InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pain of Losing Another ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: ShadyMinion 
Meeting Sesshoumaru as a bad man. WARNING: Abuse.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.25.2006 | Updated On: 05.25.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.8K | Visits: 464 | Status: Work In Progress
Meeting Sesshoumaru as a bad man. WARNING: Abuse.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.25.2006 | Updated On: 05.25.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.8K | Visits: 464 | Status: Work In Progress
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Chapter Nine: Four Years Into the Past Part Two
Seshoumaru arrived at his desk a prompt two hours before his workday was scheduled to begin. He liked to start his day out early and was actually in a rather good mood; though none of his inner emotion would ever be displayed on the outside. He hid his emotions well, subduing them all except for those subtle hints which a very select few could read, namely his father and his soon to be wife. He was in for a slight surprise to find his desk already inhabited by another.
A finely dressed woman sat at the edge of his desk, fingering through his rolodex of contacts. Shutting the door to his spacious office none-too-gently, he stalked up to the woman invading his workspace.
“Kagura,” he hissed. “What are you doing here?”
The woman grinned, batting her darkly lined eyes in an outrageously flirtatious manner at the man. "Why, I decided to visit my favorite CEO, Taisho-sama..." She licked her lips.
"Enough of that foolishness. Why are you here?" He demanded, venom lacing his voice. The woman was an irritant. He would sooner disembowel her than chat with her, but the wench had her uses. She often, if not always, abused his rather generous conduct toward her, but soon he would be rid of her. Once the takeover of Kumo Inc was complete, he would discard the annoying bitch and be done with her.
Kagura chuckled. "My, my, my, Taisho-sama, as formal as always. Business it is then." She spoke with a lilt to her voice, flirtatious still, but much less so. She knew when to draw the line with the Taisho CEO, but found the draw to taunt him irresistible. Slipping her hand into the small purse at her side she drew out a thick white envelope and laid it on the desk. "Here are the Kumo financial reports. I'm sure you'll find them quite intriguing, especially that little dip in September. Seems, Onigumo-sama isn't as adept at reading the market as you." She flashed him a winning grin. "Later, big boy." Blowing him a kiss, she flitted out of his office.
Once the woman was out of his sight, Sesshoumaru dropped his briefcase at the side of his desk and snatched up the envelope. He sliced through the thick paper swiftly with a letter opener and scanned the reports with a critical eye. At reaching the end, he could hardly suppress a grin. It seemed Kumo Inc was taking more than just a ‘dip’ in the profits department. He leaned over his desk to press the intercom to alert his secretary. "Yura, cancel any meetings I have today and hold my calls. There is some business I'd like to attend to personally." He said, the smile audible in his voice.
"Of course, Taisho-sama." Yura's sultry voice replied.
Taisho Inc had taken a lot of heat in the few years before he took over the company from his father. It was when his father had the slight indiscretion with another woman that the company stocks had taken their own fall. At that moment, Naraku made his own move, and developed quickly into a power industry over Japan. Taisho Inc never fully recovered its own power. If it had not been for Akatsune maintaining its own ground despite set backs, namely Naraku's scheming in the death of the two Akatsune heads, the damage to Taisho Inc would have been irreparable. The Akatsune corporation had been able to overtake some of Taisho's ground and become the predominant business in Japan, much to Naraku's disappointment.
Sesshoumaru had waited fifteen years for Kumo to make a mistake. Naraku had finally erred, and he would swoop in and take over Kumo. Once the two companies were in his control, he would be able to regulate the flow of business and reinstate the true power of the Taisho's.
He was so close to his goal. It was more important now than ever before that he had no weaknesses. Kagome was the one person too close to him, and he knew that Naraku knew it. That corrupt officer at the diner had been one of his thugs. Though Goshinkishi was now locked away, he knew that there would be others out there after Kagome. For the time being, Kagome would be set aside, but only until his takeover of Kumo Incorporated was complete. She would be safer away from him. He would only keep her at arms length. Kagome would understand, he assured himself. It was only for a little while, and then, she would have nothing to worry about, ever.
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Sesshoumaru was a businessman, first and foremost. Kagome was well aware of that fact. She was still important in his life though, but recently, Kagome had begun to wonder. He had been acting strangely, none more apparent than this morning.
She had laughed when he suddenly drew her into his lap at the breakfast table. He nuzzled her neck, and she tried to push him away before she broke down into a giggling fit. She couldn’t help it if she was ticklish.
It was all in good humor, until she noticed the clock. Her expression fell. “Shouldn’t you be off to work now?” She asked quietly, knowing that he would only be irritated later if she caused him to be late.
He stiffened suddenly. Noting the sudden change, Kagome didn't take her eyes off him. She had been expecting it. Recently, whenever she brought up the subject of his business, his expression hardened and he would become like a different person, a man seemingly to have been carved out of ice.
"Yes." He said curtly, his entire demeanor completely changed. "I should go." He stood causing Kagome to practically spill out of his lap. He gathered his things and was out the door before Kagome could squeeze in another word.
A slight frown tugging the corners of her lips, Kagome stood and brushed herself lightly. "Have a good day," she said softly to no one.
Kagome was used to his mood swings, well not completely. It still stung to be cast aside rather quickly when the subject of his work was broached. She knew she was second best in his life. His work would always come first. For a while, Kagome played with the idea that it was okay. She would be fine as long as he cared for her. Yet, over time, she realized that playing second fiddle hurt a lot more than she had imagined. She had come to the impasse where she knew she would either settle for second best forever, or she could drop the engagement entirely. If she carried on any further, Sesshoumaru would become such an integral part of her life, that if he ever left, she knew she would break.
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It had been a while since they had spent time together, so at her first chance, Sango called up Kagome and demanded that they get together for the day. Thus it was, Kagome found herself seated outside a small café, sharing some iced coffees with her best friend.
They were giggling wildly about times long passed when Kagome heard her name being called out. She looked up to see a man waving at her from across the street.
“Oh Kami, is that Bankotsu?” Sango shielded her eyes with a hand. She squealed. “It is! Kagome! Go talk to him, now!”
Kagome floundered. “Sango, I haven’t seen him since High School. It’s amazing that he remembered me at all.” She replied, flustered, but she managed a smile and a wave toward her high school friend.
Smirking confidently, Sango slapped some bills onto the table, snatched up her friend’s hand and dashed across the street. “Please, you know he had the biggest crush on you in High School.”
A crimson blush was Kagome’s only answer.
