Tender Love

'inner thoughts'


Chapter 6

After leaving Inuyasha to sleep in her room, he went back to the banquet hall and took threejugs of sake back to his study. Sitting on the settee that was beneath an opened window, he began to drink to try and clear his mind of the beautiful young hanyou that tormented his conscious. But the more he drank the more the image of the lovely, silver-haired hanyou with golden eyes and sun-kissed silky skin kept plaguing his mind. ‘How could I,’ he thought to himself, ‘have this woman in my home and as my mate, and not take her to my bed and caress those high full breasts and sample that which would be rightfully mine?’ But as quickly as this thought entered his mind he quickly put it out of his head. If only his father had chosen some homely, shrieking shrew to be his mate. How could he ever take this woman to his bed after that vermin Naraku had already sampled her soft, beautiful body? ‘If only she had acted as though she had been put upon.' But the lovely little bitch had acted as though she had not minded at all being taken by that scum of a pirate.

As the night wore on, Sesshomaru drank more and more as he tried to clear his mind of Inuyasha Yamamaru. But with the strong liquor, the vision of his lovely mate became more vivid in his thinking.

Not all the guests had left. One had remained behind. Koga Inoue, Prince of the Southern wolf clan and his closet friend stood in the doorway staring at his silver hair demon. Tossing the long black ponytail over his shoulder, he walked in and sat down on the window sill beside his friend. Dressed only in a brown fur kilt, the wolf didn't go for all the silk and frump the other demon royalty went for. Koga sat and listened to the dog demon grumble angrily and drunk more sake. "Hey man, what in the hell are you doing down here drinking when you have the prettiest demon upstairs waiting for you?"

Sesshomaru jerked his head up to glare with a frown at the wolf. He had not known the wolf prince had even entered his study. Deepening his frown, the dog demon growled like an angry lion. "Dammit man, can't I even drink in the privacy of my own home?"

"Sure you can." Koga shrugged his shoulders and then crossed his arms over his armored-covered chest. "But considering you just got mated, I thought you would be upstairs having wild, hot, passionate sex with your mate."

That little remark earned him an angry snarl along with flashing, rage filled red eyes. Koga just laughed. "I know you my friend and I know that asking you what is wrong is a waste of time. So, let me help you to your room."

"This Sesshomaru does not need help from a flea-bitten mutt such as you." He stood up swaying slightly. Then sesshomaru took a few unsteady steps before he stumbled. Moving like the wind, the wolf was by his friend catching him before he hit the floor. Koga smirked shaking his head. For as long as he has known the dog lord, this was the first time he has seen the stoic lord drunk. It was quite amusing. He doesn’t know what is going on with his friend but it's obvious that the young princess has affected his friend. Throwing an arm over his shoulder, Koga help Sesshomaru upstairs to his bedroom. Stripping him of his clothes, and placing the cover over him, Koga smiled down at his friend. "See you later, dog breath." Then he slipped out of the room and left.

xxxxx

Inuyasha awake the next morning to sunlight shining in her face. Turning to her side, she snuggled deeper into the cover when she realized what yesterday was. Bolting up right, she released a strangled cry when the cover fell away revealing that she was completely naked. 'Did we . . . ?' She clutched the blanket close to herself. 'No, I would have remembered if we did . . . anything. So, who undressed me?'

Suddenly there was a knock on her door and Mina walked in. "Good morning, princess."

"Good morning," said Inuyasha smiling. Secretly, she was relieved to see that it was the elderly fox demoness. At first she thought maybe it was Sesshomaru.

"Breakfast will be ready soon. If you would like a bath, there is a hot spring at the end of this hall," said Mina helping Inuyasha into her peach colored yukata.

"Thank you Mina. I would like that. Where is my mate?" She asked shyly.

"He's still asleep. Lord Koga asked me to let Lord Sesshomaru sleep a little longer today. I asked why and he said that he had a lot of things on his mind and was tired."

"Who is Lord Koga?"

Mina held the door opened for her and led her to the hot spring. "Lord Koga is Prince of the southern wolf clan, and is Lord Sesshomaru's closet and dearest friend. The two of them just about grew up together."

