Smooth As Silk Ch. 5

Smooth as Silk

By: Aurora Collins

Disclaimers: I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters associated with it. I'm only borrowing the characters to amuse myself and hopefully others. ^__^


Ch. 5 The Truth



The night proved to be difficult with restless sleep and the nightmares torturing Sesshomaru. He awoke with another start, feeling his heart hammer within his chest. He lulled his head to the side to look out the window and saw the sun cresting over the mountains, bringing the dawn of a new day.


He would not be able to hold the truth from Kagome any longer. She would be presented with all the horrors of what the Underground really were, and how deep their scheme ran. Sesshomaru did not bother with sleep any longer as he got up from the small bed. He felt every spring within the mattress as he got to his feet.


Sesshomaru stilled as he heard footsteps within the hallways. They were soft and he relaxed when he caught the scent of Kagome pass by. She descended the stairs and her scent faded.


Kagome could not handle another minute in her bed. She kept thinking about what she did last night and how idiotic she had been. Why did she kiss him on the cheek? She kept surmising that it was nothing more than a ‘thank you’, but she knew better. Kagome knew that Sesshomaru did not have a fondness for humans and after what happened to him… She couldn’t blame him.


She shook her head as she slammed the kettle on the stove and started the fire, “Stop being so stupid Kagome. It was nothing.”


“What was nothing,” A low voice loomed.


Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin as she whirled around to see Sesshomaru leaning against the wall of the kitchen.

“N-Nothing that concerns you,” Kagome lied as she went back to the tea.


Sesshomaru noticed her scent change, “I think you’re lying to me Miko. I have come to trust you. Should you not do the same in return?”


Kagome was about to retort, but when she turned around he was standing right in front of her. Even though he lost most of his demon strength, he still found a way to be silent and fast.  


She knew she might get away with a half-truth. She gave in with a sigh, “I was thinking about your feelings for humans.”



“And why would this concern you?” Sesshomaru inquired, noticing her uncomfortable gestures. Her weight went from one foot to the other and her hands would not keep still.


Kagome looked up at him and gulped down, “Because of what happened to you in the Underground. I don’t blame you if you hate humans at this point, even one like me.”


Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome’s arm and pulled her closer to him, to try and cease her wiggling antics. “You are correct. I do despise humans,” He saw her downcast her eyes.


He continued, “But that does not mean that I despise all humans. There are some that have proven loyal to me, such as little Rin, your mother and yourself.”


Kagome gave a small smile as she gazed back up at him.


The kettle whistled and Sesshomaru released her. He didn’t know why he felt relief when Kagome smiled. He treated her with almost the same care as he did with Rin, but he had not shown that level of compassion for nearly 500 years. He put his hand back on his cheek where Kagome kissed him and turned away. Why was he confused by this woman’s gesture? It was nothing.


Sesshomaru relented and sat down at the table. Kagome handed him a cup of tea and began to make some breakfast.


“Are you sure you can cook?” Sesshomaru questioned, remembering Mrs. Higurashi’s warning at Kagome not being good at domestic duties.


Kagome huffed as she whirled around, “Just because I can’t sew or cut hair doesn’t mean I’m not good at other things.”


Sesshomaru put his hand up in surrender, “Calm down woman.”


“I’ll show you ‘calm down’ when you don’t get anything to eat,” Kagome roared as she turned back around to finish what she started.


Kagome was flipping something in a pan when she mentioned, “I would bet my ‘baby’ that my cooking is the best next to my mom’s.”


Sesshomaru almost spit out his tea, “B-Baby!?”


“My motorcycle is my ‘baby’,” Kagome laughed as she stirred something. “I worked hard for it. It’s better than trying to drive a car in the city, but unfortunately I can only ride it on my days off.”


“And why is that?” Sesshomaru bothered to question as food was presented in front of him.


Kagome pouted, “It’s a little hard to ride when you’re in a business suit. I take a taxi or train to work.”


The little Miko was right when it came to her cooking skills. Sesshomaru was impressed with what she made him, which was an omelet garnished with tomatoes. The meal was eaten in total silence as each individual contemplated on their own thoughts. Kagome made a motion to stand up, but Sesshomaru got her attention.


“We need to talk Kagome,” he told her.


“I thought we did talk,” Kagome cocked her head in uncertainty.


Sesshomaru clarified, “We had a mundane conversation. It is time to talk to you about the Underground, and what they are. I know you’re curious about it, but refrained from asking this morning for my sake.”


Kagome looked away and blushed. It was true. She wanted to give him room, but it surprised her on how he knew about it. Kagome wanted to know about the Underground, but then why did her heart beat faster? Was she scared to find out the truth?


“I began to notice disappearances of demons within my realm. Although demons are in hiding, I still have a kingdom to run with my people. I went to investigate,” Sesshomaru started.


Kagome felt a shiver of fear run down her spine as he continued, “I followed leads and scents until I came to a warehouse at one of the wharfs. There was demon scent everywhere that I couldn’t pinpoint which scent belonged to whom. Blood loomed in the air and I dreaded the worst for my people.”


“W-What happened to them?” Kagome interjected.


“This particular warehouse was meant for the slaughter of demons for their bones, meat, fur and horns. It was the beginning to the nightmare of the Underground,” he explained to Kagome.


Kagome was at the edge of her seat, “But, how did you get caught?”


Sesshomaru sighed, “It was a pup’s mistake that I made that day years ago.”


“How long were you in captivity?” Kagome couldn’t help but ask.


Sesshomaru growled at the Miko, “Are you going to keep asking questions or may I finish this story?”


Kagome yipped and put her hand over her mouth, muffling a ‘sorry’.