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Golden eyes narrowed. “What is the meaning of this, Kagura.” He demanded softly, waving a casual hand at the 8x10 glossies covering his desk.
Kagura sighed, leaning over the desk from her perch on the edge. She placed a manicured finger on the surface of the images. “These are exactly what you ordered. Surveillance photos of Naraku’s closest contacts. I was doing a follow up on Naraku’s attainment of Nichiban Oil when they showed up. Bankotsu and Jakotsu, Naraku’s two lead henchmen in the ‘persuasion’ unit of company acquisition.”
The bulk of the images showed Naraku’s less than legal dealings in obtaining the Nichiban Oil contract. It would be evidence that Sesshoumaru would use later on to deem the contract void with Naraku and obtain it himself. He had his eyes on Nichiban Oil for a while. Though it was a small company, it would be a highly important resource, especially in tandem with Tsuki Tech. He had calculated that he would be able to cut Tsuki Tech’s expenditures by a third by merely providing the raw material and resource through Nichiban Oil.
The last few images of Kagura’s file are what disturbed him. “Kagura, you were only to observe them within the confines of the dealings with Nichiban Oil. I have not hired you to take snapshots of them sipping coffee at a café.” He said icily.
The woman smirked, her red eyes sliding over the glossies. “Consider them as a bonus.” She replied with a smile. “After all, it’s not everyday that you see your fiancée consorting with the enemy.”
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Kagome was humming happily in the kitchen as she chopped up the vegetables for dinner that night. Today would be one of Sesshoumaru’s rare shorter days, so he would actually be home to eat dinner with her. She was startled to hear the front door slam open suddenly as she had not expected him home for another two hours.
She poked her head out of the kitchen with a bright grin. “Welcome home!” She chirped. She frowned when she laid eyes on his tired person. He looked stressed. Worry lines creased his brow and he appeared to be deep in thought, not even acknowledging her greeting.
Kagome walked over, removing his coat and briefcase from him before sitting him on the couch. She fetched a pot of tea she had been brewing for herself, a poured him a cup. “Sesshoumaru, you look like shit.” She murmured while fussing over him. She had lain him back against the couch in what she deemed a comfortable position, fluffed up against about twenty soft pillows. “Sit there and relax until dinner. I won’t hear a single word from you until I say so or I’ll put chives in it.” She threatened.
Sesshoumaru was a surprisingly picky eater. He did not like any food that was green. Some he tolerated, like green onions and wasabi, but they were among the very few. She smiled when he winced at the mention of chives. The little green vegetable was near the top of his ‘inedible food list.’ She ran back into the kitchen to finish preparing their meal.
Once Kagome was out of sight, Sesshoumaru released a long sigh. He removed about half the pillows and flung them away from his person, choosing to lean back on the remaining half. He loosened his tie and undid the first two buttons of his dress shirt.
Kagome acted if nothing was wrong. She was too innocent and naïve a person to be able to hold off such a deception as betraying him. He would give her the benefit of the doubt, he concluded. After all, Kagome loved him.
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Kagome was straining. She had been visiting Bankotsu and Jakotsu with Sango for the past few weeks, but she always felt tired afterwards. Bankotsu and Jakotsu, though she had known them in High School, they would begin to act strangely when the subject of their work was broached. It seemed that they worked under some person named Naraku, and that he and Sesshoumaru were rivals in business. Kagome was completely unaware of it, however, and she just thought they were being silly. How could business be so cutthroat. She could never understand it since it would only result in hurt people, like Shippou.
They had been shocked to hear of her engagement to Sesshoumaru, however unwilling that it was, because they had witnessed how cold and distant the Taisho could be. It seemed like a strange match for their happy, and bubbly warm Kagome to be engaged to marry the heartless bastard.
They had made her promise not to mention her meetings with them to Sesshoumaru, and she agreed. She trusted them, and at the same time, she did not want to upset her fiancée simply by meeting with some old friends.
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Sesshoumaru scowled. The pictures kept piling up! Almost every week Kagura would be perched on his desk, another stack of incriminating photos in hand for him to peruse. His anger and suspicion had grown slowly, but with his informant whispering almost silent accusations under her breath and into his ears, it was becoming difficult to ignore.
More so, Kagome never mentioned those meetings to him. Not once had she told him of meeting with Naraku’s agents, either as friends, or commenting that she had run into somebody during the course of her day. Jealousy and rage began to simmer within him.
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They were with Bankotsu and his group again. It was really amazing to discover that Bankotsu’s old group from school, which he ‘creatively’ entitled the Shichinitai, were all employed under the same company. Kagome and Sango giggled as they were now walking in between the group of seven guys, each a bit more eccentric than the last.
It must have been a strange sight to see, as each of the seven would wear the most unique styles of clothing anyone would ever see, and placed in the middle of it all were two girls, about as average as one could get. Kagome knew they were attracting a lot of attention, enough for some people to start snapping photos.
Grinning, Sango snatched up her arm and drew Kagome into an array of strange poses for the photographers. While being drawn up into a certain artful pose, Kagome tottered unbalanced on one foot. Renkotsu decided that it would be a prime time for him to ‘accidentally’ swipe that unbalanced foot from beneath her, and he did so.
Kagome toppled over ungracefully, like so many stacked bags of flour, right into Bankotsu. She had a sneaking suspicion that Renkotsu had tripped her on purpose when she landed, lip first, onto Bankotsu’s lips, her arms thrown around him in surprise when she had attempted to grab onto a non-moving object in her fall.
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The photos were thrown in Kagura’s face. She only smirked. “These pictures don’t lie, Sesshoumaru.” She drawled slowly. “Anyways, wasn’t it you, yourself, who requested me to follow them further, even after you told me that you did not want to see them sipping coffee at a café. Is this more to your liking?” She grinned at his furious gaze.
“Silence, wench!” Sesshoumaru’s posture was rigid as another photo underwent his scrutiny. It couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t betray him like this. Kagome was loyal!
As if reading his thoughts, Kagura sighed, idly crossing her legs. “She could be bored you know. You spend almost every waking moment at the office. A girl can’t be expected to remain faithful if she’s bored. It’s just the way of the female. I mean, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting there, waiting devotedly for you to return every night. I’d need a life.” She said flippantly
But you’re not her, he wanted to growl out, but something held him back. His own suspicion, fueled by jealousy was luring him into believing her words. Rationality forgotten, he ordered the woman out. He didn’t want to hear any more from her serpent’s tongue!
