InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Like My Master ❯ Ch. 12: Mind Games ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
Flames welcome.

Like My Master
By: Miyukyshan


Chapter Twelve: Mind Games

Sayu hummed quietly as she ran her fingers through Rin’s soft hair. A week had passed since she’d been bitten and her demon decided to reveal itself. She tried to stay away from the human girl she was supposed to protect, but Rin would have none of it and always sought her out. It was when she came to Sayu crying and calling out mother that her guardian finally gave in. Now she spent her days on edge, wondering if anything would trigger the terrifying experience she’d gone through.

Sesshomaru seemed to think she was safe enough with Rin. He told her the demon didn’t seem violent, despite all the thrashing and screaming. It just wanted out.

Perfectly reasonable considering it’s been trapped for a hundred years. Sayu thought to herself.

Rin made a soft sound in her sleep and shifted in Sayu’s lap. Her lips tilted up in a smile as she fussed over the little girl. Surely Sesshomaru wouldn’t approve of such constant affections, but the demon lord disappeared into his study and only resurfaced to take his dinner. Not that Sayu minded. Not having to see him helped in nurturing her broken heart. Another distraction from her feelings was the upcoming party. It was in two weeks time and everyone was eager to see Sesshomaru’s demon-trapped-as-a-human slave. The thought made Sayu nauseas. News of her episode spread much more quickly than she would have liked. All the lords and ladies of the area were already expected to come, as was tradition, but this year they accepted with whole-hearted enthusiasm instead of habitual boredom.

Sayu wasn’t even sure why Sesshomaru threw such lavish events. He certainly didn’t seem to be excited. After some careful prodding from Jaken, the toad revealed it was a custom passed down by his father and it could only be cancelled during times of war.

Apparently Sesshomaru’s obsessive determination to kill Naraku counted as war, because this was the first gathering since the Lord of the Western Lands was tricked by the treacherous half demon. Sayu’s thoughts drifted from Naraku. The first she even heard of him was from Rin. All her other masters were pretty far from the area she currently inhabited and weren’t plagued by his incessant scheming.

A quiet knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts and she glanced at Rin to see if she stirred. She whispered for her visitor to enter, knowing it would be a demon and they would hear her. She half expected Eri to come in, but Kaito’s smiling face was no surprise either. The tiger demon made frequent visits since Sesshomaru became a hermit. It would be a lie if she said she didn’t enjoy his company. Kaito was smart and charming and he made her laugh, completely unlike the dog demon brooding in his library. Sayu often wished she’d fallen in love with him instead, but the thought never stayed with her long.

She offered him a smile and allowed him to sit next to her. The heat of his body warmed her and Rin shifted in her lap.

“What brings you to the beast’s lair today?”

Kaito didn’t find humor in her jab and frowned. “Don’t call yourself a beast. You’re perfectly normal.”

Sayu chuckled and resumed running her fingers through Rin’s hair. “Oh, am I? A demon trapped in a human’s body for nearly a century with no recollection of a previous life. I had no idea that was considered normal nowadays.” She looked at him through heavy lashes, trying not to show how deeply shaken she was by her recent discovery.

Kaito gave her a lopsided grin and leaned forward. “Yours is a special case. But I don’t think the real you is much different than the person sitting in front of me. Just a lot stronger and basically immortal.”

“I’m already strong and immortal. I’ve had enough of that. The only people who come near me anymore are you, Rin and Eri. Even my master has abandoned me.”

“Sesshomaru has good reason to stay locked up in that old, dusty library.”

Sayu rolled her eyes. Kaito chuckled at her unusual display of emotion before turning serious.

“Sayu, he’s looking for a way to set you free.” His voice came out in a tight whisper and she turned her head sharply to look at him. His beautiful eyes were glimmering with a hope she hadn’t seen since she refused his help in finding a way to break the curse.

“What?” was all she could manage. Knowing he shut himself away for days on her behalf was more than a little flattering, and she tried not to let her excitement show. Sayu didn’t think he would find anything, but his determination to win her freedom made her think twice about his brutal rejection.

Kaito must have smelled the change in her scent because he brightened considerably and even took her hand. His palms were rough and calloused from holding a sword the majority of his life, but Sayu didn’t mind. She had long ago said farewell to the days of soft, feminine hands and could hardly fault anyone else for having coarse skin. She stared dumbly at their entwined fingers and tried to force herself to feel something. When he began to speak animatedly about breaking her free, she watched his lips move and stretch over the sharp canines that flashed with each word. Much to her surprise, Rin remained asleep even though his voice got louder with every passing second. His excitement was infectious and she felt herself smile.

