Sesshoumaru Meets His Match?
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InuYasha › General
Rating:
Adult ++
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
InuYasha › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
Views:
3,855
Reviews:
16
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.
A Fight and Dinner is Served
* I don't own any Inuyasha characters except for the ones I have made up,( such as Liz, Susan, blah, blah, blah, you get the idea ) and taken from my own twisted and disturbed mind *
A/N: Wow! I never thought I’d get to chapter 7 of any of my stories and yet, here it is…Chapter 7! Lets all do a dance! Wooo-hoooo!! ^_^ Plus don’t leave without reviewing, how am I supposed to know what you like and don’t like if you don’t review?
* does a victory dance around the room, trips and falls flat on face *
O.o! * sniffles and starts to cry *
My kneeee!!!!!! * sniffles * Anyhoo, on with the story! ;_;
Warnings: A bit of lime in this chapter at the end. Nothing major…yet! ^_~
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Vocabulary List:
Togaru – To be sour
Yuki - snow
ningen - human
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Chapter 7 – A Fight and Dinner is Served
--------------------
Liz was still sitting in her new room when Sayuri returned to the room with another servant girl who looked a little younger than her. She too was a demon judging by the ears that were poking out of the white head scarf she was wearing.
“This is Yuki; she will be taking you to the kitchens where you are to start working, also Lord Sesshoumaru as ordered that you serve the table this night. So make sure you are clean, ningen,” with that Sayuri left them to attend her own duties elsewhere.
Liz smiled pleasantly at the girl before her, but got snubbed as the girl turned away with swish of her loose jet-black hair and a curt, “Follow me ningen. Moreover, don’t dally! I haven’t the time to stop and find you if you can’t keep up.”
Liz was shocked, what had she done to warrant such a reception? And what was with this “ningen” shit? She was about to ask about that when the girl took off at a very brisk pace that had Liz practically running to keep up with the girl. It was a good thing that Liz kept herself in shape after leaving high school or else she’d be huffing and puffing in the effort of keeping up. {You did when that awful man dragged you to his room to tell you your punishment,} taunted her mind. [Shut the hell up. I had just taken my first airplaneless flight on a fucking CLOUD dumbass,] she berated thoughts.
~snort~ {Whatever you want to say sweetness!}
[I can't believe I'm arguing with myself like this,] thought Liz disgustedly.
However, they did make it to the kitchens just as the huge chef holding what looked to be a small war axe ( but was in actuality a cleaver made to fit his immense proportions ) was starting the evening meal. Liz backed up a step or two when he turned her way and grinned revealing a mouthful of sharp white fang-like teeth. Liz wanted to turn and run but she caught the small smirk on Yuki’s face out of the corner of her eye. *Hmm, so she wants to see me squirm huh*, thought Liz grimly. Stepping forward Liz plastered on a bright false smile and walked up to the knife wielding chef and announced in a chipper voice, “My name is Liz and I was sent here to help.” She even batted her eyelashes impishly, causing the huge greenish colored chef to let out a rumbling chuckle. He obviously knew what Yuki was up to and was laughing at her failure.
“Good, good! You must be the scrawny ningen Lord Sesshoumaru has sent here,” said the large demon with a wide grin on his ugly face. He reaching out he ruffled Liz’s hair roughly in a familiar manner and told her with a laugh in his voice to get to work cleaning dishes.
Liz wasn’t sure what to make of the large demon ( but it was refreshing not to be taunted for once ); he was a lot nicer than the lord of the place was and a lot nicer than the majority of female demons she was going to be bunking with for an undetermined amount of time. What she still didn’t understand is why everyone called her ‘ningen’. From the way it sounds, it wasn’t very complimentary, and she vowed to find out what it meant.
As the hours passed by uneventfully and got closer to the dinner hour, Liz discovered not everyone disliked her; the kitchen staff was quite friendly in fact, as most of them have had some sort of past dealings with human vendors in a local village. However, her suspicion about what ningen meant proved true, it wasn’t very complimentary to be constantly called that, and was embarrassed somewhat that she didn’t notice what it meant herself, just by the way it was being said towards her.
“But at least the chef stopped calling me that,” she muttered as she continued to wash the seemingly endless supply of dirty cookware that was used in preparing the days final meal. Moreover, what a meal it was going to be judging by the delicious smells that wafted over to Liz as she stood there at what had to be a very primitive sink. In Liz’s mind, it didn’t even deserve that dubious title! It was little more than a leaky wooden trough about waist high with an iron water pump with a bucket dangling from that and a cake of harsh lye soap.
Pulling her hands out for the umpteenth time that day Liz looked at them and said with a weary sigh, “Good grief.” Only to put them back in and continue with the seemingly never-ending chore of washing dishes. It was about two and a half hours later when she was allowed to leave to get ready for dinner. Walking back to the room she shared, Liz wondered what she was supposed to wear.