Kagura blew him a kiss as she made her way out, her hips swinging invitingly as she shut the door behind her.
Sesshoumaru all but ignored her. He dumped the filthy pictures into a drawer, shoving them out of his sight. Angrily, he stormed his way over to his private liquor cabinet. It held the drinks he would use to unwind at the office, but currently he was searching for harder stuff.
Kagome loved him. She would never betray him, ever! He berated himself, but a tiny distrustful part of him wondered…
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Kagome all but leapt two feet into the air as the front door slammed open. Sesshoumaru was late, much later than he had ever been before in coming home. Kagome worried as she scuttled over to him. He should have been home hours ago! He hadn’t called, and she had been unable to reach him at work.
She was shocked as she laid eyes on him. His hair was in disarray, his face had tired lines drawn across it, and his attire was a mess. He looked like a wreck, or he had been hit by one. His eyes were sunken and bloodshot. “What the hell happened to you?” She gasped as she strode over, intent on cleaning him up some.
He angrily slapped away her hands as attempted to touch him.
Kagome took a step back, her expression slightly hurt. “What’s wrong?” She asked worriedly.
When she retreated, he advanced. He moved silently as she began taking steps backwards. She had noticed the heavy stench of alcohol all over him. He looked infuriated, and she didn’t understand why. Had she done something to upset him?
Her heart leapt into her throat as her back finally made contact with a wall. She couldn’t move back anymore. His arms came up around her, caging her against the wall. He lowered narrowed eyes to her.
“S-Sesshoumaru? What’s wrong? Did I do something?” She questioned fervently. Her heart was thumping so loudly in her chest, she was afraid that it would burst out. She had never seen him like this before, and it frightened her.
His head lowered, bent down towards her so that his breath blew across her face. She winced. Whatever it was that he had been drinking, it must have been strong. What would drive him to drink like that?
“What do you want from me.” He asked, demanding in so quiet of a voice, she had barely heard it.
“What?” Kagome was startled. She didn’t want anything from him but his love. He knew that. Why would he doubt her?
“What do you want from me.” He repeated, his voice dropping even lower.
“I don’t want anything, Sesshoumaru. I just want you.” She replied truthfully, looking him in the eyes.
“Liar.” He hissed.
Kagome’s eyes widened. He didn’t trust her! Something had happened for him to change his mind about her so drastically, but for the life of her, not a thing came to mind as to what it could be.
Her shocked silence was enough for him to confirm that it was true. She didn’t want him. He snarled, pressing against her, smashing her between the wall and his body. The deceitful bitch! He would prove to her just exactly who it was she was messing with. She would never betray him again! He would show her who belonged to who!
Sesshoumaru crushed his lips to hers. A demanding insistent tongue parted her lips forcefully. He pinned her body with his, his arms now free to tear the clothing off of her.
Kagome struggled. What was he doing?! He wouldn’t!! She jerked her head to the side, ripping her abused lips from his. “Sesshoumaru! What are you-?” She couldn’t even finish as she was spun around. Her face and body slammed into the wall. His head dropped to her neck and he bit down, hard. Kagome shrieked, more from shock than from pain. He BIT her!! Had he gone insane?
“Shut up, bitch!”
She could feel her clothes being torn from her. She was held against the wall, her arms pinned under her. “Sesshoumaru! Stop! Please!” She cried out. She writhed futilely beneath him. Kami, he wouldn’t! He wouldn’t!
He bit her again, silencing her. Her blood flowed freely from the wound staining her tattered clothing as he hastily removed it.
She felt something hard press up against her. Kami, no!! Tears streamed down her face as she silently prayed that he would stop. His stronger form allowed her no purchase in escaping. Still, her mind refused to believe it. She clung to the idea that he would never. He couldn’t be that cruel. That forceful. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t...
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Sesshoumaru stood. He looked at what he had done. Her body was ravaged and lay limply on the floor. He hadn’t stopped until she had fallen unconscious, unable to bear the pain. She had been a virgin, but in his blind rage, he had taken no consideration of her.
He felt no pang of remorse. She had deserved it. She had lied to him.
He had loved her. He had wanted to take care of her and have her beside him. He had needed her. Apparently, she had not felt the same. She had deceived him into believing that she had cared, but they were all lies.
He would show her how little he needed her now.
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Kagome withdrew into herself. She did not go out. She made no more phone calls. She simply remained within the house, hiding herself.
She felt dirty. She couldn’t believe that Sesshoumaru had done that to her, but she still couldn’t leave him. She still loved him. She just knew that he was mistaken.
She watched him sometimes. She glided unnoticed in the shadows of the house. He would notice her rarely, sending a sharp glare her way. An emotion would spike within her, foreign in it’s association with him. True terror would race up her spine, and she wouldn’t know why. She shouldn’t fear him. He hadn’t meant what he did. He was just confused…
He wouldn’t listen to her though. He wasn’t ready yet. Kagome understood. So she remained within the shadows of the house, avoiding him. Fearing him. Loving him.
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Sesshoumaru went out of his way to condescend to Kagome. He avoided her. He insulted her. He tormented her. Kagome didn’t mean anything to him anymore. She didn’t love him. She didn’t deserve his affections. He would show her as such.
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Outside, the world moved on.
The Shrine was prospering. Miroku and Sango were getting closer. Inuyasha and Kikyou were bridging on getting married. Souta was acing his way through High School. The family had high hopes for his college years. Shippou was becoming even more successful, and he joyfully shared his exuberance with her. Everyone was so happy.
Kagome was glad for them. She really was, so she decided that they didn’t need to hear of her troubles with Sesshoumaru. It would only depress them. They deserved their happiness. So, Kagome faded from them as well.
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The strain was slowly beginning to show on Kagome as she endured Sesshoumaru’s emotional abuse while isolating herself. Her skin lost her healthy complexion and she had begun to lose weight. Her hair had lost it’s luster. Her eyes had lost their sparkle. Her changes went unnoticed by either her or Sesshoumaru.
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“You useless bitch, what do you think you are doing?” The scathing voice bit into her.
Kagome turned, pale. “I-I was just going to c-clean your room.” She whispered, stammering, her throat too constricted to make out anything louder.
“No. Do no come near my things, wench!” He hissed. “Someone more trustworthy will be around to do that. You, get out of my sight!”
Kagome jumped and scurried away. She would never be so complacent normally, but his hateful gaze…It tore her up. She couldn’t bear to see him hate her so. She couldn’t endure his glare. It hurt her so much. Each time he looked at her with nothing but disdain in his eyes, something withered within her. The fear only grew as time passed.
