Chapter 7:

So there was no beating involved. It was quite the opposite to my surprise. It seemed that during those twelve days he had shunned me, my father was not receiving the pleasure he so desperately wanted; the pleasure in which that human wench had failed to give him during these past years, which is why he came to me, his own son, to fulfill.

Inu no Taisho took his time in seeking his pleasure with me, since to him it had been such a long time. Yet it was still painful almost as painful as the first time, over the years it never got better. There were times though when something would be brushed inside of me, sending me into a fit of shivers, but the feeling never lasted as father's excitement increased.

During this night however, there were also times when father purposely increased the amount of discomfort I felt, most likely sending me at least some form of punishment for my misdeeds at the river side.

However, what sickened me the most during this night was when after he was finally finished, he held me, gently, trying to do as a true father should do and scold me softly as if I were still a pup. Then he apologized for placing his hand to my face on that fateful day; of course that slap meant nothing to me compared to the other things his hands have done to my body. Then he rocked me into himself, telling me how much he loved me and how he would never let another have me. He told me of how jealous he was of my reactions to Naraku's touch and how he never wanted me to see that spider again.

As much as I hated this moment, hated my father, and hated everything happening, I knew I would have to take advantage of the situation in order to get what I wanted, Naraku.

So I held tightly onto my father, nuzzling my head beneath his chin in a submissive gesture. I pretended to enjoy his embrace as I whimpered during his speech. I pretended to be truly sorry for my actions, then apologized for my disobedience at the river side, apologized for my tardiness, apologized for my incident with Naraku, apologized for putting my father through such a fit of rage, and I apologized knowing that I did nothing wrong.

I slept in my father's arms that night, in a room on the opposite side of the castle used for his own purposes. Lady Izayoi was not allowed to be present in this room, and as of recently father spent most of his time in this room instead of in the same room as that human. It made me happy to see the woman walk around miserable and confused about her husband's odd behavior, but it also angered me to watch her ignorance to not see what was going on in front of her own eyes.

My own mother knew, she knew even before my own existence what a terrible monster my father was, so she made sure to make her leave not too soon after I was born, she made her escape and left me to deal with the consequences of it. She also had no regrets and there was no turning back, she proved that to me those years ago when I was first introduced to true pain.

How can I blame her though, for not wanting to deal with this monster named Inu no Taisho, I can't. She was able to escape, why should she come back because I could not. Yes I still hate her with a passion, but I can no longer blame her for not helping. I needed to find my own way out as she had done, and my path lay with Naraku unless I could find someone else to free me, he seemed to be the only one as of yet.

When morning came to, I had awoken to the comforts of no one. My father had made his leave and by his scent it seemed to have been a few stand stills before sun rise. It was better for me this way, however outside of the door I could smell the scent of a guard, the same one whom had informed me of father's invitation.

So father still does not trust me completely, may as well, this guard seems controllable.

I removed myself from the large bed, grabbing a flimsy white robe from the stand at my right and wrapped it around my body before walking to the door.

Taking a deep breath, I made out a short plan of seduction, replaying the short scenario in my head, before finally making my leave.

I must have startled the guard, for he blinked in a shocked manner, before taking notice of my lack of clothing and directing his attention at my feet. It still did not stop the blush from rising to his face.

However, I pretended to ignore his presence and walked past him, hoping he would do as I predicted, and follow.

He did.

"My lord Sesshoumaru. I am sorry if I cause any inconvenience but your father wishes for me to keep track of your every movement."

I stop and turn quickly toward him, which again startles the poor man as he nearly stumbles upon me.

"Is that so?"

"Y…yes my lord."

I size him up briefly, he is a head taller than me, hair pulled into a long braid stopping just below his waist. His eyes are a mix of gray and purple, slanted and his pupils are small slits; common characteristics for a neko youkai. To confirm his species I look down and notice a gray white tail, smoothed out neatly and tied tightly around a masculine waist. He seems to be somewhat nervous under my gaze because his tail gives off a short twitch.

