InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sacrificed ❯ Chapter 4

Sacrificed

 

Chapter 4

 

Kagome trembled as her rescuer moved forward. He was a massive shadow, his dark lines only broken by the glow of his hair and the burning of his eyes. She was proud that she didn't flinch when his warm hand ran over the cheek that Lord Wolfe had struck.

 

“You are going to bruise here, little one. Get out of your wet things and wrap yourself in the robe at the foot of the bed. I'll bring something to put on your wounds.”

 

When she was certain she was alone, Kagome eased down onto the fur, her battered body protesting at even the slightest hint of abuse. Reaching for her boots, she noticed that it wasn't the pelt of a hungry winter wolf but that of a large bear, dangerous hunting even in good weather. Obviously the lord of the castle had not suffered from a lack of means during his time of exile.

 

Once her boots and hose were removed, she stood, realizing that without a ladies maid there would be no way to remove the complicated gown Heiligshire's leaders, as well as Lord Wolfe, insisted she wear. She could easily work the lacings holding her sleeves closed, but the front of the dress had elaborate embroidery and thus had all its lacings in the back.

 

“Drat, women's fashion. Why can't lacings be in the front where one's hands face?” She asked the dark.

 

Unfortunately the dark chose to reply. “Because it wouldn't be nearly as worthwhile for the gentlemen if women's frocks were so easily removed.”

 

Spinning, Kagome glared at the flicker of silver in the firelight.

 

“I don't suppose you will be supplying a ladies maid for me?”

 

“No, seeing as I have no use for one myself. Turn around and I'll undo it for you.”

 

He watched as the girl clutched the front of her gown like a life line.

 

“But- but it's not proper.”

 

“Little one, in case you've forgotten the past hour, nothing that has been done tonight is proper. Though you have my assurances that I will not ravage a child. Even a demon has his limits.”

 

As his hands moved nimbly over the complicated pattern, Kagome noticed as sort of low growl, like that of an angry dog, forming in his throat.

 

“My Lord?”

 

“Who put all these bruises on you? Was it your family?”

 

She shook her head causing the loose black waves to tumble over her shoulders and down her back.

 

“No. The women who dressed me were the wives of the influential men, the magistrate, the merchantman, and the like. They were not very kind to me.”

 

Turing, she stared up at the eyes that not only reflected the firelight, but seemed to take it in, providing a light of their own.

 

“May I ask your name, My Lord? It seems only fitting to know the name of the man with whom I must share a bed with.”

 

He swatted her nose with the tip of his finger before motioning that she raise her arms to remove the heavy gown.

“You are more than welcome to spend the remainder of the night on the floor, little one, if that is your preference. Has no one mentioned my name in children's bedtime tales?”

 

“No, only to warn of the `Demon of Red Moor Castle' or to behave lest you be sent to the `Beast of the Moor', but truly, My Lord, you don't seem all that bestial. You have no horns or tail.”

 

“It is the beasts that look most human that one should fear the most.” Feeling her stiffen as he tugged her chemise over her head, revealing a pale and thin body to his gaze, he waited until the heavy robe was wrapped firmly around her before moving the child to face him.

 

“I will tell you now, if you obey me then you have nothing to fear from me. My name is Inuyasha. And as I've said, I have no desire to ravage a child. There are others here in the castle that chose to be under my protection or have no where else to go and I will not have a spoiled little girl endangering them with her fantasies of demons and beasties.”

 

Holding her chin high, Kagome answered Inuyasha. “My name is Kagome. My father is one of the richer framers in Heiligshire, not that the harvest has been kind to us this year. And I am no child, Lord Inuyasha. I am seven and ten, fully grown.”

 

Kagome had the privilege of seeing surprise light those amber depths before she caught a flash of white teeth in the darkness.

 

“Yes, I can see that you are a mature young woman. And why is it you were chosen to be my dinner?”

 

Grey eyes dropped to the floor, but not before Inuyasha saw the glint of tears in them.

 

“Lord Wolfe has been most persistent that I marry him. He has been demanding my hand for the past three years. But I have seen the way he treats women.” His head came up and she met his gaze straight on. “I have seen the whores in town after he has been through with them. The haunted looks in their eyes. The bruises. I will not live like that. I told him I would rather die abandoned in the cold than submit to him.”

 

“And you very nearly did.” He picked up a covered bowl from the night table and dipped his fingers into it. Kagome held still as he gently rubbed the waxy cream, smelling heavily of rosemary and mugwort, onto her cheek.

 

“Crawl under the covers, little one. I will have my housekeeper look at the rest of your injuries on the morrow.”

 

Burrowing herself into the soft feather mattress and relishing the thick blankets against the chill she couldn't quite be rid of, Kagome watched Inuyasha move in the shadows about the room.

 

“Why won't you show me your face? Are you horribly disfigured?”

 

“You ask quite a few impertinent questions for someone raised a lady.”

 

“I have a brother. Will I not see your face?” she heard the rustle of cloth over by the shuttered window. “What are you doing?”

 

“Readying for bed. And you will see my face when I deem you trustworthy enough to see it.”

 

The mattress dipped behind her and a cooler breeze slipped under the heavy quilts before they were lowered. Kagome found herself stretched along side the warm, solid, and very masculine body of her protector. Still she couldn't help but tense when his arm came around her waist and drew her against him.

 

“Relax, little one. You're still freezing and this will warm you up.”

 

“My name is not little one, it is Kagome. My Lord.”

 

“Then I bid you goodnight, Ka-go-me. You will meet my staff when you rise. I shall let you sleep as long as you wish, but I will be gone when you wake.”