The other half of me

A/N:
This is my first story, comments are appreciated and hoped for. I got inspired to write this story with the work “Captured Soul”, written by Rasberries (she is also listed in the AFF author directory, I highly recommend!), taking her original idea about the collar. Sadly, she seems to have dropped off the radar, but the idea of Sesshomaru in chains is highly appealing, and therefore must be explored most thoroughly! This and the next chapter will mostly be backstory and setup, I promise I will get on to more naughty bits later, but this warning is for those of you that like to scroll forward until the juicy parts and then move on ;). I’ve revised this chapter minutely since its first appearance.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sesshomaru, nor any of the characters from Inuyasha.


Chapter 1

It was after midday, and the scorching heat of the day had already taken residence around the many wagons and tents gathered in a disorderly cluster around a large fountain. Those traders influential enough to have reserved a spot right by the water could enjoy the fountain’s refreshing mist, but here, on the fringes of the market that stretched around almost like a small city, the still afternoon air hung like a blanket, covering everyone with a thin sheet of sweat mixed with dust. In the center of the market-city, despite the summer heat, large crowds of people moved between the closely spaced wagons, appraising wares, shouting prices and trying to keep their children in line, but out here dealings were more private, done with sidelong glances and preferably out of sight. People moved quickly and with a purpose, hardly stopping to look at the wares around them. No tent or wagon reappeared in the same space on the following day, unlike the established order more towards the center of the market.

But Sesshomaru barely noticed these surroundings. He stood unmoving, his eyes fixed to a spot right before his feet. His hands were tied loosely behind his back with old, cheap rope that already managed to rub his skin raw, and attached to a thick wooden pole behind him. His black collar glittered in the sun occasionally, its conspicuous iron chain attaching it to a hook in the same wooden pole. He was only wearing tattered, old pants, the sun mercilessly beating on his bare chest. At least his shoulders and back were covered in tangles of silvery hair that stuck to his sweaty body.

He did not know how much longer he could stand there, but he did not dare lean against his pole. He steeled himself inwardly. He had to hold out until sundown. Perhaps today he would get something to eat. He worked quickly that morning to set up their trading wagon, and so far he didn’t manage to do anything to displease his master.

Of course, the mere fact that he was still there displeased the trader. But Sesshomaru doubted that that would change anytime soon. He did not exactly look like good merchandise. He was dirty, his ribs were showing, and his hair was tangled and unwashed. He did his best to hide his exhaustion, but a trained eye would immediately spot his condition, and many prospective customers have already moved on without a second look. And on those days, he would receive no water.

But there were no customers today, and his master had just sold one of his female slaves to a wealthy bar owner. He was in a good mood, as evidenced by his lack of swearing for at least 30 minutes now.

The day wore on slowly, yet the scorching heat remained. There was an increase of activity more towards the center of the market, since the sun was no longer beating down directly, and some of the structures’ shadows had become longer. Sesshomaru hadn’t moved yet, but through his daze he registered that somebody was approaching their wagon with slow but deliberate steps. A sense of foreboding settled over him. This surely meant a customer.

His master inside the tent apparently noticed too, because he extricated himself out of his comfortable wicker chair (there was a loud crunch), and hurried down towards the visitor.

“How may I be of assistance, young lady?” he simpered to his visitor.

She seemed to ignore him until she reached the line of slaves on display that included Sesshomaru, another man and two women, all standing in front of a pole. He was the only one to be secured to it, however.

“You are offering these slaves for sale?” she questioned him. A rather redundant question, he thought.

“Yes, and let me assure you, they are the finest wares you can find in this entire market. Very hard working, obedient, strong, and for a good price too!”

“That remains to be seen,” she said shortly.

Sesshomaru could see her more clearly out of the corner of his eye when she stepped up to the man at the far right of the line and looked him up and down critically. She was wearing all black, and he wondered idly how she could stand to be in the summer heat. She moved down the line towards him, examining each slave critically before moving on to the next. His master meanwhile chatted about the qualities of each one in the background, but she didn’t even seem to notice his words.

Finally – his heart sank – she was standing directly in front of him, having stepped on the spot that he had been staring at all day. His gaze did not move. She was wearing black sandals that wrapped around her feet in thin straps of leather, their ends disappearing beneath her long, straight, black skirt. The skirt had two long slits in its sides that ran up her legs until the thin waist band that connected the front and the back panel. Her haltertop was cropped just below her breasts, showing off her stomach and also revealing cleavage.

