InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Taisho's Darling ❯ Pathway to Freedom ( Chapter 15 )

………….

Disclaimer: I don't own these marvelous characters; they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I merely torture them at will and put them in uncomfortable situations whenever possible.

………….

Chapter 15

Pathway to Freedom

Warning! This chapter contains some dark imagery. Nothing graphic, but I like to give advance notice…

Important Note: I hate to even bring this up, but I feel obliged to mention it because I've been getting some citrus requests. There will be no lemons in this fic. I rated this 'R' because I felt I needed the breathing room as far as Kagome's past situation was concerned.

……

"I thought you were babysitting Shippo tonight," Inu-Yasha commented from where he was comfortably sprawled across the foot of Sango's bed.

Sango paused from her reading long enough to blink at him. "Sesshomaru came to me and said he'd take care of the kit," she told Inu-Yasha. "From what I could hear of the yelling earlier, Nazuna all but shamed him into it. Not that he'd ever admit that, of course."

"Wish I'd been a fly on the wall for that conversation."

"Trust me, it wasn't a conversation. It was a shouting match, and I'd say the winner was Nazuna. Unfortunately, I think the loser was Kagome. Nazuna dragged her off to the clubs, and Sesshomaru looked extremely unhappy about the arrangement."

"Can't blame him," Inu-Yasha replied, lying back with his hands behind his head. "Kagome's going to come back tonight covered in every scent but his. I'd like to think this will make him give up his stupid idea of having me take her as a mate, but I'm not holding my breath. I know what a stubborn ass Sesshomaru can be."

"Seems to be a family trait," Sango said off-handedly. She held up the book. "Do you want me to continue, or is this boring you?"

"Go on; I'm listening," Inu-Yasha answered.

"Okay…between the 4th and 5th month of your hanyou pregnancy…" Sango flipped through a few pages of the well-worn paperback. "Hmm, this is interesting. They have this section divided into two parts; one part is for a hanyou with a youkai mother and human father, and the other part if for a hanyou with a human mother and youkai father. Apparently they develop differently." She skimmed through a couple of paragraphs. "Okay, it says fetal movement is now recognized…heh - they always like to compare it to the scrape of butterfly wings. Aww, that's really sweet, but you want to hear the ugly truth? The first time I noticed my baby moving I mistook it for gas bubbles and blamed it on the mabonasu I fixed for dinner that night."

Inu-Yasha chuckled and rolled to his side. "That's what you get for cooking eggplant, woman." He pulled a disgusted face.

"Keep it up and I'll be serving eggplant for the rest of my pregnancy. In fact, I think I feel a craving coming on right now. Inu-Yasha, run to the market and get me some eggplant, pleeaasse?" Sango begged with a dramatic flair.

"Keh. Keeping you supplied with eggplant might be easier than these constant trips to the kitchen for salted lemons." Inu-Yasha winced as Sango bopped him in the nose with the book. "Stop beating on me! Damn, you're as violent as Kagome!"

"Stop insulting my salted lemons," she responded calmly, reaching to the bedside table for a slice of the citrus. "I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so big already. The pictures in the book make it look like I should be barely showing, see?"

"You're not that big," Inu-Yasha told her, comparing her stomach with the picture in the book. "The pup probably sticks out more because you're so skinny. That's skinny in a good way," he added quickly, seeing her face start to crumple.

"If you say so," she sniffed, returning to the book. She flipped to the next page. "Next, it says the fetal heartbeat can be heard with amplification. I guess that means with imaging devices."

"Or with youkai hearing," Inu-Yasha added absently.

"Youkai hearing?" Sango repeated as a thought occurred to her. "Inu-Yasha? Um, could you…" she faltered. All of a sudden, discussing this topic with him seemed so personal, and for some reason, embarrassing. "Could you listen and tell me if you hear the baby's heartbeat?" Her face flamed deep red.

"Sure," Inu-Yasha shrugged. He moved over to where Sango was lying propped against a stack of pillows and placed his ear against her abdomen. After a moment, a grin slowly spread across his features. "Hey, Sango," he exclaimed softly. "I can hear it." His ear twitched as he concentrated.

"I'm jealous," Sango told him with a sigh as Inu-Yasha shifted his weight to his shoulders and rested his head next to her stomach. The silver-haired hanyou didn't seem to be in any hurry to move away from her body, and Sango certainly didn't mind. Lying here like this, she could indulge in her favorite fantasy - the one where she pretended they were a real couple in love with each other and expecting their first child.