Reaching her room twenty minutes ( and several wrong turns later ), she entered the room to find Sayuri waiting for her impatiently with two other servants. All of them were dressed in kimonos a lot finer than their usual servant’s garb. The cotton was weaved in such a manner it looked like silk and the colors of each kimono were in complementary shades to their owner’s own unique coloring. It was then that Liz was aware of the many different colored kimonos still folded in separate pieces just awaiting assembly on her futon.
“Quickly, you must wash your face and hands and change your kimono ningen, we don’t have all night and your stench is overwhelming,” said one of the other female demons waspishly while wrinkling her nose. She was also dark haired like Sayuri, but unlike her reluctant tour guide this demon woman was sour faced and cross. The others nodded in quiet agreement with the sour faced woman; they all scowled at the red haired intruder causing Liz to scowl back just as fiercely.
“Look, you wouldn’t smell like a rose had you just come from the kitchen’s either,” said Liz crossly.
“Yeah but you’re a ningen, and as such you would stink no matter what,” spat the angry demoness while the others chuckled nastily behind their hands.
Liz sighed, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to quell the urge to punch the sour faced woman in the nose. She didn't know or care what species this woman was, Liz was not one to take bullshit from anyone when she felt she had done nothing really wrong in the first place. Opening her eyes, she pinned the demon with another scowl. “Look I may be a human but I have a name. Use it or I'll put my fucking fist in your fucking face, bitch.”
There was a stunned silence. No one ever had ever dared to say that to Togaru who was a rat demon. Normally no one would say something like that to a rat demon ( at least not to their face and in front of them ), everyone was generally afraid of her because as it was known throughout the palace that she fought viscously and dirty. Liz didn't know this as she wasn't familiar with everything around her yet. As it was the demon was flushed a bright cherry red, and her face was screwed up in a horrible mask of fury. Growling she lunged for Liz and the fight was on.
“GO TOGARU! MAKE THAT HUMAN BITCH PAY,” shouted a few of the other demons in the room as they cheered on their comrade.
“YEAH TOGARU, KICK HER ASS! SHOW HER WHO’S BOSS AROUND HERE!” shouted another. This general cheer was shouted from various mouths in the room. Thus garnering more on-lookers from adjoining rooms and more supporters for Togaru, which made the rat demon grin in malice, showing her lengthening front teeth as her face also began to change into more rat-like features.
*Damn, I’m not home! This can’t be happening!* thought Liz in a panic as she tried to dodge an attack made by the enraged Togaru, but failed and tripped, and as a result was kicked in the solar plexuses and the air was knocked viciously from her lungs.
Liz was unable to dodge the first attack, and was left on the ground coughing and clutching her midsection, she stayed there for a while, but the rat demoness had other plans. Grabbing Liz by the hair Togaru hauled to Liz feet, as she taunted the still coughing and gasping red head, “Well pathetic ningen, have you had enough or do you want more of the same?”
Surprising everyone in the room, Liz wheezed out between gasps for air and said a bit shakily, “No you fucking bitch I’m not done!” With that, Liz drew back her right fist and smashed with all her strength into the bewhiskered muzzle of Togaru, and Togaru not expecting any retaliation let Liz go with a shove as she clutched her nose.
“YOU FUCKING BITCH I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU! AHHHHHHH!!!” screamed the rat as she lunged at Liz claws bared and mouth drawn back in a freakish snarl revealing her jagged teeth. Liz was able to side step the enraged woman but only barely. However, as Togaru sailed by Liz tried to jam her knee into her midsection, but wound up missing badly.
“Ha! You missed you miserable excuse for a ningen. You want to try that again, Bitch?!” taunted Togaru as Liz missed and turned around to face the panting human who had also turned around as soon as she realized her back was to the brutal demoness.
Gritting her teeth Liz wanted badly to cradle her midsection as it was still burning with pain. Breathing deeply yet shallowly Liz growled through gritted teeth, “You damn straight you lousy excuse for a rat! I’ve seen rats prettier that you in my hometown’s sewers! ~AND~ a lot better smelling!”
Everyone gasped at the humans audacious manner. She was literally courting death by taunting Togaru whose face was screwed up in a mask of unbridled fury at Liz’s insults.
Letting out a screech of absolute fury and hatred, Togaru was about to run her claws through Liz’s midsection, when Sayuri slammed the shoji door opened and yelled, “What in the seven fucking Hell’s is going on! Dinner is to be served in a short while yet you are in here brawling like the lowest class of demons in the wilds! Well?!” demanded Sayuri when no immediate answer was forthcoming.
