Twisted Deals

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Since last night's guests were still here the servants were kept busy. Breakfast was made early for the Lords and cleaning of the dining hall was taking place. Sesshoumaru made sure to get up early, just as the sun began to rise. Things had to be taken care of. And one on the top of his list. Uncomfortably he stood in the hall of the pavilion, considering his options. Maybe he should just let her figure it out on her own. He scowled, angry at his hesitation.

While Sesshoumaru thought of the best way to track her down and maybe casually bringing it up. He blinked, looking down the hall to find Brigantia coming his way. Convenient. Ah, but then he hadn't planned exactly what he would say to her. Sesshoumaru shouldn't ever have to explain himself.

But if it had really caused her such distress. His jaw twitched as he stood in front of her door. He wasn't prepared! And she was looking at him strangely!

"Walk with me." he spoke suddenly, eyes looking down on her before he turned and walked slowly down the hall. Yes, this was good. He had time to think, and he didn't have to search her down.

[Birdie]

She had awoken, per usual, just before the sun rose. The tiredness and fatigue from that night still rested in her bones. Despite this she still did her morning routine, a small dance to greet the sun as well as a bath before she would start work. The heat of the water felt wonderful on her strained muscles and it felt wonderful to be absolutely clean.

She entered the house only to find Sesshomaru standing in front of her door. She watched him, confused. He spoke to her and she had no choice but to do as he asked. "Yes my lord. Just give me a moment please." She entered her room to grab a brush. Once holding this, she began to walk beside him.


She wore a plain white dress as she took care of her hair. The brush ran easily through her silvery locks. She was very glad that falling asleep with all those pins in had not completely tangles up her hair into an irreversible mess. She was nervous and was glad of having something for her hands to actively do.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

It was strange for Brigantia to brush her hair during the walk but he kept quiet. They walked outside of the pavilion, and down the stone pathway around the garden and past the hotsprings. They were making their way to the archives where all the scrolls and treasures were kept. Hitoshi's main quarters were in the archive pavilion. He walked slowly, giving himself time. They came to a koi pond tucked in the corner of the archive building. The pond was fairly large, and an intricate bridge had been built across it for easy viewing. It had a history for Sesshoumaru, as his first tutor never liked to read in a boring atmosphere.

"Hitoshi made it clear that I have upset you." he began as the walk slowed until he came to a stop in the middle of the bridge. He turned to face Brigantia eyeing her thoughtfully. "Were you eavesdropping on me and Lord Ainu?"

[Birdie]

The walk in near silence was torture. She had finished brushing her hair long ago, but she was so desperate for distraction that she kept moving the comb through her hair. Finally, after what seemed an eternity the paused at the center of a beautiful bridge. Her eyes wandered toward the fish and for the first time since they had left her room, she stopped brushing her hair. She wanted very much to just stand at the rail of the bridge and just watch the fish. How could she have never seen this place before?

Brigantia brought her attention back to Sesshomaru when he spoke. Eyes growing wide she know not what to do. It made sense that Hitoshi would tell him everything she said, but she had really hoped to avoid this conversation. Then that sort of accusation came. She shook her head emphatically, antenna bouncing with the movement. "No, no! I would never presume to do such a thing! Fumiko was curious and wished to follow the two of you. As her new pupil I felt it would be best to follow her and do anything she asked. Because that is what a pupil does right? She wished for me to show her my room... And she... Nevermind... It is nothing." She smiled lightly before turning away from him, holding the comb to her chest as she approached the rail. She allowed her eyes to follow the colorful carp. Their colors were gorgeous. "I had hoped to begin training right away, but it seemed Fumiko had other, more important matters to attend to. I am sure she is very busy."

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Ah, Fumiko. That explains most of it. He huffed in amusement, looking away and following a particular carp that he had always tortured as a child. Of course the carp were unusual in themselves, for they were very weak youkai. They were good for keeping childish secrets. "She is stalling." he stated accusingly, knowing the panda for too long. Ah, but Brigantia had changed the subject.

This made it even harder on him. He needed to try a different strategy. "Do you not wish to leave?" Sesshoumaru asked, trying to steer the conversation back to the beginning. But as he stalled, it was a good way to learn some information. Personal questions that wanted answers.

[Birdie]

Brigantia blinked out of her trance and looked up at Sesshomaru, eyebrows furrowed. Did she want to stay? What a strange question to ask of her. She shewed on her lower lip, considering this question carefully. "I still have much of my debt to repay," she replied. Whether or not she really wanted to be here emotionally was of no consequence. She had to be here until the end of it. Of course there were moments when she wished she could just run away, as she once had, but it was silly and she did not want to get in trouble again. She turned her attention back onto the Koi.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru wasn't satisfied with that answer. Was the the only thing keeping her here? Brows furrowed, he stared down at her. Shifting through words and things left unspoken in body language. But it didn't seem like there was more to it. At all. "You would have rather I had accepted Lord Ainu's offer." He stated it more than asked. It was an accusation that left him slightly agitated. Hitoshi had made it seem as if...

