InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Youkai Society ❯ The Shugotenshi ( Chapter 7 )

^.~: Thank you for all your reviews everyone! You flatter me more then I deserve, but who am I to deny you? Hope you all find this chapter ok, its definitely lacking in something but I figured I'd post it anyway. I've been taking to long to post chapters. Oh and if you see spelling/grammar mistakes, please let me know! Thank you!

Chapter 7

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Angelic blue light streamed into the master bedroom signaling the start of a new day. It cast its delicate rays over Kagome's closed eyes, and she began to stir. Reluctantly at first, then as the glow brightened she slowly forced her eyes open. 'Morning… Its morning already.' It was odd in Kagomes opinion, how the world continued to go on around her as it always did, but at the same time different. No longer did she wake to the crisp mornings feeling refreshed, or thankful to see she lived another day.

The birds sang as beautifully as ever, the flowers continued to bloom perfuming the air, and the sun still rose in the east and set in the west. Life flourished from outside her window, a mockery of what she lost. Confined in the demonic lords castle, or prison whichever way you preferred to look at it. Imprisoned from the enchantment of the outside world, inside the darkness of her future.

Was it possible that her spirit was dieing? Kagome's unbreakable, independent, passionate spirit had fallen ill? She could almost imagine a gray shadow of death creeping over her, watching her for the right moment to strike. Kagome wondered if you had to be truly dead to cease living, or if it was enough when you lost your will for living.

Forcing herself from bed Kagome gasped in startled pain. 'I'm definitely alive.' She thought grouchily as she pulled a bathrobe over her nude body. Kagome was still sore from the repeated times Sesshoumaru had taken her the night before. Tying the sash to her robe shut with a brisk jerk, she looked over the empty room. Maybe after last night he would leave her alone for awhile.

Kagome sunk her frozen fingers into the long sleeves of her bathrobe, shutting her eyes. 'I could really use a dip in the hot springs.' The nights events were gradually easing themselves into her mind, and she trembled in disgust. She felt filthy and exposed as she stood in the pure morning light, clad in a bathrobe while his seed clung stickily to the inside of her thighs.

Expelling a shaky breath, Kagome tugged at her bedroom door, and to her surprise it opened. The hall was empty, but Kagome could hear shouts of laughter as the banquet continued. Rushing down the halls Kagome hoped she was going in the right direction, before she had always had someone to lead her to the hot springs. After walking into a couple dead ends, Kagome finally stumbled across the large gold double doors.

Kagome welcomed the blasts of steamy heat, letting it sooth the stress from her body. Stripping Kagome eased herself into the cleansing waters, scrubbing herself roughly with a coarse sponge. She succeeded in washing away the evidence of his touches, but was unable to wash away the memories of them. Her lips still burned with phantom kisses, and his mere embodiment of a memory was enough to make her knees tremble. Tremble, as she was overcome with a smoldering need. A need so strong that liquid fire rushed down past the pit of her belly to pool hotly between her thighs.

A frustrated cry rang out amongst the sound of the bubbling water, fallowed by a loud wet smack. Kagome's hands stung from the force of which she had slapped them against the waters surface. 'I hate him!' She inwardly shrieked.

Growing weak, Kagome slouched down in the inviting water, letting it lap soothingly against her chin. Then in a more deflated voice she muttered aloud. "I hate him."

----

"Toutousai." Stated Sesshoumaru calmly, catching the weapon smiths attention.

Toutousai looked up hastily from his workplace, quickly covering a pointy lump of a weapon beneath a ratty sheet. "L-lord Sesshoumaru! W-what can I do for you?" He laughed nervously. Sesshoumaru still made Toutousai nervous, no matter how much time had passed since he last made a attempt on his life.

Fixing his cool gaze on the aged demon, Sesshoumaru grinned. "I was hoping you would ask me that, Toutousai. I have a job for you."

Toutousai's large white eyes twitched in annoyance, his black pinpoints of pupils flashing to life. "I am not making you another sword Sesshoumaru!" His voice was edged in irritation, this having not been the first time they had this conversation.

"It is not a sword I require you to make, nor is it for me. Instead I request you make a Bow-and-Arrow. One crafted by any other weapon smith would be inadequate. This weapon should be worthy of its wielder, it should be legendary." Sesshoumaru spoke softly with ease.

Toutousai gawked openly in wonder. 'Did Sesshoumaru just request something for someone other then himself?!' Then coming to his senses he asked. "May I inquire who you are asking me to craft such a weapon for?"

"Kagome." Replied Sesshoumaru smoothly, knowing of the stubbornness the old demon possessed.

Toutousai shuffled beneath the weight of the heavy demon lords stare. "W-well you see… I already started a Bow-and-Arrow suitable of Lady Kagome." He swallowed nervously. "I'm almost finished with its completion."

