𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲!
𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰!

"Sesshomaru-Samaaaa!" A group of demon women dressed in maid uniforms cheerfully greeted the trio and A-Un at the entrance of the castle. Without a single moment's hesitation, a blue-haired demon helped herself to A-Un's reigns, pulling her forward with a smile. Chiho didn't really expect the demon to greet her, but she didn't really expect her to take A-Un away so rhythmically as she did.

The remaining maids crowded around Sesshomaru, asking multitudes of questions of his most recent travels.

"How was your journey, Lord Sesshomaru? Are you hungry? Toto-San made your favorite today just in case you'd come home!"

"Sesshomaru-Sama, how is Rin? Did you go and see her? Ooh how I miss her cute little face. Did you bring back any red bean buns again?"

"Lord Jaken, you look so dirty! How could you be so happy to travel with Lord Sesshomaru this way?"

"Dirty?!" Jaken crossed his arms in offense "Must I say these are the clothes I left here in! How i could you be so di-"

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru! Who's the demon girl?"

What a way to make an introduction! All eyes slid back to Chiho, showing various mixtures of curiousity, annoyance, and suspicion. Sesshomaru himself never turned around which made Chiho feel all the more spotlighted. With quick glances, she realized all of the maids carried a similar. . ."scent?" If she could classify it as such. It was still fairly knew to her to learn these "terms" demons would share between each other. As curt as Jaken would be to her in front of Sesshomaru, he did lend a hand in educating her on the very basics.

Girl, I don't know what lies they were telling you at that eloquent whorehouse, but you are in fact a demon. The moment that you walked into the Grand Hall, all signs pointed to you and that Kojitsu fellow as the "higher" demons. Not because you smelled of him, which was also obvious, but look at your hair! Your eyes! The markings on your wrists and ankles! Don't be so ghastly ignorant.

She never admitted to him being nice in his education.

All demons carry a specific smell, with the baseline always being a woodsy aroma. Now, depending on the species, the breed, the age, the scent changes. When you mate with a demon, the scent changes, when you are close servant of a demon Lord, you acquire their scent through close association. Of course, the longer you linger around the demon, the similar scents you will have, so on and so forth. With you traveling with us, your scent will change, and when we return to the castle, you will see that the maids carry a similar scent, but you will be able to tell the difference between a servant, a mate, and a standalone demon with time. Humans carry a smell as well, almost like fresh rain, but of course the intent of the human can change that also.

But, as far as you, you smell ridiculously sweet, like a barrel of Yuzu or Peaches. Either way, don't stand too close to me because the smell makes me sick!

Of course, she asked was her fate at the castle going to be a maid or a mate and Jaken's answer was irrevocably vague.

I don't meddle into the Lord's personal affairs but if he were to choose you to be either, consider it an honor! He could have very well left you near death or returned you back to the castle and we be about our merry way! Which i would have happily supported as his loyal servant.

She couldn't roll her eyes further to the back of her head in her mind recalling his monologue.

"Girl. What's your name?" One of the maids spoke up, eyeing her with a raised eyebrow. She had similar golden eyes as Sesshomaru but instead of white hair, hers was grey, tied in a braid down her tailbone.

Chiho felt dropped back to earth from her daydream as she focused on the maid's question. Not knowing how else to greet them, she bowed low at the waist, focusing on the dirt at her feet.

"My name is Chiho!" The maid covered her mouth to hide her snicker. "It'll be a honor to work amongst you all, I promise to do my best and hold my weight!"

"Your weight?" Another demon maid chimed in, giggling between her questions, "My dear, you are nothing but skin, bones, and a little breast but nothing to brag about." She stood behind her and rubbed her stomach, hands gliding across her breasts with a devilish smirk.

"Riyuki!" The grey hair demon waved her hands in a "shoo" motion, pulling her arm to stand at her side versus directly behind Chiho.

"Have better manners with the guests!" Chiho didn't know what else to do but keep her bowed position, but if one were to look at her face it would be the closest thing to a fresh tomato!

Riyuki pouted at the grey-haired demon, "Natsuko, don't act like you weren't curious as to who that feather invitation was for? Like we don't know that's the oldest "exchange" invitation in the boo-"

"Ah! That'll be enough out of you two!" Jaken waved his hands frantically back and forth, signaling for them to halt their gossip in front of Sesshomaru who was now at the castle doors.

