Happy?

Chapter 5

I sat at the edge of the dirty pool and waited in silence. Eventually I heard footsteps echoing down the stairs and felt the powerful demonic presence approaching me.

I stared at the doorway of the bathing chambers until I saw the tall demon enter. I sucked in a breath, I didn't expect him to be so beautiful.

"You're Ai." He stared, his voice deep and emotionless.

"I am. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" I questioned, looking up at him through my eyelashes and leaning forward.

"I am the lord of the west, Sesshomaru." He didn't say more than he had to, his voice staying even.

I nodded up at him.

"You're home is lovely, and thank you maids for taking care of me. Please." I added after a second thought. He hummed for a moment, eyeing me as I stood up. Wincing as I went.

"You heal slowly, for a demon." He mused. His eyes slowly raking up my body, stopping at my wide eyes.

"Ah...that's an easy one. I have a...sacred...necklace. It suppresses my demonic energies. Making me almost human." I admit. Omitting the part about my mother and the key.

He narrowed his eyes at me, like he knew I was lying.

"You aren't leaving." He stated, and I froze.

"You're going to keep me here? Against my will?" I took a step closer to him, cocking my head up and to the side, a ghost of a smile on my face.

His eyes seemed to glow and his lips twitched before settling back into his blank face.

"My ward has taken a liking to you, and I for one would not like to listen to her complaining when she finds I let her...new 'friend' leave whilst injured." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You can stay in the room you awoke in. Don't be a nuisance." He growled at the end.

I stood frozen in place as I watched the lord of the west walk away, seeming to float across the ground.

"Well this is fantastic." I grumbled.

I suppose I should be thankful, finally having a place to sleep in safety after weeks of restless nights and fending off rouge demons.

Shaking my head I began to walk back upstairs to find my room. I wandered down what seemed like endless hallways until I finally admitted I was lost. There were no maids around, most everyone having gone to bed at this hour.

I remembered the library I saw on the previous level and headed back down that way, at least it'd pass some time until I could find someone to help.

I entered the dark library and lit a candle lying on a small table, not necessary with my advanced sight, but still a comfort.

I sat against a shelf and started picking through scrolls and books. Many already ancient and collect dust on the aging papers. I picked out a few on Fox demons, hoping to find something out about myself or my family and got to work.

I must've sat for hours in the darkness, not realizing when the candle had burnt out and the sun had risen in the sky.

I had a pile of scrolls on my left, neatly stacked, and a new one open in my lap.

Fox demons tend to be mischievous, liking to play tricks on vulnerable people. They also have a tendency to try to seduce men and women alike, anything to...

I rolled my eyes skipping over this section.

A known clan of fox demons reside in the west. Just south of the great lord-

I jumped as the scroll was removed from my grasp.

"I apologize for the intrusion, Lord Sesshomaru." I averted my eyes from the dog demon in front of me.

"Studying up?" His eyes scanning over the scroll.

"Tell me why." He demanded.

I sighed deeply, but decided not to lie. He could be of help to me.

"I'm trying to find some clues. Something about my birth mother." I admitted, still not making eye contact.

"You won't find that heat. These scrolls are old, no fox demons reside in the west anymore." He stated. Lowering himself to sit across from me.

I felt my face fall and brushed my shaggy bangs away from my face.

I watched Sesshomaru inspect the markings on my face, feeling self conscious suddenly.

"Please, tell me why." I pleaded.

He stared out the window for a moment, a hint of emotion passing over his face.

"It happened years ago. The clan was growing, a new member having just been birthed by one of my fathers friends. The night of her birth, the compound was attacked. We couldn't help protect them, we never found the attacker's. The next morning, we found two faint scent trails. One of the mother and child, the other of the attackers. The mother and child fled towards the bone-eaters well. The attackers vanished a few miles away. We were unable to find it again." He sighed, letting his eyes close.

I felt my lip tremble and clenched my fists closed.

"What of the mother?" I willed my voice to not tremble.

"We found her. Dead. Next to the well." His face tightening as if in pain.

"And the child?" I whispered, my eyes shadowed by my persistent bangs.

"Gone." He said softly.

"We assume the attackers stole her away, after claiming the life of her mother." He added, eyes lifting to stare at me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself not to cry. My mother wasn't alive after all. That had to have been her, it adds up with the well and the child's disappearance.

"Why are you so distraught? you didn't know them." His eyes sparked, clearly angered.

I couldn't stop the bitter laugh that tore from my throat.

"Didn't know them? I'm the child!" I stood up aggressively.

"What gives you the right to be so upset over the matter? It was my mother that ended up dead!" I ended shouting. Feeling my claws growing and my markings start to glow. I found it hard to control myself.

Sesshomaru also rose to his feet, leveling his stare with me.

"I think we should go for a walk." He mused, suddenly much calmer than before.

He walked towards the door, pausing to wait for me, but not turning around.

Hesitantly, I joined him, willing myself to calm down.