She recognized her feelings, but she kept them to herself. There was no way she was going to confess her heart's desire to her master's younger son. Telling Inu-Yasha that she loved him would only make him uncomfortable, and it might cause him to stop seeking out her company. Sango hadn't lived this long without learning to shield herself from pain, and that included the pangs of a broken heart. She'd just keep things as they were, enjoying any affection Inu-Yasha gave to her and longing for him in silence.

"You have no idea how good that feels," Inu-Yasha murmured as Sango scratched his head at the base of his ears. She smiled and began to rub the furred ears with gentle strokes. It thrilled Sango to the core when the guarded half-demon relaxed in her presence; for him to do such a thing meant that he trusted her completely.

"Is everything all right in there?" she asked. Inu-Yasha opened a lazy golden eye in question. "You know, with the baby? Does the heartbeat sound like it should?"

"I guess everything's all right." He pressed against her stomach and listened intently. "Both heartbeats are strong and steady. But why haven't you told anyone you're having twins?"

"Twins?" The shock was evident in Sango's voice. She bolted upright. "There are two of them? Are you sure about this?"

Her reaction confused him. "Uh, yeah, there are two babies. You mean you didn't know?" Inu-Yasha asked, his dark eyebrows crinkling. "The doctor didn't tell you?"

"I haven't seen a doctor," Sango admitted. Her face had lost some of its color.

Inu-Yasha raised his head from her belly. "The midwife, then? The nurse? Medical assistant? Acupuncturist? Stop me when I get close, Sango," he continued as she shook her head at each suggestion.

"I haven't seen anyone about this," Sango clarified. "I took a home pregnancy test, and I haven't done a thing since. No one in this household seeks outside medical help unless it's an absolute emergency, Inu-Yasha. It's too dangerous."

"What?" Inu-Yasha was outraged. "Sango, you mean to tell me you haven't gone in for a single check-up? All kinds of things can go wrong with human pregnancies, especially when you're carrying a youkai's baby!" He was yelling now, a look of angry worry in his golden eyes.

"Foo," Sango waved off his concerns. "Women have been having babies without help for thousands of years, Inu-Yasha. I doubt your own birth was attended by a doctor."

"No, but my mother certainly had a midwife at her side!" Inu-Yasha gripped her by the shoulders, barely mindful of his claws digging into her skin. "Sango, you are going to be under some kind of pre-natal care, and I'm not taking 'no' for an answer! Don't you realize women still die in childbirth, even in this modern age?"

Tears formed in her eyes, causing the hanyou to curse roundly. "Inu-Yasha," she whispered hoarsely, "I can't risk it! What if I was unmasked as a slave? They'd kill me and my baby - I mean, babies," she corrected herself.

"I'll find someone to take care of you," Inu-Yasha promised her, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his clawed finger. "Damn, I wish Father were here. He has so many connections; there's gotta be someone who owes him a favor." He folded Sango in his arms and held her close, not seeming to care what she thought of the action.

……

……

*Taisho knew he was dreaming, but he couldn't bring himself to awaken. He was searching for something, something he couldn't define, but he knew he had to find it. The answer was around here somewhere, if he could only see it!*

*She was there, standing before him. His Darling Kagome, the beautiful young woman he loved as a daughter. Smiling with fatherly pride, he stretched a hand out toward her, only to see her vanish before his eyes.*

*"Have you forgotten your sons?"*

*He turned to her voice, knowing who spoke. Although centuries had passed without hearing her sweet tones, he knew in an instant the woman addressing him. Her name fell from his lips.*

*"Izayoi."*

*She appeared before him, as beautiful to him as the first day he had cast his eyes upon her. Looking into her lovely face, Taisho couldn't help but try to touch her. It had been such a long time, and he missed her terribly.*

*"Have you forgotten your sons?" she repeated, moving out of his reach. With a sweep of her arm, Sesshomaru and Inu-Yasha now stood off to the side. "Do you not love them?"*

*"Izayoi," Taisho faltered. "How can you ask this? Of course I love my sons; why would you think otherwise?"*

*"Do you love one more than the other?"*

*At this point, Taisho was becoming very confused by her line of questioning. "Izayoi, that isn't possible. My love for each is different, because they are different. This does not mean I love one more than the other.*