"I see," said Inuyasha. They arrived at a large oak door with a dog carved into it. Opening the door, they went inside. Steam filled the room as Mina walked over to a lever and pulled down on it. A small window opened in the roof and the steam escaped out of it. There were benches to sit on and a silken black screen with a firebird painted on it where she could undress in peace. Towels and bath supplies were arranged around the edge of the pool. Inuyasha inhaled as the scent of lavender assaulted his nostrils. She went behind the screen and removed her yukata. She slipped into the steaming water and sighed.

"I'm surprised you didn't get a chance to meet Lord Koga at the banquet."

"Well, I think I would have remembered seeing a wolf,but I was so busy meeting with the other Lords and their mates that I didn't have a chance to meet everyone," said Inuyasha picking up a bar of soap and cleaning herself.

"Doesn't matter, you shall meet them soon enough. Anyway, I should go see about breakfast," said Mina.

"Okay." But before Mina could leave Inuyasha stopped her. “Mina, wait.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Who undressed me last night?” Inuyasha asked looking away shyly.

Mina smiled as the dog princess cheeks became flushed. “I did, princess.” Inuyasha stared up at the elder demoness with wide golden eyes. “Lord Sesshomaru asked me to undress you after he put you to bed.”

“Oh.” She let her gaze drop down to the water. “That was kind of him.” Then she looked up at Mina. “And thank you.”

“It was my pleasure, my lady.” Then the old fox demoness left her alone.

After her bath, Inuyasha went into her room and dressed in a pink shen-I. Smoothing out the wrinkle in the skirt, she went down to breakfast. She stopped at the door and drew in a deep breath and exhaled. She opened the door and was disappointed to see that there was no one there. Sitting down, Mina brought in her food.

"Mina, where is Sesshomaru and Sya?"

"That Sya girl has eaten already and went out into the garden. As for Lord Sesshomaru, his breakfast was taken to him in his study. He sends his apologies, but he has a lot of work to catch up on."

"I see." Inuyasha began to dejectedly eat her breakfast. She wished she knew some people she could talk to but alas, she is a stranger in a strange land. She pushed away the remainder of her meal and left.

Inuyasha walked through the castle until she came to the training grounds. There she saw the guards all practicing. Sitting in the doorway, she watched them closely studying their every move. She so wanted to be out there with them. But even she knew, there was no way in hell they would let her train with them. first, because she was the lady of the west and Sesshomaru would probably behead them for letting her train with them. Second, she was a female and third and probably the most important reason, 'I’m a hanyou and hanyous are weak.' She said in mock disdain of the reason why she would not be allowed to train with the men.

So, Inuyasha spent her day in the palace watching the guards practice and being bored out of her skull. Well she wasn't going to take it anymore. She went to Sesshomaru’s study and knocked on the door. There was no answer. So, she opened the door to an empty room. Inuyasha became very angry. ‘That bastard has slipped out of the castle.’ She raised her nose into the air and sniffed for him but he was not in the castle. Well, she would fix him for leaving her alone and not telling her he was leaving. She went to her room and changed out of the dress. She dug through her trunk and pulled out a pair of gold, silk pants and a long tunic that stopped at her knees. She decided against wearing shoes. She liked to feel the earth beneath her feet. After putting her hair in a braid, she went to the balcony and leaped down from it into the garden. She saw Sya out of the corner of her eye but didn’t bother speaking to the other demoness. She was a golden blur as she leaped over the wall into the forest that surrounded the palace. She bounded from tree to tree enjoying the wind in her face. She was free. The shackles and chains of society were tossed away as she laughed childishly.