"I did not request such a task before now, Toutousai." Sesshoumaru let him shuffle nervously. "However since you have a head start, I will expect you to finish before the end of the day." Sesshoumaru accepted his nod as compliance, and turned to leave.

"Wait Sesshoumaru!" Toutousai shouted.

Slightly irritated Sesshoumaru strode swiftly back into the room. "What is it now Toutousai?"

"I will need a fang… One of yours preferably." Flinching under his hard gaze Toutousai prompted him. "Now, now. You know as well as I do your fang will replace itself in a few hours!"

Sesshoumaru scowled, his face unwavering as he ripped the fang from his mouth. "I will not give you another Toutousai, use it well. Or you shall be replacing it with one of your own." Tossing the bloody fang to Toutousai's feet, Sesshoumaru successfully left.

Grumbling Toutousai wiped the fang clean. "Ungrateful, egotistical, pup!"

----

Myouga huffed leaning against a table leg in exhaustion. It had taken him days to reach the Western Lords castle. Myouga knew about everything that went on in the youkai world, and it didn't take long for the news to reach him. Gossip had been spreading fast between demons and humans alike of the Western Lord and his mate, his human mate. When Myouga learned the human was Kagome and of Master Inuyasha's death, he rushed to help.

Myouga had taken a fond liking to Master Inuyasha's mate, and felt it was his duty as Inuyasha's retainer to go to her aid. He didn't know what he could do to help Kagome, but he would find out. Hopping down the corridors, Myouga continued his search for Kagome.

---

Taking advantage of her freedom, Kagome explored the castle. It was one of the first times she could walk the vast maze like halls alone, and wanted to learn them by heart. To Kagome's dislike everything appeared to be the same. The hallways were barren of paintings and decorations, the only thing of color was the carpet beneath her feet. A thin red carpet that seemed endlessly long to Kagome.

Kagome had occasionally peeked into rooms that she passed, most of them identical to each other. She came across a strange looking door and tried to open it, only to find it locked. Kagome pushed herself flat on the ground, blowing dust away from her face as she looked into the room from underneath the door.

To her surprise she could see around the room clearly, the room lit up with the midmorning sun. It appeared to be a child's room, ancient looking toys spread around a small bed. In the far corner Kagome could make out a wooden sword and a rocking horse, a small red shirt resting on its head.

---

Sesshoumaru glared down in anger at Kagome, who had yet to notice him. She was sprawled out on the dusty floor looking into Inuyasha's childhood room. Did she know it to be his hanyou brothers room? Sesshoumaru had ordered the room locked long ago disgusted with its presence. "Wench." He snapped out irritated.

Startled Kagome bumped her head against the door before hurriedly climbing to her feet. "Its Kagome." Kagome rubbed her forehead wincing. 'Does he always have to sneak up on people?'

Sesshoumaru felt his clawed fingers twitch in agitation and glared from her to the door behind her. "What do you think you were doing." It was not a question.

Kagome looked at him blankly. "Wasn't it obvious? I was seeing what was behind that locked door."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes into glittering gold slits. "If a door is locked Kagome, it is off limits. You will stay away from this room in particular, or you will be confined into your own." He was unable to keep the resentment from his voice.

Kagome looked behind her at the door in curiosity. "What is so special about that room? It's a child's room isn't it?" She asked him innocently.

Not about to share the hated information with her Sesshoumaru grabbed her arm tightly, ignoring her struggles. "It is not your place to question me." It infuriated him that out of all the rooms in his castle, she had to find that one. Refusing to acknowledge her small tantrum, Sesshoumaru began to drag her away.

Kagome looked backward at the door one last time before he pulled her around a corner. 'What is his deal?' Kagome wondered. It was taking a lot of her willpower not to whimper from the crushing force he held onto her with. To make matters worse, he decided to lead her through the ongoing festivities with her clothed in a bathing robe. Her cheeks were flaming red from all the pointed looks she received, and she pulled the burly robe tighter.

Upon entering the dinning room, Kagome realized how hungry she was and licked her lips. Sesshoumaru released her arm and Kagome rubbed it comfortingly as she took her seat, jumping slightly when Sesshoumaru pushed it in. The moment he sat, servants filed into the large dinning room filling the table with breakfast meats, fruits, and tarts.

Sesshoumaru saw her reach to serve herself and sternly slapped her hand away. He shouldn't have to remind her that was a servants job, not one for the Western Lady. She pouted cutely and Sesshoumaru felt his anger begin to fade. "Kagome eat before your food gets cold." He ordered noticing she had been looking uncertainty from her plate to her utensils. Sesshoumaru was briefly appalled at the manner she dug into her food.