*"And your love for Kagome does not detract from your love for your sons?"*

*"Never," he assured her. "My heart is big enough for all of them."*

*She smiled at him, a radiant glow emanating from her form as the images before him slowly vanished along with her. "Your heart is big enough, indeed, my love. Let it also be big enough to hold another."*

*And then she was gone, leaving Taisho alone once more.*

……

……

Rin was tired, very tired, but she found herself unable to sleep. Otou-san had long since sent her into bed, but it wasn't quite the same without Okaa-san. The blue-eyed human was her favorite, next to Otou-san of course, and Rin felt lonely without her. She was used to getting a bedtime story and a cuddle from Kagome, and she wondered where the woman was tonight.

Kagome hadn't said she was Rin's new mother, but Rin was tired of not having one. Now that Sesshomaru-sama was Otou-san, Rin figured Kagome could be Okaa-san. After all, Shippo-chan had told her that mothers and fathers slept in the same room together, and those two adults were together every night. Rin knew this because she or Shippo-chan sometimes climbed in beside them after a scary dream.

Whatever had become of Okaa-san, Otou-san wasn't happy about it. Rin had seen the stoic demon in many dark moods, but tonight was the first time his mood had frightened her. Her father was so upset that he hadn't read her a story, and even worse, he hadn't kissed her goodnight!

Pouting, Rin decided to obtain her bedtime story from another source. Obaa-san would read to her if she asked her nicely. As with Kagome, Rin hadn't gone so far as to actually ask Kaede if she wanted to be Obaa-san, but Rin figured the older woman wouldn't mind. Grabbing her favorite book, Rin tip-toed through the corridors in search of the woman she now thought of as grandmother.

When she reached her destination, Rin noticed a strange glow around Obaa-san's doorway. Ignoring the glow, she squared her shoulders and opened the door. Rin had known for years that she could see things that others, even Otou-san, could not, and spiritual barriers were no exception. She walked effortlessly through the barrier and pulled the door shut behind her.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, Rin searched about the room for the elderly woman. Obaa-san never left the mansion at night, so where could she be? Looking around the room, Rin spotted the sleeping demon in the bed.

He scared her at first, looking as much like Otou-san as he did. Rin backed up momentarily, fearing discovery. After all, she was old enough to know her father would be very angry if he found her out of bed at this time of night. But after studying his features for a minute, Rin realized this was not her Otou-san; this was another demon.

Curious, Rin crept closer to the inuyoukai. Why was he sleeping when a stranger was in the room? Otou-san would have been awake instantly, his powerful nose detecting the intruder. This demon, however, seemed to be in the middle of a dream. He was breathing fast and mumbling something that Rin couldn't quite understand.

Her soft heart wanted to comfort this youkai, so Rin placed her tiny hand upon his face and stroked his cheek, just like she'd seen Okaa-san do to Shippo-chan the other night. Entranced by the jagged stripes on his face that were so similar to Otou-san's, she failed to notice the change in the demon's breathing until two golden eyes snapped open to stare at her.

……

"You're not enjoying yourself, are you?"

Kagome flashed a telling expression at her date, unhappiness etched in her face. "I'm sorry I'm such poor company tonight, Manten," she told the elemental youkai. "You deserve better than this, especially on the only night of the week when you don't have to work."

The reptilian-looking demon patted her hand. "Regardless, I appreciate you accompanying me here tonight, Kagome. I would find it very tiresome indeed if I had to spend the entire evening watching my brother grope his woman."

"His woman?" Kagome questioned with an arch of her brow. "Don't you think that's a bit sexist, Manten? Nazuna doesn't belong to Hiten, like some pet."

"Not yet," Manten calmly replied. "But she doesn't seem to mind spending time with him, does she? They will be mates soon enough." He half-turned in his seat to observe the couple on the dance floor. Hiten and Nazuna were wrapped together so tightly, it was a wonder how they managed to breathe.

"Forgive my poor choice of words," Manten replied when he noticed Kagome still scowling at him. "You and I have known each other for a few years, Kagome, and you are well-versed in the ways of youkai. Surely you are acquainted with the demon viewpoint of mating?"

"So a mate is nothing but a possession, Manten?" she asked bitterly.