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Events came and passed. Sesshoumaru participated in each. He attended galas and gatherings that he would have normally avoided. Each time a different woman was draped across his arm. Each woman would be more exotic and beautiful than Kagome could ever hope to be.
He made sure that the ‘date’ for his evening would be brought to their house, so Kagome could play witness to the fact that she was unnecessary, she was below him. He could easily obtain a replacement for her that would be superior to her in every way.
The girls would all be coy, demure, gorgeous, and graceful. They would hold the attractive sway in their bodies, pinnacle specimens of the fairer sex. Any man would be reduced to a groveling puddle at their feet, and they were but dispensable novelties to him.
Kagome faded as she watched, silently. He was right. She could never hope to live up to such standards. She was just a plain girl from a small shrine.
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Rumors began to spread of Sesshoumaru interest in Kagura. He had never openly announced his engagement with Kagome, so his ‘infidelity’ could not be denounced. He and Kagura had grown closer within the span of two months. He was the ever intimidating ice prince with the alluring fiery princess at his side.
Kagome was all but forgotten.
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Sesshoumaru scowled. Recently, he was much more prone to releasing his temper. His inferiors cowered before him.
Important documents were missing from his desk. In the beginning he had thought that they had simply been misplaced, as the articles dotting his desk had been shoved aside for a morning rut with his secretary. Now he was able to conclude that they was gone completely.
He needed that packet. He called in Yura, demanding to know if anyone else had been at his office beforehand.
With a prudish grin, Yura promptly announced that Kagome had paid him a visit earlier that morning, to find him not present at the office.
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Her friends had called her again, absolutely ecstatic in their news. Kagome plastered a smile to her voice and replied equally in their enthusiasm. She was happy for them.
So excited were they, that they didn’t ask how she was doing. For that, Kagome was glad. She hated lying to her friends.
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Sesshoumaru was absolutely livid. More papers were missing! He had heard that the day before, Kagome had paid his father a visit. She passed his office on the way to his father’s office.
The deceitful bitch!
She was selling him out!
Kagura smiled when she handed over the next pile of photographs and documents. If it wasn’t enough to damn Kagome yet, then this would be the clincher.
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At first, Kagome attributed her morning illnesses to her stressed situation. She hadn’t been able to stomach any food, she would constantly feel terrible and weakened. When a strange feeling began to grow within her body, she panicked. She tried to treat herself, hoping that what was growing within her wasn’t what she thought it was. If it was true, she would only be scorned further, for bearing him something he did not want.
Eventually, she was drawn to the doctor’s and her fears were confirmed. She hesitated where she was. He had to know, but she was aware that he would not be happy.
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Kagome sliced through the vegetables with trembling hands. Though he no longer ate the food she prepared, she cooked anyways. She tried to keep occupied to still the growing desperation within her. She jumped at every sound. Every flick of the shadows startled her.
Her frayed nerves wouldn’t be good for the baby, but she couldn’t help herself. Her terror and grown out of control, nurtured by Sesshoumaru’s emotional abuse.
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Sesshoumaru stormed in suddenly. Kagome dropped her knife in surprise. It landed point down, embedded in the wood of their floor.
“Traitorous whore!” He roared, slapping her across her face.
She crumpled to the floor in shock. “Wh-what?”
“Selling me out to Naraku?! What were you thinking!” He screamed at her.
Eyes wide, Kagome scuttled backwards. He was seething, absolutely white with rage. He had never hit her before, and from the look on his face, he intended to beat her.
Something had snapped within Sesshoumaru. It wasn’t enough that she had betrayed his love, she betrayed his trust as well. She was working for Naraku, the man that she knew he hated above all else. Was this some petty revenge for her? Did she think it was a game?!
She couldn’t let him hit her, no. Their baby’s life would be in danger. “Sesshoumaru! I never! Please don’t!” She recoiled as he slapped her again, harder. She accidentally bit her tongue and the blood flowed from her mouth, spattering across the floor with the force of his blow.
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear your idiotic voice!” He dragged her to her feet by her blouse and tossed her against the counter. She slammed against it, sliding down.
Kagome winced as the sharp kitchen blade on the floor bit into her side. A flash of horror raced through her. What if the knife hit her baby! She wrenched herself away from the blade.
Sesshoumaru misinterpreted her movement as one of retaliation. He bent down and caught the side of her head with his knee. Her teeth clicked sharply as her jaw snapped closed with the impact. His arms slid around her before she could hit the floor again, and swung away, throwing her back onto the counter. He wanted her in front of him for her punishment.
Kagome twisted awkwardly, catching the blade in her flesh anyway possible, as long as it missed her belly and it’s precious inhabitant.
“Sesshoumaru, please.” She coughed, wheezing. Crimson dribbling down her chin. He had to know! She couldn‘t endanger their baby‘s life! “I’m pregnant!”
He was deaf to her pleas. The world was fading into red before him. The pleasant sound of her flesh and blood smacking against the surfaces of their kitchen were strangely soothing to his ears. It eased the pain within him.
He grabbed her arms and twisted, all too aware that her shoulders were weakened since they had been dislocated once before. He took satisfaction from the jerking pop he felt as he pulled her arms out from their sockets. He dropped her unceremoniously, ignoring her screams.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked, sneering. “Well, you deserve it.”
He wouldn’t listen. She couldn’t fight back. He was too strong. If she tried to flee, he would only catch her and slam her into the floor, counter, or wall again. The impact would be jarring and hazardous to their child. She had to take the blows. She fell, almost docilely to his abuse. Moving only to make sure that it was herself, and not their baby, that felt the brunt of his ire.
He saw her submitting to his rage. “You’re weak. Worthless.”
His hands encircled her throat like a vice. Her breath hitched once before her airway closed. Silent tears leaked unseen down her cheeks as she looked at him. I’m so sorry baby. I’m not strong enough to protect you. Her eyes closed slowly in defeat.
Red clouded his vision. Sounds faded to the pounding beat of his blood in his ears. When he came to himself again, Sesshoumaru glared at the mess he had made, the mess of his ‘fiancée.’
“Disgusting.” He murmured, curling his lips in disdain. “I never want to see you, or anything of you, ever again. Get out. Get away from me. You don’t belong here, you never did.” He hissed, his heart constricting.
He stepped over her broken body, ignoring the screams of his shattered heart. She had hurt and betrayed him. He never should have gotten close. This would serve him right. Never again would he be so mistaken. She had learned her lesson, and so had he.