She came to a halt as she came upon a clearing. Inuyasha remained hidden in the trees and was so glad that she was down wind of the person that was in the middle of a field. Sesshomaru. So, he was here. But why? Inuyasha certainly wasn’t expecting to run into her mate, which was why she decided to leave the palace and explore. Dressed only in a pair of red hakama, she watched closely as her mate practiced on a couple of dummies. He stood surrounded by the sacks of sand. Raising one hand a green light came from his fingers and as he swung the light whip, it cut through the dummies and the sand emptied out on the ground. Inuyasha watched mesmerized as she watched the sinewy muscles moved beneath silken skin. Sweat trickled down his sensuous body to be soaked up by his hakama. Sesshomaru moved with a grace that defied nature. She could just imagine her hands stroking those lean muscles making him moan for her touch. Her eyes became half lidded as she caressed one of her breasts while staring at her handsome mate’s naked flesh. Her heart began to thump against her chest as she licked her lips. Her ears leaned flat against her head as she pinched her nipple and squeezed her breast. Sesshomaru was a god among demons as her other hand slipped into her pants and she began to stroke her clitoris. She felt a fire ignite between her thighs as heat began to spread through her belly. She moaned softly wishing Sesshomaru was stroking her core. She stopped suddenly when she saw her mate sniff the air.

'Shit!' She was so aroused at the sight of his lean, strong, muscled, sweat glistening frame that she forgot her mate would smell her even if she was down wind of him. Inuyasha quickly disappeared into the forest. She had to get away before he realized that she was watching him. And worse, she was pleasuring herself while watching his glistening naked flesh.

Inuyasha was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she missed the turn she should have taken to go back to the palace. Instead she went deeper into the woods until she came upon a large size village called Chuugoku. She went into the village to look around the shops. The marketplace was large with several vendors from all over Japan. There were demons and humans in the village. Although the demons were all situated at the center of the village while the humans were in the outer rings of the village. She became a little irritated as the people stared at her. Some didn't pay any attention to her while some would leer at her. There was some that sneered at her calling her a dirty hanyou. She paid them no mind as long as they didn't touch her. She was inside a silversmith shop thinking maybe she would get something for her mate. But what do you get for the demon that has everything. Deciding that Sesshomaru would probably not wear jewelry she continued to look in the other shops until she came to a curio shop. Going inside, her nose was met with a stale musty scent. She sneezed as dust went up her nostrils.

"Welcome, young lady," said a raccoon demon. "And what might . . ." He stopped when he saw her dog ears sitting on top of her head. "You're a hanyou. Get out!"

Inuyasha growled and was about to rip the demon throat out when she saw something white lying across a table behind the demon. Walking past the stunned demon, she found what she was looking for. It was as white as her own hair and very soft to the touch. She ran her hand over the fluff and smiled. "What is it?"

"Something in which you cannot afford, half breed," the demon said in disgust.

Inuyasha growled and then calmed herself. She took a deep breath and said through clenched teeth. "I have more than enough to buy this."

The raccoon arched a brow. "Who did you steal that money from? I should send for the guards and have you arrested, thief."

That was the last straw. Inuyasha raked her claws across the demon’s face. The demon stared at her in rage. He was about to say something when she grabbed him around the throat slamming him against the wall. "The lady of the west does not need to steal."

Upon hearing this, the raccoon demon paled as his eyes widened in horror at who he has just insult. This was the lord of the west mate. 'Can’t be? He would never let her leave the confines of the palace by herself.' "You lie. The lord of the west would never allow his mate to leave the palace without an escort."

"I do as I please. I am a dog demon. whether I’m male or female, full blooded or half blooded, I am still stronger than you." And to prove her point, she tossed him across the room. He crashed against the wall and fell to the floor with a thud. "Now wrap this up before you really piss me off."

Knowing that he was in fact not stronger than she, he quickly wrapped the fur boa for her. Inuyasha took out a sack of gold coins and tossed only one coin on the counter. "Something for your trouble."

The demon was about to say something but she flashed him a murderous glare silencing him. Grabbing her package, she turned and walked out of the shop. After purchasing her gift, she left the village.

xxxxx

As Inuyasha made her way back home, she came across a small house. Cautiously, she made her way to the front door. She knocked on the door but no one answered. "Hello," Inuyasha called out, opening the door. She knew it was rude to enter someone's home without permission, but the small house in the forest peeked her interest. 'Who could be living out here in the middle of the forest?'

Inuyasha went through the house but there was no one there. It was strange. There were clothes, food and furniture indicating that someone did live in the house but there weren't a sign of who that might be. Sighing heavily, she decided to leave. Just as Inuyasha opened the door, she was met by a young man dressed in a dark blue robe with a purple sash holding a staff, and a young woman dressed in black with pink knee and elbow pads. She had a large bone boomerang on her back. And perched on her shoulder was a cute creme colored two-tail cat demon.