"You misunderstand, Kagome." Manten ran his clawed hand over his large, bald head. "Mates belong to each other; the relationship is not that of master and servant. Once they are mated, Nazuna will be Hiten's, and Hiten will be Nazuna's. Their souls are bonded, but the bond strengthens them individually as well as together. Neither truly holds dominion over the other."

Her anger softened at his explanation. "I think I understand," she said. As she watched the passionate couple, Kagome found her mind once again wandering to the angry demon she'd left behind at the mansion. How come the only male to ever strike a chord within her soul had to be Sesshomaru? After all, the world was full of caring males. The youkai sitting across from her was one such example. True, Manten didn't have a lot going for him physically, but he was sympathetic and intelligent. Someday, he would be a loving, devoted mate for a very lucky female.

But that lucky female wouldn't be her. Manten's voice never set fire to her nerve endings, and his touch didn't make her pulse race wildly. Only Sesshomaru seemed to be able to do that. Not for the first time, Kagome reflected that life was quite unfair.

The loud music was giving her an incredible headache. "Manten, where's the ladies' room?" she asked. This new club was unfamiliar to her; Kagome had frequented only Club Lavanda in the past. Manten pointed in the general direction of the restrooms, and Kagome left the table.

"This is stupid," she spoke aloud a few minutes later. She had finished her business and was rearranging her tousled hair in the bathroom mirror. "I should just go home." With a tired sigh, she left the restroom and entered the darkened passageway leading back to the dance floor.

Something tingled along the hairline of her neck, and she whirled around in surprise. Her reflexes were too slow, however, and her body was pressed forward into the hard wall of the passageway. She felt the rough surface scrape her cheek as a hand gripped her neck tightly.

"What a pleasure to see you here tonight, my sweet little whore," a voice rasped in her ear.

Onigumo.

……

Sesshomaru moved quickly through the corridors, fuming with anger. He had sent Rin to her bed, and she had snuck out of it! He would not tolerate any disobedience from his pup! He turned at the end of the hallway leading to Kaede's room.

"If you're looking for Rin, she's inside Kaede's room," Jakotsu said as he approached him from the other end of the hallway.

"I am fully aware of this fact," Sesshomaru growled. "The last time I checked, my nose was working properly. Step aside, Jakotsu." He stalked up to Kaede's door and prepared to remove the barrier.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the guard warned him. A flash of light sparked from the barrier, searing the skin on Sesshomaru's hand. "Told you," Jakotsu snickered. "When Kaede and Miroku combine their powers to make a barrier, it isn't going to come down just because some over-confident youkai thinks it should."

"Did I hear my name mentioned?" Miroku's voice floated down the hallway.

"Remove this barrier now," Sesshomaru demanded, nursing his aching hand. The purifying energy kept him from healing as quickly as he liked. "My pup is inside this room."

"So she was able to pass through, hmm?" Miroku smiled broadly. "It looks like we have another miko amongst us. I rather suspected she had special abilities."

"Miroku…" Sesshomaru snarled warningly.

"Oh yes, the barrier! Sorry, Sesshomaru, but that barrier isn't coming down for anyone. Orders from the boss, you know. I can fetch Rin for you, if you like," Miroku offered in bright tones. As Sesshomaru advanced upon him, he gulped and ran inside the room.

Miroku returned a moment later with Rin in his arms. The child was sound asleep, hugging her book tightly to her small body. "She wanted a bedtime story," Miroku explained. "So the, er, 'occupant' of this room was only too happy to oblige. The 'occupant' said to give you a message, by the way."

"What's the message?"

"How was it phrased…" Miroku was lost in thought. "Oh yes, now I remember. The message was 'Cute pup. Where did you find her?'"

"I have a wonderful idea," Sesshomaru said evenly as he removed Rin from Miroku's arms and handed her over to Jakotsu. He grabbed Miroku by the throat and lifted him into the air. "Why don't you remove that barrier so I can give the 'occupant' my answer in person?"

"Not possible!" Miroku squeaked. He slapped a ward on Sesshomaru's arm, forcing the inuyoukai to drop him. "The 'occupant' has forbidden all contact until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, then," Sesshomaru bit out angrily. "But I won't be put off any longer, and you can tell the 'occupant' I said that." He retrieved Rin and marched back down the hallway, cursing under his breath.