Blushing Kagome slowed down, not only feeling Sesshoumaru's disgusted gaze but those of the servants as well. The meal was delicious and Kagome ate every little bite, half tempted to lick her plate. Kagome wondered if the servants were either sexist or ill-informed. They had piled Sesshoumaru's plate sky high, while rationed hers into small appetizers. Did they think women needed less food then men did? Or that human's ate significantly less then demons?

Kagome snorted slumping back in her chair, once again gaining the annoyed glance of the refined Demon Lord. Ignoring him Kagome picked up her spoon tapping it against her fancy china tea glass in boredom. Absentmindedly she began to hum along with the tune, her feet swaying.

Sesshoumaru growled audibly raising to his feet. 'She is trying to disgrace me.' Sesshoumaru couldn't believe her behavior was completely innocent, she had been purposely acting up. 'She acts like a wayward pup.' Disgusted with her, Sesshoumaru jerked her from her seat pulling her from the dinning room. "Your behavior is entirely inappropriate." He grinded out with obvious irritation.

Kagome looked at him defiantly, sticking a finger in her mouth and slowly licking it clean. The process continued until she had licked all her fingers at least twice. Then mockingly she smirked. "I'm not sure I understand what your talking about." Her tone stated otherwise.

Sesshoumaru wished he still possessed his left arm, had he, he would have taken great pleasure in crushing her free hand within his. It annoyed him that her actions awoke more then his annoyance, truthfully he had found the gesture to be strangely erotic.

He didn't know how to handle her. She did not act like a demon mate would, and nor should she. Demon bitches were often power-hungry, selfish whores. Kagome would be perfect if she could just learn obedience. 'Perhaps I should punish her as one would a pup.' Sesshoumaru recognized the same symptoms of defiance in her that demon pups usually possessed.

Kagome recognized the door in front of her as his and stiffened as he shoved her inside. She had expected him to drag her off to her room then lock her away. Fearfully she looked up at him as he loomed over her with flickering gold eyes. It had been on the tip of her tongue to tell him she understood what he had been talking about, and agree that she had acted childishly.

Sesshoumaru kept his face passive as he led her over to his bed flipping her stomach down over his knees. "Maybe this will make you think twice before you dishonor this Sesshoumaru with your foolishness." His voice was proud, and he could feel her panicked heartbeat against his legs. Chuckling darkly, he flipped her robe up past her bare backside.

She shivered and Sesshoumaru grunted in amusement eyeing her physical attributes momentarily. "Cold?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Then allow me to warm you Kagome." Sesshoumaru slapped his hand down hard with demonic speed.

Shrieking Kagome arched her back in surprised pain, her rear end throbbing. 'Is-is he spanking me?!' The thought was insane, but confirmed to be true when again she felt his hand collide painfully against her rump. Fisting her hands in his pants, Kagome clinched her teeth shut in an effort not to cry.

Sesshoumaru growled in pleasure when her cute rear end began to glow a bright red, and slapped another blistering blow against the hot flesh. Sesshoumaru moaned beneath his breath, the growing bulge between his thighs pressing up rigidly against her belly. She jerked against him, withering on his lap as he continued to spank her. Her struggles inflicted a lustful growl from Sesshoumaru, and his inflamed member pressed more desperately against her.

Kagome gave into her burning lungs and screamed thrashing her legs franticly. Her eyes were blurred with tears but she refused to let them spill. "Sesshoumaru stop! P-please I'm sorry!" She felt his hand strike her again with agonizing force, but instead of withdrawing he left his hand there. Kagome collapsed limply trying to regain her breathing, half aware he was now caressing her sore rear. 'At least he didn't use his whip!' Kagome winced envisioning Sesshoumaru with the lustrous green whip, that with a flick of his wrist could cut through bone like butter.

Lightly tapping her affectionately against her tender flesh, he flipped her robe back down. "Tell me that you have learned your lesson, Kagome." He whispered, leaning over her so he could speak into her ear.

Painfully Kagome nodded, wishing she had something to sooth her mistreated behind. She felt him pull her up from across his lap setting her onto the bed.

Sesshoumaru stood brushing the hair from her tearstained face lightly bestowing her with a kiss to the forehead. "I will give you today to rest, and to think about your behavior. But, tonight is the last night of the banquet and you will be accompanying me."

Kagome turned her face away from him in resentment. "We shouldn't be attending some stupid banquet! We should be working on our plans against Naraku-."

Sesshoumaru sharply cut her off, slamming his hand down on the bed. "Do not contradict me! Naraku is none of your concern. I am dealing with him Kagome." Sesshoumaru pulled away composing himself. "Be ready before sundown. That is, unless you require my assistance in dressing yourself."