[End Part Two]
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Chapter Nine: Four Years Into the Past Part Two
Seshoumaru arrived at his desk a prompt two hours before his workday was scheduled to begin. He liked to start his day out early and was actually in a rather good mood; though none of his inner emotion would ever be displayed on the outside. He hid his emotions well, subduing them all except for those subtle hints which a very select few could read, namely his father and his soon to be wife. He was in for a slight surprise to find his desk already inhabited by another.
A finely dressed woman sat at the edge of his desk, fingering through his rolodex of contacts. Shutting the door to his spacious office none-too-gently, he stalked up to the woman invading his workspace.
“Kagura,” he hissed. “What are you doing here?”
The woman grinned, batting her darkly lined eyes in an outrageously flirtatious manner at the man. "Why, I decided to visit my favorite CEO, Taisho-sama..." She licked her lips.
"Enough of that foolishness. Why are you here?" He demanded, venom lacing his voice. The woman was an irritant. He would sooner disembowel her than chat with her, but the wench had her uses. She often, if not always, abused his rather generous conduct toward her, but soon he would be rid of her. Once the takeover of Kumo Inc was complete, he would discard the annoying bitch and be done with her.
Kagura chuckled. "My, my, my, Taisho-sama, as formal as always. Business it is then." She spoke with a lilt to her voice, flirtatious still, but much less so. She knew when to draw the line with the Taisho CEO, but found the draw to taunt him irresistible. Slipping her hand into the small purse at her side she drew out a thick white envelope and laid it on the desk. "Here are the Kumo financial reports. I'm sure you'll find them quite intriguing, especially that little dip in September. Seems, Onigumo-sama isn't as adept at reading the market as you." She flashed him a winning grin. "Later, big boy." Blowing him a kiss, she flitted out of his office.
Once the woman was out of his sight, Sesshoumaru dropped his briefcase at the side of his desk and snatched up the envelope. He sliced through the thick paper swiftly with a letter opener and scanned the reports with a critical eye. At reaching the end, he could hardly suppress a grin. It seemed Kumo Inc was taking more than just a ‘dip’ in the profits department. He leaned over his desk to press the intercom to alert his secretary. "Yura, cancel any meetings I have today and hold my calls. There is some business I'd like to attend to personally." He said, the smile audible in his voice.
"Of course, Taisho-sama." Yura's sultry voice replied.
Taisho Inc had taken a lot of heat in the few years before he took over the company from his father. It was when his father had the slight indiscretion with another woman that the company stocks had taken their own fall. At that moment, Naraku made his own move, and developed quickly into a power industry over Japan. Taisho Inc never fully recovered its own power. If it had not been for Akatsune maintaining its own ground despite set backs, namely Naraku's scheming in the death of the two Akatsune heads, the damage to Taisho Inc would have been irreparable. The Akatsune corporation had been able to overtake some of Taisho's ground and become the predominant business in Japan, much to Naraku's disappointment.
Sesshoumaru had waited fifteen years for Kumo to make a mistake. Naraku had finally erred, and he would swoop in and take over Kumo. Once the two companies were in his control, he would be able to regulate the flow of business and reinstate the true power of the Taisho's.
He was so close to his goal. It was more important now than ever before that he had no weaknesses. Kagome was the one person too close to him, and he knew that Naraku knew it. That corrupt officer at the diner had been one of his thugs. Though Goshinkishi was now locked away, he knew that there would be others out there after Kagome. For the time being, Kagome would be set aside, but only until his takeover of Kumo Incorporated was complete. She would be safer away from him. He would only keep her at arms length. Kagome would understand, he assured himself. It was only for a little while, and then, she would have nothing to worry about, ever.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru was a businessman, first and foremost. Kagome was well aware of that fact. She was still important in his life though, but recently, Kagome had begun to wonder. He had been acting strangely, none more apparent than this morning.
She had laughed when he suddenly drew her into his lap at the breakfast table. He nuzzled her neck, and she tried to push him away before she broke down into a giggling fit. She couldn’t help it if she was ticklish.
It was all in good humor, until she noticed the clock. Her expression fell. “Shouldn’t you be off to work now?” She asked quietly, knowing that he would only be irritated later if she caused him to be late.
He stiffened suddenly. Noting the sudden change, Kagome didn't take her eyes off him. She had been expecting it. Recently, whenever she brought up the subject of his business, his expression hardened and he would become like a different person, a man seemingly to have been carved out of ice.
"Yes." He said curtly, his entire demeanor completely changed. "I should go." He stood causing Kagome to practically spill out of his lap. He gathered his things and was out the door before Kagome could squeeze in another word.
A slight frown tugging the corners of her lips, Kagome stood and brushed herself lightly. "Have a good day," she said softly to no one.
Kagome was used to his mood swings, well not completely. It still stung to be cast aside rather quickly when the subject of his work was broached. She knew she was second best in his life. His work would always come first. For a while, Kagome played with the idea that it was okay. She would be fine as long as he cared for her. Yet, over time, she realized that playing second fiddle hurt a lot more than she had imagined. She had come to the impasse where she knew she would either settle for second best forever, or she could drop the engagement entirely. If she carried on any further, Sesshoumaru would become such an integral part of her life, that if he ever left, she knew she would break.
-:- -:- -:-
It had been a while since they had spent time together, so at her first chance, Sango called up Kagome and demanded that they get together for the day. Thus it was, Kagome found herself seated outside a small café, sharing some iced coffees with her best friend.
They were giggling wildly about times long passed when Kagome heard her name being called out. She looked up to see a man waving at her from across the street.
“Oh Kami, is that Bankotsu?” Sango shielded her eyes with a hand. She squealed. “It is! Kagome! Go talk to him, now!”
Kagome floundered. “Sango, I haven’t seen him since High School. It’s amazing that he remembered me at all.” She replied, flustered, but she managed a smile and a wave toward her high school friend.
Smirking confidently, Sango slapped some bills onto the table, snatched up her friend’s hand and dashed across the street. “Please, you know he had the biggest crush on you in High School.”
A crimson blush was Kagome’s only answer.
-:- -:- -:-
Golden eyes narrowed. “What is the meaning of this, Kagura.” He demanded softly, waving a casual hand at the 8x10 glossies covering his desk.
