Wicked Plans

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru nodded, still hightly troubled. The scent was all wrong although he couldn't place it. He couldn't question her too much. He would just have to accept her answer as it was. "It suits you better." he commented, eyeing her thoughtfully. It did. This version of her was most appropriate. The servants clothes never seemed to fit her. Distracted with the memory of her singing he stepped further into the room, stopping in front of her. He seemed to want to say more as he looked down at her, but his nostrils flared again and his brows furrowed.

"You smell different." he stated suddenly. He had planned to let it go, but now that he was closer... He was dead set on figuring it out. It tugged at his brain of a memory. Without thought he stepped even closer, invading her space and lifting a hand to grip gently at her chin and turning her head to the side.

Instincts took hold as Sesshoumaru searched for the change. His head bowed down, taking in deep breaths as his nose grazed the vein at her neck and nuzzled behind her ear. He would find it, because he knew this scent. This change.

[Birdie]

She blushed happily at his compliment. She still had a hard time dealing with the expansive change the makeup caused to her face. She brushed some loose hairs back from her face. It's silky quality did not allow it to stay up very long and it was all starting to fall down, despite Fumiko's meticulous work.

Brigantia did not expect Sesshomaru's advance across the room. She took a step back, confused. Smelled different? How could she smell different? Was it the make-up? The dress? She took another step, but his strides were longer and it took him only a moment to hold her fast. His warm fingers touched her face and she completely froze. Wide eyes stared up at him as he bent down. She was overwhelmed by the smell of him. She quivered as his breath blew across her skin. Her thing fingers pressed lightly against his chest.

"Please.. I do not know what you mean." Her voice came out soft and shaky as her mind grew numb. His aura, his smell, his warmth, everything pressed on her. It was not entirely uncomfortable but she knew that this was not a good situation to find herself in. She wanted to push away, but he was much stronger than she and her arms did not seem to want to work. "My lord," she breathed, "Please explain."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru frowned, not liking that he couldn't immediately place the shift in her smell. It was becoming even hard to find it as he was overwhelmed with another change in her scent having mostly to do with her change in emotions. He huffed in irritation, ignoring the panic that had come to the front and hid the scent even more.

"I know this smell." he finally admitted speaking into her ear before sliding his nose down to her collarbone, hoping to find it there. When it didn't immediately show itself again, an irritated growl escaped him. "Calm yourself." He commanded, releasing her chin his hand moved down her throat to her shoulder to keep her steady as he investigated.

[Birdie]

Brigantia closed her eyes and breathed deeply as she tried to do as ordered. But his moving further down her neck, the feeling of his hand, it was almost too much to bear! Her lips trembled as she tried to keep herself from making any sort of noise. This whole situation was extremely distracting!

Hitoshi leaned against the open door frame, a mismatched set of gold and blue eyes surveyed the pair curiously. He was rather enjoying the scene that was unfolding. The little female hanyou was rather adorable. Despite the face paint she wore and her hairstyle, she had none of the self-importance or experience of a real geisha in regards to intimate matters. His master was just as he had left him. Absolutely clueless.

It got to where he could no longer bear to watch them. It was much too painful. Making a clicking noise with his tongue he decided to make his presence obvious. "Tsk, my dear lord, it seems I can not leave you alone too long before you start abusing the help." Hitoshi smirked and straightened himself from the doorway, offering the man a slight bow. Brigantia was so surprised by the suddeness of the intruder that she whimpered trying to suppress her cry. Who was this? What was going on? This was not a good situation to find herself in.

"That is a hanyou, correct?" He turned his mismatched eyes on Brigantia.

"Yessir... I am." Had he come with one of the lords? Then it hit her! "Oh! The smell you seek..." She was interrupted before she could calmly explain why she might smell different.

