InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mark ❯ Preperations ( Chapter 12 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Tsume stood outside the door to her master's rooms. She backed away slowly and sat in the hall facing the door. She knew what that scent meant, but fear kept her from opening the door. She could smell blood and sex and both their scents, but in the past, Lord Inutaishou had taken women to his bed, mated and slain them in the same night. She liked Kagome. Opening that door and seeing Kagome's body was more than Tsume could take. She took a deep breath and rose. Her hand was almost to the door when she heard it, the sound of two heartbeats. A sigh of relief slipped past her lips as she opened the door and saw both of them asleep in the bed. She knelt by the foot of the bed and watched as Sesshomaru's eyes opened. He nodded to Tsume.
“What is it?”
“A date has been set for the annual meeting, and the other Lords have decided you will host.”
“How kind of them.”
He closed his eyes and settled back into the bed. Tsume rose a slight smile on her lips as she shut the door behind her. Jaken was passing and caught the look. He frowned at her.
“And just what do you think is so amusing?”
“Have you lost your nose, toad? We have a new Lady.”
“Kagome-sama?”
“Hai.”
Jaken fairly beamed. “Then Sesshomaru-sama will finally be happy.”
Tsume nodded and the two servants went about their business. Everywhere they went they spread word. Kagome was the new Lady of the Western Lands. As she passed the room assigned to the monk she paused. Here too she could scent sex and blood. She paused by the door, a slight smile on her face as she identified Gingitsune's scent. She continued about her chores. It was late afternoon before she saw Sesshomaru. He nodded to her as he settled down to work in the library.
“How long until the meeting?”
“A week.”
“Remind me to thank them for the advance notice. How are the servants taking the news?”
“We will be ready, you need not worry.”
“Good. Kagome should be up soon, you will prepare her something for the pain.”
Tsume's head snapped up and she regarded him. “Pain?”
“She was untouched.”
“I see. Hai Sesshomaru-sama.”
Sesshomaru watched as she left. The fear rising off his servant had been so strong he could taste it. So, Tsume worried that his tastes ran parallel to his father's. Sesshomaru looked back down at the papers in front of him and shook his head. He would never dishonor his mate or his love for her in such a way.
Tsume slid the door shut with her foot as she carried the tray over to the bed. Kagome was still asleep. She set the tray down and examined her new mistress. A small amount of blood seeped from her mark, but for the most part it was healing over nicely. She gently shook her awake. Kagome rolled over and moaned softly. Instinctively she began to curl into a ball. Tsume helped her sit and held a glass of tea up to her mouth.
“Trust me, it will help.”
Kagome took a few sips and sighed softly. “Arigatou, Tsume. It does help.”
“You see? Now a long hot soak will help, but only if you drink all the tea.”
Kagome chuckled softly. “A long hot soak is exactly what got me in trouble in the first place.”
Tsume helped her rise. She was bruised in several places and blood smeared the inside of her thighs. Kagome blushed at Tsume's scrutiny, but the servant made no comment as she helped her into the hot springs. Once she got her sitting comfortably she left and returned with another cup of tea. Kagome drank it, thankful for something in her stomach. Tsume pulled out a small container and instructed her to climb out. Much to Kagome's embarrassment she began to spread the ointment on her bruises. There was a large one on her right thigh with the distinct shape of fingers as well as one on the left side of her butt. Once this was done Tsume helped her dress in clothes similar to the uniform Gin wore.
“You should tell Sesshomaru-sama to be more gentle.”
Kagome smiled at the servant. “I would prefer not to.”
“You like being so wounded?”
Kagome's blush spread all the way to her hair. “No, it's the other things he does that I like.”
Tsume gave her a knowing smile. “I can understand that I think. Still, waking up like this every morning could be bad for your health. Now, Sesshomaru-sama asked me to train you, but with the annual meeting being held here in a week…”
“Gods preserve us. The servants must be in a panic.”
“Near to it.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Can you cook?”
Kagome's smile was relieved. “Yes, and I can clean.”
Tsume jumped. “The Lady of the Western Lands will not clean so long as I am steward in this palace.”
Kagome put her hands on her hips, ready for showdown. “You will take me to the guest chambers and provide a list of all the various types of youkai we will be hosting. In addition I will have only the staff that can be spared from the other preparations helping me. Is that understood?”
Tsume nodded and turned to leave. Halfway out the door she paused. “I am glad Sesshomaru…I am glad you chose each other, Kagome-sama. But you should really tell him, he will not appreciate it if you keep something like this from him.”
-Is that true? Did I hurt you?-
-It's all right.-
-No, it's not, please, tell me.-
-I'll be fine, we just got a little carried away.-
-It won't happen again.-
-It will and you know it. We can't help but get carried away. We just have to find a way around it.-
She stepped out and walked toward the guest wing. Once there she found several servants waiting for her. She sighed softly and they got to work. The first thing was to air everything. She got the servants started on the bedding before going to the first room. She sat in the lotus position and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and began to glow softly with her powers. She lifted off the ground and focused her powers. A soft wind sprang up soon small dust devils were sweeping over the room, removing the months of built up dirt and out the opened shoji doors. Once that was done a breeze sprang up and the scent of peony swept into the room from the garden. She pushed the scent deep into the floor mats until it remained. She let out a deep long breath and lowered herself to the ground. She smiled at her work and rose, moving on to the next room.
The servants came in afterward and found there was nothing for them to do but set up the futon and ready the bedding. It took them only a day to prepare the entire wing, a job that normally took them a full week. While the servants were ecstatic, Kagome was exhausted. She returned to bed before sunset. Sesshomaru entered with a tray and set it down by the bed. Gently he shook her awake. She rolled over and looked at him.
“Sit up, you have to eat.”
“I'm tired.”
“Yes, and hungry. Sit up and eat, then you can go back to sleep, agreed?”
“You're going to pester me until I do, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
She groaned as she sat up. He held up a bowl of miso soup for her and she drank it slowly. Once it was finished he handed her a rice ball and she shot him a look as she ate it in silence. At last he handed her a cup of tea. She sighed as she slowly drank it. She set the cup down on the tray.
“Happy?”
A smile touched his lips. “No, we need to talk.” He felt her sudden fear, and though it was groundless, it was consuming. “I don't want to hurt you every time we make love.”
He felt her fear suddenly focus on something, weakness and she nodded. “I see.”
“There is only one solution as far as I can see.” She hung her head and nodded. He was going to cast her aside. “I must be gentler and you must become stronger.”
She looked up, shocked. “Nani?”
“We will meet halfway.” He pulled her forward, butting his forehead against hers. “You should give me more credit.”
Tears slipped down her face. “I am sorry, I…”
“I know. Now get some sleep, you over did it today.”
She laid back down and he tucked her in before rising and taking the tray away. Kagome reached out and touched his mind, caressing it gently before she was drawn back into sleep. A few hours later, Sesshomaru returned. He stripped and climbed into bed next to his mate. Though she was asleep, she curled herself around him. He wrapped his arms around her and found sleep easily that night.