The two immediately took up a defensive position. The little cat leaped from the human's shoulder and burst into flames. When the flames cleared, where the little cat stood there was a large cat with long fangs and fire dancing around its feet.

"Who are you?" demanded the female gripping her boomerang tightly.

"Wait," Inuyasha said dropping her package and raising her hands to show she was not trying to hurt them. "I'm sorry. I came upon this house, and I was wondering if it was abandoned?"

"No, this is our home," said the male. "We can tell that you are a dog demon hanyou. So, what is your name?"

"Oh, please excuse my rudeness. My name is Inuyasha and as of yesterday I am the new lady of the west."

The humans stared at the hanyou in shocked. The cat demon immediately changed back into her smaller form and lowered her head to the ground in show of respect to the new lady of the west.

"Oh please forgive us princess," said the woman bowing to her. The man bowed as well. "We did not know. We had heard that the lord had mated a half demoness from China, but . . ." the woman was speechless.

"It's okay. I’m sure you weren't expecting me to show up out of nowhere to invade your home."

"Well, our home is always open to you princess Inuyasha," said the male.

"Thank you. So, what are you names?"

"That's right. We haven't introduced ourselves. My name is Sango. I am a demon slayer. This is my husband, Miroku. He is a monk and this is Kilala she is my companion and helper."

"How weird. A demon slayer with a demon for a companion," said Inuyasha scratching the side of her nose. "Doesn't your companion get upset at you slaying demons?"

"Oh no princess, you don't understand," said Sango smiling. "I don't go around killing every demon I run into. I only go after those that are hurting humans."

"I see."

"So princess, would you care to join us for lunch?" asked Miroku smiling politely.

They seem nice enough. She really should be going back home though. Sesshomaru might become angry if she is not there. Inuyasha snorted. She doubted he would be worried about her since he didn't come down to breakfast or even seek her out to go for a walk or anything. So, why the hell should she be worried if he becomes upset if she's not there when he returns from his training. 'He could have invited me with him to watch. Jerk,' she thought sulkily. All that awaited her there was boredom. She had no friends to talk with and these two humans were the only ones that have been kind to her since she arrived in Japan. With her decision made, she smiled at the couple. "I will stay but only if you call me Inuyasha."

Sango smiled and led Inuyasha back inside the house followed by Miroku and Kilala.

xxxxx

It was well pass lunch time and still no one could find the princess. Sesshomaru was becoming angrier by the minute. He stormed into her room glaring at the clothes that was thrown across the bed.

Suddenly Jaken rushed into the room. "My lord, the Lady Sya said she had seen the princess leave the grounds heading into the forest."

Sesshomaru snarled in rage. "Why didn't she tell me this at the beginning of lunch?" ‘That woman is slowly taxing my patience with her.' Without saying anything, he turned to the opened balcony.

"My lord, where are you going?" squawked the imp.

"To find my wayward mate." The dog lord leaped from the balcony into the gardens. Leaping over the wall, he disappeared into the forest.

Following her scent, he came to the path that would lead to the field where he was practicing earlier that morning. 'I thought I had caught a whiff of her scent.' But the scent went in two directions. He turned in the other direction away from the field. Sometime later, he arrived at the city of Chuugoku. Everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed to the lord of the west.

He followed her scent into several shops and when he asked about her. All the shopkeepers replied that they had seen his mate. Walking into the last shop Inuyasha went into, the raccoon demon paled when Sesshomaru described his mate to the demon.

"Y-yes my lord, she was here," he said frightened. Suddenly the demon fell to his knees pressed his forehead to the floor. "Please forgive me, my lord. When she said that she was your mate I did not believe her. I thought that she was some filthy little half breed thief. Forgive me."

"Do you know where she went?" he asked.

"No my lord, she just bought something and left," said the shopkeeper.