Kagome twisted her face back to him, watching as he stormed from the room. Whispering to herself what she had wanted to say to him. "Naraku has taken more from me then you can ever understand." Nuzzling her face into the mattress Kagome muffled a sob. "You would need a heart to understand." It came out mumbled and barely audible to her own ears.

Sesshoumaru had been in the process of locking the door behind him when he caught her words. He was half tempted to barge back into the room but withheld himself. Did she think he had no heart? Sesshoumaru finished locking the door and strode away briskly. Had she never felt his heartbeat when he held her close? Did she acknowledge his heart as nothing more then a organ? Warm to the touch but cold to the world? Only for her would such a thought be a lie. He needed her with an untamed ferocity that was born within the axis of his heart.

---

Kagome had began to drift into a dreamless sleep when she felt a sharp prick on the back of her neck. Instantly her hand flew to smack away the bothersome itch. Kagome gasped in surprised when Myouga landed on the mattress beside her, wiping his face clean.

"M-Myouga? What are you doing here?" Kagome pushed herself up to her knees, rubbing the confusion from her sleepy eyes. As she looked back down at the small flea demon, she felt a trickle of warmth run down her neck. Disgust contorted her features and her hand went to wipe the blood away. "Wait a minute were you drinking my blood?!."

Myouga was thankful that his flight through the air had been lightened by the soft bed, and shook the dizziness from his head. "Forgive me Kagome, your blood is far to sweet to resist." He chuckled licking his lips. "I have come to aid you in your time of need, as Master Inuyasha would have liked."

Kagome sighed despairingly her hand rubbing clean against her white bathrobe. "Its good to see you Myouga… But how can someone as small as you help me?" She held out her hand to him.

Myouga jumped into her open palm sitting as she lifted him to her face. "Sometimes my size works to my advantages Kagome. I can fit through the keyholes of doors and unlock them, I can eavesdrop into conversations without being noticed, and I can hide on your person to help advice you in a time of need." Myouga wanted desperately to help Kagome. After fallowing endless halls of the castle he had finally be able to find her by following her screams. It had been as horrible as he had imagined, the Western Lord was hurting Kagome. "My loyalty has always been with Master Inuyasha and his family. I will advice young Master Yasha and young Master Sota when they need me, but right now Kagome, you need me." He honorably stuck up his chin.

Kagome smiled softly. "Myouga thank you! I could use your talents." Her face scrunched up in thought. "Do you think you could do me a favor and spy on the meetings against Naraku? Sesshoumaru wont tell me anything about it."

Myouga nodded. "Of course I could, but I plan on doing more for you. I will get you and your children back into your own time, away from the horrors of this one." He patted her hand with his miniature one. "Kagome you and I never got to know each other as well as I would have liked. It was my responsibility to look over Master Inuyasha's family and I failed him, but I can still make things right. I am a very old demon Kagome, I advised Inuyasha's father as well as his father before him."

Kagome was slightly amazed. She had known Myouga was old, but that old? "Myouga you didn't fail us." She smiled thinking back on a memory. "You have saved Inuyasha and me in the past. I remember when you sucked the poison from Inuyasha after he was bit by that disgusting spider demon. Or the time you drank my blood to free me from that illusion." She creased her brow in thought. "That was what you were trying to do, right?"

Myouga nodded briskly, afraid of being flattened within her palm. Her long thin fingers had curved upwards casting impending shadows of doom over Myouga. "I always have the best of intentions Kagome!" He cried panicked, but sighed in relief as her fingers flattened out again. "Not to brag, but I know everything about anything that goes down in the demon world. I actually heard a few exclusive things about Naraku that no other demon or human has." He declared proudly.

Kagome looked curiously down at him. "Then how did you hear about them Myouga? You weren't spying on Naraku were you?" Her voice tensed in worry.

Waving her off, Myouga grinned sheepishly. "No I have yet to have the opportunity to spy on Naraku. I just happened to talk to animals who had." He scratched his white tuffs of hair with one hand, while his other two fidgeted with his yellow haori.

Kagome quickly tried to get back to the other point. "What did they tell you about Naraku?"

The carrot looking sting on Myouga's face twitched. "A rather talkative bird gave me a ride to the castle… She informed me that during her early morning hunts she had seen Naraku. Apparently he has been watching the castle." Myouga paused as her fingers twitched. "She mentioned talking to a friend who said something about Naraku having an interest in two local miko's. I presume she meant you and Kikyou." The skin on Kagome's palm wrinkled as she flexed her fingers, forcing Myouga to steady himself with all four of his arms.