"You change rather soon now don't you? Like your brother, Sesshomaru-sama, how could you forget?" he teased in his slow drawl.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru's ear twitched at the sound that interrupted his concentration. His head jerked up, eyes landing on the intruder and he glared. He tugged Brigantia closer possessively before he caught on to who it was that intruded into his personal quarters. Huffing in irritation, he relaxed his stance slightly as he straightened.

"It is easily forgotten." he responded, releasing Brigantia by bringing his hands back to his sides. He was still rather unhappy on how Hitoshi appeared. If he hadn't had his nose buried in her hair, he might have noticed him sooner.

"You missed the meeting." He stated accusingly, eyes narrowing on Hitoshi. The red panda had many jobs, but sometimes was his own confidant and should have been there during the dinner. He stayed where he was, not caring at all how things might have looked for scent proved everything. Sesshoumaru would stay in her personal space until she moved away, which he gave her the ability to do so.

Still, he didn't see anything scandalous of the predicament. Nor was he caught doing anything.

[Birdie]

She squeaked as he brought her close. It seemed she would never be rid of his touch. Not that she necessarily wanted it gone, but it made her heart do weird flippy floppy things she did not like or understand. It was definitely less scary being hidden against Sesshomaru. When he let her go she could feel the coolness of the night air and his scent was not so overwhelming though she could still taste him on her finger tips.

Blushing a soft shade of pink, she listened as the two men spoke to each other. Obviously the newcomer was an old friend, someone to be trusted. He would not spread word of their predicament. But his mismatched yes moved over her in a way she did not like. He was sizing her up, making judgements. He would think that perhaps she had enticed Sesshomaru! To make problems or something. Brigantia wanted very much to just hide her face in her hands. Instead she just stood to the side, hands clasped in front of her and eyes averted.

Hitoshi rolled his eyes. It seemed things were still not so good with Inuyasha. It was old new and it bored him. Instead he liked to see what was going on with this new trinket Sesshomaru had managed to pick up. Physically she appeared to be much older than his last stray. But from her aura he could tell she was still a relatively new demon, as far as demons went, and had a lot of hidden potential to unlock. Hitoshi would definitely love to help out with that.

He moved his eyes away from the butterfly and heaved a great sigh. "Oh, you see Sesshomaru-sama, I was detained on my travels here." he went on in great detail of all of the little things and mishaps, one after another which created a great fiasco which had then caused him to be very late. "Not to mention Lord Ryuu has decided to take up a great deal of space outside of the manor." He grinned. "But it seems things went well. Doing a little bit of celebrating were we?"

Brigantia's face turned a darker shade of red. The situation was awkward enough, not to mention what had transpired with Fumiko. Oh! Was she to have no privacy, even in her own room. "Please, excuse me." She bowed deeply, all blushes and tears, and then ran out the door to find safe haven in the tangle of a garden.

Hitoshi watched her go before turned a questioning eye on his master. "It would seem I have given offense to the little lady. Though, perhaps it would be better if you did not go sniffing about on poor, innocent little girls. She can't be much older than Rin was when you first picked her up. Pervert." A wide smirk spread across his face. "Well, I should go apologize, make nice. I can't have her hating me now can I?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what to expect from Brigantia. They weren't doing anything, and Hitoshi had a good enough sense of smell to know it. He was pushing buttons and Sesshoumaru was starting to get on his last nerve. Anger quickly turned into confusion when Brigantia ran off. He blinked lightly then turned accusing eyes on Hitoshi.

"Fix it." he commanded, turning away from Hitoshi he glanced around the room lightly before moving back into the hallway and sliding the door closed behind him. He had intruded in her personal room and her personal space. That alone, he might have been guilty for. He had reacted too quickly to his curiosities. At least where Brigantia was concerned. He frowned, entering his own room to leave her be. He wouldn't intrude on her again if things would turn out like this.

Would Brigantia have reacted that way once she regained herself? Or was it only Hitoshi's interference that tipped the scales? He wouldn't try it again to find out.