He felt her eyes move up and down on him before she turned around to the still chattering slave trader behind her. “How long have you had this one?” she questioned.

“Oh, that is exquisite, high class merchandise, young lady. It was great trouble procuring him. He is …”

She raised her hand to stop him. “Are you going to answer my question?” she asked icily.

He scratched his chin, sizing her up. “I’ve had him for several months now. Not many can afford to purchase something exclusive like him, and I’ve had to turn down many customers already.” The truth was of course, that nobody dared to purchase a full blooded demon, regardless of what methods were used to control him, or what price he was offered at, and what initially promised to be lucrative business turned out to be quite the opposite, but that didn’t mean he was not going to try anyway.

“Well how lucky for me then that I do not intend to purchase him.”

The trader did not even manage to produce his “oh but since it’s you” speech as she went on. “You are in violation of this city’s laws. The condition of your slaves is more than abysmal. We have had several complaints about you already. You are going to be taken in for questioning before our court.” Soldiers appeared out of nowhere around them. “You may choose to resist, or you can sign over your wares to me and earn favor in the eyes of a judge. If you are found innocent, you will be financially compensated.”

--

Sesshomaru still stood unmoving, in exactly the same position, but the atmosphere around him definitely took on a busy note. His master was signing papers of ownership to the woman in black, soldiers were taking care of the other slaves, leading them away, yet more men were busy searching the wagon. The men had cut his wrist restraints loose and unhooked his chain from the pole, but since he did not react nor move, they left her to deal with him, it seemed.

They had finally finished all the paperwork on the surrender when the old trader presented her with several pieces of old parchment. “What is this?” she said.

“These are the papers that go with the demon over there. You must sign your name on them in order to transfer ownership. He is magically bound by his collar to obey you then, otherwise he still belongs to me.” At least he would finally get rid of the damned creature. Leave this bitch to deal with him.

Rustling of paper followed. “Interesting,” she murmured. She noted down her name at the end.

His now ex-master was being uncharacteristically quiet, Sesshomaru thought, as the trader was being led away by soldiers. The next moment she stepped up to him and he was kneeling in front of her on all fours, his nose hovering a centimeter above her sandals.

She stood still for a moment, watching him with a slight surprise, but as he showed no signs of moving on his own, she picked up his chain and told him to stand. A few soldiers were still hovering around her, clearly trying to get a better look at him.

His gaze never leaving her toes, he straightened quickly. “Follow me,” she told him. “Yes mistress,” and he obediently trailed behind her on his leash as she walked off, dismissing her soldiers.

They walked on in silence, keeping a comfortable pace. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts, walking through the maze of the market with practiced ease. Sesshomaru didn’t dare to lift his eyes higher than her ankles, but he still watched his surroundings out of the corners of his eyes. They seemed to be quickly leaving the market area, and before long they came upon another smaller group of soldiers that were tending to some horses.

“My lady,” one of them saluted her. She responded in kind, pressing her fist to her heart.

“You did not expect me back so soon Richard?”

“No, from what we heard of this guy, I expected him to be more sneaky, I guess,” he shrugged.

“He was actually surprisingly cooperative, compared to the last one anyway.” Richard chukled, remembering the hour long chase through the market. She had been supremely annoyed after the incident, and had scared the poor man out of his mind afterwards. He admired the man for his skill though, nobody had managed to run from her that long before.

His eyes trailed to the leash in her hand and flicked to Sesshomaru, who was still standing with his eyes downcast. His brow furrowed – this was unusual. He was definitely not human. He eyed his commander questioningly.

“Yes, imagine that, he had an inu-youkai amongst his slaves. No wonder he attracted so much attention – and complaints,” she answered him.

“I see the rumors were true then,” he noted, more to himself.

She had let go of his chain and was leading her horse over to them, patting it softly on the neck. The mare responded with a neigh. “Yep.” She swung herself gracefully into the saddle and looked down. “The situation will need to be investigated further, but either way, he will be remaining with me,” she stated. Richard smiled at her possessiveness, not knowing whether to envy the demon or pity him instead. It has been a while since she’s had a ‘pet’.

She rode right up to Sesshomaru, leaning down to take his leash. He resigned himself to a long walk by her side, when she extended her arm out to him, gently tugging on his chain with the other. He looked up to her with a questioning expression, for the first time seeing her face.

