All Change In Time

♥

Kagome had fell deep into the unending phenomenon of the bath, her skin sponged of all it’s suffering during the stretch of hours. She was at first alert…keen to every inch that Sesshomaru covered with the royal cloth that only he was permitted to use. But as time drew forward, and she became accustomed to the slow pace of the other’s strokes, she had dwindled from her tension into s state of laziness, her shoulders slack with slumber. Sesshomaru did not care. In fact, he smiled thickly once Kagome’s eyes began to droop, catching her comical expressions in her reflection. However, he did not bother to change pace, as he enjoyed the thought of her slipping into such a state, as it imposed the possibility that he was forgiven. And yet…he knew better. The things he had done would remain a bitter taste in Kagome’s mouth, and she would never treat him more than a creature of disgusting behavior.

Kagome had never said such to him, but the proposition in his head still delivered a slight sting. Unknowingly his fingers pressed down harder, slithering through the folds of a particularly deep cut, and she hissed through her teeth. Stunned, he immediately uttered an apology. Almost immediately after this, his ears flicked in mild interest. He said he was sorry to a slave? Golden eyes rolled sarcastically as he stood away from her, clapping his hands with a sharp, tart nod of his head. “Bath timer, Sr, Slave.”

Kagome noticed his aristocratic behavior had returned, and it was safe to say she did not find pleasure in this. His face, which had actually glowed from a short while, froze itself with that familiar cold stare, in which captured her naked flesh with a misguided glance. She ducked further into the water, washing the blots of soap on her back, before standing, forced to walk in front of him. She could not help but blush as Sesshomaru cleared the pearl liquid, averting her eyes with a stifled cough. This seemed to anger him somewhat.

“You do not like what you see, Slave?” Sesshomaru’s voice was cut by a thin tone of annoyance, but he said nothing more, turning his back to her. He could not help but feel disappointment when Kagome had shifted away from him, nervously tying his own robes to himself to avoid fueling her new passion of side-stepping his presence.

Following this, he wandered to the elegant doors of a closet, groping his hand within the marble shelves to find something for her. Obviously her previous uniform was not repairable, as his poisonous nails had eroded much of the material. He felt apprehensive about mentioning this…as he did not feel as though she would remember that small of a detail. Deciding to belittle the issue, he plucked a silver garb from it’s place and tossed it lightly at her. “Here,” he said, pretending to be nonchalant, “this will be your new attire so long as you dwell here.” He did not dare to mention how long that would be, in case it would upset her. He didn’t feel as though he had the will to witness any more tears. Managing to keep his chillingly distant gaze, he turned from her, nodding in silent agreement (to settle the subject) and then walked from the room. He did not care to see her dress…to harass her further. He merely felt the pull of sleep, and he trusted she would not wander far. Besides that trust, he had posted strict commands to his guards, who were all a little anxious to get their wart-infested hands on the futuristic maiden. He threated them a death by his own unpleased hands should they indulge in their wishes.

Kagome stiffly caught the silver robes, letting the satin material slip through her fingers with its smooth texture. She didn’t want to think about how long she was going to stay. But the glow of her new clothes gave her a touch of excitement. She wasn’t a worthless toy at least. Carefully, minding the tedious work it took to maneuver the buttons and assorted ties, she dressed herself, taking her time. She brushed her cheek over her shoulder, gleeful at the touch of the sleek fabric, and then stretched, feeling as though she had been awoken from a long, hideous dream. Had it not been for the many wounds laid over her flesh and the mar between her legs (which she could still feel somewhat) she might have believed she had made up the whole thing in a fit of terror…

But she knew better. And this made the taste of bile in her throat stir by knowing that the beast that had just given her a precious costume had taken something even more precious from her. Nothing he could trade would repay that debt. She held her belly with a silent grimace, understanding that she could never love a thing like him. Not while she was sane.

With Sesshomaru missing, Kagome had free reign over the halls. Every underling she encountered either scuttled discreetly from her path or entirely fled her sight. She frowned a bit, wondering what strange command she had over these things, but she had no time to investigate, as she wandered quickly from room to room until she stumbled into the open chambers of Sesshomaru.

Her eyes widened, suddenly wrought with fear and doubt, before she spied that his eyes were indeed shut, and his breathing was hushed…calm. He was sleeping? For some reason, she had the idea that this Prince of Night had no need for slumber. But here he was! She lowered her eyes, bowing her head with due respect for the unwitting demon, before his voice caressed her hearing, laced with a delicate whine of worry. "Rin…” His murmur was faint, leaving his lips just before he tossed from one side to the other, his hair messily spilled over his head. “Rin? Where are you?” His lips twitched, and Kagome knew he was only dreaming, but she still stared…fascinated. Sesshomaru winced, and his hands strung to his heart as it tugged the clothing covering it. “Come back to me…Rin.”

Kagome was finally able to turn and flee down the remainder of the hall, gasping to conceal her new secret. Sesshomaru had truly gained affection for the child he had supposedly saved! She had heard tainted rumors from the dark corners of villages about how Inuyasha’s brother had grown soft, but never had she actually drank the word of a deserted whisper! But with Sesshomaru’s marauding rest, she had gained the story for her own account. She covered her face…thinking. It was only a moment before she rose, her eyes glittering with a peaceful light, while her head fell back and allowed her to stare out a window where the sun was peaking freely from the ebbing night. She would not leave Sesshomaru until she helped him find Rin. She felt that she owed him…somehow. But this not as a slave would give to a master. Rather…it was as a friend might give to a friend.