As if Brigantia wanted to stay. Just to stay.

[Birdie]

She tucked away the brush as she watched the fish. Her fingers curled around the rail and she leaned forward, her hair falling over her shoulders and towards the pond. She liked the way the water rippled when the fish came up to see if she would offer them food. She liked the way they danced together. She liked the lily pads and lotus flowers which grew here.

Brigantia looked up again when Sesshomaru presented her with a half question, half statement. She began to run her fingers through the left side of her hair nervously. "Does this mean I am not to be sold?" She was extremely confused now. "That is to say, I will do what ever it is you ask of me. It is my duty to do as you command. I am at your will." Brigantia did not know how to voice her opinion on the subject very well. "I think what I mean to say is that I would be very sad to no longer see Makoto-san and Takehiko-san... But I am willing to make those sacrifices as my debt to you comes first." There, was that what he needed to hear? What was she to do?

Brigantia blushed darkly as she turned back to the pond. She attempted to hide behind her curtain of hair. Very nervous, and very embarrassed, she did her best to remain calm.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

He still wasn't satisfied. But he had at least gotten the information across that the offer had been refused. But still. And her reasoning. These companions of hers was the only thing that made her wish to stay. Very, very unsatisfying. But what did it truly matter? His eyes narrowed and he scowled as he looked at her.

"Tell me you wish to stay." If that was what she wanted she should just say it outright. He didn't want her debt, he didn't want her constant obedience. What did he want?

[Birdie]

She was becoming distressingly uncomfortable with this whole situation. It was not necessarily that she did not wish to stay. She would very much like to continue on with him here and this life. But much of her felt the need to migrate, to go places and see many different things. She felt she was close to tasting this sort of freedom.

Why was he so hellbent on her saying that she wished to stay? Why did it matter so to him? He had not like the idea of her following him home to begin with. It had taken a certain amount of begging on her part. The whole ordeal had been something he was reluctant to accept. He did not need her. That was what he had said. She was sure that still rung true. What use could he have for her anymore? Still, she could feel the discord of a debt unpaid and she would not be at peace until it was finished.

She stood quietly for a good half a minute before she formulated a reply. "I would like to stay to complete my debt to you." She felt this was perfect. Perhaps that was the wrong answer? Maybe he wished her to be gone?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru stiffened, his expression become hard in his agitation. She was nothing but unsatisfying. The debt was the only thing keeping her here, then. He scowled, glaring at her for a moment in his displeasure before turning away. He took long quick strides to separate himself from her. It wasn't what he wanted, but he had to accept it none the less. Either way, the misunderstanding had been taken care of and he had much more important things to take care of. He shoved the sliding door to the archives, jolting Jaken from his nap in a bed made out of scrolls and waited for Hitoshi to give his report.

[Birdie]

He was upset! Did he want her to leave? He was so unclear and his agigation and anger was so very confusing to her. She frowned and continued to stare into the pond for a short time. It was not long before she decided she should go look for Makoto and Fumiko and begin her work for the day.

---

Hitoshi was back where he felt most comfortable, amongst the ancient scrolls. The smell of old paper and ink made him feel at ease. He contentment was obvious in his lounging sitting position. In his hand he held a writing utensil and he wrote lazily. He would have to give his report verbally to Sesshomaru, but it was always good to have it written out as well. To his side he had his numerous communications with the man, to further flesh out his report.

He felt the demon's presence before the dog lord showed himself. He seemed to pause for a long time outside of the archive. Hitoshi was curious as to what kept him there for such an extended period of time. He could no longer contain his curiosities and went out to investigate. Hitoshi found both his lord and the young Hanyou. Her aura was weakening by the day. It was not until he got close that he realized she was there. He listened to their conversation, also feeling dissatisfied with the whole of it. Why did his lord not just say that he would like for the butterfly to stay? His vague questioning only confused the poor girl further. He felt bad for her.

Their conversation came to an end and Hitoshi rushed back to his place. He was not winded or tired as he found his lounging position again. He managed to look mildly surprised when Sesshomaru showed up. A smile spread across his face at Jaken's sudden awakening. He watched the little kappa dramatically voice his regret for having fallen asleep at his post.