She had long, black hair that was braided and collected at the back of her head with a clamp, a few loose strands framing her face. Her face had sharp, almost pointed features, with high cheekbones and pale, but shapely lips. Her jawline stood out nicely against her long neck, giving her an almost sculpted look. But the most stunning feature of her face were her eyes – they were a deep but bright blue, which gave her gaze a very piercing look, accentuated very much by the shape of her eyebrows. The shape of her eyes was reminiscent of a cat. She also had a tattoo between her eyebrows – a line of 5 dots connecting them, the 6th sitting below, on the bridge of her nose.

“Mistress?” She seemed to be looking right into his soul, and he resolved never to look her in the eyes again. She gave him the feeling of being stared down by a predator. He lowered his gaze instead to her outstretched hand, half expecting to be punished.

“Get on behind me, we are leaving,” she said calmly and extended her arm further, letting him know that she was intending on helping him. He very much doubted how she was going to help lift his weight. She looked to be a military commander of sorts, but also did not look exceptionally strong. To his surprise she pulled him after her with graceful ease. It didn’t seem to phase her one bit. She twisted around in her saddle, wrapping his leash around his right arm loosely and placing the end in his hand. It felt cold against his skin.

He hesitated a little, trying to figure out a place on the saddle where he could hang on to. Looking down on her lieutenant again, she unceremoniously grabbed his arms and wrapped them around her waist. His upper body was pulled up flush against her back, but she was not paying attention. “Richard, I leave the situation in your capable hands,” she smiled, and after exchanging salutes, she urged her horse forward at a quick pace.

--

Sesshomaru did not dare to move. He was still pressed flat against her back, some of her hairs tickling his nose as they rode on. His own hair flew out behind them in silvery strands. The smells of the city they were riding through were diminished by her scent. She smelled like leather and horses, and there was a slight blood smell around her as well, but her main essence was deep and enveloping, slightly sweet and very earthy. There seemed to be no sweat on her at all except for his own, and the skin on her stomach felt smooth against his touch.

He very much doubted that she was human, in fact. There was just something off about those eyes, and the way her heartbeat and breath were calm even though they were riding fairly quickly. He sensed power radiating off her in small ripples as she focused on her task of maneuvering through the crowds. He shuddered slightly. Well, perhaps she would merely want to use him as a soldier, or a guard. At least she did not seem to be a miko, there was a small consolation.

They rode without stopping through the city gates, and then again through the gates of the main fortress, more soldiers saluting her here and there. She nodded to most of them in passing.

She stopped her horse in front of what seemed to be the main stables, and a boy was already there taking her reigns and waiting for them to dismount. She motioned for him to do just that and followed him down, taking his leash once more and nodding to the stable boy. He grinned from ear to ear, but put some distance between them very quickly. This did not escape Sesshomaru, and he shuddered inwardly once more. She reminded him of his first mistress a lot.

They entered the huge structure by means of a side door and went down a level. Delicious smells of food entered his nose almost immediately, as they turned a corner. Was she perhaps going to feed him?

They turned several more corners and emerged in the kitchens. He involuntarily started to salivating, which relieved the dryness in his mouth a little. There was a time when he despised human food, but he had grown used to it overwhelming his senses, and right now he would eat just about anything anyway. She motioned for him to sit at one of the four wooden tables set up in the large room and let go of his leash, turning towards a large, motherly looking woman rushing towards her.

“My lady! This is a nice surprise! What can I do for you?” the elderly woman smiled, but restrained herself from hugging her in front of a stranger.

“Anna, sorry to disrupt your preparations for this evening’s meal –“

“Oh nonsense child, you come by here so rarely, what would you like?”

“Please bring us some water for now,” she motioned towards Sesshomaru. Anna eyed him with unrestrained curiosity, but rushed off to get a glass and a large pitcher. Meanwhile, his mistress sat down next to him.

“Your papers say you are named Sesshomaru,” she stated. He nodded at her, feeling her eyes on his face. “Well Sesshomaru, I know you must be famished. Does it smell in here like food you would eat?”

“Yes mistress.”

“Good.” Anna returned, and poured him a large glass of ice-cold water, and stood there expectantly, apparently waiting for him to take it.

“Anna, I would like to trouble you for a meal for Sesshomaru here,” he heard his mistress state. Well, at least she wasn’t staring at him anymore.

“Just give us a sample of your fine cooking,” she added with a smile, “and make the portions large, please.”

“Of course, my lady,” she replied warmly, and rushed off to get some food.