'Silly little bitch!' Sesshomaru turned and stormed out of the shop. Once he got to the edge of the village he picked up her scent once again. 'Dammit, all I can say is you better be in mortal danger because if not . . .' He didn't get to finish his thought as her scent was becoming stronger the farther he went.

xxxxx

Inuyasha arrived at the palace on Kilala's back. Her new friends had loan her the cat demon to take her back home. She placed her package on the ground and hugged Kilala. She thanked the cat for bringing her back. Kilala licked her face and took to the sky. Inuyasha stood and watched the cat disappear. Sighing, she was so happy that she now had three new friends. They even invited her back whenever she wanted. As she turned to go inside, the guards along with Jaken rushed out to meet her.

"My lady, are you all right?" Jaken asked frantically. He scurried around her checking to see if she was hurt. "What happened? Where were you?"

"Calm down, what is going on around here?" she asked arching a delicate black brow.

"Lord Sesshomaru became worried when you didn't come down to lunch." Jaken clutched his two head staff. "When the servant came back saying, you weren't in your room. He had us search the entire castle for you. And when you weren't found, he became worried."

"Didn't Sya tell him," said Inuyasha frowning irritated. "She saw me when I left the grounds."

"It was only after we searched the palace and the garden for fifteen minutes, she decided to tell us she saw you head into the forest." The little green imp grumped out folding his arms across his chest. "You shouldn't leave the grounds without letting someone know you are leaving."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make all of you worry." Her ears drooped on the top of her head. "I promise. I will let someone know where I am next time."

"If there is a next time," said one of the guards.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Lord Sesshomaru was pretty angry when he went to look for you," replied the other guard.

Oh dear, she had forgotten about her mate and his bad temper, according to Totosai. She didn't mean to make him worry. It’s just that she was having such a good time with her new friends that everything else didn't seem important to her. She dearly hoped he will not forbid her from seeing her new friends again. She sighed, shaking her head. She would have to deal with it when the time comes, but for now, she had an obnoxious lazy demoness to deal with.

"Jaken, where is Lady Fu?"

"She is in her room," he said frowning irritated at the mentioning of the spoiled demoness. "She says she has a headache."

'Since when does a demon have headaches?' "Thank you." Then she strolled up to the castle. As soon as she stepped inside, she was surrounded by a group of panicky servants, and Mina held her in a tight hug.

"Princess, you're safe," the elderly demoness said wiping tears from her eyes. "We were so worried about you. We didn't know where you were and that . . . that woman didn't say a word about seeing you leave."

"Don't worry about her. I'm sorry for making you all worry. It was not my intentions to make you worry so much." She kissed the elderly demon on the cheek. "It won't happen again. I promise."

"Since you promise, I guess I can let it go this time," Mina said placing her hands on her hips. "But if it happens again, I swear I am putting you across my knee and giving you a spanking you will never forget."

"Yes ma'am," said Inuyasha smiling relieved that the elder demoness isn't too angry with her. "Jaken said Sya is in her room."

"Yes, my lady." Mina frown.

Inuyasha sneered. "Could you put this in my room?" she handed the package to Mina and went to talk with Sya.

xxxxx

Inuyasha went to Sya's room and knocked lightly on the door. It wasn’t as though she was concerned about the dark hair demoness as much as the woman was beginning to piss her off. Maybe she was a little worried. It wasn't natural for a demon to have headaches.

"Enter!" Sya's voice was a shout from the other side of the door.

Inuyasha entered looking about the dark room. She had the curtains drawn and was lying on her bed. “Sya, are you feeling well? Do you wish to see the healer?"

Sya realized that it was Inuyasha that had entered her room and held back an angry retort. "I am fine. I wish only to be left alone so I can rid myself of this throbbing headache."

"Well, perhaps opening the drapes and windows to let some fresh air and sunlight in will help?" Inuyasha questioned, starting toward the window.

"No," Sya hissed startling Inuyasha. "I only wish to be left alone. Can’t you get that through that thick half breed head of yours? The only thing you can do for me is send up one of those useless servants with some food. I do not wish to starve to death in this forsaken country.”

"Very well," said Inuyasha. Trying to overlook the bitch's foul mood, Inuyasha headed for the door to leave.

"Inuyasha." Sya sneered before she could leave.