……

"What's the matter, slut? Don't you have anything you want to say to your old master?" Onigumo asked. He stood over Kagome, who was literally retching in fear. "I would have thought you'd be thrilled to see me. Although I'm sure Taisho and those sons of his have given you plenty of chances to work on your technique over the last few years." He gave a cruel laugh.

"Shut up!" Kagome gasped, scrubbing her mouth against her shoulder. "They're not sick bastards like you!" She struggled then, trying once again to free herself from her bonds. She was wedged into the corner of a utility closet, unable to move against the invisible restraints.

"Don't waste your energy, little miko," Onigumo said lightly, running a hand down the side of her neck before striking her face. "These bonds were forged to hold spiritual powers far greater than yours." He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "You have something I want, Kagome. Be a good little girl and give it to me."

She stilled in horror. It was starting all over, just like when she was young. Memories of Onigumo's past brutality rushed to the surface. "No," Kagome protested in a broken voice. "No, I don't want this! Leave me alone!"

"Not that, you stupid woman," Onigumo barked, striking her once again. "As if anyone would want to touch your filthy body!" he sneered. "No male could ever look upon a whore like you without disgust!" He grabbed her by the neck of her shirt. "No more games, bitch. I want the Shikon no Tama!"

Her eyes widened. "The Shikon no Tama," she repeated, her mind racing in a hundred different directions. Taisho-sama had told her of the jewel, told her of the repeated attempts to obtain it. Her mouth drew into a firm line. She wasn't going to say another word.

"I can take your slave bond back," Onigumo threatened. "Your master is nowhere near here. Tell me, slut, how would you like to go back to working the streets?" His hand wandered to the front of her blouse.

Kagome instinctively shrank from his touch. "No matter what you do, my master will find me," she told him. Her threat sounded weak and pitiful, even to her own ears. "He will hunt you down, and he will kill you," she added, trying to force more courage into her tone.

"Really?" Onigumo said with a laugh. "Who will kill me? Taisho? My assassins will soon take care of him. Perhaps you're thinking that son of his will come to your defense? Such a sweet sentiment," he sneered, "the cold-hearted Sesshomaru taking revenge for worthless Disposal trash like you. How did you manage to convince that youkai to take over your slave bond? Did he agree to do it when you spread your legs for him, or do his tastes run to the more exotic pleasures? I hear he keeps a young human girl…"

"You're the only pedophile around here," Kagome spat. In her mind, she was wondering how Onigumo knew Sesshomaru had taken the bond. How long had he been watching her, stalking her from the shadows?

Onigumo stuck his face next to hers. "And have you forgotten, slut, how many times I brought you pleasure? You've moaned in ecstasy for me, clenched your body tightly around mine," he whispered harshly in her ear. Onigumo stroked her jaw-line with his tongue and smiled wickedly as she shuddered. "See, you're nothing but a whore, made solely to bring delight to men's bodies. If you won't give me the Shikon, you'll at least give your sweet flesh," he grunted, shoving her back against the wall and fumbling with her clothing. "Show me some of those tricks, bitch."

"Higurashi?" A familiar voice was yelling outside the utility-closet door. Kagome recognized the voice as belonging to Hojo. "Higurashi?" His voice sounded hollow, as if he was shouting into the nearby bathroom.

Kagome grabbed her opportunity and screamed at the top of her lungs, knowing this was her only chance to be heard over the club's loud music. "In here, Hojo! Help me!"

"We're far from finished with this conversation, you worthless little slut!" Onigumo hissed, sending a hard blow to Kagome's head. Cursing, he burst through the door just as Hojo opened it, knocking the young man to the ground. "I'll be watching you," he called back to Kagome as he gave the stunned Hojo a kick and disappeared into the darkness.

……

Sesshomaru tucked his sleeping daughter into her bed, shaking his head at his foolishness. He'd gone soft, allowing a tiny human child to rule his heart. Did she have any idea of the power she held over him? The time between when he'd first noticed her absence from her room and when he'd picked up her scent had been mere seconds, yet in that brief moment, he'd felt his gut tighten with an insane amount of worry.

For the first time in his life, Sesshomaru actually felt like he understood his father. To love another being so much that you would risk your very life for them...the knowledge was both revealing and frightening. Thinking of his father's actions concerning Kagome, Sesshomaru acknowledged that he would have done much the same for Rin.

