Where My Heart Lies

The morning sun rose clean and clear, gently scattering the first lines of golden light on the ground. The faint beginnings of what promised to be strong sunlight sifted through the thick branches and leaves of weeping willow, dappling the sleeping face of a miko who took her rest under the large tree. Slowly, the intensity of the light increased and a gentle breeze wafted through the hanging branches, causing the points of light to tickle their way across her face and over her eyelids. Fighting against nature's urge to awaken her, the girl scrunched up her face. But today she could not roll over and go back to sleep. She had things to do.

Kagome slowly opened her eyes. She blinked rapidly as the pieces of bright light from the quickly rising sun offended her eyes. Sitting up, she stretched then rose from her sleeping pallet. Not wasting any time, Kagome rolled up the pallet and tucked it snugly into a hollow in the tree where she kept the rest of her belongings. Pulling out the sack, she easily picked out the provisions that she had hunted and cleaned the previous day for today’s morning meal. Behind the curtain of the weeping willows branches and leaves, she cooked and ate her meal, then swiftly packed everything back up again. Normally, she would have spent the remaining of the day practicing her growing craft and exploring this forest that she was now residing in. Today was different.

She had arrived in this forest some time ago, and the days had passed swiftly. It was already the promised time when she would return to the wolf tribe borders and leave her message for Ayame and the others. The glen that she now made her home in was really quite large. She had found it late in the night after a steady, fast paced trek into the northern lands.

After leaving the wolf's borderlands, she had passed through large forests, intercepted by loping hills and flat, dry meadowlands. Each time she stopped to look for a suitable place to make camp, she later found it inapt, and so continued. At one point, as the stars were beginning to make their appearance, she had entered a large grassy meadow, again finding the forest preceding it unsuitable. Being quiet weary, she had considered laying there in the grasses for the night, but a quick scan of her surroundings revealed another forest not too far from where she was standing. It was always much better to have the cover of the trees instead of being exposed to the elements and any predators. Kagome quickly shortened the distance between herself and the edge of the woods.

The moment she had placed a step inside its boundaries, Kagome had known that this was the place she had been searching for. Stepping through the tree cover and out of the clearing that preceded it had caused an immediate sensation in her. It was one of peace and tranquility. If she hadn't known better, she would have been sure that the woodlands held some type of magical force, for her heart felt a comforting warmth; her travel-weary body, a gentle ease. She had almost laid her items down then and there, but realized that she would need a water and food supply as well as shelter. The area itself was not terrifically huge, most of its space seemed to be taken up with a large lake that was fed by a waterfall at its far end. After a quick scout, Kagome noticed that the warmth and calm she felt only lasted about two miles away from the edges of the lake. How odd. Maybe this is a magic point of some sort. Kaede had warned her that some lower youkai claimed whole areas as their own, permeating it with an aura to mark the territory. However, Kagome didn't feel any danger in the air, only a benevolent fey quality that wafted through the trees.

After making her decision, Kagome soon found the weeping willow. Sure that the thick foliage would hide her from any dangerous animals (though for some reason, she doubted there were any here) she made her camp there. Aside from the protection, she was also close to the lake that provided fresh water for drinking, boiling and bathing.

Kagome shook her head, clearing it of her reverie. Pushing the sack that held her cooking items and remaining food back into the hollow, she then turned and picked up the sheathed sword that leaned against the willow's trunk. Unsheathing it and raising the weapon, she stretched out her arm to gaze down its length. She had practiced, and polished it almost everyday to make sure that both the sword and her own skills would not get rusty. It slipped into its sheath with a soft snick! before she strapped it to her left hip, making sure it was within the correct reaching distance. Kagome bent for another moment to pick up her bow and arrows, and after a quick glance to make sure the camp was in order, she headed to the border of the wolf tribes land. She had left markers so she would find her way back easily, even though she wasn't sure she needed them anymore. But still, it was better to be safe than sorry.

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From Kagome's estimate, she was about half way to the border when high noon struck. She laid down her bow and arrows and sat in the grass. Rolling grasslands surrounded her, the vegetation so high that it came to her shoulders when she sat down. Fishing in her pocket, she pulled out some trail mix that she had made up and started to eat. A quick snack, then head on again. When I come back, I'll stop and find some game for supper. As unpleasant as it had been, the time she had spent fending for her and InuYasha had taught her some valuable lessons. One of which being able to hunt for herself. Lost in thought, she reached up in a gesture that had become habit, at brushed the two stones that hung from her neck. She had managed to fix the necklace that the Jewel hung from, albeit clumsily, but it was strong and would not break easily.

