(Inuyasha) several hours later

"Ugh" I muttered as I chewed on a piece of venison. It was a bit too raw for my liking…but I forced myself to swallow it. If I wanted to try and reopen my connection with Sessh, then I had to eat and regain my energy.

I felt so tired, so sleepy but I didn't trust this place to fall into a deep sleep. First off, that lord gave me the creeps, second, Sessh's mother might try to decapitate me in my sleep and third….I wanted my mate's scent around me.

Chewing on a piece of bread, I walked around and examined the room I was in.

It was so light, airy and feminine. It was obviously designed to house a female. I walked over to a wardrobe and found several kimonos in different colors. I fingered them for a moment then closed the door. Next I opened the adjoining door along one wall to find a bathing room. It had a large claw foot tub in the middle, a section where a pit was dug into the floor where several coal rocks lay to make steam

Closing that door I then looked outside of the windows. I had to be somewhere high on the mountains. Where else would there be snow in spring?

It was late when I heard the knocking at the door. I ignored it and turned my attention to the window once more.

A rattling of a key caught my attention making me scoff. I was glad I trusted my instincts when I felt it was unsafe here.

When the door open I growled low in my throat as Lord Ryouma walked in then closed the door behind him.

I narrowed my eyes at him and watched for any sudden movements. My muscles coiled to spring in case of an attack.

He smirked at me as he walked to where my food lay took a piece of venison and licked his fingers as blood dripped from them.

"Delicious" he said in a purr but he was looking at me when he said that. I sneered and suppressed a shudder. He laughed softy as he let his scent hit me.

"Get the fuck out" I hissed at him making him chuckle darkly.

"Now, now my little puppy" he said walking close to me "Be nice to your future mate"

"I have a mate!" I said backing away from him, my claws itching to scratch is eyes out.

"He won't be alive for long after I get through with him. Lord Sesshomaru is so full of himself" He said hatred thick in his voice

"Thinking himself a god, above the council" he said then looked at me fiercely "He disregarded our laws. You…as the last silver Inu female should have been brought before our society" he said then let out a roar "I could have been your mate had he given you the chance to be courted, to be wooed!" he looked at me, his red eyes making me squirm a bit "I could have treated you so much better" he said then walked over to me, making me back away but he was too fast being a full blooded demon.

He grabbed my arms hard making me snarl and wince "I would have placed on a pedestal, devoted myself to you"

I frowned up at him "And what makes you think Sesshomaru doesn't do that?" I demanded, trying to remain calm. I was starting to wonder if this demons' mind was a bit unhinged, there was a crazy look in his eyes that had my internal radar going crazy.

"Because he's a cold hearted bastard" he snarled "Look at what he did to my sister"

"Your sister?" I had a bad feeling in the pit of stomach.

"Akira" he said softy as he let go of one of my arms only to wrap his huge hand around my throat in a movement that made me blink. Shit…I didn't even see that.

"I could so easily kill you right now" he said looking down at me "Tear out your throat and end your life. That's what my sister wants me to do, a favor from her brother"

I tried to get his hand away from my throat, my claws drawing blood as I dug it into his forearm, but it was like he didn't feel it. He just drew me closer until I felt him nuzzle my ears making my blood freeze.

"You smell so lovely my mate" he breathed absently. Shit! This guy was fucking crazy and I was alone in this room with him!

"Don't be afraid of me little one" he murmured as his claws dug into my arm making me wince "I will be your mate for now on. Akira can't ask me to kill you if you're my mate, as you should have been long time ago. We belong together…..you understand that right?"

Ah fuck, shit and crap.

What do I do? If I attacked….he would more than likely kill me. He was crazy, being this close to him I was able to get another scent coming off of him other than the arousal he felt right now…..It was the scent of madness. He was mad. How could the council not detect it? Or did he constantly have his scent masked?

"Why haven't you answered me my mate?" he said sounding sad.

I swallowed the bile in my throat….making me sick.

"I'm…speechless" I said, there was a tremble in my voice.

He chuckled as he let go of my throat to wrap his arms around me making recoil, my demon and soul screaming that this was not my mate and that he was getting his scent on me. I almost whimpered in distress.

