Chained by Sentence

[Zoe]

How dare she!

Tiny speckles of stars flashed by out of the corner of Zoe’s eyes, deep-rooted in her seat with arms crossed inside a small space transporter, she could not help but cursed her overly stringent mother for pulling this despicable sentence on her. Just what kind of sentence is this to improve one’s behavior by simply to advise another for political and economic benefits? Is her mother rubbing this all on her, knowing full well how much she dislikes such subject? The scowl deepened with each passing thoughts until her mind went blank, taking notice of a warp hole opening up in front of her. Despite the fact that this was a sentence, Zoe felt elevated freedom.

For a good while, she’ll be far away from her mother where she could not nag her for hours on end. But, as far as she knows, her sentence will only last a year on planet Earth until someone is sent to pick her up. Her communicative device will not work for a while much to Zoe’s quieted pleasure. Blue sky lid up the picture and she leaned forward to catch a good glimpse of the land below.

“Eh? It’s full of trees.” Taken aback by the sight before her, she realized what her mother had intended. She was not going to live comfortably where there are technologies. It’s no wonder her mother ordered that she could only take her silver cuffs and her ring (a gift she received from her father). As the space transporter lowered to the ground filled with tall grasses, the door opened and the young woman stepped out still garbed in her modern outfit. With a slight frown, she scanned the area, unsure of what to do next.

No. She knew what she needed to do next. Go find this demon lord called Sesshoumaru, as her mother had instructed. Unfortunately, she had not received any prior information about this said lord and was left clueless on how to find him. Rubbing the back of her head, she pondered on her decisions until clack resonated, startling her to turn. The space transporter had shut the door closed and lifted itself off the ground to be sucked up by the warp hole. “Wha…? Hey! That’s not fair!”

Oh crud. Now I can’t travel to another place as I planned. Mother must’ve known this all along.

Despite this turn of event, the young woman smirked and looked at her silver rustic ring on her right middle finger. There was one thing she knew; this was feudal era and landed on Japan. This means most clothing are kimonos and the like. However, the thought of such cloth binding her legs brought a frown. “Nope. That won’t do.” Lifting the middle finger to her forehead, she made mental thought of her intended outfit. The clothes she wore suddenly morphed and changed colors to reflect her wish. Instead of the traditional kimono, she donned in amber-colored happi coat with red lilies as decoration on the bottom hems tied with black robe around her waist, white shirt underneath and black shorts along with red flats.

Patting the coat with her right hand, she smiled with satisfaction until a good look around the area reminded her of her circumstance. She sulked with her left eyebrow twitched, pondering on what to do next.

Wait…I do not have to look for him, do I? Why look when you don’t know anything about a man named Sesshoumaru?

With back straightened, she turned and marched in one direction with a wry smirk. No one had to exactly tell her what to do now that she’s here, can they? The best part, she didn’t have to look for him. “Hah! Mother really did not look into ever….wah!!” Her body lurched backward by unseen force and watched as the ground below her seemed to go the opposite direction of her intended destination. Just when did her mother cast a spell on her?

After nearly an hour of struggle, Zoe hissed with frustration, unwilling to allow herself to let this stupid spell pull her to one destination she tried to escape from. It seemed that even in her level one form with all this struggle didn’t help. Even though she had appeared in front of a gate, she struggled to keep her feet moving the opposite direction until she calmed; having lost her steam to this struggle. Puffing an air out, she aggressively twisted her hair into a braid over her shoulder and turned to face the gate with arms crossed over her chest, expecting someone to pop out of nowhere. She was clearly not happy about this.

After further analysis of the architecture found on the gate which piqued her interest, she began to wonder what lies beyond the gate. With a finger lifted, she poked at the gate with curiosity, no longer chained by the frustration and anger she felt for nearly a good hour. The struggle she had been dealt with seemed to be a good way to let her blow off the steam. However, she is clueless as ever; although she recalled the letter her mother wrote and sent before she was shipped off for…ah, her sentence for a year.

Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes at the thoughts of the letter she read. How dare her mother inform this said demon lord that he can do as he pleased with her? She even went as far as to point her lineage and bloodline and how long she would be staying. Wouldn’t her kind at least try to keep themselves a secret and let others fantasize them as a myth? Just what does her mother know about this man?