Kagome stopped all movement and pricked her ears. The lands around her had fallen completely silent. Unnaturally silent. She slowly brought her hand to her sword, the bow and arrows still close by, and made to stand. Feeling out, she sensed a familiar aura, but not a welcome one. Her eyes widened slightly and she made a small gasp as she made the association.

"You're a little slower than I had expected."

Kagome whirled to face the presence, fully expecting the demon master. Upon seeing his face, she immediately knew it was not the one she feared, but one of his minions. The demon before her had straight black hair that fell just to his shoulders and blazing green eyes. The Master had long flowing hair and eyes the sickly rich color of blood. Kagome also noted the large black bat wings that extended from the back of his lanky, yet muscular, black-clad body. It was those that kept the demon aloft, and just behind him there was a quartet of lesser demons. All in all, she recognized the group of five for what it was. A hunting party.

Dropping the sword, she immediately started to conjure a fireball, hurling it at the right wing of the creature before her. He dodged it easily, to the misfortune of the demon whose vision had been blocked by his leader’s wing. The demons head combusted on impact, the flailing body fell quickly to the ground where it twitched out it last remnants of energy.

The green-eyed leader noted the death of his comrade with no more than the bat of the eye. He started to dive for her, the remaining demons following suit.

"Those are some interesting powers for a priestess..." His tone almost seemed conversational. He dodged another projectile, this time an energy orb, and pulled up.

Kagome spun, continuously throwing more energy blasts. She was starting to weaken a little. It was the amulet holding her back. She could feel the roiling power, almost as if it were just under her skin. She growled.

"I am no priestess!"

He could smell the spike of her anger. The master had been right... the little wench was sensitive about the priestess title. The three other demons dipped and whirled around her, taunting her with quick slashes and occasional remarks of miko blood in her.

Though she had trained hard since leaving Koga and Ayame, the force she was putting behind her attacks, and the number of blasts she had thrown, was wearing on her restrained powers. Kagome took her eyes off the group for but a moment to reach for her sword, but this was the moment that the leader of the hunting party had been waiting for.

In a heartbeat, he swept in and an iron fist connected hard with the soft tissue just under Kagome's ribs. Pain exploded in her mind and a million tiny pin points of light filled her vision as she desperately tried to claw air into her throat. Her knees felt weak, but she knew that if she hit the ground, she would lose. Struggling to regain her senses and her balance, she reached for the bow and arrows in front of her.I... I can... charge the arrow... gotta... reach! Her hand was a hairsbreadth's distance from the arrow when her plan was noticed by the pack leader.

Another wave of pain washed over her as something struck the back of her head. She fought to keep strength in her legs, but it was futile. Her bones might as well have been water. Black crept in the corners of her vision as her mind cried out for her body to remain alert. Her last view was that of her weapons and trail mix scattered on the ground that was swiftly retreating from her. Then there was black.

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Kagome's mind scrambled up from the grey world of unconsciousness, reaching for any grasp of being alert. She felt herself being carried; wind whipping her hair to the side and streaking across her cheeks. Who was carrying her? The last thing she remembered was fighting the pack that had been sent after her. Her heavy eyelids opened, a sharp pain in the back of her head made her think that she might have a concussion. Her eyesight was hazy, but she fought to bring the fuzzy object that she seemed to be heading towards into clarity. The young woman felt the darkness of oblivion take over her again, but not before she registered looming target. Large black spiraling towers reached upwards and a buttress protected the front of the building. The remainder seemed to be melded into the stone mass surrounding it. A crafty architectural decision, forcing any attackers to leave themselves open to the front. But also, the building was not at the base, but rather nearer the top, just above the halfway mark. A castle? Carved in the mountain? Kagome barely had time to consider an answer before her mind slipped back into unconsciousness again.

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She didn't want to open her eyes yet. The bed was so comfortable; the sheet she lay on was soft and luxurious. Kagome snuggled into the warm material, a contented smile playing on her lips for a moment. The smile disappeared as her sleepy mind recalled that she shouldn't be on a comfy, warm bed, she should be on the soft grass under her willow tree. That there should be sounds of crickets and the night air playing through the leaves of the willows foliage, not the dense silence that seemed to pound in her ears.

