from beneath it so you could sit on one of the silken floor cushions and drop your feet into the space beneath. Kagome walked over and bent down to retrieve the package resting on its surface. It contained a kimono and a brush. What she was currently wearing was fine but she objected to the fact she had been dressed rather than being able to dress herself so she slipped the clothes off and changed anyway.

The kimono was pure white and embroidered with fine silver thread. Instead of the normal flowers or birds the material was embroidered with battle scenes. Human armies fought in minute detail against demons and other creatures and the material shone with their conflict. She turned to look again at the demon lord, he had not moved. she picked up the brush and ran it through her hair the repetitive motion helped her think. Why give her a kimono depicting battle between her own kind and his, she could understand if the material had shown the demons wining over the humans then it would have merely been another way to demoralize her. But neither side was winning the battle. Instead both sides seemed equally matched. Miko priestesses stood in rows with bows pointed at the demon lines and demon lords in their true forms snarled back at the humans with contempt.

Kagome reached up and took one of the swords from the wall and walked towards the door leading into the other room. She stopped at the threshold not wanting to step into the same room as the demon lord and sank to the floor clutching the sword to her. the floor was warm and smooth and luckily clean considering the unforgiving colour of her clothes.

Sesshoumaru had heard her get changed and he had also heard her take the sword from the wall, at that point his muscles had tensed slightly, she was dangerous. Her powers when concentrated through a weapon could be fatal to him and he silently cursed his lack of foresight. He should have removed the swords from the wall before placing her in the room. There was nothing he could do about it now, as long as he did not alarm her she was of little real threat anyway. She had the weakness of compassion etched into her very soul and even killing such a creature as he, with no provocation would be beyond her. He stretched languidly in the water and opened his two golden eyes to look on the Miko. His eyes met hers and he saw her pupils constrict with fear showing more of the violet blue iris's to him. She looked stunning in that kimono; it had been a good choice. He liked the contrast of dark hair upon white silk it was a sensuous match of colour and texture.

Sesshoumaru examined the human girl more closely; she was almost ethereal in her beauty his perception of her had changed since he marked her. She was now his, the only human he had ever owned. She was powerful and yet innocent, her movements were sometimes clumsy and slow yet she was braver than any creature he had yet encountered and her defiant attitude seemed to eclipse her fear.

Kagome tried to look away but she was mesmerized by the golden eyes that looked at her, they were so cold, she could not read the emotions that flickered across them they were unreadable, she knew he was dangerous and yet he had surprised her so far. She had expected to die and yet he had let her live. There had to be another reason for her continued existence, she was not that amusing that he would want to keep her alive purely as an entertainment. Kagome forced herself to look away from the golden orbs and looked instead at the stone floor wincing as she felt the first warmth of a blush creep over her cheeks setting them aflame.

Sesshoumarus lips curved slightly into a cruel smile, she was still to embarrassed to look at him for any length of time. She should be able to stare defiantly into the eyes of her enemy even when not angered but her innocence and lack of understanding did not allow her too. She still did not realize that she was capable of being his equal in a fight. The sudden realization that he could even have an equal startled him. She was indeed powerful and therefore he should have destroyed her, yet he had not. Still he reasoned she was useful and therefore he would keep her alive for a little longer

Kagome raised her eyes to look at him again " Why did you give me this?" she held up her arm to display the flared sleeve of the kimono. Sesshoumaru did not even look at it. Instead he kept his gaze steadily on her face, trying to recapture her eyes with his own.

" I do not answer questions Miko, unless I choose to. I thought I had made that clear last time you asked"

Kagome's eyes hardened " My name is Kagome, not girl or Miko or wench or ningen but Kagome do you understand that Sesshoumaru, or is it to difficult for you to grasp".

She instantly regretted the sarcasm of her words as she saw his eyes narrow, yet he did not get up. " Why do you insist on putting your life at risk girl, the sooner you understand that I Sesshoumaru am your master and that you are only a slave the better it will be for you. I do not suffer fools lightly. I keep you only because you are useful. Do not ask me questions and do not answer me back do you understand?"

Kagome looked at him with anger " No I don't understand, I am not your slave or your servant, if you don't like it kill me I don't care anymore. You're unreasonable if you want my help then you can at least answer some of my questions"

Sesshoumaru was both angered and amused by her outburst he had not expected her to answer back and she was clearly angry, her eyes blazed almost as strongly as her flushed cheeks. " I don't have time for this ningen maybe you do not care for your own life but what of your friends? I Sesshoumaru have promised to spare the fox and his kin but I never offered to spare the life of your brother. It would be an easy task for me to kill him."

Sesshoumaru watched as fear and sorrow joined the anger in her eyes. She did not speak she merely gripped the sword more tightly and slowly walked towards him. The girl crossed the space between them slowly holding the blade before her. He narrowed his eyes at the threat she now presented; he could easily best her. For a start she was holding the sword more as a shield than as a weapon. It was also a large blade, too heavy for her to swing effectively and his youkai blood was now in her veins partially surpressing the Miko powers she possessed. But she was still dangerous, Sesshoumaru did not move instead he just stared at her, she had stopped moving at the edge of the pool and the blade she held hovered inches from his throat.

" What do you intend to do now Miko, kill this Sesshoumaru? do you feel brave enough to try?". The girl lowered the blade slightly and then allowed it to drop to the floor at her feet, the sound echoed around the chamber bouncing of the walls before slowly fading to leave only silence.

" Sesshoumaru, if you ever touch Souta I will make you suffer before I kill you" The small girls voice rang clearly through the chamber, but he could see the small body was trembling and that the big blue eyes that so fascinated him were filled with tears. He did not answer back, he just looked into her face until she broke the contact by turning away, it was then that he decided to speak, to answer one small question cost him little but he suspected it would gain him much in terms of her cooperation.

" The kimono was made for a warrior priestess hundreds of years ago, it was never worn. You have the same spirit within you." Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and paused before continuing " Besides I Sesshoumaru thought it would look good on you …and it does"