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

The last 20 years where something troubling for the lord of the West. At first after dealing with Naraku and having some semblance of peace with his brother Sesshoumaru thought it might all actually work out. But then the humans started to show their ugly side again. A side Sesshoumaru always knew was there. Now he and the other lords where all coming up with ideas on something descent to do with this latest batch of human trouble makers. Of course Sesshoumaru was all for eradicating them all and being done with it. After all a bunch of pathetic human lowlives wheren't worth much effort on his part.

Though of course some Lords where all for trying to be civil, and talk things out. Sesshoumaru thought that never worked with them. For now the humans knew better than to cross paths with him. His land was protected by him. His people where too. There where too few Inugami left in the world for him to allow any of his people to be hunted and killed by some idiotic human sellot bent on having a world to themselves.

When the guards came and informed him that the 'package' had arrived he raised an elegant eyebrow and nodded, placed the writing feather down and got up from his desk. He was the picture of elegance as he walked down the hallways of his castle and out to the courtyard. Then made his way to the front gates.

He raised an eyebrow when he saw her. She wasn't much...Certianly not what he had in mind for a makai princess to be. The look on her face didn't leave much to wonder about why her mother had sent her off to be 'schooled'. He could only wonder what this 'princess' had done to deserve being sent away like this.

"While you are in my lands you will behave. If you prove problematic I will deal with you as I see fit." He said not even introducing himself. He of course thought he needed no introduction.

The guards moved and opened the gates one their lord was there. They had thought the girl to be just another 'attempt' from some noble family to get their lord to mate with their daughter. But now they knew that not be the case.

Sesshoumaru turned fully expecting the woman to follow him. "And you will behave like royalty. I know you are from away, so I will excuse your clothing for now, But I expect you in a proper kimono by dinner time." he said calmly and coldly as usual. As he walked another 'suitor' came up to the gates asking for Rin's hand. All he had to do is turn and look at the little bastard and the guards knew to close the gates tight. Rin was now in her 20s. By all accounts she should have been mated years ago really. But after the girl had finished her schooling with Kaede and Kagome. She had come back here, and Sesshoumaru hadn't allowed a suitor near her. No one was worthy in his eyes.

"But my lord....He is a prince of...." One of his 'bravest' advisors attemted to say.

"It is not my consern. His smell alone is wretched. Find someone worthy of her, or stop bringing pathetic fools." Sesshoumaru said almost shifting his coldness into a growl but keeping it from happening.

The advissors just nodded, bowed said 'of course my lord. as you wish my lord.' and backed away. They'd hate to see what would happen if this was really his daughter.

[Zoe]

Uncertain of what to expect, yet eager to see what lies beyond the gate lured on by her curiosity, Zoe could only watch as the guards stood by, eyeing her. As minutes prolonged and the gate finally opened, she was taken aback by the sight of this tall man. She blinked not once, not twice, but the fourth time; now completely unsure of what to say.

That is, until this particular man opened his mouth, rendering her shock to nothing. Her left eyebrow twitched momentarily, biting her tongue to not say another word. She knew that trouble will stir to life if she opened her mouth again. Still, how dare that man talk to her like that? Would he really do as he see fit just because of the letter sent by her mother? How could her mother do this to her? A sudden pang of bitterness and resentment hit the heart.

She arched an eyebrow as the man, whom she long since came to realized was Sesshoumaru himself, turned and walked away. It was a behavior she took notice of; the expectation of her to follow. She huffed a sigh and rolled her eyes, then moved to follow. The minute he pointed that she is required to wear a kimono by dinner time, she froze in her place.

You’re kidding me, right? I’m going to fall in that outfit!

She knew her weakness and she loathed all that falling she dealt with. She will not fall in certain clothing she knew would restrict her movement in one way or another. At the turn of her chin upward, she spun around and moved to exit the back through the gate she had just entered. “…ugh! You have got to be kidding me!” She spoke for the first time, and in another language known as English. Surprisingly, English is still a world-wide language in other dimension. Yet, it doesn’t exclude the fact that she knew other languages for she understood this irritating demon lord just fine. She could even speak his language if she wanted to.

Struggling to move closer to the gate, her footsteps grated against the ground. Without warning, her body moved at its own accord; prompting her to turn and follow the demon lord.

This. Cannot. Be. Happening!

The struggle she endured came to an end momentarily when she spotted, what seemed to be a male suitor. The demon lord had abruptly turned the offer down with a mere look and the advisor managed to convey words to him. It seemed that they feared and revered him. She raised an eyebrow, finding herself watching the situation a bit too closely for her own good until she felt the spell forcing her to move forward. With quieted defeat, she submitted and followed.