"Silence your chirping or it'll be another punishment for yo-"

"Jaken." Chiho stood straight as the other girls and Jaken turned their attention to Sesshomaru. His face still neutral, but Chiho assumed by the tone in his speech he was growing annoyed.

"Have the girls prepare dinner for tonight. Chiho," his golden eyes slid directly to her, making her retreat back to a greeting pose.

"What else am I supposed to do?!" She thought frantically, begging her knees mentally to stop shaking.

"Rise and follow me." Without further continuation, he turned on his heel and opened the castle doors.

"Ooooooh! Lucky lucky Chiho! Getting the introductory special from our dear Lord~~!"

"Enough of that bedchamber rambling, Riyuki! Now hurry up and follow me so we can start on dinner, its bad enough that I have to be you lots babysitter on my first night here. . . ." Jaken murmured the last little bit to himself as the group walked away in a different direction towards what Chiho assumed to be the kitchen area, but it wasn't unnoticed as the shorter, more petite demon with a purple bob and red eyes wrapped her arms gleefully around Jaken's neck.

"Oh don't be like that Jaken! You love spending time with us~~"

"G-get off me, Myung Hee! Y-y-you're choking me!"

"Ooooh! Am I? Well, how's this!"

"Aah!" Jaken's scream echoed from around the corner. "Worse!"

All the girls burst in laughter that soon faded away, leaving Chiho standing at the her feet alone. Her heart racing in her ears, paralyzing her feet from moving further inside until the same blue-haired demon spoke up from the neighboring field of grass where she stood while Ah-Un circled around and around to take a nap.

"I wouldn't dally too long." She warned. "Lord Sesshomaru doesn't like to wait." She fastened her hair into a high ponytail, squatting down next to Ah-Un and petting her head to null her to sleep.

"My name is Kimiko. If you have any questions, come and find me."

Chiho's lips parted to speak, only to be cut off again by Kimiko.

"Talk later. Go inside now."

Chiho heeded her words wit zest. Nodding at Kimiko, she hiked up her kimono to not trip and hurried inside, closing the door behind her.

"The inside is so huge!" The doors echoed shut behind her, sending a chill up her spine. The feeling inside of the castle wasn't ominous like the Castle in The Sky, instead it felt still, peaceful, and. . A little lonely? Nonetheless, it was gorgeous and smelled divine inside. The floors were polished, the lanterns burning brightly along the walls and the corridors squeaky clean and bright. It was almost as if nobody lived here! She could smell the oak emanating off the furniture as if freshly constructed, and she picked up what she thought was the smell of meat stew and rice cooking down the hall.

You're a demon and your senses are that of a human! You need to practice how to utilize your senses if you are to be respected by Lord Sesshomaru by the slightest.

"Haaah, smells so- oof!" She turned her nose in the air, wafting in the rich smells permeating her nostrils bit by bit. She was so entranced, she didn't even realize Sesshomaru was standing directly behind her while she pivoted on her heel. Bumping into his breastplate, she stumbled backwards with a gasp, rubbing her forehead.

"I'm so sorry Lord Sesshomaru," he watched her bow apologetically, not uttering a response. She felt incredibly nervous around him and even more cautious than she did back at the other castle! She was dreading the adjustment but, all in all, she had to go with it if it meant returning home.

"I'll try to be more careful next time." Sesshomaru kept a neutral expression, his only form of communication being a turn on his heel to walk down a long corridor without a word.

Chiho felt his presence fading, signaling her to hurry behind him. His strides were long, graceful, and somewhat slower than what she imagined. She took the opportunity to study his armor, swords, and his. . Tail? Unconsciously she reached her hand out to try and touch it but decided otherwise, clasping them together to halt any jerk movements.

He didn't say much to her, but she continued to follow. The corridor seemed to go on forever, turning and twisting at random until finally-

"Ah!" She gasped, looking up at the large chamber doors that greeted the two. Two tall lanterns stood at the side of the doors, showing an engraving of two dog demons fighting eachother under a lightning storm. She was so taken aback by the artwork that she didn't even notice Sesshomaru looking down at her as she looked upwards in childlike wonder.