Kagome looked out Sesshoumaru's window scanning the empty courtyard with little relief. "Naraku's been watching us? Does Sesshoumaru know?!" Kagome began to worry. Naraku's close presence showed his obvious lack of fear. 'Why wouldn't he be afraid? What is he planning?!' Kagome set Myouga down from her shaky hand. "Myouga I'm afraid that we wont be ready when Naraku attacks." With her hands free Kagome unclenched and clinched them in anger. "I want to be ready when he does! Its not fair that Sesshoumaru keeps me from being prepared!! I am a powerful miko! I can handle myself in battle." She huffed. "I have fought against Naraku in the past and I can do it again!"

Myouga clung to the bed sheets as the mattress shook with Kagome's angry movements. "You do not need Sesshoumaru's permission to prepare yourself Kagome. I will provide you with all you need to know." He hopped to the safety of the floor. "For now just stay on Sesshoumaru's good side." Hoping she could see the desperation in his eyes he advised her. "I know you can suck up your pride until I get you and your family out of here. It would help if Sesshoumaru trusted you, even if it was just a little." Myouga leapt up into the keyhole shouting back to her. "I'm going to go see if I can find anything out, I will try to visit you as frequently as possible Kagome." With that he disappeared from sight.

Sighing Kagome leaned back from her knees and instantly regretted it. Cringing she rolled over on her stomach. 'I wont be able to sit strait for months!'

---

Toutousai rubbed the sweat and soot from his forehead grinning down at his work. "Ah finished!" He declared proudly. "And what a beauty you turned out to be!" Chuckling he began to polish the Bow thinking up a name for it. It was a magnificent weapon, one only Kagome was suited to wield. Toutousai began to arrange the arrows in a satchel setting it next to the Bow. The Bow was as powerful as Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga, however only in Kagome's hands. To anyone else it would be a useless ornament.

"Shugotenshi." Toutousai named the sword proudly. It glowed a faint blue in reply, almost as if it was calling out for its master, for Kagome. The sword was forged of the fangs of Kagome's family. One from Sesshoumaru, one from Yasha, and one from Sota, and even one from Inuyasha. It had been problematic in retrieving the fangs from her two sons. First Toutousai had to find them, then convince them to give him a fang. He scowled at the memory looking down at his bandaged hand. They had bitten him!

Inuyasha had once given Toutousai a fang of his to repair the Tetsusaiga. After repairing the Tetsusaiga, Toutousai had a little bit of Inuyasha's fang left over and saved it. He had thought for sure he would be called on to repair the Tetsusaiga again with the way Inuyasha had wielded it.

The Shugotenshi would be invoked by the auras inside the fangs, each one would react to Kagome differently. Sota and Yasha's auras inside the fangs created a link between the Shugotenshi and Kagome, one of needing each other. Sesshoumaru's fang was what willed the Shugotenshi to fiercely protect Kagome. Inuyasha's fang kept balance and love alive in the Shugotenshi, keeping evil away. Kagome and the Shugotenshi were equal partners, neither could stray from the other.

Toutousai wrapped the Shugotenshi and its sachet of arrows carefully inside a white sheet, preparing to take it to Sesshoumaru. Toutousai had every intention of keeping the materials that were used to forge Shugotenshi a secret from Sesshoumaru. It was a well known fact of the Lords dislike for his brother, and Toutousai himself had witnessed their fights. The tension between the two ran deeper then mere sibling rivalry.

---

Myouga gasped for breath pushing himself flat against a wall. He had been stepped on countless times during his dash across the ballroom floor. Myouga was trying to get into the meeting hall where the allies were discussing Naraku. Myouga quickly hopped the rest of the way to the meeting hall, slipping in unnoticed from beneath the door. Perching himself comfortably atop a plant leaf, Myouga listened intently.

Sesshoumaru scowled looking up briefly from the sketchy battle plans then back down. A paper had been sent around the table so that anyone with proposals of battle strategies could write them down.

The only creditable suggestion was Lord Ruuoa's, but Sesshoumaru was reluctant to allow it. The plan would require Kagome's presence at the battle, which would put her at risk. Kagome was no ordinary human, but she was still human, and humans were fragile. Naraku could easily crush Kagome, smudging her existence from the earth with ease.

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes flashed coolly. 'I wont allow it.' No one would touch Kagome unless he, Sesshoumaru, allowed it. Not all of his uncertainty rested in Kagome, but in the Tenseiga as well. The Tenseiga was a sword of life, but not always did it grant its purpose. It was a temperamental sword with a mind of its own, Sesshoumaru would not depend on the Tenseiga when Kagome was concerned.

Lord Ruuoa cut into Sesshoumaru's thoughts. "Lord Sesshoumaru, there are ways we can protect Lady Kagome from harm. If you do not allow Kagome to assist us Naraku might overpower our forces, then come for Kagome himself."

