Tongue Tied by MorningStar

Discovering Silence

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do i claim to. Only the idea and story are mine. (And any OCs i should happen to add of course, they being original)

A/N: This was an idea I had awhile ago but never got around to typing up. Without any further ado, here is the first chapter of Tongue Tied.

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1. Discovering Silence

Sesshomaru scanned the crowded hall, youkai from all around were gathered. Some were looking for a rut, some a meal... he was looking for a nursemaid. Ever since Naraku had been defeated he tried to dedicate as much time as he could to seeing that Rin grew into a proper lady, but he just didn't have a grasp on the way the human female body worked. All of this led to him being here. 'To think that this Sesshomaru has to buy a human.'

"Next up, a very feisty young miko," the barker called out as three guards struggled to get the squirming sack onto the stage.

"Miko?" Sesshomaru turned his full attention towards the stage for the first time that day.

"Rumor has it that this is the girl who defeated Naraku, so I'd warn those just looking for a light snack to stay away." As he said that the bag began to glow pink and the guards quickly dropped the bag onto the stage. One who was cradling his injured hand grabbed his sword and sliced through the rough canvas which fell away leaving a very disheveled young girl sitting sprawled on the stage, her legs well visible under the impossibly short skirt she was wearing.

"Would you look at her legs?" Sesshomaru heard the man next to him say. "So long... I wonder what they'd feel like wrapped around me."

"We'll start the bidding at 200 gold. Any takers at 200?" A series of hands shot up. "How bout 500?" Hands shot up again. "Dare I say, 2000?" The crowd stirred for a bit before several hands flew up again.

The barker leered at the girl, "Well girl... seeing as how you'll be fetching the highest price today, can we get your name?" She just growled at him and pulled some of the sackcloth around her. The barker jerked on her hair, "I said, give us your name wench!" She softly shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Can't talk, eh? All the better! Who wants to hear a woman yapping all the time?" The crowd laughed, but the eyes of a certain youkai narrowed.

As soon as Sesshomaru saw her disobedience he knew who she was. Actually, he knew once he saw her legs, as they were one of his favorite things about when he used to visit with his brother. The man next to him was licking his lips as he counted his coins, "I hope I have enough."

The barker looked at the crowd with a smile, "I believe last count was 2000, so shall we say 3? 3000?"

The man next to Sesshomaru wildly waved his arm through the air and Sesshomaru gagged. The man smelled horribly. 'Must be a skunk youkai,' Sesshomaru chuckled inwardly at his joke and watched as the barker called out higher and higher numbers but still the skunk man bid on.

"6000 gold! Gentlemen, I think that is the highest bid we've ever had! I think I'm gonna have to say..."

"12,000 gold!"

Everyone turned to look at the man who just doubled the price on the piece of female flesh before them, ready to kill him for daring to make her so unattainable. All froze in their tracks once they realized that it was the Western Lord who bid on her.

The small skunk man next to him groaned, "Oi! Frosty! Since when do you like humans?"

Sesshomaru shot his whip out and calmly removed the man's head from his shoulders. "She saved the life of my ward once, so it is only fitting that I return the favor now. Besides none of you would be able to conquer her, she IS the shikon miko."

All of the demons stepped back from the girl and cleared a path for the taiyoukai to approach the stage. The barker glanced at Sesshomaru, "Are you certain you want her?" He had been hoping no one would take her or he'd at least be granted five minutes alone with her.

"She traveled with my brother when he was still alive. She was part of his pack and as such is part of mine. There is no question on the laws of pack." The barker nodded and began wondering if that meant he wouldn't get paid for her either. "I have no intention of leaving you unrewarded for your find." Sesshomaru handed the man his 12,000 gold pieces and gestured for Kagome to come to his side.

Much to his surprise she quickly joined him without argument. Together they quickly strode out of the slave trading hall and made their way out into the courtyard before curiosity got the better of Sesshomaru.

"Miko, how did you end up here?" She kept her eyes on the ground and merely shook her head. This wasn't right, she never was this demure, this obedient, this... silent. That last one scared him. "You will tell me eventually. For now, know that I will not hurt you. I believe my ward requires help in subjects more feminine than I am familiar with."

Kagome lightly chuckled while still staring at the ground. 'Why isn't she talking?' Something pulled lightly on the back of Sesshomaru's mind but he didn't quite understand what was going on.

"Come miko, we leave." Sesshomaru waited for her to approach him before summoning his youkai cloud to carry them back to his fortress.

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Kagome allowed Sesshomaru to hold her to him as they flew through the sky, quickly making their way to his castle. As soon as they set down in his courtyard she stepped away from him and bowed her head slightly. "Miko... are you well?"

She merely nodded at him before a blur of red and orange attached itself to her leg. "Lady Kagome! Rin is so happy to see you!" Kagome smiled at the child and gently patted her head. "You come to play?" Again Kagome nodded and smiled which made Rin turn to Sesshomaru, "How come Lady Kagome doesn't speak?"

Sesshomaru placed his large hand on Rin's shoulder, "I myself do not know. But I am sure she would love if you were to show her the gardens. The evening meal will be prepared soon." Rin nodded and led Kagome into the large garden to sit beside a small koi pond. A small green lump hurried up to Sesshomaru before prostrating himself on the ground.

"What is it Jaken?"

"My Lord... Is there something wrong with the miko?"

"Jaken, I've never known you to be concerned over a human when your life wasn't also at risk."

The toad bristled a bit at that comment but hid it well. "It's rather disconcerting that she not be yelling or carrying on as she normally does. Are you sure this isn't a trick of some kind?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, "Are you saying this Sesshomaru is likely to fall into a trap?"

Jaken gulped, "No my lord... I... I just..."

"It's okay Jaken." Sesshomaru inwardly smirked at how easy it was to rile the toad. "I think she's still broken over the hanyou's death." Jaken nodded, thankful his lord wasn't angry with him. "Now, go see to dinner."

"Yes my lord." Jaken bowed deeply before scurrying off into the kitchen.