Standing, the red panda, crossed the room and showed Sesshomaru to his personal quarters to give his report in near privacy. It was boring. He had trouble suppressing a yawn as he went through the information pertaining to the other lands. It seemed to take forever until he could claim to be done with the stupid reports. There was something much more interesting to speak on.

"So," he said, "our little butterfly owes you a debt does she? That is too bad. You both parted on unhappy terms. In what way does she feel that she owes you? How long til her debt is repaid? Once it is repaid, how do you hope to keep her here?" He paused his interrogation for a moment to tidy up some scrolls before taking a seat near his desk to pour out some cold tea. "To be fair, you were a little harsh on her. You never speak plainly in all your stoicism, Master." A smirk found purchase on his lips.

[Naraku]

As the next day rolled in, the Dragon Lord finally made his way back towards the castle. The dragon's eyes close as he slides the main door open and enter within. ”Annoyances....” Ryuu softly spoke as he could sense and feel the mixtures of auras and emotions filling the castle.

Slowly he walked down the halls towards the auras before entering the small area the two was discussing such personal matters. His blade fell upon the floor, his hand resting still upon the hilt of the sword. ”It seems we are being delayed greatly. Am I to assume this is because the wolves are having second thoughts, or is there something else going on...”

He added as he could already tell the main source of the delay, though he was unaware at the time if the wolf's messenger had return as he was gone some during the night. His eyes turn seeing that who he first thought was the female was actually a male with Sesshomaru. Though much was easy to mistake through walls. He then turns looking to their host before turning away as his sword is lifted and sheathed.

”I am anxious to find if some will keep their word or if they think they can get the better of me. Though my honor binds me to carry out such an act. My curiosity does amuse me. I shall be within your war room... Or whatever you call it here. I shall await for all else to get ready.”

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The reports were good, although he wished Hitoshi would take things more seriously. Instead of giving him time to question on the morning report. But no, he had to be nosy. He held back a scowl as he avoided eye contact. If Hitoshi had not been with him throughout his childhood the red panda would be crossing a very thin line. But it was good to have an adviser in some matters.

"It is a life debt that she feels she must repay. Once she decides it is done she shall leave." He didn't know when she would feel the debt was repaid. And he was certain she would depart as soon as it was. "I will not keep her here." He added, narrowing his eyes at Hitoshi. So don't get any ideas.

Sesshoumaru stiffened, feeling Ryuu's presence before he turned the corner into the deeper areas of the archives. He glared fiercely, his hands in his sleeves to keep himself from lashing out from the audacity of his guest.

"Although I have taken it upon myself to be the diplomatic partner in this exchange, I do have my own business to take care of. See to it that you do not stray too far into private areas of my home again." The western Lord's eyes narrowed dangerously as he raised his head slightly, looking down at the dragon.

"Yes, you shall wait." Sesshoumaru added dismissively to the new information and turned his back on Ryuu. There was nothing more to speak with Hitoshi about and as Jaken fumed and ranted of the rudeness of dragons the Lord turned to finding Ainu. Yes, it was time to finish this...

[Naraku]

”I am only here on your request, I benefit from nothing on this matter but for respect I came. Unlike you, you may still uphold your land as you are still here, but I have business I cannot handle while I am not within my land.”

The dragon added before he then begins walking away and back towards the chambers they was in last night. Such foolishness this was, thinks would be much more simple and more effective if he would of did things his way. From the beginning the talk of peace was pointless to him. He knew well that once he gave something up they would only want more, and the more he thought about it the more he cannot believe he even agreed to come. Only because of his honor.

Once almost back to the chambers the Dragon Lord stops hearing the soft foot steps of another. His aggravation seem to fade when looking off, knowing it would be a bit before all was ready, besides if he was to be late he had already been waiting all morning.

He instead then took a detour, down into a new hall before seeing the half breed dancer from the night as she seem to be in search of something or someone. He came to a stop while he was least in ear shot to get her attention. ”Brigantia, was it not?” He ask softly as he crosses his arms. The demon lord slowly look over the half breed as he was trying to figure if the half breed was from a demon family he knew but he could not recognize her markings.

”I do not believe we was properly introduced.” The demon slightly bows and only momentary as he spoke. ”I am Ryuukotsusei, The Dragon of the North. I must apologize if I had frighten you last night. For such things was not my intention, yet of my nature. He pauses before a moment before he would continue. ”For today's meeting though I would request you do not come... and if you are insistent be prepared for what will take place. Punishment must be claimed for such crimes and it is not for the eyes of those not prepared for such.”

The Dragon Lord then slowly begins to turn away from the female as he would look up. “I do not wish for you to see anything that may haunt you later, but maybe after the negotiations we could talk truly. But such things are left for your own choice.”