“Kaito, surely you didn’t come here just to tell me all that?” she asked. She tried not to show the doubt bearing down in the back of her mind. Seeing that wilted look on his face again was the last thing she wanted.

The tiger demon grinned at her and tightened his grip on her hand. “You know me well,” he started.

Sayu was shocked to see a red hue spread across his nose. Kaito was not known for his shyness. But he barreled on despite his flaming cheeks.

“I’m sure you know Lord Sesshomaru’s gathering is coming in a few weeks.”

“How can I not?” Sayu muttered.

He smiled patiently at her and patted the top of her hand. “The sudden fascination with you is one of the reasons I’ve decided to ask you.”

Sayu peered at him curiously. “Ask me what?” She felt her heart thundering in her chest and silently pleaded he wasn’t going to ask her to be his mate. To her dismay, he looked down at their hands and tried awkwardly to say what was on his mind.

“I thought, what with everyone wanting to gawk at you all night, that perhaps… Well, maybe you would-. Maybe I could… Escort you?”

Flushed with relief, Sayu smiled earnestly and nodded. “I would be more than happy to have you fight off my new admirers.” And she was. Katio’s presence was comforting when he wasn’t trying to court her or convince her to break her unbreakable curse. Having him by her side while she endured the curious, and sometimes disgusted, stares of other demons would help keep her from slithering back to her modest room like a coward.

“Really? You’re certain? I don’t want you to feel like I’m forcing you,” Kaito said.

Sayu laughed at his nervousness before placing her other hand on top of his. “Truly I am. I’ll need someone to keep me grounded.”

The look on Kaito’s face made her think he would explode from happiness. He gave her a toothy grin and pulled her hands up to his lips. “Thank you. It’s an honor to have you trust me so implicitly.” He pressed his lips against her knuckles and rose to leave. He stopped in the doorway and gave her another grin. “We should spar tonight, if you feel up to it. I think it would do you some good.”

“I’m sure you’re right. After supper I’ll get Rin settled and meet you there.”

Kaito nodded and slid the door shut. Sayu smiled to herself and looked back down at Rin. The little girl was snoring softly and Sayu had to stifle a giggle. Not long after a demon came to call the pair for dinner. Rin was slow to rise, but at the promise of food she jolted awake and dragged Sayu off to eat.

*************

The walk to the sparring room was quick. Kaito was sure to be there already. Rin insisted on a bedtime story and Sayu couldn’t help but indulge her. She had to admit she was excited about training and was antsy to leave the child. A small smile formed and she gave in to it. It was the first time she felt any semblance of being alive since her master rejected her.

Sayu rounded the corner and felt giddy when she spotted the doors leading to her sparring match. What she didn’t expect was for Kaito to burst out of the room with fury in his eyes.

“Kaito, what’s going on? I thought we were-,” Sayu was cut short when the enraged demon barreled past her. “Kaito!” she called after him.

He sighed and turned to face her. “Lord Sesshomaru insists on being your partner tonight. Please excuse me,” he said before disappearing around the corner.

Sayu’s heart pounded in her chest and she found she couldn’t breathe. Rustling fabric made her turn to find her master already waiting for her in the center of the room. The outer layer of his clothing was discarded and he stared patiently at her. He narrowed his eyes, bidding her to come and fight. Sayu tried to squash down her feelings and stepped into the room. She lowered her chin to her chest and stopped to bring herself to the ground in an elegant bow. When her forehead touched she froze and waited for direction.

“Get up.”

His voice washed over her and sent a shudder through her entire body, but she obeyed and rose quickly to her feet, head lowered.

“Look at me,” Sesshomaru ordered.

Sayu obeyed and looked directly into her master’s beautiful eyes. He studied her, slowly and carefully. She didn’t know what he was looking for, but after a few awkward seconds of staring he seemed satisfied and looked away.

“Do not hold back, because I won’t,” he said.

Sayu’s brows rose in shock and she barely had time to register his first attack. His claws came down across her shoulder and sent her flying back. The cuts weren’t deep, but the small amount of poison released seared the outside edges of the wounds. Sayu picked herself up and scowled at the man before her. His smirk nearly drove her over the edge.

He’s teasing me. She thought. The dog demon disappeared from sight and Sayu crouched down. She glanced around nervously and winced at her burning shoulder. A frustrated growl ripped through her throat and she shook herself, trying to clear her mind and concentrate on her master’s presence. The demon appeared behind her and she stumbled forward just in time to avoid his claws. She turned on him with wild eyes.