[Birdie]

Hitoshi saluted Sesshomaru before following the scent of the hanyou's trail. She had not wandered too far into the tangled gardens. She stood below a young tree which reigned domain near the center. Her face was hidden in her hands and he could smell the salt of her tears. He sighed, feeling a little pang of guilt. It was something that had not happened in quite a long time, he almost mistook it for gas.

He moved up beside her and she lifted her face momentarily from her fingers. She gasped and attempted to make herself presentable. The tears had already done the damaged and her makeup was irreversibly smeared. She looked quite a mess, but even of her face it looked cute rather than ghastly. With a small smile he leaned down and removed a handkerchief from his person. Carefully he wiped the smeared make-up and tears from her face until she was presentable. "There, better?" She nodded mutely, confusion crossing her face.

"I did not mean to make you cry miss. Or upset you or offend you in anyway. I tend to tease Sesshomaru, as I have known him since he was a wee pup. It was more aimed at him than it was at you. And I know it was an innocent situation. Often our master knows not what he does. He is so very clueless when it comes to the ways of women." He smiled kindly at her and she could not help but smile back. It did not seem hard to gain her trust. Was a gullible and kindly little creature she was. "I am Hitoshi. What is your name?"

"I am Brigantia," she replied is a small voice. It was music to his ears. He stirred something strange inside of him. "Sometimes called Birdie."

"Birdie, that is a cute name for a cute little lady." Her blush was exquisite. He wanted so very much to continue to tease her, but he guessed perhaps now was not the time.

"I am sorry that I had run out like that Hitoshi-san.."

"Please, just Hitoshi."

"Ah, Hitoshi... I thought for sure you would think very little of me. I had been brought up as a proper lady and this situation so so very far from it."

"I know it not to be your fault. I place all the blame on our lord." Her eyes grew wide and she shook her head quickly.

"Oh no! No, he did nothing wrong! I mean, this is his home and I am intruding and..."

"He did not gain your consent before touching you?"

"No..."

"Then it is his fault! I like our lord very much as well. Your loyalty to him is pleasing." He reached and took her hand, patting it kindly. The spent a little time longer just speaking to each other. He wanted to learn of her life here and he was pleased to hear her happiness with it.

"Though," she said, "It seems I must leave soon."

"Why is that?"

"Lord Sesshomaru has sold me to the Eastern Lord..." That did not sound right at all. But the tears in her eyes and the trembling of her body told him that she believed this to be very much true.

"I see. Well, I will speak to him about it." He tapped her on the nose before the pair walked back to the house. They stopped before Sesshomaru's door and Brigantia raised her hand to knock. Hitoshi flung the door open before she had a chance and entered. Brigantia was absolutely stunned, and stood outside the doorway until she was bid to enter.

She bowed before starting her speech. "I am very sorry to have run away like that. I... It was a complicated situation that has been cleared up. Hitoshi said you two had some things to discuss so I shall leave you to it. Good night." She bowed again before exiting the room. Hitoshi bid her a goodnight and once Sesshomaru and he were alone he turned to the lord with a dark, serious look on his face.

"What is this I hear about you being in demon traffiking?" His tone in matched his face in the deep ferocity of his anger.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru was about ready to call it a night. He had worn a more intricate kimono for the meeting and was removing the layer when they barged in on him. Although he was still decent, he found it rather irritating to be so interrupted. It only phased him slightly as he folded the kimono in his arms. The only good thing was that Hitoshi had seemed to fix things. At least with Brigantia.

Sesshoumaru blinked slowly, not seeming to react to such a question as he moved to a shelf and placed down his kimono. Although he wasn't sure what Hitoshi was speaking of, Sesshoumaru was slow to answer to spite the red panda. "Who did you hear such a thing from?" he counter questioned, eyeing Hitoshi. The demon had the nerve to barge into his room and question him with that tone. With all his other antics he was starting to cross a line.