As her senses forced her mind to waken, Kagome's eyelids fluttered open. Sitting up, she drew a small quick breath as she looked about her. The large room she lay in was dark, decorated in rich browns and greens. The four poster bed in which she had been sleeping was against the far wall from the door, in the center and was made of mahogany, the posters ornately carved. Large sconces adorned the walls at intervals, providing light with the tapered candles they bore. In the flickering light, Kagome could see the magnificent fireplace directly ahead of her, its glowing embers radiating heat. Confused, she tried to remember what had happened for her to come this place.

Her head was killing her. Raising a hand to touch the tender spot, Kagome felt a small knot at the base of her skull. Then she remembered the hunting party. Her anger flowed through her. They had kidnapped her! As soon as the miko had realized this, a small run of fear coursed through her. The hunting party belonged to the Master. Kagome remembered her hazy view of the castle, and concluded that she must now be inside. She had to get out. She wasn't ready yet to defeat him, she knew that. Kagome cursed herself. The others knew nothing of her whereabouts; it had been perfect timing for the Demon Master to make his move. Now her only option was to escape.

Kagome grasped the richly embroidered burgundy comforter that covered her and hastily pulled it off. She looked down as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, and froze. In that moment, it felt like her lungs plummeted to her toes, and her stomach was forcing its way into her throat. A sensation of cold dread enveloped her.

She was wearing the dress. The one from her nightmares. A black and red corset with a dipping neckline was cinched tightly around her middle, pushing her ribs in and her breasts up. Reaching around to the back she felt the knotted string ties and was positive they would be the color of blood. Her fingers went numb and her insides fluttered as her hand lighted its way across the full black silk skirt that swept out from her hips. The only thing missing from the terror-inducing ensemble was the full sleeves. Dear Kami, this can't be real.... Kagome swallowed hard, her muscles tense as she slowly realized she was now living her nightmare.

Making her hands into tight fists and clenching her teeth, Kagome pushed herself off the bed in a hushed rustle of brocade petticoats and silk fabric. In the silence of the room, the sound was deafening. She rushed first to the window, then to the door, finding both to be locked securely. She considered using her powers to blast it open, then thought better of it. Can't exactly sneak away if you alarm the entire castle. Her next search was for her furs that she had been wearing. There was no where in the room to actually store clothes, so the hunt was considerably short-lived. Nerve-racked and exasperated, Kagome stood in the middle of the room, arms akimbo, trying to think of a way to get out, and how to rid herself of the damned dress. Then she realized that in order for her to be in this dress... someone had to have helped her out of her old clothes.

First embarrassment, then anger caused her cheeks to flush. Her fury flamed her desire to face the master until her temper broke. That bastard! He had hunted her! Undressed her! And now he hid behind locked doors??!

Kagome's fists made thunderous crashes as she assaulted heavy oak door.

"YOU BASTARD! LET ME OUT! COME FACE ME YOU COWARD!"

The girl paused for a moment, a little breathless from her screams. A low chuckle seemed to reverberate in her ears, sending her into a new tirade. Her eyes hazed and the gem that lay on the newly-forced cleft of her cleavage brightened with life. The Jewel still dangled from its safe place, just behind the Amulet. The thick door actually shook when she pounded on it.

"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! YOU GODDAMNED SHIT! LET ME OUT! I'LL GET OUT OF HERE!"

Kagome continued her screaming outburst until she felt nearly hoarse. Exhausted, she turned and braced her back to the door. Sliding down into the giant pool of her petticoats and silks, she mashed down the puffed up fabric. She then noticed there were slits in the black silk that exposed a silk underskirt of blood red. Just like the dream. Got everything down to the goddamned 'T"

She was angry and she was tired. She was alone and afraid. Kagome's chest heaved as she felt frustrated tears threaten. She dashed them away with the back of her hand before they had a chance to fall. She was not going to fall apart. She was not going to give in. She was getting the hell out of her, come hell or high water.

A tap came from the other side of the door. Kagome turned and clumsily got to her feet. Her eyes hardened and she curled her hands into fists once again. She didn't have any weapons, but a good energy orb ought to take care of whoever was coming through that door.

The door creaked open slowly, cautiously. Kagome brought her hands behind her back, beginning the conjuration of an energy orb. She was ready the face the intruder. One quick blast and she would fly down the hall and find a way out. Her eyes blazed as they anticipated the sight of a grotesque demon.

" 'Scuse me, milady. The lord would like to see you."