“Master, you’ll kill me!” she screamed while ducking away from his deadly poison. The smirk on his face remained.

“What will you do about it?” he growled as he wrapped his hands around her throat.

Sayu looked up at him in shock. He was serious. Panic settled in and she grabbed his fingers and twisted them away from her throat before landing a well-placed kick to his stomach. Sesshomaru stumbled back and tried to hide his smile.

Sayu growled at him and launched herself forward, trying to land another punch on his smug face. Sesshomaru chuckled and easily avoided her attacks, confusing Sayu even more.

“Why do you laugh at me?” she screamed between each punch.

Sesshomaru laughed again and caught her fist in his hand. “Why, does it anger you?” he asked.

“Of course not!” Sayu sputtered. She tried to wrench her hand free but Sesshomaru twisted her around and slammed her back into his chest. She felt his hot breath against her cheek and stiffened in his strange embrace. He nuzzled against her throat and inhaled deeply.

“No? What about this?” he whispered before grabbing the hem of her shirt and ripping it away from her body, leaving only her skimpy halter to cover her chest.

Sayu fell out of his arms and turned to stare at him with wide eyes. The large demon smirked and threw the shredded clothing to the side.

“Master, what are you doing?” she asked.

Sesshomaru ignored her question and advanced, eyeing the thin scrap of clothing shielding her from his hungry eyes. Sayu ducked out of his arms and tried to kick his legs out from under him. Sesshomaru jumped and pounced on her, his arm raised and claws poised to strike. Sayu squirmed beneath him and covered her chest with her arms. Sesshomaru pounded his fist into the ground beside her head and she turned away from him.

“Get angry! Show your true self!” he shouted, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look up at him.

His eyes were red and she felt something within her stir at his command. He smiled, revealing elongated canines. “That’s right,” he purred. “Let the demon out. Let me see her.”

The shackles around her wrist vibrated against her skin and she whimpered. Sesshomaru’s blood red eyes bore into hers, beckoning the demon to show itself in return.

“Master, please don’t,” she whispered.

Sesshomaru snarled and brought his face close to hers. Sayu’s eyes rolled back when she inhaled his scent; it was so strong and masculine. She felt herself respond to his closeness and growled in frustration. This didn’t go unnoticed by Sesshomaru and he chuckled.

“So that’s what makes you angry, hn? Getting excited over a man who rejected you?”

Her scent spiked in anger and arousal. The demon in her couldn’t help but be attracted to his domineering attitude, but the human she was now was furious at his lack of empathy in regards to her feelings towards him. He was merely playing with her, and she had never been so turned on and so enraged at the same time. She bucked her hips against his to try and dislodge him. This only caused the demon above her to growl and grind his hips against hers. Her body reacted instantly to the feel of him against her and she all but snarled as she glared up at him.

“Get off me,” she growled.

Sesshomaru’s red eyes narrowed and he pressed himself against her again. “So you’re the one giving orders now?” His voice was dangerously low and husky.

Sayu choked back a sob and looked away from him. In all her years as a slave she felt now was the worst moment. All the abuse and torture was nothing compared to this. Aside from her first master, she didn’t care for a single person who owned her. She was able to pull away from herself and disappear, disconnected from her battered body and spirit. But she loved this man, and she hated herself for it.

“Kiss me.”

Sayu was startled out of her musings and looked up into Sesshomaru’s eyes. They looked like liquid fire and the burning in her belly spread through her entire body.

“No,” she whispered. Her shackles sent out a warning shock but she kept her mouth shut in a tight line, glaring at the man spread out over her.

“You know I don’t like to repeat myself,” he said. He sounded so patient, so sure of himself.

Sayu wanted to punch the smug grin off his face. The black iron around her wrists burned her flesh and searing pain burned through her body. She couldn’t stop the small cry that escaped her lips and a few tears slipped from her eyes.

Sesshomaru ran his thumb over her lips and up to her temples, wiping away the wetness that disappeared in her hair. “Kiss me,” he whispered.

“I hate you,” Sayu ground out through clenched teeth.

Sesshomaru chuckled and ran the pad of his thumb over her cheekbone in lazy circles. “No you don’t.”

Sayu snarled and grabbed his hair, pulling his face down to slam her lips against his. The demon wasted no time and slanted his mouth over hers. He bit down on her bottom lip and she parted them, allowing the hungry demon access to what he sought. Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against him, reveling in the moan it elicited from the woman beneath him. She arched into him and wrapped her legs around his waist, groaning as he ran his hands up and down her body and devoured her mouth.