Kagura sighed, leaning over the desk from her perch on the edge. She placed a manicured finger on the surface of the images. “These are exactly what you ordered. Surveillance photos of Naraku’s closest contacts. I was doing a follow up on Naraku’s attainment of Nichiban Oil when they showed up. Bankotsu and Jakotsu, Naraku’s two lead henchmen in the ‘persuasion’ unit of company acquisition.”
The bulk of the images showed Naraku’s less than legal dealings in obtaining the Nichiban Oil contract. It would be evidence that Sesshoumaru would use later on to deem the contract void with Naraku and obtain it himself. He had his eyes on Nichiban Oil for a while. Though it was a small company, it would be a highly important resource, especially in tandem with Tsuki Tech. He had calculated that he would be able to cut Tsuki Tech’s expenditures by a third by merely providing the raw material and resource through Nichiban Oil.
The last few images of Kagura’s file are what disturbed him. “Kagura, you were only to observe them within the confines of the dealings with Nichiban Oil. I have not hired you to take snapshots of them sipping coffee at a café.” He said icily.
The woman smirked, her red eyes sliding over the glossies. “Consider them as a bonus.” She replied with a smile. “After all, it’s not everyday that you see your fiancée consorting with the enemy.”
-:- -:- -:-
Kagome was humming happily in the kitchen as she chopped up the vegetables for dinner that night. Today would be one of Sesshoumaru’s rare shorter days, so he would actually be home to eat dinner with her. She was startled to hear the front door slam open suddenly as she had not expected him home for another two hours.
She poked her head out of the kitchen with a bright grin. “Welcome home!” She chirped. She frowned when she laid eyes on his tired person. He looked stressed. Worry lines creased his brow and he appeared to be deep in thought, not even acknowledging her greeting.
Kagome walked over, removing his coat and briefcase from him before sitting him on the couch. She fetched a pot of tea she had been brewing for herself, a poured him a cup. “Sesshoumaru, you look like shit.” She murmured while fussing over him. She had lain him back against the couch in what she deemed a comfortable position, fluffed up against about twenty soft pillows. “Sit there and relax until dinner. I won’t hear a single word from you until I say so or I’ll put chives in it.” She threatened.
Sesshoumaru was a surprisingly picky eater. He did not like any food that was green. Some he tolerated, like green onions and wasabi, but they were among the very few. She smiled when he winced at the mention of chives. The little green vegetable was near the top of his ‘inedible food list.’ She ran back into the kitchen to finish preparing their meal.
Once Kagome was out of sight, Sesshoumaru released a long sigh. He removed about half the pillows and flung them away from his person, choosing to lean back on the remaining half. He loosened his tie and undid the first two buttons of his dress shirt.
Kagome acted if nothing was wrong. She was too innocent and naïve a person to be able to hold off such a deception as betraying him. He would give her the benefit of the doubt, he concluded. After all, Kagome loved him.
-:- -:- -:-
Kagome was straining. She had been visiting Bankotsu and Jakotsu with Sango for the past few weeks, but she always felt tired afterwards. Bankotsu and Jakotsu, though she had known them in High School, they would begin to act strangely when the subject of their work was broached. It seemed that they worked under some person named Naraku, and that he and Sesshoumaru were rivals in business. Kagome was completely unaware of it, however, and she just thought they were being silly. How could business be so cutthroat. She could never understand it since it would only result in hurt people, like Shippou.
They had been shocked to hear of her engagement to Sesshoumaru, however unwilling that it was, because they had witnessed how cold and distant the Taisho could be. It seemed like a strange match for their happy, and bubbly warm Kagome to be engaged to marry the heartless bastard.
They had made her promise not to mention her meetings with them to Sesshoumaru, and she agreed. She trusted them, and at the same time, she did not want to upset her fiancée simply by meeting with some old friends.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru scowled. The pictures kept piling up! Almost every week Kagura would be perched on his desk, another stack of incriminating photos in hand for him to peruse. His anger and suspicion had grown slowly, but with his informant whispering almost silent accusations under her breath and into his ears, it was becoming difficult to ignore.
More so, Kagome never mentioned those meetings to him. Not once had she told him of meeting with Naraku’s agents, either as friends, or commenting that she had run into somebody during the course of her day. Jealousy and rage began to simmer within him.
-:- -:- -:-
They were with Bankotsu and his group again. It was really amazing to discover that Bankotsu’s old group from school, which he ‘creatively’ entitled the Shichinitai, were all employed under the same company. Kagome and Sango giggled as they were now walking in between the group of seven guys, each a bit more eccentric than the last.
It must have been a strange sight to see, as each of the seven would wear the most unique styles of clothing anyone would ever see, and placed in the middle of it all were two girls, about as average as one could get. Kagome knew they were attracting a lot of attention, enough for some people to start snapping photos.
Grinning, Sango snatched up her arm and drew Kagome into an array of strange poses for the photographers. While being drawn up into a certain artful pose, Kagome tottered unbalanced on one foot. Renkotsu decided that it would be a prime time for him to ‘accidentally’ swipe that unbalanced foot from beneath her, and he did so.
Kagome toppled over ungracefully, like so many stacked bags of flour, right into Bankotsu. She had a sneaking suspicion that Renkotsu had tripped her on purpose when she landed, lip first, onto Bankotsu’s lips, her arms thrown around him in surprise when she had attempted to grab onto a non-moving object in her fall.
-:- -:- -:-
The photos were thrown in Kagura’s face. She only smirked. “These pictures don’t lie, Sesshoumaru.” She drawled slowly. “Anyways, wasn’t it you, yourself, who requested me to follow them further, even after you told me that you did not want to see them sipping coffee at a café. Is this more to your liking?” She grinned at his furious gaze.
“Silence, wench!” Sesshoumaru’s posture was rigid as another photo underwent his scrutiny. It couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t betray him like this. Kagome was loyal!
As if reading his thoughts, Kagura sighed, idly crossing her legs. “She could be bored you know. You spend almost every waking moment at the office. A girl can’t be expected to remain faithful if she’s bored. It’s just the way of the female. I mean, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting there, waiting devotedly for you to return every night. I’d need a life.” She said flippantly
But you’re not her, he wanted to growl out, but something held him back. His own suspicion, fueled by jealousy was luring him into believing her words. Rationality forgotten, he ordered the woman out. He didn’t want to hear any more from her serpent’s tongue!
Kagura blew him a kiss as she made her way out, her hips swinging invitingly as she shut the door behind her.
Sesshoumaru all but ignored her. He dumped the filthy pictures into a drawer, shoving them out of his sight. Angrily, he stormed his way over to his private liquor cabinet. It held the drinks he would use to unwind at the office, but currently he was searching for harder stuff.