Lord Ryouma didn't seem to notice, he was lost in his world of insanity, a world where apparently I welcomed his touch. My body was stiff as I held back the desire to ram my claws into his chest.

"Such a pretty little mate" he almost cooed at me making my stomach lurch. He stepped back then kneeled so that he was at eye level to me and looked at me, his eyes were slightly glassy. He ran his long sharp claws through my hair then frowned as he looked at my midsection.

"Are you unwell mate?" he asked still looking at my midsection. Oh shit. Acting on instinct to protect my pup I placed both of my hands on his face so that he could look at me.

"It's okay….just a bit of a stomach bug….nothing more" I said trying to remain calm as I tried to smooth his dangerously insane demon "I just need some rest, alright?"

He smiled up at me…it was fucking creepy. He leaned into my touch as he took one of my hands and brought it to his nose as he inhaled deeply then gave my skin a lick.

I was so close to throwing up.

I wasn't sure what kind of Inuyoukai he was, but was defiantly Inu. He had long golden hair, deathly pale skin and red eyes. He was handsome, like all youkai were, but he was crazy.

"Very well my little puppy. I will leave you to rest…for now" he said getting up then walked over to the door making sigh in relief "But when I come back….I expect you to be ready and join me in a stroll of the palace…..this will be your new home after all"

With that he walked out.

Wasting no time I reached for the nearest canister and threw up the food I had eaten. I was shaking as tears fell down my eyes, I felt so sick and scared.

"Why me? Why do I only seem to attract the psychopaths?" I muttered as I wiped the sweat off my forehead.

Ugh! I now smelled like the bastard.

Getting up I walked over to the door to find a servant right next to the door. The girl bowed to me.

"Is there something I can assist you with Lady Inuyasha?'

"I need a bath" I said in rush "Now"

"Right away my lady" she said before scurrying away.

Closing the door I went to go and sit on the bed. I shut my eyes and focused once more on Sesshomaru. I wanted him with me desperately, who knew how long I could keep Lord Psychopath at bay. I was almost frantic as I reached out for my mate, the scent of another male was making me want to scream and growl.

"Sessh!"

I almost smiled when I felt him a bit close this time.

"Koneko….are you alright my little one? What happened?"

I almost broke out in tears.

"Please hurry…..things just got a whole lot creepier. Lord Ryouma is fucking crazy Sessh! I mean crazy crazy…as in he's a few ants short of a fucking picnic, crazy! He thinks he is my mate!"

He was beyond pissed, he was at the point that if he were to let go of his youkai he would obliterate everything in his path.

"Has he touched you?"

Gods I was almost afraid to answer him. Sesshomaru was the most possessive demon I have ever come across, his beast always too close to the surface where I was concerned. I knew what he would have to do once we got home. So with a sigh I answered him.

"Yes. He had his claws at my throat…..I had to allow him to hold me in order to escape getting my throat ripped out. He is Akira's brother…he said that she asked him to kill me as a favor to her. Now he thinks he is my mate and protecting me from her, like I said, he's crazy Sessh. He seems to have forgotten that I am carrying your pup. Hurry! he said the will back later on"

Already I felt a little light headed. I didn't eat much today, threw up what little I did and I haven't slept out of fear.

"Koneko! I know this is hard…I know love…but keep up the link just a bit more…I'm going to transfer some of my energy to you"

Suddenly…I felt warm and I could swear I could almost smell him. I put my hand to my mouth as a little sob broke out. His scent….. It always had a calming effect on me, and with the way my emotions were fried it smoothed my fears and anxiety. I let my energy intermingle with his as I basked in his power and scent.

"I am with you love….I'm not that far from you. I believe I should reach you by daylight"

I felt so much relief….and yet...

"What do I do about Lord Delusional who thinks I am his mate? I don't want him near me Sessh…It makes my skin crawl"

"Seek out Lord Kazuhito….If I am correct, I believe he thinks that what he is doing is for your own protection. Tell him that you feel threatened and to have guards be placed outside of your door. Make him tell the guards that no one is to enter your chambers. When I get there….I will personally seek out Lord Ryouma and gut him alive"

I smirked a little at his tone.

"Do you forgive me my little mate?"