Togaru was about to speak up when Liz beat her to it and said in an icy calm voice, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If I may be excused I will bath quickly and dress when I return.” With that, Liz scooped up a towel and a bar of jasmine and orchid soap and went to the common bathing room at the end of the hall. However as she passed the now re-transformed Togaru, the rat demon muttered darkly under breath, “This isn’t over ningen. You will be sorry you ever fucking born!”
*~*~*~ 10 minutes later *~*~*~
Liz stepped back into the room and made her way over to her futon and looking down saw that her kimono and appropriate garments were still waiting on her futon and so were some for her hair. The kimono was a lovely mix of blues and white. The very under robe was of light white cotton, and over that came another robe that was slightly larger and a sky blue with darker blue patches dotting the fabric almost like a cows spots but smaller in size. Finally over that was the largest robe that was a deep shade of blue. It was a blue so dark it nearly rivaled the night sky it was so dark in appearance. The sleeves on the forearms were long, when Liz left her arms to dangle at her sides the bottom of her sleeve’s cuff reached her knees. However, when she folded her arms at her waist, with each hand in her large cuffs it reached only to the midsection of her upper thighs. On this outer robe were beautiful and intricate flower designs on the flowing sleeves and around the neckline in an asymmetrical pattern and on the hem starting just below the knees at mid shin. Her obi was no less impressive. In contrast to the dark blue of her outer robe, it was completely white, with the flower design done in the same color of the outer robe of her kimono.
Going to the door Liz slid it open and stuck her head out to see if Sayuri was around to help her put the obi on as she was having trouble. Spotting her at the end of the hallway, Liz walked up to her obi in hand along with its silken cord, and cleared her throat before bowing respectfully and said “Sayuri-san? I need help tying my obi on.” She had learned from the chef the different suffixes for each person in authority. She felt weird saying them.
Turning in shock Sayuri whirled around to see the ningen dressed completely minus her obi which she yet to put on. Surprised at Liz’s docile manner Sayuri complied without a word taking the obi and secured it around the her waist as well as tied the cord around it and said without any bite, “Go put your hair up girl, and be quick about it.”
Rushing back to her room Liz fought with her hair and put it into an appropriate updo for serving a dinner. She had twisted her hair in a French twist, securing it with the ivory combs given for her use and leaving a few wispy tendrils of hair to frame her face. Racing back out to meet Sayuri once again she caught up with the demoness and bowed once again and asked in voice peppered with wheezing as her ribs still were on fire with pain, “Sayuri-san, is this appropriate?”
Walking around Liz, Sayuri observed the unusual hairstyle and said in an aggrieved tone, “It will do for now until you learn how to style your hair appropriately ningen.” Again, this was said without any real bite as Liz’s manner was throwing her off. Coming to a decision, Sayuri asked what was going on.
“I was told by Master Li the proper way to address you as you are of a higher rank than I am. And that I am to address the lord of the palace as Sesshoumaru-sama or Sesshoumaru-dono,” said Liz in a respectful tone of voice.
“Very wise girl, very wise to seek out how to address your betters,” said Sayuri as she watched the girl clench her hands into tight fists at being thought of as low class. *She has a temper this one. She is the polar opposite of Sesshoumaru-sama. Where he is reserved and shows not his temper when it is aroused, this girl lets her anger positively radiate from her in waves so strong, even a low class demon can sense them* thought Sayuri with a mental smirk. *It will be interesting watching these two interact. Indeed, it shall be*
“Well, girl? Are you ready or are you going to stay there bowing to the wind,” said the demoness as she moved away towards the kitchen to direct the serving of the meal.
Gritting her teeth Liz straightened to see Sayuri turning the corner already. Rushing as fast as she could in her restrictive clothing, Liz eventually caught up with quick-paced inu demon. “Sayuri-san? If I may be so bold to ask, if you are over the female servants, why were you were you wearing their uniform?”
Quirking an eyebrow at the question Sayuri continued walking and eventually answered with, “Just because I am of slightly elevated rank than you and the others don’t mean I get special treatment. Remember that, Erizabeth.” Sayuri had a little trouble pronouncing her name since there was no letter 'L' in the Japanese language. She made a face.
Surprised that Sayuri used her name and not the usual ‘girl’ or more importantly ‘ningen’, Liz smiled a bit and nodded. *I guess she isn’t so bad after all* thought Liz as the two of them reached the kitchen and entered. Liz went to stand with the others, and saw what Sayuri meant about her hairstyle. The others had their hair in intricate looking buns with their ivory combs barely sitting in the hair in the front. Shrugging her shoulders mentally, Liz took her place at the end of the line and followed the girls as they were each handed a tray before leaving the kitchen door. Each tray was laden with food to bring out for the three main occupants to consume.
