Thursday, May 19, 2005

The Price You Pay: Cost of Blood
*episode 7*

Kohaku stands before Sesshomaru carrying a woman again. The demon lord stands beside the tree to which Kagura is bound. Kohaku lowers Kagome to the ground. “Now let her go!” he says. “First,” the demon says, “You must see to it that she does not interfere with my plans for that one.” Kohaku nods: he walks to Kagura and holds his hand over her face. She stops struggling and collapses forward. Sesshomaru pulls the Tenseiga out of her. He asks, “Can she hear me?” “Yes” Kohaku answers. “She should be able to move in five minutes. She will be lucid in less than eight. Her friends believe that we are burying Kagura. It will be some time before they begin to worry. Of course Inuyasha’s nose will pick up the smell of her blood within minutes.” With that, he takes Kagura and leaves on Kirara. The lord grabs Kagome by her shoulder and pulls her behind him. He sits against the tree and yanks her onto his lap. “Well, let’s have a look at you.” he says. He looks her over clearly, for the first time, noticing more about her body then that it is human and female. “Well little brother, I suppose that if you have to degrade yourself with mortals, this is the way to go. Your face isn’t much, but your figure befits a demoness, maybe even a goddess. And on either one, your beauty would last for more than an instant. In a few years your youth will fade and he will have to move on. But I don’t intend to end his little romance tonight.” He lifts her head. He pulls her hair aside and sniffs the back of her neck. “Your scent,” he says, “It’s intoxicating.” He pulls his face back, but not all the way. He stays with his face above hers. Playfully, he pecks her on the cheek. She smacks him. He squeezes her head. “I have killed friends for less.” he says. He relaxes his grip and says, “Such sprit. Perhaps I give my brother too little credit; being subdued by you. But I am not so weak.” He pulls her face to his. Kagome reaches out with both arms to push against Sesshomaru’s chest, but he is determined and he is much stronger then she is. He forces his lips to hers, forcing his tongue past her clenched teeth, only to have her bite it. He keeps his tongue between her jaws, clearly enjoying every moment of the kiss. Finally he lets her go, chuckling. She crawls away, spitting. “Pervert!!!” she shouts. Sesshomaru laughs. “Knowing my brother, you may even be too good for him.” “I suppose that if Inuyasha isn’t good enough for me, then the great Sesshomaru is!” she says. “Well I’m not interested! If you trying to kill me when we first met wasn’t enough, all the stuff you’ve done since would have been, and then there’s tonight to top it off!” “You wear arrogance well.” he says. “I admire that, as I admire the way you kiss.” She wipes her mouth on her sleeve. He continues, “But you are far from worthy of me. I find few demonesses worthy to be considered to be my mate.” “You found Kagura worthy.” Kagome says. “Kagura is a remarkable woman.” he says. Kagome snickers, “And she turned you down. So is that it? She wouldn’t have you so you’re setting your sites a little lower?” “No,” Sesshomaru says, “I have decided that when I next feel the need for a companion, I will rape Jaken.” Kagome can’t help herself; she breaks down laughing. He says, “I did not bring you here to seduce you. I learned to deal with rejection centuries ago. Of course, the first time I killed the object of my affection. But one of the advantages of living for hundreds of years is that you have plenty of time to learn from your mistakes.” “So why am I here?” she asks. “If you’re not going to kill me or rape me, why’d you have to get Kohaku so upset? If you just wanted to talk, you could have said so.” The demon lord shakes his head. “And my brother was to agree with this?” he asks. “No, if I wanted this time with you, it had to be by subterfuge. As for what I want, I want to know what part you are to play.” “What part I’ll play?” she asks. “This isn’t a Kabuki.” “Oh but it is.” he says smiling. “We are all marionettes, tied to our strings, and dangling from two sticks.” He unsheathes the Tenseiga. “My father still exerts his will through the two swords he left us. The Tetsusaiga forges my brother into a hero, the defender of humanity. While the Tenseiga preserves my life, but only if I work with my brother, and do other things that go against my demon nature.” He stares off at a distant camp fire. “The child Rin,” he says, “I found…well, she found me after the Tenseiga rescued me when Inuyasha first unleashed the windscar. She had nothing, but she made offerings to me anyway. A part of me hated her, but that part was opposed by the part of my father that lives in me and in my sword. She was killed by wolves and I was drawn to her body. No matter how I justify it, I used the Tenseiga to revive her. It made me save her, and allow myself to care about her.” “Sesshomaru…” Kagome says. “My father’s will has great power. While I obey it, I can wield that power. But, if I was to be abandoned by the Tenseiga, the Tetsusaiga would cleave my flesh from my bones. You have seen as much.” he says, raising his stump. Kagome asks, “But, what about the Tokigin? You seem able to stand even with Inuyasha when you wield it.” Sesshomaru says, “The Tokigin drives anyone who brandishes it insane. However, the Tenseiga is the sword of healing. I am able to wield the one because I am protected by the other. But, I did not bring you here to talk about me. Rin and Jaken have prepared food you should find palatable. I’m going to join them, not for the food, but for the company. You are free to remain here or go any where you wish. The nearest village is two days away on human legs. If you wish to join us you must be prepared to answer my questions. My brother should find you before morning.” He stands and walks away. After a moment’s thought, she follows.
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