Inuyasha turned waiting for the other girl to speak.

"What happened last night?" She sat up in bed. Her eyes glowed eerily in the dark. "I would have thought you and your mate would be like wild beasts in heat." Sya began to snicker sadistically. "But yet, I witnessed him leaving your room after carrying you inside. Could it be that your disgusting, deformed, half breed body wasn't pleasing to his eyes?"

Inuyasha bristled under the attack, but held her tongue. She only turned and left the room with Sya's laughter following her down the hall.

Inuyasha found she was near tears with rage. She stormed down the stairs and ran into Jaken knocking him down. She glared down at the imp with murderous golden eyes. The imp cringed in fear. "My-My lady, is something w-wrong?"

Suddenly an evilly wicked smile spread across her face. She would show that bitch. Sya wanted to play dirty. She would show that common looking whore that she could be just as petty and mean if pushed. And Sya had pushed. "Jaken, I want you to inform all the servants that Lady Fu is not to receive any food in her room. If she does not come down to join us, she will not be fed. Also, no one is to go into her room to change the sheets or to clean up. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my lady but . . . "

"Nope," she said raising a hand stopping him from finishing his sentence. "It's best you not know any more than you have to." She smiled feeling very good all of a sudden. Then she went up to her room. Opening the package, she took out the white fluffy boa. She stroked it gently and rubbed her cheek against it. "So soft." Snuggling into the fluff, she fell fast asleep.

xxxxx

When the angry demon lord arrived home, Jaken had told Sesshomaru that Inuyasha was up in her room. He slipped into her room and found his mate asleep on the bed cuddling a fluffy blanket or something. As he neared, his eyes widened to see what she was clutching. It was his mokomoko. He thought it was lost forever. After it was lost during the storm, he thought he would never see the gift his father had given him ever again.

Sesshomaru sat on the bed and gently caressed his mate's cheek. Inuyasha stirred lightly and her eyes slowly opened. She bolted upright when she saw her mate staring down at her. "Sesshomaru."

"Where did you get this?" he asked holding up the white fluff.

"I found it in a curio shop in a village I came upon called Chuugoku. I just had to have it. It just made me think of you. It had looked as though it would go great with your white kimonos." She stared down at her hands as it gripped the fluff tightly. "That stupid store owner didn't want to sell it to me."

"Thank you. I thought it was gone forever. It was a family heirloom from my mother. Father gave it to me when I became of age." He began to gently stroke the boa.

"What happened?" Inuyasha asked softly. "To your mother I mean?"

Suddenly his eyes became hard as ice as he glared at her. Inuyasha gasped and looked away. "I'm sorry I did not mean to pry."

Sesshomaru sighed and his eyes softened. "No, it's okay. We know nothing about each other and it is natural that you would want to know something about your mate." He took a deep breath. "She died giving birth to me. I have never seen her face. I only have portraits of her to go by. Father said that mother was going to give me the mokomoko," he held up the white fluffy boa, "when I became an adult."

"Oh, well, I’m glad I found it for you." She placed the mokomoko across his right shoulder and smiled. "I was right. It does suit you."

"Come,it is time for dinner." He took her by the hand and helped her off the bed. Then he leads her downstairs to the dinner area.

xxxxx

As they walked into the room, Inuyasha was surprised to see only Jaken and the servants. She looked at the imp. "Jaken, where is Lady Fu?"

The little imp looked away nervously.

"I told Jaken to cancel your orders about not taking food up to her room," said Sesshomaru. He led Inuyasha to one of the cushions. She sat down and he sat down at the head of the table.

"Why would you counter my command like that?" she asked upset.

"Because your little companion is not good company. She grates on my nerves. Everything my people do is wrong in her eyes." He waited until the servants had placed the food before them before he spoke again. "Why would you want something like her accompanying you here?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Believe me, it was definitely not my idea to bring her along. If it was up to me, I would have come by myself. But my father seemed to think it was a good idea. Personally, I believe it was the doing of my stepmother. She just wanted us out of her hair. Besides she's hoping Sya will find herself a nice demon lord and stay here."

Sesshomaru sneered. "She won't find anyone if she keeps up that nasty attitude of hers." They began to eat. After a while, he turned to his mate. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," said Inuyasha placing down her chopsticks.