♥

It was night again. Time drawled a whole day and a half without anyone (on the gang’s side at least) knowing how Kagome was. Or even where she was for that matter. Inuyasha tossed a few pebbles impatiently into a small lake he had been fixated at for the past few hours, looking hopelessly into the horizon. He could not help feel sympathy for his beloved Kikyou, but Kagome still lingered in his head…a sickness he could not cure. He dwelled back on past memories with a faint smile, his eyes fluttering shut as his nostrils sniffed at her imaginary scent. He had commented on her smell far at the birth of their journeys quite by accident, and never had he done so again. But he would have said it a number of times should he only have her with him.

His ears enlisted to aid him as the shadows emitted the hushed crack of a twig to his left. It being somewhat behind him, he did not bother turning, but listened carefully, his patience thinner than the dew already beading the grass he sat on. Earth and soil dirtied his hands where he had dug into the ground with fury earlier before (hoping foolishly to immerse his troubles by creating a hole large enough to hide in), and he tucked them against his chest, sullen.

Kikyou shifted from her hiding spot, releasing a small sigh of wonderment as she neared her promised one. Just weeks ago it had been apparent of her intentions, but for a witness it appeared her mind had changed considerably…shifting from the temptation of hate to simple temptation itself. Her lips were full, pursed from starvation for him. She wanted him. Her hands slipped daintily around his chest, folding through the arms that he had tightly tucked against anyone, feeling a twinge of satisfaction when they loosened for her. “Inuyasha,” she said silkily, nuzzling her cheek into his for just a moment before pulling it away again,” would you have me here with you? For just a while at least?”

His sigh was the only hint she needed, and she imposed this response by slithering tighter against him. He did not react at first…letting her have his way with him. His mind still focused on the remains of Kagome, and he had trouble leaning into such treachery. However when her fingers felt lower, having a go at his belt…he shifted uncomfortably, looking into her eyes. She had been looking directly at him all along of course, searching desperately for a sign that she might feel him. That she might have him as she had requested. The glow of her expression made his heart ache very much so, questioning himself while he took her in his arms, a growl of submission hanging into the atmosphere.

They began as it had begun just as Kagome saw it…their lips finding one another. It was not a long period. Actually, it was no search at all. They knew one another to the extent they knew themselves, and their movements were teasing. Instantly Kikyou’s mouth parted, permitting Inuyasha to snake his tongue inside the hole that had spat words of acid at him once before, and their breath mingled with one contented exhale. She fell forward, pressing her chest against his, her hands exploring back up his body until they rested like nervous doves on his shoulders, pressing down to support her. He leaned further up, filling his own hands with her cloth, and he tugged at it, dully falling into the trouble he was stirring. He only wanted to touch something. Whether it was Kagome, Kikyou, or a stranger…it meant all the same to him. He did not want to perform the task of “making love”. He only wanted to instigate the instinct to hide from his responsibilities.

Immediately his brain came to life, stunned at his own behavior. Had he really devolved into this?! With intense, unmistakable purpose he shoved himself from the half-naked Kikyou, averting his eyes to the sky with shame at studying her. Kikyou gave a shocked gasp, nearly falling off into the ground, but she caught herself as well as her disheveled robes, giving Inuyasha a dueling, careful glance. He suddenly pushed her away further, freeing himself of her body, and he stood, brushing himself off. His hair fell neatly around his waist, a few frays braiding over his face as it turawayaway fror. Hr. He was encased with his own inward battle, saying nothing to her, but crossing his arms again, shutting her out.

Kikyou seemed confused at first…but this was not a lasting phase. Tartly, she stood as well, nearly striking Inuyasha with a raised fist. “You would use me as cheap entertainment, Inuyasha? And here I actually believed you loved me!” Her bottom lip, which he had suckled on seemingly with affection moments earlier, trembled with her ill rage. Her own hair was messy, having coming loose by his roaming fingers, and she tucked the full tresses from her way, scoffing. “Or have you rejected me because of that girl Kagome?”

Inuyasha faced her now, and she took a timid step back, his face minced with controlled anger at testing that name in such a tone. “I do not have time for games now, Kikyou!” He gestured as he spoke, trying to get some sort of point across to her. However, this only seemed to further agitate the priestess, and she smirked cruelly, tossing her head with an uncaring shrug.

Inuyasha’s face fell, as he knew this was not the woman he had fell in love with. His mind reached out for her, but only touched a certain darkness in her eyes that seemed to stretch onward like the cold of winter. She was callused…a ruined creature. “Kikyou,” he began, as his voiecamecame weak and tired, “you have changed It is like you are not even the same person. You do not even resemble yourself since your resurrection.”

This night suddenly was chilled, and she looked at him with an arch in her brow, her voice barely heard even as his ears flushed forward to catch it. “So you would betray me again?” Inuyasha began to defend himself, turning to face her properly, but she never gave him the chance. “You fool!” she screamed, spit flecking on his face, “I do not think you’re capable of being even half demon! Your spine is softer than the mud I tread on!” He was visibly hurt by her comment, but she threw her hands in his face, turning her back to him. “If you wish to find your Kagome,” she whispered while her voice turned into a tool of venom, “then I only hope she can realize that loving you is a stupid dream.” She gazed over her shoulder, relishing the way a few tears had sprung in the corners of his eyes. At last, she finished with her hardest, lowest blow by saying, “However, I don’t think she’ll have to worry about it…seeing as you cannot seem to make up your mind. No one could ever fall in love with a halfling after all. No one but me at least. And you have shown that you are not worry of my love, Inuyasha.” She saw his shoulders shake with a stifled sob, but she smiled wickedly and stepped forward, sifting into the place she had come from. She’d show him!

[Writer] I made Kikyou a true biznotch o.O;; Reviews, as always -bows- Oh yeah...about the latest review I got ^_^ I'm sorry, anonymous reviewer, if you do not like my material. But however, no one makes you read this, so such language is unnecessary...not to mention tacky. Bye bye! [End Writer]