The Respect She Deserves by Raychel

Respect

The Respect She Deserves - NC17

It had been like this for three years. The Lady of the West had been silent, quiet, and almost ghostly for three years today. The castle had fallen into sadness ever since the day their Lord and Lady argued.

"Kagome," The young woman turned to see her Lord and mate standing at the door. She smiled, and returned to her work.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru?" She could almost feel him glare at her back. Yes, she had forgot his Sama. But she didn't care. She'd been forced into this mating by her mother. Who gave a shit about her mate?

"Kagome, you really should treat your mate with respect," He replied coolly.

"You get what you're given, Sesshoumaru. Be thankful I even speak to you." He growled, and grabbed her hair with his hand, tugging her head back.

"Watch your tongue, woman, or I shall remove it!" He roared. Kagome's body flared in pink light, and Sesshoumaru flew across the room.

"Hey! That wasn't nice, Sesshou!" The girl said.

"Since when have you been a Miko, wench?" Sesshoumaru asked, lifting himself from the ground. His chest burned with purification, and he winced when his arm brushed against his hip. That was burned too. He heard Kagome snicker under her breath, and he growled again. Kagome rolled her eyes and rose, rested against the small desk behind her.

"I'm an Inu-Miko, baka. Have always been. Don't tell me the Great Lord Sesshoumaru couldn't sense it?" Kagome smirked. They had been mated for what seemed like forever, and though she never showed it, she loved him like nothing else. It was something she kept close to her heart. She knew that somewhere, hidden deep within ice and sorrow, Sesshoumaru's heart would beat, but she would never dream that she held a part of it. That was something that she didn't even with for; it was too impossible.

"Do not toy with me, wench."

"Do not call me wench, assho-" Suddenly, a white blur ran past her, and kicked her to the floor, before hovering above her, his hands holding her wrists to the ground.

"Watch your words, bitch. I will personally see your death if you do not. I demand respect!" Kagome snorted.

"Make me."

"What?!"

"Make me respect you." Sesshoumaru's lips twisted into an evil smirk.

For the whole of that night, Sesshoumaru had slapped Kagome around the dojo, smacked her with swords, and brutalised her. When the healer had looked at her, the Panda demon had been.. Well, she had been horrified. Kagome had black eyes, bruises up and down her arms, and cuts from swords and daggers all across her body. The young woman was silent, not even wincing when her wounds were sewn up. From that day on, everything had been different, for the castle, and for Sesshoumaru.

Now, three years after, the Natsuki the nurse could still see the scars upon Kagome's flesh where she was cut by her mate. She had seen the sadness in her Lady's eyes, and the looked of one who was betrayed by her love. And it had angered the woman more than anything. Still, Lady Kagome had asked her to stay silent, and so silent she stayed. Everyday, Natsuki would watch as the life drained out of her mistress' eyes while her Lord didn't seem to care.

It was a year and a half after the incident that Kagome moved away from the Lord's room, and a year and a half after that he began to take whores to his bed in replace of his lady. It had been a year and a half since she died inside. And now, she didn't even leave her room, choosing instead to lock herself away, barely eating or living. Natsuki had stationed a guard outside her room to make sure that all her attempts at taking her own life were foiled. She had come so close, once, that Natsuki had to give her some of her blood to keep her alive.

And Sesshoumaru never knew.

Sesshoumaru continued bedding his whores, and ignoring the woman who said that she would die, because she was not worthy. She would die, because it would make him smile like he used to. And that, Natsuki decided, was the last straw. After three years of silence, she decided enough was enough. She stood outside Lord Sesshoumaru's door while moans and groans of pleasure were heard, the sound of Saynori (the little whore that she was) screaming in release echoing around the castle. Kagome was sure to hear. When they were finished, the little whore rushed out, throwing a sly grin at Natsuki, Sesshoumaru following. He glanced at Natsuki, and gave her a cold 'what' stare.

"I hope you are happy," The nurse said softly. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "I hope you know what you are doing to your mate. Do you know what she told me this morning, Sesshoumaru-sama?" The taiyoukai lent against the wall, staring her down with boredom in his eyes. "You heartless bastard, Sesshoumaru! She is sitting in her room, and all she says is 'If I die, Sesshoumaru-koi will smile again. I will be happy if he smiled, even if it meant losing my life'. That, Sesshoumaru-sama, makes me sick. Sick that you would let your mate fall into such a huge amount of depression, and not care! I would rather die than work for you any longer!" And with that, Natsuki was gone, leaving a slightly stunned Sesshoumaru.