It was only a few steps away that she spotted a young woman being followed by several women in traditional clothes. The more she watched, the more she realized that this young woman is a royalty as well. Is this what her mother wanted her to become? Angling her head sideway with obvious curiosity, she began to wonder just how she could get out of this situation. Just play the part of a royal woman like the young lady she watched? “Who’s she?” She inquired now spoken in their foreign language.

It was clear to her that this young lady was not a demon, but a human.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

It might have looked like the lord of the west wasn't paying attention to the 'particular' problems the 'princess' he had been sent was having. But he was, he could tell that she was not liking him one bit. But the fact didn't matter to Sesshoumaru. He cared little if people 'liked' him. He cared if they where afraid of him, but much else. As the advissors left him alone with the new woman, he noticed her watching Rin.

"She is my ward, Rin. You can consider as good as my daughter, and you will treat her as such." Sesshoumaru said calmly, but again coldly. He once again turned from her and started walking into the castle. Fully expecting her to follow once again.

"If I where you'd I'd fully stop trying to fight your mother's wishes. Clearly the sooner you start trying to do what she wants the sooner that spell will break. But then again....I would assume that if you did as she wished you wouldn't be in your predicament in the first place. Not that it is any of my care you understand. I simply do not like people looking like they are going to fall over from poisoning or something walking around my castle." He said in his always blunt manner. Because to him that is what she looked like. "And others can see you, you do realize that correct?" He asked calmly for the first time turning around and looking at her. His gorgeous amber eyes almost trying to look at her soul. He was only in a male kimono today. There was no armour on him.

"For now let's just start with what you can do. I am assuming you are good at something. I certain hope you didn't sit around knitting..." Sesshoumaru said cause if that was the case, he didn't know what the heck he'd do with her...He supposed he could stick her as one of Rin's handmaidens, but he wasn't sure he wanted her near Rin. He stood there pondering all this as he watched her.

[Zoe]

Pursing her lips into a curious expression, she watched the young lady being hustled and revered by her little crowd of maids who paid attention with such strong devotion. She began to wonder if she really live a lifestyle like that. The mere thought of having people with devoted eyes on her 24/7 was enough to send chills down her spine. She’d rather work with them than to be venerated for no apparent reason. Not that she saw the young lady’s existence as nothing, but shouldn’t the royalty provide services to its people rather than to demand for devotion out of sheer whims?

“Okay.” She shrugged with both hands raised. It was clear she had no problem with it. She was only curious about the young lady’s existence, the one whom the demon lord called as Rin. She made a mental note to one day to make her presence and befriend her. After all, she does like mingling around with humans, certain humans. Lord knows that there are bad apples somewhere not far from the tree.

“Do I look blind?” She retorted with eyes narrowed, feeling insulted by his suggestion and question. “If I had done what my mother wishes, then I might as well be turned into a puppet!” She looked away, unwilling to allow herself be fascinated by his mere eyes; not because she felt ashamed, but simply that she refuse.

Excuse me, did he just say knitting?

If she had been a cat, her fur would have puffed up and hissed a warning. Instead she continued to look the other way, “I train, I fight and I serve the community.” She swallowed a gulp, chanting a mantra to herself to not explode. She repeated herself that this was normal. Of course she wouldn’t look like a warrior; after all, she did not carry the look that she has the strength. What she may lack in strength, she does more than make up in another field.

“I aim to be like my father, not become some pretty, dainty woman made to be a trophy and do nothing.” The minute she glanced at him, the minute her cobalt eyes transited to crimson eyes with pupils dilated like a cat’s eye. She was not in the least angered, but fueled by the desire to provide herself to her own community.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

Sesshoumaru raised an elegant eyebrow and watched the woman in front of him, but looked bored doing so. It was one of his normal traits. Looking bored...He did it all the time. In truth a few things did bore him, but at the moment, he was not truly bored. At the moment it was merely a habit. At the moment he was truly amused by this supposed 'princess'. So he decided to have some 'fun' with her.

True it wasn't his usual way of dealing with things, but he needed some amusement and he might as well use this opportunity.

"Hmmmm...I see." He said with a bored tone. "For a woman to try and be like her father seems a bit pointless to me. You will always be lacking. But if you say you can fight, then we will see." He said pretending very very well to not be surprised or shocked at the change. "I would save the magic changing eye color for some one more impressed. Youkai can have red eyes as well." He said sounding a bit more bored now.