One tray had on it some sort of fish that was cut so thin it was translucent and layered like fish scales in a flower burst pattern with a radish that was cut into a flower shape as a centerpiece garnish with fresh sprigs of parsley lending its color. On another tray was of some type of rolls. Not bread rolls but one that appeared to be made of some dark green leaf with rice and fish in the middle. The tray she was carrying had at least a dozen or more of these rice looking things. Still yet being laid out was a beef dish that smelled heavenly. In this dish, the beef was sliced thin and served in its own juices with fresh vegetables from the garden. Sliced carrots, bamboo shoots, miniature corncobs, water chestnuts, snow peas and onions enticed the diner into get a serving or two. The next two dishes were a noodle dish that Liz has seen in Japanese restaurants, but couldn’t place a name to it, and a bowl of plain white rice. All that needed to bring out were the condiments and the sake for Jaken and Lord Sesshoumaru and the tea for Rin.
As the noodle dish and rice was divvied out, two girls in front of Liz realized she got stuck with the various condiments after she put the rice balls down. Looking briefly at her tray she didn’t recognize any of them except the thick green pasty looking stuff, not to mention the spices distinctive scent wafted to her nose and to sting her eyes a bit. *Wasabi* thought Liz, *well that seals it for me. I must be in the orient somewhere…Either that or someone is playing a sick joke on me still* the only other thing that she thought looked familiar was the soy sauce.
Moving to stand by the other girls, who had formed two rows, and stood as still as statues in a museum, Liz stood next to one of Togaru’s supporters. Hearing a slight snarl Liz just gritted her teeth and held her head higher, and refused to be drawn into a fight here where Lord High and Mighty was here.
*~*~*~ 5 minutes earlier *~*~*~
Sitting at the head of the low table, in his usual spot Sesshoumaru had to fight down the urge to get up and charge into the kitchen and see what was keeping Rin’s and Jaken’s dinner. The toads incessant whining and Rin’s subsequent giggling at his growling at Jaken to be quiet or next time the toad was going to be fodder for Ah-Un. He didn’t know why he was restless. It irritated the hell out of him. Moreover, if there was one thing that he didn’t like, it was irritation. Jaken gave him enough that he didn’t need more in his life. He let out a mental sigh.
Picking up the sounds of trays being gathered and being handed out to the serving girls he let out the breath he had been unknowingly holding as the redheaded woman finally came out last bearing the rice ball tray. After putting that down she was directed to get the condiment tray. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw her hold her head up higher and clench her teeth and tightened her grip on her tiny tray as she stood and waited to be called for something.
He motioned for the meal to be served while watching Elizabeth closer. Narrowing his eyes a bit he studied her even closer. There was something amiss that his mind was telling him but was still too distracted to grasp fully, it irritated the hell out of him. This human had the power to distract him and he liked it not at all, he growled inaudibly. He just didn't understand why he was so fixated on her. He continued to watch her closely despite his acute dislike of her.
One by one the serving women moved close to offer their trays to Jaken and Rin but ignored him as they knew he refused to eat disgusting human food, though upon occasion he enjoyed sake. He preferred his meals a bit more...lively and..fresh. Cooked food held no appeal to him. So as the women moved around silently offering their trays to the other Sesshoumaru finally realized what was bothering him so much. There was the fresh scent of bruising and bit of dried blood wafting around the room. And it came from one in particular. Elizabeth.
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A/N: Hey all! I want to thank everyone for waiting so patiently for this chapter. It was very hard to get out due to the 4 month writers block I endured. And I know I promised some lime action for this chapter but, unfortunately I think I stopped in a good place rather than force more into this chapter than I was able to put it. I think there comes a point in a chapter when you just can't see anymore in it, and I came to that point, however never fear cause what isn't in here will be in the next one and that I am working on now as we speak...
Reviewer thanks and replies:
Crystal: I'm glad you enjoyed it so far and I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you at all! ^_^ Come back for chapter 8! I'd love to have your thoughts and opinions in the future! So remember to come back and R&R!
Emily: * chuckles * To tell the truth I wasn't picking on anyone..Truth be told I picked that name out randomly from the swirling mass that is my brain. In fact I never intended to keep that name, it was just supposed to be temporary. But it stuck, so I left it alone in the end. I hoped you liked what you read and I'd love to have your thoughts and opinions in the future! So remember to come back and R&R!
Again thanks to everyone ( even the ones that didn't get put up here! ) for R&R-ing! I'd like to know what you all think about it so far, so remember to use that review button! I love hearing from everyone!
