What on earth is Sesshoumaru up to...this is a very unexpected turn of events! Not that I'm complaining, of course ;) I'm quite particular about Naraku's characterization, as he's one of my favorite antagonists (and favorite IY characters, actually), and you write him very well - self-satisfied and oily smooth, each word of his brimming with insinuation.  Loved the part where Kagome imagined herself trapped in a web by his intimate use of Sesshoumaru's name, hehe.

Cannot wait to see how the events unfold, as Kagome is drawn deeper into the darkness of her obsession. <3

Wow, this chapter really ratchets up the suspense! Poor Kagome...she's so far in over her head. @_@ I really feel for her in this situation. Bad enough to be coerced financially (not to mention pyschologically, due to her helpless attraction), but the possible threat to her life just adds another level of anxiety and tension.

The backstory concerning Kikyou was certainly chilling. I wonder what the whole story behind her relationship with Inuyasha was. Also, the mysterious and tragic circumstances surrounding her death give me a terrible sense of foreboding...

Gotta say, I love your characterization of Miroku. He's sympathetic to Kagome, but that sympathy only extends so far - he is a businessman himself, after all. Love the imagery with the cigarillo and the kiss at the end. Such a heartwrenching display of his pity toward her.

Another beautiful chapter, Stella - so much delicious angst! :D

Sailor Moon new anime will premiere on July 5. Crazy, keep it coming.

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer run,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it...Dad.

Happy Father's Day!

Omggg  really looking forward to reading the next chapter  ... although this turn of event was unexpected but heartily welcomed

FOR YOU STELLA, I SHALL LOVE MALE SLASH AND THREESOMES :D :D :D :D anything for more chapters! anyhing!!

*squeals with joy*  Yayy~ another quick update! you dunno how much I luv ya right now! *squeals

Now, about the chapter:

I don't know how I knew, but I had suspected that Mr. Flint was going to be Naraku (who happens to be half). Yay~

So, Sess is bi-sexual or rather gay?? Well that explains his cold demeanor towards females and Kagome alike. well, I am sure that he isn't gay per se  (i'm sure sess doesn't like labeling ^^;) but he probably has enormouse libido and his sexual preference (inclinations) is no different. Also, I am assuming, that he is not really a sensual or particularly a sexual man, but that his sexual activities is just a "means to an end." (more like an everyday business transaction).

I have an inkling that there is more to Naraku's and Sess's history with each other. Naraku is inclined to Sess's dark side probably bc Naraku does some dark businesses (maybe on the side), and when Sess needs some unsavory work done, Naraku is the one who does Sess's dirty work. (e.g. Kikyo's so-called "suicide").  In return for Naraku's favor, Sess makes favorable deals for Naraku.

That explains why they seem very closely aquainted with each other, i.e., that they also sleep together...

Now on with the second mystery: In my opinion, I think Sess deliberately went to Le Roi Soleil to trap Kagome into doing favors for Naraku from the beginning because Naraku was deeply infatuated with Kikyo in a sickly-kind-of-way. And that makes Kagome the "replacement" for Naraku's sick pleasures and fun. What do you think? I guess only the time can tell. =) So, please update soon so I can find out if my inklings are true!!

thx for another great chapter!

STELLA! What is this?! What is this perfection that you have written! Lord! That last chapter literally had me in a puddle of nothingness. I don't know how to react. What? what. what?! nooooo. YES. This is good. This is very good I am pleased. I have no idea what is going to hpappen next and I love it! I feel like I've jumped on the Stella Mira Rollercoaster Blindfolded and I love it!

Keep up the great work... PLEASE!

*wipes brow* *fans self*

Oh my gosh...I didn't expect that to happen. Stella Mira the goddess of eloquent smut, everyone. lol!

The dialogue with Naraku and Sesshoumaru felt so dangerous, as if Kagome was walking on egg shells, I was so worried of what was going to happen while reading. I'm still worried. Loving your frequent updates, what an enthralling chapter. :)

Embracing the darkness and once again enthralled by your web weaving of tales. Thank you, for continuing to feed our needs by sharing your imagination with us.

More, keep it coming.

 

yikes~ what has our dear Kagome gotten into?

I'm sure he (Sess) will sever all ties with her after the deal except She won't/can't sever ties with him by looking at the first chapter (a hint from the prologue). OR, Sess has in need to her services again for that same said client again...

either way, she is in a lose-lose situation.

will there ever be an upper-hand for our heroine (i mean, Kagome is the heroine of this fic, correct)?

Only if there is an equal footing for our heroine... but who knows, heart is a fickle thing. AND, we are dealing with Kagome of all people, not Kikyo (blah)! ;)

Stella Mira, thanks for another great chapter! I know you probably hear million compliments about your writing style, but I am in loss of words as to how to compliment your use of vivd imagery... it was fanastic! And, I do appreciate your fast updates, very much so! Woman, you have a talent: you update quickly without sacrificing your quality of writing! And this leads to another conclusion: you will most likely complete this fic (where most authors can't: authors who do not update as much either lose interest/muse or just give up due to their life)! It's a feat to complete a fic, and I wish there is an award for authors that comes through to the end!