In truth…I did. When he asked me for blind faith, I didn't realize that I had already given it to him. I trusted him unconditionally, and that was not going to change.

"You said to trust in you, remember? Well I do Sessh….this doesn't change how I feel about you"

At once I felt this scent and power surround me again. He was closer.

I was about to tell him that I loved him when the knock at the door distracted me, making me lose my focus and the connection.

Rats.

I sniffed the air and breathed out in relief when it was just the servants bringing the water. Letting them inside they quickly filled the large tube in no time with hot steamy water.

"Can you let Lord Kazuhito know that I wish to speak with him?" I said remembering what Sesshomaru asked me to do.

"Yes my lady" with that they took off leaving me to bath in private.

It took a few scrubs to wash off the stench of Lord Ryouma; unfortunately I also washed off Sessh's lingering scent as well.

I had to remind myself that he was close by and I would be in his strong arms very soon. I haven't been apart from Sessh for this long since I went down the well to escape him almost a year ago. Funny how time changes one's perspective, a separation seemed unbearable to us now.

I dried my hair and stepped out of the tub, toweled myself and pulled on the white and silver kimono. Feeling better, but extremely fatigued I walked out and sat down on a comfy blue chair, my head was hurting. I must have dozed off a little because the sound of a knock on the door startled me awake. Rubbing my hand to my face, I tensed then sighed in relief when Lord Kazuhito walked in….then I tensed up all over again when Lord Ryouma followed him in.

Fuck me. I wanted to whimper.

"You wanted to see me dear?" said the kind elder to me.

I nodded then glanced at Lord Ryouma who was looking at me with clear eyes once more. You know that saying that the eyes are the window to the soul? Well….let's just say that I never wanted to look out that particular window.

"Yeah, I am extremely exhausted but do not feel safe enough to sleep" I said trying to sound innocent and meek "I feel my well-being in jeopardy. Can I have guards posted outside of my door?"

"But my dear little one" said the crazed nutcase "You are perfectly safe here….I personally can reassure you"

reassure my ass.

"And I appreciate it" I said resisting the urge to roll my eyes "But this is all new to me….and until my demon can accept it and get familiarized, I think it would rest easier if I had guards"

Lord Kazuhito smiled gently at me "Of course my dear. I will have three of my best guards to stand outside your door"

"And can you please instruct them to not let anyone in, even yourselves my lords?"

I didn't miss the way Lord Ryouma narrowed his eyes at me. I knew he was hoping to sleep with me tonight, but I would sooner die than to allow him to crawl into my bed!

"If it allows you to sleep better then yes" said the elder then moved to walk out and call out for three guards.

"What are you doing my little puppy?" whispered Lord Ryouma in my ear "I had hoped to come to you tonight"

I stepped away from him, not waiting to ask for yet another bash.

"I am tired my lord, and like I said, this is all very new to me. I would think that you cared enough for me to grant me this one request?" I said softly, not wanting to provoke him.

He started at me for a while then gave me a smile.

"Of course my lovely one, how selfish of me" he said "but this is just for tonight, tomorrow I expect you come to my bed, is that understood?"

Yeah. Fucking. Right.

He moved away just in time for Lord Kazuhito to walk in with three very large demon guards.

"Here you are my dear, three guards as requested" he said smiling at me fondly then he looked over to the guards "You are to stand post outside of lady Inuyasha's bedchambers. Do not allow anyone to enter, that includes any council members…..and especially Lord Sesshomaru if he were to miraculously appear" He chuckled

"Now we leave you to your rest, goodnight" he said as he followed the guards.

Lord Crazy gave my body a once over before walking out of the door as well.

Rubbing my face tiredly I went to sit on the bed. Once Sessh gets me out of here….I will never complain about being stuck in our bedchambers again. I will gladly lie in our bed until our pup is born and not say a fucking peep!

Getting into bed I placed my hand to my swollen belly. I missed Sesshomaru. Yes he drove me crazy at times but he was also surprisingly funny and sweet…well in private at least.

I was also feeling hungry. I wanted to sink my teeth into his mating mark and drink his powerful blood. My stomach growled in response making me chuckle.

"Soon my little pup…soon. Your daddy will come and feed us both" I said softly as I rubbed my belly. As I lay awake until my mate came for me