"Would you like to prove yourself now, or do you need to 'rest' and 'recuperate' from your trip." Sesshoumaru asked already walking her towards the rooms where she would be staying. "If you do prove to be useful in fighting then you qualify to be one of my advisers. I believe that is what your mother wanted. It would allow you to see and know exactly what a Lord has to do and put up with." He said calmly, and walked to a room that was higher than those of the servants, but of course it was no where near his or Rin's quarters.

Once he opened the massive wooden carved doors, she would be able to see a gorgeously well decorated room, even for the times. The furniture there was sparse but well hand crafted with elaborate, ornate carvings of nature. On the walls murals of inugami in their natural form where painted beautify, and on the other side where two doors, one led to a private hot spring, and the other to a dressing room.

"This will be your room. I expect you to not try and run away again." He said calmly, again sounding bored. He expected for her to put up another amusing show now.

[Zoe]

Rather than suffer an explosive spur of anger, Zoe could only stare at the demon lord with those pair of crimson eyes in muted shock. Did he just saw her useless even in a field that are male-dominance during this timeframe? If he had been at the place where she lived, he would probably suffer the shock to find women climbing up in status and monetary and as well as skills.

“Don’t tell me that I will always be lacking. We just met and you do not know me. So, don’t tell me what I am or can until you know me.” Narrowing her eyes, it was clear that her anger was kept well on lid as the mental mantra was finally working. She was tempted to call him an ignorant fool, but instincts screamed that it would brew trouble if she did. However, his ignorant statement only served to strengthen her dislike of him, further helping her to become less impressed by his physical appearance.

My eyes are red again?

It was never her attempt to impress him with the color of her eyes; but it seemed to have become a habit for her due to her intense feeling to become like her father. It wasn’t that she wanted the feeling of power to lead others, but she felt pleasure in helping and protecting them; which precisely her father does. “My eyes are red again?” She blinked the third time, willing them to return back to normal. The corner of her lip twitched slightly, curving upward as the demon lord baited her with another one of his insulting questions. Is he trying to set her off again? It seemed that he was worst than her own mother. Then again, being an advisor is one of the more elevated statuses in this era, is it not? Her mother must’ve thought that being a ‘princess’ wouldn’t suit her.

Good. Mother is starting to understand me.

“A wise warrior will rest than to be baited into a hasty battle.” She shook a finger at his back, taking pleasure to admonish him in secrecy, now having walked behind him and led to a temporary room. As the door slid open and she stepped inside, she found herself admiring the decoration in the room despite it being somewhat sparse in furniture. She reminded herself that people in this era spare themselves the unnecessary objects in a household. The murals on the wall were the first thing she noticed as she hastily passed the demon lord to inspect the art closer.

It was clear that she was not used to this lifestyle, inspecting the objects she found in the room, curious of what functions they provide. That is, until she looked up from the small table and found herself staring in a mirror. Somewhat startled, she realized that she was a mess. It was no wonder the demon lord looked down on her. She had patches of dirt on her face; even some grasses were found stuck in her hair. Her poor clothes could not be salvaged due to an hour of rough ride from the place she landed and to the gate where she no sooner met her mentor.

“When mother cast a spell, there is no turning back or escaping,” turning about with a grimace on her face, still clearly not happy about her situation, “I have no choice but to accept being holed up here.” Suddenly her grimace prompted a smirk, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t try again.”

Oh yes, all she had to do was play the part of a royal princess with a touch of warrior and she’ll be out of here in no time. She could only hope that she wouldn’t be depressed over this circumstance.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

Sesshoumaru stood there watching her inspect the room, the look of boredom was still on his face, while in his mind he was nearly cracking up with her. This girl/ woman would be a very amuzing thing around his castle. Certainly he could tell she would be at least entertaining to look at during a battle. If not for the mere fact that she didn't look anything like a warrior. Even the demon slayer member of his brother's pack looked more like a warrior that this one. But he allowed her to think what ever she might of him. He cared little. So she was thinking that he was a backwards thinking demon male that thought women should be in the house raising pups...She wasn't that far off really. But of course Sesshoumaru prided himself in being more civilized and thinking than that. Not that anyone knew that of course, like everything else about him, he kept that shut from everyone.