Edit 9/9/07 - Well, I'm pleasantly surprised. I didn't have to do much editing here at all. :-) I've decided to leave Chapter 8 alone after all. Now I can concentrate on getting 9 written. In fact I have a few things swirling around that sound promising. :-)
Misato_Katsuragi2 ( FF.net ) aka SilverFox ( AFF.net )
A/N: Wow! I never thought I’d get to chapter 7 of any of my stories and yet, here it is…Chapter 7! Lets all do a dance! Wooo-hoooo!! ^_^ Plus don’t leave without reviewing, how am I supposed to know what you like and don’t like if you don’t review?
* does a victory dance around the room, trips and falls flat on face *
O.o! * sniffles and starts to cry *
My kneeee!!!!!! * sniffles * Anyhoo, on with the story! ;_;
Warnings: A bit of lime in this chapter at the end. Nothing major…yet! ^_~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vocabulary List:
Togaru – To be sour
Yuki - snow
ningen - human
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7 – A Fight and Dinner is Served
--------------------
Liz was still sitting in her new room when Sayuri returned to the room with another servant girl who looked a little younger than her. She too was a demon judging by the ears that were poking out of the white head scarf she was wearing.
“This is Yuki; she will be taking you to the kitchens where you are to start working, also Lord Sesshoumaru as ordered that you serve the table this night. So make sure you are clean, ningen,” with that Sayuri left them to attend her own duties elsewhere.
Liz smiled pleasantly at the girl before her, but got snubbed as the girl turned away with swish of her loose jet-black hair and a curt, “Follow me ningen. Moreover, don’t dally! I haven’t the time to stop and find you if you can’t keep up.”
Liz was shocked, what had she done to warrant such a reception? And what was with this “ningen” shit? She was about to ask about that when the girl took off at a very brisk pace that had Liz practically running to keep up with the girl. It was a good thing that Liz kept herself in shape after leaving high school or else she’d be huffing and puffing in the effort of keeping up. {You did when that awful man dragged you to his room to tell you your punishment,} taunted her mind. [Shut the hell up. I had just taken my first airplaneless flight on a fucking CLOUD dumbass,] she berated thoughts.
~snort~ {Whatever you want to say sweetness!}
[I can't believe I'm arguing with myself like this,] thought Liz disgustedly.
However, they did make it to the kitchens just as the huge chef holding what looked to be a small war axe ( but was in actuality a cleaver made to fit his immense proportions ) was starting the evening meal. Liz backed up a step or two when he turned her way and grinned revealing a mouthful of sharp white fang-like teeth. Liz wanted to turn and run but she caught the small smirk on Yuki’s face out of the corner of her eye. *Hmm, so she wants to see me squirm huh*, thought Liz grimly. Stepping forward Liz plastered on a bright false smile and walked up to the knife wielding chef and announced in a chipper voice, “My name is Liz and I was sent here to help.” She even batted her eyelashes impishly, causing the huge greenish colored chef to let out a rumbling chuckle. He obviously knew what Yuki was up to and was laughing at her failure.
“Good, good! You must be the scrawny ningen Lord Sesshoumaru has sent here,” said the large demon with a wide grin on his ugly face. He reaching out he ruffled Liz’s hair roughly in a familiar manner and told her with a laugh in his voice to get to work cleaning dishes.
Liz wasn’t sure what to make of the large demon ( but it was refreshing not to be taunted for once ); he was a lot nicer than the lord of the place was and a lot nicer than the majority of female demons she was going to be bunking with for an undetermined amount of time. What she still didn’t understand is why everyone called her ‘ningen’. From the way it sounds, it wasn’t very complimentary, and she vowed to find out what it meant.
As the hours passed by uneventfully and got closer to the dinner hour, Liz discovered not everyone disliked her; the kitchen staff was quite friendly in fact, as most of them have had some sort of past dealings with human vendors in a local village. However, her suspicion about what ningen meant proved true, it wasn’t very complimentary to be constantly called that, and was embarrassed somewhat that she didn’t notice what it meant herself, just by the way it was being said towards her.
“But at least the chef stopped calling me that,” she muttered as she continued to wash the seemingly endless supply of dirty cookware that was used in preparing the days final meal. Moreover, what a meal it was going to be judging by the delicious smells that wafted over to Liz as she stood there at what had to be a very primitive sink. In Liz’s mind, it didn’t even deserve that dubious title! It was little more than a leaky wooden trough about waist high with an iron water pump with a bucket dangling from that and a cake of harsh lye soap.
Pulling her hands out for the umpteenth time that day Liz looked at them and said with a weary sigh, “Good grief.” Only to put them back in and continue with the seemingly never-ending chore of washing dishes. It was about two and a half hours later when she was allowed to leave to get ready for dinner. Walking back to the room she shared, Liz wondered what she was supposed to wear.