"Fine, I will tolerate your presence for now, however, make sure to stay out of this Sesshoumaru's way."

"Yes, my lord."

So together I and my new guard head off; he's making sure to keep his distance while staying close enough to make sure that I literally do not step from my path. I doubt he knows where I am heading or else he would have been better prepared.

I pause for a second, giving off a light smirk to myself before pushing open the doors ahead of me, revealing my father's private bathing quarters.

I can almost feel the neko's heart stop as he realizes what is to come next.

My father must truly trust this feline, for it must have been apparent by my scent of the actions that took place during the night and it is of father's warning that I do not walk about the castle smelling as such, so of course I am expected to bathe, aren't I?

To test my theory I walk completely into the bathing quarters leaving the door open behind me to see what action it is that needs to be taken next.

To my surprise I feel an air of confidence coming from the neko behind me as he steps into the room, shutting the door behind him.

"So you are really to follow my every move?"

"Yes, my lord."

I feign a sigh of exasperation, making sure to keep my back to him.

"So be it."

Looking toward the room laid out before me I step toward the large hot spring that was set specifically for my father, but of course this is not my first time here. The spring is placed in the middle of the room, my father's wardrobe sits to the left, a large Willow tree is placed to the right to drape over the water, this is quite a large room to sustain such a massive tree, however it is to be expected of my father.

I hear movement behind me and turn my head slightly able to make out the view of my guard, taking a seat in a chair that was placed next to the door. Had he already expected my trip here? Or had father informed him ahead of time?

I clear my head, now is not the time to question the situation. I know what my plan is, I have to get this neko to bend to my every whim and charm seems to be only way of doing so, though I have been told before that I lack my father's charm* it does not hurt to try against such an easy target.

I slowly begin to remove the robe from my body, however I stop, with the robe hanging slightly from my shoulder in what I hope to be a seductive manner, turning my head toward the guard who seems to have made himself comfortable.

I lock eyes with him and those gorgeous orbs of his stare back intensively. Feigning the air of a virgin, I am the first to break eye contact, very uncommon for a canine, and direct my head toward the ground.

"Could you…"

I mumble those few words, pretending embarrassment and just as planned the expression on the guard's face changes to that of concern and curiosity.

"Is something wrong, Lord Sesshoumaru?"

I turn toward him, my hands clenching the front of my small robe to keep it hanging loosely yet closed.

"Could you please…"

My voice stays low, while my eyes stay directed to the ground. To my surprise the guard stands from his seat and begins to walk toward me.

"Y…yes My, Lord? What is it that you wish of me?"

I look up at him as he continues to get closer, far closer than needed. What is this neko expecting me to ask of him? Is he truly this dense?

"Could you please, turn around while I undress?"

By the time I complete my sentence, he is standing so close, almost as close as Naraku stood at the river side. I am still able to realize that my question caught him off guard for his pupils expand, before quickly retracting back to regular size. He nervously clears his throat and takes a step back, exactly what was it that this feline was expecting of me?

"My Lord, it is your father's wishes that I do not let you out of my sight."

So persistent.

"I understand this, and I commend you on your loyalty to my father. However, it will only take a stand still for me to remove my robes and slip into the water. You cannot turn your head for such a short amount of time? It is not as if I will vanish."

He opens his mouth and I am already sure that he will argue against me, I must stop that at once.

"…Please. You must already know what my father does to me, I cannot deny that, but at least allow me some dignity."

His pupils once again show the look of shock, then his eyes set to understanding and he sighs in defeat.

"Fine. But you must move quickly."

I look at him and smile for the third time in a long time.

"Thank you."

With that he turns around and I quickly drop my robe before stepping into the warm water ahead of me.

I walk in until the water touches my chin, my hair is pooled around me and I am sure that it is a sight to see.

"I am ready, you can turn around now."

He once again turns his attention to me and I hear his breath hitch, I knew it.

Without taking his eyes off of me, I watch the neko walk backwards until he reaches his chair, then he sinks into it as if exhausted.

Judging from his reaction, my first plan is most likely complete.

TBC…