"What you have between your legs is off little importance to me. But a princess such as yourself.... With the attitude you are showing, and the.... manner in which you are right now... That does not inspire me to think of you as a great warrior." He said in his cold, bored manner. More to see her riled up again than anything else.

"But perhaps you are correct...I will be...... understanding in this matter. Tomorrow after you are 'refreshed' and cleaned we may 'spar'. If you can keep up with me, without using 'tricks' then I will see you as a warrior and not a spoiled princess." Sesshoumaru said with a small tiny, ghost of a smirk gracing his lips. The challenge to her clearly written in his eyes. He wasn't doing this cause he cared, he wasn't doing this out of some favor to her mother. He was doing it out of curiosity. Pure and simple curiosity. The fact that she was makai just spurring him onto to do this.

[Zoe]

The prompted grin caused by Zoe’s mischievous thoughts and calculated plans suddenly went awash to nothing. Were men in this era really that crude with their statements? How could this demon lord, a man of fine status, or so per say, say such thing in a blunt manner? It sounded rather ill-mannered to her. Then again, what would a demon lord care? So far, he showed no interest except to ignite the constant anger she felt and the constant struggle she dealt with by tuning it down, chanting mantras over and over mentally.

Unfortunately, the young woman wound up chanting mantra. How many times had she used the mantra technique to calm her temper? More than the third time, she’d wagered. “You’re crude.” She snapped vehemently; decidedly loosen her temper just a tad. She always felt better after she released her steam and this time, and desperately needed to let loose a little. “I am not a spoiled princess.”

Turning away again, she refused to set sight on him and crossed her arms over her chest. Silence ensued for several seconds until she took notice of another door. Recalling what the demon lord said, the door must lead to the hot spring used for bathing. How very royal-like, she thought herself sarcastically. Back home, they did not have hot springs, only a bathroom.

Sliding the second door open, a hot spring came into view, surrounded by rocks that seemed ethereal, rich in untold history. Arching her head sideway, she curiously thought of how a hot spring would feel, especially when it’s made for taking a shower as well. Why not the way to meditate here as well? She should do well to meditate herself into a calm state of mind before facing the irritating demon lord again.

One step out and the tripping occurs only to be stopped mid-way with both hands clinging to either side of the entrance door, another foot stepped out to keep herself from falling forward. Whipping her face over her shoulder, a pair of cobalt eyes aimed and darted glares at the demon lord, “don’t you dare say a thing,” she fervidly warned, knowing full well he would have a say about this.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

She seemed to spend a lot of time thinking this one. Sesshoumaru curiously wondered what about. Surely he knew she must be calling him atrocities in her mind. That she did not say it out loud was a testament to her. He knew she was very angry at him as it was. Though he didn't know if her not saying was a testament to her intelligence, or her manners. But it was one of the two he put it more on manners than the first one.

As he observed her walking around inspecting her room and ranting a bit to him, he had to keep from raising an eyebrow or laughing. Laughing wouldn't do. He didn't laugh. It would raise questions, he didn't want to answer.

"I have been called many things, crude is not the most imaginative I will admit." Sesshoumaru said watching her investigate the hot spring. He was about to ask if they didn't have hot springs where she came from, but when he saw her nearly tip over like an uncoordinated pup he nearly did burst out laughing. Though of course he didn't. He maintained that cold, bored mask and raised eyebrow. About the only sign he had of laughing inside were in his eyes which seemed to get brighter now. The amber almost glowing.

"Tell me.....Do you use those... moves....in your fighting as well...Because if you do I see you being Rin's handmaid and not my advisor." He said with an irreverent tone to her this time.

Of course he didn't pay attention to her 'don’t you dare say a thing.' Because let's face it, he seldom ever did listen to those things.

[Zoe]

Still stuck in her pre-meditated fall with both hands clutched to the entrance door, Zoe slowly pulled her outstretched foot back inside and stood with back straightened. Face forward away from the demon lord, she released a deep sigh, almost appearing that she finally calmed her bubbling anger, which now threatened to explode like a wailing volcano.

It was clearly decided that she chose to not say a word at this point. That is, until she spun around to face the demon lord, her face clearly determined, mingled with a mocking glare. Hands raised and suddenly moved, formulating obvious signs, yet its meaning were shrouded in secret. She knew full well that sign language would have not been created in this era until the next two hundred years or so. She called him in every name she could think of and blew a raspberry tongue.