Batting her lashes at the uncomfortable silence, she looked over at Sesshomaru and caught his golden eyes peering down at her.

"Ah- y-yes, the doors."

With shaky hands, she unbolted the doors and used all of her strength to push the doors open. It took a bit of strain, but she managed to have the both of them swing open, revealing his bedroom chamber. It was a large space, with a desk in the corner, armor in another, and an even larger bed occupying one entire wall of the room. On his desk were maps, scrolls, brushes, and books in Chinese and Japanese. Was this literature? She made a mental note to take a peek when she could but for now, her eyes focused on Sesshomaru, searching for a signal as far as what to do.

Sesshomaru walked over to the armory, carefully placing his swords on its respective shelves. Taking a hint, Chiho carefully walked behind Sesshomaru and reached for the clasps that held his breastplate together.

Sesshomaru stiffened, looking back at Chiho in brief surprise. Chiho could feel him tense, immediately causing her to drop her hands and take a step back.

"I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have-"

"No. You were just removing it wrong. The latches are in the front."

Chiho felt instant relief he wasn't upset. With a deep breath, she walked in front of him, nervously reaching for the first latch. It was a tough clasp, but with a quick tug she was able to loosen it up. Moving on to the next latch, this one caught her by surprise by how quickly it snapped loose. Overwhelmed by the weight of the plate, she nearly dropped it to the floor, only to be caught with the assistance of Sesshomaru's hands.

Chiho gulped, focusing on the breastplate and not the narrowing space between the two.

"I-I got it, Lord Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru had his doubts, but removed his hands anyway. The weight pulled Chiho down once again, but this time she was able to place it near the armory without fully dropping it. She was carefully not to hurt her hand on the spike either.

"My sash." Sesshomaru instructed, holding up the longest portion in his hand.

"You just have to tug it, and it will unravel itself. Here," he held out the sash in her direction, giving her the OK to pull.

"Hah, okay." She was still tired from lifting the armor, but she couldn't show him just yet. She took the sash in her hand, quickly noticing his claws and marked forearm. It was similar to the one on his face as well.

With a quick pull, the Sash undid itself, bunching at his feet in a carefree glide to the ground.

Chiho bunched the fabric in her hand, folding it neatly, and placing it down next to his breastplate.

"I- I think I can do this part" Bashfully, she wrapped her arms around his waist and tugged at the latch that held his secondary armor. This one was quite lighter, to her relief.

She positioned it next to his breastplate, securing the latches together.

"How often have you removed the armor of the men back at your old castle?"

The question stung her a little bit, but she felt no need to be coy at this point, considering she was practically a bargaining gift for him.

"Often." Her skin crawled at the memories. Before Kojitsu it was soldiers and before the soldiers it was the guards. The only time she felt okay to feel like a woman was with the gardener, Daku. How she missed him..

"Your Breastplate is new. But everything else I'm familiar with."

She took his silence as a continuation for her curiosity.

"Although I am grateful for you bringing me here, don't you think this will lead to a continued dispute between you and Kojitsu?" Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched at the thought, but still no response.

"I just think-"

"And that is where the problem lies," Sesshomaru interjected, a hint of annoyance seeping out of his otherwise cool voice

"You worry of what hasn't happened. For now, you are weak. And you are in no condition to travel. For now, focus on the task at hand and when the situation presents itself," he referred to Kojitsu, "we will address it. But for now, find one of the girls to get type changed. They will know which kimono you should wear."

"I can take care of it from here." Sesshomaru removed his fur, rested it on its own holster, and walked to a further end of his room where an adjoined room was connected. He disappeared inside without saying a further word, leaving Chiho all the more confused.

Without risking his return, she scurried out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑

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𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄
𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛!

ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴇ ᴠɪᴀ ᴍʏ ꜱᴏᴄɪᴀʟ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴀ ʙᴇʟᴏᴡ:
ɪɢ: @ᴀꜱʜᴇᴀ.ᴀᴍᴏᴜʀ

ᴛᴡɪᴛᴛᴇʀ: @ɴᴀᴍɪᴠᴇɴᴜs
ᴛɪᴋᴛᴏᴋ: @ꜱᴏꜰᴛᴇꜱᴛᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ
(ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴀꜱᴋ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ - ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʀᴜᴅᴇ.)

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