Reaching her room twenty minutes ( and several wrong turns later ), she entered the room to find Sayuri waiting for her impatiently with two other servants. All of them were dressed in kimonos a lot finer than their usual servant’s garb. The cotton was weaved in such a manner it looked like silk and the colors of each kimono were in complementary shades to their owner’s own unique coloring. It was then that Liz was aware of the many different colored kimonos still folded in separate pieces just awaiting assembly on her futon.
“Quickly, you must wash your face and hands and change your kimono ningen, we don’t have all night and your stench is overwhelming,” said one of the other female demons waspishly while wrinkling her nose. She was also dark haired like Sayuri, but unlike her reluctant tour guide this demon woman was sour faced and cross. The others nodded in quiet agreement with the sour faced woman; they all scowled at the red haired intruder causing Liz to scowl back just as fiercely.
“Look, you wouldn’t smell like a rose had you just come from the kitchen’s either,” said Liz crossly.
“Yeah but you’re a ningen, and as such you would stink no matter what,” spat the angry demoness while the others chuckled nastily behind their hands.
Liz sighed, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to quell the urge to punch the sour faced woman in the nose. She didn't know or care what species this woman was, Liz was not one to take bullshit from anyone when she felt she had done nothing really wrong in the first place. Opening her eyes, she pinned the demon with another scowl. “Look I may be a human but I have a name. Use it or I'll put my fucking fist in your fucking face, bitch.”
There was a stunned silence. No one ever had ever dared to say that to Togaru who was a rat demon. Normally no one would say something like that to a rat demon ( at least not to their face and in front of them ), everyone was generally afraid of her because as it was known throughout the palace that she fought viscously and dirty. Liz didn't know this as she wasn't familiar with everything around her yet. As it was the demon was flushed a bright cherry red, and her face was screwed up in a horrible mask of fury. Growling she lunged for Liz and the fight was on.
“GO TOGARU! MAKE THAT HUMAN BITCH PAY,” shouted a few of the other demons in the room as they cheered on their comrade.
“YEAH TOGARU, KICK HER ASS! SHOW HER WHO’S BOSS AROUND HERE!” shouted another. This general cheer was shouted from various mouths in the room. Thus garnering more on-lookers from adjoining rooms and more supporters for Togaru, which made the rat demon grin in malice, showing her lengthening front teeth as her face also began to change into more rat-like features.
*Damn, I’m not home! This can’t be happening!* thought Liz in a panic as she tried to dodge an attack made by the enraged Togaru, but failed and tripped, and as a result was kicked in the solar plexuses and the air was knocked viciously from her lungs.
Liz was unable to dodge the first attack, and was left on the ground coughing and clutching her midsection, she stayed there for a while, but the rat demoness had other plans. Grabbing Liz by the hair Togaru hauled to Liz feet, as she taunted the still coughing and gasping red head, “Well pathetic ningen, have you had enough or do you want more of the same?”
Surprising everyone in the room, Liz wheezed out between gasps for air and said a bit shakily, “No you fucking bitch I’m not done!” With that, Liz drew back her right fist and smashed with all her strength into the bewhiskered muzzle of Togaru, and Togaru not expecting any retaliation let Liz go with a shove as she clutched her nose.
“YOU FUCKING BITCH I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU! AHHHHHHH!!!” screamed the rat as she lunged at Liz claws bared and mouth drawn back in a freakish snarl revealing her jagged teeth. Liz was able to side step the enraged woman but only barely. However, as Togaru sailed by Liz tried to jam her knee into her midsection, but wound up missing badly.
“Ha! You missed you miserable excuse for a ningen. You want to try that again, Bitch?!” taunted Togaru as Liz missed and turned around to face the panting human who had also turned around as soon as she realized her back was to the brutal demoness.
Gritting her teeth Liz wanted badly to cradle her midsection as it was still burning with pain. Breathing deeply yet shallowly Liz growled through gritted teeth, “You damn straight you lousy excuse for a rat! I’ve seen rats prettier that you in my hometown’s sewers! ~AND~ a lot better smelling!”
Everyone gasped at the humans audacious manner. She was literally courting death by taunting Togaru whose face was screwed up in a mask of unbridled fury at Liz’s insults.
Letting out a screech of absolute fury and hatred, Togaru was about to run her claws through Liz’s midsection, when Sayuri slammed the shoji door opened and yelled, “What in the seven fucking Hell’s is going on! Dinner is to be served in a short while yet you are in here brawling like the lowest class of demons in the wilds! Well?!” demanded Sayuri when no immediate answer was forthcoming.