She looked at him for a little while. He was still not moving, staring at the table top submissively. “Drink, it is all yours.”

Grateful, he took the cup with a slightly shaking hand, and drank it with measured gulps. He did not want to make himself sick, after all. In a few minutes, he emptied half the pitcher though, his stomach now feeling slightly queasy, but at least his thirst diminished. “Thank you, mistress,” he said quietly. She was still looking at him thoughtfully. All his senses were telling him to get up and run, but that of course would be a bad idea.

She could almost taste his fear. It rolled off of him in waves. She wondered what had made him so afraid that he would wait for her permission to take the cup. He had to be dying of thirst, standing out in the sun all day! She caught herself regretting not getting there earlier. She passed over his features again. He was really beautiful, even though he looked tired and famished. She would definitely need to get him cleaned up before he was allowed to rest though. In the background, Anna was making noise with her many pots and pans, ordering her kitchen help around.

“My name is Kelani, Sesshomaru.” He nodded. How she wished that he was not so afraid. It stirred something inside her, making golden flecks appear in her eyes. She bit her tongue. No, she did not need that reaction right now. Almost absent-mindedly, she brushed a loose strand of hair out of his face, tucking it behind a pointed ear. The gentle touch of course only increased the fear. She ground her teeth slightly, wrestling for control again.

Luckily, Anna chose to show up just then, her arms loaded with dishes. She brought bread, soup, a few slices of meat and cheese for Sesshomaru and a small cup of juice that she set in front of Kelani. “You know me too well my dear Anna,” she smiled.

Anna gave them both a warm smile, bid them to enjoy their meal, and hurried off to her other duties again.

After receiving her permission again, he proceeded to eat. They sat in silence while he finished his food, her sipping thoughtfully on her beverage. His mind was preoccupied with the delicious things he was for once allowed to eat, and she noticed that his fear seemed to lessen a bit, for the moment. A part of her wished it would come back, but she silenced it.

Sesshomaru savored every bite. Should his new master choose to feed him rarely, he would at least enjoy what he had now.

After he had finished, they thanked Anna for the food and left. She led him up a set of stairs and through another maze of passageways, then down some stairs again. He felt lost – the fortress looked much larger from inside than it did from the outside.

They finally descended another set of stairs that was carved into the stone foundation of the castle, rather than made with bricks. In fact, the small room they now entered looked much more like a natural cave that had been expanded artificially, than something that would belong into a fortress. There were sounds of running water echoing all around them.

Stepping behind her, Sesshomaru finally lifted his head a little, and was rewarded with an amazing sight. There were several pools of water, all connected by little streams and waterfalls and fed by a natural hot spring located in a shadowy corner of the cave. It was lit with few torches, making the walls of the cave sparkle in the dancing light. There were comfortable chairs and pillows scattered around, a safe distance from the water, and towels were stacked neatly near the entrance. There were several doors leading out of this room, but they appeared to be alone for now.

She turned around to face him, and he immediately dropped his gaze again. She detached his chain and laid it near the towels. She then proceeded to disarm herself. He did not see any weapons on her, but she managed to pull out two long, thin daggers from underneath her leather wrist guards, another one hidden between her breasts, and several throwing stars that were conveniently located in pouches sewn on the inside part of her waistband. She also untied her wrist guards, and placed all items next to his chain.

Almost as if remembering something, she grabbed both of his forearms and began inspecting his wrists. The wounds from the rope have mostly healed by that point, however, and all that remained were fading red marks. “You heal fast,” she said, slightly surprised.

“Thank you, mistress,” came his submissive reply. He almost wished that she hadn’t found out about his healing ability just yet. In the past, it enabled others to be very cruel, without having to fear that he would be out of commission for too long. His heart sank as she told him to undress and get in the pools. He heard a small splash that told him she was bathing with him.

Kelani eyed the pretty demon as he gracefully lowered himself into the water. She observed the red stripes on his hips that matched the ones on his wrists and cheeks, then quickly disposed of her own clothes to join him.

Sesshomaru stood perfectly still, staring at the ripples in the water, waiting for some sort of cue from her. He felt her presence behind him, coming closer. “Kneel,” he heard her say. He trembled slightly, making himself somewhat comfortable on the bottom of the spring. Since he waded out into the middle a little bit before stopping, the water now came up over his shoulders, leaving his neck and head exposed. His hair floated behind him in the light current.

She grinned. Oh this was going to be so much fun. But first things first.