“Crude.” She replied, finally. Clearly repeating the same word to just mock him, despite its unimaginative term. She didn’t care that the term was not fancy or special; but simple and clear.

Arching her head sideway with her chin slightly lifted, she eyed the demon lord, “never judge a book by its cover, otherwise, you’ll just land yourself a nasty surprise.” She sported a smirk, a clear sign of confidence etched into her attitude. “Now, scoot. I’ll be taking a shower unless you want to watch?” She fingered the ring with her right hand. She knew the demon lord wouldn’t watch; because, well, he is civilized. Is he not? Otherwise, she would have not said such risky suggestion. Her father would have had her behind for this if he heard her say it to a man.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

For a long moment the demon lord had thought she was going to attack him. He did nothing of course, didn't step back or anything, he was always ready for a fight and always ready for an attack. When she didn't, he kept observing her.

The movements she did with her hand, and her behavior where all very.....strange...Strange was a light word for it. Perhaps the girl was mentally disturbed. So far, it would be the only logical explanation so far. Perhaps she should be locked in her room for her own safety. He couldn't imagine that makai had mentally disturbed beings among them. But perhaps they where more human that they appeared. it would certainly be another thing that explained this one's behavior.

The more he watched her the more sure he was that there was something truly truly wrong with the woman. Perhaps he had judged her wrong from the beginning. Even his brother made more sense than this one did.

"Yes....Well then it's a good thing this Sesshoumaru is never surprised by anything." He said in answer to her last rant. ".....And no...I have better things to do with my time, than watch insane princess try to bathe..." He said looking mildly disgusted with the idea as he turned from her and went to the door. He stopped short of it and turned back to her. "Do try to keep from falling into the water. I'd hate to find you floating face up dead. Explaining such an...... idiotic....death to your parents would be troubling." He said looking to her waiting to make sure she understood.

[Zoe]

The more Zoe watched the demon lord, the more she realized she could almost catch glimpse of this thoughts. It was those eyes; they weren’t concealed as the rest of his body was. She could tell that he thought her crazy and felt pure satisfaction. She wanted him confused and wouldn’t care less that she would be thought as mentally disturbed or whatnot, whatever he truly thought of her.

A wry chuckle escaped as she leaned against the wall, now careful of her footing after the near, shameful fall which could have resulted in a memory that this lord would never forget. “Good and that did happen, but I didn’t drown. Don’t worry, I don’t die easily.” Sliding against the wall toward the entrance door, “now, scoot,” she said more firmly than before. Not willing to wait for him to leave, she simply slid the door shut behind her which led from bedroom to the hot spring. This way, he would not see her while she bathed and knew he would leave anyways.

As she edged closer to the hot spring, she fingered the formation of rocks. How nice would it be to have hot spring back home. Then again, she preferred what she was accustomed to; it was much more cleaner and not so ancient as this. But, she couldn’t deny how good it felt when she bathed with Mother Nature, realizing how soothing and warm it was. It even balanced out her mood, soften her skin and her hair now free of twigs, grasses and dirt, left only to shine once it dries.

It was only after she towel-dried when several maids entered the room, startling the young woman into her defense mode with only a towel wrapped securely atop her breasts. Once she cooled, realizing it was only maids who came to dress her, and she felt out of place. There were so many hands she lost track of, fiddling over her body, adorning her with this foreign outfit they call kimono with rather uncomfortable undergarments. “Uh, it’s okay. I’ll do the hair myself,” she protested lightly when one of the maids fingered her now soft wavy black hair.

“M’lady, please allow me the honor to braid your hair.” The maid stressed lightly, “let us make you beautiful. We did not realize your splendor earlier because of all that dirt!” It was clear that the maids felt comfortable around her, though they kept their distance due to her ‘disturbing’ behavior. Watching the young maid now eying her with admiration, Zoe sulked and gave into defeat the second time in a row.

It was only twenty minutes later that Zoe was left alone again, wondering what she should do next. Eying the door closely, she made prompt decision to tour the castle herself. After all, the demon lord did not welcome the guest thoroughly. She might as well scour the place and become familiar with it herself. She decided to pull on her best manner, acting like a princess her mother would have expected of her. Left alone in the middle of a grand hallway, she was adorned in shimmering petal pink kimono, with cherry flowers, peonies, camellias, plum blossoms and bell flowers gracefully displayed. Peathingys of soft lavender rest by a flowing stream underneath the cluster of flowers and rich violet obi sash around her waist. It was with certainty that she looked different with both hands folded neatly in front of her; a behavior she copied from the young lady she saw earlier.