“As I investigated further into the building the blood dulled down my sense of smell, which led me into a trap that I was not anticipating. In an instant I was surrounded, but humans had no power over me. It was easy taking out half their ranks. In the middle of the chaos though, they shot at me with those blasted tranquilizer darts,” Sesshomaru barked out the last part.


“My body has not created and immunity against such a weapon and I was brought down far too easily for my own peace of mind. Ropes that were intertwined with binding talismans were made into nets to keep me trapped, but this was only the beginning,” Sesshomaru’s voice became low at the memory.  


Kagome kept her hand over her mouth as she gasped.


Sesshomaru raked his fingers through his short hair and looked distant, “I was processed, but not for meat. Dog demons are known for their hair that is smooth as silk, and my hair was worth a fortune. They found that if they cut my hair then it would grow back in just a few short months, so they kept me alive.”


Kagome could tell that reliving this ordeal was hard on him, but he had to tell her. He had to tell someone about the syndicate so that they could eradicate them.


“They did something to me when I was out to make me weak enough to handle,” Sesshomaru mentioned.


Kagome couldn’t take it anymore, “Do you know what they did to you? Binding talismans would not have this effect on you for so long.”


Sesshomaru smirked at her resilience to defy him, “Binding talismans assisted with my detainment, but no, those alone would not have done the job. I feel it is something deeper within me, something that I cannot reach. It is keeping me weak and it would be easy for me to be re-captured. I do know that they fed me a pill every day and that could have contributed to my overall weakness.”


“Perhaps they put something inside you surgically or maybe a curse of some kind?” Kagome questioned, trying to help him think of an answer.


Sesshomaru shook his head, “I do not know, but I plan to find out. Now allow me to continue woman.”


Kagome gave a nervous laugh, “Sorry about that. Go ahead please.”


“When I was not in the auction room I was kept in my own personal cell where I had any luxury I could ever dream of, but I was not free. I was there for approximately seven years and I knew that it took decades for the Underground to come to fruition. It would have taken a human lifetime to make itself into such a big business. My only concern is how I did not realize it until recently. My only guess is that they were snatching demons out of my realm and worked their way into my domain. I do not believe this was intentional, but it is the only lead I have,” the dog demon explained.


Sesshomaru smirked, “Then out of the blue you came along and saved my carcass from the chaos of the Underground. I still don’t know how you managed it, but it was brave. Stupid, but brave.”


Kagome puffed out her cheeks in agitation, “Well you better be thankful because I had to drag your heavy rear-end up a flight of stairs before I even got into the apartment. Do you even realize how heavy you are?”


Sesshomaru’s eyes became rounded when he heard her say that. He did not realize that she carried him all that way. It must have been when he was knocked out cold the night she saved him. She did all that for him without a regard for her own safety. He knew that he would have to come to depend on her until his powers were restored to their former glory. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed her.


“And besides, I couldn’t have left you there like that,” Kagome muttered more to herself.


“Why? Would you feel guilty?” Sesshomaru asked nonchalantly.


Kagome got up from her chair and slammed her hand on the table, “Of course I would have. I still feel guilty for leaving all those other demons in that Hell hole! No one deserves to be treated like that; human or demon. I could have done something…. Anything.”


Kagome felt tears prickle the side of her eyes. She had been holding them back for so long that she was fit to burst. She buried her face into her hands and sobbed.


“I-I could h-have saved them,” Kagome cried out in anguish.



Before Kagome knew it, she felt to strong arms wrap around her like a cocoon. It was soothing as she was held against his firm chest. His heart beat resounded within her ear, creating a calming effect. Kagome grabbed his shirt and her tears stained it. Her body shuddered as her distress began to wane into a dull throb. Her sobs died down slowly until she was left hiccupping.


Sesshomaru released her and handed her a cup of tea, “Do you feel better now?”


Kagome sniffled, “Yes. *hic* I do now. *hic*”


Kagome gulped down the tea to rid her of the hiccups. She heard the great Lord of the West chuckle as her hiccups caused her to spill some tea down her chin. When they ceased she let out a large sigh of relief.


“We will save them all Kagome. It will take time, but I promise you it will happen,” Sesshomaru did not make promises often, but he was confident in his resolve.


Kagome nodded, “I believe you.”


“I believe you too,” Mrs. Higurashi said as she came into the kitchen with a smile.


“M-Mom! How long were you there!?” Kagome yelled in surprise.


Mama Higurashi chuckled, “Long enough dear. You two should be getting dressed to go out.”


Kagome cocked her head, “What do you mean?”


“You very well can’t expect your man to go around in your brother’s clothes. Take this and go have some fun,” Mrs. Higurashi put some cash in her daughter’s hand.


“N-No, mom, I can’t take this; and h-he’s not my…,” Kagome tried to hand it back.


Mrs. Higurashi cut Kagome off, “Take the money dear. You don’t have any right now and your man needs some clothes. When you get back dinner will be ready.”


Kagome knew that arguing with her mother at this point was going to be a fruitless effort. When she looked back at Sesshomaru she noticed an amused look crossing his face.


When they left the room Kagome turned around to face him, poking the demon in the chest, “And what has you so entertained?”


Sesshomaru held back his smirk, “Your mother is an interesting woman.”


Kagome crossed her arms in front of her chest, “Well I don’t know why she keeps calling you my…” Kagome couldn’t even finish her sentence.


“Is it really so bad to hear your mother say that to you? Every mother has hope for their daughters and sons,” Sesshomaru reminded her.


“I know that, but does it not bother you that she keeps putting you in that position?” Kagome interjected sorely.


Sesshomaru did not answer her as he ascended the stairs. In truth, he did not know if it was a good or a bad thing. All he knew was that he was not bothered by Mrs. Higurashi’s words and that in turn caused confusion within him.