Kagome loved him. She would never betray him, ever! He berated himself, but a tiny distrustful part of him wondered…
-:- -:- -:-
Kagome all but leapt two feet into the air as the front door slammed open. Sesshoumaru was late, much later than he had ever been before in coming home. Kagome worried as she scuttled over to him. He should have been home hours ago! He hadn’t called, and she had been unable to reach him at work.
She was shocked as she laid eyes on him. His hair was in disarray, his face had tired lines drawn across it, and his attire was a mess. He looked like a wreck, or he had been hit by one. His eyes were sunken and bloodshot. “What the hell happened to you?” She gasped as she strode over, intent on cleaning him up some.
He angrily slapped away her hands as attempted to touch him.
Kagome took a step back, her expression slightly hurt. “What’s wrong?” She asked worriedly.
When she retreated, he advanced. He moved silently as she began taking steps backwards. She had noticed the heavy stench of alcohol all over him. He looked infuriated, and she didn’t understand why. Had she done something to upset him?
Her heart leapt into her throat as her back finally made contact with a wall. She couldn’t move back anymore. His arms came up around her, caging her against the wall. He lowered narrowed eyes to her.
“S-Sesshoumaru? What’s wrong? Did I do something?” She questioned fervently. Her heart was thumping so loudly in her chest, she was afraid that it would burst out. She had never seen him like this before, and it frightened her.
His head lowered, bent down towards her so that his breath blew across her face. She winced. Whatever it was that he had been drinking, it must have been strong. What would drive him to drink like that?
“What do you want from me.” He asked, demanding in so quiet of a voice, she had barely heard it.
“What?” Kagome was startled. She didn’t want anything from him but his love. He knew that. Why would he doubt her?
“What do you want from me.” He repeated, his voice dropping even lower.
“I don’t want anything, Sesshoumaru. I just want you.” She replied truthfully, looking him in the eyes.
“Liar.” He hissed.
Kagome’s eyes widened. He didn’t trust her! Something had happened for him to change his mind about her so drastically, but for the life of her, not a thing came to mind as to what it could be.
Her shocked silence was enough for him to confirm that it was true. She didn’t want him. He snarled, pressing against her, smashing her between the wall and his body. The deceitful bitch! He would prove to her just exactly who it was she was messing with. She would never betray him again! He would show her who belonged to who!
Sesshoumaru crushed his lips to hers. A demanding insistent tongue parted her lips forcefully. He pinned her body with his, his arms now free to tear the clothing off of her.
Kagome struggled. What was he doing?! He wouldn’t!! She jerked her head to the side, ripping her abused lips from his. “Sesshoumaru! What are you-?” She couldn’t even finish as she was spun around. Her face and body slammed into the wall. His head dropped to her neck and he bit down, hard. Kagome shrieked, more from shock than from pain. He BIT her!! Had he gone insane?
“Shut up, bitch!”
She could feel her clothes being torn from her. She was held against the wall, her arms pinned under her. “Sesshoumaru! Stop! Please!” She cried out. She writhed futilely beneath him. Kami, he wouldn’t! He wouldn’t!
He bit her again, silencing her. Her blood flowed freely from the wound staining her tattered clothing as he hastily removed it.
She felt something hard press up against her. Kami, no!! Tears streamed down her face as she silently prayed that he would stop. His stronger form allowed her no purchase in escaping. Still, her mind refused to believe it. She clung to the idea that he would never. He couldn’t be that cruel. That forceful. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t...
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru stood. He looked at what he had done. Her body was ravaged and lay limply on the floor. He hadn’t stopped until she had fallen unconscious, unable to bear the pain. She had been a virgin, but in his blind rage, he had taken no consideration of her.
He felt no pang of remorse. She had deserved it. She had lied to him.
He had loved her. He had wanted to take care of her and have her beside him. He had needed her. Apparently, she had not felt the same. She had deceived him into believing that she had cared, but they were all lies.
He would show her how little he needed her now.
-:- -:- -:-
Kagome withdrew into herself. She did not go out. She made no more phone calls. She simply remained within the house, hiding herself.
She felt dirty. She couldn’t believe that Sesshoumaru had done that to her, but she still couldn’t leave him. She still loved him. She just knew that he was mistaken.
She watched him sometimes. She glided unnoticed in the shadows of the house. He would notice her rarely, sending a sharp glare her way. An emotion would spike within her, foreign in it’s association with him. True terror would race up her spine, and she wouldn’t know why. She shouldn’t fear him. He hadn’t meant what he did. He was just confused…
He wouldn’t listen to her though. He wasn’t ready yet. Kagome understood. So she remained within the shadows of the house, avoiding him. Fearing him. Loving him.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru went out of his way to condescend to Kagome. He avoided her. He insulted her. He tormented her. Kagome didn’t mean anything to him anymore. She didn’t love him. She didn’t deserve his affections. He would show her as such.
-:- -:- -:-
Outside, the world moved on.
The Shrine was prospering. Miroku and Sango were getting closer. Inuyasha and Kikyou were bridging on getting married. Souta was acing his way through High School. The family had high hopes for his college years. Shippou was becoming even more successful, and he joyfully shared his exuberance with her. Everyone was so happy.
Kagome was glad for them. She really was, so she decided that they didn’t need to hear of her troubles with Sesshoumaru. It would only depress them. They deserved their happiness. So, Kagome faded from them as well.
-:- -:- -:-
The strain was slowly beginning to show on Kagome as she endured Sesshoumaru’s emotional abuse while isolating herself. Her skin lost her healthy complexion and she had begun to lose weight. Her hair had lost it’s luster. Her eyes had lost their sparkle. Her changes went unnoticed by either her or Sesshoumaru.
-:- -:- -:-
“You useless bitch, what do you think you are doing?” The scathing voice bit into her.
Kagome turned, pale. “I-I was just going to c-clean your room.” She whispered, stammering, her throat too constricted to make out anything louder.
“No. Do no come near my things, wench!” He hissed. “Someone more trustworthy will be around to do that. You, get out of my sight!”
Kagome jumped and scurried away. She would never be so complacent normally, but his hateful gaze…It tore her up. She couldn’t bear to see him hate her so. She couldn’t endure his glare. It hurt her so much. Each time he looked at her with nothing but disdain in his eyes, something withered within her. The fear only grew as time passed.