The orb she had been creating died in her hands as Kagome rested her eyes on the small creature before her. A female lynx demon, seeming only slightly older that Shippo, stood before her. Wide blue eyes stared up at her out of a cherubic face. The child's auburn hair was tied back with a peach silk ribbon that matched the simple, yet pretty, kimono she wore. What in hell is a child doing here??

Kagome immediately was empathetic to the large-eyed girl. She bent down to her level.

"Hi there. Are you friends with the lord here? You seem scared, is everything ok? I can try to help if you like..." Kagome reached out to touch the girl's shoulder. She hoped to save herself and the child before her.

The lynx demoness contorted her face and hissed. Her small hand had a grip of iron as it clasped Kagome's wrist and started to drag the woman down a long hallway, resplendent with thick rugs and elaborate candelabra for lighting.

"You are to meet the Master, human. I was sent to ease you into it, but I can smell fear and distrust from you. No doubt you were planning to escape." The small demon stopped for a moment, whirling to face Kagome, who in her shock at the girl’s reaction had not put up much fight in being hauled to the Master's presence.

"Did you think you could take me into your confidence? That you, a mortal, would protect me, and I would help you escape from the castle? Hah." The misleading innocent sneered in derision.

"Stupid, trusting, gods-damned humans. You really are no better than cattle." She muttered.

Spinning around again, the lynx-girl continued, rather brusquely, to haul Kagome by the wrist to the end of the hallway, down a wide, winding stair case, and into what Kagome understood to be a main acceptance room. Their steps echoed in the overwhelmingly large space as they approached the throne before them.

Recognizing it for what it was, Kagome finally started to resist. As she strained and bucked against the child's grip, the occupant of the throne slowly grinned, glad to see that Lily had not frightened the fight out of his latest prize.

Thoroughly frustrated with her charge, the lynx demoness ungracefully threw the franticly rebelling Kagome in front of the Master. The woman landed in a heap on the floor, her skirts billowing out around her. Peering out from underneath her bangs, she received her first look at the one who had haunted her so long.

He lounged on his throne, one leg slung over the massive arm of the dark-stained chair. Long fine hair, black as night, cascaded down his shoulders, pooled at the floor. Kagome was sure that when he stood, it would reach his thighs. His face was not unpleasant, but his aristocratic features held a chilling iciness. His blood red eyes seemed to sear into her. Kagome had a mad thought He's going to swallow me with his eyes... His gaze made her skin crawl and her insides as though they had simply walked out on her. She stiffened herself to face the abominable creature.

Taking a breath, Kagome slowly gathered herself and stood. The master locked on her baleful eyes. He was quite sure that given half the chance, she would blow him to kingdom come and damn the consequences. He loved the fight in her. He rose from his languid position and stood before her. In three casual strides, he closed the distance between them. He expected her to back away, but she wouldn't. Kagome refused to back away and have him think she would be submissive. Her eyes narrowed as she began to conjure a fireball behind her back.

The master smiled. Of course she would try to escape, had he not expected it? The smile that curled his lips did nothing to warm the eyes that Kagome found she could not tear away from. She started to feel a choking miasma descend upon her. She panicked. She couldn't breath! She couldn't pull away! The fire she had conjured was obliterated as she brought her hands in front to cover her mouth.

No sooner had to fire gone out then the master reached around and grasped her wrist. Spinning her so her back was to him, he twisted her arm up at a painful anger, earning her wrenched cry of pain as a prize to his ears. He leaned close to the cup of her right ear, reaching around with his free hand to hold the opposite side of her face in a faux lover's embrace. Kagome tried to pull her head away from his uncomfortably close presence with a grunt, but his hand held firm and denied her any movement.

"I like your passion Kagome. I like your spirit and fight for life. You don't understand how much I admire you. I've been watching you for a very long time."

Kagome felt like growling. She hissed out her words

"You bastard. Let me go."

"Tut tut, dear heart. You just tried to attack me." The youkai stroked her face when she started. Kagome hadn't thought he had seen her.

"I don't think you understand me. I focus on you; I can see everything you do. It hurt me that you would try to cause me harm, especially when I rescued you from the hurts that that awful half-breed caused you..." Kagome could feel his lip curl as he sneered the last few words.

Spinning her back around, the demon released her. Kagome felt slightly dizzy, although she wasn't sure if it was due to the spinning, the restraint of oxygen from when the master had his arm across her throat, or from the light miasma that still settled around her.

Turning his back, the youkai strode back to his throne and flopped down.