"I guess my main question is why in the hell a woman with your beauty and charm would wish to mate a man she does not know? He asked, his anger mounting at the thought of himself having been trapped into a mating. Even though his mate was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, he still had been trapped into mating and his sorely bruised his pride.

Inuyasha sat frozen gripping the edge of the table as his words seeped into her head. She had been forced into this mating against her will and now in addition to everything else she had endured, this baka acts as though she had set out to deliberately trap him into mating her. "How dare you?!" she shouted jumping to her feet in a fit of rage. "Do you think for one second that I would wish to travel to this savage country and mate myself to such a barbaric brute such as yourself?"

Sesshomaru looked up at this delicate woman whose eyes were flashing with tiny sparks of fire. Never would he have imagined this small wisp of a half demoness possessed such a temper. "Then why would you have agreed to such a proposal?" he questioned watching her stomp about the room.

"I-I agree? I never wanted this or any other mating arranged for me. I was forced into this mating by my father and that shrew of a stepmother," she raged, her face flaming red.

"I suppose you were forced into mating me," sesshomaru said icily as he rose from his cushion, "as you were forced by Naraku?" He said his words slowly and menacingly.

"Pardon me?" Inuyasha asked not understanding the full meaning of his words.

"You know perfectly well, what I mean and I shall have an answer from you now."

Inuyasha stood stunned as the realization of his words came to her. "You, you are a loud mouthed, arrogant fool and I have no intention of answering any of your disgusting, filthy questions," she all but shouted, anger overruling her better judgement.

"By damn you will answer my questions, princess. Even if I have to beat the answers out of you to gain that which I wish to know. I am master of this house, and you for better or worse are now my mate."

"I had no choice in the mate I was forced to join with and I have no intentions of answering your vile questions. So if you must show your superiority over this poor female hanyou, by all means go right ahead," she said trying to stand up to him and not show her fear. "But you better be warned, you mess with me and you better be ready to deal with the consequences."

Her words were like ice water thrown in Sesshomaru's face. Never before had he threatened a woman, let alone raised a hand to one. But this proud beautiful woman before him had aroused some strong feelings within him and he could barely control his words or his senses. How could this woman who was now his mate bring his anger to such a high peak? Before he realized how or why, he found himself tightly embracing Inuyasha and bringing his lips down upon those lips which were tempting him so.

Inuyasha fought and shoved against his unwelcome attack. She hated to admit it, but the full blood dog demon was too strong for her.

Finally, Sesshomaru's lips found their target and he covered hers with his own. Inuyasha pushed against him in a panic, but then as suddenly as Sesshomaru had grabbed her, she felt herself melting against him and kissing him in return, savoring the taste, feel, and smell of this powerful and virile demon.

Sesshomaru released her abruptly and moved back a few steps. Inuyasha stood dazed and breathless, leaning her back against the wall.

"Princess, I have told you I am master of this house and I shall also, my beloved, be master of you when and if I wish it."

Inuyasha stood as though stunned. She could not believe what had happened. How could her body betray her and respond to this horrible man's passion and kisses? What had come over her?

Sesshomaru looked upon her a moment longer, his amber eyes as cold and hard as steel. Then without another word, he turned and walked from the room.

When he had vanished from the room, Inuyasha fell to her knees covering her face with her hands and sobbed until her tears would fall no more. "How could this have happened?" she cried aloud. How could she have responded to his kisses and gentle caresses after the terrible things he had said? But even as her mind took on these thoughts, she could still feel the touch of his lips upon her own. She had to admit to herself she had enjoyed his lips on hers' and she also had to admit that no other man had ever made her feel as sesshomaru had with that one searing kiss. She had not thought it possible for her body to feel so encompassed by such strange emotions or the feelings she had of wanting something more. She had never met a man as virile and masculine as he. She knew she would have to keep a tight restraint upon her body and not give it another chance to betray her again.

Inuyasha returned to her room exhausted and fell onto her bed. After several long terrible minutes of thinking about what just happened she finally fell asleep and dreamed of long silver hair, and piercing amber eyes.