Sesshoumaru regarded Lord Ruuoa in doubt, fury smoldering in his cold eyes. "How do you purpose to protect a human in such a battle." It was absurd, and Sesshoumaru would not be lulled into false security.

Lord Ruuoa looked uncertainty around the room at the various faces. "There is a way Lord Sesshoumaru, but I do not wish to speak of it here." Lord Ruuoa sent him a pointed look.

Giving a curt nod, Sesshoumaru stood gesturing to the door. "Then let us speak in private." Sesshoumaru turned to the rest of the allies. "You may all return to the banquet for now."

Myouga quickly leapt from his hiding place into the fur pelt over Sesshoumaru's shoulder. Being stepped on was not a experience Myouga wished to relive anytime soon.

Toutousai saw Sesshoumaru just before he disappeared around a corner, and took off after him with Shugotenshi in hand. With a brisk knock, Toutousai swept into the room which was occupied by both Sesshoumaru and Lord Ruuoa. They had been sitting at a small table deep in discussion when Toutousai barged in. Toutousai held up the Shugotenshi under Sesshoumaru's cross look. "The Bow-and-Arrow is complete Sesshoumaru!" Toutousai deemed it safe and approached him quickly, placing the beautiful weapon before him. "Her name is Shugotenshi."

---

Sesshoumaru slipped into a refined white silk kimono, trimmed in gold. It was the last night of their mating ceremony and he'd be damned if he let Kagome skip it. Clasping his fathers fur traditionally over his shoulder, he quickly strolled down the hall from the hot springs to his room.

Sesshoumaru was pleased with the information Lord Ruuoa had gifted him with. Apparently it wasn't just a rumor that Lord Ruuoa's blood worked as a healing elixir. Lord Ruuoa assured Sesshoumaru that if Kagome consumed a certain amount of his blood it would keep her safe during the battle.

Sesshoumaru burst into her room unannounced, and raised an elegant eyebrow in question at her. Kagome was standing in the center of her room, her kimono hiked up around her waist, her body positioned so her bare bottom thrust out in the air. Her head was bent to the side in an attempt to view the painful bruises he had inflicted with his spanking. Upon hearing him enter she froze mortified, before straitening. To make matters worse, she forgot to release her kimono from its crumpled position around her waist.

The demon lord felt his flaccid length rouse hungrily, pressing up against his silk pants beneath his kimono. Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to bend her back over and forget about the banquet. His golden eyes darkened with murky passion, and he inhaled her scent from across the room. Sesshoumaru assured himself there would be plenty of time after the banquet for him to take her back to his bed for enticing him so.

Kagome gasped feeling his pointed stare and jerked her kimono down, smoothing it out with trembling hands. Outraged by his intrusion she glared daggers at him from across the room. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?!"

Sesshoumaru looked her over critically. "This is my room wench."

Kagome huffed lifting her brush from the bed, working the tangles from her hair. After five minutes of senseless hair brushing, Sesshoumaru put an end to it dragging her from the room. It had been torture watching her as she unknowingly aroused him. The pleased sounds she would make as she dragged the brush down the waves of her silky hair. The simple gestures she made when flicking her hair to the side.

At one point he wondered if she was trying to seduce him, her actions no longer looking completely innocent. She had arched her back in a motion that pulled her kimono tight against her unbound breasts, then she pulled two large fistfuls of her hair on top her head. Moaning slightly as she worked her fingers through the silky mass. His breathing was irregular at that point and he darted his tongue out to wet his lips, he was about to take a step towards her when she suddenly stopped.

Kagome sighed contently. She had always loved the sensual feel of someone running their fingers through her hair. Kagome got so wrapped up in her little world of bliss that she failed to notice the effect she was having on the demon lord. Only when Kagome heard him take a step up to her, did she notice how ragged his breathing was. Stilling Kagome narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you think your doing?" She watched him blink at her, the hazy lust fading from his eyes.

He had closed the distance between them, jerking the brush from her hands and tossing it off to the side. "I could ask you the same thing wench." He watched for any signs of guilt, finding none he proceeded to drag her from the room. Kagome allowed him to do so with a inner sigh of self loathing.

---

Myouga slid from Sesshoumaru to Kagome first chance he got, nesting himself in her hair so he could whisper in her ear. "Kagome." He whispered lowly. "I have a lot to tell you! Try to get away from Sesshoumaru for a little while." With that he hopped away to wait.

Kagome nodded lightly, turning to look at Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru can I please go get a drink?" She tried to sound respectful.

Sesshoumaru shifted his hand from her arm to around her waist pulling her possessively closer. "I will not make the mistake of allowing you to run off again on your own. You tend to forget who you belong to." A hint of anger entered his voice. "If you are thirsty I will escort you to get a drink."