As he lay down to rest, the strange, empty feeling that had been tugging at him through the evening assailed him with intensified ferocity, leaving him feeling somewhat sick to his stomach. It took a while for Sesshomaru to realize just what the problem was, and when he did, he felt no better.

He could no longer feel Kagome's slave bond, at least, not in the sense he had felt it before. The bond still existed; Sesshomaru could detect the magic tie between Kagome and himself. The emotions, however, were missing. He couldn't sense her feelings anymore, couldn't tell if she was full of joy or sorrow.

The slave bond's return to normality should have pleased him, but it didn't. Why, he wondered, did this have to happen now? Why couldn't this have happened at a much earlier point, say, when his heart was not already tied to the uncontrolled miko?

And securely tied it was, Sesshomaru acknowledged reluctantly. Somehow, he had fallen in love with the annoying woman, fallen for her fiery spirit and her loving nature. Lying there in the darkness of his room, Sesshomaru cursed the fates that mocked him so thoroughly.

……

"Higurashi? I've been looking all over the club for you!" Hojo cried. The bonds holding Kagome had released with Onigumo's departure, and she stumbled against her rescuer. "Your lip is bleeding - what happened?" he asked. "Who was that guy, Higurashi?"

"I…he wanted…" Kagome stammered. Whore! She found herself at a loss for words, and her body began to shake uncontrollably. Onigumo's taunts were whirling around in her mind, searing through her soul.

Hojo was straightening her clothing, trying to cover her exposed body. Kagome jerked away from him as he brushed against her skin. "Hey, take it easy," Hojo told her. "I'm just trying to help you, okay?" He backed off a bit, allowing her some space. "Higurashi, that guy back there, was he trying to…?" He left the sentence unfinished.

"Yes…you saved me, Hojo. Thanks," Kagome croaked gratefully. She was operating on sheer stamina at this point, wanting nothing more than to get as far away from the club as possible. Tainted bitch! "My date…" she began.

"You mean Manten?" Hojo asked. "He and I ran into each other about ten minutes ago. He said there was a problem with an alcohol shipment at Club Lavanda, and the bartender filling in for him couldn't take care of it. He asked me to find you and let you know." Hojo placed a hand on her arm. "Are you okay, Higurashi?" he asked. "Why don't you let me take you home?"

"Kagome?" A voice squealed in her ear. "Hey woman, I've never seen you here before!" Yura's grinning face entered her field of vision. "Are you here with - what happened to your face?" she asked. Yura turned to Hojo with an accusing glare. "Did you do this?"

"It wasn't me!" Hojo protested. "Some asshole was trying to rape her! Come on, Higurashi. Let's get you out of here." He laid a gentle hand on her arm.

Kagome flinched as if she'd been burned. Slut! The voices in her head were chanting louder, drowning out the music. Her teeth began to chatter. Disposal trash! "Yura?" she begged piteously. "Will you take me home?"

"Sure," Yura told her, throwing a comforting arm around Kagome's shaking shoulders. "No offense, Hojo, but I don't think she wants to be around any men right now. I'll handle this."

……

"She's headed back to the mansion, running back to her precious master," Onigumo commented idly, watching the taillights of Yura's car disappear into the distance. He turned to the young man standing in the shadows. "I think tonight's little drama was a hit, don't you?"

"I still don't see the point, Master," was the sullen reply. "She's going to be constantly looking over her shoulder. You should have let me track her for a while longer."

"Spying on the mansion's occupants was getting us nowhere," Onigumo reminded him. "That security system was all but impenetrable, and the residents didn't speak openly enough when they were out on the mansion's grounds. The only thing we learned was that Taisho's son had taken over the little whore's slave bond." He gave a dark chuckle. "No, this is better. We're going to flush our quarry out into the open."

"Your plan is brilliant as always, Master," his slave told him.

"Damn right it is," Onigumo retorted. He turned to the young man. "You've got an opening now, Hojo. You 'saved' her; she's going to lower her guard around you. Don't disappoint me by allowing any opportunities to go to waste.

"Yes, Master," was Hojo's meek reply.

……

"Wake up, girlie! We're here!"