Sayu squealed when Sesshomaru lifted her from the ground and then moaned as he slammed her against the wall, pinning her between it and his rock hard body. The demon grabbed her thighs and hoisted her up, running the length of his throbbing bulge against her. Sayu tore free from his mouth and moaned. Her breath came out in short pants as Sesshomaru trailed fiery kisses along her jaw and down her throat.

“Master, why are you doing this?” she whispered.

In reply, Sesshomaru raked his fangs across the juncture of her neck and shoulder and Sayu felt a familiar presence within herself. She didn’t have time to process as the demon in her fought to be let out again. A strange sense of being cloaked and then pulled back consumed her and she once again felt as if she were watching through someone else’s eyes.

Yes... She heard the demon hiss.

“What’s going on?” Sayu asked.

Sit back, little human. Let me have him this once. The voice pleaded.

Sayu felt a tingling sensation and was overwhelmed by the love this demon had for her master; that she had for her master. She nodded and her vision blurred.

*************

When Sayu’s scent changed, Sesshomaru looked up only to come face-to-face with gleaming red eyes and a pair of fangs that matched his own.

“I see you’ve decided to show yourself,” Sesshomaru said.

“You make it difficult to stay away.”

Sesshomaru released her legs, allowing her feet to touch the floor, but he kept her body pinned. The strange creature giggled prettily and he quirked an eyebrow.

“You have no need to fear me, Sesshomaru. I share the human’s feelings. There is no one in this palace I wish to harm,” she whispered. “Especially Rin,” she added.

Sesshomaru couldn’t sense any treachery despite the hostile color of her eyes, and he released her. “You refer to me in an extremely familiar way,” he said.

A sad look passed across her face and she looked away. “We were equals once. Forgive me if I’ve forgotten my place. It’s been a long time since I’ve been myself.”

“Why is the magic even allowing it? The last time you made an appearance it nearly killed you.”

She looked back at him through thick lashes and he felt a strange stirring in his gut.

“I’m not trying to violently beat it back. My aura is not threatening, but still it will not allow me to stay this way for long.”

Sesshomaru nodded and circled her. Her scent was still masked and it frustrated him to no end. “Who are you?”

Sayu glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled sadly. “I don’t know. The magic suppresses any information regarding my past, except you.”

Sesshomaru halted and frowned. “Me? What were you to me?”

Sayu shook her head and turned suddenly, a desperate look in her eyes. “I don’t know! But you were important to me. I loved you and I still do.”

Sesshomaru stumbled back when she rushed forward. Her hands were like fire against his skin and he stared in shock at her frantic expression.

“Get me out of here, Sesshomaru. I can’t take it much longer. The pain is constant and it’s maddening not knowing who I am. Please help me. Please!” Tears streamed down her face and her shackles sent a hum through the still air of the sparring room.

Sesshomaru took her shoulders and pulled her against him. “Calm down, you must calm down,” he whispered. He rubbed soothing circles on her back and grit his teeth. He knew what was coming and he hoped no one would be around to hear her.

As if on cue, the air around them sparked and became hot as the magic rushed out to subdue her demonic aura. Sayu screamed and her knees buckled, but Sesshomaru held her tight against him and continued to whisper soothing commands for her to relax. His words failed to reach her ears and his own started ringing as her scream rose in pitch. There was a sudden rushing noise and all the air around them seemed to pull violently inward as her aura was dragged back inside its confines. Sayu inhaled sharply and arched back, revealing blunt teeth and dark eyes to her shaken master as the enormous demonic aura emanating from her rushed back into her body. Sesshomaru felt a twinge of dread as his own aura was pulled in the unseen whirlwind of magic. The candle flames flickered at the sudden rush of air and went out, cloaking the room in darkness. Everything became still and silent once more and the flames leapt back to life. A look of recognition passed over her pained features before her eyes rolled back and she fell limp in his arms.

Sesshomaru could only stare at the unconscious woman he was holding. He had never felt anything so sinister, not even from Naraku. The magic was laced with so much blackness and hate and sorrow it sent a shiver up his spine.

“What did you do?” he whispered to the still form.

The sound of hurried footsteps brought him back to himself and he looked up to find Kaito standing in the doorway with an accusing glare.

“What happened?” the angry tiger demon snarled.

Sesshomaru bent to wrap an arm under her knees and lifted Sayu to his chest. Once she was safely deposited in Kaito’s arms, he turned away from his bewildered friend. “Take her to her room. Have Eri tend to her. Then come immediately to my quarters.” Sesshomaru turned to leave but thought better of it. He fixed the unconscious woman with a questioning frown and murmured, “Bring some sake,” before disappearing around the corner.