[Naraku]

Ryuu could almost follow the aura of each demon within the castle without even being inside. Though the hanyou was much harder to track as her aura was much more dim through such walls. His attention soon left and rose up into the night sky as he begin gazing at the constellations.

His head never turns as a dark voice spoke to him from the shadows, as red glowing eyes seem to glow from the shadow. “It seems you are enjoying yourself, is this wise?” Ryuu never left his gaze though a soft sigh came from him. ”I am sure I told you not to follow me... I can handle myself. The wolves are no true threat but it is not worth just going on such rampage and slaughtering one. As that would only bring more battle.”

“And what of this, Sesshomaru...?” Ryuu slowly looks away from the stars and down to his guest. “He is clever, and would not invite two other Lords here to plan anything. I can clearly see there is much still here he would not risk harm to befall. Now since you are here.... go ahead and move plans to attack... I could care less if that castle is empty now. I want to be ready for it just the same as if it held legions. Now begone.....Kurai......”

[Birdie]

He growled beneath his breath. Such a poor innocent thing Brigantia was and she was being abused horribly by his master. How could he have not seen these particular evils! "From Birdie. She is under the impression that you are going to sell her to Ainu." He crossed his arms, leaning against a nearby wall as he awaited an explanation. It had better be a good one too. Otherwise he might have to steal her away from him. Then he could have the little butterfly all to himself. He rather liked that idea.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Birdie? Was that why she was upset when he first decided to check on her? He had assumed it was Fumiko's doing. He blinked again, his face showing boredom in the entire conversation as he thought over it. Had she eavesdropped? "Ainu had made an offer of that sort." Sesshoumaru admitted, speaking as if he had forgotten all about it.

Because, well, he had. "I had refused. Brigantia is mine." His exception. His servant. His to slip back into a routine with. Sesshoumaru gave no further explanation, although it might have been needed for Hitoshi to not take it the wrong way. But why would he take it the wrong way?

[Birdie]

Ah, well, that made much more sense. Much more like the master as well. That possessive streak would never seem to run dry. Money would definitely never change that. "Aaaah, that's too bad." His face and his voice lightened with this news. "I would have very much like to have stolen her away. I fancy myself the occasional hero you know." He smirked. "Sharing was never your strong suit though... I just recommend you are a little more careful with how you treat your possession, Sesshomaru-sama, lest you find yourself in a rather irreversible situation." He spoke in a playful purr.

"You might want to tell the little butterfly that she is not to be sold. She is under the impression you want to be rid of her, couldn't imagine why she would think that." Another smirk. "She is quite something, Master." He sighed, a far off look coming over his eyes. This was disrupted when he shook himself back to reality. "Would you like to hear the reports now, or shall I wait until morning?"

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The conversation had taken an interesting turn that became slightly confusing. He wasn't sure what the warnings were for but he ignored them and most of the comments Hitoshi was making. The only thing that had stopped Sesshoumaru from kicking him out was him finally giving Sesshoumaru the respect he so desired and deserved.

"Everything can wait until morning." He responded, more concentrating on Brigantia than on reports. He wished he could walk into her room like he had before, but repeated offenses didn't seem like a good idea. He wouldn't intrude on her again.

[Birdie]

"Yessir. Have a good night, Master." Hitoshi waved as he walked out of the door, leaving Sesshomaru to his devices. He took only a moment to spy on his new favorite distraction.

Brigantia had, in fact, gone to bed. Her hair was taken down and the fancy kimono hung up. Her silvery hair was splayed over the pillow and the comforter was drawn up to her throat. She lay on her side, looking decidedly comfortable. Hitoshi wondered at her ability to sleep when it was very obvious just how much it scared her to be sold off like some sort of inanimate object. It could wait until she had awoken, as she would not be going anywhere any time soon.

He exited the pavilion and made his usual walk around the grounds, an old habit of his. Finally he settled into his favorite spot in a tree. He was glad to see the estate so much improved and watched the night pass comfortably.