"Mmm?" Kaede blinked and sat up. They were in Toto-sai's car, parked outside an odd-looking house built into the side of a mountain. "Why are we here?" she slurred. All that sake had made her so sleepy…

"Aaack!" she sputtered as Toto-sai threw her over his shoulder and strode up the walkway to his house. The ground was tilting back and forth beneath her, and Kaede's head bobbed as she tried to regain her bearings. It was somewhat difficult to focus when one was full of alcohol and hanging upside down.

"Stay here," Toto-sai ordered as he deposited her on a comfortable western-style couch in his front room. Kaede could hear him rummaging around behind what appeared to be a built-in bar. "Now where did I put that stuff? Ah-hah!"

He stood up behind the bar with a triumphant smirk, holding a tiny flask. "Nectar of the gods," he chortled, popping the cork. "Here, you need to drink this," he told Kaede.

"No thanks, I've had enough," Kaede slurred.

"That's why you're drinking it. This will make you sober!" Toto-sai grabbed her hair and tipped her head back. "If it tastes like paint thinner and rotten eggs, you're drinking it too slowly," he warned as he poured the vile-smelling concoction down her throat.

"I'd have rather stayed drunk," Kaede croaked as soon as she was able to speak. Her throat burned, and she accepted the glass of water Toto-sai handed her with a nod of thanks. Toto-sai threw himself in the chair opposite the couch and gave her a toothless grin.

"It's no fun fooling around with an intoxicated date," he said. Her facial expression must have shown her disgust, because he gave a loud bark of laughter. "Perhaps you'd find me more appealing if I looked like this."

Kaede's jaw dropped as the wizened old fire demon turned into a distinguished-looking youkai. His full head of silver hair was neatly combed back into a top-knot, and his muscular body gave evidence to his trade as a master metal-worker. The now-handsome features of the demon sitting across from her would turn any woman's head.

"Wha-?" she sputtered. "Why - thou art a fraud, Toto-sai!" Kaede held up the flask with the sobering potion, wondering if the vision before her was some sort of bizarre side-effect.

"A fraud, eh?" Toto-sai shook his head in mock sadness. "Now, Kaede, I'm no more of a fraud than you are. Like you, I've found it useful to present an aged face to the world. Humans and youkai alike tend to ignore someone they perceive as a blithering old fool. And speaking of old fools, how is Taisho doing these days?"

"And how would I know the answer to thy question?" Kaede challenged. She crossed her arms and pinned the elemental youkai with a hard stare. "If thou hast brought me here for interrogation, then thou shalt be gravely disappointed with what I have to offer."

"Relax, Kaede. We're on the same side, you know." Toto-sai jumped to his feet and held a hand out to her. "Come with me; I'd like to show you something. I won't bite you," he added as she hesitated, "unless, of course, you want me to take a nip." He flashed a fanged smile in her direction.

"I'm more concerned that you might start rambling on about swords again," Kaede retorted. She followed him along the passageways, deep into the mountain. Torches lit the rock walls, casting an eerie glow to their surroundings. Out of the corner of her eye, Kaede spotted something slithering on the floor. Suppressing a scream, she clutched at Toto-sai's strong arm.

"Don't mind the wildlife," Toto-sai assured her. "Nothing here will harm you unless I say so. Ah, here we are." He pressed a finger to a hidden panel, and the side of the cave swung open silently.

"Oh," was all Kaede could say. She stepped through the opening and stood on the sandy beach. "But how - ? Thy home is nowhere near the water!"

"It's a portal," Toto-sai explained. "It transports the user to a beach in another land. Not too many of these things left," he sighed. "They require quite a bit of spiritual energy to operate."

"For what purpose is it used?" Kaede asked. She kicked off her shoes and shuffled her feet in the soft sand. "Somehow I doubt it's thy private vacation spot, Toto-sai."

Toto-sai touched the part of her arm where Taisho's spell concealed her slave bond. "Kaede," he chastised her gently. "Did you really believe that Inu-sama was the only youkai who couldn't bear to kill his slaves? When the new laws took effect, there were many of us who protested. We formed a loose affiliation, dedicated to preserving the lives of the enslaved. More importantly, we seek to free the oppressed."

He made a sweeping motion with his arm. "Welcome to the Underground, and take a good look, Kaede. This is the pathway to freedom."

……

A/N: Forgive the production delay. I did a major re-write of this chapter after my beta had already done her part, so….it had to go back to the beta. Bless TitianWren for her endless patience :>D

Thanks, as always, for reading! You guys make it such a pleasure to write!

- Lavender