[Sesshoumaru Sama]

The behavior before he left didn't help him think of her any better. In fact it only made things a bit worse. Sesshoumaru walked down the hallway to his personal office thinking only of why he got himself into these unnecessary messes. His brother, Kagura, Naraku...Rin...Now this...Makai princess...Zoe whatever her name was.... Really...! Perhaps he was being too nice now. Yes...he could just go back to not caring about anything. At least then people bothered him less.

He thought about that as he worked in his office. In there it was a royal royal mess. You wouldn't think it would be like that. Really Sesshoumaru was very 'strict' about cleanliness everywhere else. But his office was soo full of scrolls, and papers to sign and read and declarations, that he didn't have room for anything. It took the entire time she was bathing and getting dressed for him to get half the work done he had for the day.

It was only when he was about to drink his tea that the new 'maid' who was a bit too shy for his taste, came in with more drink and once she saw him she looked down which didn't help her see where she was doing until there went the tea. All over the demon Lord.

Sesshoumaru tried his best to not loose it and keep from beheading the woman on the spot. The only thing that stopped him was that he knew her mate, and she was with pup. It wouldn't do to loose an inu.

"GO.....*breathes*.....Go home...Rest...!" He ordered trying his hardest and dammedest to not scare her. He hoped she knew how lucky she was to be with pup otherwise she'd be without her head.

He got up from his seat, starting to take off the now ruined clothing as he walked out. As he walked down the hallways he was taking off clothing and servants where rushing behind him, picking them up. Until finally he was walking down the hallways with only the bottom covering of his male kimono. The pants where wrapped about his legs, and held up by silk ribbon. You could see his things, and the pants only went up to barely his bum. It certainly didn't really leave much to the imagination. You could even see the stripes he had on his hips. Not to mention you could see what a delectable bottom he had.

"My lord please! This is most inappropriate." His advisors said rushing behind him trying to keep up.

"It is more inappropriate for me to be doused with hot tea!" Sesshoumaru said to them clearly angry and annoyed. "I have told you a hundred times to send pregnant bitches home to rest. If I see one more working while they're pupping I shall have all your heads and get new advisors!" He said stopping turning and looking at all of them flexing his claws. "Do I make myself clear!" He said and watched them nod in absolute terror. Then he kicked them into the next hallway away from him. He did that to Jaken all the time. Of course the toad wasn't here now. it was curious that Jaken served him better than any of them did.

When he had stopped and calmed himself he finally noticed he had done all that in front of the makai princess. He said nothing to her, just turned and kept going towards his personal quarters.

[Zoe]

What a sight she witnessed. Who would have thought that this particular demon lord would react this way? Standing immobilized in the middle of the hall, Zoe could only watch with keen interest and baffling efforts to contain her laughter and the most unfortunate morbid thought of those rippling muscles and smooth skin that shaped his body. What’s even more alarming is the fact that Zoe could not decide as whether she should turn beet-red or laugh right there.

She felt conflicted and hated it. But she could not quite erase the sight she never gave thought to; those bottoms he had and it was most disturbing to her, not that it was ugly. It was her female side which almost prompted her to let loose a whistle of pleasure, but through restraints, she chose not to.

Eying the demon lord who later then realized she was right there, she simply remained where she was and watched him disappear into his personal quarter. “How disturbing it is to see such behavior, Sesshoumaru-sempai,” she stated curtly, hands still tied together in front of her, a manner expected of a royal lady. She had to raise her voice, ensuring that she was to be heard clearly, since he simply walked passed her without a word.

“And most vulgar” she commented lightly to herself, now taking notice of such offensive phrases he used. He was clearly a man whose behavior was sophisticated but rough with crude language. Then again, what can she do about these men of ancient history? She was stuck in the past where people are civilized but not so civilized. The instant thought of that bare flesh brought the faint blush to her cheeks, and let loose a quieted hiss. And those bottoms!

Raising a hand clutched femininely to the hem of her sleeve, she covered the bottom half of her face to hide her expression. Again, the manner she copied from watching the maids during her quick tour (although it wasn’t completed as she was left alone thanks to a certain someone). “I hope you’re going to come out dressed properly, sempai.” Again, she hid the smirk behind the hem of her sleeve.