Kagome fumed her hand going down over his tugging it slightly. She hated it when he made demands giving her opinions no thought. "I didn't do anything last time." She growled out. "I told you! Kouga and I are just friends!"

"Not anymore." Sesshoumaru lightly pricked her side with his nails ceasing her struggle. "I do not want you to associate with males." He pulled her up a few stairs onto a platform that overlooked the ballroom, then shoved her down upon a large luxurious settee.

Kagome yelped in pain when she fell back on her bruised rear. "Jerk! What do you think your-."

Sesshoumaru sat beside her pulling her roughly to sit between his legs, her back to his chest. "Wine!" He called disdainfully to a servant girl who quickly rushed to do as he bid.

Kagome sat rigidly against him, refusing to let him get the better of her. She felt something cold and hard press against her lips followed by something sweet. Disobediently Kagome wrenched her head to the side, accidentally spilling wine down her front. "Stop it!" She snapped harshly.

Sesshoumaru set the wine glass aside, then with his hand free gripped her chin painfully, turning her face to him. Sesshoumaru was a inch shy of losing his temper with her. It seemed every time he brought her out into society she would defy him openly in front of the other lords. What would they think if he, Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands, let a human female get the better of him? Growling low he tightened his grip, his nail cutting sharply into her chin. "This Sesshoumaru grows tired of your insolence, wench. You will sit still and stop making a scene."

Kagome narrowed her eyes trying to look angry despite the pain he was inflicting. "Well this Kagome grows tired of your possessiveness!" She mimicked his voice to perfection even imitating his emotionless facial expression.

Sesshoumaru snarled crushing his lips down bitterly over hers, harshly biting into her lower lip. Tasting her blood he pulled away in satisfaction. "It matters not."

Timidly Kagome brought her fingers up to her lip prodding it gently. She had been afraid he bit all the way through. Kagome thought she could classify that as her worst kiss ever. "It matters not?" She asked in disbelief while looking down at her bloody fingers.

Sesshoumaru inhaled her scent for comfort. "Kagome I will not share you. It would be best if you hid your infatuations for that wolf cub from me."

'Infatuation? For Kouga?!' Kagome wrinkled her brow in aggravation. It seemed Sesshoumaru was going to be one of those guys. The overprotective, possessive, controlling guys. "What did I ever do that gave you the impression I had a infatuation for Kouga?"

He gave her a sharp look. "Inuyasha allowed you to many male friends. I am unaware of your relationships in the past, but you had best forget them. If you give me reason, I will lock you away and the only face you will see is mine." Sesshoumaru clung tighter to her nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. Was she falling in love with the wolf? He growled at the thought furrowing his brows.

In a state of bewilderment Kagome sat limply in his embrace, her head rocking to the side under his ministrations. "It would kill me." She murmured. "You would kill my spirit."

Sesshoumaru withdrew. "Enough." He knew she would not die from lack of exposure to the outside world. It might even be for the best. Her spirit would falter and she would be more compliant to his needs. Should she prove unfaithful to him, he would indeed lock her away in his chambers. On occasion he would allow her pups a visit. "No other shall have you Kagome."

Kagome stayed silent allowing him to press kisses along her throat. She didn't know what she had done to make him mistrust her to such a extent, but it scared her. 'Myouga please help me.' The flea demon had promised he would help her and her children escape, and Kagome prayed he was true to his word.

---

Lord Ruuoa watched silently, paying close concentration to the discussion between the Lady and Lord of the West. It was clear to the wise eyes of Lord Ruuoa the conflict that stirred between the two. Lord Ruuoa did not look down on humans, he had actually taken a few as lovers. He did not doubt the Western Lord was falling for his human mate. The thought caused him to chuckle into his wineglass.

What worried him was the Western Lord seemed to be going about it all wrong. It appeared to Lord Ruuoa that Sesshoumaru was trying to force his mate into returning his affections. The Lord assumed her refusal to return his affections was because they rested in another. The young Wolf-Tribe leader Kouga. While the miko was at odds and ends in her confusion. She didn't understand her Lord meant her no harm, and she had the bruises to prove it.

Lord Ruuoa had sympathy for both the Lady and Lord of the Western-lands, and brought it upon himself to help them. It would have to be soon for Lord Ruuoa suspected the Western Lord had reason for his overprotective behavior of his mate. It was instinctual for a male to shield his mate more then customary when the female carried a pup.

It was impossible for Lord Ruuoa to detect a change in Lady Kagome as of yet, only her mate would notice. It was an ability only demons possessed and it was of great importance. Demon females were designed for battle, while human females depended on males to fight for them. So it became vital for demon males to know if their mate was expecting in order to keep them from risking the life of their pups. If Lord Sesshoumaru could not detect the change by scent then he would unconsciously become more defensive of Kagome.