Kagome had said that? The dear Kagome whom he had not seen in three years? She wanted to die? The thought hurt his heart. Yes, he had bedded whores and harlots from around Japan, but he had always wished that it was Kagome with him. His pride had stopped him going to her and apologising. His honour, however, said he should go to her, make up, and then let them show their love to each other through the whole night. But he couldn't. Not after three years of saying nothing to her. There was no way for him to say sorry for three years of pretending she didn't exist. It was impossible. So, Sesshoumaru carried on, not worrying about the mate of his heart who was slowly dying.

Two more years later, Natsuki died, leaving Kagome alone. It was a harsh blower to the already half-dead Lady of the West, and for Sesshoumaru, it was the passing of an irritating woman.

'Five years', Sesshoumaru thought. 'It has been five years since I held my mate in my arms, since I kissed her, since I made love to her. It has been five, terrible years since I have heart her sweet voice, touched her beautiful smile. It has been five years too long!' And that is when Sesshoumaru decided to finally visit his mate. What he didn't expect, however, is what he came across when he entered the tiny room at the end of the corridor, the one that she had moved into all those years ago.

Sitting upon the bed, staring at the black, grey wall, was his mate, his Kagome. But not as he remembered her. No, not at all as he remembered her. She was thin, too thin, the kimono she was wearing showing how close to her ribs her skin was now. Her eyes were blank and emotionless, the normally bright, vibrant, blue depths empty and shallow. Her hair hung around thin shoulders, lifeless and straight. She didn't even acknowledge his entrance. Sesshoumaru was stunned, and momentarily thought that his women was not his Kagome, but another in her place. But then he saw the mark upon her neck, and he knew for sure it was his mate. Taking a step forward, he gazed at her.

"Kagome.." He said softly, staring at her. She didn't move, only her eyes seemed to twitch, though if the were widening or narrowing he couldn't tell. "Kagome-koi.."

"Gomen ne, Sesshoumaru-sama, demo... I do not know of whom you speak," The shell of Kagome muttered. Her voice was weak and hurt, and he could tell that she didn't want him there. "There is no woman in here that is your darling. Perhaps on the first floor, maybe, there may be one, my Lord?" The first floor. The concubines floor. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes.

"Stop being a fool, Kagome. I know that I have mistreated you, certainly. But you must understand, my pride was at stake. There was nothing I could do but show you who the master was. Please understand, Kagome-koi. Please forgive me for all the pain I have caused.." Sesshoumaru bowed his head slightly. Kagome looked up, her soulless eyes sparkling.

"I am sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. I know not of what you speak," She muttered dully, turning away, staring out the window into the dark day before her. Sesshoumaru growled, and was soon before her, making her look at him.

"Kagome," He said darkly. "Listen to me, and listen well. I will not say it again! I did not mean to harm you in such a way all those years ago. I did not realise that that was who you are! I want you back, Kagome.. I want the woman I love back!" When Sesshoumaru said those words, something seemed to change in Kagome. It was not his apology. It was not his closeness. It was what he had said after.

The woman I love...

He loved her! He said so! But.. He had said that she was not right enough, not perfect enough, to be his mate! And now he says that he loves her!? Kagome was so confused. Which was one true? Had she lived five years of misery for no reason? Had she lived like he had wished her too for all these years, even though he had wanted her with him? She had to know, she just had to!

"Sesshoumaru..sama.." Kagome started, hastily adding the 'sama' when she forgot it. "I don't understand... This is what you wished for... A submissive mate that would not enquire into your life. Do you not like me as this? Would it be better if I let myself die so that you will be happier? Please, tell me what I can do, my lord... I don't know what to do.. I am so confused.." Leaning forward, Sesshoumaru pressed his nose against hers gently.

"Let me love you again, Ka-go-me," He whispered, and she melted. How could one not melt when touched by such a magnificent, low voice that shot through your body with lightening heat? Slowly, he smiled at her, and he breath caught in her throat, before he lent in and captured her lips with his, not going any father than that. He wanted her to want him. Slowly, as if unsure, Kagome's arm moved to wrap around Sesshoumaru's neck, drawing him closer as he kissed her.