Togaru was about to speak up when Liz beat her to it and said in an icy calm voice, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If I may be excused I will bath quickly and dress when I return.” With that, Liz scooped up a towel and a bar of jasmine and orchid soap and went to the common bathing room at the end of the hall. However as she passed the now re-transformed Togaru, the rat demon muttered darkly under breath, “This isn’t over ningen. You will be sorry you ever fucking born!”
*~*~*~ 10 minutes later *~*~*~
Liz stepped back into the room and made her way over to her futon and looking down saw that her kimono and appropriate garments were still waiting on her futon and so were some for her hair. The kimono was a lovely mix of blues and white. The very under robe was of light white cotton, and over that came another robe that was slightly larger and a sky blue with darker blue patches dotting the fabric almost like a cows spots but smaller in size. Finally over that was the largest robe that was a deep shade of blue. It was a blue so dark it nearly rivaled the night sky it was so dark in appearance. The sleeves on the forearms were long, when Liz left her arms to dangle at her sides the bottom of her sleeve’s cuff reached her knees. However, when she folded her arms at her waist, with each hand in her large cuffs it reached only to the midsection of her upper thighs. On this outer robe were beautiful and intricate flower designs on the flowing sleeves and around the neckline in an asymmetrical pattern and on the hem starting just below the knees at mid shin. Her obi was no less impressive. In contrast to the dark blue of her outer robe, it was completely white, with the flower design done in the same color of the outer robe of her kimono.
Going to the door Liz slid it open and stuck her head out to see if Sayuri was around to help her put the obi on as she was having trouble. Spotting her at the end of the hallway, Liz walked up to her obi in hand along with its silken cord, and cleared her throat before bowing respectfully and said “Sayuri-san? I need help tying my obi on.” She had learned from the chef the different suffixes for each person in authority. She felt weird saying them.
Turning in shock Sayuri whirled around to see the ningen dressed completely minus her obi which she yet to put on. Surprised at Liz’s docile manner Sayuri complied without a word taking the obi and secured it around the her waist as well as tied the cord around it and said without any bite, “Go put your hair up girl, and be quick about it.”
Rushing back to her room Liz fought with her hair and put it into an appropriate updo for serving a dinner. She had twisted her hair in a French twist, securing it with the ivory combs given for her use and leaving a few wispy tendrils of hair to frame her face. Racing back out to meet Sayuri once again she caught up with the demoness and bowed once again and asked in voice peppered with wheezing as her ribs still were on fire with pain, “Sayuri-san, is this appropriate?”
Walking around Liz, Sayuri observed the unusual hairstyle and said in an aggrieved tone, “It will do for now until you learn how to style your hair appropriately ningen.” Again, this was said without any real bite as Liz’s manner was throwing her off. Coming to a decision, Sayuri asked what was going on.
“I was told by Master Li the proper way to address you as you are of a higher rank than I am. And that I am to address the lord of the palace as Sesshoumaru-sama or Sesshoumaru-dono,” said Liz in a respectful tone of voice.
“Very wise girl, very wise to seek out how to address your betters,” said Sayuri as she watched the girl clench her hands into tight fists at being thought of as low class. *She has a temper this one. She is the polar opposite of Sesshoumaru-sama. Where he is reserved and shows not his temper when it is aroused, this girl lets her anger positively radiate from her in waves so strong, even a low class demon can sense them* thought Sayuri with a mental smirk. *It will be interesting watching these two interact. Indeed, it shall be*
“Well, girl? Are you ready or are you going to stay there bowing to the wind,” said the demoness as she moved away towards the kitchen to direct the serving of the meal.
Gritting her teeth Liz straightened to see Sayuri turning the corner already. Rushing as fast as she could in her restrictive clothing, Liz eventually caught up with quick-paced inu demon. “Sayuri-san? If I may be so bold to ask, if you are over the female servants, why were you were you wearing their uniform?”
Quirking an eyebrow at the question Sayuri continued walking and eventually answered with, “Just because I am of slightly elevated rank than you and the others don’t mean I get special treatment. Remember that, Erizabeth.” Sayuri had a little trouble pronouncing her name since there was no letter 'L' in the Japanese language. She made a face.
Surprised that Sayuri used her name and not the usual ‘girl’ or more importantly ‘ningen’, Liz smiled a bit and nodded. *I guess she isn’t so bad after all* thought Liz as the two of them reached the kitchen and entered. Liz went to stand with the others, and saw what Sayuri meant about her hairstyle. The others had their hair in intricate looking buns with their ivory combs barely sitting in the hair in the front. Shrugging her shoulders mentally, Liz took her place at the end of the line and followed the girls as they were each handed a tray before leaving the kitchen door. Each tray was laden with food to bring out for the three main occupants to consume.