"I suppose I should at least let you know my name. It wouldn't do to have my mate not know me. I am Teinosuke. A shadow demon. And I am taking you as my mate in increase my territories until all of the lands are under my control."

Kagome sputtered. "Me!? Your MATE ?! You are off you goddamned rocker, buddy! There is no way in this world I'm going to mate with you! And you didn't 'rescue' me from anything, you egotistical asshole!"

Teinosuke watched the struggle of emotions on the girls face. Gods, but she was amazing. He gazed on as she struggled to bring her hands in front of her to start another attack. Her furious countenance melted to confusion when she found she was too weak to do so.

"You really shouldn't bother. You're probably feeling a little dizzy right now. I have a light miasma wrapped around you. It keeps your powers from being of any use to you, just in case you get the same kind of foolish ideas you just had."

Kagome felt her blood boil at the sight of the youkai's smug smirk.

"And about that rescue thing. Again, you really misunderstand me. Come look."

He rose from the chair and stood next to a waist-high podium that seemed to hold some type of platter. Seeing no other option, Kagome followed and peered into the water. It shimmered for a moment before settling on an image that bore into her heart and ripped at still fresh wounds. InuYasha and Kikyo. Standing under the God tree, kissing. Tears she had thought stopped long ago brimmed in her eyes again. Teinosuke studied her as she turned her eyes away from the painful scene. Had she waited a moment longer, she would have seen the confusion and disturbance on InuYasha's. She would have seen the image of herself in the shadows, watching. She would have understood that she was seeing something from the past, and would have understood what the demon lord was trying to do.

"Dearest Kagome, I see how he pains you, let me teach how to be rid of him."

He snaked his hand around her now tiny waist and pressed his nose to her hair, inhaling deeply. Kagome say a brief flash of her nightmare self. In the gown she was now wearing, InuYasha's heart in her hand. Anger and fear came hard and fast. She spun before the youkai could grab her. She could feel the scream rising in her.

"NO!"

Kagome's nails came raking down the side of Teinosuke's face, leaving long jagged gashes. She felt the miasma lift slightly. Not enough to allow her to use her conjurations, but enough to use her more accessible powers. Kagome focused on the pedestal and lifted it. Its weight was too much for her; the base fell and crashed to the floor, sending shards of stone skittering across the polished floor. Ignoring the crash, she continued to lift the platter with her powers, sending it flying to the back on Teinosuke's head. It slammed against his back; her powers were weakening again, his miasma regaining its strength. His head was down, but a low and ominous growl emitted from the back of his throat. Kagome felt her heart leap, and like the doe she had seen so long ago in the glen, she whirled and started to run.

A larger chunk of the destroyed pedestal went unseen by her panicked eyes. Stepping on it, her stride went askew and she hit the floor hard. Not stopping, just barely registering the slivers of stone in her hands, she struggled to get back up. It was too late. Teinosuke stood before her as she rose. Her heart was fluttering against her chest like a caged bird. She was terrified. His eyes shone and the previously gentle, if perverted, smile he wore before now seemed horrifyingly malicious. Blood slowed as the four wounds she had caused started to heal.

"You're temper is your downfall, dear child. Did you forget your awful mishap with the half-breed? He was weak and didn't reprimand you properly."

Teinosuke's tone seemed conversational, almost like a parent talking to a child. It soon turned, belying the cruel, cold, and vicious nature that truly lay within.

"Unfortunately for you, I know how to put a mortal woman in her place."

The youkai raised his arm and backhanded Kagome, hard. She was sent sprawling to the floor, sliding back to the steps to his throne, where her head connected solidly with the first step. Her vision burred. She was sure she had been struck in the same place as before, but now her cheek throbbed. In the corner of her eye, she could see the left side of her face start to swell. She wondered if there had been any breakage.

Dazed on the floor, Kagome had no reaction as the malevolent demon approached her. When he was finally standing beside her, blackness was starting to creep in. The mortal girl raised her hands in a weak attempt at defense, but the male on gripped her wrists painfully together in one of his massive hands. He started to drag her across the floor towards a dark and foreboding door that was partially hidden on the right hand side of his throne room.

"You have disappointed me, Kagome. I wanted to share my life with you. To give you the world. And you rejected it. Tried to harm me, not once but twice! I will give you one last chance to gain from my benevolence. Apologize, Kagome. Say your sorrow and you will stay by my side and release these wishes to cause me any pain."

