What's mine is yours, But what's mine is mine

Chapter 13: I will not stand for it

The next day she pretended to sleep longer than she should have so she wouldn't have to eat breakfast with him. She heard he'll be out hunting at the nearby village, who's territory covered the lush forest.

She took the opportunity, perhaps, the only one she'll ever have. She had planned to escape the palace and go to the market place to visit Lady Kaede. To give her the letter she made last night before she finally managed to drift off to sleep. She wanted to give her letter in person. She wanted to know for herself how the village and everyone else is doing.

She was able to get pass the guards unnoticed. Stay and chat longer as she would, she cut short her reunion with the old lady. With the promise that she'd unfailingly deliver her letter to the village, she left for the palace in a haste.

She got back and just in time for her lord's arrival. She climbed the makeshift rope she made out of the blankets and sheets at her room. She hurriedly removed her cape and hung it on the wall. She untied the blankets from the banister at the window's terrace. Barely on time as the door swung open.

Sesshomaru.

She kicked the blanket, now rolled on itself, behind her under her bed. "G-good morning!" She greeted. And rather too happy, Sesshomaru noted.

"I take it, you have slept well."

"Y-yes." He's prying now.

"I see." he moved closer. "What did you do while I was gone?"

"Nothing much. I practically stayed here." She's a terrible liar. He mused. "You didn't go anywhere?"

"No." He leaned down on her. He's definitely gonna kiss me.

But he didn't.

"This was in you hair." He voiced instead. It was a petal from a flower bearing tree. One that grows only at the river near the market area. The route she took as shortcut to reach the said place. And she said she didn't go anywhere.

She dared lie to him. Again.

Just so when she expected him to go ballistic at her utter lies, just so when she thought he'd be mad and confront her, he held her hands in his and pulled her to the dining hall.

He pulled her chair out for her and settled her down.

"Eat." It was more of a command. And she did so as he had ordered.

He patiently waited for her to finish. He didn't bother move from where he sat across her in the table. He stood when she finished and ushered her back to her chambers. Was he making sure I don't go missing again?

"Aren't you staying?"she just had to ask.

"I still have to take care of something."

"But it's already late. And you haven't eaten yet."

He mentally smiled at her concern. "I'll be fine."

She figured whatever it was he had to do, must be important. "Then promise me you'll definitely have dinner after."

He'd laugh now, he thought, yet he didn't, not in front of her at least. "I promise." He tucked her into bed and left.

"Goodnight, Sesshomaru."

The next day, the day after, and the following days still, she continued to sneak around. Causing mayhem at the palace. She would have stopped, but her nerves were raw.

She didn't want to make him mad, but he made her mad first.

That morning after they'd talk, she decided to help cook, and start on her wifely duties. She was having a good day, she thought so too at first. But when she heard the giggling and chatting of women at the chamber just adjacent to Sesshomaru's she had it!