-:- -:- -:-
Events came and passed. Sesshoumaru participated in each. He attended galas and gatherings that he would have normally avoided. Each time a different woman was draped across his arm. Each woman would be more exotic and beautiful than Kagome could ever hope to be.
He made sure that the ‘date’ for his evening would be brought to their house, so Kagome could play witness to the fact that she was unnecessary, she was below him. He could easily obtain a replacement for her that would be superior to her in every way.
The girls would all be coy, demure, gorgeous, and graceful. They would hold the attractive sway in their bodies, pinnacle specimens of the fairer sex. Any man would be reduced to a groveling puddle at their feet, and they were but dispensable novelties to him.
Kagome faded as she watched, silently. He was right. She could never hope to live up to such standards. She was just a plain girl from a small shrine.
-:- -:- -:-
Rumors began to spread of Sesshoumaru interest in Kagura. He had never openly announced his engagement with Kagome, so his ‘infidelity’ could not be denounced. He and Kagura had grown closer within the span of two months. He was the ever intimidating ice prince with the alluring fiery princess at his side.
Kagome was all but forgotten.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru scowled. Recently, he was much more prone to releasing his temper. His inferiors cowered before him.
Important documents were missing from his desk. In the beginning he had thought that they had simply been misplaced, as the articles dotting his desk had been shoved aside for a morning rut with his secretary. Now he was able to conclude that they was gone completely.
He needed that packet. He called in Yura, demanding to know if anyone else had been at his office beforehand.
With a prudish grin, Yura promptly announced that Kagome had paid him a visit earlier that morning, to find him not present at the office.
-:- -:- -:-
Her friends had called her again, absolutely ecstatic in their news. Kagome plastered a smile to her voice and replied equally in their enthusiasm. She was happy for them.
So excited were they, that they didn’t ask how she was doing. For that, Kagome was glad. She hated lying to her friends.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru was absolutely livid. More papers were missing! He had heard that the day before, Kagome had paid his father a visit. She passed his office on the way to his father’s office.
The deceitful bitch!
She was selling him out!
Kagura smiled when she handed over the next pile of photographs and documents. If it wasn’t enough to damn Kagome yet, then this would be the clincher.
-:- -:- -:-
At first, Kagome attributed her morning illnesses to her stressed situation. She hadn’t been able to stomach any food, she would constantly feel terrible and weakened. When a strange feeling began to grow within her body, she panicked. She tried to treat herself, hoping that what was growing within her wasn’t what she thought it was. If it was true, she would only be scorned further, for bearing him something he did not want.
Eventually, she was drawn to the doctor’s and her fears were confirmed. She hesitated where she was. He had to know, but she was aware that he would not be happy.
-:- -:- -:-
Kagome sliced through the vegetables with trembling hands. Though he no longer ate the food she prepared, she cooked anyways. She tried to keep occupied to still the growing desperation within her. She jumped at every sound. Every flick of the shadows startled her.
Her frayed nerves wouldn’t be good for the baby, but she couldn’t help herself. Her terror and grown out of control, nurtured by Sesshoumaru’s emotional abuse.
-:- -:- -:-
Sesshoumaru stormed in suddenly. Kagome dropped her knife in surprise. It landed point down, embedded in the wood of their floor.
“Traitorous whore!” He roared, slapping her across her face.
She crumpled to the floor in shock. “Wh-what?”
“Selling me out to Naraku?! What were you thinking!” He screamed at her.
Eyes wide, Kagome scuttled backwards. He was seething, absolutely white with rage. He had never hit her before, and from the look on his face, he intended to beat her.
Something had snapped within Sesshoumaru. It wasn’t enough that she had betrayed his love, she betrayed his trust as well. She was working for Naraku, the man that she knew he hated above all else. Was this some petty revenge for her? Did she think it was a game?!
She couldn’t let him hit her, no. Their baby’s life would be in danger. “Sesshoumaru! I never! Please don’t!” She recoiled as he slapped her again, harder. She accidentally bit her tongue and the blood flowed from her mouth, spattering across the floor with the force of his blow.
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear your idiotic voice!” He dragged her to her feet by her blouse and tossed her against the counter. She slammed against it, sliding down.
Kagome winced as the sharp kitchen blade on the floor bit into her side. A flash of horror raced through her. What if the knife hit her baby! She wrenched herself away from the blade.
Sesshoumaru misinterpreted her movement as one of retaliation. He bent down and caught the side of her head with his knee. Her teeth clicked sharply as her jaw snapped closed with the impact. His arms slid around her before she could hit the floor again, and swung away, throwing her back onto the counter. He wanted her in front of him for her punishment.
Kagome twisted awkwardly, catching the blade in her flesh anyway possible, as long as it missed her belly and it’s precious inhabitant.
“Sesshoumaru, please.” She coughed, wheezing. Crimson dribbling down her chin. He had to know! She couldn‘t endanger their baby‘s life! “I’m pregnant!”
He was deaf to her pleas. The world was fading into red before him. The pleasant sound of her flesh and blood smacking against the surfaces of their kitchen were strangely soothing to his ears. It eased the pain within him.
He grabbed her arms and twisted, all too aware that her shoulders were weakened since they had been dislocated once before. He took satisfaction from the jerking pop he felt as he pulled her arms out from their sockets. He dropped her unceremoniously, ignoring her screams.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked, sneering. “Well, you deserve it.”
He wouldn’t listen. She couldn’t fight back. He was too strong. If she tried to flee, he would only catch her and slam her into the floor, counter, or wall again. The impact would be jarring and hazardous to their child. She had to take the blows. She fell, almost docilely to his abuse. Moving only to make sure that it was herself, and not their baby, that felt the brunt of his ire.
He saw her submitting to his rage. “You’re weak. Worthless.”
His hands encircled her throat like a vice. Her breath hitched once before her airway closed. Silent tears leaked unseen down her cheeks as she looked at him. I’m so sorry baby. I’m not strong enough to protect you. Her eyes closed slowly in defeat.
Red clouded his vision. Sounds faded to the pounding beat of his blood in his ears. When he came to himself again, Sesshoumaru glared at the mess he had made, the mess of his ‘fiancée.’
“Disgusting.” He murmured, curling his lips in disdain. “I never want to see you, or anything of you, ever again. Get out. Get away from me. You don’t belong here, you never did.” He hissed, his heart constricting.
He stepped over her broken body, ignoring the screams of his shattered heart. She had hurt and betrayed him. He never should have gotten close. This would serve him right. Never again would he be so mistaken. She had learned her lesson, and so had he.
[End Part Two]
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