He paused as he waited for her answer, his hand on the obsidian doorknob. After a moment, he considered that she might have blacked out. Then a rasped whisper flew from her lips before oblivion claimed her.

"I will never stay by your side and I will do everything I can to destroy you, you miserable shit."

Kagome's eyes rolled back, her head lolled to the side. Her hands were raw and bleeding from the splinter, and there were more of the bright red spots on her back from the shards that had pierced her as she was being dragged across the floor.

"Very well," Teinosuke stated to the unconscious woman, "if you refuse to live with me as my mate. I will keep my as my toy." The chilling grin swept across his face again as he bent and swept Kagome up. Throwing her over his shoulder, he opened the door and descended down the narrow steps it revealed. His bemused chuckling was cut short as it slammed back into place.

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Kagome moaned. Her head felt like it had been crushed. Gods, her wrist joints were on fire. And they were above her head. Blinking rapidly, Kagome found herself in a small, dark room. The only light was from a tiny candle on the far end. Her body screamed its miseries as she twisted to look around her. She was shackled to the wall in a circular room, the iron loop that her manacles were twisted through would have reached hip level, if she had been standing, which she wasn't. Instead she was half sitting, half kneeling, with her body braced against the wall. She was cold, her corset gone, her body now clad in thin undergarments. Her legs were mostly covered by a black, filmy petticoat, her torso by a white chemise that exposed a broad expanse of her stomach and back.

Shakily she tried to stand, but the room spun with her attempt. Kagome glanced around, trying to get her bearings. There was a reclining figure against the far wall. A very thin figure that wasn't moving. Kagome's eyes were starting to adjust to the light. She squinted to try and get a better look. For just a moment, she thought she might have a comrade to help escape. Then she realized the chest was not rising as a living person's should.

"Oh Kami, please don't tell me I'm locked here with a corpse." Her voice was full of dread, her mouth suddenly going dry.

A voice reached out from the dark corner that the faint light didn't reach.

"Actually, dear heart, you are. But have no worries, I will remove him. He didn't last long for entertainment. I hope you will do a much better job."

Kagome recognized the rich, yet frightening, baritone.

"Coward." She spat out, "Easy for you to be threatening when I'm locked up."

Teinosuke stepped out from the shadows. Kagome felt cold fear steal through her. In his hand was a whip. Not one of sharp points, but one that had five extensions, each broad and flat. She could see the leather had been well-oiled. He isn't really... She swallowed hard.

The Youkai master ignored her comments. His smile was soft, but in its gentility, was more disturbing than if he had tried to look evil.

"You're going to fear me, woman. You're going to beg me to allow you to stand by me. And if you don't, you will entertain me with your screams." With a purposefully slow gate, he closed in on her until she knew that she was just within striking distance of the weapon in his hand.

"I will not stand by you, and I will not scream." Her words were strong, defiant.

The grin remained on Teinosuke's face as her brought the whip down, snapping his wrist. Kagome arched her back and hissed as the leather extensions licked around her waist, cracking quickly against her skin. The pain shocked through her and she fell forward slightly. She could feel the welts starting to rise.

Kagome watched in horror as Teinosuke raised his hand again. She prayed that the night would end soon, and that someone would save her from this hell.

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A considerable time later, the sun was starting to rise on the new day. Teinosuke closed the dark door behind him. The utter silence of the throne room seemed deafening. His arm was tired. He truly hated being defied, and the girl had pushed him. He no longer wanted her as a mate. She had confirmed her fate as his new toy. The demon was careful though not to mar her skin. Blood-letting caused scar tissue in humans, which would eventually lose its sensitivity. No, he wanted her to feel every strike.

Teinosuke stretched, satisfied. It had been a long night for him, and now he was weary. After a nap, he would go hunting perhaps. He had worked up an appetite. As he strode across the room, towards his quarters the corners of his mouth turned up at a memory of the early evening. The mortal swore she wouldn't scream. He had to give her credit, she had almost made good of her pathetic little promise. But in the end, her oath had been worthless. She cried, she screamed. They always did. He would sleep well.


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A/N: Thanks so much again to those that have commented! I really appreciate it all! *makes me all squishy*. Anyway, we are getting close to the chapter that I'm working on currently, which is why I haven't been posting frequently. Last time I posted my absolute last chapter, it took me MONTHS to finish the chapter I had been working on at the time. So hopefully everything will go smoothly. Enjoy the chapter, as always comments and constructive criticism are much appreciated!! thanks again and I hope you like it.