One tray had on it some sort of fish that was cut so thin it was translucent and layered like fish scales in a flower burst pattern with a radish that was cut into a flower shape as a centerpiece garnish with fresh sprigs of parsley lending its color. On another tray was of some type of rolls. Not bread rolls but one that appeared to be made of some dark green leaf with rice and fish in the middle. The tray she was carrying had at least a dozen or more of these rice looking things. Still yet being laid out was a beef dish that smelled heavenly. In this dish, the beef was sliced thin and served in its own juices with fresh vegetables from the garden. Sliced carrots, bamboo shoots, miniature corncobs, water chestnuts, snow peas and onions enticed the diner into get a serving or two. The next two dishes were a noodle dish that Liz has seen in Japanese restaurants, but couldn’t place a name to it, and a bowl of plain white rice. All that needed to bring out were the condiments and the sake for Jaken and Lord Sesshoumaru and the tea for Rin.
As the noodle dish and rice was divvied out, two girls in front of Liz realized she got stuck with the various condiments after she put the rice balls down. Looking briefly at her tray she didn’t recognize any of them except the thick green pasty looking stuff, not to mention the spices distinctive scent wafted to her nose and to sting her eyes a bit. *Wasabi* thought Liz, *well that seals it for me. I must be in the orient somewhere…Either that or someone is playing a sick joke on me still* the only other thing that she thought looked familiar was the soy sauce.
Moving to stand by the other girls, who had formed two rows, and stood as still as statues in a museum, Liz stood next to one of Togaru’s supporters. Hearing a slight snarl Liz just gritted her teeth and held her head higher, and refused to be drawn into a fight here where Lord High and Mighty was here.
*~*~*~ 5 minutes earlier *~*~*~
Sitting at the head of the low table, in his usual spot Sesshoumaru had to fight down the urge to get up and charge into the kitchen and see what was keeping Rin’s and Jaken’s dinner. The toads incessant whining and Rin’s subsequent giggling at his growling at Jaken to be quiet or next time the toad was going to be fodder for Ah-Un. He didn’t know why he was restless. It irritated the hell out of him. Moreover, if there was one thing that he didn’t like, it was irritation. Jaken gave him enough that he didn’t need more in his life. He let out a mental sigh.
Picking up the sounds of trays being gathered and being handed out to the serving girls he let out the breath he had been unknowingly holding as the redheaded woman finally came out last bearing the rice ball tray. After putting that down she was directed to get the condiment tray. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and saw her hold her head up higher and clench her teeth and tightened her grip on her tiny tray as she stood and waited to be called for something.
He motioned for the meal to be served while watching Elizabeth closer. Narrowing his eyes a bit he studied her even closer. There was something amiss that his mind was telling him but was still too distracted to grasp fully, it irritated the hell out of him. This human had the power to distract him and he liked it not at all, he growled inaudibly. He just didn't understand why he was so fixated on her. He continued to watch her closely despite his acute dislike of her.
One by one the serving women moved close to offer their trays to Jaken and Rin but ignored him as they knew he refused to eat disgusting human food, though upon occasion he enjoyed sake. He preferred his meals a bit more...lively and..fresh. Cooked food held no appeal to him. So as the women moved around silently offering their trays to the other Sesshoumaru finally realized what was bothering him so much. There was the fresh scent of bruising and bit of dried blood wafting around the room. And it came from one in particular. Elizabeth.
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A/N: Hey all! I want to thank everyone for waiting so patiently for this chapter. It was very hard to get out due to the 4 month writers block I endured. And I know I promised some lime action for this chapter but, unfortunately I think I stopped in a good place rather than force more into this chapter than I was able to put it. I think there comes a point in a chapter when you just can't see anymore in it, and I came to that point, however never fear cause what isn't in here will be in the next one and that I am working on now as we speak...
Reviewer thanks and replies:
Crystal: I'm glad you enjoyed it so far and I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you at all! ^_^ Come back for chapter 8! I'd love to have your thoughts and opinions in the future! So remember to come back and R&R!
Emily: * chuckles * To tell the truth I wasn't picking on anyone..Truth be told I picked that name out randomly from the swirling mass that is my brain. In fact I never intended to keep that name, it was just supposed to be temporary. But it stuck, so I left it alone in the end. I hoped you liked what you read and I'd love to have your thoughts and opinions in the future! So remember to come back and R&R!
Again thanks to everyone ( even the ones that didn't get put up here! ) for R&R-ing! I'd like to know what you all think about it so far, so remember to use that review button! I love hearing from everyone!
Edit 9/9/07 - Well, I'm pleasantly surprised. I didn't have to do much editing here at all. :-) I've decided to leave Chapter 8 alone after all. Now I can concentrate on getting 9 written. In fact I have a few things swirling around that sound promising. :-)
Misato_Katsuragi2 ( FF.net ) aka SilverFox ( AFF.net )