The Demon Lord felt like he was in heaven. Finally, finally, he was back with his mate. His inner demon came to life again, after around four years, and purred, knowing his mate was back in his arms. And she wouldn't be leaving anytime soon either. Pulling away, Sesshoumaru rubbed his cheek against hers lovingly, before sitting down beside her and pulling her onto his lap, one of her legs on each side of his. His head moved down, kissing her chin, her jaw, her neck, her chest, anywhere he could kiss without removing clothes. A soft gasp left her lips, memories flooding back to her. Their first night, the night at the river, all the times she had been loved by him. It almost made her want to cry, the feel of her chest against his again, his lips against hers, their hair tangling in a big mixture of silkiness on each other's shoulders. She shuddered when his large hands came up, slipping the cotton she was wearing off her shoulders, his lips following to kiss them.

"You are so beautiful, my Kagome," He whispered, bringing the cloth down a little more. "So much more beautiful than I remember... How could I have forgotten such beauty? Such wonder? Please, help me remember, Kagome-koi.." Kagome's hands reached out, and lightly rested on his shoulders, before they went down, brushing his chest, and untying that obi, the same one he wore all those years ago. She threw the silky cloth away, and pushed aside the cloth he had over his chest, leaving her hands free to roam warm, pale skin. Her love gasped as her fingers brushed a hardened nipple, and it made her eyes widen. Could she still do that at the merest touch?

Her hands now moved to drag the cloth down his arms and off, before it joined the obi on the floor. Her eyes widened at the familiar, beautiful sight of his chest, waiting for her to touch it again, all in view for her. Slowly, she pressed her hands against his shoulders, and lent in, kissing his neck. Her mate moaned. Kagome's hands moved down, brushing against his now sensitive skin, and landing on his hips. Her mouth followed, and she found immense satisfaction at making Sesshoumaru groan as she kissed around his stomach. She was relearning his body, committing it to memory once more, letting her heart open again to this man, this man that was so wonderful and so beautiful it made her heart cry. It wasn't long before she found herself on the bed, looking up at her mate.

Sesshoumaru couldn't take much more. He wondered to himself, for what seemed like the millionth time, why he wasted his bed time with whores and concubines when he could have been here in the arms of his mate, his wife, his heart? It confused him to no end. Now, he hovered above her, before leaning down and kissing her neck, over the mark he had upon her five and a half years ago. His Kagome mewled, and he smirked. The mark was always a nice place to start. His hands went down and he untied the plain obi she wore around her waist, before throwing it away. Her kimono followed, leaving her in only the small piece of cloth she used to bind her breasts.

His mouth hovered above them, his warm breath making her own nipples go hard, and she moaned softly. A sharp claw cut through the cloth, and them his lips were upon the hardened buds, nipping and sucking on them gently. Kagome gasped, then groaned, clenching her hands over the sheets below her. Her mate grinned, before resting a hand on her waist, kissing down to her stomach, and into her belly button. Kagome cried out. Her mate moved back up, and kissed her, while his other hand ran down to her centre, the burning spot between her legs. His fingers pressed against it and she squealed, before taking deep, shuddering gasps. Another claw ripped through the cloth over her womanhood, and the heady scent of her arousal attacked Sesshoumaru. He decided he had had enough foreplay, and it was time to make his make happy once more.

Turning her onto her stomach, he lifted her hips up so her knees were in the air, he himself completely naked. Slowly, knowing that she hadn't been with anyone for years, he entered her from behind, pressing into her. She cried out softly in pain, but then she moaned deeply. When he felt her relax completely, he began to thrust into her, licking at her neck where his mating mark was. She cried out, the small licks and nips he was bestowing on her heightening her pleasure. It wasn't long before the coil in her stomach exploded, giving Kagome her first orgasm in five years. Minutes later, Sesshoumaru joined her, shooting his seed into her waiting body and burying his fangs into her neck, reclaiming his bitch. He rolled over, pulling her to his chest, both of them panting. As he let his fangs leave her body, lapping up the blood, he wrapped his arms around her waist, and growled lovingly into her ear.

"This Sesshoumaru will never let you go again, Kagome."

And he didn't.