If Lord Ruuoa was right he would not want Sesshoumaru's mate to find out of her pregnancy until she accepted Sesshoumaru. It would cause unnecessary suffering for the both of them. Lady Kagome was in tears when Lord Ruuoa began to approach them with the intentions of helping the delicate situation.

---

Kagome saw Lord Ruuoa saunter slowly over to them and composed herself. She gave him a weak smile, happy for someone to distract Sesshoumaru's attention from her. "Hello Lord Ruuoa." She welcomed him respectfully, delighted when he gave her a polite half bow.

"Hello Lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Kagome." He replied smoothly. "Lord Sesshoumaru I thought we might discuss more on our situation with Naraku." It was obvious of the interest that flickered in the Lady's eyes as she looked hopefully up at her Lord.

Sesshoumaru frowned lifting Kagome as he stood, properly acknowledging the other Lord. "Lord Ruuoa." He said in welcome. "If you will excuse me I will escort Kagome to her quarters then we can continue where we left off."

Kagome sighed. She had been hoping he would have allowed her to stay and listen but apparently he had different intentions. Maybe she could use some more time alone.

"Actually Lord Sesshoumaru I was hopping Lady Kagome would accompany us." Lord Ruuoa contradicted Sesshoumaru cautiously.

Sesshoumaru stood in momentary silence as he regarded both Lord Ruuoa and Kagome. His resentment slowly began to grow stronger and he responded. "Kagome has disregarded my orders all night. I think it would be for the best if I did not reward her for her bad judgment."

Kagome was tiered from the emotional roller-costar she had been ridding lately and gave in. 'I will make it my decision.' Kagome looked Lord Ruuoa directly in the eye, ignoring Sesshoumaru. "Lord Ruuoa thank you for your offer, but I am exhausted. I would like to retire to my quarters for the night." She smiled sweetly while giving a small yawn for emphasis.

Sesshoumaru tightened his hold on her. "Excuse us Lord Ruuoa." Promptly Sesshoumaru began to drag her away maintaining his calm exterior while inside he was seething. 'She's overlooked me for the last time.' Sesshoumaru was certain Lord Ruuoa had noticed the struggle he was having controlling a mere human woman.

Kagome did not resist as she was dragged from the room. Normally she would have put up a fight at such an indignity, but tonight she was just to tired. It felt like her legs weighed thousands of pounds with each step she took. Again she yawned shaking her head slightly to keep her eyes from shutting. 'So tired…' Kagome longed for her soft mattress and warm sheets as she trudged down the hall to her room.

Sesshoumaru forced her to keep walking as they passed her room continuing to his. "You will reside in my bed tonight." He watched as her sleep clouded eyes cleared in anger.

Kagome tore her eyes away from his, her anger fueling her tired limbs. "Pathetic." She spat out hatefully.

Barking out a laugh Sesshoumaru forced her inside his room releasing her. He stood broadly in the open doorway, blocking her in. "I'll expect my bed to be warm and you in it when I return." He turned to leave.

Snarling Kagome flung her sandal at him. "Your pathetic!"

He was hit square in the back and he faltered turning back to her. Sesshoumaru shut his eyes beneath furrowed brows. "You make me pathetic." It was said softly and his eyes snapped open flashed with uncertainty and anger.

---

Lord Ruuoa sat waiting for Sesshoumaru in the same room they had their earlier discussion. On the table rested Shugotenshi, the weapon Sesshoumaru had crafted for his mate. 'If he would only give it to her!' He thought in exasperation. This shouldn't have been his problem it wasn't his place to interfere with their life, but at the same time he wanted to.

The door opened signaling Sesshoumaru's presence and he stood. "Lord Sesshoumaru." He greeted friendlily.

Sesshoumaru straitened his slumped shoulders. "Lord Ruuoa." Distress lingered in his voice and he frowned. 'She will accept me in time.' He assured himself before sitting across from Lord Ruuoa, the Shugotenshi laying before him.

----

Sorry to all the Naraku fans! I cheated you this chapter but trust me chapter eight is all about Naraku. -.- I might as well name the blasted thing "Naraku!" I should give you all an excuse as of why this chapter took me nearly two weeks to get out. But instead I'll give you all a warning. ALWAYS Keep backups of your work!!! That says it all doesn't it? Please feel free to e-mail me with questions or comments. I love to hear from you! If you ask me a question in a review make sure you leave me your e-mail address so I can get back to you.

E-mail me at HeartlessEnchantress@yahoo.com

-As always with love, HeartlessEnchantress