I love where this is going lovelyyy ... what if  kikiyo was killed by naraku its all just a misunderstanding sesshomaru wouldn't do tht regardless he must be happy tht their taisho name wasn't tainted ... n  is sessho n inu normal humans maybe miroku knows  tht dey r demons or something. ..

And the plot thickens! I love the reintroduction of the scent of Miroku's cigarello and how it sparks her memory.  Why do I feel like he is still keeping something from her...regardless, he is the one friend that Kagome can talk to- but I am not sure he can really help her further with this much possible danger she's in.

I am so hyped now; will InuYasha be introduced into the story, and who is the potential client Sesshoumaru wants her to seduce? Another great chapter, can't wait to see what happens next. :)

Waah, such a fast update! I'm overjoyed :'D

Ohmigosh, I love it, I love it - obsession with a twist, seeing as how it's usually Sesshoumaru with the fixation in SK obsession stories (...like Transgressions, for example :3). Kagome's feverish yearning is conveyed so vividly - I'm pretty sure I could feel the flames of it through my computer screen. :D

And dear gods, that interaction between them! Sesshoumaru's cool efficiency as he stokes her raging lust...what a striking juxtaposition! And how she submits to it all because she simply cannot help herself where he's concerned - a "willing enslavement" indeed! (Gah, I *love* that phrase - in two words you've captured their dynamic, in all its one-sidedness and objectification)

He leaves her unsated at the end, and it was perfectly cruel - a ruthless display of domination. But how will Kagome respond to his blackmail? I've gotta say, he makes quite a convincing threat. She's already in financial straits, and I do believe he has the power and the will to ruin her if he so chooses. Oh, and I want to *strangle* him for that last word, even if it had me smirking inwardly at how true it was to his nature.

Brilliant chapter, Stella! Waiting for Ch.5 on pins and needles :)

Both chapters are great, keep it coming.

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer run,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it...Dad.

Happy Father's Day!

Hi there!

I love your descriptive writing....  but about your story, you sure love to torment your readers ;)

I hate Sess so much in this story... what a jerk! I wish Kagome was more self-respecting female. I want her to be strong like she is in manga/anime. Besides, realistically, a girl or any woman can find strong attraction in a good-looking male AT FIRST until he starts acting like a jerk towards that said female... even if being a prick is not towards that said woman, it is still a turn off to most women. I just don't understand how she could fall so madly for him when is threatened and used like a piece of sh*t. She does not need this treatment from anyone, so she should just quit her job like any self-respecting individual. Get herself a loan or something to pay for her student loans. It will be so sad and difficult for me to see if she becomes a black-mailed "prostitue"!

Like one reviewer said, I can totally see Kagome with picket signs protesting about her torments she goes through in stories!

I can't wait to see what happens (whether she will fall for the threat, or if not, how you will take her out of it) in your next installment!

Thanks again for another great read!

Needless to say ur stories are always awesome :P ...

Ughh, I just love to hate him. "For Free." Such a slap in the face...a torturously sultry, deceitful slap in the face. This chapter was so helplessly erotic; teach me to how to write such titillating scenes?? Oh my god I need a fan on me.

I love stories with that almost-romance dynamic; it could happen, but events don't always turn out how we want, no matter the level of our desire for it. It allows a lot more avenues a storyline could progress through, and I'm interested as to where you'll guide this one. :) I know Sesshoumaru's main goal is her aid on his new client, but I wonder if maybe there's some unseen prospect he is setting up for.

I also didn't recognize any spelling or grammar errors, but then again I haven't slept since yesterday sooo. There's that.

Very much enjoyed the buildup of Kagome's desire in this chapter - the reactions elicited by his cigar were some delicious imagery, indeed! Gah, you can feel how agonizing it is, the way that she burns for him, as if he is the only man in the world she has ever truly seen.

And he is as cold as cold can be - and I absolutely *love* it. If you took the Sesshoumaru from the series and transplanted him in this setting, this is exactly how I believe he would act: calculating, cool, and ruthless. It's quite a refreshing portrayal. Every action of his in this chapter rings true to me.

I was proud of how Kagome refused his offer. She has her dignity, and she's not naive...but how long can she hold up against him? I hurt for how he crushed her so. What he said to her at the end was just the perfect coup de grace - but, to be fair: who wouldn't let him? ;)

Anyway! I am utterly hooked on this new venture of yours, Stella. Thanks for sharing, and please update soon! *hugs*

Definitely can't wait to see what happens, and what Kagome will decide.  Awesome work!